Celebrate Heart Month ... With a Clean Smile

Since February is American Heart Health Month, the American Heart Association is urging people to raise awareness about heart disease – including stroke, heart attacks, and other serious coronary artery diseases – which are the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, and how it can be prevented.

When people make healthy choices and are proactive about managing their health conditions, heart disease is often preventable. Mounting evidence is now showing a correlation between common periodontal conditions – such as gingivitis, cavities, and missing teeth – as predictors for heart disease. So in addition to keeping your smile healthy and beautiful, brushing and flossing may be protecting you from heart disease as well!

While experts don’t yet understand what is causing this connection, several recent studies conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology, have concluded that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary conditions.

Findings from another study, published in Circulation: Journal of the America Heart Association discovered that the presence of a specific bacteria in the mouth was an accurate indicator of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the carotid artery. This hardening is caused by the build-up of fat deposits from the blood along the sides of the arteries, creating blockages that can eventually lead to heart attack and stroke.

While researchers know that the bacteria present in our mouths does enter our bloodstream through our gums, and has therefore been found as a component in artery-clogging build-up, they are still uncertain if prevention of periodontal diseases could also prevent heart disease.

What they do know for sure at this point, is that people who are at a higher risk for developing heart disease should take extra special care of their teeth and gums: making sure to follow proper brushing and flossing guidelines and techniques, visiting the dentist to have regular deep cleaning of the roots of their teeth, and perhaps even surgery to correct any infection or gum disease that may already be present.

Additionally, people who are at risk for developing heart disease should:
•    Maintain a healthy weight
•    Eat a heart-healthy diet
•    Exercise most days of the week
•    Control any conditions that increase risk, including diabetes, cholesterol, or high blood pressure

Learn more about the connection between periodontal diseases and heart health, or call us at 908-998-4698 to schedule an appointment!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Whether you love the excuse to get dressed up and go out for a date night, or hate the “Hallmark” holiday … this year, celebrate love AND be good to your teeth …

While you may not think Valentine’s – often celebrated with big romantic gestures, gift giving, and indulging in sweet treats – seems like a good day for your oral health … think again!

Enjoy Chocolate. Unlike most sugary candies that cause cavities, dark chocolate can actually help to protect your teeth! Thanks to its low sugar content – dark chocolate contains a 60% or more of cocoa solids, little or no added sugar, and the element theobromine, which has been proven to harden enamel – you can enjoy your Valentine’s Day treats without worrying about damaging your teeth.

Get Smoochable Breath. After enjoying a romantic meal, munching on a piece of sugar-free gum will ensure your breath is fresh! Chewing sugar-free gum for approximately 20 minutes post-meal stimulates the production of saliva which helps to wash away leftover food particles that cause bad breath creating bacteria, and eventually leads to tooth decay.

Give the Gift of a Beautiful Smile. This year, skip the traditional Valentine’s gift – who really needs or wants another stuffed animal or piece of jewelry? Instead, give yourself or your special someone the gift of a beautiful smile! Visit us at Roselle Park Dental for a cleaning, whitening, or even a smile simulation, where we’ll work from an image of your teeth to create a picture of what your best smile can look like using cutting edge technology.

From all of us at Roselle Park Dental, have a Happy and Healthy Valentine’s Day!

Visit our Website or call us today at (908) 998-4698 to learn more …

FREE Educational Implant Seminar

We held our 2nd Implant Seminar last week and it was another HUGE success!

Join us next month for refreshments and a FREE educational seminar on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at 6 p.m.!

Space is limited – call (908) 998-4698 now to reserve your seat …

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Don’t Let Sensitive Teeth Leave You Out in the Cold

Brrr – it’s cold outside!!! In addition to freezing our fingers and toes, the frigid temps can bother people with sensitive teeth as well. Inhaling frosty air has the same painful effect as eating or drinking a cold food or beverage. 

Similarly, people who suffer from sensitivity to cold often have the same reaction to heat as well, which means that warming up with a steaming cup of tea or cocoa on a frigid night is out of the question! 

So what causes this sensitivity to severe temperatures? Lying beneath the protective layers of enamel and gum line in our mouth is a less-dense substance called “dentin” which is made of microscopic tubes that connect to nerve endings. When the dentin is uncovered, the nerve endings become exposed to hot and cold causing discomfort.

Gum recession or enamel erosion can be the result of numerous things, including:

• Tooth decay/Cavities
• Fractured or Broken Teeth and Fillings
• Gum Disease
• Worn Teeth Enamel
• Exposed Root

The good news is that there are ways to treat this uncomfortable condition. Possible solutions depend on what is specifically causing your sensitivity, but could include:

• Special Desensitizing Toothpaste 
• Surgical Gum Graft
• A Filling, Crown, Inlay or Bonding
• Fluoride Gel

If you are suffering from sensitivity to the cold, call us at (908) 998-4698 today to learn more about how to “warm up” your teeth and feel better!

Start Your Year Off With A Healthy Smile!

Most dental insurance plan runs on a calendar year, so your benefits probably renewed on January 1.

This means that your annual benefits maximum has been reset and you may be eligible again for a regular cleaning and exam as well.

If you used all of your dental benefits last year and had been holding off on scheduling dental work, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment and start off the New Year with a healthy smile!

As always, please contact us at (908) 998-4698 if you have any questions about your insurance coverage or benefits. We look forward to seeing you!

FREE Educational Implant Seminar

We held our 1st ever Implant Seminar last week and it was a HUGE success!

Join us next month for this FREE educational seminar and refreshments on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 6 p.m.!

Space is limited – call (908) 998-4698 now to reserve your seat …

Happy New Year – Resolve to Floss in 2015!!!

As we start a new year and a new chapter, what better time to make positive changes to better our lives? Improving your overall health is a popular New Year’s resolution, but this year we encourage you to take it one step further and improve your dental health!

Flossing daily, as recommended by the American Dental Association, is an essential component of your dental care routine that is often skipped. However remembering to floss regularly has a host of benefits, including removing plaque that can cause tartar buildup and eventually lead to gum disease and cavities.

Although flossing only takes a few minutes and should be painless (when done correctly), many people fail to do so, because they find it challenging, run out of time, or simply because they forget.

It’s too hard! For those who skip this essential step due to difficulty, perhaps trying a different form of floss might be the solution. For example, people who suffer from limited dexterity in their hands and fingers may struggle with traditional string floss, but using a dental pick or pre-threaded flosser should make maneuvering between teeth much easier and more effective!

I am too tired! While most people do brush their teeth before retiring at night, taking the extra few minutes to floss at the end of a long day can just seem like too much effort! The important thing is that you floss once a day, but it does not matter what time of day you do it. So why not try making it part of your morning routine instead? Too rushed in the morning? What about brushing and flossing after lunch? The key is to find a convenient time every day, and then make it part of your regular routine.

Oops - I forgot … again! The hardest part of forming a new habit can sometimes just be remembering to do it.  A few tried and true ways to get a new behavior to stick include:

1. Visual Reminders: Write yourself a post-it note and stick it to the bathroom mirror
2. Start Small: Committing to floss just one tooth at a time can be a less daunting task and therefore make it easier to integrate into your routine. Chances are once you get started you’ll go ahead and floss them all!
3. Celebrate Success: Give yourself a gold star or even just a simple check mark on the calendar!

Taking the moment to acknowledge that you’ve ACCOMPLISHED your goal will encourage continued success!

From all of us at Roselle Park Dental, have a happy and healthy new year. Here's to a great 2015!!!

For more information about how to make flossing part of your daily routine, call Roselle Park Dental at (908) 998-4698 or visit www.roselleparkdental.com.