Silver or White Fillings- Which is Best For You?

If you're like many of us, you may have silver fillings in your mouth. These silver, or amalgam, fillings have been around for more than 100 years. The amalgam filling material is made from silver, mercury, tin, copper and other metallic substances. This combination makes the material very durable and relatively inexpensive. Although there has been some concern over the use of mercury for these types of fillings, several health organizations such as the World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control have stated that the combination of other metals with the mercury make the filling safer for use in teeth. Some disadvantages to silver fillings are that they may be visible when you laugh or speak, and that dentists may have to drill more of the tooth away in order to pack in the amalgam.

Composite, or white, fillings are tooth-colored and more aesthetically appealing. It's almost like you never had a filling at all! White fillings are a mixture of glass or quartz. They too are durable and resistant to cracks or breaks. Because white fillings can also be bonded, less drilling of the tooth is required. Although white fillings are more expensive, they are more cosmetically appealing and may allow dentists to drill a smaller filling than amalgam fillings.

I personally recommend that my patients receive the composite fillings. If you already have silver fillings, you can have them replaced with the tooth-colored fillings. For more information about these types of fillings, please visit our Website.

Steps You Can Take to Prevent Oral Cancer

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, more than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause more than 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day. Of those 34,000 newly diagnosed individuals, only half will be alive in 5 years. Mouth cancer will be newly diagnosed in about 100 new individuals each day in the US alone, and a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. This is clearly something we need to pay attention to.

People can develop oral cancer from using tobacco or abusing alcohol. Exposure to the HPV-16 (human papilloma virus 16) can cause oral cancer. To prevent oral cancer, be sure to abstain from smoking or excessive drinking.

In addition to prevention, early detection is key to treating oral cancer. During your routine cleanings and exams, Roselle Park dentists and hygienists offer an oral cancer screening with ViziLite - technology that helps us see abnormal tissue in the mouth. I'd recommend that patients have a complete soft tissue exam with ViziLite at least once a year. The oral cancer foundation claims that oral cancer is 90% curable when found in its early stages. Schedule a check up today by calling 908-245-1745 or visit Roselle Park Dental.com for more information to ensure you stay healthy and cancer-free.

New Year, New You

The turning of the calendar year always brings a time of personal reflection. As we all take a few moments to think about our experiences last year, we make resolutions to change or improve upon certain aspects of our lives in the new year. Unfortunately, these resolutions are often fleeting. How many times have we vowed to eat better or exercise more regularly, stick to our guns the first few weeks, and then fall off the proverbial horse in February.

So this year, instead of making a resolution, I am going to make an evolution. Small, slow changes that I am more likely to sustain over the long-term. My New Year's evolution is to be even more healthy in 2010. I am truly dedicated to improving my well-being so that I can ward off disease and illness more effectively and quickly, slow the signs of aging, and have more energy.

For Christmas, I received a juicer as a gift. Several days a week, I place apples, organges, pears, kale, bell peppers, beets, carrots, and any other produce I have in the refrigerator into the juicer and out comes a healthy, all-natural mood and energy booster. I plan on making juicing an important part of my life. It is one single, managable step I can make in 2010 to improve my health.

I encourage you to make your own New Year's evolutions - not resolutions! If your evolutions include enhancing your smile or keeping your gums healthy as part of a new and improved you, please contact me to discuss your options. You can also visit my Website to learn more at Roselle Park Dental.com. Good luck!

This weekend I happened to catch Dr. Daniel Amen on TV talking about his book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. Dr. Amen claims that by certain actions such as meditation, exercise, and eating healthy, people can literally enhance their brain, thereby enhancing their life. As an avid healthy eater and athlete, Dr. Amen's message truly resonated with me.

Then I got to thinking...maybe there is such a thing as Change Your Teeth, Change Your Life. We all know the basic actions people can take to keep their teeth healthy: brushing and flossing. Although these actions are basic, they are vitally important! Brushing and flossing at least twice a day help to remove plaque will help keep your teeth healthy. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary snacks and sodas will help prevent tooth decay. Don't forget to keep your twice-a-year check up at the dentist, too. Schedule one today by calling Roselle Park Dental at (908) 245-1745.

Your teeth are not the only things you should take care of. Gums are so important because they keep your teeth in your mouth. If your gums are red, swollen, sore or they bleed when you brush or floss, you may have gingivitis, a type of gum disease. Gum disease can lead to a variety of other health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes. If you're experiencing any problems with your gums or would like an evaluation, please schedule an appointment. At Roselle Park Dental, we implemented a revolutionary gum disease treatment that is more effective and less invasive.

Keeping your teeth and gums in good shape really will make yourself a healthier you! I guess it is true that if you change your teeth and gums you can truly change your life.

6 Month Smiles and Deep Bleaching Offered at Roselle Park Dental!

I've always said that the first thing people notice about you is your smile. Your smile is truly the cornerstone of facial expression and can leave a lasting impression on those you meet. A white, straight, radiant smile can give you a confidence boost while keeping your entire mouth healthy.

At my practice, Roselle Park Dental, we have several services that can help straighten your smile as well as give it that bright shine movie stars have. Using Six (6) Month Smiles, we can straighten an adult's teeth in about 6 months. If your teeth are too crowded or you have unwanted spaces between your teeth, you may be a candidate for Six Month Smiles. In addition, if you do not like your bite, we may be able to correct it using Six Month Smiles. One of the best features of Six Month Smiles is that the braces are clear or "tooth colored" so you can't even tell you're wearing anything! We are one of the only offices in the tri-state area that offers Six Month Smiles, so give us a call today at 908-245-1745.

We also offer Deep Bleaching, one of the most effective teeth whitening systems. One of the benefits of Deep Bleaching is that the results are permanent! They last a lifetime. So if you're unhappy with the shade of your teeth, schedule an appointment by calling 908-245-1745 to add that sparkle to your smile!