Dental Hygiene Education

Education for Optimal Oral Health

In addition to professional dental cleanings, good dental hygiene comes from habits at home. Dr. Tanvi Patel and Dr. Priya Patel recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. This helps prevent tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other oral health issues.

There are several other things you can do at home to keep your teeth strong and healthy. Over-the-counter products like toothpaste and mouth rinses that contain fluoride are your best way to help reduce plaque and tartar. A balanced diet and a limit on sugary snacks can also contribute to good oral health.

Wash away sugars from foods and drinks with a glass of water after meals. Sodas and candies can contain acids that can wear away your teeth’ enamel. Your saliva is good at neutralizing these acids. Wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth to give your saliva time to protect your teeth.

Healthy habits at home can keep your teeth strong and beautiful. If you have any questions about your dental hygiene routine at home, contact us today.

Oral Cancer Screening

Early Detection for a Healthy Smile

Over fifty thousand people are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. Treatments have high rates of success and are less invasive when the cancer is caught in the initial stages. If they get a chance to progress, oral cancers can need much more complex treatment.

Regular screenings can help ensure the detection of any potential cancers. Dr. Tanvi Patel and Dr. Priya Patel recommend having an oral cancer screening at least once a year. During your screening, they will examine your mouth, throat, lips, gums, and tongue to check for any abnormalities. Let us know about any unusual symptoms you have experienced, including:

• Pain or difficulty with speaking, swallowing, or moving your jaw or tongue
• A sensation that something is caught in the back of your throat
• Sore throat with no other sinus symptoms
• Lumps or swellings in or around your mouth
• Drastic weight loss
• White or red patches in your mouth
• Mouth sores that do not heal
• Unexplained ear pain
• Unexplained bleeding in your mouth

Any of these symptoms can be a potential sign of oral cancer. If they last for a week without improvement, contact us immediately for an appointment and an oral cancer screening.

Oral cancer can develop in anyone, but some factors increase the risk. Some common ones include:

• Being male
• Use of tobacco in any form
• Genetic predisposition
• Excessive or prolonged sun exposure
• An unhealthy diet
• Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Having gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)

For more information on oral cancer screenings or to schedule an appointment, contact the team at Dental Sanctuary of Fanwood today.

Night Guards

Protecting Your Smile 

Some people have a condition known as bruxism, which is the unconscious grinding of teeth during sleep. A night guard can help prevent this grinding and prevent damage to your teeth.

Nightguards are removable appliances similar to athletic mouth guards. They provide a sturdy barrier between your top and bottom teeth to prevent them from grinding together while you sleep. A custom-fitted night guard from Dr. Tanvi Patel and Dr. Priya Patel will help ensure your comfort and safety. A proper fit prevents wear and tear on your teeth, irritation to your gums, damage to your enamel, and pain in your jaw.

During your appointment, Dr. Tanvi Patel and Dr. Priya Patel will discuss other ways to help reduce night grinding. This may include avoiding:

• Chewing gum
• Alcohol
• Caffeine

All of these increase the risk of grinding. If you suspect you may have issues with teeth grinding, contact us today for an appointment.

Fluoride Treatment

Strengthening Your Teeth with Fluoride Treatments 

We offer fluoride treatments to help you prevent tooth decay. At Dental Sanctuary of Fanwood, we offer fluoride treatments to patients of all ages to help safeguard the development of primary and permanent teeth.

We will use a brush to apply fluoride in a varnish form. It helps make teeth more resistant to the buildup of decay as a result of plaque and sugars. It can also help your teeth heal naturally by disrupting acid erosion and encouraging remineralization.

Fluoride is also available inside many toothpastes and mouth rinses in lower strengths, so you can use them at home to compliment an office fluoride treatment. We can also prescribe you stronger rinses if needed. Dr. Tanvi Patel and Dr. Priya Patel can advise you all about your fluoride needs. At Dental Sanctuary of Fanwood, we use fluoride as part of providing you with the highest quality care. For more information or to request an appointment, contact us today.

Sealants

Shielding Your Teeth from Decay 

Sealants are an effective way of preventing tooth decay and cavities on your molars. Cavities are frequent on the molars due to the natural grooves in the teeth. People of all ages can benefit from sealants. It can protect permanent molars in children to help them develop in a healthy manner, and adults can benefit from them in their day-to-day lives.

Sealants are applied easily and fast. The steps for applying them are:

1. Thoroughly cleaning the teeth
2. Drying the teeth for a time so the solution can bond
3. Applying the sealant solution to the chewing surfaces of the teeth
4. Curing the solution using a special light

Sealants help protect tooth enamel from plaque and acids from foods and drinks. They can last for years before a reapplication is needed. So long as the sealant remains intact, the surface of the tooth will be protected from decay.

As useful as sealants are, they are not a substitute for brushing your teeth. Proper home care and professional cleanings are necessary for a complete oral care routine. Also, sealants do not protect the teeth. Continue to floss daily for optimal oral health. For more information about fluoride or to request an appointment, contact the team at Dental Sanctuary of Fanwood today.