Dr. Jennifer Vitarelli

Oral Healthcare for Your Child

children dentistIt’s very important that you have accurate information when it comes to infant oral health care – even though babies replace their teeth with adults ones, they are still vulnerable to infections and decay. It’s also possible for mothers to give harmful bacteria to their child. Because of this, it’s important to know how to take care of your child’s oral healthcare.

Your child’s healthcare starts with you

Healthy oral care starts with your own teeth, you can transfer bacteria through poor dietary habits, and by not brushing regularly.

Even though it’s extremely easy to transfer bacterial diseases to your child, it’s also very easy to prevent it. All you have to do is have a good diet, and take care of your oral health.

How to effectively keep your oral health great

  • Make sure that you schedule to have a dental cleaning and exam during different stages of your pregnancy. A simple cleaning decreases the potential for bacterial diseases and infection. You should not get any cosmetic procedures until after your baby is born.
  • Remember to book your child’s first dental and health check-up no later than 1 year since birth, make sure that you book it earlier If a tooth erupts.
  • During the first year, make sure that your child’s gums are cleaned at least twice a day in the morning and evening, along with a gentle clean after meals. This will help prevent bacterial infections and food buildup.
  • When your child starts teething, you should brush their teeth with high-quality products that do not contain fluoride. Use a soft brush that’s friendly to weak gums. A general rule to follow is to avoid fluoride whenever possible.

If you’re unsure about the amount of fluoride usage, whether in dental health products or through things like bottled water, you should talk to your dentist for more information about fluoride usage with your child.

Along with avoiding fluoride, you should try and avoid anything that will provide bacteria, such as sharing utensils, straws, or cups. Always remember that your bacterial infections are transferable.

If you put all of these tips into consideration, your child will have a happy and healthy mouth for many years to come!

What to Expect – Dental Visits

What Happens During a Dental Visit?

Firstly, it is important to look for a dentist that will make you feel comfortable. Once you’ve found a dentist you like, your next step is to schedule for a check-up before a dental issue occurs.

When you visit a dentist for the first time, they will collect your health history. On future appointments, if your health status has changed make sure to tell them specifically what has changed, so that they can evaluate you again if needed.

Most dental appointments are having a checkup. Regular checkups (ideally every six months), helps your teeth stay cleaner, stronger and prevents painful problems from occurring.

 

A thorough cleaning

A complete cleansing is always included in a checkup, either from your dentist or a dental hygienist. Using special instruments, a dental hygienist will scrape below the gum line, removing built-up plaque and tartar that causes gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. Your dentist or hygienist may also floss and make your teeth shine!

 

A full examination

Your dentist will undergo a complete examination of your teeth, gums and mouth to look for signs of disease or other emerging issues. They will aim to help maintain your good oral health, and to avoid problems before they become serious.

 

X-rays

Depending on your age, there are chances that potential diseases and symptoms will come up on your routine checkup, your dentist may recommend X-rays. X-rays can determine problems such as damage to jawbones, impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts, tumors, and decay between the teeth. A high-tech dental clinic that uses machines will release no radiation. For assurance, you should always wear a lead apron when having an X-ray. If you are pregnant, tell your dentist, as X-rays should only be performed in an emergency situation.

Your dentist may request for a panoramic x-ray, or panorex. This type of film gives a complete view of your upper and lower jaw in a single picture, this helps the dentist examine your entire mouth and see where the issues specifically are.

 

How Long Should I Visit?

If your teeth and gums are in good condition, you don’t need to return for three to six months. If additional treatments are required, as an example, to treat a cavity, remove a wisdom tooth, or repair a broken crown, you should make an appointment before leaving the office. Don’t forget to ask your dentist any questions, this is your opportunity to get knowledge on your dental hygiene.

How To Take Care Of Your Teeth

Achieving healthy teeth takes a lifetime of care. Even if you’ve been told that you have nice teeth, it’s crucial to take the right steps every day to take care of them and prevent problems. This involves getting the right oral care products, as well as being mindful of your daily habits.

  1. Don’t go to bed without brushing your teeth
  • It’s no secret that the general recommendation is to brush at least twice a day. Still, many of us continue to neglect brushing our teeth at night. But brushing before bed gets rid of the germs and plaque that accumulate throughout the day.
  1. Brush effectively
  • The method you use to brush is extremely important – if you do a poor job of brushing your teeth, it’s almost as bad as not brushing them at all!

Remember to take your time, be careful, and to brush in circular motions to remove plaque. If left , the plaque can harden, which can lead to calculus buildup and gum disease.

  1. Don’t leave out your tongue!
  • Plaque will also build up on your tongue. This will not only lead to bad mouth odor, but it will also lead to other oral health issues. Make sure to carefully brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.
  1. Use fluoride toothpaste products
  • When it comes to selecting the best toothpaste, there are more important elements to look for than whitening benefits and different flavors. No matter which product you choose, make sure it always contains fluoride.

Although fluoride has come under a bad rep by those worried about how it impacts other areas of health, fluoride remains a staple in oral health. This is due to  fluoride being the leading defense against tooth decay. It works by fighting germs that can produce tooth decay, along with generating a protective barrier for your teeth.

flossing-teeth

  1. Try flossing
  • The majority of people who brush regularly don’t choose to floss. Flossing is not just for getting those little pieces of Chinese food or broccoli that may be getting stuck in between your teeth, It’s a great way to stimulate the gums, reduce the amount of plaque, and help lower inflammation in the area.

Flossing once a day is usually enough to be rewarded with these benefits.

  1. Don’t let flossing difficulties stop you from flossing
  • Flossing may be difficult at times, especially for younger children and older adults with arthritis. Instead of giving up, look for tools that can assist you in flossing your teeth. Ready-to-use dental flossers from the drugstore can make a huge difference.
  1. Make sure to visit your dentist
  • Visiting your dentist regularly is an important part of maintaining a healthy set of teeth! Your local dentist will be able to keep you in the loop with any future issues, along with confirming that your teeth are in great condition.

 

At Vitarelli Dental, we have offices located in Saddle River and Madison New Jersey, get in touch today to see how we can help keep your teeth healthy and looking great!

 

Why You Should Visit Your Dentist Every 6 Months

dental-visits-6-months

The majority of people do not enjoy having to sit in the dentist’s chair, but making consistent appointments with your dentist confirms that your teeth stay in perfect condition. The American Dental Association advises that you go to your dentist at least once a year, but going every 6 months will help prevent a whole range of oral-related issues from developing, some of these issues include tooth decay and gum disease. Here are five great points on why you should go see your dentist every six months.

  1. No Tooth Decay!

Dentists are able to quickly discover and treat tooth decay before it’s too late, the condition of your teeth can worsen every 6 months or so due to the plaque that builds up and damages your teeth, by visiting regularly you can get advice on how to prevent tooth decay from occurring. If this is left untreated, the condition causes incredible pain and dental cavities, along with inflamed gums.

  1. No Plaque!

Plaque is a sticky deposit that latches on to your teeth and gum line which is infested with bacteria. When you get more plaque it produces tartar, which gives your teeth a different color. It is advised to visit your dentist every 6 months to prevent the build-up of plaque.

  1. Stopping Gum Diseases

Dentists’ are able to discover the first signs of gum disease quickly, and are able to address the issue effectively if discovered early. If it’s left untreated, your gums will become red and infected, which will make it difficult to consume food or drinks. Because of this, we highly recommend visiting your local dentist every 6 months.

  1. Save Money

By regularly visiting your dentist, you’re saving money on the potential disaster that can occur by not looking after your mouth, gum disease and tooth decay are expensive procedures, by visiting your dentist you are able to know your teeth’s condition, and any emerging problems that can be fixed quickly.

  1. Smile More!

By visiting your dentist every 6 months, your teeth will be in the best possible condition, show off that great smile! Your white, glimmering teeth are something to be proud of.

At Vitarelli Dental, we are a local dentist based in NJ, get in touch to see how we can help today!

New Things For 2018

We want to welcome you to our new website! We currently have two locations in Saddle River & Madison New Jersey.

As Dr. Vitarelli has taking over new ownership of Saddle River Dental Care it is sure to be an exciting year for everyone!

Please call or use our contact form to get in touch!