Two-Visit Smile Makeovers
For those with misshapen teeth, unsightly gaps, or deep discoloration, our porcelain veneers may be the solution. Veneers are thin porcelain coverings that fit over and are bonded to teeth, look natural, and are made from durable dental ceramic. We also feature Lumineers™. These are contact-lens thin and super translucent. Since Lumineers are so thin, little to no tooth reduction is usually necessary. Often times you won’t even need a shot!
Coloman E. Kondorossy, DMD, FAGD, DICOI
Stephen K. Kondorossy, DMD, MBS
General Dentists
1445 Hamilton Street
Somerset, NJ 08873
(732) 249-0055
SomersetImplantDental.com
When working with her young patients, pediatric dentist and ADA spokesperson Dr. Mary Hayes teaches them this simple, but important, saying: “Sugar is fun to eat, but not good for your teeth!”
That’s because your child might love sweet treats, but the bacteria in his or her mouth loves them even more. “Sucrose (sugar) is the ‘food’ for the bacteria that cause tooth decay,” Dr. Hayes says. “Those bacteria produce acid that etches away the teeth.”
Limiting the amount of sugar your entire family eats is good for your teeth and key to your overall health. Here are some dentist-recommended ways to start saying good-bye to unnecessary sugar throughout the day.
Know the Limits
When choosing a snack, keep an eye on added sugar (sweeteners like corn syrup or white sugar that are added to prepared foods). Naturally occurring sugars are less worrisome, as they are found in healthy choices like milk and fruit.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that people age 3 and older should consume no more than 12.5 tsp. each day of added sugar. (The same as one can of soda.) The World Health Organization states that adults should consume no more than 6 tsp. of added sugar, and children should have no more than 3 tsp.
When reading labels, you’ll see sugar is listed in grams. Since 1 tsp. of sugar equals 4 grams, aim to make sure the foods you are feeding your child fall between 12 to 50 grams a day.
The Truth About Juice
Because juice is high in sugar and calories, water and milk are always the best options for your little one. In fact, if your child is under 1 years old, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests completely removing juice from his or her diet.
Older children can occasionally drink juice, but if they do, there are two things to remember:
- Children ages 1-6 should have no more than 4-6 oz. of juice each day, according to pediatric guidelines. Children ages 7 to 18 should drink no more than 8-12 oz. (Many juice boxes are about 6 oz., so younger children should have no more than one per day, and older children no more than two.)
- Allowing your child to sip on juice throughout the day puts him or her at higher risk for tooth decay because you’re giving that cavity-causing bacteria more opportunities to eat and produce the acid that eats away at teeth. This can also happen with juice that is watered down. “Even though the volume of sugar has decreased, you’ve added the time that it takes to drink it,” says ADA spokesperson Dr. Jonathan Shenkin.
So what’s a parent to do? Limit the amount of juice your children drink, and always offer water or milk first. If your child does drink juice, serve the recommended, age-appropriate limits at mealtimes only. When your family is done eating, clean up any leftover juice instead of letting your children leave the table with it.
To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
Ways And Products To Maintain Oral Care On The Go
These days, it seems like everybody is going non-stop. But just because you’re busy or traveling - whether for work or play - that’s no excuse for neglecting your daily dental care routine. One of the easiest ways to maintain oral care on the go is to carry a small container of floss with you. If you’re hiking or camping and want to travel light, floss takes up less space than your electric flosser.
A variety of products make oral care easier when you are traveling or time-strapped. Soft flosses, such as Oral-B’s Satin Floss, can be used by anyone. They slide easily between the teeth to make flossing faster and easier. Also, interdental brush cleaners, made of nylon bristles and narrow enough to fit between teeth, combine brushing and flossing for surfaces between the teeth.
If you are hiking, camping or traveling where space is at a premium, buy a small travel toothbrush that folds up. The brush will stay clean and it will take up less of your valuable space.
Another point: If you’re going to be traveling for an extended period of time, and especially if you will be traveling overseas or in the wilderness, be sure to schedule a checkup with your dentist before you go. The last thing you want is a dental health problem to erupt when you are far from reliable dental care. Problems can still occur, but you can reduce the risk by being as prepared as you can before you travel.
The above article is from: OralB.com
Coloman E. Kondorossy, DMD, FAGD, DICOI Stephen K. Kondorossy, DMD, MBS General Dentists 1445 Hamilton Street Somerset, NJ 08873 (732) 249-0055 SomersetImplantDental.com
Intra-Oral Camera Makes You a Part of the Team
Our doctors work closely with patients to develop a bond of teamwork. One way we bring this about is through the use of a high-tech tool called the intra-oral camera. This amazing device is a small video camera that displays a closeup picture of the inside of your mouth. You can see exactly what work needs to be done and which teeth are healthy. You can then participate in each dental decision. You’ll love how this works!
Coloman E. Kondorossy, DMD, FAGD, DICOI
Stephen K. Kondorossy, DMD, MBS
General Dentists
1445 Hamilton Street
Somerset, NJ 08873
(732) 249-0055
SomersetImplantDental.com
Nutrition Tips
Following a proper and nutritious diet not only helps keep your body healthy, but your mouth as well. Nutrition plays an important role in the health and cleanliness of your teeth, gums and mouth.
Limit Soda, Coffee and AlcoholAlthough these beverages contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body's level of calcium. This causes dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile.
Drink Tap Water When PossibleIf bottled water is your main source of drinking water, you could be missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride.
Monitor Your Low-Carb LifestyleDespite their popularity, low-carb diets can cause bad breath. A balanced, dental-healthy diet can help reduce tooth decay.
Increase Your Calcium IntakeAfter age 20, both men and women lose more bone mass than they form so it is important to restore lost calcium with a daily supplement and by eating fruits and vegetables high in calcium, such as dark leafy greens. These foods will also help to lower the acid buildup in the saliva that can lead to breakdown of tooth enamel.
Take a Daily Dose of Vitamins C and DThese vitamins help support the absorption of healthy mouth minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, which support the bone and gum tissue, keeping it healthy. This is an easy way to maintain dental hygiene and fight gum disease.
Put Out the CigaretteSmoking cigarettes is one of the greatest contributors to the aging mouth. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 22 million women in the United States smoke cigarettes. In addition to staining teeth, smoking interrupts calcium absorption in the body and can also cause potentially life-threatening diseases such as oral cancer. So stop smoking and enjoy the health benefits as well as a healthy, beautiful smile.
The above article is from: OralB.com
Coloman E. Kondorossy, DMD, FAGD, DICOI Stephen K. Kondorossy, DMD, MBS General Dentists 1445 Hamilton Street Somerset, NJ 08873 (732) 249-0055 SomersetImplantDental.com
Dentists complete 122 million composite tooth restorations in the United States each year, according to Oregon State University (OSU). But the average lifetime of posterior dental composites is only 6 years. Bioactive glass may improve their durability and provide some of the minerals that have been lost to tooth decay.
“Bioactive glass, which is a type of crushed glass that is able to interact with the body, has been used in some types of bone healing for decades,” said Jamie Kruzic, a professor at the OSU college of engineering. The hard and stiff material can replace the inert glass fillers now mixed with polymers to make modern composite tooth fillings.
“This type of glass is only beginning to see use in dentistry, and our research shows it may be very promising for tooth fillings,” he said. “The bacteria in the mouth that help cause cavities don’t seem to like this type of glass and are less likely to colonize on fillings that incorporate it. This could have a significant impact on the future of dentistry.”
Bioactive glass is made with compounds such as silicon oxide, calcium oxide, and phosphorous oxide, and it looks like powdered glass. Its antimicrobial effect is attributed, in part, to the release of ions such as those from calcium and phosphate that have a toxic effect on oral bacteria and tend to neutralize the local acidic environment.
“Almost all fillings will eventually fail,” Kruzic said. “New tooth decay often begins at the interface of a filling and the tooth and is called secondary tooth decay. The tooth is literally being eroded and demineralized at that surface.”
To read the entire article, please visit DentistryToday.com
Coloman E. Kondorossy, DMD, FAGD, DICOI Stephen K. Kondorossy, DMD, MBS General Dentists 1445 Hamilton Street Somerset, NJ 08873 (732) 249-0055 SomersetImplantDental.com
Bad Effects Of Dental Grills
Dental grills, also known as “grillz,” have become popular among some teens and adults due to their popularity among celebrities, especially rap musicians. Grills are decorative covers that snap over one or more teeth. They are usually made of gold, silver or other precious metals. But less expensive grills are often made from base metals that can cause irritation or an allergic reaction.
There are no long-term studies of dental grills, so there are no data about long-term safety or about problems resulting from long-term wear.
Grills can promote plaque buildup and tooth decay because food particles and bacteria may build up between the teeth and the grill. A grill may also cause abrasion of the teeth that border it. Excessive wearing of grills may discolor teeth, too, so grill fans may need to whiten teeth when they decide to stop wearing the grill.
Anyone who wears a dental grill should be especially attentive to dental hygiene, and follow a consistent routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. Also, be sure to remove the grill before eating and rinse it often to remove bacteria and food particles. Talk to your dentist before getting a dental grill and be sure to find out how best to reduce the risk of bacterial buildup and other complications.
The above article is from: OralB.com
Coloman E. Kondorossy, DMD, FAGD, DICOI Stephen K. Kondorossy, DMD, MBS General Dentists 1445 Hamilton Street Somerset, NJ 08873 (732) 249-0055 SomersetImplantDental.com
For those with misshapen teeth, unsightly gaps, or deep discoloration, our porcelain veneers may be the solution. Veneers are thin porcelain coverings that fit over and are bonded to teeth, look natural, and are made from durable dental ceramic. We also feature Lumineers™. These are contact-lens thin and super translucent. Since Lumineers are so thin, little to no tooth reduction is usually necessary. Often times you won’t even need a shot! 
