Brushing your teeth is a crucial part of your oral health routine and the first line of defense against cavities and decay. However, your toothbrush can't reach the tiny spaces between your teeth, leaving these crevices susceptible to bacterial growth. Adding in flossing brings an extra layer of dental health maintenance and decay prevention.

If you haven't been flossing regularly -- or at all -- it's time to start, and family dentist Dr. Steven Abrams in Mt. Olive Township, NJ, can give you tips for proper flossing for your healthiest, prettiest smile.

Why is flossing so important?

Brushing alone can't reach particles stuck between the teeth, leaving them to turn to bacteria and ultimately tartar and decay. These small spaces require a tiny tool to loosen debris so it can be rinsed away. Floss is the perfect solution, as it is flexible, thin, and gentle on the gums while still effective.

Flossing can also help keep your teeth whiter, by preventing staining on the sides of your teeth.

How often should I floss?

You should floss twice a day, or as recommended by your family dentist at our Mt. Olive Township, NJ, office. Flossing can be done before or after brushing. Make sure to rinse with water afterward to flush away the particles.

What is the proper flossing technique?

It's important to find the flossing implement that works best for you so you are more likely to keep up with the habit. Pick style flossers, waxed floss, unwaxed floss, or tiny bristle brushes are all options. Move the floss up and down between each tooth, including the back ones, reaching to the gum line. Slide the floss gently back and forth to remove particles between the teeth. If using a floss strand, move down the thread to access a clean portion after each tooth. Rinse your pick style flosser as debris collects.

Make flossing a habit, and don't forget to keep up with your professional cleanings and exams with your family dentist. Call our Mt. Olive, NJ, office today at 973-691-8200.

Are you concerned about a tooth issue? Whether you've got a damaged, missing, or unattractive tooth, cosmetic dentistry treatments offered by your Budd Lake, NJ, family dentist, Dr. Steven Abrams, can help you renew your smile.

Could one of these cosmetic treatments be the perfect option for you?

Cosmetic dentistry treatments and services are designed to improve the way your teeth look and work. These are a few of the most popular treatments we offer:

• Teeth whitening: When your teeth are dull and yellow, you may not feel that you have much to smile about. Teeth whitening can brighten your smile and help you change your outlook. Professional-strength whitening gel applied in the Budd Lake, NJ, dental office bleaches away stains in just about an hour.
• Invisalign: Invisalign offers a subtle way to straighten your smile. Removable aligner trays exert constant, gentle pressure on your teeth, gradually realigning them. The trays are clear to allow them to blend in with your smile. Aligner trays are worn for 20 to 22 hours per day are replaced with the next set in the series every two weeks.
• Veneers: Veneers offer a simple way to hide tooth flaws. The thin porcelain shells are cemented onto the fronts of teeth to keep imperfections out of sight. Veneers can help you whiten your entire smile, hide uneven surfaces, keep chips and cracks hidden, close slight gaps, conceal discolorations, and even change the shape and length of teeth.
• Crowns: Also called caps, crowns slide over the top of teeth, strengthening and protecting them. Your dentist may recommend a crown to restore a broken tooth or protect a fragile tooth. They can also be used to hide discolorations and flaws, improve the appearance of an oddly shaped tooth, or lengthen a short tooth.
• Bridges, dentures, and dental Implants: Replacing missing teeth improves your appearance, biting ability and, stress on your remaining teeth. A bridge may be a good option if you've lost one or two teeth. The restoration is anchored by crowns on either end that support the synthetic teeth in the middle. Full or partial removable dentures fill the gaps in your smile if you've lost some or all of your teeth. Dental implants bond to your jawbone, replacing your tooth roots. They're connected to dental crowns to completely restore your teeth. Implants offer excellent biting power and will last your entire life with proper care.

Upgrade your smile with a cosmetic dentistry treatment! Call Dr. Abrams, your family dentist in Budd Lake, NJ, at 973-691-8200 to schedule an appointment.

Could a dental crown improve your smile and oral health? Let’s find out!

It isn’t always easy to decide which kind of restoration your smile will need. Luckily, we don’t expect you to come in knowing all the answers. Our New Jersey, NJ, family dentist, serving the Mount Olive Township & Budd Lake, NJ, Community, Dr. Steven Abrams will be able to examine your smile and determine what it needs to be its healthiest.

If you are thinking about getting a dental crown, you may be curious to learn more about this restoration and what it will do to boost your smile’s strength and appearance.

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is designed to look just like the crown of a real tooth. This restoration is shaped like a tooth but is hollow on the inside, that way it can easily fit over a tooth to change its appearance or restore strength and function if a tooth has become damaged or weak. A crown is a great protective barrier for a tooth and can even preserve it for years to come.

What are the benefits of crowns?

If your family dentist has recommended that you get a dental crown, you may be wondering what it can do for your smile. There are so many benefits you will receive when you get a crown at our Our New Jersey, NJ, family dentist, serving the Mount Olive Township & Budd Lake, NJ, Community, including:

• A tooth that is the ideal shape, size, length, and color
• A tooth that is stronger and more durable
• A tooth that is strong enough to handle your jaw’s powerful chewing and biting forces
• A restoration that can support a dental bridge to replace one or more missing teeth
• A restoration that can also be used to cover a dental implant to replace missing teeth
• A restoration that provides more support and stability when a large filling is no longer able to properly support a tooth

Do you have questions about getting dental crowns from your family dentist? Don’t hesitate to call Dr. Abrams today at (973) 691-8200 to schedule your cosmetic consultation. Getting a beautiful smile isn’t difficult when you have a dentist that you trust. Your New Jersey, NJ, family dentist, serves the Mount Olive Township & Budd Lake, NJ, Community.

Find out why tooth-colored fillings are the right choice for preserving your smile.

If you are dealing with a cavity, our Budd Lake, NJ, family dentist Dr. Steven Abrams will need to remove the decay and place a dental filling. Thanks to modern dentistry, we provide our patients with tooth-colored, metal-free dental fillings, and restorations that will blend in with your smile and strengthen a decayed tooth. Here’s what you should know about tooth-colored fillings so you can make an informed decision about the dental care you receive.

What is a dental filling?

Once we remove a cavity, we can’t simply leave holes in your tooth. Not only is this unbecoming but it can also leave the tooth weak and prone to further damage. To restore both the appearance and the strength of a tooth after a cavity, our Budd Lake NJ family dentist will place a dental filling to fill the hole and rebuild the tooth.

Why should I consider a tooth-colored filling?

Here are some of the benefits of getting tooth-colored fillings,

• These types of fillings preserve more natural tooth enamel, which means less enamel has to be removed before the filling can be placed
• Tooth-colored fillings can restore up to 95 percent of the tooth’s strength once it’s bonded to the tooth
• The treatment process is quick, easy, and conservative
• The composite resin material is matched to the color of your tooth so that it blends right in
• Metal-free fillings do not have any health risk associated with them

How long does a tooth-colored filling last?

The lifespan of your filling really depends on you and how well you care for your smile. The average lifespan of a composite resin filling lasts about five years; however, by maintaining good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist every six months for checkups, you could keep your filling for up to 10 years (or even longer!).

Do you have questions about tooth-colored fillings? Need to schedule an appointment or evaluation with our Budd Lake, NJ, family dentist? If so, don’t hesitate to call our office today at (973) 691-8200.

Are you alert to signs of gum disease? Periodontal problems impact the oral and systemic health of almost 48 percent of Americans 30 years older on up, reports the CDC. Our Budd Lake, NJ family dentist, Dr. Steven Abrams, wants you well-informed so your smile--and your overall health--thrives.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is an infection of the soft tissues which support your teeth. How does it happen? Basically, oral bacteria multiply in plaque and tartar in interdental spaces and at the gum line. These Strep microbes overrun the gums and--left untreated--the underlying connective tissue and bone.

Like all illnesses, symptoms of periodontal infection start small. In fact, gingivitis, the mildest and earliest form of gum disease, causes minor symptoms. However, these can escalate quickly, and everyone should know what to watch for.

In his Budd Lake, NJ area office, your family dentist recognizes these signs of early gum problems:

• Bleeding gums, particularly when brushing, flossing or getting a hygienic cleaning at the dental office
• Sore, receding gums
• Bad breath

More advanced stages of gum disease (periodontitis) exhibit these concerning signs:

• Gaps between teeth
• Sores, or fistulas, on the gums
• Shifting dental bite
• Pockets between the teeth and gums which measure deeper than three millimeters
• Pus between teeth
• Loose teeth

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) reports that the inflammation associated with periodontitis impacts your entire body. It appears linked to serious health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and osteoporosis. In other words, unhealthy gum tissue makes you sick.

Treating and preventing gum disease

Along with recognizing the signs of early gum disease, Dr. Abrams wants you to know that gum disease can be prevented. Consistent brushing and flossing to control deposits of plaque and tartar are key to oral health maintenance. However, these preventives also help:

• Seeing your family dentist twice a year for a professional dental cleaning and exam
• Stopping all tobacco--both smokeless tobacco and cigarettes
• Enjoying a high fiber diet and drinking several glasses of water each day
• Understanding that gum problems often run in families (the AAP says to understand your risk)

Dr. Abrams treats gum disease with deep hygienic cleanings and root planing to remove long-standing deposits of plaque and tartar. He may add antimicrobial medication below the gum line, and set a schedule of periodontal maintenance. Advanced periodontitis may require gum grafting or other interventions to restore oral health and prevent tooth loss.

A vibrant smile

It starts with your gum tissue. Please work with your family dentist in maintaining your periodontal health. Phone Dr. Steven Abrams in Budd Lake, NJ, for a check-up and hygienic cleaning: (973) 691-8200.