South Jersey Center for Dental Medicine

Have you ever found yourself reaching for a toothpick to remove a stuck piece of food debris from your teeth? You might want to think twice about that!

Toothpicks are believed to be one of the most common objects that Americans choke on; not to mention, it’s very possible for them to splinter into smaller pieces and/or cause damage to the soft issues within your mouth.

Rather than risk dental injury, do your smile a favor and use dental floss for this task - that's what it's made for, after all!

After you brush your teeth, where do you place your toothbrush? Hopefully, you put some thought into this!

Setting it in an upright position in a designated toothbrush holder will help it to dry properly and keep it safe from potential falls and spills. You should also be sure to leave it uncovered to prevent bacteria from building up.

Remember, your toothbrush is your most important tool at home for cleaning your pearly whites, so use it diligently and store it correctly!

August is just about to end, which means autumn is right around the corner. And there’s no better time than the fall to schedule a preventive dental visit; you’ll be setting your smile up for excellent health going into the remainder of the year. Not to mention, with so many exciting holidays coming up these next few months, you should want your pearly whites to glow brightly for every photo op!

When was your last dental checkup? Hopefully within the last six months! But did you know that these appointments aren’t a modern invention?

In fact, dentistry is one of the world’s oldest professions, with some of the earliest evidence of dental work, such as cavities being filled, dating back over 7000 years. Luckily, dentistry today is quite different, and safe to say, a lot more sophisticated and effective!

Happy National Tooth Fairy Day!

Twice a year, once in February and again in August, we commemorate the magical moment when children lose a tooth, and the Tooth Fairy pays them a visit. As we celebrate this whimsical tradition, let’s also appreciate the importance of dental health from children on. After all, a healthy smile starts with the first tooth!

What’s your favorite Tooth Fairy memory? Share it with us below!

If you’ve ever seen the movie Titanic, you probably remember the part with the giant iceberg – but did you know your teeth are similar to icebergs?

Much like how only the top portion of an iceberg is visible above the ocean’s surface, you can only see a portion of your teeth; about two-thirds of them are beneath your gumline! This hidden portion, known as the root, plays a vital role in dental health and the stability of your teeth. Just another reason to keep your teeth and gums in great shape!

This time of year doesn’t just signal the start of a new school year – it also means that fall sports are just around the corner. However, did you know that each year, approximately 5 million teeth are displaced from their sockets during sports and physical games? This is quite a large figure!

Not every accident can be prevented, but an athletic mouthguard can certainly prevent the vast majority of them. That said, don’t even think about taking the field or letting your child gear up without one of these trusted devices!

Today is National Creamsicle Day!

Invented in the early 20th century, these iconic popsicles are the perfect way to beat the heat this August. Did you know orange isn’t the only flavor that these frozen treats come in? Other flavors include cherry, grape, lime, blue raspberry, blueberry, and others. They also come in sugar-free and low-calorie varieties, which is something your teeth will be grateful for!

Take a few minutes today to savor one of summer’s small pleasures and celebrate the history of the Creamsicle! Of course, don’t forget to brush your teeth after having one!

When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush? If you can’t remember, it’s probably time to pick out a new one! Toothbrushes need to be replaced every three months, or sooner if you’ve been sick.

An easy way to tell if your brush is ready to be replaced is to check the bristles; if they’re worn and fraying, they’ll be less effective at cleaning your teeth!

When talking about cavities, it’s tough to iterate just how common they actually are. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 2 billion people worldwide have untreated cavities – this is an alarming figure! And in the US alone, at least a quarter of all adults have untreated cavities.

It goes without saying that the best way to prevent cavities is routine preventive dental care combined with a diligent at-home hygiene regimen; this statistic isn’t one you want to be a part of!

The summer heat seems to be peaking these days, so you should be sure you’re consuming enough liquids to stay hydrated and cool off. However, gum disease is also more likely to develop if you don’t drink enough water!

Most people only drink some water if they start to feel thirsty, especially in hot weather – so it’s in your best interest to drink much earlier, for your body and your smile’s benefit. An easy way to do this is by taking a refillable water bottle with you while you're out and about!

Did you know that in many ways, your teeth are like miniature time capsules? Believe it or not, the inside of your teeth contains a wealth of information about you. Scientists can analyze the enamel in teeth to determine things like age, diet, and even the historical period in which a person lived!

It’s just another reason to be thankful for your pearly whites and to take excellent care of them!

When was the last time you had a glass of water? Staying hydrated is important, but drinking water also serves another important purpose: it stimulates your mouth’s saliva flow!

Your saliva is your first line of defense against cavity-causing bacteria, meaning that by simply drinking water, you’re very much helping out your teeth and gums. Just don’t substitute drinking water for brushing your teeth!

Today is National Avocado Day, a day in which we recognize one of the world’s most beloved fruits – and yes, an avocado technically is a fruit, even though they’re often treated as vegetables! Avocados aren’t just tasty, though; they’re also loaded with fiber, antioxidants, and potassium, which directly benefits your teeth and gums.

Don’t shy away from having an avocado today, either by itself, spread over a piece of toast, or substituted into one of your favorite recipes. It’s certain to put a smile on your face and boost your dental health! 🥑

With the back-to-school season right around the corner, you should know that an estimated 51 million hours of school are missed by children annually due to needing to visit their dentist for a specific oral health problem.

This is why preventive dentistry is important; this routine care can ensure that your child stays in the classroom and focused on learning! Of course, preventive dentistry also allows the rest of us to go to our jobs with a bright and healthy smile on our faces!

You’ve probably heard that soda isn’t exactly the best beverage for your teeth, since these drinks often contain high amounts of sugar. However, another big problem with soda involves sipping; if you’re slowly drinking a soda, you’re giving it more time to come in contact with your teeth and cause harm!

This means that if you can’t help enjoying a soda every now and then, try to finish it quickly or use a straw, to reduce the amount of contact it comes into with your pearly whites. Of course, you could also simply skip the soda in favor of good old-fashioned water! 🦷

Celebrate National Hot Fudge Sundae Day today with one of your favorite frozen treats! It’s also a great way to beat the summer heat.

Plus, did you know enjoying sweets in moderation is okay as long as you maintain good oral hygiene? Brush, floss, and schedule your dental checkups regularly; that way, you can continue to enjoy hot fudge sundaes and other delicacies with a bright and healthy smile on your face!

Did you know that your dominant hand is often tied to which side of your mouth you chew on? Right-handed individuals often chew on the right side of their mouths, while those who are left-handed tend to do the opposite and prefer the left side of their mouths.

But to avoid chronic jaw and dental problems, it is recommended that you use both sides as much as possible when you’re chewing your food during meals; your teeth and jaw muscles will thank you!

Summertime is the perfect time for selfies! But did you know that almost half of all young adults admit to un-tagging themselves from a photo on Facebook because of their smile? Nobody should ever feel this self-conscious!

The smile you’ve always dreamed of is very attainable with a little help from your trusted dentist. Let them know you're grateful for their help by telling them all about your fun summer plans!

As the heat begins peaking this summer, you might find yourself thirsty and with a dry mouth a lot more often than usual. But did you know having a dry mouth can actually be harmful to your dental health? Your saliva helps to keep problem-causing bacteria inside your mouth at bay; this means that if you’re feeling thirsty, give your smile the edge it needs to look and feel its best, and drink a glass of water!

Hopefully, you’re using sunscreen while spending time outdoors this summer, but you should also protect your lips – they’re vulnerable to UV rays, too! Protect them with an SPF lip balm, wear a hat to cover your face, and also stay hydrated to help them combat the hot weather.

Cracked, burned, or bleeding lips are not doing your smile any favors for all of those summer photo ops!

Do you have any fun trips planned this summer? Many of us take a vacation (or staycation) during the summer months. However, it’s pretty easy to get too busy or distracted to remember to brush your teeth while you’re away from home! Be sure that you’re packing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and anything else you need before your trip; going on vacation does not mean taking a vacation from your dental hygiene.

Let us know where you’re heading this season – and have a nice time!

Most of us can agree that few things are as refreshing as ice cream, a popsicle, or a snow cone during a hot summer day – but what about the resulting tooth sensitivity that occurs?

For many, tooth sensitivity puts a damper on these sweet treats; in fact, they say over 40 million Americans experience tooth sensitivity from time to time. It’s normal to experience temporary sensitivity when enjoying hot or cold foods and beverages, but if the sensation persists for days or becomes severe, don’t brush it off; it might be a sign of an underlying issue!

Do you have children who spend every hour of daylight during the summer playing sports and outdoor games? Or maybe you enjoy them yourself – but no matter if it’s you or your child on the field, you’ll want to ensure that an athletic mouthguard is worn. These small devices are incredibly useful, given that they can prevent serious dental injuries!

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, one of the most reputable dental organizations out there, the average person only spends 45 to 70 seconds brushing their teeth. This is less than half of the recommended 2 to 3 minutes!

But if you see things through, you should spend at least 40 collective days brushing your teeth over your lifetime. That’s quite a lot of protection for your pearly whites!

Happy Fourth of July!

From our dental family to yours, we wish you a day filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of reasons to smile!

Do you ever notice yourself clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth? It might also occur during the night while you’re asleep, which can cause your jaw to feel sore when you wake up. Often, teeth grinding and jaw clenching are symptoms related to bruxism, a condition that can lead to worn-down tooth enamel and excess strain on the temporomandibular joints, which connect your jaw to the rest of your skull.

These problems won’t resolve on their own – but with professional intervention, these uncomfortable symptoms can effectively be managed. Don't hesitate to seek treatment; your smile will thank you!

When we think about things that might potentially stain our teeth, coffee is often the first thing to come to mind. It’s true that this beloved beverage can cause dental staining, but it’s not the only consumable you should be mindful of. Red sauces and wines, blueberries, blackberries, and other kinds of berries, sodas, juices, sports drinks, hard candies, and other similar items can all leave your teeth duller than usual!

Remember, enjoying these items in moderation – and maintaining excellent oral hygiene – is a great way to ensure that your pearly whites remain sparkling bright!

Flossing is just as important as brushing, and it’s a habit you should strive to maintain daily this summer and beyond – and all you need is a pack of trusty, tried-and-true dental floss.

But just be sure you’re only using that floss to carry out oral hygiene. As far-fetched as it sounds, in 1994, a West Virginia prison inmate braided a large amount of dental floss into a rope and used it to help escape from prison – he actually tried twice using this method and enjoyed a few weeks of freedom before being caught again!

Needless to say, this isn’t the intended use for floss, and you should stick to using it to clean between your teeth. The habit will help keep your smile in tip-top shape!

Did you know that the technology for dental implants has been around for quite some time? In 1952, an orthopedic surgeon stumbled across an incredible discovery; while studying bones and regeneration, he found that titanium was able to successfully fuse with bone tissue. He hypothesized that this fusion could be utilized in other fields, such as dentistry – and now, over 5 million dental implants are placed annually in the US alone.

Needless to say, dental implants are a groundbreaking innovation!