What are Dental Caries?

May 15, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — dooley @ 9:44 pm

shutterstock_140040793More commonly referred to as cavities, dental caries are areas of decay within tooth enamel and its underlying material, dentin. Caries are caused by bacteria that adhere to the teeth, producing acid that eats away at the enamel. At Dooley Dental in Spring Lake, NJ, Dr. Ed Dooley and our team help prevent and treat caries before they develop into more severe oral health problems. Our comprehensive array of general dental services includes preventive and restorative treatments that address the issue of cavities at any age.

Caries: What You Need to Know

When most people think of dental cavities, the first thing that comes to mind is a problem that develops when you simply don’t brush your teeth often enough. Though proper oral hygiene is certainly a factor in the prevention of cavities, there are plenty of other aspects to take into consideration as well. Routine visits to your local Spring Lake, NJ dentist at Dooley Dental are also vital, keeping plaque and tartar at bay as well as checking for early signs of decay.

If dental caries are not treated in a timely manner, they can worsen and infect the pulp of the tooth where all the sensitive nerves reside. At this point, a root canal treatment becomes necessary. Fortunately, preventing and repairing cavities before they reach this level of severity is easy with help from Dr. Dooley and his caring team.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Has it been longer than six months since your last dental checkup? If so, please contact our office in Spring Lake, NJ today to schedule your next visit. Our comfortable, welcoming practice and exceptional patient amenities make each appointment a pleasant experience. In addition to serving families from throughout the Spring Lake area, we also welcome patients from nearby communities in Manasquan, Belmar, Wall Township, Avon, Brielle, and beyond. We can’t wait to show you what a difference our dedication, skill, and experience can make for you and your family.

What Is Malocclusion?

April 18, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , — dooley @ 5:27 pm

malocclusionMalocclusion is one of those dental terms you hear from time to time, but do you know what it means? In today’s post, we want to briefly explain what malocclusion is, why treating it is important, and how treatment is commonly delivered.

Malocclusion is when teeth do not line up exactly. Instead of coming together as they should, the patient’s bite is slightly off, or sometimes more than slightly.

With malocclusion, patients can experience a variety of issues. For instance, patients who have maloccluded teeth are more vulnerable to gum disease. Plus, patients are more likely to experience discomfort caused by problems with the temporomandibular joints.

One of the most common ways that Dr. Dooley treats malocclusion is with braces. Through orthodontic care, teeth will be gradually moved into alignment so that they come together as they were meant to. In other cases, treatment might be provided with a nightguard or some other oral appliance. These appliances do not change a smile’s alignment permanently, but they do offer relief from the uncomfortable symptoms caused by TMJ dysfunction.

Symptoms of TMJ dysfunction include:

  • Frequent headaches
  • Jaw pain
  • Pain the shoulders and back
  • Stiff or clicking jaw

Have you experienced any of these symptoms? Call Dooley Dental to consult with our Spring Lake dental team. We serve patients from Avon, Brielle, Manasquan, Belmar, Wall Township, and nearby cities in New Jersey.

Childrens Dentist in Spring Lake, NJ

March 7, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — dooley @ 6:07 pm

children's dentistryYou want your child to have good oral health and good overall health. But what do these two things have to do with each other? More than you might think. As we mentioned in our last post, what happens to your smile can have an impact on a patient’s overall wellbeing.

To help children from Spring Lake enjoy good oral and overall wellbeing, Dr. Dooley offers dental and orthodontic care for children. With the care that we offer, we can look for and treat common oral health issues like gum disease and cavities. We can also offer preventive help with dental sealants or a fluoride mouth rinse. Fluoride helps teeth by attracting minerals that strengthen tooth enamel. And just as important, we can teach your little one about brushing and flossing so that he or she starts developing helpful habits early.

Better Oral Health with Straighter Teeth

But regular checkups are just one way that Dr. Dooley helps children from Spring Lake and beyond. For children with misaligned teeth, orthodontic care is also important—and the earlier it’s administered the better. Through Dr. Dooley’s training, he can administer care using today’s best tools. Many young patients finish treatment in 12 to 18 months.

Does your child need a regular checkup or orthodontic care? Dr. Dooley of Dooley Dental can help. Call our Spring Lake office today for an appointment. We can help your child enjoy better oral health. We’re happy to serve young patients from Spring Lake, Avon, Brielle, Belmar, Manasquan, Wall Township, and nearby New Jersey areas.

The Connection between Your Smile and Your Heart

February 11, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — dooley @ 4:22 pm

gum disease and heart healthWith Valentine’s Day just a few days away, we thought it might be a good time to bring up the connection between your oral health and your heart.

According to existing data, gum disease increases your risk for heart disease, which claims many lives every year.

Gum disease begins with the accumulation of bacteria and plaque around the gum line. Over time, if it’s not treated, it can cause pockets to develop between the teeth and gums. That gives bacteria and plaque a way into the bloodstream. Once in your blood, they can travel through your body to your heart, contributing to blood clots and possibly even heart attacks.

Other health problems can also be tied to gum disease, including:

  • Alzheimer’s
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Pneumonia
  • Pre-term Birth

So what can you do to decrease your risk of developing health problems related to gum disease? First, remember to brush and floss on a regular basis. We recommend brushing twice a day (or after every meal, if possible) and flossing at least once. You can also add an antibacterial mouthwash to your daily routine.

Second, make sure you’re visiting Dr. Dooley’s Spring Lake dental office twice a year for checkups and cleanings. Checkups will help us watch for signs of gum disease while cleanings let us remove bacteria and plaque from your gum line before they have a chance to cause an infection.

Call us today if you want to know more about the connection between your smile and your heart, or if you simply want to make an appointment. We offer general dental care to patients from Spring Lake, Avon, Brille, Manasquan, Wall Township, Belmar, and other New Jersey cities.

Schedule Your First 2014 Appointment with Dr. Dooley

January 17, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — tntadmin @ 3:02 pm

The goal of preventive and general dentistry is to help patients keep their natural smile for as long as possible. That goal can be achieved in two ways. The first starts with you at home. With brushing and flossing, you can limit the amount of bacteria and plaque in your mouth. At Dooley Dental, we recommend brushing twice a day (or after every meal, if possible), flossing at least once a day, and using an antibacterial or fluoride mouthwash.

General and preventive dental care doesn’t stop with a good home care routine, though. Regular checkups and professional cleanings are also important because they give Dr. Dooley a chance to look for problems you might not be aware of. Many patients develop symptoms when they have a cavity or gum disease, but not always. In some cases, you might have a problem that’s flying completely under the radar. It takes a doctor with years of experience to diagnose and treat such problems before they can develop and become more serious.

Besides looking for (and treating) gum disease and tooth decay as early as possible, your Spring Lake dental team will also look for alignment issues and even oral cancer. And if you have questions about how you can brush and floss more effectively between appointments, we can offer oral care tips to help you.

Has it been more than six months since your last appointment? Call Dooley Dental in Spring Lake today to reserve a visit with Dr. Dooley. We serve patients from Spring Lake, Avon, Brille, Manasquan, Wall Township, Belmar, and the surrounding New Jersey cities.

Use Your Benefits Before the Year Is Up

November 21, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — tntadmin @ 3:43 pm

November is almost over. After that, 2014 is just a blink away. Have you gotten the most out of your dental benefits this year? If not, there’s still some time to take advantage of what you have left with a regular checkup or a general and restorative service from Dooley Dental.

Every year comes with a deductible set by your insurance company. Once your deductible’s been paid, your insurance company will start covering your care, until your yearly maximum has been reached. But many patients who have paid their deductible may still have part of their yearly maximum left over. Why not use that to receive extra year-end care from Dr. Dooley?

Any amount of your yearly maximum not used up by the year’s end will be gone when 2014 arrives. The New Year will also come with a new deductible, and possibly new premiums or co-pays. All of which means that, if you already know you need help, don’t put it off.

With what’s left of 2013, find out how Dr. Dooley and his Spring Lake dental team can help you. Call us today to schedule your final appointment with Dooley Dental. Even if you just want to see us to start planning your care for next year, we’re always happy to help.

We’re committed offering excellent general, cosmetic, and restorative care to patients from Spring Lake, Avon, Brielle, Manasquan, Belmar, Sea Girt, Wall Township, and surrounding New Jersey cities.

Avoid Too Much Sugar This Halloween

October 31, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , — tntadmin @ 7:16 am

Everyone knows Halloween and candy are inseparable. But you also know that sugar isn’t good for your smile. When sugar comes into contact with the bacteria in your mouth, that leads to the creation of acid, which then causes decay and cavities. A little candy, followed by brushing and flossing, won’t hurt, but you should avoid consuming large amounts—something that’s especially hard during these last few months of the year.

That’s why Dr. Ed Dooley wants to recommend switching to xylitol for this Halloween and beyond. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that responds differently to bacteria in the mouth. Instead of creating acid, it makes your mouth more neutral, which also makes it hard for harmful bacteria to cling to teeth and cause cavities. That’s why some natural toothpaste brands use xylitol as the key cavity-fighting ingredient instead of fluoride.

Beyond this, xylitol is used to sweeten certain brands of candy, like Ice Chips or Dr. John’s Candies. It can also be substituted for sugar in baking, with a ratio of 1:1.

Do you want to learn more about xylitol and how it can be used? Call Dooley Dental today with your questions or for an appointment. We’re happy to serve patients from Spring Lake, Avon, Brielle, Manasquan, Belmar, Wall Township, and the surrounding New Jersey cities.

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