Patients with one or more missing teeth have to deal with damage not just to their oral health, but their self-confidence as well. People with missing teeth are perceived in US society as being poor, uneducated, or unhealthy. Additionally, a recent employment poll revealed that those with missing teeth were much less likely to be hired than people with a full smile, and those who had jobs received significantly less money compared with others in similar roles. If the social stigma attached to tooth loss isn’t enough to spur patients to replace missing teeth, the oral health risks should be. Patients with one or more missing teeth often experience uneven dental wear due to the excess force placed on surrounding teeth, gaps and misalignment as teeth shift to fill in the empty space, changes in facial shape, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) caused by excess strain to the jaw. One of the most detrimental effects of missing teeth is the loss of gum and bone tissue, but most tooth replacement options don’t protect patients from tissue loss because they only replace the visible portion of teeth. Dental implants are the only restoration that replaces the entire tooth from the roots up preserving gum and bone tissue.
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Visit Dr. Ed Dooley for Dental Implants Spring Lake
November 13, 2015
Your Spring Lake Dentist Describes the 9 Dental Specialties
November 3, 2015
The American Dental Association recognizes 9 dental specialties. According to the recognition requirements, the ADA recognizes specialty fields only if, “Advanced knowledge and skills are essential to maintain and restore oral health,” and the association asserts, “The needs of the public are best served if the profession is oriented primarily to general practice.” Dr. Ed Dooley is a general practice dentist, but has advanced training and experience in many of the recognized dental fields. In order for patients to determine the ideal course of treatment in situations where they may need advanced care, it’s important to understand the role of specialists in the dental profession.
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We’re Giving Athletes Free Mouthguards Spring Lake!
September 14, 2015
At Dooley Dental, we love sports. And not just our professional teams, I actually think high school football provides some of the best entertainment I’ve ever seen. That could because my son Brendan was a committed Warrior football player during high school — who knows. I still believe that at the high school level, you can see pure passion, and a love of the game that you don’t find anywhere else. But we want you to remember that while they’re learning and growing on the field, young athletes are also at risk of injuring something they need for now and the rest of their lives — their teeth. That’s why this season, like every season, Dooley Dental is offering free athletic mouthguards in Spring Lake!
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The Connection between Your Smile and Your Heart
February 11, 2014
With 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
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.
