Campi Dental Blog

Anyone that has needed crowns, or knows someone that has gotten crowns, knows that the procedure can span over two weeks involving temporaries and messy impression material. We have offered same day crowns at All in the Family Dental Care for many years, something our patients love and really value. There is no impression material, no temporaries, and a state of the art crown is delivered in one visit.  We have now made the same day crowns process even greater. As of January 2020 we now offer the CEREC PrimeScan and PrimeMill technology which has revolutionized the way we perform our crown procedures.

Let’s start with the basics. What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is similar to a cap that is designed to cover the visible portion of the tooth and restore its size, shape, and strength, while also enhancing the look of the tooth. Using a very strong, bonded dental cement, the crown is attached to the tooth structure.

We often recommend dental crowns to our patients to:

• Protect a tooth that is cracked or weakened by decay
• Restore a tooth that has been worn down
• Support a tooth with a large dental filling , where a significant portion of the tooth enamel has been removed
• Hold a dental bridge or cover an implant
• Enhance the tooth cosmetically

The older way to do it.

Many dental practices still perform dental crowns in what we call “the old fashioned way” which takes about 2 weeks to complete. That process consists of first preparing the tooth by fixing any issues it may have had, such as cavities, decay, etc. Then they prepare the tooth to make room for the crown, and make an impression with a putty-like substance or a digital scanner. After selecting the right shade of white and matching the design of the crown to the rest of the patient’s teeth, a temporary crown is made and applied using temporary cement. The patient then schedules to come back 2 weeks later to have the temporary crown removed, and the permanent crown is placed on the tooth and inspected for acceptable fit, bite, and smooth margins. After any necessary adjustments have been performed, the crown is cemented with a permanent cement or dental glue.

The better way to do it.

At All in the Family Dental Care we have delivered quality dental crowns to our patients since they existed. Only instead of the process taking 2 weeks or more with multiple steps and drawn out appointments, we perform the entire procedure during one visit! Same day crowns have been performed in our office since 2008, something that had set us apart from many other dentists in our area. As time goes on, technology continues to advance, allowing us to improve our techniques and procedures. To continue being a leader in technology and following our practice’s mission, we recently upgraded our same day crowns procedure by adding the CEREC technology to our arsenal of tools. We want to improve our patients oral health, while being conscious of their comfort, stress, and time. The same day crowns produced through this process are the same, if not better quality than traditional crowns. There is no quality spared by condensing the procedures time from weeks, to one hour. By investing in the CEREC technology, we are improving the value we bring to our patients everyday.

Are same day crowns more expensive than traditional crowns?

Offering same day crowns to our patients is something we pride ourselves on and many patients truly value the improved experience we offer. It makes us very happy to offer same day crowns in a single appointment, for the same cost of traditional crowns. There are no added fees or expenses when having your crowns completed in one day.

What is CEREC?

CEREC is an advanced dental restorative system that allows us to restore decayed teeth, place crowns, remove defective amalgam fillings, or place cosmetic veneers in just one appointment. This allows you to have the highest quality, most lifelike dental restorations in just one visit…in, out, and on with your busy life. Although we use this technology very often for crowns, we can use it for multiple procedures. CEREC is an acronym, standing for:

• Chairside: The technology is in the dental operatory and used while you are in the chair
• Economical: The procedure is economical for both us and you, the patient
• Restorations: The procedure restores your tooth to its natural beauty, function, and strength
• Esthetic: The restorations are metal-free and tooth-colored
• Ceramic: High-strength ceramics are used that are close in composition to your natural tooth structure.

In the past, patients with multiple failed restorations and other serious issues typically required several appointments to achieve a full restoration. With CEREC, however, multiple inlays and onlays can be fabricated, bonded, polished and installed at once. CEREC technology completes the multiple restorations in one visit, resulting in a beautiful smile in a fraction of the time.

How does CEREC work?

This video created by CEREC does a great job explaining the new technology, the benefits it offers, and how we’ll be using it at All in the Family Dental Care to improve our patients’ oral health and overall experience.

CEREC Acquisition Unit

The CEREC Acquisition Unit is mobile and houses a medical grade computer and the CEREC camera. Your dentist uses the camera to take a digital picture of your prepared tooth. This picture is used instead of a traditional impression. This means no impression tray and material for you to gag on. The computer and CEREC 3D software convert the digital picture to a three-dimensional virtual model of your prepped tooth. Your dentist then designs your restoration right on screen using the software while you wait (and watch!). This software can assist your dentist in designing any single tooth restoration: crowns, inlays (fillings), onlays (partial crowns), and teeth veneers. Once your dentist has designed your restoration (usually about 5 minutes), he or she clicks a button, and the design data is communicated via a wireless radio signal to the CEREC Milling Unit.

CEREC Milling Unit

Our team selects a ceramic block that matches the shade of the tooth being repaired. We insert the block into the Milling Unit. The data from the Acquisition Unit is used to direct two diamond-coated burs to carve the block into the indicated shape of the restoration. This process usually takes 8 to 18 minutes depending on the size and type of restoration. After the milling is finished, the restoration is polished, and the finished inlay, onlay, veneer, crown, or bridge is bonded into place.

What’s Next?

If you or someone you know needs crowns or other dental work, don’t hesitate to call our office and schedule a free consultation to learn more. Our team is happy to further educate you on our practice’s and technology. We hope to hear from you soon!

Schedule a free consultation.

CEREC® is a registered trademark of Sirona Dental Systems

Happy New Year to all of our patients, families, friends, and followers! Like many other blogs out there, we are using the first of the year as an opportunity to help our patients and readers start fresh, initiate a new lifestyle and promote good health and habits for the year ahead. Some may say its cliche to begin a new health plan in January, but why not? Sometimes its just psychologically supportive to know you have a clean slate, and that this marks day 1 of a new journey. Day 1 of a new lifestyle. Day 1 of a new you. As a dental practice we try to go above and beyond in what we offer our patients when it comes to health. For us, it’s more than teeth, gums, and flossing. We like to look at how your oral health impacts your overall health, and how by beginning healthy habits you can really achieve great results.

When it comes to achieving long term success that will last, it’s not about the quick wins or the fad diets. You don’t need just a diet or fitness change but an overall lifestyle change. It’s when you achieve this that you’ll find lasting results. Our team at All in the Family Dental Care has worked with health professionals to put together a series of ways to change your lifestyle for the better. We hope the strategies outlined below will help you to become the best version of yourself, and we are here for any questions or feedback along the way.

7 Ways to Improve Your Lifestyle

Develop positive thinking. We put this first because we think it’s the keystone habit that will help you form the other important habits. Sure, positive thinking by itself won’t lead to success, but it certainly goes a long way to motivate you to do the other things required. Develop a personal mantra, meditate, pray, or do whatever it is that will make you feel at peace and have a clear mind.

Make a plan and stick to it. Your plan is a map that will guide you on this journey of change. When making your plan, be as specific as possible. Want to exercise more? Eat smaller portions? Detail out specifics such as the time of day when you can take walks and how long you’ll walk and document your meals, what did you eat and how much? Write everything down, and ask yourself if you’re confident that these activities and goals are realistic for you. If not, start with smaller steps. Have your plan easily accessible where you’ll most often see it as a reminder or use an app that can help track things like food and activity.

Start small. After you’ve identified realistic short-term and long-term goals, break down your goals into small, manageable steps that are specifically defined and can be measured. Is your long-term goal to be active 4 days a week over the next five months? A good weekly goal would be to start being active once a week, twice a week, and so on until you can build up to your goal. If you would like to eat healthier, consider as a goal for the week replacing dessert with a healthier option, like fruit or yogurt. At the end of the week, you’ll feel successful knowing you met your goal.

Change one behavior at a time. Unhealthy behaviors develop over the course of time, so replacing unhealthy behaviors with healthy ones requires time. Start with one at a time. For instance if every day you get home from work and tend to snack or overeat, plan to go for a walk as soon as you get home instead. Many people run into problems when they try to change too much too fast. To improve your success, focus on one goal or change at a time. As new healthy behaviors become a habit, try to add another goal that works toward the overall change you’re striving for.

Involve a buddy. Whether it be a friend, co-worker or family member, someone else on your journey will keep you motivated and accountable. Perhaps it can be someone who will go to the gym with you or someone who is also trying to stop smoking. Talk about what you are doing. Consider joining a support group. Having someone with whom to share your struggles and successes makes the work easier and the mission less intimidating.

Eliminate the non-essential. First, identify the essential — the things in your life that are most important to you, that you love the most. Then eliminate everything else. This simplifies things and leaves you with the space to focus on the essential. This process works with anything — with your life in general, with work projects and tasks, with emails and other communication. This will change your life because it will help you to simplify, to focus on what’s important, prioritize your goals and to build the life you want.

Kindness. Yes, kindness is a habit. And it can be cultivated. Focus on it every day for a month and you’ll see profound changes in your life. You’ll feel better about yourself as a person. You’ll see people react to you differently and treat you better, over the long run. It’s karma. How do you develop the kindness habit? First, make it a goal to do something kind for someone each day. At the beginning of the day, figure out what that kind act will be and then do it during the day. Second, each time you interact with someone, try to be kind, be friendly, be compassionate. Third, try to go beyond small kindnesses to larger acts of compassion, volunteering to help those in need and taking the initiative to relieve suffering. In the end, be sure to always practice the golden rule. Always treat others as you would want to be treated.

We hope that this post was informative and can help guide you to where you want to be in life. Good health is the most important thing in life, without it, where would we be? Feel free to share with us your stories and progress, or as one of our doctors how your oral health can help you along your journey.

October is Invisalign Month here at All in the Family Dental Care. You can view our promotional offer below, or click to read our full Invisalign blog post that discusses the benefits, costs, timeline, and process of how Invisalign works.

If you’d like to schedule a free Invisalign consultation, please call 732-449-2228 or click to schedule. 

 

 

 

 

 

How confident are you in your smile? A study conducted by Kelton Global discovered that 39 percent of those surveyed say a person’s smile is the first thing they notice. And 44 percent say it is the facial aspect they remember most after meeting someone. Those statistics place a huge importance on the health of your mouth, and even more so on your teeth. At All in the Family Dental Care, we work with our patients to have a healthy and beautiful smile, but sometimes it takes some work to get to that point. We offer many services that can restore and perfect a patient’s smile, and dental implants are one of the best. 

Many people are not familiar with dental implants, or the positive impact they can have on someone’s life, which is why we believe writing this blog post would be beneficial. We’re going to explain in detail what dental implants are, when they’re needed/recommended, who can perform the procedure, how much they can cost and the lifetime benefits of getting them. If after reading this post, you have additional questions or would like to have a consultation to see if you’re a candidate for dental implants, please don’t hesitate to contact us – 732-449-2228. 

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are often the best way to replace missing or hopeless teeth, and can be used in a variety of methods to restore optimal health, function and esthetics for your mouth. They allow you to live the way you want to – by not only giving you a beautiful smile, but allowing you to confidently eat, laugh, talk, kiss and enjoy all of your everyday activities without worrying about your teeth. For some people, the thought is that these things would never be possible for them. The advanced technology behind dental implants has made this one of the safest and successful dental procedures available today. In the past, before dental implants were a common solution, dentists would use bridges and/or loosely retained removable dentures which are not as effective and could sometimes negatively affect neighboring healthy teeth or lead to bone loss in the jaw. When properly placed and cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime with minimal to no negative effects on the mouth. 

How do dental implants work?

When dental implants are placed in your jawbone (A), they integrate with your natural bone. They become a sturdy base for supporting one or more artificial teeth, called crowns. You can think of dental implants as artificial tooth roots, similar in shape to screws. 

A connector – known as an abutment (B) – is placed on top of the dental implant to hold and support your crowns. The crowns are custom-made to match your natural teeth and fit your mouth (C).

Modern dental implants have been used successfully for over 30 years and allow our patients to feel like they have real, natural, new teeth. They are the #1 recommended solution for replacement teeth. 

 

How do I know if dental implants are right for me?

There can be several contributing factors to someone losing an adult tooth, in fact millions of Americans suffer from tooth loss every year. The most common causes are due to tooth decay, periodontal disease, infection, or from injury. Dental implants can be a smart choice for adults of all ages, whether you were born without a tooth or have lost it at some point in your life. Dental implants can also occasionally be an option for adolescents, once facial growth and development has been completed. Generally, this occurs around age 16 for girls and age 18 for boys. At All in the Family Dental Care, we do a thorough analysis to determine if dental implants are right for the patient, especially in teens. If we feel their mouth isn’t mature enough yet for implants, we can advise them on proper steps until they are ready.

Who performs dental implant surgery?

Dental implant surgery is just that, surgery. Dental implant surgery needs to be performed by a trained oral surgeon or periodontist. We proudly offer both oral surgery and periodontal services right within our office. Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon has the specialized education and training in the complexities of the bone, skin, muscles and nerves involved to ensure you get the best possible results. A 2014 study suggests greater implant success rates when the procedure is performed by a specialist or surgeon, rather than a general dentist. Dr. Paul Galante is our trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon and is not only extremely accredited and accomplished in his 25+ year career, but has great knowledge and experience specifically with dental implants. He says his true passion is changing patient’s lives with dental implants. Learn more about Dr. Paul. Dr. Jeff Milone is our office Periodontist who also performs dental implant surgery. He joined All in the Family Dental Care to accommodate our patients who require both surgical and non-surgical Periodontal treatment. Call to schedule a free consultation with him to discuss dental implants. 

How can dental implants improve quality of life?

• Appearance. Dental implants are a major factor of increased self confidence because they look and feel like your own teeth. Because implants are designed to fuse with the bone, they become permanent.
• Self-esteem. Dental implants can give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself.
• Speech. With dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry of slipping teeth and having embarrassing social encounters. 
• Comfort. Most patients can’t even feel the difference between implants and natural teeth.  Because dental implants essentially become a part of you, they also eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures. 
• Eating. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.
• Oral health. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.
• Durability. Implants are very durable and will last many years, especially when the patient is vigilant with dental exams and taking good care of their teeth. With proper care, many implants last a lifetime.

Now for the million dollar question, how much do they cost?

You might be surprised how affordable dental implants are compared to other tooth replacement options, especially when you take into account long-term cost effectiveness and quality of life.

The total cost will always depend on several different factors, including how many teeth need replacing and where they are located, the number and type of implants, and whether any additional procedures are necessary to prepare your mouth for the implants.

Since dental implant treatments are customized for your specific needs, the costs vary accordingly. An evaluation by Dr. Paul Galante is the best way to ensure that you are getting an accurate cost estimate for quality work.

Many corporate dental offices promote ads for dental implants with low prices that seem too good to be true – well, you know what they say. And if you receive a quote for dental implants without being examined, please be cautious.

At first glance, dentures or removable bridges can appear much less expensive than dental implants, given their lower upfront costs. However, the full cost – both financial and emotional can run much higher. The initial price of bridges or dentures doesn’t include the cost of replacing them, which is necessary as often as every 5 to 15 years. It also doesn’t include the ongoing maintenance costs, such as fixatives and adhesives.

 

All in the Family Dental Care also offers financing and payment options to make dental implants even more affordable, so be sure to ask what plans are available during your evaluation. 

Does insurance cover dental implants?

An increasing number of insurance companies have started to provide some coverage after recognizing the long-term benefits of dental implants over other tooth replacement options. If your company does not offer this coverage, ask if you can receive an allowance toward implants that is equal to the cost of a bridge or traditional dentures.

 

 

For over 85 years we have been caring for our patients and our community, and now we have expanded to become a multi-disciplinary practice. We now offer multiple specialty dental services, all under one roof. In addition to providing exceptional general dental care, we can offer our patients complete orthodontic services, periodontal services, and specialized oral surgery services. In this blog post, we’re going to take a deeper dive into each specialty service, as well as get to know the team of doctors that make All in the Family Dental Care the advanced practice that it is.

Our Specialty Service Areas:

• General Dentistry
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Periodontics
• Oral Surgery

General Dentistry

General dentistry is the most common form of dental care. By definition, we diagnose, treat, and manage overall oral healthcare needs including cleanings and exams, gum care, root canals, fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, and preventative education. It’s recommended that our patients receive a routine exam at least twice per year for oral care maintenance. This includes the general cleaning and examination where the condition of your teeth and gums is evaluated. Dr. Jack Campi and Dr. Joe Campi specialize in general dentistry and are the dentists that you will see for your routine exams.

Cosmetic Dentistry

If your teeth are stained, discolored, worn, chipped, misaligned, misshapen, or have gaps, cosmetic dentistry can give you a better smile.  A “smile makeover” improves the appearance of your smile through Veneers, Whitening, Bonding, Crowns, and Implants. Cosmetic treatments are not always required for oral health, but often are desired by patients to improve their smile and overall facial appearance. Depending on the procedure being performed, you may see any of our top doctors including Dr. Jack Campi, Dr. Joe Campi, Dr. Greg Campi, Dr. Paul Galante, or Dr. Jeff Milone.

Orthodontics

The Orthodontic Wellness Center specializes in non-extraction and non-retraction orthodontics promoting facial balance, beauty, and airway health for a healthier you.  All in the Family Dental Care offers all orthodontic treatment options including Damon Braces, Invisalign, SureSmile Orthotropics, ALF, Crozat, Oral Myofacial Therapy (OMT),  GoPex and others. We also offer Sleep Apnea Screening to evaluate your airway health. Dr. Greg Campi is our orthodontist and will take amazing care of all your orthodontic needs.

Periodontics

Our Periodontal services treat all forms of gum disease that can lead to bone loss and gum recession around the teeth. We are experts in tooth removal, bone grafting, gum grafting and dental implant placement. Periodontology is the study of the hard and soft tissues that support your teeth and maintain their position in the jaw. The periodontium has some very important functions: it securely attaches the teeth to the jaws; it acts as a shock absorber during biting and chewing and therefore helps to prevent damage to the teeth from excessive forces. Dr. Jeff Milone is our Periodontist and will be the one to treat and of your needs.

Oral Surgery

Oral surgery refers to any surgical procedure performed in or around your mouth and jaw, usually by an oral surgeon. Many times your dentist will have to send you to one, but we’re proud to offer oral surgery procedures within our office. Common oral surgery procedure include wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, and bone grafting. Dr. Paul Galante our oral surgeon has over 25 years of experience in many aspects of oral surgery, and his true passion is changing patient’s lives with dental implants. Dr. Galante strives to provide his patients with the ultimate dental experience and care.

 

Meet Our Team of Doctors

Our suite of doctors have all been practicing for 20+ years and are known for their vast knowledge and experience as well as their personal, calm, and kind demeanors. They are leaders in the technology space offering the most advanced dental procedures and equipment in their field.

Being a family dental practice for over 85 years, we fully understand the importance of a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums. We continuously educate our patients on how to care for their teeth, and how to prevent future issues. Our patients often feel that as great as it is to have a healthy smile, it sometimes isn’t enough, they want a perfect smile with beautiful straight teeth in order to feel confident and proud of their smile.

As a multi disciplinary dental practice, we not only prevent and treat our patients through traditional dental services, but we are also a Preferred Partner with Invisalign and recently added Dr. Greg Campi to our practice who offers traditional orthodontic and Invisalign services.

Invisalign often comes with many questions. A lot of patients often think it’s too expensive, or they may not qualify, before even learning about it. We’re here today to answer your questions and hopefully encourage you or someone you know to take the leap and schedule a free Invisalign initial consultation.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment in the form of transparent, plastic, dental braces used to adjust and straighten teeth. Invisalign uses clear aligners that are made through a combination of 3-d computer imaging technology along with a certified dentists expertise. You typically wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the final desired position to resolve whatever issue it was that initially called for Invisalign treatment.

How long does Invisalign Take To Work?

The Invisalign treatment plan is different for everyone, but usually takes between 9-15 months to complete. This average is also based on the patient sticking to the recommended guidelines of wearing the aligners at least 20-22 hours every single day, throughout the entirety of treatment. Any deviation from this can add time to the process. Depending on the severity of your prior dental needs, it may take longer to complete. During this time, you’ll see your dentist every 6 weeks to monitor progress and to ensure you’re on track for a perfect smile. Skipping appointments or not changing aligners when you’re scheduled to can undo progress.

How much does Invisalign Cost?

Invisalign costs vary for every patient depending on their necessary treatment plan. Complete costs range from $3,000-$6,000. All in the Family Dental Care offers an option to pay for Invisalign in monthly installments rather than paying the entire cost up front.

Who qualifies for Invisalign?

Invisalign consultations are available at no cost for any patient that is looking to straighten their teeth and improve their smile. Other symptoms that may encourage Dr. Jack or Dr. Joe to recommend Invisalign would be: crowded teeth, over bite, underbite, crossbite, gaps in teeth, and open bites. Invisalign is well known and highly recommended to treat all of these dental issues.

Does Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Some insurance companies cover a portion of the Invisalign treatment, but every company and every case is different. Some cases have been known to have anywhere from $0 – $3,000 covered, with many cases having $1,000 – $1,500 covered. The best thing to do if you’re seriously considering Invisalign is to come in for a free consultation, learn about the product and what a treatment plan would look like for you. We can also work with you and your insurance company to see what your cost would be.

Is Invisalign Painful?

Anytime teeth need to be shifted or moved, there’s a possibility for discomfort. Most patients experience discomfort during the first few days of wearing the Invisalign aligners. When asked to describe the pain, patients have reported that the sensations are more relatable to pressure or tenderness rather than pain. Because Invisalign works with a series of different aligner trays, anytime you begin a new aligner, the discomfort may be present for the first 24-72 hours.

Does Invisalign Work As Well As Traditional Braces?

When comparing traditional braces and Invisalign, it’s really a tight race. Adults and teens who tend to be self-conscious might find the discrete look of Invisalign incredibly appealing, and its removability is also a big draw. However, it’s important to remember that the success of Invisalign depends almost entirely on the patient. If you don’t wear them as directed, they just won’t work. Whereas metal braces don’t give you the option of taking them on and off, which may allow for a more efficient result. The two main benefits of Invisalign are that the aligners are almost completely invisible, and that they are removable. They also tend to be more comfortable than traditional metal braces, since the aligners are made of a smooth plastic that won’t irritate the gums or cheeks the way some brackets and wires might. In conclusion, Invisalign is a highly efficient method for moving and correcting teeth.

Before and After Example

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to all of our patients as well as the kids in the community for completing another year! Summer is here and we want to reward you for all of your hard work.  Every  week  through  the  end  of  July, we  are  giving  away  TWO  $15  Jenkinsons  Gift  Cards.

All you have to do is take a smiling selfie in our dental office, post it on Facebook or Instagram, tag us and include the hashtag #campismiles. It’s that easy.

Make sure you’re already following us on social media:

Facebook: @All in the Family Dental Care

Instagram: @campidental

If you’re not scheduled for the month of July and would like to book an appointment now, click here. 

We look forward to announcing the winners and helping to make everyone’s Summers a bit more fun!

As a dental office that treats hundreds of emergency cases per year, it’s easy for us to see the importance of mouthguards in youth sports. Unfortunately many parents, and many sports organizations don’t necessarily see the see the need for them, require them, or even encourage them. Helmets, goggles, and knee pads are a no-brainer when it comes to protecting your kids’ in most sports. We’re taking the initiative to spread the word on the importance of mouthguards in youth sports in hopes to prevent future oral injuries

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), 1/3 of all dental emergencies are sports related, and more than 200,000 oral injuries are prevented each year by wearing a mouthguard and over Mouthguards help prevent chipped, broken, and knocked out teeth. They protect your child’s lips, tongue, face, and also help redistribute forces from a blow to the head. While a mouthguard won’t prevent a concussion, it can reduce the severity of the injury.

“My performance mouth piece has taking my training to a whole other level.”

— Val Barnaby of E.S.S.A Sports Training

 

Types of Mouthguards

• Pre-formed mouth protectors can be found at sporting good stores and are generic for all users. They typically cost under $15, but you get what you pay for. It’s difficult for kids to speak, they’re bulky and are not the best form of oral protection in sports.
• Boil and bite mouth protectors can also be purchased at sporting goods stores. They are softened in hot water and then placed in the mouth to shape to the teeth. This is a middle of the road option, a step above generic mouthguards, but not the best case scenario.
• Ideally you’d want to choose a custom-fit mouthguard, they are made unique for each person using special materials in a dental office. These mouthguards are more expensive than the others, but they provide the most comfort and protection. At all in the Family Dental Care, we are an Authorized Provider of the Under Armour, Armourbite Technology Mouthguards which are made personally for each user.

The Under Armour Performance Mouthpiece is designed to give non-contact sports players an advantage on their opponents. Using Under Armour’s patented Power Wedges™ Technology, this mouthpiece reverses the performance-sapping effects of teeth clinching by optimally spacing the teeth and the jaw. The low-profile design delivers superior comfort and has minimal impact on your speech for effective player communication during the game. The UA mouthpiece helps improve strength, endurance and reaction time.

When Should Mouthguards Be Used

Experts recommend that mouthguards be worn by athletes in competitive and recreational sports in which impact, contact and collision are likely to occur. The American Dental Association recommends wearing custom mouthguards for the following sports: acrobats, basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, roller hockey, rugby, shot putting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling. Some dental experts include baseball and softball infielders on that list. It’s recommended that the mouthguard be worn during both practices and competitions/games.

 

Self-care is a topic we’ve been discussing and promoting quite a bit lately at All in the Family Dental Care. But what does self-care really mean? The true definition is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being, health, and happiness. We love this definition. It’s a perfect explanation of everything we’ve been focusing on and encouraging our patients to do. Being proactive. Protecting your well-being. Protecting your health. Encouraging happiness. We live in a world that moves faster than most of us can keep up with, with the average person feeling stressed and/or overwhelmed in their day to day life. We need to do something about this.

All in the Family Dental Care recently hosted an event called Nourish You – Mind. Body. Soul. It was a day specifically for women to work on improving their daily lives in hopes to increase energy, positive mental thinking and overall quality of life. We discussed topics such as nutrition, meditation, mindfulness, and had an emotional deep dive that allowed everyone to really connect with their inner selves in order to clear their minds and take a necessary step back from the hustle and bustle of every day life. The event was a huge success with women leaving feeling rejuvenated, and centered with the world. Everything we could have hoped for and more. In the rest of this blog post we hope we can direct you on how to disconnect from the world, focus on your mindfulness, and the importance of your own self-care.

How Stress Affects Your Body

Chronic stress can destroy your health.  Stress weakens our immune systems and inflames the body, making it more likely for us to get colds, have sleeping issues, gain weight, develop stomach ulcers, depression, diabetes and heart disease. These are all serious health issues, yet being “stressed out” isn’t something that many take seriously or work to prevent.

The changes and results that come from stress often go hand in hand with poor choices we make when at the end of our rope. Common reactions are zoning out in front of an electronic screen, bingeing junk food, alcohol, and drugs, all of which contribute negative effects on your body like obesity, poor sleep and ultimately, an unhappy existence.

Rather than giving in to poor decisions and habits in order to manage life’s stressors, we need to focus on treating ourselves with love, respect and kindness — but also discipline. This is where Nourish You advocates for self-care to prevent our patients from getting to this point.

Hitting the Pause Button

We can start by taking a few minutes each day to “hit the pause button”. We all need activities that promote inner peace and calm, that allow us to unwind from stress and get in touch with our own personal needs. Below are suggestions for ways you can hit your own pause button and escape from reality for a few minutes each day. It may take some time to find what works best for you, but once you do, you’ll question why you weren’t doing this all along.

• Take an epsom salt bath
• Practice guided meditation
• Perform even a few yoga poses
• Garden
• Walk barefoot on the beach or in the grass
• Spend time in nature
• Listen to the ocean
• Make an effort to go to sleep early
• Practice gratitude

These stress-relieving practices quiet the mind, balance hormones, including cortisol (the stress hormone), lower blood pressure and improve brain health. For those with busy schedules, you may need to set an alarm or block out time on your calendar to ensure you really get to take this time for yourself.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is an incredible tool to help people understand, tolerate, and deal with their emotions in healthy ways. It helps us to alter our habitual responses by taking pause and choosing how we act. When we are mindful, we experience our life as we live it. We experience the world directly through our five senses. We taste the food we are eating. We recognize the thoughts we are having. In doing so, we learn how our minds work, and we are better able to label the thoughts and feelings we are having, instead of allowing them to overpower us and dictate our behavior. Because mindfulness presents an effective method to get to know oneself, to reduce stress, and to live in the present moment, cultivating mindfulness is a powerful practice. 

Mindfulness has proven to:

• Lowers stress
• Restore emotional balance
• Increase resilience
• Reduce anxiety
• Slow aging
• Reduce physical pain
• Reduce depression
• Strengthen adolescent mental health
• Uncover our own blind spots
• Improve sleep quality, reduce fatigue
• Improve concentration

Mindfulness Practices:

When we practice mindfulness, we’re practicing the art of creating space for ourselves—space to think, space to breathe, space between ourselves and our reactions.

Nutrition

Eating transitions from a mindless practice of filling a void — both physical and emotional — to a pleasurable experience of tasting and enjoying food. Good nutrition is an important stress management tool. When our bodies are poorly fed, stress takes an even greater toll on our health. Nutrition and stress are interlinked and it’s important for us to focus on eating healthy in order to practice self-care. Here are some ways to eat well, reduce stress, and improve overall health.

1. Eat regularly. Your brain needs glucose to work at its best. Eating regularly throughout the day helps keep your blood glucose stable. Studies have shown that more stable blood sugar levels are associated with better performance whether it be at work school, or in daily activities.
2. Get your healthy fats. Omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts, avocados, flax seed and fish oil are associated with brain function. Deficiencies of this fatty acid can result in depression and/or anxiety.
3. Eat your veggies. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals like copper, zinc, manganese, and vitamins A, E and C.  These vitamins and minerals work to neutralize harmful molecules produced when your body is under stress.
4. Add high-fiber foods. High fiber intake has been associated with greater alertness and decreased perceived stress. So add fiber-rich foods like oatmeal, nuts, beans, fruits and vegetables to your diet.
5. Trade caffeine for more sleep. Caffeine leads to increased blood pressure and may make you anxious, especially if you are already prone to anxiety. While consuming caffeine may seem to help you concentrate better, some studies show that caffeine only restores what is lost through lack of sleep. Instead of turning to caffeine, try the natural grade booster – sleep when possible.
6. Stock up on healthy snacks. If you know that a stressful or busy time is approaching, prepare by stocking up on quick, healthy snacks. Healthy snacks are high in protein and/or fiber. Some examples are low fat granola, almonds, peanuts, carrots with hummus or yogurt with fresh fruit.

Self-Care is NOT Selfish

It’s time to view self-care differently. After all, it is really just taking care of yourself — which is vital for health and well-being. Whether you are a mom or dad taking care of a family, or an independent person that has an important job that depends on them, people rely on you. You need to be the best version of yourself for YOU, and those around you will reap the benefits as well.

More specifically, self-care means identifying and meeting your needs, something we often struggle with. We tend to put others first – children, spouses, parents, friends, even pets. We feel obligated to be the caretakers. Shifting the balance from everyone-else-care to myself-care is uncharted territory for many of us and we can feel uncomfortable at first.

However, it is important to do so. If you don’t properly care for yourself, your body will let you know. Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things to do in life.

At All in the Family Dental Care, we truly hope you benefit from this blog post and that you’ll begin to put aside a few minutes everyday to focus on YOU. You, and everyone around you will benefit from this change and the positive effects are endless on your mind, body, and soul. If you have any  questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us by calling our office 732-449-2228 or discussing this with Dr. Jack or Dr. Joe at your next appointment.

If you have a woman or mom in your life that could take advantage of hitting the pause button, consider treating her with our Mother’s Day Special.