You just saw the dentist and now you’re contemplating switching toothbrushes; so you find yourself at the pharmacy. So many options, so many brands, so many colors. Which is best? Manual? Electric? Electric has to be better, right? Actually,  Consumer Reports has said in the past, “electric and manual toothbrushes are equally effective as long as you brush teeth thoroughly for 2 minutes, twice a day.”  But a more recent report finds Consumer Reports changing their tune, “analysis of 56 studies published in 2014 by the international evidence-based research organization Cochrane found that electric models may have a slight edge”.

What is this slight edge? What is the difference? Statistically speaking, “compared with manual toothbrushes, electrics reduced dental plaque 21 percent more, and 11 percent more after three months of use”. What brushes were involved in these “studies”? The Cochrane researchers looked into heavily, the rotating and oscillating electric toothbrushes. They also examined “sonic toothbrushes” that featured vibrating brush heads but didn’t rotate. Sadly, this research did not conclude the best kind of brush, rather benefits and risks.

According to Consumer Reports dental adviser Jay W. Friedman, D.D.S., M.P.H., if you don’t currently have gingivitis, “it really doesn’t matter which brush you use.” What would you know, a dollar store brush does the same work as a $40 rotating head brush. Well, what about plaque? He commented, “we really don’t know that it matters if a little more or less plaque is removed,” he says. An electric toothbrush may help, however, if you have arthritis or a dexterity problem that makes thorough brushing difficult,” Friedman notes.

So, it all comes down to the consumer’s choice. Whichever toothbrush you decide to use, don’t get carried away with brushing. “Excessive brushing with manual or electric has its risks,” Friedman says. “Too much pressure and too frequent brushing can abrade enamel, or the root if the gum has receded.” This abrasion, he says, “can cause teeth to become hypersensitive to hot and/or cold”. Like with everything, follow directions to keep those teeth happy and healthy.

     Cancer – no matter where it shows up in the body – can be terrifying. That’s why Rauchberg Dental Group, your premier dentist in Parsippany, focuses in on this disease during Oral Cancer Awareness Month this April. Since prevention, early detection, and treatment are crucial to keeping your overall health up to par, oral cancer screenings from our team should be a regular part of your exams. Find out more about this disease and what we can do about it in this post.

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So, your New Year’s Resolution was all about you and reinventing yourself. You want to look amazing come summer, you have your work out down pat, your hair looks amazing, but for some reason you cannot get your teeth any whiter. You brush and brush and they are the same color. It is a common misunderstanding that just brushing will whiten your teeth. Before you toss out the toothpaste you’ve been using forever, and start with a super fancy whitening toothpaste; pump the brakes for a second. There is actually a lot of misunderstandings–some of them dangerous, when it comes to teeth whitening.

Before diving into the “do’s and don’t’s” of teeth whitening, you need to understand why your teeth are discolored. For everyone, teeth yellowing is a normal part of aging. As we get older our bodies change, our hair turns gray, and our teeth turn yellow. It’s the inner part, the “dentin”—not “enamel” or white part—that yellows. Teeth are pretty amazing and even repair themselves however, the new dentin is darker. Normally, this would go unnoticed but as the “enamel” or the white part of the tooth is getting thinner due to wear, and the color of dentin reflects through enamel, making the tooth look yellow.

Why does this happen? Why would enamel thin? Well, this is different for everyone. Oral hygiene is great but lifestyle factors like, coffee drinking and acidic foods or smoking can affect your enamel. Not to mention, genetic factors. Your father may have given you those great eyes but unintentionally, also passed on his dental problems. If you are considering doing anything with whitening here are some common mistakes that need to stop happening.

#1 Jumping right in without consulting your dentist. Despite your excitement for whiter, brighter teeth, don’t start bleaching your teeth until you’ve seen your dentist. This may seem silly, but your dentist can determine if you’re a good candidate for whitening, and prep your mouth for the process. In fact, “The best time to bleach is right after a dental cleaning because the tooth’s surface is clean,” says Dr. Francine Albert, a Laval, Que. prosthodontist.

#2 Opting for a generic tooth guard instead of a custom made dental tray.  This mistake can result in spilled, or even swallowed whitening solution, and ultimately disappointing results.

#3 Relying on whitening mouth rinses to provide mouth altering results. Many people think they achieve the whitening results they are after by simply rinsing; this is not true. Actually these mouthwashes could be doing more harm than good as a lot of mouthwashes are high in alcohol content which is damaging to your mouth.

#4 Not following directions on white strips boxes. A lot of people tend to ignore the “time limit” part of the instructions when doing a home whitening. Using them longer than intended can lead to unattractive white spots and sensitivity.

#5 not checking to see if this product is FDA approved. Many people don’t think to do this, but these whitening kits are chemicals; something many people forget. If it isn’t FDA approved it can damage your teeth.

#6 Becoming obsessed. This may not sound like a mistake made when whitening, but if you take whitening to an extreme the healthy sheen could be lost in the process and the results could be dreadful. Instead of beautiful you end up with chalky or white splotches. The rule of thumb is that the color of your teeth should match your sclera, or the whites of your eyes.

Now, many people post “home-whitening remedies” with claims that the celebrities use lemon or coconut oil to whiten their teeth. “Beyonce uses toothpaste made out of avocados–look at that smile!” When it comes down to it whitening is a process that should be discussed first and foremost with your dentist. Avoid the common mistakes, don’t fall into the “trendy” tips and you should be able to get the results you want in addition to a healthy mouth.

If you are suffering from tooth loss, you have probably heard that dental implants are the best form of tooth replacement. Offering over a 95% success rate, more than 500,000 dental implants are placed each year. Due to the various benefits they offer, they are very appealing when compared to traditional forms of tooth replacement, like dentures. However, while they are the most preferred, they are also quite expensive. At Rauchberg Dental Group, we understand the cost of dental implants in Parsippany is a concern. We have the information you need to understand the cost of the procedure.
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When getting in shape it’s not just working out that is an element in staying healthy; it is diet as well. Just because you went to the gym today doesn’t mean you should stuff your face; think of taking care of your body like taking care of a car, just because the car is clean, red and shiny, turns on and moves doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem with the engine because you’ve been getting the wrong fuel for the car.

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Many people don’t know what preventative care is or how beneficial it can be. As defined, preventive care or preventative healthcare “consists of measures taken for disease prevention, as opposed to disease treatment”. Preventative healthcare is stopping diseases before they become a reality.  Just as health encompasses a variety of physical and mental states, so do disease and disability, so does preventative healthcare. Disease prevention relies on “anticipatory actions” that can be categorized as “primal, primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention”.

Why should this matter to your life? You have health insurance, you have a doctor who you see when you’re sick, you know the number for 9-1-1; well this is something that the public needs to also know. Why? Simple, each year, millions of people die of preventable deaths. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, “A 2004 study showed that about half of all deaths in the United States in 2000 were due to preventable behaviors and exposures” about HALF.Leading causes of death included cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, unintentional injuries, diabetes, and infection.This same study estimates, “that 400,000 people die each year in the United States due to poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle.

Back to facts, according to estimates made by the World Health Organization (WHO), “about 55 million people died worldwide in 2011”, an increase from the year 2000, “during which 60% of deaths were attributed to these [preventable] diseases”. Given the worldwide rise in prevalence of chronic diseases and deaths from preventable diseases preventative care is more important than ever.

Methods for Prevention of Disease

Everyone, adults, and children should see their doctor for regular check-ups. Despite how you feel disease screening can identify risk factors you are unaware of. If you need help tips on how to live a healthy life can be discussed. It is also important to stay up to date with immunizations and boosters; just because you got a shot in the first grade doesn’t mean “you’re good” at 25; you have to keep up with your shots. A disease screening could include checking for high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high blood cholesterol, colon cancer screens or STDs screening. Women who are over 50 DO NOT IGNORE YOUR gynecologist; a mammogram is super important to screen for breast cancer.

For some who know that a certain disease runs in their family like cancer, genetic testing can be a great preventative care method. Though it is still a topic of debate and not affordable to everyone, for those who have the means–do it.

Many are skeptical as to the effectiveness of preventative care, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion; however, if you knew you could better yourself with the help of doctors and nurses wouldn’t you?

ONLY NORTH JERSEY PREMIER INVISALIGN PROVIDER WITH VIP STATUS HOSTS OPEN HOUSE

PARSIPPANY, NJ – February 12, 2017 – Dr. Alan Rauchberg of Rauchberg Dental Group will host a free Invisalign seminar and open house on Tuesday, March 7 from 4PM to 8PM. The event will take place at Rauchberg Dental Group, which is located at 199 Baldwin Road, Suite 120, in Parsippany. The event is open to anyone interested in learning more about Invisalign clear aligners.

Rauchberg Dental Group is the only Premier Invisalign Provider with VIP status in Northern New Jersey. They have helped hundreds of teens and adults improve their smile without spending the extraordinary amount of time and money that traditional braces require.

Invisalign clear aligners are removable and patients do not experience the irritation that comes with metal braces. Being easier to brush and floss, patients experience a reduced risk of cavities. Invisalign also decreases wear on the edges of the teeth. Most importantly, Invisalign provides patients with a straighter, more confident smile.

Each attendee will receive a $500 gift card towards Comprehensive Invisalign Treatment when they book an appointment by March 28. In addition, attendees will enjoy an exclusive offer: a free Invisalign consultation, impressions, x-rays, and photos, a take-home teeth whitening gift for after Invisalign, and flexible long-term payment options.

Space is limited. To take advantage of this educational opportunity and special offers, please RSVP to  973-321-4173.

Rauchberg Dental Group is a multi-specialty practice in northern New Jersey, providing general and restorative dentistry as well as treatment for root canal, gum disease, oral surgery and orthodontics — all under one roof. This second-generation practice offers state-of-the art technologies, modern comforts and amenities, and a focus on education and dental innovation. Rauchberg Dental Group participates in most major dental insurance plans and offers a dental savings plan for those without insurance.

Rauchberg Dental Group is a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Ethel Baumberg, Marketing Director

Lori Costa, Office Manager

Rauchberg Dental Group

973-321-4173

rauchbergdmd@optimum.net

Every year, the month of February is dedicated to raising awareness to the importance of good oral health for children. As National Children’s Dental Health Month, the American Dental Association and the ADA Foundation has focused this year’s topic as “Choose Tap Water for a Sparkling Smile.” As a family dentist in Parsippany, Rauchberg Dental Group supports National Children’s Dental Health Month by joining thousands of dental professionals to promote the benefits of fluorinated water to foster oral health in children.
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Consistency is one of the main keys to building trust, and that’s why your dentist in Parsippany at the Rauchberg Dental Group offers such a wide array of services under one roof. This enables our patients to get all of their preventive, cosmetic, restorative, and orthodontic care at the same place with the same team. This not only saves them a tremendous amount of time, but also makes it much simpler for them to take care of their teeth. To continue helping more and more patients, we are constantly bringing in top dental professionals. In fact, we just introduced two new doctors to the team, and are extremely excited about what they will bring to both the practice and our patients. Today, you get to welcome Dr. Lajja Patel and Dr. Niyati Sheth. (more…)