224 Route 37 East • Toms River, NJ 08753
info@generaldentistrytr.com
Phone: 732-341-9111
E-Mail: info@generaldentistrytr.com
GENERAL DENTISTRY OF TOMS RIVER, 224 ROUTE 37 EAST, TOMS RIVER NJ, 08753
The Doctors of General Dentistry of Toms River are skilled, accomplished and caring...
v Dr. Leonard Giles (left) is a member of the American Dental Association and the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. He graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry in 1977. He is a resident of Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey. He is married and the father of two daughters. He is active in the Monmouth County Board of Health and is an avid skier and golfer.
v Dr. Robert McTaggart (center) is a member of the American Dental Association, holds his Fellowship from the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, and is an attending physician at Monmouth Medical Center. He graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry in 1998. He is married and lives in Shrewsbury. He is an avid musician, golfer and skier.
Hygiene - Where Dental Health Begins
Good oral hygiene habits begin with regular dental checkups. At General Dentistry of Toms River we recommend a cleaning and examination every six months (for most patients). 
Adult appointments will take approximately 45 minutes and will include:
1. Ultrasonic cleaning as well as hard scaling
2. polishing of teeth
3. Oral Hygiene instruction
4. Digital x-rays as needed
5. Oral cancer screening
6. Periodontal screening
Children's appointments usually begin when your child is approximately two and a half years old. Whether it is your child's first visit, or he/she has had previous dental experiences, we make sure the visit is fun and stress-free. Children's visits feature the same procedures as adults, but also include:
1. Counting teeth
2. Applying topical fluoride (vitamins) to teeth.
In some cases the application of sealants (protective coatings) over newly formed adult teeth may be recommended by your hygienist or dentist to better protect your child's teeth against cavities.
Brush and Floss Right!
Brushing and flossing stop plaque and tarter building up on your teeth. Brush and floss after every meal. Be sure to brush and floss right by following these tips.
Brushing
- Use a soft toothbrush and fluoride tooth-paste. Ask your dentist if you should use an electric toothbrush.
- Hold the brush at a 45 (degree sign) angle to your gum line. This lets the bristles reach under the gums. Gently brush all surfaces of your teeth with a circular motion.
- Scrub the chewing surfaces.
- Clean the inside of the upper and lower front teeth using the bristles at the tip of the toothbrush.
- Brush your tongue to clear away food and bacteria. Then rinse well.
Flossing
- Ask your dentist to recommend the type of dental floss that's best for you.
- Wrap 12 to 14 inches of floss around your middle fingers. Hold it tight between you thumb and index finger. Or, use a floss holder.
-Ease the floss between your teeth. Rub up and down against the sides of each tooth.
- Floss gently under your gum line where plaque tends to collect.
Periodontal Disease. Bacteria in your mouth form a sticky film (plaque) on teeth and gums. If not removed, this hardens into a crust (tartar). The bacteria in plaque and tartar can cause an infection called periodontal disease. This can lead to pain, gum damage, bone loss, and even tooth loss. Scaling and root planning is a special type of cleaning done by a general dentist, dental hygienist, or periodontist (dentist specializing in gum and bone problems). This cleaning removes plaque and tartar from beneath the gums. This helps restore health to your gums and teeth.
Your Evaluation. Your dentist looks at your gums for color changes, bleeding, swelling, and recession. Your teeth are checked for looseness and sensitivity. Full mouth x-rays show if there is bone loss around your teeth. You may be asked about your health to see if a medical condition, like diabetes, is contributing to your periodontal disease.
Periodontal Probing. Periodontal probing helps measure how advance your disease is. During probing a tool (probe) measures the depth of space (called the pocket) between the tooth and the surrounding gum. The deeper the pocket, the more severe the problem.
The Procedure. Scaling and root planning removes plaque and tartar from below your gum line. This controls the growth of harmful bacteria. It also help gums reattach firmly to the teeth. Because this procedure goes deeper than a regular cleaning, your mouth may be numbed. The cleaning may take 1 to 4 or more visits to complete.
Scaling is a type of cleaning. It removes plaque and tartar from around and below the gum line.
Root planning involves scraping and smoothing the root surfaces of your teeth. Gum tissue can more firmly reattach to roots that are clean and smooth.
After your Procedure your mouth may feel sore and tender after treatment. Keep brushing and flossing your teeth after each meal. Your dentist may tell you to rinse with warm saltwater every few hours. Pain medication may be suggested if you need it. Ask you dentist if you should use an antibacterial rinse.
v Dr. Thomas Hada (right) holds his Fellowship award from the Academy of General Dentistry and is a member of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. He graduated from Georgetown University Dental School in 1986. He is a life long resident of Toms River, is married and has a daughter and a son. He enjoys playing guitar and cycling.
v We currently have three hygienists to help educate and maintain a healthy periodontium (gums).
