Every year, New Jersey Monthly releases our Top Dentists list, featuring the top practitioners in the state, as voted by their peers. This year’s list includes 623 dentists in 11 specialties.
Because everyone loves a good piece of advice, we asked some of the dentists on our list to give us theirs, on everything from teeth whitening to easing anxiety. Here’s what they had to say.
What’s a non-negotiable part of your own oral-care routine?
“I wear my retainer every night to maintain my bite and to keep my teeth straight and prevent crowding. Teeth shift throughout our life.”
—Dr. Barbara A. Fodero, Orthodontics
“I am fanatical about good oral hygiene. I brush after every meal, snack and cup of coffee.”
—Dr. Jason T. Rothenberg, Orthodontics
“I floss religiously and drink coffee through a straw. It reduces staining.”
—Dr. John J. Archible III, Endodontics
“Brushing for two full minutes. As a former civil engineer turned endodontist, I appreciate structural integrity—and two minutes of brushing is the minimum daily investment required to keep the foundation from crumbling.”
—Dr. Keith Appelbaum, Endodontics
What’s something many people don’t realize can harm their teeth?
“Constant snacking—even the ‘healthy’ kind. Dried fruit, granola bars, smoothies—they keep your teeth in a constant acid attack. Your mouth never gets a break.”
—Dr. Dan Bills, Orthodontics
“Many parents think that organic food will not cause cavities. Sugar is sugar!”
—Dr. Amy Schwartz Phillips, Pediatric Dentistry
“Please do not chew on ice! It’s just like chewing on rocks and fractures teeth quickly.”
—Dr. Christina R. Carter, Pediatric Dentistry
“Stress. Clenching or grinding your teeth exerts more force on supporting bone and gums than they can handle, possibly leading to tooth loss.”
—Dr. Wayne A. Aldredge, Periodontics
How can patients avoid going too far with cosmetic dentistry?
“The best cosmetic dentistry is dentistry that nobody notices. Whitening, Invisalign, bonding, and conservative treatments like recontouring can make a huge difference while still looking natural.”
—Dr. Nihal Kamel, General Dentistry
“Do your research. Ask a lot of questions. Do not be afraid to ask for before-and-after pictures. Ask if it is possible to speak to satisfied patients.”
—Dr. Jared Eisen, General Dentistry
“Communicate with a dentist you trust. The more you can communicate your vision, the better the outcome.”
—Dr. Jason M. Suss, General Dentistry
“Today, digital technology lets us plan out the case from start to finish before ever touching a tooth. Patients can get realistic digital mock-ups and dentists can deliver that result. There should be no excuse for bad cosmetics.”
—Dr. Matthew Crystal, General Dentistry
How can coffee and red wine drinkers minimize staining?
“I like to drink my coffee with a straw.”
—Dr. Rosalie P. Nguyen, Pediatric Dentistry
“Rinse with water right after drinking and don’t sip for long periods of time. It’s the frequency— not just the drink—
that stains.”
—Dr. Laurene A. Wolf, Orthodontics
“Using a whitening toothpaste will help remove these stains on a regular basis. These toothpastes have a more abrasive polish.”
—Dr. Robert Griggs, General Dentistry
“Staining is cumulative, but moderate daily coffee or occasional wine is manageable with good hygiene and periodic professional cleanings.”
—Dr. Jacy Papasikos, Orthodontics
What’s one simple change people can make to improve their oral health?
“Floss. Every day. If you’re not flossing, you’re cleaning about half your teeth. The rest is just vibes.”
—Dr. Jason M. Auerbach, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
“Brush along the gumline, not just the teeth. Use a soft brush and angle it about 45 degrees toward the gums, where plaque often collects and gum disease can start.”
—Dr. Ilona Polur Rossignol, Orthodontics
“Reduce sugar—especially in drinks. It’s one of the most powerful ways to protect both your teeth and overall wellness.”
—Dr. Allison M. Adams, General Dentistry
“Use a tongue scraper. The tongue holds a huge amount of bacteria, a major source of bad breath.”
—Dr. Joseph Banker, General Dentistry
How should parents prepare their kids for a dentist visit?
“Start them early. Not because we want to make money from them coming in, but to get them used to the office environment. The more they see that we are just fun-loving people who want them to have a bright smile, the easier the appointments tend to go when they get older.”
—Dr. Alys Walter, Orthodontics
“Keep it super simple. Say something like, ‘The friendly dentist will count your teeth to see how many you have, brush your teeth to get them clean and shiny, and put vitamins on your teeth to keep them strong and healthy.’ Parents always have good intentions, but sometimes deeper explanations make the child even more nervous.”
—Dr. Rosalie V. Matos, Pediatric Dentistry
“Reading books about dental visits and treating the appointment as a normal part of staying healthy can really help alleviate anxiety.”
—Dr. Akriti Gupta, Pediatric Dentistry
Which one oral-care tool should everyone own?
“A mirror! I see people brushing without looking in the mirror, and there is no way to effectively see the results of their oral hygiene techniques without examining their teeth afterwards.”
—Dr. Jeffrey S. Karlin, Orthodontics
“Ultrasonic retainer and nightguard cleaners are amazing. Everybody who uses either should get one.”
—Dr. Russell M. Sandman, Orthodontics
“For children, fluoride vitamins and kids’ flossers. For adults, Gum rubber picks to clean between their teeth.”
—Dr. Jerome S. Forman, General Dentistry
“A Waterpik. Most people assume that, after using a toothbrush and dental floss, your mouth is totally clean and clear of debris. After using the Waterpik, you realize how much more can be removed.”
—Dr. Ira J. Zohn, Endodontics
What’s the going rate for the tooth fairy these days?
“At the Epshteyn household, it’s five bucks, an Airhead, and Dad has to do 20 pushups.”
—Dr. Leonid Epshteyn, Orthodontics
“Most economists would agree the current market rate seems to be about $5 per tooth—adjusted annually for inflation, cavity-free bonuses, and exceptional brushing and flossing habits.”
—Dr. Matthew Sones, Pediatric Dentistry
“The average going rate for a single tooth is about $5, but some sparkly, glitter-sprinkled money makes the experience more magical.”
—Dr. Scott D. Gersch, Orthodontics
“Oh man, these kids have got some rich pixies these days! I heard a kid get $100 once.
I might start pulling my own teeth!”
—Dr. Anna Bonaiuto, Orthodontics
