If you’re currently on a diet, you know that you’re always watching the foods you eat. First, we’re happy for you! At Central Park Dentistry we’re all about leading a healthy lifestyle and your smile is a huge part of that, more so than you may know. Read on for tips on watching your waistline and smile at the same time:

• Be cautious of juices and smoothies. It’s common for juices and smoothies to be included in many diets. Although it’s a great way to get your daily fruit and vegetable intake, it can be bad for your teeth. Juices and smoothies can contain a high level of sugar and acids, which wears down the enamel and can even cause tooth sensitivity. Also, the pigmentation can cause staining on your teeth. You should consider using a straw and always rinse your mouth with water after.
• Eating snacks constantly can be tough on the mouth. Certain diets may require you to snack more often throughout your day. If this is the case, keep in mind that each time you eat something, the mouth works to restore its pH balance. When you eat more often, it’s more complicated for the mouth to battle acids and wash away debris. It can be helpful to finish each snack with something that scrubs the teeth, such as celery or carrots. Also, rising the mouth with water can be very helpful.
• Diet friendly does not always mean its tooth friendly. The number one diet-friendly item that is bad for the teeth is diet soda. We don’t recommend drinking any soda, or sugary drinks. However, if you do drink a diet soda, don’t sip on it throughout the day! Drink it, rinse your mouth with water, and then be done with it. You should be careful with dried fruits and citrus foods as well. Dried fruits can stick to the teeth, making it hard to remove, and the acidity of citrus foods can wear down the protective tooth enamel.
• Stay hydrated. When you change your diet, it can cause a decrease in saliva flow. This can especially happen with the use of dietary pills or supplements. You should drink plenty of water to compensate. On a more positive note, vitamins and minerals do complement the function of your body, and reinforce tooth enamel and help protect against infection.

When going on a diet, it’s common to not realize the effects it may have on the health of your teeth. By following each of these tips, you should be prepared to keep your mouth AND body healthy!

When you eat ice cream or drink a cold glass of water do you find yourself saying “ouch”? How about when you’re brushing or flossing your teeth? You may have what is known as tooth sensitivity. This doesn’t mean you have to put up with the pain! There are things you can do to improve your tooth sensitivity and oral health. You may be experiencing this irritation for the following reasons:

• You’re brushing too aggressively. Tooth sensitivity can stem from brushing with excessive force, or with bristles that are too hard. This wears down the protective layers of your teeth over time, exposing the microscopic pathways that lead your dental nerves. When these pathways become exposed, hot or cold foods and drinks can cause sensitivity for your teeth. The simple solution is to brush your teeth less aggressively and to use a soft bristled toothbrush.

• You’re may be eating too many acidic foods. Acidic foods, such as lemon, grapefruit, and tomato sauce can cause pain if the pathways leading to your dental nerves are exposed. The pathways can become exposed from a diet too high in acidity. The best solution is to reduce or eliminate acidic foods from your diet. It’s also good to gargle water after eating acidic foods. You should never brush your teeth immediately after eating something that is acidic, as this can wear down the tooth enamel.

• Tooth whitening toothpaste may not be a good option for you. Many types of toothpaste contain whitening agents that may irritate your teeth. If this is the case for you, you should switch to toothpaste that does not contain these whitening agents.

• You use mouthwash too often. Like whitening toothpastes, some mouthwashes contain alcohol and other ingredients that can cause your enamel to wear down. This can cause tooth sensitivity. It’s best to use neutral fluoride rinses instead, as they are less harsh on your teeth.

• You may have gum disease. It’s common for the gums to recede with age, especially if you have not practiced good dental health. This can cause tooth sensitivity, which may be a result of gum disease or gingivitis. In this case, you should visit your dentist who can treat you.

• You may have an excessive buildup of plaque. Excessive plaque can cause the tooth enamel to wear away. As the enamel wears away, your teeth can become more and more sensitive. You should practice good dental care and visit your dentist every six months for cleanings.

• You just had a dental procedure. It’s common to experience tooth sensitivity after a recent dental procedure. If you’ve recently had root canal, extraction, or a crown, tooth sensitivity is normal and should subside shortly. If you’re still experiencing sensitivity, and it has been some time since your procedure, you should visit your dentist for further examination.

Tooth sensitivity is frustrating, but it is treatable. You can even use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth to help alleviate any pain. However, this does not work for everyone. If after following these tips your teeth are still sensitive we recommend coming in for a consultation.

Deciding to have dental implants is a big decision to make, and you’ll want to do everything possible to ensure the treatment provides you with excellent results. Your choice of dentist can be the difference between success and failure. Although there is no such thing as a dental implant specialist, as dental implants are not yet recognized as a specialty, there are certain things you can look for in a dentist. For example, you will want to choose a dentist with:

• Experience and training
• Dental implant systems
• Proximity of the dental office to home or work
• Office opening hours that work for you
• Dentists who regularly attend courses on dental implants, or even provide them for other dentists.

Experience is Important

Experience and training count for a lot, as some dentists will only have attended a weekend course on dental implantology, and may only place a few implants each year. Ask how many years they have been placing dental implants, considering it does take a lot of skill to become proficient in the planning and placement. If your implant isn’t correctly placed, there is the risk it could affect nerves, blood vessels or sinus cavities, and it might not give the best aesthetic results.

An experienced implant dentist will ensure all vital structures are untouched, and that placement provides the best possible final results. Once your implant has been finished, it should look and feel natural. Ask to see before and after photos of patients who have had dental implants, and if possible read reviews and testimonials.

Ask Your Implant Dentist Which Systems They Use

Ideally, you want to choose an implant dentist in NYC who routinely places dental implants, and is familiar with several different dental implant systems (rather than one particular type). Choosing a dentist who often uses several different implant systems will ensure you get the best type of implant for your situation, increasing the chances of success.

Additionally, ask what make of implants they use, as you want to make sure your implant is from a reputable company. There are several well-known dental implant suppliers who are largely regarded as being world leaders in this field. Their products are very high quality and are backed with years of research. Also, it will be easier to have any parts replaced (if necessary), by a good implant dentist.

Choose Someone You Feel Comfortable With

Do you feel comfortable dealing with your chosen implant dentist? Is their office easily accessible from work or home? This is important as you will need to see them on a number of occasions, over a period of several months. Choose someone who is willing to provide you with lots of information, and who doesn’t mind answering all of your questions.

Well-placed and properly planned dental implants in NYC typically have success rates of around 95% or more. This is a great treatment for replacing missing teeth, and carefully selecting your dentist should ensure you are very happy with the final results!

Visit our page on dental implants for additional information!

You know that it’s important to brush and floss your teeth daily to prevent plaque buildup. What you may not know is that plaque is a form of bacteria that is constantly forming on the surface of your teeth (yikes!). Plaque is a combination of saliva, food and fluids forming between the teeth and gums. Plaque buildup contributes immensely to periodontal (gum) disease and gingivitis. I composed a few pointers on how to remove plaque for a healthy smile:

• Floss like a boss. You can prevent plaque buildup by flossing once to twice daily. Not only does flossing reduce plaque buildup, but it is proven to add up to 10 years to your life!
• Brush your teeth. This one is a given, but make sure to brush your teeth twice daily. Also, you should replace your toothbrush every three months, or as soon as the bristles look worn. This is significant as cleaning effectiveness diminishes with extensive use.
• Use a mouth rinse. Mouthwashes are excellent since they can provide up to 24-hour protection against plaque and gingivitis. Also, there are mouthwashes that are alcohol free, making rinsing far more enjoyable! Another benefit is having fresh breath.
• Eat well-balanced meals. The foods you eat have a strong influence on your dental health. By cutting back on carbohydrates and sugary foods, you reduce the risk of plaque buildup and tooth decay. Bacteria feeds on easily fermentable foods, such as those mentioned, which fuels plaque buildup. Snacks such as carrots and celery sticks can help to clean the teeth. Maintaining a healthy diet can fight plaque buildup and tooth decay.
• Get regular oral exams and cleanings. The dentist can help to remove plaque buildup that you would not be able to otherwise remove. With special cleaning instruments he dentist will remove any accumulated plaque and tartar, leaving you with a healthy smile! It’s recommended that you go for a regular cleaning every six months.

With these tips you will have a plaque free smile! Always remember to floss, brush, and rinse, eat healthy, and go for regular dental cleanings. A plaque free smile is a healthy smile. For more information, visit our pages on Proper Brushing & Flossing and Dental Exams & Cleaning!

A root canal procedure is used to save teeth that would otherwise have to be removed. This type of dental treatment becomes necessary in the event that the blood or nerve supply of the tooth, which is known as the pulp, gets infected through injury or decay.

The resultant infection may in turn cause the formation of an abscess. When your doctor informs you that you will need to undergo a root canal procedure, this can be a scary moment if you don’t fully grasp what the procedure involves. Below is a look at some of the reasons why you may require a root canal procedure.

Reasons for a Root Canal
Your doctor will typically recommend that you undergo a root canal procedure in the event that your dental pulp becomes infected. Infections may occur as a result of an untreated gum disease. When your dental pulp gets infected or dies, this will result in a painful abscess within the jawbone. When dead or diseased dental pulp is removed, it prevents infection from spreading to other parts of the mouth, thereby destroying the bone that surrounds the tooth. In the event that a root canal is not performed, the tooth may need to be removed. The nerve and pulp is also removed and the inside of your tooth is cleaned and thereafter sealed.

Symptoms to Watch Out For
Common symptoms of pulp problems include:

· Pain when you bite down on a tooth – You may feel severe toothache pain when you chew or apply pressure to the tooth

· Pain when the tooth is not in use – This will involve severe toothache pain that’s experienced even without using the particular tooth

· Sensitivity to cold or hot food and beverages

· Discoloration of the tooth

· Gums around the infected tooth are swollen – This causes prolonged pain and sensitivity, as well as tenderness and swelling of the surrounding gum area

· A draining boil-like structure known as a fistula is found on the gum next to the tooth

In order to determine whether or not you are in need of a root canal procedure, your dentist will collect the following data:

1. Symptoms that you have noticed – This is typically the presence of discomfort and/ or swelling that signals to you that your tooth has a problem. The dentist will then ask you questions regarding what you have been experiencing.

2. Signs your dentist may uncover – Some teeth will fail to give indication that there is a problem within their nerve space. Such cases are often revealed unexpectedly during a routine dental examination.

When Do I Need A Root Canal Procedure?
Once you notice the signs and symptoms mentioned above, you will need to contact your dentist and make an appointment during which they will evaluate your problem and offer treatment as deemed necessary. Avoid making a self misdiagnosis about your need for a root canal treatment, as this may deter you from seeking treatment during the stage when a different easier and cheaper repair might have been possible.