Details on Sensitive Teeth Treatment

Tooth sensitivity is a common condition and if you’ve ever felt a sting in your tooth’s nerve while sipping on a hot or cold beverage then you know what we are referring to. Your teeth are partially made up of dentin and normally, the dentin is covered by enamel, but over time, the enamel covering can thin, providing less protection from external stimulation. When the dentin is exposed, these tubes can be stimulated by changes in temperature or certain foods. Fortunately at Maiden Lane Dental, your sensitivity can be treated, whatever the cause.

There are a number of causes for sensitive teeth. Some include brushing too hard, grinding teeth and suffering from gum disease. If a tooth is highly sensitive for more than three or four days and reacts to hot and cold temperatures, it’s best to get a diagnostic evaluation from one of our doctors to determine the extent of the problem. Tooth sensitivity can usually be reduced by using American Dental Association (ADA) approved desensitizing toothpaste, dental sealants and other desensitizing and filling materials, including fluoride.

If you are suffering from sensitive teeth or have questions about the services we provide, give us a call or visit www.maidenlanedental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585. 

Nutrition and Teeth

Proper nutrition means eating a well-balanced diet so that your body can get the nutrients needed for good health and wellness. In fact, adequate nutrition is important in disease prevention and is becoming an extremely important characteristic of preventive dentistry. Here at Maiden Lane Dental, we can’t monitor your diet, but we can suggest foods and tips that will help you keep your teeth.

A diet that promotes good oral health is not just about the foods you eat or avoid – when and how you eat them is equally important. Instead of snacking on sugary, carbohydrate-rich or acidic foods throughout the day, munch on some crisp fruits, veggies and dairy products. Calcium-fortified juices, milk and other dairy products are rich in calcium and vitamin D and help promote healthy teeth and bones, reducing the risk for tooth loss. Crisp fruits and raw vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath. Making these small changes to your dietary habits can help protect your teeth and gums.

If you have questions about oral hygiene or the services we provide, give us a call or visit www.maidenlanedental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

The Proper Flossing Technique

There are numerous excuses that you may use to avoid flossing, and “I don’t know how to floss,” may be one of them. After today, you will have no more excuses not to floss, because our staff at Maiden Lane Dental wants to share the proper flossing technique with you.

• Use 18 inches of floss. Wrap most of it around the middle finger of one hand, the rest around your other middle finger.

• Grasp the string tightly between your thumb and forefinger, and use a rubbing motion to guide it between teeth.

• When the floss reaches the gum line, form a “C” to follow the shape of the tooth.

• Hold the strand firmly against the tooth, and move it gently up and down.

• Repeat with the other tooth, and then repeat the entire process with the rest of your teeth.

• Use fresh sections of floss as you go.

If you have questions about flossing or the services we provide, give us a call or visit www.maidenlanedental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

Maintain Good Dental Care Habits

Good dental care habits begin at home and if you aren’t following the basics, you might be headed down the path of gum disease. Poor oral hygiene is an invitation to plaque to accumulate and fester around the base of your teeth and gum line, causing your gums to become red and inflamed. If you neglect your teeth at home and fail to visit us at Maiden Lane Dental regularly, all of that plaque buildup could eventually lead to tooth loss. We want you to keep your permanent teeth for as long as possible; this is why we encourage you to follow these basic principles.

The goal of regular home care is to combat the buildup of plaque in and around your teeth and gums, as well as fight bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. To keep your smile clean and healthy, it is important when purchasing dental products to look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Be sure to spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth at least two times a day. Use a timer if you have to ensure that you’re spending enough time on your oral care routine. In addition, use floss at least once a day every day to clean between your teeth.

If you have questions about oral hygiene or the services we provide, give us a call or visit www.maidenlanedental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

Do You Need a Dental Implant?

Tooth loss is a common problem. Whether we’ve experienced losing baby teeth as children, or lost a tooth due to decay or injury as an adult, we all face this issue at various times throughout our lives. The loss of a single tooth or multiple teeth can have dramatic and lasting effects on your pearly whites if not dealt with in a timely manner and although we offer a wide variety of options to replace them at Maiden Lane Dental, here we are going to discuss dental implants.

In most cases, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for a dental implant. Dental implants are replacement tooth roots that provide a strong foundation for permanent or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. There are many benefits of dental implants, such as improved appearance, improved speech and improved comfort overall. However, patients who request implants need to have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant in place.

If you are missing teeth, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about dental implants as well as other services we provide, visit www.maidenlanedental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

Making Dental Care Fun for Kids

Getting kids to consistently complete tasks like putting their laundry away or brushing and flossing can sometimes be difficult. But when it comes to oral care, consistency should always be a priority. Here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we want to give parents tips for making dental care fun for kids!

Kids respond well to rewards. If it helps, you can create a star chart to keep track of their progress. If they brush and floss correctly for the day, let them choose a bedtime story or let them have extra time playing outside the next day. If they brush and floss the correct amount of times for a week, take them to a park.

Brush and floss with them. Kids really like to imitate, so this will make brushing and flossing fun for them. This will also show them the correct way to do things. Remember that small children may need help flossing until they are older.

Turn on some music! To make sure that kids are brushing for a full two minutes each time, turn on one of their favorite songs to time it. Ask them to brush to the beat or dance while they brush. Before they know it, the two minutes will be up.

Home oral care and dental visits work hand-in-hand for a healthy mouth. To schedule your family’s cleaning and examination appointments, call Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Do Not Forget to Brush Your Tongue!

Ever seen someone or heard of someone who brushes their tongue? Well, it is less talked about but just as important as brushing and flossing your teeth! At Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we want our patients to know why brushing their tongue is important and how they can do it!

You should brush your tongue at least once per day. It does not matter if you brush it in the morning or at night, but just be sure to clean it at least once. It is good to do right after you brush your teeth, so it becomes part of your habit. Your tongue is able to hold millions of bacteria. Within the hair-like taste buds, bacteria can become trapped. See, a bacterial film forms on your tongue, just like plaque forms on your teeth. These bacteria can contribute to plaque build-up, cavities, and gum disease. One majorly noticeable effect of the build-up on your tongue is bad breath. Foul-smelling breath is due to bacteria, mostly on the tongue. So if you struggle with bad breath, brushing your tongue can help in a big way!

To clean your tongue, you can buy a tongue scraper or just use your toothbrush. Start at the way back of your tongue and brush forward to the tip. Use force but do not hurt your tongue. Brush it three to four times, or until you notice it becoming clean.  Rinse your toothbrush in between strokes.

For more dental hygiene info, be sure to contact us or visit our website! Our New York, NY office can be reached by phone at (212) 509-4585 or through our Maiden Lane Dental website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

How to Calm Dental Fear in Kids

Dental phobia is quite common and it almost always begins out of a childhood fear. There are, however, ways to make kids feel more relaxed when going to the dentist. At Maiden Lane Dental here in New York, NY, we aim for all of our patients to have a positive and comfortable experience. That is why we want to give some tips to parents about easing their kids’ dental fears.

The earlier you start, the more familiar kids are with dental visits. Kids should start seeing the dentist when they grow in their first tooth, or by the age of one if that hasn’t happened yet. Regular cleaning and examinations from that point forward will help your kids feel at ease, since they know what to expect for each appointment.

For young kids who have never been to the dentist before or who do not remember going, you can play a “pretend dentist” game at home. Have them lean back in a recliner chair or a couch. Have them open wide and “examine” their teeth by counting each one. Explain that this is what the dentist will be doing and then when they leave, they will have very strong and healthy teeth.

Reward kids for good behavior at the dentist. Take them to a park afterwards, make their favorite dinner, or play a game with them. Be careful not to mention the reward before the visit though; this will make them think there is something to be afraid of that will require them to be good, which is not the case.

Kids and adults alike can actually begin to look forward to dental appointments! To schedule your child’s cleaning and examination, call Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Have a Happy and HEALTHY Halloween!

Halloween is the time for ghouls, goblins, jack-o-lanterns, and black cats, but it is not time for emergency dental appointments! The dentists here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY want to give some tips and tricks for keeping good dental health during this candy-filled holiday!

Sticky candies like gum, taffy, and caramel are known for pulling out loose fillings and dental crowns. If you have a dental crown, recent fillings, or even braces, it is smart to stay away from these types of sticky candies. That includes those caramel apples on sticks!

Sugary and sour candies are delicious, but try to limit the amount you eat every day. With all of that candy collected from trick-or-treating (or left over from passing it out), it is tempting to snack on it all day. However, picking a limit and sticking to it will help out your oral health. In addition, make sure to pay extra attention while brushing and flossing. Acidic candies (sour candy) in particular can wear down tooth enamel, so it is best to wait at least thirty minutes after eating to brush. This allows enamel softened by acid to re-harden before you brush.

Make sure you have a howling-good time this Halloween by taking good oral care! To schedule a cleaning and examination with Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY, call our office at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Pregnancy and Oral Health

Brushing your teeth and flossing every day is very important for anyone, but during pregnancy, a good oral hygiene routine becomes even more important. Due to the changes a pregnant woman is going through, oral health can be affected. At Maiden Lane Dental here in New York, NY, we want to help our pregnant patients take the best possible care of their oral health for themselves and their babies.

All of the hormonal changes that a pregnancy brings about can take a toll on oral health, if it is allowed to. During pregnancy, the gums become more sensitive to plaque, therefore it is recommended to brush and floss extra carefully. If you start noticing red, irritated gums, but may be a sign of pregnancy gingivitis. Gum sensitivity should go away after the baby is born, but you still want to take care of pregnancy gingivitis so that it does not turn into a more serious form of gum disease.

Many women are wondering if it is safe to see the dentist while pregnant. The answer is yes. You should absolutely still go for your routine cleaning and examinations, or more frequently if you are noticing signs of irritated gums. However, it is best to avoid any dental work that can wait until after the baby is born. There is no need to put added stress on the mother. Dental emergency procedures, however are recommended because it is better to have a safe and healthy mouth than one that could cause an infection.

Remember to mention to your dentist if you are pregnant. For more dental hygiene tips, contact Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY by calling (212) 509-4585 or by visiting our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth

Replacing missing teeth has a very important purpose. It may seem like an obvious answer, but it does more than help you chew again. At Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY, we want our patients to know why it is so important to replace missing teeth.

When a tooth falls out or is extracted, over time, the jawbone that used to hold the tooth will start to deteriorate. This, along with the open space can cause the other teeth to shift toward that opening. It creates movement in the mouth along with more gaps as teeth tend to space out. This can change your bite, your chewing ability, and can create hard-to-reach areas for your toothbrush.

When multiple teeth are missing, a large part of the jaw can deteriorate and begin to change the shape of your jaw and your facial structure. This can make someone appear older than they are.

Replacing teeth as soon as possible makes sure that the jaw does not deteriorate. However, there are still great options available for those who have been missing one or more teeth for a longer time. At our New York, NY dental practice, we have available dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures.

If you are ready to enjoy eating again, regain your ability to speak clearly, and have confidence in your smile, schedule an appointment with us for a consultation. To schedule with Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call our office at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Plaque and Tartar

You know that brushing and flossing your teeth is important for removing plaque. But do you know exactly what plaque is and why it needs to be removed? Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY wants to inform our patients about plaque and tartar so our patients understand the importance of removing it.

Plaque is a thin film of bacteria that form on your teeth and sticks there. It forms just hours after brushing and flossing, which is why it is important to brush two or three times per day, especially before bed. This is also why it is important that you floss every day.

When plaque is not removed, it can start to weaken the enamel on your teeth. Weakened enamel forms cavities. Decayed teeth can lead to gum disease and infections, which are a lot tougher to deal with. Plaque can also turn to tartar, a hardened form which can only be removed by a dentist. Plaque and tartar together irritate gums and if left untreated, can cause the gums to recede. Receded gums form deep pockets that collect bacteria; making clearing up the infection more difficult.

To keep plaque and tartar away, brush once in the morning and once at night. If you can, fit in a third time in the middle of the day. Also be sure to floss every day. To schedule a cleaning with Maiden Lane Dental in our New York, NY office, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Tips for Keeping a White Smile

A professional teeth whitening system is the best route to go for a bright, white smile. After your whitening treatment, you want to make sure you keep that smile bright by taking some tips to avoid staining. Maiden Lane Dental wants to inform their patients of tips and tricks to keep a white smile.

First, you want to avoid foods and drinks that are dark in color such as blueberries, coffee, wine, and soy sauce. However, we know that it is not always possible to skip these foods, especially if they are a favorite. Something that will help stop these foods from staining is to rinse your mouth afterwards. You can also drink dark liquids through a straw to minimize contact.

Brushing and flossing three times per day is great for keeping away sticky plaque that can hold in stains. Squeeze in that third time by keeping a toothbrush and toothpaste with you at work. If you are in a pinch, eat carrots or an apple. They are known to remove plaque from teeth as you eat them. Then brush when you get a chance.

Avoid over-doing home whitening treatments like baking soda scrubs. Baking soda is very abrasive, which means that it can start wearing away at your enamel. This can actually make your teeth appear darker!

To find out about our professional whitening options here at Maiden Lane Dental, visit our website or give us a call. To schedule an appointment or learn more information, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Aftercare for a Dental Crown

Dental crowns are fantastic for strengthening a tooth that can still have a long life. After a crown is placed, it is important to follow some guidelines so that the healing process is smooth. Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY is aiming to inform patients of how to take care of a crown for a successful outcome.

A dental crown is a cap that goes on a tooth that has some damage but also still has a healthy root. The crown can be made of metal, ceramic, or ceramic-covered metal. The tooth can be made to look and feel just like one of your natural teeth. Because this process involves sending impressions to a lab for the crown creation, you will likely wear a temporary crown until the permanent crown is ready.

To make sure this temporary crown does not pop off, you will want to be careful with what you eat. Stay away sticky or chewy foods. Also be careful when brushing and flossing. Brush gently in the area of the crown and do not pull up when flossing the spaces around it.

After the temporary and permanent crowns are placed, there may be some irritation to the gums, which is normal. As healing progresses, the gums will heal and any irritation will subside.

Having a dental crown installed is a healthy choice, so make sure to keep making healthy choices so it is a successful crown placement. To schedule an appointment with Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY, give us a call at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Oral Hygiene Basics

Bacteria can live in your mouth in the form of plaque, causing cavities and gingivitis, which can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. In order to keep your mouth clean, you must practice good oral hygiene every day. Dr. Lloyd Becker at Maiden Lane Dental is here to help you understand the basics of oral hygiene and establish a proper dental routine.

Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means your teeth are free of debris; gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you floss and bad breath is not a constant problem. In between regular visits to our office, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. These include: brushing thoroughly twice a day and flossing daily, eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals, using dental products that contain fluoride, rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash.                                                              

If you need assistance maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call today! To learn about other services offered at Maiden Lane Dental, visit www.maidenlanedental.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Lloyd Becker in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

Video Glasses at Maiden Lane Dental

Video glasses have become a great distraction for the fearful dental patient. Many dentists use sedation and nitrous oxide for helping nervous patients get through their dental appointments, but sometimes a patient cannot give up a whole day to be sedated and some patients don’t want to resort to nitrous oxide. Here at Maiden Lane Dental Care, Dr. Lloyd Becker wants patients to sit back and relax and uses video glasses to distract them from their dental procedure.

With these video glasses, patients can watch an assortment of 2D or 3D video content that may include movies, TV shows, video games, or informational programs given by the dentist -- or the patient can select their own favorites from an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch simply by plugging their own device into the Cinemizer OLED. It can also be easily connected to a PC, Mac, handheld touch device, Blu-ray player or standard DVD player.

If you want to learn more about our video glasses give us a call today! To learn about other services offered at Maiden Lane Dental, visit www.maidenlanedental.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Lloyd Becker in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

VELscope Technology

Oral cancer is often deemed the “forgotten disease” because it kills more people than testicular cancer, cervical cancer, and cancer of the brain each year and receives little publicity in return. Many people believe that if they abstain from tobacco and alcohol use, oral cancer will not affect them, however, sometimes it’s too late. Here at Maiden Lane Dental, Dr. Lloyd Becker utilizes VELscope technology to visualize oral tissue abnormalities, including cancer and pre-cancer.

The VELscope system is an adjunctive device which means it must be used together with and as a supplement to the traditional intra and extraoral head and neck exam. The VELscope handheld device emits a harmless, bright blue light which is used to inspect the mouth and tongue. The device is extremely sensitive to abnormal tissue changes and the distinctive blue-spectrum light causes the soft tissue of the mouth to naturally fluoresce. Healthy tissues fluoresce in distinct patterns that are visibly disrupted by trauma or disease, such as neoplastic lesions, and fungal, viral or bacterial infections.

To learn more about VELscope and other services offered at Maiden Lane Dental, visit www.maidenlanedental.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Lloyd Becker in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

Eliminate Bad Breath

It’s easy to spot bad breath in others but you can never be quite sure about your own. The bad breath odor is usually caused by a group of anaerobic, sulfur-producing bacteria that breed beneath the surface of the tongue and often in the throat and tonsil area. These bacteria occur naturally in your oral environment and are supposed to be there because they assist your digestion by breaking down proteins into amino acids. Here at Maiden Lane Dental, Dr. Lloyd Becker can help you eliminate bad breath by helping you develop a proper oral hygiene routine.

By developing the right habits, you can be effective at preventing bad breath. Some of these habits include, but are not limited to: brush your teeth twice a day, brush or scraping your tongue, floss your teeth, use an antibacterial mouthwash, chew sugar-free gum, quit smoking, and have a dental checkup at least once a year.  If you have persistent bad breath, try keeping a diary of all the foods you eat, and list any medicines you're taking. Take this diary to your Dr. Lloyd Becker – he may be able to suggest ways to solve the problem.

If you are embarrassed by your bad breath, give us a call to discuss your options. To learn more about services offered at Maiden Lane Dental, visit www.maidenlanedental.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Lloyd Becker in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

A Refresher on Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing our teeth is such a routine task that many of us probably do not even think about the process. However, sometimes a refresher is needed to make sure that you are getting the most out of your brushing. At Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we want our patients to get a fully clean mouth every time.

Brushing should be done in short, up-and-down strokes. This is what helps the whole tooth get brushed, including the tough spot, the gum line. Plaque can often be tough to reach at the gum line and brushing side-to-side doesn’t always reach this area.

Remember to brush every surface of your teeth; the insides, outsides, the chewing surfaces, and the backs of your back molars. Also be sure to hit the roof of your mouth, your cheeks, and your tongue, as bacteria can collect in these places, as well.

Brushing should be done twice per day; in the morning and at night before bed. If it is possible to fit a third time in, that is ideal. You should also wait at least thirty minutes after eating to brush. Acids from certain foods can wear down your enamel when they are brushed right away. Each brushing session should last for a full two minutes. Breaking down the mouth into sections is a good way to keep track and to get a balanced brushing.

For more tips on oral hygiene, contact Maiden Lane Dental. To schedule your regular visit to our New York, NY dental office, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Custom Teeth Whitening Trays at Maiden Lane Dental

For bright and brilliant teeth, there is no better way to whiten than to kick off the process with a professional system. Here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we offer a completely customized teeth whitening system for our patients looking to whiten their smile.

At Maiden Lane Dental, we offer a customized take-home tray whitening system. We take impressions of your teeth to shape the trays into an exact fit for your teeth. Imagine them looking like Invisalign trays. They are designed to hit every surface of your smile for the perfect whitening process. The whitening gel is placed into the trays and worn for a short period of time over duration of a few days. Depending on your lifestyle, you can make them work during the day or overnight.  

The whitening gel creates a chemical reaction to lift stains from our daily habits. When the chemicals break the carbon bonds that hold in stained color, the teeth start to lighten. Our customized whitening system often produces results four to eight shades whiter.

White teeth are a popular desire for many of our patients. To schedule a consultation with us in New York, NY to see if our customized whitening trays will work well for you, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit the Maiden Lane Dental website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Tooth Restoration Options in New York, NY

When a tooth is chipped, cracked, or weakened due to decay, the tooth is in a vulnerable position. Any further damage could cause the tooth to fall out. Maiden Lane Dental here in New York, NY offers multiple types of restoration to repair the health of your tooth.

Dental bonding is a long-lasting and popular option. Cracked and chipped teeth can be repaired; and bonding is also the process we use to fill in cavities. Bonding is a tooth-colored composite resin that is bonded to the tooth and smoothed into the proper shape. With good care, bonding can last up to ten years.

Crowns are another option here. When a tooth can no longer hold a filling, but still has a strong tooth root, a crown can be placed like a cap on the tooth. Crowns can be made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain-covered metal. Crowns are durable and can last up to fifteen years.

Inlays and onlays are also available here at Maiden Lane Dental. Inlays and onlays are often referred to as the partial crown. They cover the chewing surface of a tooth, for when there is more damage than a filling could fix, but not enough to need a full crown. Inlays and onlays can last for up to thirty years.

If you are suffering with a painful and irritating weakened tooth, do not hesitate to schedule a consultation here at Maiden Lane Dental. To schedule an appointment in our New York, NY dental practice, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

How to Choose the Right Toothbrush For You

Choosing the right toothbrush can be vital to the proper care of your teeth. It is important to know the facts about toothbrushes to know which to choose. Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY wants our patients to be confident in their choice the next time they are replacing their toothbrush.

The first major difference you may notice while walking down the toothbrush aisle is that some of them are electric. Electric toothbrushes do most of the work, so they are good for those who have trouble using their hands. They may actually get a better brushing out of an electric toothbrush. However, for most users, it all depends on the brusher. Manual toothbrushes have shown to do just as good of a job.

Toothbrushes should have a small head and a good grip. This is what makes it easy to maneuver the brush around the mouth and reach every surface. It is also important to choose a toothbrush that has bristles that are not too soft and not too stiff. Stiff bristles can actually wear down enamel and irritate gums. Soft bristles are ideal for removing plaque; however do not choose a toothbrush that is labeled as soft unless directed by your dentist. Instead, choose one labeled medium.

With your newly chosen toothbrush, make sure to brush two to three times per day, two minutes long each. To schedule your regular cleaning and exam here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Cosmetic Dentistry in New York, NY

Having a nice smile tops of the wish list of many. At Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY, we have options to improve many types of cosmetic issues. Whether you have cracked teeth, misaligned teeth, discolored teeth, or missing teeth, we have solutions for you.

For teeth whitening, we have a couple of different options including a customized tray whitening system you take home and a chairside whitening system called ZOOM! whitening. Both options are customized to benefit your unique situation in the best way. ZOOM! whitening is used in-office and combines whitening gel with an LED light to accelerate the chemical reaction. Inlays and onlays, also called partial crowns, are another option to improve the look of decayed or otherwise weakened teeth, making them white again.

Invisalign is a very convenient, comfortable, and nearly invisible way to straighten your teeth. For those who want straighter looking teeth almost instantly, Maiden Lane Dental offers dental veneers. Veneers can create the look of perfectly straight teeth, as well as improve problems like chips and cracks. Veneers also provide long-lasting whitening.

For tooth replacement, dentures, bridges, and implants are available. Depending on what is best for your specific situation and lifestyle, our experienced doctors will be able to help you make the right choice for replacement.

If you have been dissatisfied with the look of your smile, schedule a consultation at our New York, NY dental office. Call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit the Maiden Lane Dental website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Tooth Replacement at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY

Replacing a missing tooth is important for the health of your mouth. Here at Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY, we have several options for tooth replacement and our skilled dentists will be able to choose the right option for your situation.

Dental bridges are created in a dental laboratory so they look and feel just like your natural teeth. They work by using the adjacent teeth to the space for creating a bridge across the gap. The adjacent teeth are reshaped, and crowns are placed with a full tooth replacement attached in the middle. Bridges are long lasting and should be cared for like a natural tooth.

Dentures are available here at Maiden Lane Dental in both full and partial. Dentures are a removable option and can be placed immediately or conventionally. Partial dentures are similar to a bridge fixture, except they are able to be taken out. Your dentist will fit the dentures to your mouth for the best function and the best smile.

Dental implants are a permanent option here at Maiden Lane Dental. It is a single-tooth replacement and it bonds with your jawbone like a natural tooth. With good care, a dental implant should be able to last for a lifetime.

Replacing missing teeth will repair your smile, ensure good gum health, and prevent the jaw from changing shape. To schedule a consultation at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Flossing for Oral Health

Flossing every day is important, but doing it correctly is what makes it worthwhile. Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY wants to share tips on how to floss correctly, as it is vital to the health of your teeth and gums.

Flossing your teeth should be done every day. It does not matter if flossing happens before you brush, or after, it is just important that it happens. Bacteria that get trapped can cause cavities in between your teeth. There are a lot of different flavors of floss, as well as waxed, non-waxed, and multi-filament or single-filament floss. All types will do the trick.

To start, get a good grip on the floss. Eighteen inches is recommended for good grip and for enough to use. A new section of floss should be used for each space. The floss should be slid in between two teeth and held in a curve around the tooth. Use a back-and-forth motion to move up and down the tooth, and make sure to rub both sides of the space. Floss in every space, do not skip any! Pay special attention to the molars, as they do most of our chewing.

For more instructions on how you can keep good oral hygiene, visit the Maiden Lane Dental website, www.maidenlanedental.com or give us a call at (212) 509-4585. Call or visit our website to schedule a cleaning at our New York, NY location.

Post-Extraction Care

After a tooth extraction, it is important to keep the extraction site clean and undisturbed to allow proper healing and to avoid infection. Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY wants to prepare their patients for an extraction by preparing them for the extraction after-care.

After an extraction has been performed, it is important to minimize bleeding. It is recommended to relax for the rest of the day after the extraction and to avoid any vigorous activity for the first twenty-four hours. While lying down, lie with your head propped up with some pillows as not to increase blood flow and cause more bleeding.

A diet of soft foods will be recommended until healing progresses. Make sure to drink plenty of water, but do not drink through a straw. The suction created from straws may un-clot the blood at the extraction site. Smoking and other tobacco products should be avoided as they can slow the healing process and lead to infection.

Pain and swelling can be controlled by using the pain medication as directed by your dentist. An ice pack or a salt water rinse can help, as well. To keep the area clean, continue to brush your teeth, tongue, and roof of your mouth but avoid the extraction site. Do not rinse your mouth vigorously.

For more information about post-extraction care, visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. To schedule an appointment at our New York, NY location, call Maiden Lane Dental at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website.

Metal-free Fillings from Dr. Lloyd Becker

At Maiden Lane Dental, Dr. Lloyd Becker offers metal-free fillings to restore teeth to normal function without taking away the beauty of the patient’s smile. Unlike amalgam fillings, metal-free fillings match the color of the patient’s teeth and contain no mercury, making them a safe and attractive way to achieve optimum oral health.

The majority of patients and dentists prefer these fillings to mercury amalgam fillings, for both their look and function. Not only are metal fillings dark and noticeable, the can also contract with cold and expand with heat to cause cracks that will let bacteria into the tooth and eventually require further dental work down the line. Tooth-colored, composite fillings, on the other hand, both look natural and feel natural. You won’t even be able to tell that you have a filling!

Metal-free fillings are made of a strong resin composite material that the dentist bonds directly to the surface of the tooth, allowing Dr. Becker to increase its durability and stability. At our practice, we strive to keep as much of the natural tooth structure as possible to prevent fracture, and metal-free, composite fillings help us do that.

To achieve the healthy and natural smile you desire in New York, NY, contact our office by calling 212-509-4585. For more information about the practice, please visit www.maidenlanedental.com.   

Wisdom Teeth Extractions in New York, NY

Your third and final molars to emerge are your wisdom teeth, which usually come in when you are between 17 and 25 years old. While many people do not experience problems with these new teeth, many others find that theirs must be removed. If your mouth does not have enough room for these molars to come in, a wisdom tooth extraction is necessary, and at our office in New York, NY, Dr. Lloyd Becker can determine whether a wisdom tooth extraction is the best course of action for you.

Wisdom teeth are usually removed because they become impacted, which means that the tooth does not have enough room to come in straight through the gums and instead emerges at an angle. This can cause pain, damage to the jaw and a more crooked smile. Additionally, the site of impaction can become a bacterial hotspot since impacted wisdom teeth are hard to clean.

Wisdom teeth extractions can range from removing a single tooth to removing all four teeth at once. Dr. Becker will let you know what he thinks is best for you. For the procedure, he will use either a local anesthetic to numb the area or a general anesthetic to sedate you while the teeth are extracted. The tooth will then be accessed through an incision in the gums and wiggled until it is loose enough to be lifted out. If the tooth is too deeply embedded to be removed this way, it will be broken up into pieces before being removed.

Whether you are already feeling pain due to impacted wisdom teeth or have not yet felt them come in, we can determine if your wisdom teeth will cause problems for you. To schedule an appointment at Maiden Lane Dental, call 212-509-4585. For more information, visit www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Why Water is Your Teeth’s Best Friend

If you’re one of those people who don’t drink enough water, then you should know that the clear, tasteless liquid is actually essential for achieving good health. This is because your body is between 60 to 65 percent water, and the liquid is used for a variety of bodily functions. Your body uses water to maintain its temperature, remove waste and lubricate your joints, and staying hydrated helps it function better as a whole. In addition to these benefits, water is also an important player in your oral health. Many dentists even consider water to be teeth’s best friend.

One of the many benefits that drinking water can provide our mouths is that it can help prevent bad breath. In fact, one of the most common causes of bad breath is dehydration. When there is not enough saliva in your mouth, bacteria is provided a suitable environment in which to thrive, and this can cause bad odors. By drinking water, you can cut down on these smelly bacteria. 

However, bacteria in the mouth do more than smell. The bacteria that cause bad breath are also the cause of cavities and gum disease, so drinking water can help keep your mouth healthy in addition to less smelly. Water provides a great way to keep your teeth clean between brushings since it is able to wash away foods and liquids that can damage your teeth. While it is not a replacement for brushing and flossing altogether, drinking water with your meal or afterward can help wash away the acid and particles that erode your enamel and attract bacteria.

Seeing a dentist is also a vital part of a good oral hygiene routine, and in New York, NY, Dr. Lloyd Becker has the skill and experience to provide the care you need for optimal oral health. Call 212-509-4585 to schedule an appointment. For more information about Maiden Lane Dental, visit www.maidenlanedental.com. 

A Healthy Smile is a Beautiful Smile with Dr. Lloyd Becker

Regular checkups and dental cleanings are a part of any good oral hygiene routine, and at Maiden Lane Dental, we provide dental care services of the highest quality to ensure that our patients’ smiles stay healthy year after year.

Plaque is a soft and sticky film of bacteria that can build up on your teeth despite regular brushing and flossing. Because teeth are constantly bathed in saliva, which contains calcium and other substances to strengthen and protect teeth, tartar or calcium deposits can also build up over time. Dental cleanings work to remove both plaque and tartar from the teeth. If it is not removed and is allowed to accumulate, bacteria will be provided a perfect environment and thrive on the gums and teeth, which can cause cavities, infection and gum disease.

While good for maintaining oral health between dentist visits, at-home brushing and cleaning are not enough to make sure teeth stay clean; regular dental cleanings are required. At our office, we can clean and polish your teeth, leaving the surface clean and smooth. The smoother the teeth, the more difficult it is for bacteria to stick to them and the more effective at-home brushing will be.

We recommend checkups and dental cleanings every six months for optimum oral health. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lloyd Becker in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585. For more information, visit www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Rotary Endodontics at Maiden Lane Dental

If you’ve had root canal treatment to save an infected tooth, it probably didn’t occur to you to ask what types of tools your dentist used. But if your dentist used the old, manual file for removing the infected tissue, the procedure may have been pretty nerve wracking. Rotary endodontic tools, on the other hand, provide a much smoother, more comfortable experience during root canal procedures, which is why Dr. Lloyd Becker chooses to rely on them to treat infected teeth in New York, NY.

Rotary endodontics allows the dentist to remove the infected pulp in the inner root canal more quickly, more smoothly and with less chance of complications. These electric instruments prove to be superior to the traditional, stainless steel files in a multitude of ways since they are made of nickel titanium, which is much more flexible than stainless steel. Increased flexibility allows the tool to be inserted into the curved root canal without damaging the passageway.

The tools are also much quieter and do not produce a grinding noise like the other tools. This helps to soothe patients’ nerves during the procedure. While the manual method can adequately save teeth during root canals, rotary endodontic tools are easier and preferred by both the dentist and his patients. 

To schedule an appointment at Maiden Lane Dental, call 212-509-4585. For more information, visit www.maidenlanedental.com.

Oral Cancer Screening with Dr. Lloyd Becker

Being screened for oral cancer is an important part of maintaining your oral health and should be a regular part of your oral hygiene routine. At our practice in New York, NY, we take oral cancer seriously and are dedicated to keeping our patients safe with thorough screenings.

While everyone is at risk for oral cancer, certain factors can increase your risk in developing the disease. Lifestyle choices, such as heavy drinking or smoking, can greatly affect the health of tissues in the mouth, so it is especially important for you to receive regular screenings if you partake in these activities. If oral abnormalities are caught early, it will not only expand your treatment options, including less invasive and less radical treatments, but it will also increase your chances of beating the cancer.

Screening for oral cancer can be done during routine checkups by Dr. Lloyd Becker, who uses the VEL-scope system to spot abnormal tissue months or even years before they become identifiable by the unassisted eye. The VEL-scope handpiece shines a safe blue light into your mouth, exposing suspicious tissue. If the dentist thinks it might be cancer, he will order a biopsy.

Oral cancer is a serious issue, and at our practice, we strive to protect all our patients. To schedule an appointment at Maiden Lane Dental, call 212-509-4585. For more information about our practice, please visit www.maidenlanedental.com.     

Does Your Tooth Still Hurt After a Root Canal?

If you’re still experiencing pain after a root canal, you may be wondering why. Aren’t root canals meant to take your pain away? There are many reasons why your tooth may still be hurting. It is possible that the base of your tooth root (periapical) is still slightly tender or that your pain is caused by a temporary filling that is a bit too high. In these cases, taking OTC painkillers, preferably ibuprofen, may be all you need to alleviate your pain while your root canal heals.

However, if you’ve had a root canal at our practice in New York, NY and are still experiencing pain that is severe or persistent, you should call our office immediately. The dentist may need to prescribe you an antibiotic to make sure the infection does not remain, or he may need to perform retreatment.

At your follow-up appointment, Dr. Lloyd Becker will want to know what type of pain you are experiencing. Is your tooth sensitive to hot and cold? Is it the tooth root that is sensitive or the gums that are over the tooth? Is it a constant ache, or does it only hurt when biting? Is there any swelling, drainage or pus? The answers to these questions will give Dr. Becker the information he needs to diagnose your pain.

Root canals don’t always work, and there are many reasons for this, including fractures of the root, convoluted or twisted root structures and failure to protect the root canal after the procedure. If this occurs, you may need further treatment. If the root canal was successful, it should feel normal most of the time.

To schedule an appointment at Maiden Lane Dental, call 212-509-4585. For more information, visit www.maidenlanedental.com.

Dental Crowns in New York, NY

From the acid erosion caused by the food you eat to the constant biting, crunching and grinding you do when eating or stressed, daily activities weaken your teeth and make them more susceptible to decay, cracks, discoloration and more. If any of your teeth reach a point where they become so weak or decayed that the tooth structure becomes compromised, a crown can be used to protect and reinforce it. By covering a weak or broken tooth and restoring it to its original size and shape, a crown reduces pain and saves the tooth from needing to be extracted, and in New York, NY, Dr. Lloyd Becker can determine if a crown is needed to save your smile.

Made from porcelain, gold or porcelain fused to metal, crowns are used to repair teeth when fillings or bonding are not enough. When you have a crown placed, Dr. Becker will first prepare your tooth by removing any existing decay and insulating the tooth nerve with core buildup. Besides providing insulation, the core buildup also serves as a surface for the crown to bond to. Once the tooth is prepared, an impression is taken so that the crown can be created to fit perfectly. Then at your next appointment, the custom crown is cemented onto the current tooth to prevent further decay and fracture.

Schedule an appointment with Maiden Lane Dental by calling 212-509-4585. For more information, please visit www.maidenlanedental.com.  

Mouth Guards in New York, NY

If you play contact sports, mouth guards are a necessary piece of equipment. From football, soccer and basketball to hockey, lacrosse, wrestling and even baseball, if you play a sport where contact is possible, you should wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth. Here in New York, NY, Dr. Lloyd Becker can provide you with a custom mouth guard to protect your jaw, cheeks, teeth, tongue and lips.

Mouth guards are essential for protecting your teeth and jaw against structural damage and your tongue and lips against lacerations. They have also been known to decrease the risk of concussions during sports.

While you can buy mouth guards in most sporting goods stores, you should be wary of these. They can be ill-fitting and uncomfortable and unlikely to offer you the best level of protection. If you want to protect your mouth during sports, a custom mouth guard from Dr. Becker offers the highest level of protection. Created specifically for you, mouth guards from Maiden Lane Dental are made with a thin plastic that is hardened after being custom fit to your mouth. Its thinness allows you to breathe easier, which is important when playing team sports.

To ensure that you perform at your best and are protected on the field, rink or court, schedule an appointment with our office by calling 212-509-4585. For more information, visit www.maidenlanedental.com.  

Maiden Lane Dental Performs Teeth Extractions

If decay has reached too deeply into one of your teeth or if an infection has damaged too much of the bone or tissue supporting a tooth, you will be in need of a tooth extraction. At Maiden Lane Dental, Dr. Lloyd Becker can help you restore your oral health by performing a tooth extraction.

Before the procedure is performed, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area around the extraction site. During a simple extraction, the tooth is loosened with an elevator and then extracted with forceps. Once removed, Dr. Becker may choose to smooth and contour the underlying bone. Then the gums are sutured.

After the extraction, it is critical to keep the area clean to prevent infection. A dry, sterile gauze will be placed over the gums to limit bleeding. You must make sure to keep it in place for 30 to 45 minutes while the blood clots. During the 24 hours after the procedure, you should not smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously or clean the teeth immediately adjacent to the extraction site. Strenuous activity, hot liquids and straw drinking should also be avoided. A certain amount of pain and discomfort accompanies an extraction, so a painkiller may be prescribed.

If you are suffering pain from decay, infection or impaction, Dr. Becker can determine if a tooth extraction is required to save your smile. Schedule an appointment at our practice in New York, NY by calling 212-509-4585. For more information, visit www.maidenlanedental.com.

Dental Bonding in New York, NY

Of all the cosmetic and restorative procedures we offer at our office in New York, NY, bonding is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to enhance your smile. Called bonding because tooth-colored resin is bonded to your teeth, the procedure is used to repair teeth that are discolored, unevenly shaped or chipped. At Maiden Lane Dental, we can even use bonding to seamlessly fill cavities without the need for amalgam fillings.

Bonding is achieved by applying incredibly strong resin to the tooth in need of restoration. The procedure can usually be accomplished in one visit and allows you to keep most of your tooth’s enamel, which makes bonding preferable to veneers in many cosmetic cases. Once the right color resin has been chosen for your smile, Dr. Lloyd Becker will apply an adhesive gel to your tooth or teeth to help the resin adhere. The putty-like resin is then applied to your tooth and molded and smoothed until it is in the proper shape. After it is hardened with an LED light, Dr. Becker trims and shapes it even more, polishing it until shines like a tooth. Altogether, the procedure usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour for one tooth.

If you’re unhappy with your teeth but unwilling to go as far as veneers, bonding can be used to improve your smile quickly and effectively. To schedule an appointment at Maiden Lane Dental, call us at 212-509-4585. For more information, visit www.maidenlanedental.com.

Dr. Lloyd Becker’s Tips for a Healthier Smile

Regular exams and cleanings with Dr. Lloyd Becker are only a small part of a good oral hygiene routine. Everyday oral care habits also play a vital role in a healthy smile, and if you want to improve your oral health, here are some simple changes you can make.

1.            Brush better. Good technique and proper duration are essential for effective brushing. To maximize your brushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and make sweeping circular motions away from the gums. You should brush for at least two minutes or for the length of a song.

2.            Floss. Dr. Becker has probably already told you how important this is. This is because flossing can actually do a better job of removing harmful plaque than brushing, and it only needs to be done once a day. So why aren’t you doing it already? It’s the key to healthier teeth and fresher breath.

3.            Chew sugarless gum. Sugarless gum is a great way to keep your smile fresh after a meal. Not only will it improve your breath, but chewing gum increases saliva production to help wash away the acids released by the bacteria in plaque. If the gum has xylitol, it even helps reduce decay-causing bacteria.

4.            Replace your toothbrush. How long have you been brushing with your toothbrush? As your toothbrush ages, the bristles will fray and lose their cleaning ability. Extremely frayed bristles can even hurt your gums. Bacteria can also build up in the bristles of toothbrushes, so make sure you are replacing yours ever three to four months.

5.            Switch to tap water. Tap water is treated with fluoride, which is a safe and effective technique for lowering tooth decay across the nation. Plus, it’s basically free.

For more ways to keep your smile healthy, turn to Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY. To schedule an appointment, call 212-509-4585. For more information, please visit www.maidenlanedental.com.

Dr. Lloyd Becker Restores Patients Smiles with Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are two procedures that use the tooth structure as a base for restoration. Often called partial crowns, both inlays and onlays strengthen the tooth while restoring its shape and preventing further damage or decay. At our office in New York, NY, we use these procedures to repair teeth when decay is too extensive to support a filling but not extensive enough to use a crown.

When there is no damage to the cusps of a tooth, Dr. Lloyd Becker uses an inlay for restoration, bonding it right on top of the tooth structure. Made of porcelain, inlays are both strong and natural-looking, providing an attractive solution for repairing your tooth. Dr. Becker uses onlays when damage is a little more extensive and repairs to the cusp of the tooth are required.

Inlays and onlays can be created at a lab out of porcelain, gold or composite resin. Fabrication normally takes between two to three weeks, and during that time, you will be provided with temporary restorations while you wait. Once they are ready, they are cemented in place.

To ensure that your teeth get the best dental care available, schedule an appointment at Maiden Lane Dental by calling 212-509-4585. For more information, visit www.maidenlanedental.com.

Bridges at Maiden Lane Dental

If you’ve had one tooth or multiple teeth extracted due to damage, decay or disease, it is important to have the resulting gap filled or your remaining teeth can shift out of position and become susceptible to further decay. One way to replace your missing tooth or teeth and prevent this shifting is with a dental bridge.

Called a bridge because a prosthetic tooth is suspended between two crowns to fill in the missing space, this natural-looking tooth structure is usually made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure a strong and durable smile that can last for many years.

The process of creating a bridge usually takes two visits to our office in New York, NY. During your first visit, Dr. Lloyd Becker will create abutments out of the existing teeth on both sides of your gap. This is where the bridge’s crowns will be attached. After the abutments are in place, a mold is made of your mouth for creating the bridge, which will fit and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. While you wait for the bridge to be fabricated in the lab, you will receive a temporary device for your convenience. Then, once the permanent device is completed, you will return to our office to have the crowns fixed to the abutments with an adhesive. The pontic between the crowns forms the bridge and replace your missing tooth or teeth.

To schedule an appointment at Maiden Lane Dental, call 212-509-4585. For more information, please visit www.maidenlanedental.com.      

Dentures with Dr. Lloyd Becker

Many of our patients in New York, NY choose dentures to replace their missing teeth. Cost-effective and removable, dentures are an attractive option for many patients at Maiden Lane Dental, and they are available as both full and partial devices. 

Full dentures can be placed in two ways: conventionally or immediately. Conventional full dentures are used after all of a patient’s teeth have been removed, but only once the gum tissue has healed for a few months. During that healing time, the patient would have no teeth in place. Immediate full dentures, however, are more popular since patients do not have to be toothless for any period of time. For this type, Dr. Lloyd Becker takes measurements of your mouth prior to removing the teeth. The teeth are removed at the next appointment, and the dentures are immediately placed in your mouth. With this method, a follow-up visit is required so that the dentures can be refitted and tightened since the jawbone changes shape slightly as it heals with no teeth.

Partial dentures are an option for those who do not need all their teeth removed. This type is very similar to bridges, except they are removable instead of permanent.

Whichever dentures our patients choose, the device takes some time getting used to, but as you practice, eating and speaking will get easier. Even though they are not real teeth, dentures should still be cared for as if they were. To ensure your dentures last, be sure to brush them before removal and place them in room temperature water or cleaning solution overnight.

To find out if dentures are the right choice for you, schedule an appointment at our practice by calling 212-509-4585. For more information, visit www.maidenlanedental.com.