Brushing and Flossing with Braces

Brushing your teeth is vital to remove cavity-casing plaque and debris. When wearing braces, the brackets create even more areas that the plaque can stick to and hide, so it is extra important to do a great job brushing. At Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we want our patients to have the right knowledge for taking excellent care of their oral health. Read on to learn more about brushing and flossing with braces!

Brushing with braces is pretty easy when it comes to brushing the chewing surfaces of the teeth and even above and below the brackets. There are no special instructions for those areas. Just do be sure to brush the tops and bottoms of the brackets, as that is where plaque can collect. The sides of the brackets, however, will require an interdental cleaner to reach. These brushes are little tree-like tools that help you reach underneath the wires. Use these to brush the sides of the brackets so that you can see the edges of them clearly.

Flossing is also important and should be done once per day regardless of if you are wearing braces. Superfloss or floss threaders are a big help with this part of the job. They allow you to get the floss over and under the wires easily and quickly.

In addition to excellent home care, routine visits to your dentist for examinations and cleanings are important, as well. To schedule your appointment with Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call our office at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

White Fillings for Natural-Looking Restorations

Cavities weaken teeth and can create a not-so-good-looking smile. It is only natural that you would want a natural-looking restoration that would both make the tooth healthy again and look good. That is why here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we offer white fillings to our patients.

White fillings are made of a composite resin that is matched to the color of your tooth. This allows the fillings to look completely natural and blend right into your smile. The silver amalgam fillings of the past did the job of strengthening the tooth and making it healthy again, however, they tend to be unsightly. They are dark and can make the teeth look unhealthy.

White fillings are placed just as fillings have always been placed. First, the decayed tooth tissue is removed. Then, the composite resin chosen to match your teeth is placed into the cavity and smoothed over. The resin is hardened and then reshaped and smoothed over to allow a proper bite. Just like that, your smile is healthy again and still looking great!

If you suspect you have a cavity, schedule an appointment with Maiden Lane Dental for a natural-looking restoration. To schedule in our New York, NY office, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Crowns: What to Expect Aftewards

Dental procedures and restorations can come with some healing time. During this time, you may feel slight irritation or you may need to get used to a new feeling. However, at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we want our patients to know that this is completely normal and is part of the healing process. Here is what to expect after a crown has been installed:

First, you are likely going to have to wear a temporary crown while your custom crown is being created. During this time, you will need to be careful while eating and cleaning your teeth. The temporary crown will not be permanently bonded like the custom crown will be. Therefore, when brushing, do not press down hard on the tooth. When flossing, do not pull the floss out hard or pull on the tooth hard. Also, beware of sticky or hard foods.

When the custom crown is permanently cemented into place, there may be some slight irritation or swelling at the site. This is the soft tissue getting used to the new structure. Ibuprofen or a warm salt water rinse can help with pain and swelling. As the tissue heals, any irritation will go away. This should take a short period of time.

Your crown may feel strange to you in your mouth at first, but you will eventually get used to the new feeling and it will feel like one of your own teeth. To learn more about crowns, contact Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY by calling (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com.