Eating Your Way to a Healthy Mouth

While it is common knowledge that you need to brush and floss for a healthy mouth, many do not know that eating can help, too! At Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, our patients’ oral health is our top priority. Take some of these tasty tips for eating your way to a healthy mouth!

Dairy Milk is great for building strong bones and teeth. The calcium in milk aids in building enamel and keeping it strong. In addition, milk lowers the levels of acid in your mouth, further protecting teeth and gums. Cheese yields similar results. One more powerful dairy product is yogurt. The good bacteria in yogurt help fight bad bacteria in your mouth, especially bad breath-causing bacteria!

Citrus Citrus fruits like clementines and limes are great for healthy gums. They strengthen blood vessels and connective tissues that hold your teeth to your jaw. They can also reduce inflammation.

Crunchy Fruits and Veggies Crunchy and fibrous foods like cucumbers and apples help clean teeth as you eat them. The fibers scrape against your teeth and remove plaque! If you’re worried about plaque at a party, go for the snack trays!

Polyphenols Foods and drinks like cranberries and tea contain polyphenols, which help prevent plaque from sticking to your teeth. This can lower your risk of cavities. In addition, green tea has properties that help fight bad breath!

Food is a major contributor to your overall health, including the health of your mouth. Be sure you are getting the right nutrients to function at your peak! To learn more about Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

At-Home Tips for Controlling Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can increase the risk for several types of dangerous conditions like heart failure and stroke. That is why it is important to seek treatment, like we have available here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY. In addition to the treatment we can provide, there are some at-home tips to help minimize the effects of obstructive sleep apnea.

Your Sleeping Position. Sleeping on your side is the best sleep position for someone with sleep apnea. Sleeping on your back can worsen the symptoms and effects of sleep apnea. Sleeping on your side will help keep your airway open.

Sedatives. The second tip is to avoid sleep aids and alcohol. Sedatives, alcohol, and anything else that can depress your breathing can also make sleep apnea worse. If a person with sleep apnea is heavily sedated, the combination can be highly dangerous because the body may not react as it should to begin breathing. This can result in death in severe cases.

Healthy Weight. A healthy weight is very important for patients with sleep apnea. Overweight individuals can make the effects of sleep apnea much worse because it can cause further collapse of your airway. Live a healthy lifestyle of eating right and exercising daily. You can talk to your doctor about safe ways to lose weight if needed.

Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition that should be treated. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it’s important to find out your options for treatment. To schedule an appointment with Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Dental Anxiety in Patients

It is one thing for anxiety to affect your daily relationships, but when it starts to impact your overall health then it becomes a problem. Dental anxiety, or dental phobia, is much more serious than just getting sweating palms and sleepless nights before an appointment – it’s a paralyzing fear of dentists or dental treatment. Luckily at Maiden Lane Dental our doctors have the tools, techniques, and gentle touch to help make regular dental visits as comfortable as possible for you.

The key to coping with dental anxiety is to discuss your fears with your dentist. Once your dentist knows what your fears are, they will better be able to work with you to determine the best ways to make you less anxious and more relaxed. In addition, ask your dentist what is happening at every stage of the procedure. This way you can mentally prepare for what’s to come.

If you suffer from dental anxiety, give us a call so we ease your fear. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, 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.

Bottom Line of Bruxism

Grinding of your teeth, also known as bruxism can have a variety of causes. Some people grind their teeth only during sleep. This is called “nocturnal bruxism” or “sleep-related bruxism.” Others grind or clench their teeth during the daytime as well. Some experts view bruxism as nothing more than a habit. It can also be a result of the body’s reaction when the teeth do not line up or come together properly. If you experience signs and symptoms of bruxism, our doctors at Maiden Lane Dental can develop an individualized treatment plan with you.

When diagnosing bruxism, one of our doctors will ask about your general dental health, what sources of stress you have in your life, and what medicines you take. They will examine you, paying special attention to the muscles in and around your jaw. He will also look at your teeth for evidence of grinding. During this examination, one of our doctors will check for tenderness in your jaw muscles and the jaw joint. A more detailed exam may follow if your dentist suspects that your bruxism is related to dental problems.

If you believe you have bruxism, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, 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.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a type of dentistry that is aimed at creating a positive change to your teeth and to your smile. If you have a grin that embarrasses you due to missing teeth, tooth discoloration, or teeth that are chipped or cracked, our doctors at Maiden Lane Dental offer a wide variety of treatment options to restore your confidence.

From subtle changes to major repairs, our dentists can perform a variety of procedures to improve your smile. These procedures include, but are not limited to, whitening, dental bonding, dental crowns, veneers, and reshaping and contouring. These improvements are not always just cosmetic. Many of these treatments can improve oral problems as well, such as your bite. If you’re not sure which procedure may be right for you, we are here to answer all of your questions. The condition of your teeth and your desired result often indicate the best procedure for you.

If you have desire a more aesthetically pleasing smile, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visitwww.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.

Avoiding Staining While Wearing Braces

Getting your braces off should be a joyous occasion where your brand-new smile is revealed to you. However, it can turn sour if it reveals uneven staining. At Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we offer teeth whitening, but we also want our patients who wear braces to be aware of how to avoid uneven staining while wearing them.

 

Dental  Hygiene

The most important part of keeping stains away is keeping a clean mouth. Brush and floss as your dentist instructs. It helps to brush after every meal and do not skip flossing, it is just as important for keeping a while smile.

 

Helpful Supplies

Interdental cleaners will help you brush around your brackets underneath your wires. While a normal toothbrush often cannot fit under the wires, this tiny tree-shaped brush can. Floss with a threader attached or purchasing floss threaders will help speed up your flossing process.

 

Stay Away from Dark Foods and Drinks

Dark foods and drinks are able to stain teeth if they are consumed frequently. Stain-causing foods can stain teeth slowly over time and since you will most likely be wearing braces for at least a year, you will want to make sure you are minimizing contact with these types of foods. Examples are tea, cola, ketchup, and beets. Try to drink dark liquids through a straw, limit the amount of dark foods and liquids you are consuming, and rinse your mouth after consumption.

 

After you have your braces taken off, we can recommend any needed whitening procedures; however, it is nice to know how to avoid the staining. To schedule an appointment at Maiden Lane Dental here in our New York, NY office, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

How to Select the Right Mouthwash

Mouthwash or rinses are used for a variety of reasons: to freshen breath, to help prevent or control tooth decay, to reduce plaque, to prevent or reduce gingivitis, to reduce the speed that tartar forms on the teeth, or to produce a combination of these effects.  Mouthwash has a few beneficial properties and our doctors at Maiden Lane Dental would like to explain some of them.

• Antimicrobial agents act directly on oral bacteria to help reduce plaque, decrease the severity of gingivitis and control bad breath.


• Fluoride helps reduce tiny lesions (tooth decay) on tooth enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay.


• Astringent salts can serve as temporary deodorizers that mask bad breath.


• Odor neutralizers act by chemically inactivating odor causing compounds.

If you have questions about oral hygiene or oral hygiene products, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, 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.

Soft Food Diet for TMJ/TMD

TMJ can have many symptoms, from clicking, to locking of the jaw, to a headache, earache, or even a feeling of tiredness in the face. Because TMJ affects the chewing muscles, the condition may worsen when eating certain foods. Here at Maiden Lane Dental, our doctors can not only treat this condition, but they can recommend diet changes to alleviate symptoms.

By incorporating soft foods into your diet you are giving your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal. We know that giving up certain foods is easier said than done, but you may need to try eliminating certain culprits from your diet if this decreases your problems with TMJ/TMD. To lessen pain and other symptoms associated with this condition, avoid eating hard foods, crunchy foods, and thick or large foods that involve opening your mouth wide when you chew them. You may also want to eliminate fatty foods that require a lot of chewing. Some ideal foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs.

If you have further questions about TMJ/TMD, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, 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 Advantages of Invisalign Over Traditional Metal Braces

A straight smile can boost confidence and promote a healthy mouth. Here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we offer Invisalign for an effective and discreet way of straightening teeth. Invisalign has many advantages of traditional metal braces.

Invisalign is a teeth aligning system made of a series of clear, smooth, BPA-free plastic trays. The trays are completely customized to fit your teeth. Using a computer system, each tray will be created with minor adjustments so your teeth gradually shift into place. The length of each patient’s case will vary depending on the severity of their misalignments. The trays are switched out every two weeks and you will visit with us every four to five weeks to pick up your new trays and to make sure the process is going as planned. The Invisalign trays are to be worn for twenty to twenty-two hours per day. You can take them out to eat, brush, and floss, unlike with braces.

This also means that there are no restrictions on what you can eat with Invisalign, so you do not have to avoid crunchy, hard, sticky, or chewy foods. Since you can brush and floss normally, there are no special supplies you need to purchase. The smooth plastic is also more comfortable than metal braces, so the calluses and irritated spots that braces cause are much less likely. The biggest reason patients like Invisalign over braces is the appearance. Invisalign is nearly invisible; no one can tell you are wearing your trays unless they are looking at your teeth close-up.

Straitening your teeth can bring about many positive changes in your life. To set up your Invisalign consultation, call Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Exercises to Relieve TMJ Pain and Stiffness

TMJ pain can cause your jaw to stiffen up and cause problems with eating, talking, and even smiling. Here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we are able to treat patients with TMJ pain. Read through some of these exercises that may help you and contact us about the other ways we can help.

There are several exercises that can help relax your jaw, relieve pain, and allow you more range of motion. Try out some of these for yourself. Remember to be gentle and if the exercises make the pain or stiffness worse, do not continue them.

• To relieve tension, smile as big and wide as you can. Have your teeth open two inches and hold your smile for a few deep breaths. Relax your face. Do this exercise a few times until you feel your muscles start to relax.


• To stretch a tight jaw, place your thumb under your chin with your mouth closed. As you open your mouth half way, apply pressure upward with your thumb. Do this ten times.


• To improve how far you can open your mouth, do opening exercises twice daily. Gently open your mouth as far as you can a few times in the morning and a few times at night. If you do this every day, you will begin to see improvement over time.

TMJ pain can be frustrating, but there is help. To schedule an appointment with Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call our office at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Avoid These Foods to Avoid TMJ Pain

TMJ can be painful and since it affects the jaw joints, eating can aggravate the condition even more. At Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we want our patients suffering with TMJ pain to find relief and avoid flare-ups. Keep reading to learn about the types of foods to avoid with TMJ/TMD.

Crunchy, hard, and chewy foods are the big three to avoid. When the jaw needs a lot of force to bite into something or if it needs to do a lot of work to chew through it, it TMJs can become irritated. Crunchy foods like pops and chips should be avoided. Hard foods like carrots, whole apples, and bagels should be avoided or made softer by cooking it or cutting it into smaller pieces. Chewy foods like gummies and candies should also be avoided. Choose more tender cuts of meat and stay away from chewier seafood options like shellfish. Fish is a much more tender option that is easier on the jaw.

In addition to these foods, avoid chewing hard non-food options. Bad habits like chewing pens and biting fingernails can do just as much damage or more.

TMJ can be painful but there are ways to avoid triggering it. If you are experiencing jaw pain, be sure to visit our New York, NY office for an evaluation. To schedule an appointment at Maiden Lane Dental, call our office at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Oral Cancer Facts

Oral cancer is a malignant growth that affects any part of the oral cavity, including the lips, upper or lower jaw, tongue, gums, cheeks, and throat. Anyone can get oral cancer, but the risk is higher if you are male, over age 40, use tobacco or alcohol or have a history of head or neck cancer. Understanding the causative factors of cancer will contribute to the prevention of the disease. Your health is important to us and you should schedule regular dental checkups with our staff at Maiden Lane Dental to detect oral cancer early when it is the easiest to treat.

The most common symptom of oral cancer is a sore in the mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal. Another common sign of oral cancer is developing pain in the mouth that does not go away. Our doctors at Maiden Lane Dental can examine the mouth and throat as part of a routine checkup if you are concerned about developing oral cancer. During regular checkups, abnormal tissue changes and oral cancer can be detected at its earliest stage when there is a greater chance for a cure.

If you are due for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.maidenlanedental.comfor more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

Oral Care for Senior Citizens

Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of oral health problems. These problems include but are not limited to darkened teeth, dry mouth, gum disease, tooth loss, root decay and gum disease. Here at Maiden Lane Dental, our doctors offer plenty of restorative options for our patients to choose from. However, we encourage you to take care of your teeth on a regular basis, no matter how old you are. 

Seniors are more likely to suffer from a host of oral health issues resulting from their inability to provide themselves with adequate dental hygiene care. Certain medical conditions, such as arthritis in the hands and fingers that may make brushing or flossing teeth difficult to perform. These factors leave many seniors at risk of ignoring tooth decay and tooth infection until there is no alternative but tooth extraction. With regular checkups, problems can be caught in the earliest stages to help prevent serious conditions from occurring.

If you are due for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.maidenlanedental.comfor more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

How Grinding Your Teeth is Damaging

Grinding your teeth does more than just create an unpleasant sound. It can really affect the health of your teeth and your jaw. At Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we can provide our patients with night guards for protection. Keep reading to learn the damaging effects of grinding your teeth.

When the teeth are continually ground together, it can start to affect the teeth in a way that will eventually affect their health. Grinding your teeth can start to wear down enamel. Dentists can usually tell a person grinds their teeth by looking for signs of this. When the enamel is worn down, it makes teeth more prone to cavities. It can also make them appear short if the grinding goes on for a long period of time. In addition, the places where the enamel is worn down can become sensitive due to exposed nerve tubules.

When a patient grinds their teeth, they are also likely clenching their jaw. This creates more damaging pressure on the teeth. It can loosen teeth, fillings, and other restorations. It can also begin to irritate the jaw joints, called the temporomandibular joints. The temporomandibular joints, TMJs, can become inflamed, swollen, tender, and stiff. Many patients notice clicking or popping sounds and pain. The jaw can also become stuck open or shut. This irritated condition is commonly referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction).

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it is important to see us for an evaluation. We can help protect your teeth and jaw with a night guard. To schedule an appointment with Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Veneers Blog

Ever wanted to completely change the look of your smile? With dental veneers, that is completely possible. At Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we create custom dental veneers to create beautiful, natural-looking smiles.

Dental veneers can provide a perfect smile without extensive dental work. Veneers are a ceramic shell that is bonded over your existing teeth. They can fix the look of misaligned, misshapen, or discolored teeth, among other issues like gaps and chips. Dental implants are long-lasting and stain-resistant.

To begin the process of attaching veneers, a thin layer of enamel will be taken off the teeth. The thickness of the veneers will replace this enamel. An impression will then be taken of the teeth to create custom-fitted veneers. During the time the veneers are being created in a dental laboratory, temporary veneers will be worn. When ready, the permanent veneers are attached. We make sure they fit right and are functional. When taken good care of, veneers can last up to ten years. Veneers need to be taken care of just like normal teeth.

If you are looking to enhance your smile, dental veneers are a great option. To set up your consultation with Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call our office at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Flossing with Braces

As our doctors at Maiden Lane Dental will tell you, flossing can be difficult when you have traditional metal braces, but it’s more important than ever to keep the gaps in your teeth clean when you have a mouth full of metal. Many folks who have braces don’t know how to floss with them or think that they can’t floss at all if they have braces and this is not true. Therefore, here are some tips for flossing effectively and keeping those brackets and wires clean.

Although flossing with braces is tricky, it’s important to use the right tool. An orthodontic floss threader is a very thin piece of flexible plastic with a large loop at the end. After putting your floss through the loop, you pull the threader up and under the wire. This inexpensive and disposable tool is available in nearly any drugstore. It is indispensable when flossing teeth with braces because it allows you to pull the floss through the teeth above the wire and reach the gum line. Using this tool is an easy way of getting dental floss under your wires. Floss picks are another tool that can make the habit easier. These picks come with a short section of floss held in place by two thin prongs that are often thin enough to fit under the wire.

To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.maidenlanedental.comfor more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

Gum Disease Stages

If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you need to practice a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis. If you don’t, you’re already headed down the road toward gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three stages that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with our doctors at Maiden Lane Dental twice a year to avoid this condition.

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth is officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you experience gum inflammation, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.maidenlanedental.comfor more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

Handling Dental Emergencies

At Maiden Lane Dental, we want our patients to know that any dental emergency like an injury to the teeth or gums can be potentially serious and should never be ignored. Ignoring a dental problem cannot only increase the risk of permanent damage, but you may find yourself needing extensive and expensive treatment later on. If you have a dental emergency, please contact our office immediately. In the meantime, here are some tips for handling common dental emergencies before you visit our office.

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


•  If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

To learn about the services we provide at our practice, 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.

Reasons for Tender Teeth

At Maiden Lane Dental, tooth sensitivity is a common complaint among our dental patients. As we’ve mentioned in a previous post, sensitive teeth occur when your gums pull back and expose the surface beneath, called the dentin. There are many reasons why your teeth may be tender and we’d like to tell you what they are. We would also like you to call us if you are experiencing tooth sensitivity so we can discuss your treatment options.

•  You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.

• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will cause you pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

If you suffer from tooth sensitivity, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, 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.

Teeth Types and the Purpose They Serve

At Maiden Lane Dental, it is our job to teach you about the significance of your teeth. For example, did you know that your enamel is the strongest bone in your body? Teeth are used for cutting and chewing food. They also start the digestive process that fuels our bodies. According to the American Dental Association, each tooth is made up of several parts: pulp, cementum, dentin, and enamel. But have you ever wondered why all of your teeth are different shapes and sizes? That’s because they all do different things!

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have further questions about your pearly whites, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, 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.