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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Oral Care with Arthritis

Daily activities like brushing and flossing can be difficult with conditions that affect the hands like arthritis. This may eventually affect your ability to take care of your oral health. At Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we want you to know that you can still take excellent care of your oral health with arthritis.

When looking for a toothbrush, look for one that will help you. If it is difficult to grip things or it hurts to move your hand around, consider an electric toothbrush. Since you just need to hold them in the right position, they do most of the work. They also tend the have thick handles, which are easier to grip. Also, look for handles with non-slip grips and a small toothbrush head. These make it easier to maneuver the brush around your mouth. There are even toothbrushes made especially for those with arthritis.

If flossing is hurting your fingers, try tying the floss in a loop around your hands so that the floss will be held nice and tight. If this is too painful, there a floss pick may be easier.

Last, but not least, pay attention to toothpaste caps. Make sure to look for a toothpaste that has a flip cap instead of one that screws on. They are easier to open, plus they do not become stuck as easily when toothpaste gums them up.

It is still possible to keep up good oral health, even though arthritis may change the way you do it. To schedule a cleaning and examination with Maiden Lane Dental Care in New York, NY, call our office at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

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. 

Make Sure You Are Brushing For Two Minutes!

Brushing your teeth is a standard part of your day by now. However, could it be so mundane in your daily activities, that you aren’t really aware of what you’re doing. It’s sort of like being on auto-pilot. At Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY we want to remind our patients that brushing should be performed for about two minutes to ensure you are brushing properly. Take these tips we have gathered for making sure you spend about two minutes brushing!

The simplest way to keep track of time, of course, is to count. This can be made easy by just counting to thirty, four times. In addition, for each thirty seconds, brush one-quarter of your mouth.

Because most music players have a timer on them, another great way to keep track of your time is to listen to your favorite song while brushing. Not only will you enjoy your time brushing, but the time will seem to go by quicker! Just be sure you are hitting all the surfaces of your mouth!

For an interesting (and decorative) way to track two minutes, purchase an hour glass! For this purpose, you would really get a minute glass and flip it over twice. It’s nifty décor at its finest!

If all else fails, just set a timer on your phone, a kitchen timer, or a stopwatch. Any way that you’re aware of how long you spend brushing is great! 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.

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.