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.

Brush Properly to Prevent Gum Disease

Plaque is a thin, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth and can lead to gingivitis, a form of gum disease. Gum disease is common, and, if left untreated, may lead to bone loss around the teeth. At Maiden Lane Dental, we want our patients to prevent gingivitis before it turns into a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis and this starts by brushing your teeth. It is easy to get your mouth clean and healthy and keep it that way. Here’s a simple brushing routine to help you prevent most dental problems:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.


• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria.

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.

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.

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.

Sugar and Your Teeth

We all eat sugar.  Whether it is from cookies, grapes or pasta, carbohydrates affect our oral health.  Each time you eat a snack containing simple or complex sugars, your teeth are attacked for up to 20 minutes.  These attacks are intensified by the amount of sugar you eat and actually when you eat.  Foods that are eaten during a meal pose less of a threat to your teeth because of the additional saliva produced.  Saliva helps to clean food particles away from your teeth, which reduces the damage from the sugar acids.  

Of course there are foods that help protect your teeth as well.  All food that is made from milk, like yogurt and cheese, are rich in calcium.  You can feel good when eating any of these because calcium is an essential nutrient for the development of bones and teeth.  Cheese has even been proven to help protect your teeth from demineralization, or the loss of calcium in your teeth.

The best way to protect your teeth is good oral hygiene and regular visits to Dr. Becker at Maiden Lane Dental.  Toothbrushing is important to maintaining a healthy smile and should be done at least twice a day.  By not flossing, you miss cleaning up to 35% of your teeth.  Good oral hygiene in conjunction with your bi-annual cleanings can keep your teeth in optimum condition your whole life.