Infant Tooth Care

Your child’s gums act as placeholders for permanent teeth, which is why it’s important to take care of them during infancy. Daily dental cleaning should start as soon as your infant’s first tooth appears. To help prevent the buildup of plaque bacteria that can lead to decay, our doctors at Maiden Lane Dental highly recommend regularly cleaning your newborn’s gums with a damp washcloth following feedings.

Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the plaque that forms on teeth. While infants may not have teeth yet, one common cause is the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar, such as formula. Bacteria can also be passed through saliva. When the mother puts the baby’s feeding spoon in her mouth or cleans a pacifier in her mouth, the bacteria can be passed to the baby. The good news is that decay is preventable.

If you have further questions about infant tooth care, please give us a call. To learn more about 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.

Cavity Basics

There are two main factors that contribute to cavities. One is bacteria in the mouth and the other is a diet that is high in sugar. It’s no surprise that cavities are common among children, but changes that occur with aging, make cavities an adult problem, too. To prevent cavities from occurring you should brush and floss on a daily basis, in addition to scheduling professional cleanings at Maiden Lane Dental twice a year.

Cavities, or tooth decay, are the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Tooth decay is heavily influenced by lifestyle, what we eat, how well we take care of our teeth, and the presence of fluoride in our water and toothpaste. Only your dentist can tell for sure if you have one because sometimes cavities cause little to no pain at all. Regardless of how and where they occur, the best way to spot them and treat them before they become serious is by visiting our doctors at Maiden Lane Dental for checkups.

If you have a tooth that is causing you pain, please give us a call. To learn more about 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.

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.   

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.