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.

Stop Tartar in Its Tracks

Everyone develops plaque because bacteria are constantly growing in our mouths. This sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on our teeth and gum line can harden into tartar if not removed by practicing proper oral hygiene. Not only can tartar threaten the health of your teeth and gums, it is also a cosmetic problem. Once tartar hardens and builds up on your teeth, only our doctors at Maiden Lane Dental can remove it.

Proper brushing, especially with American Dental Association (ADA) approved tartar control toothpaste, and flossing is necessary to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. The top three ways to prevent tartar in addition to plaque, is to brush thoroughly at least twice a day for two minutes, floss daily, and schedule at least, two regular dental visits for professional cleanings and dental examinations each year.

If you have tartar buildup, it is time to schedule a dental checkup. If you have questions about 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.

What is a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

Your temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. This is what allows you to chew your food, speak and yawn. Temporomandibular joint disorders are not completely understood but are a disorder of the jaw muscles and nerves caused by this joint. If you suffer from any symptoms of TMJ, our doctors at Maiden Lane Dental can provide you with relief.

Causes of TMJ syndrome include injury to the teeth or jaw, misalignment of the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding, poor posture, stress, arthritis, and even gum chewing. The main symptom of a TMJ disorder is experiencing an achy pain in the jaw joint and may also involve pain in the face, eye, forehead, ear, or neck. Most people with this disorder have relatively mild or periodic symptoms of which may improve on their own. However, if these problems get worse with time, it is best to seek professional advice.

If you are suffering from TMJ symptoms or have questions about 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. 

Details on Sensitive Teeth Treatment

Tooth sensitivity is a common condition and if you’ve ever felt a sting in your tooth’s nerve while sipping on a hot or cold beverage then you know what we are referring to. Your teeth are partially made up of dentin and normally, the dentin is covered by enamel, but over time, the enamel covering can thin, providing less protection from external stimulation. When the dentin is exposed, these tubes can be stimulated by changes in temperature or certain foods. Fortunately at Maiden Lane Dental, your sensitivity can be treated, whatever the cause.

There are a number of causes for sensitive teeth. Some include brushing too hard, grinding teeth and suffering from gum disease. If a tooth is highly sensitive for more than three or four days and reacts to hot and cold temperatures, it’s best to get a diagnostic evaluation from one of our doctors to determine the extent of the problem. Tooth sensitivity can usually be reduced by using American Dental Association (ADA) approved desensitizing toothpaste, dental sealants and other desensitizing and filling materials, including fluoride.

If you are suffering from sensitive teeth or have questions about 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. 

Nutrition and Teeth

Proper nutrition means eating a well-balanced diet so that your body can get the nutrients needed for good health and wellness. In fact, adequate nutrition is important in disease prevention and is becoming an extremely important characteristic of preventive dentistry. Here at Maiden Lane Dental, we can’t monitor your diet, but we can suggest foods and tips that will help you keep your teeth.

A diet that promotes good oral health is not just about the foods you eat or avoid – when and how you eat them is equally important. Instead of snacking on sugary, carbohydrate-rich or acidic foods throughout the day, munch on some crisp fruits, veggies and dairy products. Calcium-fortified juices, milk and other dairy products are rich in calcium and vitamin D and help promote healthy teeth and bones, reducing the risk for tooth loss. Crisp fruits and raw vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath. Making these small changes to your dietary habits can help protect your teeth and gums.

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.