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.

Causes and Treatment for Sensitive Teeth

If you’ve ever eaten a spoonful of ice cream and felt a sharp pain in your tooth’s nerve, you’re likely experiencing the result of sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity is caused by the movement of fluid within tiny tubes located in the dentin, which results in nerve irritation. When the hard enamel is worn down or receded, causing the tiny tube surfaces to be exposed, the result is the pain you feel. To treat these sensitive teeth, our doctors at Maiden Lane Dental may suggest switching to desensitizing toothpaste or completing fluoride treatment.

Because sensitivity may mean different things to a patient and dental professional, be sure to clarify exactly what you feel when you discuss the condition with your dentist. Sensitive teeth can be treated, but the type of treatment will depend on what is causing the sensitivity in the first place. Other things that cause sensitive teeth are tooth decay near the gum line, gum disease, as well as tooth-grinding. If you have tooth discomfort, it’s important to talk to us about it.

If you suffer from sensitive teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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.

Choosing the Correct Toothpaste

When stepping foot into the oral hygiene aisle at the drugstore, our staff at Maiden Lane Dental understands that the selections of toothpaste can be overwhelming. Should you go for tartar control, fluoride, sensitive or whitening toothpaste? When it comes to choosing the toothpaste that is best for you, it’s important to consider your unique oral health needs. The best way to discover what those are is by scheduling an oral exam with one of our doctors. In the meantime, here are some options to consider while browsing:

• Anti-cavity: This type of toothpaste contains fluoride. Fluoride plays an active role in preventing decay, and it actively strengthens tooth enamel.


• Anti-gingivitis: If you spit blood in the sink, this is an early sign of gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Anti-gingivitis toothpaste helps reduce oral bacteria and can be very effective at stopping gingivitis in its tracks.


• Desensitizing: If you’ve ever bit into an ice cream cone and felt a sharp pain in your tooth’s nerve, this type of toothpaste will provide relief by blocking the tooth’s pain signal to the nerve.


• Tartar-control: This toothpaste does exact what it says, however, the best way to remove tartar is by scheduling a professional dental cleaning with one of our doctors.


• Whitening: This toothpaste contains chemicals that are able to help maintain the natural color of your teeth.

No matter the brand, always select a toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. If you have questions about dental products, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as 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.

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.