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. 

Tips for Keeping a White Smile

A professional teeth whitening system is the best route to go for a bright, white smile. After your whitening treatment, you want to make sure you keep that smile bright by taking some tips to avoid staining. Maiden Lane Dental wants to inform their patients of tips and tricks to keep a white smile.

First, you want to avoid foods and drinks that are dark in color such as blueberries, coffee, wine, and soy sauce. However, we know that it is not always possible to skip these foods, especially if they are a favorite. Something that will help stop these foods from staining is to rinse your mouth afterwards. You can also drink dark liquids through a straw to minimize contact.

Brushing and flossing three times per day is great for keeping away sticky plaque that can hold in stains. Squeeze in that third time by keeping a toothbrush and toothpaste with you at work. If you are in a pinch, eat carrots or an apple. They are known to remove plaque from teeth as you eat them. Then brush when you get a chance.

Avoid over-doing home whitening treatments like baking soda scrubs. Baking soda is very abrasive, which means that it can start wearing away at your enamel. This can actually make your teeth appear darker!

To find out about our professional whitening options here at Maiden Lane Dental, visit our website or give us a call. To schedule an appointment or learn more information, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Aftercare for a Dental Crown

Dental crowns are fantastic for strengthening a tooth that can still have a long life. After a crown is placed, it is important to follow some guidelines so that the healing process is smooth. Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY is aiming to inform patients of how to take care of a crown for a successful outcome.

A dental crown is a cap that goes on a tooth that has some damage but also still has a healthy root. The crown can be made of metal, ceramic, or ceramic-covered metal. The tooth can be made to look and feel just like one of your natural teeth. Because this process involves sending impressions to a lab for the crown creation, you will likely wear a temporary crown until the permanent crown is ready.

To make sure this temporary crown does not pop off, you will want to be careful with what you eat. Stay away sticky or chewy foods. Also be careful when brushing and flossing. Brush gently in the area of the crown and do not pull up when flossing the spaces around it.

After the temporary and permanent crowns are placed, there may be some irritation to the gums, which is normal. As healing progresses, the gums will heal and any irritation will subside.

Having a dental crown installed is a healthy choice, so make sure to keep making healthy choices so it is a successful crown placement. To schedule an appointment with Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY, give us a call at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

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.