9 Celebrities Who Have Worn Invisalign

Do you wish you had straighter teeth? If you don’t want to be a “metal mouth,” you may think you’re stuck with an imperfect smile forever. Luckily, there’s another way. You can straighten your teeth the way celebrities do—with Invisalign! You’ll be shocked to learn that some of your favorite movie stars, singers, and public figures have worn Invisalign over the years.

• Tom Cruise: While filming Minority Report in 2002, Tom donned nearly invisible braces to discreetly straighten his teeth. He was 40 at the time and opted for an invisible choice so as not to tarnish his dashing good looks.
• Justin Bieber: This young pop star rose to fame in his early teens, but he dealt with crowded teeth behind the scenes. Justin improved his smile with Invisalign back in 2011, sharing his experience with fans on YouTube. His teeth have been straight ever since.
• Oprah Winfrey: As one of the world’s most influential people, it’s no wonder Oprah chose to straighten her teeth with Invisalign. She felt so confident in her aligners that she didn’t hesitate to wear them in front of the camera while filming her award-winning talk show.
• Zac Efron: He started as a teen sensation in Disney’s High School Musical, but once he began taking on more adult roles, Zac decided it was time to close the gap between his front teeth, a condition called diastema. How did he do it? With Invisalign.
• Eva Longoria: Best known for her role in Desperate Housewives, Eva decided her smile needed a little tweaking at 36 years old. Instead of turning to traditional metal braces, she chose Invisalign to discreetly correct the alignment of her bottom teeth.
• Katherine Heigl: Like many blushing brides, Katherine wanted straight teeth for her wedding photos. She started wearing Invisalign in 2007 to fix her misaligned teeth and repeatedly told interviewers how pleased she was with the results.
• Serena Williams: This star tennis player is a multiple Grand Slam tournament winner. She has seemingly always had straight teeth, but she wore Invisalign as a teenager. Thanks to that treatment, she has always smiled with confidence when celebrating her big wins.
• Kate Middleton: As reports have it, the Duchess of Cambridge donned Invisalign for six months leading up to her wedding to Prince William. Kate’s French orthodontist recommended the aligners to perfect her smile just in time for the big day.
• Khloe Kardashian: The youngest of the Kardashian sisters decided to start Invisalign treatment in 2013. The wire-free option proved to be the right method for straightening her teeth. Still, she wasn’t shy about it, even tweeting “thank you” to her dentist for handling the entire process.

When it comes to achieving the perfect smile, nothing is more comfortable, convenient, or discreet than Invisalign. If you’re ready to straighten your teeth the invisible way, please call Park 56 Dental at (212) 826-2322 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

How to Stop and Reverse Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the slow destruction of the tooth surface, which can lead to cavities, abscesses, and even tooth loss. Plaque is the root cause of tooth decay. This clear, sticky film comprised of bacteria, acid, and food particles clings to the surface of your teeth and causes damage over time. If left untreated, plaque hardens into tartar, a brown, gum-irritating substance that requires professional dental cleaning to remove.

The key to stopping and reversing tooth decay is to remove plaque from your teeth every day so it doesn’t have time to form tartar. Better yet, prevent plaque from forming in the first place by adjusting your diet and oral care routine. Here’s what we recommend.

• Brush your teeth: Every morning and evening, brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. If possible, brush after meals as well.
• Floss: Remove stubborn particles and plaque from between your teeth with dental floss. Flossing also stimulates your gums and removes hard-to-reach bacteria from along the gum line.
• Rinse with mouthwash: Choose a fluoride rinse to strengthen your teeth. Look for products with antiseptic ingredients as well, which kill plaque-causing bacteria and freshen your breath.
• Eat tooth-friendly foods: Add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet to help scrub your teeth and increase saliva flow while you eat. Then, limit your intake of sweets, including candy, cookies, juice, and soda.
• Avoid frequent snacking and sipping: Your saliva doesn’t have a chance to rinse away food particles if you snack or drink sugary beverages all day. Snacks that get stuck in your teeth—such as bread, crackers, and potato chips—are particularly detrimental.
• Chew sugar-free gum after meals: If brushing isn’t an option, the next best thing is to chew sugarless gum. Xylitol-sweetened chewing gum is especially beneficial. It tastes sweet, but xylitol doesn’t convert into acid in the mouth, reducing the level of decay-causing bacteria in your saliva.
• Drink tap water: The tap water in NYC is fluoridated. Drinking and rinsing your mouth out with this water is an effortless way to help stop tooth decay.
• Visit your dentist regularly for routine cleanings and exams: No amount of at-home care can replace visiting the dentist. Only professional tools can remove tartar and restore your smile. Plus, exams are important for catching and treating minor dental problems before they become more serious.
• Ask your dentist about fluoride treatment: All children and adults with a high risk of tooth decay should seek fluoride treatment. This is available from your dentist, so bring it up at your next appointment.

If it’s been more than six months since you last saw a dentist, visit Park 56 Dental in NYC for a routine cleaning and exam. We offer personalized tips to stop and reverse tooth decay, making it easy to maintain your healthy, beautiful smile. Call us at (212) 826-2322 today or contact us online to schedule your appointment. You’ll love the spa-like experience we provide!

Why You Should be Excited about Going to the Dentist

When was the last time you felt genuinely excited about going to the dentist? For many people, it’s nothing but a chore. For others, dentist visits are downright stressful. If you have had a bad experience, dealt with rude dentists, or suffered through painful appointments in the past, switch to Park 56 Dental. Here’s how we make our patients excited to visit the dentist.

• We improve your oral health: Routine dentist visits are the best way to catch and treat dental problems early. Stop worrying if that minor toothache is going to get any worse, and have it checked out! While you’re here, we’ll look for hidden problems using X-rays and treat developing concerns right away. Exams also include an oral cancer screening for your peace of mind.
• Our dental services improve your overall health: Do you know about the connection between oral health and cardiovascular disease? Taking good care of your teeth and gums can even decrease the risk of diabetes, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, and other seemingly unrelated conditions. Who doesn’t get excited about having a clean bill of health?
• Our routine cleanings and oral exams save you money: While restorative dentistry can improve your smile, it’s best to avoid cavities, staining, and tooth loss if at all possible. Affordable, preventative dental care can stop problems before they start, saving you the time, hassle, and expense of restoring your smile later on.
• We provide dental advice: Not sure what toothbrush you should buy for your sensitive gums? Want recommendations to keep your stain-prone teeth looking whiter? Ask for personalized advice at your next dentist appointment.
• You’ll leave our office with clean teeth and fresh breath: No amount of brushing and flossing can remove tartar, the hard, brown substance that forms if plaque accumulates in your mouth. Tartar stains your teeth and can cause bad breath, but the only way to remove it is with a professional dental cleaning. You’ll love how clean your mouth feels and how fresh your breath smells when you leave our office!
• We accept most dental insurance plans: If you have dental coverage, put it to good use by visiting us twice a year. You’ll get satisfaction out of knowing you’re maximizing your benefits. We also accept major credit cards and Care Credit for any services not covered by insurance, with flexible payment options available if needed.
• You’ll spend time in our patient-centered, spa-like office: We cater to a clientele that appreciates personalized, quality dental care. Expect our knowledgeable, compassionate dentists to meet your individual needs, whether you’re naturally excited to be here or struggle with dental anxiety.

There’s a reason Park 56 Dental has been voted NYC’s best dentist! Our services are ideal for the whole family. Visit us for general and cosmetic dentistry, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign, emergency services, and sedation dentistry. When you’re ready for your complimentary consultation, please call us at (212) 826-2322 or contact us online.

The Link Between COVID-19 and Your Teeth and Oral Health

Every patient reacts to the novel coronavirus differently. Some people have difficulty breathing or experience weeks of severe fatigue. Others develop a high fever or lose their sense of taste and smell. Recent evidence suggests that the infection may also impact a patient’s teeth and gums. Learn which oral health conditions have been linked to COVID-19.

Gum Disease and Inflammation

Doctors believe that COVID-19 raises cytokine and interleukin levels in the body, which leads to a generalized increase in inflammation. Painful, inflamed gums are a common side effect in patients with elevated cytokines and interleukins.

It also appears that people with gum disease are far more likely to be admitted to the ICU, require a ventilator, or pass away from COVID-19 than people without existing oral health problems. Doctors suspect this is the case because gum disease causes systemic inflammation, which only worsens when the coronavirus infection sets in.

Dry Mouth

If COVID-19 infects the salivary glands, the quality and quantity of saliva are diminished. Lack of saliva can lead to dry mouth, also known as xerostomia.

The need to wear masks during the pandemic means that even those who have not contracted COVID-19 are at a higher risk of dry mouth. Many people breathe through their mouth to increase air intake while wearing a mask, which can dry out oral tissues. Wearing a mask also makes it more difficult to drink water throughout the day, leading to dehydration and dry mouth.

Low Blood Flow to Oral Tissues

The coronavirus damages blood vessels, which can lead to oxygen deprivation throughout the body, including the mouth. This can cause sensitive gums, oral ulcerations, and tissue breakdown, all of which are exacerbated by the increased inflammation found in people with COVID-19.

Disrupted blood flow to the mouth can also cause teeth to turn gray, become loose, and fall out with no blood loss. These problems, along with other dental flare-ups, may occur months after recovering from COVID-19.

Cracked Teeth

Since the pandemic started, dentists around the country have reported a tremendous increase in patients with fractured teeth, even among those who have never contracted COVID-19. The likely culprit is an increase in nighttime tooth grinding, also known as bruxism. Three pandemic-related factors could be to blame for rising cases of bruxism in the past year—stress, sleep deprivation, and poor orthopedic posture caused by makeshift at-home workstations.

Whether you have contracted COVID-19 or not, one of the best ways to protect your teeth and gums is to visit the dentist regularly. Park 56 Dental in NYC is taking steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our office, making it safe for anyone without symptoms to seek in-person care.

Let us help you combat oral health concerns resulting from the pandemic. We also provide routine cleanings and exams to prevent dental problems before they start. To schedule an appointment at our spa-like dentist office, please call Park 56 Dental at (212) 826-2322 or contact us online.