Why You Should Invest in Your Dental Health

Hey! Yes, you!  You matter!  Let’s talk about an important way to show your body that you care!

Yep!  We’re talking about your dental health and, in turn, your overall wellbeing!  Your mouth is there for you to help with communicating, both verbally and non-verbally, breathing, and eating.  Your confidence is conveyed through the communications that start from your mouth, including both your teeth and your smile! It is quite difficult to imagine living without a functioning mouth!

Did you know that your oral hygiene and dental health practices impact your entire body?  In fact, many health problems, including oral health, are preventable just by intentionally caring for your teeth! So, let’s dive in and see why it is worth your time to invest in your dental health!

1. Daily Habits are Healthy Habits

 Plaque build-up is a leading cause in gum disease which leads to heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses.  Flossing, brushing, and using antibacterial mouthwash are simple daily habits that can prevent not only cavities but also gum disease and other illnesses.

Check out this fact: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 31.6% of adults between the ages of 20 and 44 currently have untreated cavities AND that 46% of adults over the age of 29 already have gum disease.  While this is shocking news, matters are made worse by the fact that this is preventable by employing simple daily oral health routines.

2. Your Overall Health

 Proper hygiene habits and a nutritious diet benefit not just your teeth and gums but your entire body’s health and wellbeing.  Preventing gum disease can lead to reducing the risk of other complications, including heart disease, certain types of cancer, respiratory problems, kidney disease, joint inflammation, and even diabetic complications.

Having healthy daily habits is important AND so is keeping routine dental visits a priority. Just like you go to doctors for other annual check-ups, it is extremely important to visit your dentist every 6 months for routine cleanings, x-rays, and check-ups.  Just remember, prevention is WAY easier than treating a problem that does arise! Besides, consistent proper care is FAR more comfortable (and affordable) than treating problems that do arise!

3. Your Teeth Are Worth Your Investment

 Daily habits, such as flossing, brushing and using mouthwash, most definitely help with caring for your teeth and oral hygiene.  It is also very much worth your time and money if you see a dentist regularly, every 6 months, for a full cleaning and exam.  Look at this cost and prevention as an investment in critical resources rather than “just another expense” because the pain of dental problems and payment for their repairs can be mostly avoidable.

At Park 56 Dental, we are dedicated to safely and comfortably helping you care for your smile.  Our talented staff are compassionate about our services.  Contact us today to make an appointment and invest into the quality and caring of and for your smile! So, what are you waiting for?  Contact us today to schedule an appointment at (646)679-3989!

Why You Should Choose Invisalign to Help Give You A Healthier Smile

When you think of a beautiful smile, what do you think of? Straight teeth! When you look at your own smile, is there something you wish you could change? Straight teeth are actually easier to attain than you’d think! Let the certified Invisalign experts at Park 56 Dental of NYC help you know how easy Invisalign actually is!

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a modern method of straightening teeth without the hassle and diet restrictions of braces. Because the aligner is designed to be removed, it is easier to maintain healthy daily oral hygiene habits that your whole mouth will benefit from! A typical process is completed between 9 and 15 months of wearing the aligners 24 hours a day, other than when brushing, eating, drinking or flossing.

What are the health benefits of having straight teeth?

Straight teeth are more than just a visual bonus.  The American Dental Association says that properly spaced teeth can prevent periodontal disease (red, swollen gums) as well as other periodontal related issues. Additionally, the ability to remove the aligner while under treatment with Invisalign allows for better/ easier access to your mouth so that there isn’t as much risk for mouth sores, hidden food getting stuck between wires or brackets, plaque and tartar build up, or other daily challenges that braces can present.

Why is Invisalign for me?

Invisalign is effective at straightening crooked teeth with many, many benefits, such as:

1. Convenient
2. Removable, so you are able to keep your teeth and your aligner clean!
3. Free to eat and drink your preferred food choices without concern for damaging, as with braces
4. Virtually invisible (Ha! That’s why they’re called “Invisalign!”)
5. So comfortable, you hardly know they’re there!
6. Easier to clean
7. Versatility
8. Game ready! No wires= NO mouth guard needed with an Invisalign!
9. Produces amazing results quickly
10. Fewer visits to the dentist are needed (as compared to braces)

What will Invisalign cost?

Remember, when caring for your teeth, you are making an investment in YOU and your overall health! The price of Invisalign treatment varies, depending on duration of treatment. Additionally, if your insurance includes orthodontic treatment, you may qualify for Invisalign.  Park 56 Dental also has payment options so that you may choose a plan that works best for you.

What do people say about Invisalign?

Testimonials are a great resource for making a decisions.  Here are a few testimonials from Park 56 Dental Invisalign patients.

I definitely smile a lot more. Even though I’m still in treatment, it has given me more confidence. It’s given me something to look forward to. I feel good about myself. I feel good that I have taken the steps to get these braces. ~Daniel, age 38

 I always wanted to have straight teeth, but never thought my smile would look this great. Plus, no one even knew when I was wearing them. I couldn’t be happier! ~Gina, age 26

More than 1,000,000 patients worldwide have been treated with Invisalign and the number continues to climb! If you’re curious about Invisalign, don’t hesitate to set up a consultation with the certified Invisalign providers  at Park 56 Dental of NYC and schedule a consultation today at (646) 679-3989!

The Link Between Your Oral Health and Alzheimer’s

It seems far-fetched to say that your oral health and Alzheimer’s disease could possibly be connected.  However, this is exactly the claim that research is beginning to suggest.

As research has been done to compare the brains of people with and without Alzheimer’s disease, scientists have discovered that individuals who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease have an increase in levels of certain bacteria that are also responsible for the cause of gum disease, such as porphyromonas gingivalis and a toxic enzyme that it creates called gingipains. Gingipains is secreted from this bacteria and has been found to destroy the brain’s neurons. This similarity between gum disease and Alzheimer’s is enough to suggest that the prevention of gum disease may also be connected to the possible prevention of Alzheimer’s

In a different study led by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, baselines were taken and individuals were tracked with follow-up data kept for up to 26 years. Up to 19 antibodies were found that are associated with Alzheimer’s with the most fatal being, again,  porphyromonas gingivalis and its production of the toxic enzyme gingipains.

So, it makes sense to work hard to prevent gum disease and, therefore, reduce the risk of MANY other problems!!

 What do I do if I already have gum disease?

Healthy oral hygiene habits can decrease the risk of gum disease. Continue to improve and maintain healthy habits, including:

• flossing daily
• brushing your teeth 2-3 times a day
• using antibacterial mouthwash
• changing your toothbrush every 3 months
• being intentional about what foods and drinks you comsume

Remember, also, to visit your dentist at least 2 times a year for cleanings.  If your teeth are showing signs of plaque build-up, there is a procedure for deeper cleaning of the teeth and gums that may be right for you.  Continuing to care for your teeth is of the utmost importance.  Your health and wellbeing are so valuable, especially to those whom you love!

How can I protect myself?

 Keep learning and researching!  Education is the key to making informed and improved decisions. Some of your health journey is genetic, but some is left up to you and the choices that you make for taking care of yourself.  You may not be able to change past decisions but you can certainly work toward staying the healthiest you can possibly be. Whether you have always been on top of your oral health and hygiene or you have room for improvement, remember that your teeth and gums impact your whole body’s wellness.

While this research is still undergo, you have the ability to be proactive.  Clean teeth make for a healthier you!  Stay informed and maintain that amazing smile! Schedule a cleaning today so that you can maintain healthy teeth, heart, and mind!

You are worth the time, energy, and expense of a happy, healthy smile!  So, go ahead and take some much needed time to invest in yourself and your future!  You’ll be so very glad that you did!!! Call Park 56 Dental today at

Healthy Dental Habits

Your smile says it all! But what exactly does it say?  Dental hygiene is not just important for a great smile, it also contributes to your body’s overall health. Caring for your teeth can decrease risks of gum disease, heart disease, dementia, respiratory problems, and even cancer. Risk prevention is easier than you think if you follow these simple habits to develop healthy hygiene.

Brush Your Teeth 2-3 Times Daily

Using the right toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste will prevent food from getting stuck between your teeth as well as plaque build-up, which can lead to bad breath, cavities and gum disease. Brushing morning and night are common habits, but brushing after each meal may also help with build-up, preventing gum disease and bad breath. It is recommended to brush in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes and cover each section of your mouth so that each tooth has been properly noticed.

In addition to brushing, choosing the right toothbrush is also important.  Whether you are choosing an electronic toothbrush or a regular tooth brush, make sure that you are replacing it (or the head, with an electronic toothbrush) every 3 months to reduce the amount of bacteria growing and potentially causing harm.

Flossing

Be honest!  It is easy to answer your dentist or hygienist with a false and emphatic, “Yes!” when asked if you’ve been flossing.  However, you know the truth and your body does, too.  It is a beneficial habit to floss your teeth daily.  This routine cleaning provides even more care for removing food from between your teeth and prohibiting harmful growth of plaque or allowing cavities to form.  Bleeding gums when you floss can indicate gingivitis or even a lack of healthy gums but this can improve over time, so stick with it!  If flossing is something that your sensitive teeth have difficulty tolerating, try a water pick instead.

Whether you are choosing floss or a water pick, make sure that you are working to dedicate time to developing healthy dental hygiene habits so that your next dental visit can be an honest one!

What More Should You Do?

Other suggestions for healthy oral hygiene include brushing your tongue and even using an antibacterial mouth wash. Tongue scrapers can be purchased and can help with removing bacteria from your tongue and improving your breath.  Antibacterial mouth wash can be the final touch to your daily routines and can help remove any bacteria that may have been able to hide from your toothbrush or floss.

Now your daily oral hygiene habits are off to a sparkly, fresh start.  What other habits should you let go of?

There are some bad habits that are actually more than just indulgences.  What you put into your mouth and body impacts your whole body’s health. So, take care of you and your mouth!

• Limit coffee, tea and coke and drink with a straw to prevent the harmful acids from settling onto your teeth.
• Say NO to tobacco! No smoking or chewing tobacco!
• Eat a nutritious diet of fruits, vegetables, fish, and chicken to encourage healthy teeth but also a healthy body overall!
• Limit sugary foods! The harmful bacteria in your mouth gets fuel from sugary foods and drinks. By limiting what you eat you are promoting a healthier mouth.

Now that you are ready to focus on a more complete oral hygiene regiment, make sure that you also schedule dental appointments regularly to assist with preventative care and a positive care plan that will impact your whole body! At Park 56 Dental, we are here to serve you!  Give us a call at (646) 679-3989.