Tips for Treating Swollen Gums

If you have gums that are swollen, tender, or bleeding, there’s a good chance that you could have gum disease. Visit a dentist as soon as possible to get the problem under control. Your dentist can clear up the infection and heal your gums with treatment options like scaling and root planing. The sooner gum disease is treated, the easier it is to reverse. 

While you’re waiting for your dentist appointment, watch this featured video to get some helpful tips on managing your swollen gums. You’ll learn why mouth rinse that contains peroxide can help, and you’ll discover which over-the-counter medications can fight inflammation. 

At Park 56 Dental, we focus on delivering friendly, patient-centered care within a relaxing, judgment-free setting. Call (646) 783-3529 to request our next available dentist appointment in NYC. 

What to Expect Before and After Dental Sedation

Dental sedation has allowed countless patients who previously avoided the dentist out of anxiety to get the treatments they need. Sedation also allows your dentist to combine multiple treatments into a single appointment, saving you time and money. There are multiple forms of dental sedation, from mild nitrous oxide—better known as laughing gas—to deep IV sedation. Your dentist will help you select the best kind of sedation for your needs. Here is a closer look at what you can expect before and after your sedation dentistry appointment.  

Before Sedation 

Your dentist will provide you with instructions for preparing for sedation. It is important to follow them closely, as failing to so could lead to your appointment being rescheduled. In some cases, it is not necessary to do anything other than arriving at your appointment. This is the case for nitrous oxide. For other kinds of sedation, you may need to avoid eating within six hours of your appointment and drinking for two hours before your appointment. If you are taking an oral sedative, you will need to take the pill at the time requested by your dentist, to make sure the sedation is in effect for your appointment. Before your sedation dentistry appointment, you should also arrange for someone to take you to your appointment and drive you home afterward.  

After Sedation 

With some forms of sedation, such as nitrous oxide and intramuscular injections, the effects wear off quickly. However, other forms of sedation will leave you feeling tired and groggy for a few hours afterward. It is recommended to take the remainder of the day off to relax at home while the sedative wears off. All forms of sedation can cause headaches and nausea, but these symptoms are typically mild and clear up quickly.  

Could sedation dentistry be right for you? The best way to find out is to schedule a consultation with Park 56 Dental. You can make an appointment at our dental office in NYC by calling (646) 783–3529.  

What Kind of Filling Is Right for You?

If you have a cavity, one of the facets of your treatment plan that your dentist will review with you is the material used for your filling. Gold, porcelain, and composite are all common options for dental fillings, and now, ceramic and plastic materials that look like your natural teeth are also popular choices. When choosing the right material for your filling, your dentist will discuss several factors with you.  

One important consideration is how much of the tooth will need to be filled. If the filling is large, a natural-looking filling material is often preferred. The location of the tooth also matters. Teeth in the back of your mouth that are less visible may be better suited to fillings that don’t mimic the appearance of natural teeth than those in the front of the mouth. The chew load of the tooth is also a consideration, as are your personal preferences.  

At Park 56 Dental, we specialize in providing patients with high-quality dental care that helps them look and feel their best. If you need a dental filling in NYC, you can make an appointment by calling (646) 783–3529.  

What Is a Sinus Toothache?

Toothaches are extremely painful and can make it difficult to focus on your everyday tasks. What you may not realize is that toothache pain is not always caused by your tooth. In some cases, when you visit your dentist about tooth pain, he or she may refer you to your doctor instead because your sinuses are causing your toothache. 

Watch this video to learn more about sinus-related toothaches. Sinus infections can cause referred pain that seems like a toothache but can actually be relieved by treating the infection instead of focusing on dental treatments.  

At Park 56 Dental, our top dentist in NYC can help you get fast relief from tooth pain by diagnosing the root cause. Make an appointment at our dental clinic by dialing (646) 783–3529.  

Exploring Common Reasons for Root Canals

If your dentist tells you that you need a root canal, chances are that you’ll have many questions about what to expect, starting with why you need one in the first place. There are a number of different reasons to perform a root canal, but in each case, root canals allow natural teeth to be saved rather than extracted. Keeping your natural teeth is healthier than relying on dental implants and other restorations. Here is a closer look at some of the common reasons dentists perform root canals for their patients.  

Tooth Decay 

In the case of a small area of tooth decay, your dentist may remove the decay and perform a filling. However, when the area of decay becomes large and infects deep parts of the tooth, a root canal is usually necessary. During a root canal, the bacteria causing the decay are cleaned from the inside of the tooth, and the tooth is sealed and capped. This prevents the need for removing the infected tooth and stops the infection from spreading throughout the mouth.  

Repeated Procedures 

If a tooth is treated for a cavity on multiple occasions, it is often necessary to perform a root canal. Repeated procedures will eventually lead to a significant amount of the tooth being removed, but a root canal and crown can stop the repeated infections and rebuild the structure of the tooth.  

Cracks or Chips 

When a tooth is injured, the pulp may become damaged or inflamed. In addition to causing pain, the damage to the surface of the tooth leaves it more vulnerable to infections. A root canal can remove inflamed pulp and protect the tooth surface to prevent further damage.  

Your dentist at Park 56 Dental will be happy to answer all of your questions about root canal treatment and why it is the right choice for you. For all of your dental care needs, from root canals to dental cleanings in NYC, call us for an appointment at (646) 783–3529.  

Common Reasons for Emergency Dental Care

Experiencing a dental emergency can be stressful, but at Park 56 Dental, we’re available to help you get out of pain with the emergency treatment you need around the clock. We always have a doctor on-call to help with a dental emergency, and we can tell you whether you can manage care on your own until normal office hours or if you need to meet us right away for treatment. Keep in mind that you should call 911 if you can’t reach us and have experienced a significant injury. Here are some of the most common dental emergencies we deal with at our office.  

Knocked Out Tooth 

Having a permanent tooth knocked out may cause you to panic, and it certainly qualifies as a dental emergency. If your tooth is knocked out, pick up the tooth, if possible. Be sure to grab it by the crown without touching the roots, which could damage them. Rinse it off, and if you can, put it back in the socket. If you can’t, keep it between your gum and cheek or in milk or water. The sooner you see your dentist after a tooth is knocked out, the better your odds of reattaching it will be.  

Severe Toothache 

A toothache is almost always the sign of a serious problem. While a moderate toothache can be addressed during office hours, a severe toothache is an emergency. Severe pain could be the sign of an abscess, which can release a dangerous infection into your body, so seek emergency dental care if you’re dealing with a strong toothache.  

Broken Jaw 

A broken jaw is a serious injury that needs immediate attention. In some cases, your dentist may be able to treat your break by using a bandage to hold the jaw in alignment. In other cases, he or she may recommend surgery. Get emergency dental care right away so that the injury doesn’t get worse.  

Park 56 Dental provides care for your emergencies around the clock, so call our dentist office in NYC when you have an urgent need. Dial (646) 783-3529 for more information.

Are There Any Side Effects of Having Dental Sedation?

Dental sedation is an ideal way to get the oral health care you need without anxiety or discomfort. There are several different kinds of dental sedation available, depending on your specific needs. Your dentist will work closely with you to choose the right kind of sedation according to your treatment needs, medical history, preferences, and potential side effects.  

Some kinds of dental sedation cause little to no side effects. For example, nitrous oxide won’t cause prolonged sedation, through it may cause a headache. Deeper sedation techniques may cause lingering feelings of drowsiness. With IV sedation, patients will experience prolonged grogginess and need someone to drive them home from their appointment.  

Park 56 Dental is pleased to offer several forms of dental sedation to allow you to have your oral health treatments comfortably. If you’re interested in sedation dentistry in NYC, call (646) 783-3529 to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists.  

Are All-on-4 Implants Right for You?

If you have several missing or damaged teeth, the toll on your oral health and your self-esteem can be huge. Missing teeth make it difficult to eat and speak normally, and you face the risk of damage to the soft tissue in your mouth and your remaining natural teeth. You may also hesitate to smile and struggle in professional and social settings. All-on-4 implants offer a fast and effective solution to help you feel better about your smile while improving your overall oral health. Here is what you need to know.  

What are All-on-4 implants? 

All-on-4 implants can replace a full arch of missing teeth in one appointment, without the need for bone grafting. They are the perfect alternative for people who want the speed of dentures but the stability of dental implants. The All-on-4 system involves using four posts, which are tilted at a 45-degree angle. The angle improves stability and ensures the nerves and the sinus cavity are not affected. Then, a customized set of crowns designed to look like your remaining natural teeth is attached to the posts. You have a brand new smile in a single appointment.  

What are the benefits of All-on-4 implants? 

All-on-4 implants deliver fast results, which is important to many people with missing teeth. They are more comfortable and appear more natural than dentures, and unlike dentures, they don’t require any kind of special care. Bone grafting is not usually required, and the system is more affordable than individual dental implants.  

Who is a good candidate? 

Nearly anyone who has multiple missing teeth is a good candidate for All-on-4 implants. They are a good alternative for people who can’t get traditional dental implants without bone grafting and who don’t wish to wear dentures.  

The best way to find out if you are a candidate for All-on-4 implants it to make an appointment for a consultation at Park 56 Dental. To schedule your appointment with a top dentist in NYC, call our dentist office at (646) 783-3529.

Tooth Sensitivity 101

If your teeth hurt when exposed to hot or cold drinks or even when you take a big gulp of air, talk to your dentist as soon as possible. Tooth sensitivity can often be treated, and allowing your dentist to determine the cause is the first step.  

Watch this video to learn more about tooth sensitivity. Sensitive teeth are sometimes caused by aggressive brushing, and in other instances, teeth grinding is to blame. Diet, especially diets high in acidic foods or carbonated drinks, can also trigger sensitivity.  

Make an appointment at Park 56 Dental to find out what is causing your tooth sensitivity and to get the treatment you need. To make an appointment with a top dentist in NYC, call (646) 783-3529. 

Simple Things You Can Do to Keep Your Smile Looking Its Best

It’s common knowledge that seeing a dentist regularly is one of the best ways to maintain a beautiful, healthy smile. The dental hygienist will scrub your teeth until they gleam, and the dentist will diagnose and treat oral health issues before they turn into major problems. But beyond dentist appointments every six months, there are plenty of everyday things you can do to support your oral health.

Learn to love water.

Did you know that athletes are at a high risk of tooth decay and gum disease? It’s because sports drinks are often acidic and contain large amounts of sugar. Non-athletes who drink soda and fruit juice also have this problem. One easy way to keep your pearly whites looking their best is to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and skip the soda and fruit juice.

Choose soft-bristled toothbrushes.

Dentists strongly recommend using soft-bristled toothbrushes, even though medium and hard bristles are readily available in stores. Although your enamel is quite hard and durable, hard bristles can gradually wear it down. Hard bristles can also encourage the gum line to recede, which can lead to tooth sensitivity.

Swish mouthwash for the recommended time.

Lots of people use mouthwash, and many of them even double-check the label to make sure it contains cavity-fighting fluoride. But not everyone knows how to use mouthwash correctly. Check the label. Depending on the product, it will likely say to swish the mouthwash vigorously for 30 seconds or one minute, then spit. You’ll also be instructed not to eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes, so refrain from swishing with water after you use mouthwash. Following the directions is important for keeping the cavity-fighting fluoride and any teeth whitening ingredients in contact with your teeth for the recommended time period.

With the cosmetic dentistry services available at Park 56 Dental, you can get a smile you’ll be proud to show off. Our friendly staff offers a full suite of dentistry services in NYC, including teeth whitening, dental veneers, implants, and smile makeovers. Call (646) 783-3529.