Reasons for Teeth Sensitivity

Does an ice-cold drink or cup of hot coffee sometimes make your teeth sting? Are brushing and flossing cringe-worthy experiences? If so, it sounds like you might have sensitive teeth. Here are some possible reasons for teeth sensitivity and what you can do about it. 

What Causes Sensitive Teeth? 

In healthy teeth, enamel protects the crown of your tooth, the part that sits above the gum line. Then, a layer called cementum protects the tooth root below the gum line. If these protective layers are damaged, teeth sensitivity can occur. Here are some of the most common causes to be aware of: 

• Enamel erosion: If the outer protective layer of your teeth wears away, the sensitive dentin underneath is exposed. Enamel can erode as a result of brushing too hard, grinding your teeth, and eating acidic food regularly. 
• Receding gums: When the gums move away from a tooth, it can expose the root surface, which may be temperature-sensitive. Receding gums may be caused by brushing too hard, grinding your teeth, or receiving inadequate dental care that leads to gum disease. 
• Plaque buildup: If plaque forms on an exposed root surface, tooth sensitivity may increase. 
• Cracked teeth: A chipped or broken tooth may fill with bacteria. When this enters the pulp, inflammation and tooth sensitivity may occur. 
• Tooth whitening products: Peroxide and baking soda, two major contributors to teeth sensitivity, are common ingredients in whitening strips, toothpaste, and other dental products. 
• Using a mouthwash with exposed dentin: Some over-the-counter mouthwashes contain acids that irritate exposed dentin and further damage this tooth layer. If you have enamel erosion, ask your dentist about safe products you can use. 
• Recent dental procedures: Everything from teeth cleanings to crown placement to root planing and scaling can lead to temporary teeth sensitivity. This should disappear within four to six weeks. 

How to Treat Teeth Sensitivity 

Fortunately, there are treatments for sensitive teeth. The ones you pursue depend on what’s causing your sensitivity. Your dentist may recommend the following: 

• Desensitizing toothpaste: The compounds in this product block sensory input from the tooth surface to the nerve in your tooth, reducing sensitivity. It may take a few weeks of daily use to see results. 
• Soft-bristled toothbrush: Learning how to brush more gently using a soft toothbrush, especially when paired with desensitizing toothpaste, could garner effective results. 
• Fluoride treatment: An in-office gel applied to your teeth may strengthen your enamel and reduce pain when exposed to hot and cold temperatures. 
• Dental procedures: If simple measures don’t treat your sensitivity, your dentist may recommend surgical gum grafting, bonding, dentin sealers, crowns, inlays, or root canals to eliminate the problem. 

Having sensitive teeth can be uncomfortable. Fortunately, the team at Park 56 Dental can help! Our preventative and general dentistry services can counteract teeth sensitivity so you can enjoy hot and cold food and drinks, and brush your teeth in comfort. To learn more, please call us at (212) 826-2322 today. 

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

Accidents involving your mouth can occur at any time of day or night. Some oral injuries need immediate treatment, while others are safe to delay until regular business hours. How can you tell a standard dental problem from a truly urgent situation? Answer the following questions to help determine what constitutes a dental emergency. 

If you need immediate attention after hours, please call our emergency phone number at (917) 566-9419, and our on-call doctor will help you. If you are unable to reach us during a dental emergency, dial 911. 

Are you in severe pain? 

If you bite down on something hard or get hit in the face while playing sports, you could chip a tooth and expose a nerve, resulting in severe pain. A toothache from an abscess or serious infection can also be unbearable—and potentially life-threatening. 

If you’re in excruciating pain, you shouldn’t wait to get treatment. Call our emergency dentist in NYC as soon as possible! 

Is a tooth loose or knocked out? 

Adults are done losing their baby teeth. If you feel a permanent tooth wiggling around in your mouth, even if you feel no pain, call an emergency dentist right away. 

A knocked out tooth is even more serious. Call your dentist, and while you wait to be seen, handle the tooth as little as possible. If you can, insert the tooth back in its socket and place moistened gauze over it so you can bite down gently and hold it in place. NOTE: Don’t put a baby tooth back in its socket because it could fuse there or damage the permanent tooth beneath it. 

If you can’t put a knocked out tooth back in its place, rinse it with saline solution (contact solution) or milk. Then, place the tooth in a container of milk or saliva (preferably from the patient). NOTE: Don’t rinse or soak a knocked-out tooth in water. Also, don’t scrub the tooth.  

Are you bleeding profusely? 

It’s not a dental emergency if your gums bleed while flossing, but if you have a traumatic injury and start bleeding from the mouth, this is a sign that something is wrong. Call an emergency dentist in NYC to have the problem looked at right away! 

What is NOT a dental emergency? 

Sometimes, oral trauma occurs, but it’s safe to delay treatment for a few days. Here are some examples of what does not constitute a dental emergency: 

• A chipped or cracked tooth with no pain and no sharp fragments. 

• Minor toothache with no other symptoms, such as facial swelling, high fever, or bumps on the gums. 
• Lost crown or filling. (You can temporarily fill a cavity with sugar-free gum, or put a crown back in place for the time being with denture adhesive or dental cement.) 

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, you may be having a dental emergency. Call Park 56 Dental’s after-hours dentist for help—(917) 566-9419. 

Top Food and Drinks that Cause Tooth Discoloration

Everyone wants their pearly whites to be—well, pearly white. You may be good about brushing and flossing every day, but the culprits of your stained teeth could be found in your diet. Here are the top food and drinks that cause tooth discoloration, and how to restore the sparkle to your smile. 

What Causes Tooth Discoloration? 

Tea 

While it’s full of antioxidants that are good for your body, tea is infamous for staining teeth. All types—including herbal, white, green, and black—can cause stains. The darker the brew, the worse the stains. 

Wine 

It’s no surprise that if a drink can stain a tablecloth, it can also stain your teeth. The dark color of red wine is known for causing tooth discoloration, but white wine, which contains even more acid than red, is an equally guilty culprit. 

Berries and fruits 

Vibrant blueberries, cherries, blackberries, and pomegranates are packed with antioxidants, but their bright colors and high acid content can stain teeth—so can juices and pies made from these berries and fruits. 

Dark sauces 

Soy sauce, tomato sauce, and curry may be tasty, but these deeply colored, often highly acidic sauces can cause tooth stains. Light-colored, cream-based sauces are less serious offenders. 

Sports drinks & carbonated sodas  

They may be packed with electrolytes to replenish what you lose in your sweat, but artificially colored, acidic sports drinks can erode enamel. Carbonated beverages are even worse because they contain tooth-staining chemical additives, in addition to artificial dyes and acids. 

Candy 

If your favorite candy stains your tongue, you can bet it also stains your teeth. Sour candy is the worst because it contains citric or tartaric acid, which eats away enamel. 

How to Prevent Tooth Discoloration 

Cut back 

Strive to decrease or eliminate the unhealthy tooth-staining culprits listed here from your diet, especially soda and candy. Then, limit your intake of the rest, mixing other healthy, non-staining foods into your diet as well. 

Drink through a straw 

Sip on stain-causing drinks through a straw to limit how much they come in contact with your teeth. 

Swallow quickly 

Enjoy the taste of your food or drink, but don’t swirl it around in your mouth longer than necessary. Swallow soon to prevent prolonged exposure to tooth-staining colors, chemicals, and acids. 

Rinse, chew gum, or brush your teeth 

Swish your mouth out with water shortly after eating or drinking something known for staining teeth. Chewing sugarless gum is also effective. If possible, brush your teeth, but wait at least 30 minutes after eating acidic food, or you could damage your enamel. 

Schedule a Dental Cleaning 

The good news is that most surface stains can be removed with a professional dental cleaning. That means the key to preventing tooth discoloration is as simple as visiting your dentist every six months! Park 56 Dental will leave your teeth looking shiny, healthy, and beautiful.  

Let our NYC dentist take care of your smile! To schedule an appointment, please call us at (212) 826-2322 today. 

The Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Have you ever felt self-conscious about smiling with your slightly chipped, misshapen, or discolored front teeth? If so, it’s time to consider porcelain veneers. These cosmetic corrections hide your teeth’s imperfections behind thin, natural-looking shells that blend in perfectly with the rest of your smile. 

Not sure if restorative dentistry is right for you? Consider the benefits of porcelain veneers to help you make the right decision for your oral health. 

Correct a Variety of Cosmetic Flaws 

Veneers are incredibly versatile. You can install one of a slightly different size or shape than your natural tooth to hide small gaps or create the appearance of a straighter smile. The coating can mask tooth discoloration and cosmetic chips or level out the length of mismatched front teeth.  

As long as the underlying tooth is healthy, you can correct its appearance in many ways just by installing a veneer. Don’t worry—if the tooth is not healthy, you still have options, such as installing a dental crown or implant instead. Either way, you can find a solution to fix your smile with restorative dentistry! 

Keep More of Your Natural Tooth 

When a dentist installs a crown, most of the natural tooth must be removed to make room for it. With a veneer, only a small amount of the enamel must be shaved off the front to ensure the coating sits flush with the rest of your teeth. This sounds like an uncomfortable procedure, but it’s noninvasive and may not even require anesthesia! 

The process takes only two visits to complete. At your first appointment, the dentist removes a portion of your enamel and takes impressions of your teeth to have custom porcelain veneers made. Temporary veneers are installed to protect your teeth until your next appointment, where they are replaced with permanent veneers that look and feel completely natural.  

Smile Confidently for Years to Come 

Having dental veneers requires no additional maintenance, but you should continue to take good care of your smile by brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist for regular checkups. Whether you have one veneer or several, you can expect them to last about 10 years before needing to be replaced. 

Resist Cavities and Staining 

Veneers protect against decay, making cavities less likely to occur in the teeth they cover. Simply continue to take care of your smile like you normally do, and you shouldn’t have any trouble! Veneers are also non-porous, helping them retain their original color. However, it may be best to avoid food and drinks that stain teeth—such as coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco—to maintain the beauty of your smile. 

At Park 56 Dental, our NYC dentists are highly skilled and have years of experience installing dental veneers. If you are displeased with your smile for any reason, feel free to contact us at (212) 826-2322 for a consultation. We’ll discuss the possibility of restoring your smile with porcelain veneers and educate you on any other viable options that may suit your needs better.

Everything You Need to Know About Dental Implants

If you have missing, infected, or otherwise damaged teeth, it’s important to have them restored as soon as possible. Otherwise, your speech could be affected, or chewing food could destabilize your bite and cause pain. 

Dental implants allow you to confidently eat, smile, talk, laugh and enjoy all your other daily activities without feeling self-conscious about your teeth. If you have ever had a cavity filled and a crown put in, you’re familiar with the visible portion of a dental implant. Of course, if the tooth is missing or the root is severely damaged, you must replace that as well. This is where dental implants are helpful. 

If you’re interested in this type of restorative dentistry, read on to learn everything you need to know about dental implants. 

What is a Dental Implant? 

Dental implants have three components. The first is an artificial tooth root made of titanium, which is similar in size and shape to a screw. When your dentist implants this in your mouth, it bonds with your jawbone, a process that takes about six months. This creates a stable support for one or more artificial teeth.  

A connector, known as an abutment, goes in next. Your dentist installs this on top of the artificial root once it has fully bonded with your jawbone. Then, after your gums heal around the abutment, the crown is cemented on top. 

The crown component of a dental implant is custom-made out of porcelain to match the color and shape of your original tooth. It looks, feels, and functions exactly the way you would expect, creating a totally natural solution that’s indiscernible from the rest of your teeth. When you show off your healthy, beautiful mouth, no one will ever suspect you have a replacement tooth! 

Facts About Dental Implants 

• Archeological findings have discovered that people more than 2,000 years ago replaced missing teeth with carved seashells or stones. 
• The American Academy of Implant Dentistry was formed in 1951, making it the first professional organization dedicated to advancing dental implant technology. 
• In 1952, it was discovered that titanium fuses with bone, making it the go-to metal for dental implants. 
• Modern dental implants have been around for over 30 years.  
• Dental implants are strong, permanent devices. In fact, they are more durable than your natural teeth! 
• Unlike some other restorative dental procedures, implants preserve your natural bone, stimulating more bone growth and a healthier mouth. 
• 100,000 to 300,000 new dental implants are placed in the US each year to restore the smiles of young adults missing one permanent tooth as well as older adults needing to replace an entire arch of missing or damaged teeth. 

The NYC dentists at Park 56 Dental are highly skilled and experienced with installing dental implants. If you have a gap in your smile or are dissatisfied with your teeth for another reason, call us at (212) 826-2322 to discuss the possibility of restoring your smile with dental implants. 

What Are the Consequences of Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous type of sleep disorder. It’s characterized by the frequent and cyclical cessation of breathing during sleep. Typically, the patient doesn’t realize that he or she has stopped breathing, as it only lasts a few seconds before the brain causes the person to wake up in order to restart breathing. Although the patient’s breathing is only stopped briefly, this pattern of low oxygen can prove deadly in the long run. Fortunately, many sleep apnea patients can find the help they need from their dentist. 

Consequences of Daytime Drowsiness 

Even if the patient isn’t aware that he or she is waking up dozens of times each night, the patient will still suffer from daytime drowsiness. Sleep apnea prevents people from entering the stage of deep, restorative sleep. As a result, they’re likely to have trouble concentrating and staying awake during the day. Productivity at work or school can suffer. Even worse, sleep apnea patients are at an increased risk of getting into car accidents or being involved in accidents at work. 

Risks of Cardiovascular Disease 

Patients with poorly controlled sleep apnea are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. This includes high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, heart disease, and heart attack. Stroke is another common type of cardiovascular event that has been linked to uncontrolled sleep apnea. These potentially deadly complications are alarming, but the good news is that patients can manage their risk by getting their sleep apnea symptoms under control. 

Potential for Metabolic Problems 

Research shows that people with obesity are at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. And of course, people with obesity are also more likely to develop metabolic problems like diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, this doesn’t entirely explain why people with sleep apnea are more likely to be diagnosed with these issues. Researchers have discovered that even sleep apnea patients in a normal weight range are at an increased risk of metabolic problems. 

The dentists at Park 56 Dental offer effective solutions for sleep apnea patients, including custom-made oral appliances that support the airway during sleep. If you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea, get in touch with our dental clinic in NYC by calling (646) 783-3529. We also offer complete smile restoration services! 

What to Expect with Oral Dental Sedation

If your dentist determines that you’re a good candidate for sedation dentistry, one of your options may be oral conscious sedation. The dentist will give you a prescription for an oral medication ahead of your appointment. You’ll need to fill the prescription and take it as directed. Typically, patients are asked to take the pill about an hour before their dental office visit. 

Because the pill needs to be taken ahead of your appointment, a responsible adult will need to drive you there and bring you home afterward. As the medication begins to take effect, you’ll feel very relaxed. The pill won’t put you to sleep, but you may feel sleepy. During your appointment, time will seem to pass more quickly and you might not remember much of the treatment. 

Park 56 Dental is pleased to offer safe and effective sedation dentistry services in NYC, including oral sedation. Give us a call at (646) 783-3529 and one of our dentists can determine if sedation could be right for you. 

How Oral Health Affects Diabetes Management

Did you know that your dentist can help you manage your diabetes? By visiting your dentist at least every six months for a checkup, you’re reducing your risk of developing gum disease. That’s critically important for diabetics since this disease can make you three times more likely to develop gum disease. 

You can hear more about the diabetes-gum disease connection when you watch the accompanying video. It explains that gum disease can lead to higher blood sugar, which can increase the likelihood of diabetic complications. The good news is that taking good care of your oral health can help you manage diabetes more effectively. 

Looking for a warm and friendly dental clinic in NYC that offers complete oral health services? Look no further than Park 56 Dental! Call (646) 783-3529 for an appointment.

Considering Cosmetic Dentistry? Here Are the Facts You Need to Know

There are different types of services your dentist may provide. General dentistry refers to any care that is primarily intended to improve or maintain the health of your teeth and gums. Cosmetic dentistry is primarily intended to improve the appearance of your smile. These two approaches go hand-in-hand, since having a smile that’s both healthy and beautiful is important for one’s self-confidence. 

Cosmetic dentistry can help support your oral health.  

Although cosmetic dentistry emphasizes the aesthetics of your smile, some of these treatments can also improve your oral health. Take the example of Invisalign aligners. These enable patients to straighten their crooked teeth without having to resort to aesthetically displeasing metal braces. A crooked smile isn’t only a cosmetic concern, however. Crooked teeth can also be more difficult to keep clean, even if you diligently brush twice daily and floss once daily. By straightening your teeth with Invisalign, it’ll be easier for you to get rid of food particles and plaque. Another example is dental implants. Tooth implants replace missing teeth, which is definitely cosmetically preferable to an incomplete smile. However, they can also help you maintain the health of your jawbone by preventing the loss of bone density. 

Cosmetic dentistry treatment plans are individually tailored. 

No two patients are alike. When you visit a dentist to talk about cosmetic options, he or she will take the time to listen carefully to your concerns and goals. Then, the dentist will develop an individual treatment plan based on your preferences. Your treatment plan may include any of the following: 

• Teeth whitening 
• Invisalign 
• Veneers 
• Dental implants 
• Bonding 

Some cosmetic dentistry treatments provide rapid results. 

Patients often want rapid results from cosmetic dentistry treatments. Some of them do take a while to produce results, such as Invisalign, while others take effect right away. If you have an important event coming up, for example, you might ask your dentist about teeth whitening. Your teeth will be several shades lighter by the time you leave the office! 

You’ll find a complete suite of general and cosmetic dentistry services at Park 56 Dental. Our dental office in NYC is known for providing friendly patient care within a welcoming setting. New and current patients can get in touch at (646) 783-3529 to request a dentist appointment. 

Surprising Facts About Gum Disease

It’s often thought that the teeth are the most important component of oral health. But actually, the gums play a critical role too. The health of your gums reflects the overall state of your oral health and systemic well-being. That’s why it’s so important to get to a dentist for gum disease treatments as soon as you notice any symptoms. By becoming better informed about gum disease, you can become a proactive advocate for your own wellness. 

Gingivitis and gum disease are nearly the same thing. 

Dentists often hear patients wonder about the difference between gingivitis and gum disease since the terms are often used interchangeably. Gingivitis is actually a form of gum disease. Gum disease occurs in stages, becoming progressively worse. Gingivitis is the first stage. At this point, the gums are inflamed, puffy, and tender, and they may bleed when brushed or flossed. Gingivitis is easily reversed with scaling and root planning, as long as the patient follows good at-home oral care. 

The body’s natural response causes inflammation. 

Now that you know inflammation is part of gum disease, you might be surprised to learn that gum disease doesn’t directly cause inflammation. In a patient with gum disease, bacteria build up in the mouth, infecting the gum tissue. The body’s natural response to bacteria is to trigger the inflammatory process. As the gum tissue is harmed, it releases chemicals that cause fluid leakage into the tissues. This results in swelling. It also helps wall off the bacteria from surrounding tissues. 

Gum disease can affect a developing fetus. 

It’s recommended that women who are trying to conceive and those who become pregnant see a dentist early on in the pregnancy. This is because expecting mothers are at an increased risk of developing gum disease. Additionally, it’s possible for untreated gum disease to affect the health of the unborn baby, such as by increasing the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. 

Here at Park 56 Dental, our friendly dentists firmly believe that every patient should be able to enjoy a beautiful and healthy smile. We strongly encourage you to schedule a dentist appointment in NYC every six months for preventive care. If you notice potential signs of gum disease and need an appointment sooner than this, give us a call at (646) 783-3529 and we’ll fit you in as soon as possible!