Babies are born with a natural sucking reflex. It’s what allows them to feed. But even when they aren’t drinking milk or formula, sucking on the thumbs helps babies feel calm and secure. To accommodate the sucking reflex and to soothe a fussy baby, most parents provide pacifiers. It’s your decision (and your baby’s) whether to provide a pacifier or not. You can always talk to the pediatrician for guidance. And if you’re at all concerned that your child is using a pacifier for too long, don’t hesitate to speak with the dentist . Remember that kids need to see a dentist for a first visit no later than their first birthday, or as soon as their first tooth erupts.

Pros of Pacifiers

There are definitely many advantages to giving your baby a pacifier. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is highest from birth until six months. Pacifier use during this time may help reduce the risk of SIDS. Additionally, pacifiers can help calm down a crying baby, distract babies while they’re getting shots, and help babies equalize ear pressure during air travel.

Potential Problems with Pacifiers

Pacifiers can indeed cause problems with oral development when they’re used too late in a child’s life. Some dentists recommend trying to wean kids off their pacifiers by the second birthday. If they give up the pacifier by age two , oral development problems can usually self-correct. After this point, self-correction is harder, and problems can persist or worsen. In addition, prolonged pacifier use can increase the risk of recurrent middle ear infections. Very early pacifier use can interfere with healthy breastfeeding behaviors. And if your baby becomes too dependent on pacifiers to fall asleep, he or she may be unable to get back to sleep after awakening when the pacifier falls out.

The friendly team at Park 56 Dental is always excited to welcome new pediatric patients to our dental office in NYC. It’s our mission to help kids feel at ease in the dentist’s chair so that they are encouraged to pursue lifelong oral health! You can get in touch at (646) 783-3529 to schedule your child’s dentist appointment.

Root canals have an undeserved reputation for being painful procedures. In fact, they allow dentists to save a failing natural tooth, rather than having to extract it. They’re also pain-free, thanks to local numbing medications. But many people still have anxiety about dental treatments in general and root canal procedures in particular. That’s why dentists often recommend sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry is definitely appropriate for root canal patients. Different medications can be used to achieve a mild, moderate, or deep level of sedation. Your dentist will work with you to identify the most appropriate option for you. You’ll also need to disclose your full health history to make sure the medications are safe for you to use.

You’ll find a full menu of services at Park 56 Dental, including comfortable, pain-free root canals with sedation dentistry. If you’ve been told you need a root canal procedure and you live in NYC, give us a call today at (646) 783-3529.

Nitrous oxide is a compound of nitrogen and oxygen. When inhaled through a nose mask, it induces a calm, relaxed feeling. This is why dentists often recommend it to patients who struggle with dental anxieties or phobias.

You can learn more about nitrous oxide by watching the accompanying video. The dentist featured here explains that nitrous oxide is safe for patients of all ages. Although nitrous oxide is a form of sedation dentistry, it doesn’t cause patients to lose consciousness. Plus, its effects are short-lived, which means patients do not require any recovery time after receiving nitrous oxide.

Park 56 Dental is committed to providing a comfortable, pleasant experience for our patients by offering sedation dentistry in our NYC office. You can reach our dental clinic at (646) 783-3529 to request an appointment.

There are a few different types of malocclusion, which refers to the misalignment of the teeth. An open bite is among the most severe. It can cause undesirable consequences for a person’s health and quality of life. Fortunately, an open bite is also correctable. Consider visiting a dental office that offers Invisalign treatment. Invisalign is a system of clear plastic aligners that shift the teeth into their proper positions. It’s very effective for many types of malocclusion, including open bites.

Definition of Open Bite

The ideal bite pattern allows the upper and lower teeth to align neatly with each other when the jaws are closed. The chewing surfaces of the bottom molars should align with the chewing surfaces of the upper molars. Additionally, the upper front teeth should rest just a little bit ahead of the lower front teeth. But most people don’t naturally have a perfectly aligned smile. If your dentist diagnoses you with an open bite, it means that there is a gap between your upper and lower teeth when your jaws are fully closed.

Causes and Risk Factors of Open Bite

There are a few potential causes of open bite patterns . One is an inherent problem with the jawbone. Open bites are also caused by habits. For example, children can develop an open bite early in life if they used pacifiers excessively and for too many years. Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and chewing on objects other than food can also be culprits of open bites. It’s also possible for patients to develop an open bite later in life, particularly if they develop temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. TMJ disorder is a painful problem involving the jaw joints.

Complications of Open Bite

In the case of an open bite, getting Invisalign treatment isn’t just a matter of aesthetic appearance. It’s also necessary to correct open bites because they can cause health issues. Open bites can cause difficulty with normal biting and chewing, which means patients may avoid eating nutritious foods like apples and nuts. Patients with open bites may also engage in unbalanced chewing, causing additional stress on the jaw joints. Furthermore, the teeth can develop uneven wear patterns, and the underlying structures may be adversely affected by the unbalanced force.

Invisalign is one of the many premier treatments we offer here at Park 56 Dental . Our mission is to improve both the health and the appearance of your smile. Call our office at (646) 783-3529 to request an Invisalign consult in NYC.

It’s natural for babies to cry (it would be alarming if they didn’t!). But if your baby is suddenly getting more irritable than usual, and if your baby is between six and 12 months of age, then it’s likely due to teething. Note that some babies teeth earlier, and some teeth later. Talk to a dentist if you have any concerns about your baby’s progress.

Understanding Teething

Your baby’s teeth begin their development before birth. The eruption of teeth is the process of the teeth rising up through the gums into the mouth. The teeth may erupt a few at a time or one at a time. Most babies get their bottom middle teeth first, followed by the two middle teeth on the upper jaw. The other teeth erupt later. The second molars may not erupt until after age two, but all kids should have a full set no later than the third birthday. Your child is ready for his or her first dentist visit when the first tooth erupts or no later than the first birthday if your child is a late bloomer.

Identifying the Signs of Teething

Teething usually makes babies fussy and irritable. This is because the gum tissue can get tender or sore. Most babies start drooling excessively when they teeth. Sometimes, drooling can lead to irritated facial skin or a facial rash, which should be evaluated by a pediatrician. Teething might also cause:

• Gnawing or chewing motions
• Refusal to eat/loss of appetite
• Problems getting to sleep or staying asleep

Soothing a Teething Baby

Never give a child under age two any medications unless directed to do so by a pediatrician. Avoid homeopathic teething gels, tablets, or other topical applications for teething—these can cause serious side effects like seizures and breathing problems. Instead, use a clean finger to gently rub your baby’s irritated gums. Provide a clean teething ring made of firm rubber . Your baby will enjoy chewing on it. Avoid homeopathic teething rings, such as those marketed as magnetic, as these have been known to contain lead.

We welcome young patients at Park 56 Dental, and we make every effort to ensure each child’s visit is a pleasant, stress-free experience. Our dentists and hygienists firmly believe in the importance of positivity in the dental office. Call (646) 783-3529 to schedule a visit with a friendly pediatric dentist in NYC.

When you’re always in front of a camera, you want to look your best. The stars use cosmetic dentistry treatments to make sure they look as good as they can, and this includes Invisalign. This treatment straightens teeth in a comfortable and noninvasive way.

If you want your smile to look like Tom Cruise’s or Eva Longoria’s, look into Invisalign. This orthodontic treatment gently repositions your teeth so you can enjoy a straighter smile. Invisalign uses invisible aligner trays, and you get a new one every couple of weeks. Each time you graduate to a new tray, your teeth will be one step closer to being in place. Aligners are see-through and removable, which makes them both convenient and attractive. You can take them out whenever you want, and most people won’t notice you have them. This is why so many people—including the stars—use Invisalign to straighten their teeth.

Invisalign in NYC works for the stars, and you deserve the same kind of smile . Call Park 56 Dental at (646) 783-3529 or read through our website to learn everything you need to know about our dentist’s office.

It’s normal to be nervous before a dental appointment. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to keep yourself calm and comfortable during your procedure. Watch this video and pick up quick tips for nervous dental patients.

Many people suffer from dental anxiety, so don’t feel like you’re alone. Keep in mind that modern dentistry treatments are painless, and your dentist will do everything possible to keep you comfortable. Bring headphones so you can listen to music to drown out the sounds of the dental equipment, and let your dentist know about your concerns.

The best dentists in NYC know how to keep their patients comfortable, which is why you should choose Park 56 Dental for dental bridges, fillings, or root canal procedure. Give us a call at (646) 783-3529 to make an appointment.

Sedation dentistry can be a lifesaver for many people, but not everyone knows how it works. The best dentists will use sedation dentistry to keep patients comfortable and safe while they go through root canal or dental implant treatment. This kind option can be helpful even if you don’t have dental anxiety, so it might be a good fit for you. Here are the answers to some questions you may have about sedation dentistry.

How does sedation dentistry work?

The best dentists can conduct sedation dentistry in three different ways: nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation . Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas, and it involves wearing a mask to inhale the drug. If you use oral sedation, you’ll take a pill prior to your appointment to calm your nerves. IV sedation is the easiest for your dentist to control as you go through the procedure, and it tends to be the best choice for people with extreme anxiety.

Is sedation dentistry safe?

As long as you work with a trained dentist, anesthesiologist, or other qualified oral health professional, sedation dentistry should be perfectly safe. You will need someone to pick you up from the office when your appointment is over, as you might not be ready to drive when the drugs wear off. Dentists can also use a combination of the three sedation dentistry techniques to keep you at an optimal level of comfort.

Is sedation dentistry right for me?

Sedation dentistry is an excellent choice for people who suffer from dental anxiety, but it’s for other people as well. If you have a busy schedule and can’t get into the dentist’s office as frequently as you’d like to, you might opt to go through multiple treatments in the same visit. Spending so much time having dental work done can make even the calmest people antsy, but sedation dentistry makes it a cinch.

If sedation dentistry sounds like it could be helpful or you have more questions about the process, please call Park 56 Dental at (646) 783-3529. Our team is made up of the best dentists in NYC, and we offer dental cleanings and smile restoration services.

If your teeth are chipped or cracked, or there are gaps between them, your dentist might recommend porcelain veneers . They can wear down over time if you don’t take care of them, and they’re more likely to fail sooner if they weren’t fitted properly in the first place. Read on to learn about porcelain veneer replacement.

Why Veneers Need Replacing

Veneers will last a long time if you take care of them, but they’re not invincible. They also don’t make the tooth immune to decay, even though the veneer itself isn’t susceptible to cavities, and gum disease can still cause the gums to recede and show a gap between the gums and veneers. If you suffer a trauma to the face from a sporting accident or you have a habit of chewing on hard objects, you run the risk of chipping or cracking your veneers.

Possible Issues

Sometimes people end up needing to replace their veneers because of the way they were initially placed. If something feels wrong right away, communicate with your dentist. Poorly sized veneers can cause pain and discomfort, which isn’t normal in a typical veneer treatment. If your dentist doesn’t apply your veneers the right way, they can also fall off and need to be reattached. When you work with the best dentists in the area, you shouldn’t have to deal with these problems.

How to Take Care of Your Veneers

It’s important to take proper care of your veneers, no matter how many times you have had them placed and replaced. Don’t chew on hard objects or use your teeth to open packaging, and take proper care of your oral health. Brush and floss every day, and use a mouth guard to protect your teeth when you play a sport.

Are your veneers in need of replacement? Park 56 Dental can help. We’re some of the top dentists in New York and we handle teeth cleaning, dental fillings, and dental implants in addition to porcelain veneers. Give us a call at (646) 783-3529 for more information.

Not everyone has an easy time seeing the dentist, even if it’s the best dentist in NYC. Some people get anxiety when they have upcoming appointments, and these people may benefit from sedation dentistry . Watch this video to find out what oral sedation is.

Unlike nitrous oxide, oral sedation should last for about two to six hours. All you have to do is take a prescribed pill before heading in for your procedure, and you’ll experience less pain and anxiety during your treatment. You might not fully remember the treatment once it’s over with, which can be good for those who have moderate to severe dental anxiety.

Call Park 56 Dental at (646) 783-3529 if you’re in need of sedation dentistry near NYC. If you want to work with some of the best dentists in NYC, don’t forget to give us a call or stop by our offices to meet with us.