• Do Whitening Toothpastes Actually Work?

    Could your teeth stand to be whiter? Most people would answer yes, which is why there are so many whitening toothpastes on the market. But do these toothpastes actually work? Read on to learn more about whitening toothpastes and additional treatments you might want to consider.

    What do whitening toothpastes actually do? They work, using special abrasives and peroxide or other chemicals, to polish the teeth and dissolve stains. If you’ve got noticeable stains from things like coffee, cigarettes, or soda, whitening toothpaste will remove these stains and make a difference in the look of your teeth. Some whitening toothpastes use a chemical called blue covarine, which creates an optical illusion by adhering to the surface of the teeth and making them appear less yellow. It’s important to note, though, that whitening toothpastes can’t lighten stains under the surface of a tooth or change the tooth’s natural color.

    Another fact to keep in mind is that the results of whitening toothpaste aren’t immediate. You’ll need to use your whitening toothpaste twice a day for two to six weeks in order to have teeth that look whiter. If you decide to go this route, make sure you’re using a brand of toothpaste that has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance or a similar endorsement from a reputable organization. Remember, though, that whitening toothpastes use abrasives, which can wear down the enamel as they’re removing stains.

    Whitening toothpastes are not the only at-home options for tooth whitening. An over-the-counter tooth bleaching product or kit is a more effective option for lightening your teeth than toothpaste. These bleaches must stay in contact with the teeth for a longer time than toothpaste, and you’ll have to use this type of product regularly for two to four weeks.

    Professional whitening is a much more effective alternative to anything you can do at home. One great option is Zoom!®, a whitening treatment that takes only an hour and whitens your teeth significantly. In fact, most people achieve about eight shades of whitening in the Zoom! process. After examining your teeth and gums to make sure they’re healthy, the dentist will cover your lops and gums with material to protect them while your teeth are being treated. The whitening gel is applied and activated by the Zoom! light source to gently break up stains and whiten your teeth. You’ll receive three 15-minute applications within the one hour treatment time, then you’ll rinse, and your treatment will be complete. It’s easy and painless, and the results are immediate.

    If you’re looking for Zoom!® teeth whitening, we provide that and much more at the practice that was voted best dentist in NYC. At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

  • Celebrities Who Have Had Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

    The first stanza of a poem by Phyllis McGinley, called “Reflections Dental” reads:

    How pure, how beautiful, how fine
    Do teeth on television shine!
    No flutist flutes, no dancer twirls
    But comes equipped with matching pearls.
    Gleeful announcers all are born
    With sets like rows of hybrid corn.

    Have you noticed that every celebrity seems to have perfect teeth? Are they born that way? Actually, many celebrities choose cosmetic dentistry procedures to make them look more perfect. Did you suspect the stars on this list of improving their pearly whites?

    • Tom Cruise: His winning smile is the result of whitening, straightening, and an upgrade to porcelain veneers.
    • George Clooney: Although his smile was always gorgeous, his history of tooth grinding shortened his teeth until they were lengthened with veneers
    • Gary Busey: Speaking of having teeth lengthened, Gary Busey opted for outsized veneers after an accident.
    • Mike Tyson: He had a gold tooth and a gap, but then he had the gap narrowed and traded in the gold for veneers. Surprisingly, because it was his signature look, he had the gap added back!
    • Hillary Duff: After chipping a tooth on a microphone during a show, she decided to get a full set of veneers instead of a single repair.
    • Ben Affleck: He used to have an overbite, but after lengthening, porcelain veneers, crowns, and whitening, he’s got a dazzling smile.
    • Victoria Beckham: Posh Spice’s teeth used to be less than posh, but she’s had them fixed with a set of veneers.
    • Jim Carrey: He once had a broken tooth capped, and he removed that cap for his snaggle-toothed Dumb and Dumber smile. Since then, he’s gone for veneers.
    • Morgan Freeman: He was successful when he had gapped teeth, but in recent years he’s gotten whitening and used veneers to straighten his teeth.
    • Miley Cyrus: The slightly crooked teeth of this child smile were replaced with veneers once she grew up.
    • Catherine Zeta-Jones: Teased as a child over crooked teeth, she fixed her alignment with orthodontics and upgraded her smile with veneers.
    • Chris Rock: The success of Lethal Weapon allowed him to spend $150,000 on a new smile!
    • Zac Efron: His charming gap-toothed grin has been replaced with the perfection of veneers, but he wore false teeth to play Bundy.
    • Nicolas Cage: He had two teeth pulled for the 1984 film “Birdy” but has since gotten a full set of veneers.
    • 50 Cent: Shot in the face in 2000, he lost a tooth a gained a gap. He later fixed his teeth with whitening and veneers.

    Do any of these names surprise you? Here’s some good news: the same procedures used by celebrities are available for you. At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer dental care, including smile restoration, providing the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Contact us online or call us at (212) 826-2322.

  • Teeth Whitening Aftercare

    Getting your teeth whitened is so rewarding! Once you’ve had a teeth-whitening procedure done, you’ll probably be flashing your beautiful new smile at everyone you see. If you want to keep it beautiful and white, though, you’ll need to take care of your smile. Here are some tips to keep your teeth bright and shining for as long as possible.

    • Be mindful of colored food and beverages. Especially during the first 48 hours after your teeth-whitening procedure, avoid eating or drinking anything that’s deeply colored. Wine, tea, coffee, cherries, chocolate, beets, berries, soda, juice, and dark sauces should be avoided in favor of foods that are light in color. You’ll also want to avoid chewy foods for a while because they can leave a stain. If you do decide to drink a colored beverage, use a straw to avoid staining your teeth.
    • Don’t eat acidic foods. Soda, pickles, and citrus, for instance, can be damaging after teeth whitening. Teeth-whitening treatments weaken the tubules of tooth enamel, opening them up. This makes your teeth more prone to stains and decay, and acidic foods worsen this weakness.
    • Eat foods that will help your teeth stay white. White meat, bananas, cauliflower, potatoes, white beans, rice, white rice, and pita bread are all good foods post-whitening. Certain foods can even help clean your teeth, helping them to stay white. Crunchy fruits or vegetables, especially apples, celery, carrots, and green beans, can enhance saliva production, which cleans the teeth and counteracts acids. These crunchy vegetables can even remove temporary stains. Eating more dairy products and foods high in calcium will help keep your teeth healthy and defend against decay.
    • Take care of sensitive teeth. After the whitening procedure, your teeth may be sensitive. Avoid foods that are too hot or too cold, and use dental hygiene products designed specifically for sensitive teeth.
    • Don’t overdo it when you’re caring for your teeth. Brush after every meal, or when you’ve eaten a staining or acidic food. Do it gently, to avoid causing yourself pain or stripping the whitening. Floss at least once a day to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Don’t immediately do any more whitening, even if you aren’t satisfied with the whiteness of your teeth, because that can harm your enamel.
    • Don’t smoke! Smoking can stain your teeth, causing yellow and brown discoloration that’s extremely difficult to remove. What’s more smoking is terrible for your oral health, as well as your overall health. If you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, never start.

    At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer teeth whitening, along with pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

     

  • Smile Restoration Services

    At Park 56 Dental, nothing is more important than our patients’ oral health. If you have missing, discolored, decayed, or crooked teeth, we can help! Learn about our smile restoration services to find a solution that works for you.

    Dental Implants

    Missing teeth are among the most noticeable oral health problems. When decay or a traumatic injury results in tooth loss, dental implants are often the best restorative option available. An implant features a screw-like titanium body, which takes the place of the missing root. Then, a tooth-colored crown is cemented on top of the implant. The result is a functional, natural-looking replacement tooth that can last decades with proper care.

    Dental Bridges

    As another option for treating tooth loss, dental bridges “bridge the gap” between two teeth without implanting anything into the gums. Bridges can be placed more quickly and cost less than implants, but they require healthy surrounding teeth to prevent the gums and jawbone from degrading. We can help you decide if implants or bridges are best for your tooth loss scenario.

    Dental Veneers

    Do you have chipped, misshapen, or stained teeth? With veneers, you no longer have to hide your smile! Veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that adhere to the front of your natural teeth. They can be whatever shape, size, and color you want to achieve the desired aesthetic effect. Thanks to their durable porcelain construction, you can expect veneers to last many years with proper care.

    Root Canals

    If one of your teeth has a deep cavity or diseased nerve, it may be possible to save the tooth with a root canal treatment. While root canals have a reputation for being painful, the intent is to remove pain and swelling. Our dentists can complete this procedure in one to three office visits. By the end of your treatment, you’ll be ready to show off a healthy, pain-free smile!

    Invisalign

    Have you always wanted straighter teeth but balked at traditional metal braces? Invisalign is the answer! This treatment uses a series of clear, plastic aligners to straighten your smile over an average of nine to 15 months. Invisalign is comfortable, removable, and BPA-free for your safety. Best of all, the aligners are virtually invisible, so no one will even know you’re wearing them!

    Zoom! Whitening

    Many at-home products claim to whiten your teeth, but only in-office Zoom! whitening can give you the results you want in a single, one-hour visit. Remove years of staining and brighten your smile by an average of eight shades with this safe, simple, and relaxing process. Our dentist will ensure your teeth are healthy and eligible for whitening before treatment begins.

    Are you ready to fall in love with your smile like never before? The dentists at Park 56 Dental have the skills and experience needed to perform restoration services for our New York City patients. If you are dissatisfied with your smile for any reason, please contact us at (212) 826-2322 and schedule a consultation today!

  • How to Reduce Teeth Whitening Pain

    Whitening your teeth is a fast, easy way to improve the appearance of your smile. One common side effect is temporary pain and sensitivity to hot and cold drinks. We’re here to help you understand what causes teeth whitening pain and how you can prevent it.

    Is Tooth Whitening Safe?

    Zoom! whitening is a professional treatment that brightens your smile by an average of eight shades in a single, one-hour visit. While it’s championed as a simple, safe, and pain-free process, some patients still experience temporary hypersensitivity following treatment. If you’re concerned about this, speak with your dentist before having Zoom! whitening performed.

    Why Do Teeth Sometimes Hurt After Whitening?

    You are most likely to experience discomfort after whitening if you already have sensitive teeth. This is often caused by thin enamel or exposed roots. Both issues leave the underlying layer, known as dentin, vulnerable to the bleaching agent found in teeth whitening products. If the nerve endings here are irritated by the whitening process, you could be left with hypersensitivity for the next 24 to 48 hours.

    How to Prevent Teeth Whitening Pain Before Treatment

    • Switch to desensitizing toothpaste: One to two weeks prior to your treatment, brush with toothpaste containing 5 percent potassium nitrate to build up a resistance to sensitivity. This substance is known to reduce tooth pain, so it’s a common ingredient in desensitizing toothpaste. Brush before your treatment to clean and prepare the surface of your teeth for whitening.
    • Take medicine: Immediately before your whitening appointment, take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs as a proactive measure against tooth sensitivity.
    • Apply ACP gel: Request relief ACP desensitizing gel from your dentist. If you have whitening trays at home, dispense a pea-sized amount into each impression and wear the tray for 30 minutes before heading to your professional Zoom! whitening treatment. If you don’t have whitening trays, apply the gel using a toothbrush.

    How to Prevent Teeth Whitening Pain After Treatment

    • Wait to brush: If you brush your teeth too soon after whitening, you will further expose the dentin, increasing sensitivity. Therefore, you should wait to brush for a couple of hours. When you do, brush extra gently. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and lukewarm water to take some of the sting out of your sensitive teeth.
    • Avoid hot and cold drinks: Hot coffee and ice-cold water could cause pain, so stick with room-temperature beverages for the next 24 to 48 hours. You may also find it helpful to drink through a straw so liquids bypass your teeth for the most part.
    • Keep taking medicine and using ACP gel: If you continue to experience sensitivity despite your other efforts, take more anti-inflammatory drugs and reapply the ACP gel after each meal.

    Park 56 Dental is proud to offer Zoom! whitening, the fast, easy way to whiten your smile. If you’re interested in scheduling treatment, or you have more questions about tooth sensitivity, please contact us online or by phone at (212) 826-2322.

  • 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. 

  • What Are Your Tooth Whitening Options?

    Dentist NYC

    Taking good care of your teeth is a great way to keep them looking brilliant. But even if you’re careful about brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist every six months, discoloration can gradually develop. Your teeth can become stained through contact with everyday beverages and foods such as green tea, red wine, and blueberries. Sometimes, teeth can develop deep stains simply because of the aging process. If you feel your smile could be a little brighter, you can talk to your dentist about your teeth whitening options.

    At-Home Products
    Many people begin working on their tooth stains with over-the-counter (OTC) whitening pastes, gels, and strips. Unfortunately, these OTC at-home products aren’t usually effective enough to produce truly brilliant results. They can also take a long time to work and require many applications. Additionally, there is the possibility that OTC products will irritate the gums and cause tooth sensitivity. In contrast, professional-grade teeth whitening procedures that are available at your dentist’s office can effectively and safely whiten your teeth in just one office visit.

    Teeth Cleaning
    For some people with mild tooth discoloration, a professional teeth cleaning may be all that’s needed. At your appointment, your dental hygienist will use specialized instruments and techniques to carefully scrape the plaque and tartar away. He or she will thoroughly polish your teeth with a mild abrasive to lift away surface stains and leave you with a beautiful, healthy smile.

    Zoom! Whitening
    If your teeth have become slightly yellow or your discoloration doesn’t respond to a professional teeth cleaning, it might be time to talk to your dentist about Zoom! whitening. This is one of the most effective, professional-grade whitening systems available. Your dentist will first examine your smile and then apply protective materials on your gums and lips. Then, your dentist will apply the Zoom! gel and activate it with the Zoom! light source to break up and remove stains. You can achieve brilliant results with just three 15-minute applications.

    Park 56 Dental can help you achieve your goals for your smile with our advanced Zoom! whitening system, teeth cleaning services, and other smile restoration services. Schedule a visit with our dentist for a teeth whitening or teeth cleaning in NYC today. You can contact us at (646) 783-3529.

  • What’s Staining Your Teeth?

    Most people do what they can to keep their pearly whites both pearly and white, but there are certain factors that bring about adversity. Unfortunately even the best dentist in NYC cannot keep you away from certain foods or prevent you from aging. Read on if you are wondering what is staining your teeth.

    Foods and Beverages Best Dentist in New York

    If you want to keep your teeth as bright as you can, you will need to pay close attention to the foods you eat and the beverages you drink. Certain foods and drinks that are intensely colored are more likely to stain your teeth. Fruits like blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries can stain your teeth and lead to significant discoloration. Beverages like coffee and wine can have the same effect as well. Avoid discoloration by mixing your berries into smoothies or drinking your coffee with a straw.

    Changing Tooth Structure

    Sometimes your tooth discoloration can come from the inside rather than the outside. There are a few factors that could lead to the darkening or yellowing of the dentin in the inner layers of your teeth from the inside. Certain types of antibiotics may cause this change in tooth structure, even if your mother used them while she was pregnant. You may also suffer from intrinsically stained teeth in adulthood if you suffered a fall, blow, or other trauma to the mouth area when you were a child.

    Aging and Discoloration

    You will notice many changes in your body as you age, and discoloration of the teeth may be one of them. The inner dentin of your teeth will naturally become yellow as you grow older; whether it shows through or not depends on the individual case. Keep your dentist appointments to keep your teeth in top shape.

    If you have stained or discolored teeth and would like to learn about smile restoration options, feel free to call Park 56 Dental at (646) 783-3529. We strive to be among the best dentists serving NYC. Feel free to stop in and see us or visit our website to learn more about our root canals, veneers, and dental implants.

  • Maintaining Your Whitened Smile

    There are few things as attractive as a bright, gleaming, white smile. However, aging, hereditary, dietary habits, smoking, and certain prescription medications may all cause staining or yellowing of teeth. Many patients opt to visit a top dentist in NYC for whitening treatments to restore the luster of their smile. Whitening procedures are not permanent. However, there are a number of steps you can take to maintain the white appearance of your teeth for as long as possible between dental visits.

    Avoid Certain Foods and Beverages Top Dentist in New York

    To prevent discoloration , minimize your consumption of certain foods and drinks. Coffee, tea, and wine, as well as some fruit juices, can all stain teeth. Reduce your intake of these fluids or consider drinking them through a straw to reduce exposure to the liquid. Using tobacco can also stain your teeth.

    Choose Medications Carefully

    Certain prescription medications may cause tooth discoloration as a side effect. If you are on medication, ask your doctor whether it may be adversely affecting the appearance of your teeth. If this is the case, consult your physician to find out whether alternative, non-staining medications would be an appropriate option for you.

    Practice Good Dental Hygiene

    To maintain teeth in optimum condition, brush at least twice daily and floss once daily. Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash. Use a whitening toothpaste no more than once a week. Whitening toothpastes help remove staining, but can be abrasive and may cause damage if used too frequently.

    Visit Your Dentist Regularly

    Schedule regular dental appointments to make sure your teeth remain in optimum health. Your dentist may also be able to provide additional touch-up whitening treatments to help maintain the color of your teeth.

    At Park 56 Dental , we offer professional whitening treatments, using Zoom! whitening gel. To find out more, visit our website, or call us at (646) 783-3529 to schedule an appointment. Let us help you keep your pearly whites dazzling and bright.

  • Tips for a Whiter Smile

    Best Dentist in New York Yellowing, stained, or discolored teeth can make your smile less attractive. In-office and in-house procedures can help to restore your teeth to a brighter shade. There are also a number of things you can do to maintain the whiteness of your teeth between visits with your top dentist in NYC.

    To keep your pearly whites bright, you will need to avoid certain foods and drinks, including coffee, tea, and wine. Drinking through a straw may help to prevent these staining liquids from coming into contact with your teeth. You should also rinse or clean your teeth after consumption.

    Good dental hygiene is crucial to prevent discoloration. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once daily. A whitening toothpaste, used once or twice weekly, can also help to prevent superficial stains. Regular visits to the dentist office for touch-up treatments can help to keep your teeth white.

    At Park 56 Dental, we offer a range of smile restoration and maintenance services, including teeth whitening, veneers, and dental implants. To learn more about our teeth whitening treatments, visit our website or call us at (646) 679-3998.