• How Oral Piercings Can Affect Your Dental Health

    Piercings are growing ever more popular, and many people choose to express their individuality with an oral piercing. Unfortunately, cheek, tongue, and lip piercings often come with complications that can have an impact on your dental health. Before you get an oral piercing, make sure you know the risks.

    Any piercing can cause an allergic reaction. You might experience pain and swelling after the procedure, or develop a skin infection that causes redness and pain or even scarring. When jewelry is accidentally ripped out, it can cause tearing and trauma, and piercings come with a risk of bloodborne diseases like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. While those complications apply to all piercings, though, there are some problems that specifically occur with oral piercings. According to the American Dental Association, complications that can result from oral piercings include:

    • Chipped or cracked teeth or a swollen tongue: The piercing can bump against your teeth while you talk or eat. You might even find that you sometimes bite it. When this happens, the piercing can injure your gums or crack or scratch your teeth. Your teeth may become sensitive, or you might damage your fillings. In addition, jewelry in your mouth can accumulate plaque, leading to tooth decay and cavities.
    • Halitosis: It’s hard to properly clean your mouth when there’s jewelry covering part of your oral tissue. This leads to plaque bacteria and food debris building up in your mouth and causing bad breath.
    • Bacterial infections: Your mouth is already a welcoming place for bacteria, because it’s so moist. Add in an incision and jewelry, and the bacteria trapped around your piercing can lead to infection, with symptoms of redness, swelling, pain, and a foul odor.
    • Increased saliva: Usually, you want a good flow of saliva to wash out your mouth and prevent tooth decay. However, the excessive saliva flow that can be caused by an oral piercing can lead to the development of tartar, calcified plaque. Tartar hardens on teeth and under gums, and removing it requires a professional dental cleaning.
    • Gum issues: Metal rubbing against the gums when you’re chewing, speaking, or just moving the piercing can cause gums to recede, which sometimes requires surgical correction. Piercings also raise the risk of gum disease, which can negatively impact your health and lead to tooth loss.
    • Problems with dental care: Jewelry in your mouth makes it harder for your dental team to care for your oral health. It can even interfere with x rays and other diagnostic tools.
    • Tissue trauma: Sometimes piercing jewelry becomes infected and must be surgically removed. You can also form scar tissue that may become large and require surgical removal.
    • Changes in speech: Oral piercings can cause you to speak differently and impede your normal chewing.
    • Obstructed airway: If the piercing becomes infected, you may experience breathing problems. Worse, if a piercing dislodges when you’re sleeping, speaking, or chewing, it can become lodged in the back of the throat, causing choking or airway obstruction.
    • Nerve damage: After a piercing, your tongue may feel numb because of temporary nerve damage. Sometimes, though, this damage becomes permanent. This can affect your sense of taste and the movement of your mouth.

    You might not realize it, but these complications are surprisingly common. While they don’t happen to everyone with oral piercings, they happen frequently enough and cause enough serious damage to be of concern. You can reduce your risk of complications, however, by being vigilant about caring for your mouth. Brush twice a day, floss, and use an alcohol-free mouthwash. Don’t play with your jewelry, stay vigilant for signs of infection, and periodically check to make sure it’s tightly secured.

    If you’re looking for the perfect dentist, choose 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.

  • How to Avoid Wearing Dentures in the Future

    Growing older means facing a variety of challenges.  Some of the difficulties that come along with aging are inevitable, but wearing dentures is not one of those things. There are steps you can take to be proactive with your dental care so that you won’t have to wear dentures in the future.

    • First, brush your teeth. It may seem to simple and obvious to need to be stated, but many people to not properly clean their teeth. Did you know that over 20 million people in the United States are missing all of their natural teeth? That’s a lot of people who need dentures. Some of that tooth loss stems from poor brushing habits, because one in four adults in this country doesn’t brush twice daily. Lack of brushing leads to periodontal disease, which the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research cites as the most common cause of tooth loss among adults. Brush your teeth twice a day, with a good toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste certified by the ADA.
    • While you’re at it, floss! Flossing is important, because when tiny food particles are allowed to remain between your gums and teeth, they harden and turn into tartar. Tartar is often the cause of gingivitis which leads to periodontitis, which leads to lost teeth. Lost teeth, of course, lead to dentures. Floss at least once a day and consider augmenting your brushing and flossing routine by rinsing with a dentist-approved mouthwash.
    • Schedule regular dental checkups. It is recommended that adults visit the dentist for a cleaning and exam every six months. Unfortunately, only about half of adults in the U.S. actually do that. These appointments are very important, though, for many reasons. When you have regular cleanings, the dentist and hygienist can help you keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay. Further, when your dentist examines your teeth every six months, there’s a better chance of catching any problems when they’re small, before they grow into major issues.

    Of course, if you do end up needing dentures, it’s not the end of the world. Today’s dentures are much better than the dentures of generations past, and if you’re replacing missing teeth, you may even be able to get implants as well, provided you don’t have bone deterioration. If you have pain, bleeding gums, you’re losing your teeth, or you are having trouble eating, don’t suffer in silence. Instead, find a good dentist who can help you determine your best options.

    If you’re looking for the perfect dentist, choose 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.

     

  • Why You Have White Spots on Your Teeth

    When you smile at yourself in the mirror, you want pearly white teeth to smile back. If you notice white spots on your teeth, you may wonder if it’s a temporary cosmetic problem or an indicator of a more serious health issue. Explore the reasons why you may have white spots on your teeth and how a dentist can help you prevent or treat the problem.

    What Causes White Spots on Teeth?

    Several problems may cause white spots to form on your teeth. Some of the most common factors include:

    • Too much fluoride: Ingesting too much fluoride leads to a condition called fluorosis. This harmless condition is usually seen in children whose teeth are still developing. To prevent this, give young children fluoride-free toothpaste and instruct older children not to swallow their toothpaste.
    • Improperly formed enamel: A condition called hypoplasia causes poorly developed tooth enamel in children, resulting in white spots and an increased risk of tooth decay. Smoking during pregnancy is one reason this can happen.
    • Certain medications: Amoxicillin and other medicines taken to treat infections can weaken tooth enamel enough to allow white spots to form. This most often affects children whose teeth are still developing.
    • Loss of mineral content: In adults, an opaque, chalky white spot is often the first sign of a cavity. It indicates that the acidic plaque on your teeth has compromised the enamel, which is now starting to decay.
    • Poor diet: Not consuming enough calcium and other minerals weakens your enamel. Then, eating too many sugary or acidic foods eats away at your weakened teeth, leading to white spots and eventually cavities. Try eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts, and low-fat dairy, while reducing your intake of candy, soda, juices, citrus fruits, and starches.
    • Poor oral hygiene while wearing braces: It’s common for white spots to develop on your teeth while wearing braces. After all, dental hygiene is more difficult when your teeth are covered with brackets and wires, so thorough brushing and flossing are more important than ever. You may also want to consider Invisalign as a metal-free way to straighten your smile.

    Treatment for White Spots on Teeth

    When it comes to keeping your teeth healthy and beautiful, prevention is the best medicine. If white spots have already appeared on your teeth, a dentist may be able to remove them, depending on the cause and level of deterioration. The most effective treatments include:

    If you want help removing white spots from your teeth, Park 56 Dental is here for you. We offer cosmetic and restorative dentistry services to renew your confident smile. Our world-class care and passion for helping our patients have earned us the title of NYC’s best dentist! Find out for yourself what makes us different—call us at (212) 826-2322 or schedule an appointment online today. We have served the 10022 zip code area for over 20 years.

  • Foods and Drinks that Erode Teeth

    You try to stick to a healthy diet, avoiding sugary sodas and sticky candies that can damage your teeth. However, sometimes even healthy foods can cause tooth erosion. It pays to be mindful of the signs of eroded tooth enamel and avoid foods that can negatively impact the health of your teeth.

    First, what are the symptoms of tooth enamel erosion? You might notice that your teeth feel sensitive when you eat or drink something hot or cold. You might also notice that your fillings or even your teeth have changed color. If your enamel erodes to an extreme degree, you might lose a tooth or develop an abscess. So, what foods should you avoid to prevent these problems?

    • Citrus Fruit: The high acid content in citrus can damage your teeth. In fact, even things with citrus flavoring can wear down your enamel.
    • Tomatoes: Tomatoes are good for your body, but they can be rough on your teeth. This is because they’re acidic. If you eat tomato sauce on pasta, you’re doing your teeth a double disservice, because the tomatoes break down your enamel and the carbs in pasta feed cavity-causing bacteria.
    • Dried Fruits: Even though it’s nutrient-dense, dried fruit can damage your teeth. It’s sticky, and has sugar, so if you don’t immediately get all that sticky fruit off of your teeth, the sugar will erode your enamel.
    • Carbonated Beverages: Even when they’re sugar free, soft drinks have carbonation that can wear away your enamel. You’re better off with unsweetened tea or water, but if you do drink soft drinks, don’t brush immediately. You might think that cleaning the soda off of your teeth immediately is a good idea, but brushing after your enamel has been weakened by carbonation can erode it further.
    • Pickles: Because of the acid required for the pickling process, pickles can cause staining and tooth erosion. Some pickles also have sugar, which makes them even more likely to cause cavities.
    • Wine: Both white and red wine have enamel-softening acid, but red wine also contains compounds called tannins that can dry your mouth and stain your teeth.
    • Sports Drinks: These beverages are high-carb, sugary, acidic, and thick enough to stick to your teeth.
    • Crackers: Because they’re refined carbohydrates, crackers can cause inflammation in the body. Crackers also stick to your teeth, which can promote tooth decay.
    • Sugar: Of course, you’ve known since childhood that sugar causes cavities. It’s important to note, however, that sugar isn’t only found in sweet treats, but also in processed foods.

    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.

  • How to Overcome Dry Mouth

    Does your mouth feel uncomfortably dry? Many adults suffer from dry mouth, known medically as xerostomia or hyposalivation, which happens when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. It’s a problem, because saliva is necessary for washing away debris and protecting your mouth from harmful acids. Without enough saliva, the mouth is vulnerable. Causes of dry mouth vary, but sometimes home remedies can provide some relief.

    First, let’s discuss possible causes of dry mouth. It could be as simple as dehydration, or it could be the result of a medication you’re taking. Smoking can cause dry mouth, as can drinking alcohol. Sometimes, though, dry mouth is the result of a medical condition like diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, immune/autoimmune disorders, anxiety or depression, anemia, or nutritional deficiency. If you think your dry mouth might be the result of an illness, see a doctor to rule it out before trying these home remedies.

    • Hydrating can alleviate dry mouth. Drinking water can help with mild dehydration, and it can also rinse your mouth if your saliva isn’t getting the job done. Limit your caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, as these can be dehydrating.
    • Mind your dental products. Don’t choose a mouthwash that contains mouth-drying alcohol. Instead, look for one created to help alleviate dry mouth. Ask your dentist if a prescription fluoride toothpaste, rinse, or gel might be beneficial.
    • Try sugar free candy or gum. Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy can increase the flow of saliva. Just be careful to choose sugar-free products, because a dry mouth is more susceptible to cavities. Look for gum with the ADA seal of acceptance.
    • Use a humidifier to moisten your mouth. Breathing in dry air doesn’t help a dry mouth, so use a humidifier, especially when you’re sleeping.
    • Breathing through your nose may help. Breathing through your mouth can cause it to become dry, so if you’re having trouble breathing through your nose because of congestion or allergies, talk to your doctor.
    • Don’t smoke. Smoking cigarettes actually slows down saliva production. For a healthy mouth, avoid all kinds of tobacco products.
    • Try some over-the-counter products for dry mouth. There are many different saliva substitutes on the market, from sprays to rinses to specially-formulated toothpastes. Just be aware that these may not be a good long-term solution.
    • Take your vitamins. Vitamin supplements, particularly vitamin C and vitamin B complex, can help with inflammation and boost your immune system, which may help alleviate dry mouth. There are also a number of herbal remedies for dry mouth, including aloe vera, ginger, hollyhock root, and marshmallow root.

    Whenever you have a question about your oral health, it’s good to have a dentist you can trust for answers. 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.

  • Oral Cancers of Which to Be Aware

    You know that visiting your dentist regularly can help protect against cavities, but did you know that these regular checkups can also help protect you from cancer? During a routine dental visit, your dentist will screen you for signs of oral cancer. This is important, because the earlier cancer is detected, the easier it is to fight. Do you know about the different types of oral cancers?

    • Lip Cancer: The most common oral cancer, lip cancer primarily affects men. People sometimes miss the common symptoms of lip cancer because they think it’s a cold they can’t shake or a toothache. Be vigilant for signs of lip cancer, including a sore on the lip that doesn’t heal, persistent lip pain or numbness, a lump, thickening, or white or red patch on the lip, or a neck mass. Surgery is often the first step in treating lip cancer, but it’s also treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy.
    • Mouth Cancer: This cancer can develop in any part of the mouth, including the tongue, gums, and lips. As with other types of oral cancer, symptoms can seem like a cold that won’t go away. They also include continual tongue or jaw pain, a thickening or lump inside the mouth, a red or white patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or the mouth’s lining, or trouble swallowing or chewing. It might be hard to move your jaw or tongue. If surgery is performed to remove a tumor from the mouth, it may be necessary for the surgeon to reconstruct part of the face afterward. Doctors also use radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapy to fight mouth cancer.
    • Tongue Cancer: Tongue cancer forms in the front two-thirds of the tongue. If cancer forms in the back third of the tongue, it’s considered a kind of head and neck cancer. In addition to the typical oral cancer symptoms, tongue cancer causes tongue or jaw pain, a thickening or lump in the mouth, a sore throat, or the feeling that something is stuck in the throat, difficulty chewing or swallowing, or a white or red patch inside the mouth. Sometimes tumor resection for tongue cancer can be minimally invasive. Chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted drug therapies are also treatment options.

    How can you reduce your risk of oral cancers? A healthy lifestyle can help. Don’t smoke or use any other tobacco products, and limit your alcohol consumption. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutrient-dense diet, and protecting yourself from UV rays are all things that help your overall health and lower your risk of oral cancer.

    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.

     

  • Why You May Still Have Bad Breath Even After Brushing and Flossing

    You brush, you floss, you rinse, and you may even chew gum. So why do you still have bad breath? Bad breath, also called halitosis, is an embarrassing condition. It commonly comes from different parts of the oral cavity, but can sometimes be caused by an underlying health issue. How can you identify the cause and get rid of bad breath? Let’s look at some common scenarios that lead to halitosis.

    • The most straightforward cause of bad breath is a dirty mouth. You’ve probably already tried brushing and flossing, but let’s discuss it just to cover all the bases. Bacteria, food particles, and mucosal cells your body sheds in your mouth can all lead to bad odors, so brushing thoroughly is your first line of defense against halitosis. You have to really get into every nook and cranny of the mouth, and if you have crooked teeth this can be difficult. If it seems like your crooked teeth are harboring odors, consider braces to improve your oral hygiene. And here’s something you may not know: the tongue is the most common place for bad breath to originate, because people often forget to brush their tongues. If you think your tongue may be the culprit, you can brush it with your toothbrush or get a tongue scraper.
    • Gum (periodontal) disease can cause bad breath. If you’ve been lax with your dental hygiene, allowing plaque to accumulate around the teeth, you may end up with a tartar build up. This can cause gum disease, known in the early stages as gingivitis. This is an infection of the gums, but as it advances, it can cause the bone around your teeth to deteriorate and decay. As you can guess, this smells unpleasant. Regular dentist appointments are the only way to identify and stop the progress of periodontal disease.
    • A dry mouth can have a bad odor. Saliva flow is necessary to keep the mouth free from debris, so if your mouth is dry, it can lead not just to bad breath but also to cavities and gum disease. Some medications can cause dry mouth, as can alcohol and tobacco products. Talk to your dentist about dry mouth treatment if this seems to be your problem.
    • Health problems can cause halitosis. Post-nasal drip from a sinus infection, cold, flu or strep throat can attract odor-causing bacteria. Acid reflux and chronic conditions like diabetes, kidney failure, liver failure, peptic ulcer, or intestinal blockage can all be the root of bad breath.

    To keep your mouth healthy, clean, and smelling good, regular dental appointments are important. 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.

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