Why it’s Important to Replace a Lost Tooth

Many people assume that a missing tooth only has cosmetic consequences. But while having a gap in your smile is enough to make anyone self-conscious, there are also numerous health-related reasons not to ignore a missing tooth. Whether you opt for a bridge, removable partial dentures, or a dental implant, here’s a look at why it’s important to replace a lost tooth.

• Your teeth may shift and loosen: Every tooth helps maintain the stability of the one next to it. If you lose a permanent tooth, the surrounding teeth may begin shifting to fill the gap, undoing years of orthodontic work.
• Chewing may be more difficult: The sensitive gum tissue where your tooth is missing can make it painful to chew in that part of your mouth. Then, if your teeth drift out of place, your bite may suffer, making chewing even more uncomfortable. Over time, you may find it cumbersome to eat solid, healthy food like fruits and vegetables, which can lead to poor nutrition.
• You could develop TMJ disorder: To avoid discomfort, you may start chewing food on only one side of your mouth. However, this can strain your jaw muscles and lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, resulting in jaw pain, chronic headaches, and other symptoms. Lopsided chewing can also wear down your teeth unevenly and affect their appearance.
• You may be more prone to cavities and gum disease. A shifting smile and altered bite can make your teeth harder to clean. This means you’re more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease, both of which may lead to further tooth loss.
• Your jaw bone could deteriorate: A healthy jaw is only possible if you have healthy teeth to stimulate the production of new cells. If you lose one or more teeth, this stimulation disappears, which can lead to bone loss.
• Your appearance could change: When your opposing teeth have nothing to make contact with, your muscles and bone structure may begin to change. This problem is most apparent if you lose several teeth, which can lead to sunken cheeks and an aged appearance.
• Your self-esteem could suffer: Losing baby teeth may have been fun as a kid, but having a gap in your smile as an adult can drain your confidence level. First, you become concerned with your appearance and cover your mouth when you smile. Then, you may avoid talking too much if you develop a speech issue. Depression and anxiety can set in as a result.

If you recently lost a tooth in a traumatic incident or had a decayed tooth extracted, visit Park 56 Dental to explore your tooth-restoration options. We recommend dental implants to many of our patients because they provide a hassle-free, long-lasting way to replace a lost tooth. Even if you didn’t qualify for an implant in the past, you may now be eligible. To find out what makes us the best dentist in New York, please call us at (212) 826-2322 and schedule a consultation.

Why Do Dentists Encourage You to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

The human mouth goes through numerous changes over the years. For many people, one of the most memorable milestones is the appearance of the third molars around ages 17 to 21. “Wisdom teeth” are so named because they are the final teeth to appear and come in at a mature age.

When wisdom teeth erupt through the gums correctly, they can help with chewing. However, while there’s no definitive rule, most people have their wisdom teeth removed. Why is this? And how do you know if you should keep your wisdom teeth or not?

Many situations warrant having your wisdom teeth removed. Here are the most common reasons your dentist may encourage you to make this choice.

Fully Impacted Wisdom Teeth

An impacted tooth fails to erupt through the gums, meaning it remains covered by gum tissue. This may occur if your mouth is too small for the tooth to emerge. Dentists usually recommend removing impacted wisdom teeth because trapped bacteria could cause painful cysts or abscesses to form.

Partially Impacted Wisdom Teeth

A partially impacted tooth erupts partway through the gums. Dentists almost always advise removing wisdom teeth in situations like this. After all, the partial eruption makes it easy for bacteria to get inside, leading to swelling, pain, and stiffness in the jaw. Tooth decay is also more likely because it’s difficult to clean a partially impacted tooth.

Overcrowding

Some willful wisdom teeth erupt fully, even if there isn’t room in the jaw. This can overcrowd your mouth and damage neighboring teeth. Your entire smile may even shift, throwing off your bite and causing jaw pain.

Necessary for Your Dental Care Plan

Your dentist may recommend wisdom teeth extraction as part of your overall oral care plan. For instance, if you’re planning to get braces soon, it’s wise (pun intended) to remove problematic wisdom teeth before you begin straightening your smile. And if your wisdom teeth come in after having braces, prompt removal prevents them from undoing all your hard work.

Other Problems

If you decide to keep your wisdom teeth for now, continue to monitor them for signs of trouble. It may become necessary to remove them if issues develop near your wisdom teeth, such as:

• Tooth, jaw, or cheek pain
• Repeated infections
• Gum disease
• Extensive tooth decay

The decision to remove your wisdom teeth isn’t always straightforward. That’s why it’s important to visit the dentist regularly. Routine oral exams and X-rays reveal what’s happening in your mouth so you can take the best course of action for your oral health.

If your wisdom teeth are giving you trouble, visit Park 56 Dental for a consultation. We offer compassionate, high-quality dentistry in the 10022 zip code area of NYC, and we’re confident we can help you make the right choice regarding your wisdom teeth. If you decide to have them extracted, rest assured that we offer sedation dentistry to make you feel more comfortable. Call us at (212) 826-2322 to set an appointment today.

Why Your Gums Hurt When Brushing Your Teeth

Do your gums hurt when you brush and floss? Is there blood in your toothpaste when you spit into the sink? This usually means one of two things—either you’re being too rough when you brush and floss, or you’re developing gum disease. To rule out other more serious problems, be sure to visit your dentist. Otherwise, explore these solutions to help prevent your gums from hurting when you brush your teeth.

When Your Gums Hurt Because of Rough Brushing and Flossing

It’s easy to brush too hard when you’re trying to be thorough. However, you can easily irritate your sensitive gum tissue if you scrub aggressively. Here’s how to clean your teeth while protecting your gums:

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Brush in gentle, circular motions.
• Consider switching to an electric toothbrush.
• When flossing, follow the curve of your teeth and avoid snapping the floss against your gums or using a sawing motion.

When Your Gums Hurt Because of Gum Disease

Mild gum disease, known as gingivitis, starts when a sticky film of bacteria called plaque builds up along the gum line. Ignoring gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease and, eventually, severe periodontitis. If your gums are swollen, red, irritated, and hurt when you brush, talk to your dentist about starting treatment.

Other Reasons Why Your Gums Hurt

There are many other potential causes of painful gums, including:

• Canker sores
• Tooth abscesses
• Tobacco use, including cigarettes, vaporizers, and chewing tobacco
• Hormonal changes during puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause
• Thrush, a type of yeast infection
• Ill-fitting oral devices, including braces, retainers, dentures, and mouthguards
• Chemotherapy drugs

How to Sooth Sore Gums

In addition to brushing and flossing more gently, treating gum disease, and tackling other causes of painful gums at the source, try these tips to soothe your sore gums:

• Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.
• Rinse with mouthwash containing hydrogen peroxide.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Apply numbing gel to the tender area.
• Avoid spicy or acidic foods to avoid further irritation.
• Eat yogurt with live cultures to balance the bacteria in your mouth.

Discuss Your Symptoms with Your Dentist

If your gums hurt or bleed for over a week, and your attempts to treat the problem at home aren’t working, it’s time to contact your dentist. A professional teeth cleaning can remove the stubborn plaque irritating your gums. Your oral hygienist may also perform a deep-clean called root planing and scaling if you have gum disease.

Don’t ignore painful gums—stop by Park 56 Dental in NYC to discuss your symptoms with our dentist. We can examine your gums and teeth and recommend the proper treatment. Our office has been voted the best dentist in New York, with over 20 years of experience serving the 10022 zip code area, so you can trust us to take great care of your smile! Call us at (212) 826-2322 to set an appointment today.

How to Prevent Plaque

Everyone knows that if we don’t take care of our teeth we can get cavities. One cause of cavities is the buildup of plaque, which can also cause gum disease. Here’s an overview of what plaque is and how we can prevent it.

Everyone has dental plaque to some extent. Plaque causes a slight fuzziness on your teeth that you can feel with your tongue. It’s a sticky film of bacteria that is constantly developing on the surface of your teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids after you eat or drink. These acids can destroy your tooth enamel, leading to cavities and also gingivitis aka gum disease.

Plaque can also form under your gums and on your tooth roots. They can break down the jaw bones that support your teeth. If left untreated, plaque can harden into tartar, which is harder to remove. Proper dental hygiene habits, most importantly daily brushing and flossing, gets rid of a lot of this plaque. If you don’t like using normal dental floss there are options for you, including dental picks, pre-threaded flossers, brushes that fit between your teeth, water flossers or wooden plaque removers. Mouthwash is useful for loosening plaque so you can brush it off better, or spit or rinse it out of your mouth. But be careful to not get a kind that will dry your mouth out, because that actually makes your mouth more vulnerable to plaque formation.

Although we all get plaque, you may be more susceptible to plaque formation if you:

• Smoke
• Have dry mouth due to medical conditions or medications
• Have a history of head or neck radiation

Your diet is also an important factor for plaque formation. Plaque can form quickly when the bacteria in your mouth mixes with sugary or starchy foods such as soft drinks, milk, juice, fruit, pasta or bread. These bacteria release acids that break down carbohydrates in food and drinks, so they do serve a useful function in that regard. Plaque is clearly a downside. Many dentists will tell you that you can eat or drink pretty much whatever you like, as long as it’s in moderation. Whenever possible, drink water or brush your teeth right after consuming these problematic foods or drinks, to get that dangerous stuff off your teeth before they can help form plaque.

Regular dental cleanings are important too, because there are spaces that are hard for you to clean on your own. Dentists and dental hygienists have special tools to find and remove plaque.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to get your teeth cleaned or fixed, 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 (646) 679-3989.

How Root Canals Can Improve Your Smile and Dental Health

Have you ever heard a character in a movie or TV show say “I’d rather have a root canal?” That’s a reference to a dental procedure that used to be quite painful and complicated but, due to medical advancements, no longer has to be. The weird thing is, most people don’t even understand what the procedure is, or how much it can improve your smile and your dental health. If you’ve ever wondered about this topic, we’re here with the details.

Before the root canal procedure was invented, a tooth with a diseased nerve had to be taken out. Today it can often be saved with a fairly simple procedure involving one to three office visits, and with minimal downtime. And in contrast to old methods, it can be done virtually painlessly.

After a tooth has emerged through the gums, the only real function of the root is to detect heat or cold. When a tooth develops a crack or a deep cavity, germs can enter the pulp tissue and cause an infection inside the tooth. If this is left untreated, an abscess may form, and if the infected tissue is not removed, pain and swelling can result. This can also injure your jawbones and cause other health issues.

Teeth with infected roots aren’t always painful, but signs you may need a root canal include severe toothaches, pain when chewing or applying pressure, prolonged sensitivity or pain in response to hot or cold temperatures, a dark discoloration of the tooth, and swelling or tenderness of the adjacent gums. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your dentist.

During a root canal procedure, your dentist or endodontist (a dentist who specializes in dental nerves) removes the affected tissue. Then the interior of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Finally, the tooth is filled in with a dental composite. If your tooth has extensive decay, your dentist may want to place an artificial crown on your tooth to protect it from breakage. If you take good care of your teeth with regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, your restored tooth can last a lifetime.

If you think your teeth may have damage that requires a root canal procedure, 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 (646) 679-3989.

Why it’s Important to Clean Your Tongue

You brush at least twice a day and floss at least once, but what about cleaning your tongue? If you’re like most people, you probably neglect this important part of dental hygiene. While people are taught from childhood about the importance of brushing and flossing, tongue care is an often neglected subject. It’s vital to oral health, though, and here are some reasons why.

• Your tongue is a breeding ground for bacteria. In fact, most of the bacteria your mouth can be found on the rough surface of your tongue. When you brush your teeth, you remove bacteria from your teeth. However, saliva carries bacteria from your tongue back to your teeth in just a few hours.
• Neglecting to brush your tongue leads to bad breath. All the bacteria hanging out on your tongue can cause odor. Cleaning your tongue can prevent halitosis.
• Cleaning your tongue reduces your risk of periodontal disease. Gum disease is a real problem that can lead to illnesses throughout the body. When you remove the bacteria from your tongue, there’s less of a chance that it can lead to gum infection.
• Your taste buds will thank you for cleaning your tongue. Bacteria on your tongue can coat your taste buds and mute the flavors of your food. Want to enjoy more rich flavors? Clean your tongue.
• Regularly cleaning your tongue makes you less likely to develop oral thrush. An infection caused by overgrowth of yeast in the mouth, oral thrush can be the result of excessive bacteria in your mouth. You may develop white patches on your tongue that require treatment with an antifungal medication. You can keep this infection at bay, however, by regularly cleaning your tongue.
• Your immune system benefits from a clean tongue. The health of your mouth has a major impact on the health of your body and your tongue works to boost your immune system. Toxins build up on your tongue, and when you clean them off, you’ll prevent them from being absorbed into your body. You’ll have better overall health and stronger immune function.

So, what’s the best way to clean your tongue? Rinsing won’t do the trick; you’ll have to use your toothbrush. Beginning at the back of your tongue, work your way towards the front of your mouth, brushing back and forth, side to side, over the entire top surface of your tongue. Brush firmly but gently enough to avoid breaking the skin. To keep a healthy mouth, brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day, floss daily, and keep regular appointments with an experienced, well-qualified dentist.

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.

10 Ways Stress Can Impact Your Teeth

You know that stress can manifest as a headache, muscle tension, or high blood pressure, but have you ever considered how stress can impact your teeth? Here are 10 of the most commonly reported dental health issues linked to stress.

1. Tooth grinding: Also known as bruxism, nighttime tooth grinding is a common condition, especially among stressed individuals. The unconscious habit wears down your teeth over time and may also cause tooth shifting and jaw pain.
2. Tooth fractures: Teeth have tiny fissures in them due to everyday wear and tear. As long as they don’t become any worse, these fissures are no problem. Unfortunately, jaw clenching and stress go hand-in-hand, causing weak teeth to eventually fracture and break.
3. Sensitivity: Nighttime grinding and daytime clenching can wear down the protective enamel layer, leaving your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and sweet and sour foods.
4. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain: The TMJ is the joint connecting each side of your jaw to your skull. Pain or dysfunction in this joint is known as temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. Stress-related tooth grinding, jaw clenching, and muscle tension may cause or aggravate TMD.
5. Gum disease: Some studies suggest a link between the stress hormone cortisol and bacterial growth that leads to gum disease, also called periodontal disease. This chronic oral health problem can cause gum sensitivity, bad breath, and eventually tooth loss.
6. Cold sores: Also called fever blisters, cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Being upset or stressed can trigger an outbreak at the corners of your mouth, which may take a week or more to clear up.
7. Canker sores: These painful mouth sores make it difficult to eat spicy, salty, or acidic foods. Experts aren’t sure what causes canker sores, also called recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), but it appears that stress increases your risk.
8. Oral infections: Stress negatively impacts your immune system, making you more vulnerable to low-grade infections in your mouth and elsewhere in your body.
9. Dry mouth: Formally known as xerostomia, dry mouth is when your salivary glands fail to produce enough saliva. Among other causes, stress and anxiety have been shown to decrease saliva production, causing dry mouth.
10. Bad oral health habits: Stressed-out people are often exhausted or pressed for time, making them more likely to neglect their oral health, as well as rely on cigarettes, alcohol, and unhealthy comfort food. All of these habits increase the risk of cavities, gum disease, and other concerns.

Don’t allow stress to wreak havoc on your dental health! Instead, take steps in your daily life to reduce anxiety, such as meditating, doing yoga, and working on your time management skills. Then, fit dentist visits into your busy schedule to keep on top of oral health problems as they arise. To work with the best dentist in New York, contact Park 56 Dental at (212) 826-2322. We have served patients in the 10022 zip code area for over 20 years.

What to Expect During Your First Visit to Park 56 Dental

At Park 56 Dental, we are committed to providing our patients with safe, gentle, high-quality dental care. We understand that you or your child may feel apprehensive about your first visit to our office. That’s why we’ll do everything we can to not only make you feel comfortable but truly pampered during your time with us. Here’s what to expect when you visit Park 56 Dental in NYC for the first time.

Review Your Dental & Medical History

Our first goal during your dental consultation is to understand your health. We will review any records you have from previous dentists, along with the patient information form we ask you to complete. Be sure to provide as much information as possible to accurately convey your health status.

Also, don’t forget to bring your insurance card so you can take advantage of your dental benefits when paying for services. This is also a good time to discuss any dental anxiety you have. Sedation dentistry could be a good option for you, depending on your needs.

Take Digital X-Rays

The next step is to have a closer look at your teeth and gums by taking X-rays. The digital imaging technology we use decreases radiation exposure by 90%, ensuring your safety while also making images available for immediate review. Your X-rays serve as a baseline for your current dental health and help us recommend immediate and long-term treatment options.

Clean and Polish Your Teeth

With digital imaging complete, it’s time to clean your teeth. Here’s what this entails:

• Physical exam: A dental hygienist checks your teeth and gums for signs of gingivitis. If major problems are detected, the hygienist might call in the dentist to make sure it’s okay to proceed with the cleaning.
• Plaque and tartar removal: Using a small mirror to check all surfaces, your hygienist removes plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. This may involve scraping and spraying your teeth with a high-pressure water jet.
• Polishing: The hygienist polishes and removes stains from your teeth using a gritty paste.
• Flossing and rinsing: The hygienist touches up your smile by flossing and rinsing with water.
• Fluoride treatment: An optional fluoride gel at the end of your cleaning helps protect your teeth against cavities until your next dentist appointment.

Meet with the Dentist

Following a comprehensive teeth cleaning, your dentist will sit down with you to review the findings and discuss any immediate treatment needs. This is your chance to ask questions and discuss any cosmetic dentistry services you’re interested in, including veneers, tooth reshaping, whitening, and more.

Everyone’s busy, but regular dental checkups are an important part of maintaining a healthy smile! In fact, the American Dental Association recommends visiting the dentist every six months. If it’s been longer than this since your last visit, contact Park 56 Dental at (212) 826-2322 to schedule your first appointment with NYC’s best dentist. We have over 20 years of experience serving patients in the 10022 zip code area.