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.

What Are Our Teeth Made Of?

Most people know the basics of dental care, but how many of us really know the anatomy of our teeth? Here’s a short overview of what our teeth are made of.

Crown

Quite simply, the crown is the part of the tooth that you can see.

Enamel

The hardest tissue in your whole body is the enamel of your teeth, which forms the outermost layer of the crown. This substance is why your teeth can withstand the pressure from chewing hard foods. It also protects your teeth from harmful bacteria and acids, as well as hot and cold foods. Enamel mostly consists of calcium phosphate, a rock-hard mineral.

Dentin

Right below the enamel is a yellowish material called dentin. It is a hard tissue made of microscopic tubes. When the enamel is damaged or worn away, heat or cold can enter the tooth through these tubes and cause pain. Every tooth is mostly dentin, which is why teeth have a slight yellowish tint. Like enamel, dentin mostly consists of apatite crystals of calcium and phosphate. This makes it hard as bone, but it’s not quite as hard as enamel.

Pulp

Below dentin is pulp, the softest, most alive and innermost portion of the tooth. Pulp consists of connective tissue , nerves, and blood vessels, which nourish your teeth. Pulp has two parts — the pulp chamber, which is in the crown, and the root canal, which lies in the root of the tooth. Nerves and blood vessels enter the root through a small hole in its tip and extend through the root canal into the pulp chamber.

Cementum

Cementum is a layer of connective tissue that secures the roots of your teeth firmly to your gums and jawbone.

A layer of cementum coats the exterior of the root, under the gum line, and binds the tooth into place within the jawbone. Cementum is as hard as bone, but it’s slightly softer than dentin. It consists of about 45–50% inorganic minerals and 50–55% organic matter (mostly collagen and glycoproteins) plus water.

Periodontal Ligament

The periodontal ligament, also called the desmodontium, is a fibrous joint that holds the root of each tooth in its bone socket. The periodontal ligament fibers are anchored in the cementum layer of the tooth and in the alveolar jaw bone. They hold the teeth in a state of sprung suspension, which means that each tooth can move slightly within its alveolar bone socket.

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.

Should You Get Veneers?

Are you considering veneers? If you’ve ever felt the need to hide the imperfections in your smile, veneers might be the perfect solution for you. A natural-looking option, veneers are an excellent way to adjust your smile and help you feel more confident.

A veneer is a thin shell made of tooth-colored porcelain and customized to match your existing teeth. It fits on the outside-facing portion of your tooth and blends seamlessly into your natural smile. Veneers are a discreet option for improving your smile and can conceal imperfections without causing unnecessary damage.

To start the process, your dentist creates a model of your teeth, which the dental technician will use to create your veneers. Each tooth will be prepared by cleaning, polishing, and etching it slightly to remove a little bit of enamel so the veneer will adhere correctly to the tooth’s surface. Once it’s in place, it will be evaluated to make sure it’s functional and aesthetically pleasing. If necessary, the dentist will make adjustments to create a natural fit, feel, and look.

Using veneers, dentists can address issues that include:

• Crooked teeth: Veneers aren’t a replacement for orthodontia but can be used in some cases to improve the look of crooked teeth.
• Gaps: If your teeth don’t fit together as they should but have gaps between them, it can detract from the look of your smile. However, a more pressing concern is that gapped teeth can be more vulnerable to cavities and gingivitis. If your teeth are poorly aligned, you probably need braces or a retainer. However, if your teeth are gapped because they’re small, veneers might solve your problem.
• Discoloration: If you’ve tried tooth whitening and are not getting the look you want, veneers can give you a sparkling white smile.
• Imperfect teeth: Maybe some of your teeth are smaller than others, or perhaps your teeth are worn down or oddly shaped. If your imperfect teeth are making you self-conscious, veneers can fix the problem.
• Chipped teeth: Most people chip a tooth at some point in their lives. A veneer applied to a chipped tooth can make the chips invisible.

If you need more persuading, consider the benefits of veneers. First, they look and feel just like your natural teeth, so no one will even know they’re there. They’re also stain resistant, so your teeth are likely to stay white once they’re in place. Veneers are also strong and durable enough to protect your smile for up to 15 years.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to get veneers, 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 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.

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.

Signs it’s Time to Switch to a New Dentist

Change can be difficult, but sometimes it’s necessary. Is it time for you to change dentists? It can be a hard decision to make, especially if you’ve been with your dentist for a long time. Still, there are some clear signs that it’s time to move on.

• Maybe your needs have outgrown your dentist. If you’ve been going to a pediatric dentist and you’re now an adult, it’s definitely time for you to move along. If you have children, it’s smart to choose a dentist who offers both pediatric and adult dentistry.
• It could be that someone has moved. Maybe it’s you, or maybe it’s your dentist. Whether your favorite dentist has moved away from the practice, or you’ve relocated to a new town, a change in location can warrant a change of dentist. It’s important that the dentist you trust is in a location that’s convenient for you.
• Sometimes, your dentist won’t take your insurance. They may have changed their policies, or your may have switched providers. If your dental office is no longer in-network for your insurance plan, it’s time to switch.
• You might have noticed some red flags. If your dentist pressures you to use their practice for services for which you should consult a specialist, if the environment has changed to something that doesn’t feel hygienic or safe, or if you feel uncomfortable with the dentist or staff, move on. If you’re constantly having to dispute billing or the dentist discourages you from seeking a second opinion, those are also reasons to switch.
• If you’re not happy, that’s reason enough. If the dental practice you’re using is no longer meeting your needs, you have the right to find one that will. Whether it’s a lack of services provided, poor customer service, or another reason, look for a dentist where you’ll be happy.

Once you’ve decided to switch, what’s the next step? Do some research and find a practice that will be the right fit for you and your family. Look at the services offered, check out reviews, and research the dentist’s background and certifications. Beyond that, read up on the practice to determine their values, philosophy, and level of technology. Once you’ve done this, visit the office to see if it lives up to your expectations and meets your needs.

At Park 56 Dental Group, we are committed to meeting each patient’s specific needs. We’ve been providing top-quality care and treating each patient individually since 1997, making it comfortable and easy to visit the dentist. We accept many different insurance plans and welcome you to visit us so that you can make an educated decision about your dental care.

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 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.

How to Care for Sensitive Teeth

Do you experience pain after consuming hot or cold foods and beverages? The Academy of General Dentistry estimates that around 40 million people in the United States have some degree of tooth sensitivity. What causes sensitive teeth? And how can you manage it? Your dentist can offer some solutions, but there are also things you can do at home to help.

• Switch your toothpaste. Over-the-counter desensitizing toothpastes are made specifically to treat tooth sensitivity. These toothpastes have compounds that block the pain signals from your nerve endings to your brain and should decrease your sensitivity after a few uses.
• Brush more gently. Cleaning your teeth too vigorously can wear off your enamel, increasing sensitivity. Additionally, using a stiff-bristled brush can make tooth sensitivity worse by causing microscopic holes in your enamel and worsening gum recession. Use a soft bristled toothbrush and brush gently, holding the brush at a 45 degree angle to the tooth.
• Try some home remedies. A saltwater rinse can reduce inflammation, and hydrogen peroxide can act as an antiseptic and disinfectant to heal gums. Rinsing with honey and warm water can help your mouth heal, as honey is a natural antibacterial agent. Some people swear by oil pulling, swishing coconut oil around the mouth. Others use turmeric for pain and inflammation, massaging a paste made of turmeric into their gums. Cloves are a natural pain reliever with anti-inflammatory and germicidal properties. Using green tea as a mouthwash twice daily can strengthen teeth and reduce inflammation, and the capsaicin in hot peppers has analgesic properties when used as a topical gel or mouth rinse. Vanilla extract, applied to the gums with a cotton ball, can alleviate pain.
• Mind your diet. While certain foods can help sensitive teeth, others can make the problem worse. Acidic foods like soda and coffee, as well as high-sugar foods and processed carbs, can attack enamel. Even some healthy foods, like citrus fruits and flavored yogurt, can cause enamel erosion. Snack on tooth-strengthening foods like fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, cheese, milk, and plain yogurt. Drinking green or black tea is good for your teeth, and chewing sugarless gum can stimulate saliva production, helping to protect enamel. If you’re going to drink something acidic, use a straw so that less liquid makes contact with your teeth. Note: if you consume something bad for your enamel, don’t rush to brush. Swish with water and wait an hour before brushing, to avoid further damaging the enamel.
• Talk to your dentist. If sensitive teeth are troubling you, your dentist can find the cause. You may be grinding or clenching your teeth and need to wear a mouth guard or splint. Whitening treatments you’re receiving may be too harsh. A damaged tooth or gum disease can cause tooth sensitivity, so seeing your dentist can help address these issues. The dentist can also offer solutions like dental varnishes and sealants or even a root canal to fix the problem.

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 Your Teeth Chip Away

Enamel, the hard outer covering of your teeth, is the strongest material in the human body. So why is it that your teeth can chip away? Explore the causes of chipped teeth and what factors increase your risk.

Causes of Chipped Teeth

Enamel is tough, but it has limitations. Here are some common situations that may cause your teeth to chip:

• Biting down on hard candy, ice, or non-food substances
• Getting in a car accident
• Falling on your face or getting hit in the mouth
• Clenching your jaw during waking hours or grinding your teeth when you sleep

Risk Factors for Chipped Teeth

Strong, healthy teeth shouldn’t chip and crack. If your teeth are prone to this problem, learn the possible reasons why so you can take steps to prevent chipped teeth:

• Genetics: Some people have genetic traits that undermine the strength of their tooth enamel. Unfortunately, you have no control over this risk factor.
• Poor diet: If you don’t supply your teeth with the minerals they need, they won’t be as strong. The best foods for a healthy smile contain calcium, protein, folic acid, fiber, and vitamins A and D. Include more fruits, vegetables, nuts, and low-fat dairy in your diet to increase your intake of these nutrients.
• Tooth decay and enamel erosion: Too much sugar and acid in your diet can decay and erode your teeth. Large fillings also tend to weaken the natural tooth material around them. To lower your risk, eat less candy, soda, juice, citrus fruits, and starches.
• Misaligned bite: Crooked teeth aren’t just a cosmetic concern. If your teeth don’t align properly, something as simple as chewing could chip or crack a tooth. Fortunately, braces can help fix this problem.
• Acid reflux: Stomach acid is potent enough to damage tooth enamel. If you have acid reflux, heartburn, or an eating disorder that causes frequent vomiting, your teeth could weaken significantly and be more vulnerable to chipping.
• Contact sports: Do you play football, hockey, rugby, or other contact sports? If so, you’re more likely to suffer mouth injuries. Protect your teeth, lips, and gums by wearing a mouthguard.
• Bruxism: Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can wear down enamel. This makes you more prone to chipping a tooth during your day-to-day activities. Protect your teeth by wearing a custom-made mouthguard while you sleep.
• Age: Tooth enamel naturally wears down over the years, increasing your risk of chipping a tooth as you age. If you’re over age 50, talk to your dentist about any additional precautions you should take.

If you need help repairing a chipped tooth, turn to Park 56 Dental. We offer veneers and composite fillings to fix chipped teeth pain-free. We also fit patients with custom Under Armour® mouthguards to help prevent chipped teeth. You’ll love receiving treatment in our spa-like New York dentist office, so don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment today! Contact us at (212) 826-2322 to get started.