Why Regular Dental Check-Ups are Essential for a Healthy Smile

Patient getting dental check-up.

Maintaining a beautiful and healthy smile begins with your daily dental routines of brushing and flossing. Yet even the most thorough approach to oral hygiene also requires frequent dental check-ups. Here’s why:

1. Early Detection of Dental Issues

Even if nothing seems out of the ordinary, dental problems can sometimes develop without any noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Regular checkups can give your dentist the chance to identify cavities, gum disease and oral cancer at early stages, which can make them more manageable.

2. Professional Cleaning

Brushing and flossing alone can’t remove all plaque and tartar buildup. Your dentists at Park 56 can perform thorough cleanings to remove these deposits, helping to reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.

3. Oral Hygiene Education

You may need personalized advice on improving your oral hygiene regimen. Your dentist and hygienist can assess the work you do at home and provide you with tips on how to improve your brushing and flossing techniques. They might also recommend new products or technologies that could be beneficial for your specific needs.

4. X-rays and Diagnostic Tools

Special diagnostic equipment can help shine a light on things that you might not be able to detect at home. Hidden cavities, impacted teeth, or bone loss might be lurking out of sight, but regular annual X-rays can give you an inside look to be able to diagnose and repair an issue before it becomes a serious problem.

5. Gum Health Assessment

Gum health is an indicator of overall dental health. Early screening and detection of gum disease can provide you with treatment necessary to prevent tooth loss and other problems. Your dentists at Park 56 can assess your gums and help treat or prevent gum disease before it starts.

6. Preventing Complications

Regular dental analysis can keep your medical records up to date on your past issue, ensuring that your treatment plan is current and effective. This can give your dental team the opportunity to monitor your progress and maintain a treatment plan that can lead to total wellness and save you time and money on more extensive remedies.

7. Oral Cancer Prevention

Your dentist is trained to detect the early signs of oral cancers during routine exams. Anyone can become susceptible to mouth cancers but patients who smoke tobacco or drink alcohol are especially at risk. Early detection can make treatment easier and less invasive, significantly improving chances of successful treatment.

8. The Personal Touch

Your dental team at Park 56 take a personal approach to every patient. We take the time to get to know you, your dental history, your lifestyle and your unique needs. Whether you need a simple cleaning, a filling, oral surgery, prosthodontics, sedation dentistry, endodontics, or Invisalign, our dental specialists can customize an immediate and ongoing treatment plan to fit your needs.

Regular dental screenings are essential to your overall oral hygiene plan, and the experts at Park 56 can help you make sure you are staying on track and maintaining your dental health. Give us a call and schedule your next appointment today so you can keep your smile shining bright.

The Link Between Oral Health and Overall Well-Being

Woman caring for her dental health.

Good dental hygiene provides an extra boost of confidence. It’s easy to smile and share in conversations when you know your teeth are at their best. But aesthetics isn’t the only reason that you should be keen on keeping your mouth spic and span. Your overall wellness can depend on good dental routine, along with regular checkups and cleanings at your dentist. Let’s look at some of the different ways a healthy mouth can help you live a better life.

A Stitch in Time

Maintaining good dental hygiene practices, such as daily brushing and flossing, combined with regular dental checkups, can help you avoid issues such as cavities, gum disease and tooth decay. Left unchecked, these conditions can worsen to discomfort, infection, and tooth loss. Taking a proactive approach to your dental routine is the best way to stop problems before they can start.

Good For the Wallet

Fixing a serious dental problem is much more expensive than preventing the problem in the first place. The average root canal can cost anywhere from $700 to upwards of $2,000, depending on the tooth location. Dentures or dental implants cost even more. You can save yourself a headache, and a toothache, by proactively engaging in good dental hygiene.

For Your Health

Bad dental hygiene has been linked to serious health problems. Mouths are full of various types of bacteria, most of them harmless. But bacterial buildup from gum disease can contribute to bacteria entering the bloodstream and causing endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart’s chambers and valves. There is also a link between cardiovascular disease and gum disease, though scientists do not yet fully understand the connection. Inhaling the excess bacteria resulting from poor dental hygiene can even lead to respiratory disease and pneumonia.

Communication Matters

Your smile isn’t just for show; it’s an essential tool for communication. Dental problems like missing teeth can affect the way you talk, potentially causing confusion and eroding your social confidence. Maintaining proper oral health can help ensure your message stays on track.

Mental Health

Experiencing pain in your mouth is more than just an inconvenience. Dental problems can cause psychological issues and result in lower feelings of self-worth. On the other hand, a healthy smile can boost your confidence and increase your overall happiness.

Looking Out for Baby

For expectant mothers, oral health during pregnancy is crucial. Poor oral health has been associated with preterm birth and low birth weight. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make women more susceptible to dental issues, underscoring the importance of dental care during this critical time.

The link between good oral health and overall well-being is undeniable. It’s not just about a dazzling smile; it’s about your physical, mental, financial, and emotional health. Park 56 Dental is here to be your partner in dental wellness. Voted NYC’s best dentist, we specialize in pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry. Don’t skip those dental appointments. Keep up with your daily oral hygiene routine and address any oral health concerns promptly. Your smile reflects your overall well-being, so let us help you make it a healthy one.

How Chronic Illnesses Can Affect Oral Health

Woman taking care of dental health by brushing teeth.

Oral Health and Overall Health

Did you know that the health of your mouth and the overall health of your body are connected? In fact, there is a bidirectional relationship between chronic illness and oral health. Some chronic diseases are directly associated with oral health issues, either causing or being caused by them. In other cases, there’s an indirect relationship, or shared risk factors. Let’s take a look at how chronic illnesses can affect oral health.

Chronic Diseases are Leading Causes of Death and Disability

Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancers, and obesity can all be linked with poor oral health. Because oral health conditions are often chronic, they can happen alongside other chronic conditions. Unfortunately, people with more than one chronic condition tend to have worse long-term health outcomes than those who only have one chronic condition. Prevention is the key to good health, and maintaining good oral health care can help prevent chronic diseases or improve the outcome for those who suffer from them.

Preventing Gum Disease Can Improve Health

Gum disease is very common, affecting about 75 percent of adults in the United States. If left untreated, gum disease can advance and increase the risk of serious health issues, like diabetes, heart disease/stroke, lupus, oral cancer, organ transplant, and rheumatoid arthritis. Fortunately, when detected early, gum disease can be reversed through good oral hygiene and regular dental care.

How Different Conditions are Connected

• Diabetes, periodontal disease, and tooth decay are interconnected. Though more research is needed, there is evidence to suggest that periodontal disease and tooth decay can exacerbate type 2 and gestational diabetes. This probably occurs because these conditions increase inflammation and blood sugar levels. By the same token, people who have diabetes are at higher risk of infections that can cause tooth decay and periodontal disease.
• Oral health issues may be associated with heart disease. Studies show that periodontal disease and tooth decay may increase a person’s risk of heart disease, or worsen existing heart conditions, by causing inflammation and damaging blood vessels.
• Tooth decay and periodontal disease may be associated with respiratory disease. There are studies that suggest that by causing an increase in bacteria, periodontal disease and tooth decay can increase the risk of respiratory conditions, including emphysema, pneumonia, and COPD, due to bacteria from the mouth colonizing in the respiratory tract. People at highest risk include older people, those who wear dentures, and people with decreased immune system function.
• Periodontal disease and tooth decay may be linked to some cancers. Even after controlling for other risk factors, like smoking and diet, there is evidence to suggest that oral health problems may be connected to cancers like lung, pancreatic, and head/neck cancers. In one study, a 35 percent increased risk for blood cancer and 21 percent increased risk for cancer in general for men with periodontal disease, and another suggests that there is also a 63 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Still another study suggests a 43 percent higher risk of esophageal cancer and a 52 percent higher risk of stomach cancer for those with periodontal disease, as compared to people with healthy gums.
• Obesity may increase the risk of oral health issues. The result of preliminary research on obesity and oral health speculates that secretions from adipose tissue increase the risk of inflammation, decreasing immunity as well as blood flow to the gums.

Talk to Your Dentist About Your Medications

Sometimes, the drugs prescribed for chronic illnesses can cause side effects that impact their oral health. For instance, swollen and bleeding gums, along with dry mouth can be side effects of medications for hypertension and heart conditions. Some drugs for high blood pressure can cause gum overgrowth, which can lead to decay and progressive gum disease. Because inflamed gums bleed easily, there is also a risk for ulceration and soreness. Other medications for hypertension can reduce saliva production, putting patients at risk for dry mouth and tooth decay. Heart medications like anticoagulants and blood thinners can raise a patient’s risk for prolonged bleeding, and can cause gums to bleed during brushing. There is also a risk, with these medications, of post-extraction bleeding or bleeding during cleaning. Your dentist might want to talk to your doctor about changing your medication.

Partner with Park 56 for a Healthy Mouth

If you’re looking for a dentist in New York, why not choose the dentist voted best in the city? 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 Your Teeth Can Affect Your Sleep Quality

How is the quality of your sleep?

Sleep is important to our health in many ways, and a lack of it can diminish our concentration, leave us fatigued, and cause headaches. You may be suffering from broken sleep and not even know it, but your dentist can spot clues of sleep disturbance by just examining your mouth. How are oral health and sleep connected? Read on to learn the links between poor dental health and poor sleep.

The Sleep-Mouth Connection

• Periodontal disease can be exacerbated by poor sleep. That’s because poor sleep leads to inflammation in the body that impacts the health of your gums. By the same token, painful tooth and gum infections can keep you awake, creating a vicious cycle.
• Bruxism, grinding or clenching your teeth, can disrupt your sleep. It can also damage your teeth and lead to problems with your jaw or bite. To reduce bruxism, reduce stress, and create a relaxing bedtime routine.
• Another stress-related sleep disruptor is the presence of canker sores. These can be caused by anxiety and stress, and can make it hard to sleep.
• Insomnia can contribute to dry mouth. When you’re awake in the night, the amount of saliva in your mouth can be reduced. This can lead to dry mouth, which increases the number of bacteria in your mouth and contributes to tooth decay, as well as bad breath. Dry mouth, in turn, can be uncomfortable and cause sleeplessness.
• Sleep apnea starts with trouble breathing. It can cause snoring and interfere with a person’s ability to get quality sleep. It can also lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, which can cause more restlessness.

Improving Your Oral Health and Your Sleep

What can you do to fix these issues, have a healthy mouth, and get a good night’s sleep? Start with good oral hygiene, brushing twice a day and flossing daily, to prevent plaque buildup and reduce your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Follow up with a rinse, for extra protection. Then talk to your dentist about issues that may be affecting your sleep. You can get protective appliances to keep you from grinding your teeth, a night guard for sleeping, and a less noticeable appliance to wear during the day. Your dentist can also help you find solutions for sleep apnea, including custom-made oral sleep appliances.

Partner with Park 56 to Protect Your Teeth

If you’re looking for a dentist in New York, why not choose the dentist voted best in the city? 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 Choose the Right Toothpaste for Your Unique Dental Needs

Picking the right toothpaste

How hard can it be to choose a toothpaste?

How do you go about choosing a toothpaste? It seems like it should be easy! Once you get to the store, though, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the options. With so many toothpastes from which to choose, how do you pick the right one? Here, we offer some helpful tips for choosing the right toothpaste for your unique dental needs.

Know the Basics

Toothpastes contain abrasive agents, flavoring agents, detergents, humectants, and detergents, and are available in gel, paste, powder, or tablet forms. There are two important things to look for in a toothpaste: fluoride and the ADA seal of approval. Fluoride has been proven to protect against tooth decay and help to remineralize teeth, and the ADA (American Dental Association) must verify that a product is effective before that product can display the seal of approval.

Evaluate Your Dental Needs

Think about what you want a toothpaste to accomplish for you beyond just cleaning your teeth. Some common concerns include bad breath, sensitive teeth, plaque, gum disease, tartar, and yellowing teeth.  Once you have assessed what you need, look for a toothpaste that fits with your concerns.

• Preventing cavities: Fluoride is a major factor in preventing cavities and strengthening enamel. Choose a toothpaste with mild abrasives, like hydrated silica or calcium carbonate, to remove plaque and surface stains without damaging enamel.
• Tartar control: Bacteria can cause biofilm on the teeth, and this can lead to plaque. When biofilm traps salivary calcium and phosphate, it crystallizes into tartar, also called calculus. While this is removed by the dental hygienist during your cleanings, it can be helpful to use a tartar control toothpaste in between visits. These toothpastes typically contain ingredients like zinc citrate and triclosan.
• Sensitivity: Dental pain is typically due to dentin hypersensitivity. Toothpastes with potassium and fluoride can help with sensitivity, as can toothpastes with strontium chloride, calcium carbonate, or arginine. Using desensitizing toothpaste for at least eight weeks can help reduce dental pain.
• Gum disease prevention: Toothpaste with ingredients that have antibacterial properties, like triclosan or stannous fluoride, can help prevent gum disease by reducing plaque and gum inflammation.
• Controlling bad breath: Brush your teeth for two to three minutes, at least twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste. Brush your tongue from back to front, or use a tongue scraper. Baking soda can be effective for eliminating halitosis (bad breath), either in a baking soda toothpaste or on its own.
• Whitening teeth: There are several whitening toothpastes on the market, with bleaching ingredients like silica, pyrophosphates, and hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a good option because it is gentle and won’t cause irritation in your mouth. If you do experience any uncomfortable symptoms, contact your dentist.

Choosing a Toothpaste for Children

Children over age six typically use adult toothpaste. Before that, as long as the toothpaste meets the fluoride and ADA seal requirements, you can choose a fun toothpaste for your children, to encourage them to brush frequently. Look for fun flavors, sparkles and swirls, or toothpaste in a container decorated with fun characters or superheroes. Make sure, though, that you teach children to spit out the toothpaste instead of swallowing it, because ingesting toothpaste can lead to chronic fluorosis for kids.

Partner with the Dentist Voted Best in New York

If you’re looking for a dentist in New York, why not choose the dentist voted best in the city? 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. For more dental advice, check out our other blogs!

Acid Reflux and Your Teeth

Acid Reflux.

Do you ever get heartburn? Most people do, with about ten percent of Americans suffering daily from the discomfort this condition causes. While heartburn is common, it’s not actually natural, and it’s caused by a disorder called acid reflux or gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). And while the most well-known symptom of acid reflux is heartburn, that’s far from the only way this problem affects the body. In fact, chronic acid reflux can be very hard on your teeth. Let’s look at why, and what you can do about it.

First, what is acid reflux? When your digestive system is working the way it’s supposed to, you swallow and your food travels through the esophagus to the stomach. The stomach has acids that digest the food, but there is a muscle that connects the stomach and esophagus, and it closes to keep the food and acid from going back up the esophagus- the wrong way. In people suffering from GERD or acid reflux, this muscle is weak, and it allows the food and stomach acid to travel back up, causing burning in the chest, neck and throat, and a bitter acidic taste.

If you think about the mechanics of acid reflux, you can probably already deduce why this condition would cause problems for your teeth. Your teeth are covered with tooth enamel, which is the strongest substance in the body and protects the teeth from things like bacteria, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. However, over time, this enamel and begin to erode. Stomach acid hastens that erosion, in effect dissolving the enamel and leaving your teeth vulnerable to decay. In fact, in some cases, stomach acid can dramatically decrease the size of your teeth.

How do you know if acid reflux is damaging your teeth? You might notice that your teeth are more sensitive, especially to hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages. Your teeth also might chip, seem thinner or smaller, or have sharp edges. You may experience pain and irritation in your mouth, and your teeth may become discolored or dark.

If you have acid reflux, what can you do to protect your teeth from these problems?

• Start by controlling your acid reflux. Talk to your primary care physician or a gastroenterologist about lifestyle changes you may need to make. Things like removing trigger foods from your diet, quitting smoking, losing weight, and sleeping with your head raised may all be recommended. You may also choose to use antacids to control your symptoms, but do this sparingly, as this type of medication can cause dental problems.
• Be careful with your teeth. Drink through a straw if you’re drinking anything acidic, like soda, coffee, or juice. Drink water with your meals, and drink water between meals, to continually rinse your mouth. Brush with fluoride toothpaste, but avoid brushing for 30 minutes to an hour after eating, so that you don’t brush your enamel when it’s softened. Eat a piece of cheese or drink some milk after your meals, to neutralize the acid.
• See your dentist regularly. Your dentist can alert you to signs of tooth erosion, and can also offer a variety of treatments to help restore your enamel and offset the damage of acid reflux.

If you’re looking for a dentist in New York, why not choose the dentist voted best in the city? 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 Gum Line Recedes

Gum recession.

How is your gum health? About half of all people over 30 suffer from periodontal disease, and this is the leading cause of gum recession. Gum recession is a problem, because when your gums recede too far, they can allow your teeth to fall out! Further, receding gums create pockets between the teeth and gums, and this can allow bacteria to grow and cause infections. In this way, even if your gum recession is not caused by periodontal disease, it can create an ideal environment for periodontal disease to progress. Once gums have receded, they don’t grow back, but there are some strategies you can employ to slow the recession. First, you need to know what is causing your gum line to recede.

• As mentioned, periodontal disease is a major cause of receding gums. The bacterial gum infections of periodontal disease can destroy not only gum tissue, but also the bone that holds the teeth in place. Catching periodontal disease in the early stage, called gingivitis, when the gums are simply inflamed, can help forestall its progression.
• It could be your genes. Sometimes, genetics just don’t work in your favor when it comes to your gums. About 30 percent of people have receding gums, leading to periodontal disease, no matter how well they care for their teeth.
• You might not be taking good care of your teeth. Poor oral hygiene can lead to tartar build-up, and when this happens, it can cause your gums to recede.
• On the other hand, you might be brushing too enthusiastically. Aggressive brushing can wear away your enamel and damage your gum tissue.
• Your teeth may be crooked. Believe it or not, misaligned teeth can wear on your gums. Teeth that don’t come together properly put too much force on the gums, causing them to recede.
• It might be hormones. Hormonal fluctuations, like the ones experienced during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, can cause your gums to recede.
• Mouth trauma can damage your gums. If you get punched in the mouth or fall on your face, your teeth can be knocked loose, and your gums can sustain damage that causes recession.
• Your orthodontia may be the issue. It makes sense that using constant force to reposition your teeth could cause your gums to become inflamed and recede.
• If you grind your teeth, your gums might recede. In fact, receding gums may be your first warning sign that you grind your teeth at night.
• Tobacco use can lead to receding gums. Smoking and chewing tobacco are bad for your oral health in such a variety of ways that if you use tobacco, you really need to stop.

You might notice your gums receding, or you might notice some other warning signs. Your teeth may become sensitive to heat, cold, and sweets, or they may be sensitive when you’re brushing, flossing, or getting dental cleanings. You may also experience pain or discomfort near the gum line. Without treatment, gum recession could cause your teeth to feel loose. Fortunately, while receding gums won’t grow back, your dentist can help you slow the recession, as well as offering non-surgical and surgical treatments to improve the condition.

When you’re looking for a dentist to help with your teeth and gums, trust the dentist voted best in New York. 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.

Is Coffee Ruining Your Teeth?

Fresh cup of coffee.

If you’re like most Americans, the day doesn’t quite start until you’ve had your morning coffee. Coffee is a delicious beverage that boosts your energy and may even be good for your heart health, but it can be hard on your smile, leaving your chompers less than pearly white. Beyond the stains it leaves behind, is coffee actually harmful? Could your morning cup of joe be ruining your teeth?

The answer is not as straightforward as you might think. If you’re a coffee drinker, you already know that it is a substance that stains. It will stain your favorite shirt, the upholstery in your car, your best tablecloth, and, yes, your teeth. It stains because it contains plant-based compounds called tannins that leave behind discoloration. The acidity in coffee helps with this staining because acid softens tooth enamel, making it easier for stains to penetrate the teeth. Because the stains seep through the enamel, though, coffee stains are difficult to remove with tooth brushing.

What’s more, as you get older, your tooth enamel begins to change, becoming more vulnerable and susceptible to staining. So, if you have a five cup a day coffee habit, you’re likely to have some noticeable stains after you’ve sustained it for several years. But beyond the yellowing teeth, does coffee do any damage?

There is, of course, the matter of coffee breath. Along with the acids, coffee introduces bacteria into your mouth, and it sticks to your tongue, causing halitosis. Fortunately, this is easily remedied by brushing your teeth after you drink coffee. Then, too, coffee is not alone in bringing bacteria into the environment of your mouth: any drink that isn’t water will do that. Fortunately, your saliva helps counteract the bacteria and allow your enamel to repair itself, but it’s important to brush and floss regularly to prevent cavities. Be aware that the sugar (or syrup) that goes into your coffee is much more damaging to your teeth than the coffee itself.

How can you continue to enjoy your coffee without staining your smile? You can’t, completely, but there are some things you can do to minimize the issue.

• Limit your coffee. Don’t drink coffee all day long, instead sticking to one or two cups of coffee at one time of day.
• Brush your teeth. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste after every cup is best because brushing removes bacteria and fluoride strengthens enamel. Bonus: you’ll lose the coffee breath. It is important to note, however, that you should wait about 30 minutes after your coffee to brush and floss, because immediately after you drink it your enamel will be soft enough to sustain damage from your toothbrush.
• Drink your coffee through a straw. When you use a straw, you can keep most of the coffee away from your teeth, which limits staining.
• Wash your coffee down with water. Water is always a good choice, whether you’re drinking coffee, eating food, or drinking alcoholic beverages. Why? Because water helps to keep the saliva flowing and rinses debris and bacteria away from your mouth.
• See your dentist regularly. Semi-annual cleanings can make a world of difference in the look of your teeth. Beyond just cleaning the teeth, they polish the enamel so that it can do a better job protecting your teeth from stains. Your dentist can also offer teeth whitening treatments to remove discoloration that has already appeared on your teeth.

If you are looking for a dentist to do those semi-annual cleanings and handle all your other dental needs, choose the dentist voted best in New York. 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.

Reasons Why your Teeth are Temperature Sensitive

Do you find that eating ice cream or drinking hot coffee causes pain in your teeth? You may have sensitive teeth. It’s a common condition, affecting about 45 million people in the United States, but it can be painful and difficult. What causes teeth to be temperature sensitive? More importantly, what can be done about it?

Your dentist can help you determine the underlying cause of the sensitivity, though the reason teeth become sensitive is typically always the same. Teeth are made of three layers, the enamel, the dentin, and the pulp. The enamel is the hard, outer layer of the teeth, and it protects the softer, inner layers. Below the enamel is the dentin, which is made up of microscopic tubes leading to the innermost layer- the pulp. Within that pulp is the nerve system of the teeth, and dental sensitivity happens when the dentin layers or the nerves are stimulated by something hot or cold. The cause of this stimulation varies.

Cold sensitivity can be caused by tooth decay or gum disease. It can also be the result of brushing too aggressively, using abrasive toothpaste, or using a hard-bristled toothbrush, which can all wear away at the enamel. Tooth grinding or clenching can chip the teeth or damage tooth enamel, which can also cause sensitivity to cold. Receding gums and cracks in a tooth can leave that tooth vulnerable to the cold. If your teeth are sensitive to heat, though, it could have a different cause. Dental treatments like teeth whitening can lead to heat sensitivity, and so can teeth cleanings, root planning, and dental crown or filling placement. If you consume a diet that’s high in acids, found in foods like coffee, tomato sauce, and wine, it can lead to enamel loss and heat sensitivity. People struggling with gum disease often have sensitive teeth, because 80 percent of tooth sensitivity begins at the gum line.

If your teeth are highly sensitive and react to both heat and cold, the best thing to do is see a dentist to determine the cause and the best course of treatment. If the sensitivity is minor, though, you may be able to manage it at home. You can reduce the discomfort of mild temperature sensitivity by making a few changes.

• Instead of letting hot and cold liquids touch your teeth, use a straw.
• Reduce your consumption of acidic foods.
• Change to a softer bristled brush and be careful not to brush too hard.
• Switch to a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
• Ask your dentist which mouthwash to use; some mouthwashes can irritate your dentin and pulp layers.
• Wear a mouthguard to prevent teeth grinding at night.

There are also treatments that dentists offer to improve dental sensitivity. If you find that your sensitivity is not improving after a few days, talk to your dentist about the best treatment for you. It could be as simple as fluoride therapy, or it could be a more involved procedure like a root canal or a gum graft. Dental restorations like a filling, inlay, onlay or crown can also protect damaged teeth and help with sensitivity. Nervous about seeing the dentist? We provide sedation dentistry for your comfort.

If you are looking for a dentist to help with tooth sensitivity, it makes sense to choose the practice voted Best in New York. 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.

Foods to Eat When You Have a Toothache

When you’ve got a toothache, one of the last things you want to do is eat. A tooth that’s throbbing is bad enough, but when you add chewing to the mix, it can be excruciating. Does this mean you are doomed to a liquid diet until you can see the dentist? Not necessarily. Here, we offer some strategies for reducing tooth pain, as well as recommendations about what to eat and not eat when your teeth are hurting.

First, let’s talk about toothaches themselves. Toothaches can happen for many reasons, including cavities and oral infections, but they can also be caused by dental procedures. Tooth extraction and oral surgery can cause pain during the recovery period, and even a cleaning can make your teeth feel sensitive and sore. Toothaches occur because the inner layer of the tooth, called the pulp, is inflamed, and gum inflammation can also cause tooth pain, because the gums surround the teeth. A toothache can feel sharp, throbbing, and sensitive, and you may experience a headache, fever, and a bad taste in your mouth at the same time.

Going to a dentist is the best course of action when you have a toothache, because sometimes toothaches can lead to more serious health conditions. However, there are some home remedies you can try to alleviate the pain while you are waiting for an appointment. A saltwater rinse may bring relief, or you could try a cold compress. Garlic, cloves, and peppermint tea have all been shown to reduce tooth pain, so you might want to give one of these tactics a shot.

There are also foods you can eat that won’t exacerbate the problem. Soft, easy to eat foods like bananas, applesauce, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and oatmeal are all good options if you have a toothache. Gelatin, puddings, custards, smoothies, and milkshakes can also be soothing, though ice cream is typically too cold to eat with a toothache. As long as it isn’t too warm or too cold, any soft food is a good option.

You will want to steer clear of any foods that are acidic or loaded with sugar. Avoid citrus fruits, tomatoes, raw vegetables, and anything spicy or salty. Things that are hard and crunchy or difficult to chew, like granola or meat, should be avoided. Hot coffee will likely be too painful to drink, and hard or sticky candy will cause more pain. Chewing ice should be avoided, because it’s not just hard on the teeth but also too cold to tolerate with a toothache.

The best thing to do when you have a toothache, of course, is to make an appointment with a highly skilled, experienced dentist. 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.