Our Blog
Back to School Dental Check List
August 3rd, 2016
As you think back-to-school, 52nd Street Dental Clinic reminds you to remember to think teeth – often. Children often get away from good dental hygiene with summer activities and indulge in decadent delights like ice cream, cotton candy that aren’t so friendly for their teeth. End-of-summer is a good time to head off any dental plaque. Your child’s health, growth and performance in school actually depend on it. Bad teeth impact academic performance.
Here is a back-to-school dental check-up list as you slowly start getting ready for fall:
- When you are shopping for school supplies, be sure to get your child a new toothbrush. If you have a young child, spice it up and make it fun with a character or theme they like. They are likely to brush more. Oral B Stages featuring Dory, Oral B Vitality and Phillips Sonicare for Kids are available for purchase at 52nd Street Dental Clinic.
- Put dental floss in your back-to-school supplies. It is important to floss once a day to remove food particles that can encourage bacteria that leads to decay.
- Think teeth-healthy snacks for your child for school. That means reducing the amount of sugary foods or carbonated beverages. Pack that lunch with lots of grains, cheese, yogurt, raw vegetables and milk. Certain vegetables actually scrub your child’s teeth and act as a substitute toothbrush during the day. Dairy products are high in calcium which build and protect their bones and teeth enamel.
- Check your calendar for the last time your child visited the dentist. Put a check-up and cleaning at the top of your to-do list.
- Ask about getting dental sealants for your child to give their teeth extra protection against cavities.
- When scheduling a sports exam, be sure to include the dentist. Mouthguards are recommended for many sports today. Custom mouthguards give the best protection. 52nd Street Dental Clinic can custom fit a mouthguard that is age appropriate and fits the sport in which the child participates.
- Don’t forget your preschooler’s dental needs. Young children are especially prone to tooth decay. If your child is age one to five, be sure they get that check-up and get some coaching on proper brushing.
- Put sugarless gum and treats in your cart. Skip beverages like Red Bull or other acidic drinks that can erode enamel.
Dr. Glen Chabaylo, Dr. Nenko Nenkov, Dr. Scott Wyzykoski and Dr. Danielle Engel look forward to helping your child start the new school year with a healthy smile. Call today to book an appointment.
Invisalign… is it for you?
July 7th, 2016
Invisalign? “What’s that?” you might say. I call it clear tray therapy. Again you may say “What do you mean?” Invisalign is an innovative, safe, effective, discrete and hygienic way to straighten teeth. At this point, many questions may “pop” into your mind. Questions like: Are crooked teeth are real problem? Am I too old to straighten my teeth? Does it hurt? What is the cost? Then let’s look at these questions.
Crooked teeth, a problem? The problems are many actually. Gum disease is one of them and is a serious problem if allowed to go untreated for many years. The end result, your teeth lose the needed support (bone for example) and you end up with “wiggly” teeth and possibly no teeth. Gum disease also may have a negative effect on your entire blood vessel system. Gum disease develops due to difficulty in keeping teeth clean of the bacteria that cause the disease. Straight teeth are much easier to maintain than misaligned teeth.
One other major problem is a “bad” bite (crossbite, deep bite). A “bad” bite allows the forces of mastication (chewing) to be applied on the teeth in a destructive way (not along the length of the root). This situation causes the teeth to wear prematurely (gum receding, breakage at the neck of the teeth, sensitivity). “Fillings” don’t last (breakage/loss of “fillings” or tooth structure); which in turn often requires more expensive dental work to be done (less tooth structure often requires crown to protect it from more severe breakage). Aligning the teeth so they “glide” together in a harmonious way rather than “collide”, much damage can be prevented or allowed to continue.
Too old? If you have still have teeth, stable and healthy gums, good oral hygiene habits, there is hope! If it is not the case for you at the moment, help from dental professionals is available to get you there.
Hurt? The clear trays are specifically designed to apply the right amount of forces to move teeth in the least amount of time while protecting the supporting structures (bone, gums). And this results in a treatment with minimal discomfort to you. The trays are very comfortable to wear, often go unnoticed by others and allow for easy daily oral hygiene.
Cost? Less than you may think! Considering the prevention of costly major dental work and gum diseases, it is a worthwhile investment. Call 52nd Street Dental Clinic today to book a consultation.
Summer Fun: Keep Your Teeth Safe
June 22nd, 2016
Summertime is the perfect time to be with your family and friends, and have fun under the sun! Since you will probably be thinking about all the good things you will be doing, you might neglect your teeth – but you shouldn’t. Here are some tips on how you can keep your teeth safe and shiny this summer:
Drink enough water Dry mouth contributes to cavities so it is important that you drink enough water to stay hydrated throughout the whole day. This is not just for your teeth, but for your overall health as well.
Use straws when drinking fresh coolers Drinking lemonades, sodas, and other sweet and acidic drinks can be bad for your teeth. Help your teeth by drinking through straws – this limits the impact of the acids on your teeth. You should also rinse with water after drinking sugary or acidic drinks as this helps, too.
Protect your teeth after eating sweets Hard candies soak your teeth in sugar for a long time while sticky candies, on the other hand, get stuck on your teeth. In order to protect your teeth and gums from too much sugar, you should rinse with water or you can also chew sugarless gum. Brush teeth at least twice a day for a minimum of 2 minutes.
Use proper protective equipment When you are playing contact sports, make sure you use mouth guards accordingly. It doesn’t just protect your teeth, but it also helps prevent concussions. There are different types of mouth guards that are appropriate for different kinds of sports. To make sure that you are using the right one, it is best to consult Dr. Chabaylo, Dr. Nenkov, Dr. Wyzykoski or Dr. Engel.
We encourage you to take special care of your teeth during the summer. Brushing and flossing your teeth daily are important especially when you’re on vacation. Summer can also be the best time to catch up on your missed dental appointments. Here at 52nd Street Dental, we make sure that we prioritize all our patients’ teeth. Call us today!
4 Dental Issues Seniors Should Watch Out For
June 7th, 2016
Aging signs are a natural part of life. Dental issues are no different. For seniors, there are a number of dental health care needs that must be considered. Issues related to teeth and gums can be minimized through routine dental care.
Although some of the changes associated to aging cannot be prevented, their long-term effects can be minimized by knowing what to look out for, and what to do about it over time. The following are 4 important dental issues seniors should watch out for.
1. Gum Disease
Inflammation of the gum line is a common problem that patients present at the dental office. Thorough cleanings and good dental habits help reverse the inflammatory process.
But if left untreated, inflammation creates pockets around the gum line, providing an opportunity for bacteria to grow. The buildup of tartar and plaque increases the severity, as well as the use of tobacco.
Seniors who experience issues with the gums must be careful to avoid foods and products that increase the sugar content in the mouth. Acidic foods such as citrus fruits and soft drinks should also be carefully considered.
2. Dryness
The natural production of saliva decreases as you age. This is true for the entire body, as joints, skin, and other tissues begin to lose their hydration and elasticity.
In addition, prescription medications contribute to the loss of saliva production in seniors. Therefore, adequate hydration as you get older ensures that you prevent unwanted loss of saliva.
Saliva cleans the mouth naturally, and provides teeth with calcium and other strengthening nutrients. By drinking high-quality water regularly, seniors prevent the dental issues related to dry mouth.
3. Discolouration
Seniors encounter teeth discolouration as they age. Because the teeth lose their whiteness with time, some seniors are unaware that many of the issues related to discolouration can be avoided.
Acids in food can wear away the enamel. This allows the dentin, located underneath the enamel, to show more prominently. The result is a yellowing of the teeth.
For seniors, the biggest step in preventing yellowing of the teeth is to maintain strong enamel. This means that coffee, wine, and tobacco should be avoided.
4. Tooth Loss
Perhaps the most serious dental issue that seniors face is the loss of teeth. This can occur for a number of reasons. Seniors must remember that the best prevention for tooth loss is long-term routine care.
In addition to many of the diet and lifestyle habits already mentioned, ensuring that you get high quality dental care on a regular basis prevents unwanted tooth loss and decay. Consulting with a professional dental care expert provides you with the information you need to maximize your dental health in later years.
