Thursday, April 25, 2013

Cranberry Juice Can Help Prevent Cavities!

We already know that cranberries are packed with powerful antioxidants that have been proven to fight bladder infections, and now they can help us fight cavities! According to a scientific research team led by oral biologist Hyun (Michel) Koo, D.D.S., Ph.D from the University of Rochester Medical Center, cranberry juice covers the tooth enamel with a shield, just like "Teflon  for teeth", which makes it difficult  for bacteria to adhere to the tooth surface and hence prevents formation of plaque and the development of the Streptococcus mutans which create most cavities ( by eating sugar and then excreting  acids  that cause decay).  The important thing to remember that the full benefit of the cranberry juice can only be obtained when it has no added sugar(contrary to the expectations, most common brands on the market are packed with added sugar), therefore remember to read the ingredients list  on the products you purchase at all times and indulge in this yummy drink knowing that it is actually helping you keep healthy teeth!

If you have any questions or concerns about your dental health please call us at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com! We are here to help!

Best regards,

Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center
________________________________________________________
References: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu

Monday, April 22, 2013

Does Being a Vegetarian Affect Your Dental Health?


Of course being a vegetarion is a matter of personal choice and we accept it as perfectly normal. However, we would like to make sure that you, as our patients, are informed on special preventative measures  and extra care tips you should implement to ensure you are taking the best care possible for your body and oral health.

Most adult vegetarians know the importance of balanced nutrition and therefore carefully monitor their diet. The potential for deficiencies is greatest among children and teenagers, and young adults who put themselves on vegetarian/ limited diets without knowing enough about their nutritional needs. Be sure to take the time and educatie your children and loved ones on the importance of balanced and nutritional diet, and the need of variety  in their menu.

Vegetarians could be a subject to a limited nutritional, mineral  and vitamin intake and therefore can experience deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin B12 or complete proteins. This can put them at greater risk for tooth decay, enamel erosion and gum disease, and other health risks apart from the ones in the oral cavity. Studies are contradicting on whether by eating the right amount of fruits, vegetables, grains and leafy greens, vegetarians can consume the nutrients they need. Therefore additional vitamin supplement is strongly  recommended.

Vegetarian diets and diets in which fruit comprises more than two-thirds of the total food intake also make individuals more susceptible to dental erosion. Not having enough of the everyday essential nutrients might soften teeth, leading to decay and possibly periodontal disease. Vegetarians might not be able to absorb calcium as well as other people with different diets. Frequent vomiting and acid reflux, both of which can introduce stomach acid into the mouth, also can cause dental erosion.

If you are considering adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet, first consult with your dentist and/or nutritionist to learn how to make smart food substitutions to ensure you are getting all necessary nutrients and to avoid further and unnecessary health risks.

And if you have any questions or concerns, you could always email us at  appts@newyorkdenturedental.com or call us at 212-689-0024. We are here to help!

________________________________________________________
References: http://www.yourdentistryguide.com; http://www.westonaprice.org

Friday, April 19, 2013

Oral Health for Seniors

Greetings from Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia and Dr. Song!

The good habits of effective daily brushing, diet, and use of fluoride will help the aging person adapt to changing conditions. Reduced salivary flow and addition of medications will affect oral health dramatically.

Changes of the teeth and gums: Teeth will darken because of long-term exposure to plaque and changes in the dentin within the tooth. The gums may recede and uncover the roots. Exposed roots will be darker than the enamel part of the tooth and are prone to decay. Fillings can decay and darken, too, as they weaken over time.

"Dry Mouth" may develop: Saliva is useful to lubricate, wash away plaque, and neutralize the acid produced by plaque. Flow of saliva can be reduced by a medical disorder or be a side effect of antihistamine, decongestants, pain killers or diuretics.

The build-up of plaque will accelerate tooth decay. There will also be more gum infection which will cause a loss of bone support for the teeth. Poorly-fitting or poorly-cleaned dentures, illness, and some medications increase the severity of the problem.

For more information regarding dental problems of seniors, please call our office at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today.



Best Regards,



Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center



P.S. If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our services, please don't hesitate to have them call us. We'll be sure to take good care of them.

________________________________________________________
References: www.idanewsletters.com


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Poor Oral Health Can Lead to Lower Grades in School

Greetings from Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia and Dr. Song!

Have you heard that dental problems could affect your child's performance in school?
Children who reported having recent tooth pain were four times more likely to have a low grade point average when compared to children without oral pain, according to an Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC study.

The findings of the reasearchers are that dental problems do not just appear to be connected to lower grades, but also cause more absences from school for kids and more missed work days for parents. Oral health problems are a very significant factor  for children's predisposition for a lower GPA when compared to children without oral health issues.

If it has been a while since you had your child see the dentist for a routine visit, please take a moment and call us at 212-689-0024  or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com to schedule their check up! Let's give our children the best care we can and have them smile more than ever!


________________________________________________________
References: http://dentistry.usc.edu










Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Sleep Apnea

Greetings from Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr.Shirzadnia and Dr. Song!


Have you been feeling sleepy during the day, irritable, sad, forgetful, and headachy, there’s a good chance that you have sleep apnea, a sleep-related breathing disorder that affects 20 million of us in the US and over 100 million worldwide!

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the flow of air pauses or decreases significantly during breathing while you are asleep because the airway has become narrowed or blocked. A pause in breathing is called an apnea episode.
Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous disorder with fairly benign symptoms such as loud snoring at night, morning headaches or excessive daytime sleepiness. The cause? Intermittent periods throughout sleep when you actually stop breathing.  

Breathing cessation, or apnea, lasts from seconds to nearly a minute. When breathing resumes, the brain senses lack of oxygen and wakes you up. The snoring is loud, sometimes explosive. In the morning, the build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood causes headaches. And the lack of deep, relaxing sleep can leave one drowsy and usually grouchy, during the day.   One form of treatment that has proven successful is wearing an acrylic appliance during sleep to keep air passages open. It's comfortable and easy to use. Over the years, Dr. Shirzadnia has helped dozens of sleep deprived patients to regain normal sleep function and feel energy pumped for the day!

For more information regarding sleep apnea please call our office at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today!


Best Regards,

Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center

___________________________________________________________________
References: www.idanewsletters.com; http://www.rd.com/health/wellness/sleep-apnea-sleep-disorders/
http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/sleep-apnea;

Friday, April 5, 2013

Know Thyself: Self-Screening for Oral Cancer

Greetings from Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia and Dr. Song!

When it comes to leading a long, healthy life, it's always best to know yourself. While this advice can take on significant philosophical meaning, I'm talking about knowing yourself better physically. Being in tune with your body and watching out for early symptoms of disease can be your ticket to perpetually good health.

Every hour of every day somebody in the United States dies of oral cancer. This serious dental disease, which affects the mouth, lips or throat, is often highly curable if diagnosed and treated in its early stages. When you go in for your regular dental exam, you're also being screened for oral cancer. While that's fine and dandy, it's best to go a step beyond, screening yourself at home regularly. This is doubly true for those who drink excessive amounts of alcohol, use tobacco products, are regularly exposed to sunlight, have lip-biting and cheek-chewing habits or have ill-fitting dentures, as all of these characteristics put you at greater risk.

Here's how to screen for oral cancer at home:

Examine yourself in the mirror. The left and right sides of the face and neck should have the same shape. Check for swelling, lumps and bumps.

Look at your skin and note any changes in the color or size of sores, moles or other growths.

Press your fingers along the sides and front of your neck. Do you feel any tenderness or swelling?

Pull your lower lip out and look for any sores. Use your thumb and forefinger to feel the upper and lower lips for lumps or texture changes.

Examine the insides of your cheeks for red, white or dark patches. Gently squeeze and roll each cheek between your index finger and thumb to check for bumps and tenderness.

Tilt your head back to check the roof of your mouth, and then run your finger along the surface. Do you feel or see any unusual lumps or discoloration?

Check out the top, bottom and sides of your tongue, including the soft tissue under it. Once again, note any swelling, discoloration or unusual lumps.

Symptoms of oral cancer include: sores on the face, neck or mouth that do not heal within a couple of weeks; swelling, lumps or bumps on the lips and gums; chronic bleeding in the mouth; white, red or dark patches in your lips, cheeks, gums or tongue; and numbness, loss of feeling or general pain in any area of the face, mouth or neck. If you experience any of these symptoms, or find something unusual during your self-exam, call our office at (212)689-0024 immediately for an appointment! And don't forget during the entire month of April  2013 we will be performing the Velscope screening for oral cancer at the reduced fee of $39 (50% off the regular price of $79) and will donate half of the proceeds to The Oral Cancer Foundation in an effort to beat oral cancer! Also, on Wednesday April 24,2 2013 our office will be  performing complimentary Velscope oral cancer screenings! Fore more information about this event please log in http://www.oralcancer-screening.org/events/index.php?eID=5541

If you have questions, please call us at (212)689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today!



Best Regards,



Herald Square Dental &The Denture Center

________________________________________________________
References: www.idanewsletters.com