Why Should You Floss?

The purpose of flossing, as well as brushing, is to reduce the number of bacteria which inhabit our mouths. Flossing removes the bacteria that escape the toothbrush by hiding in the tiny spaces in between teeth.

Floss is the only thing that can really get into that space between the teeth and remove bacteria. If you only brush your teeth and skip the flossing element, consider that you have done a half way job cleaning your teeth! You may wonder why? Think of it this way: each tooth has five surfaces; if you don't floss, you are leaving at least two of the surfaces unclean( usually the ones that are in contact with the adjacent teeth). That  is a great place for bacteria and plaque to settle and for a cavity or a periodontal pocket to form.

Most floss is made of  nylon. People with larger spaces between their teeth or with gum recession tend to get better results with a flat, wide dental tape. If your teeth are close together, try thin floss. In any event you should make flossing a part of your regime and try not to skip it. By brushing and flossing, we help eliminate the bacteria which causes bad breath, gingivitis, and periodontal disease thus creating healthy smiles which last a lifetime!

To smile with pride and show off a beautiful grin, do your part by brushing and flossing at least twice a day, and caring for your teeth with consideration!


________________________________________________________________________
References: http://www.webmd.com; http://www.saveyoursmile.com

Bruxism: Not the Usual Grind

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

Do you think you grind while sleeping? Sure, it's annoying when friends, spouses or children grind their teeth at night, but the effects could be much more serious than the loss of a good night's sleep on your part. This sleep disorder, called bruxism, can lead to a number of ailments, including loose or lost teeth. Even lighter grinding can wear down tooth enamel. Bruxism can also cause another condition called temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ). TMJ occurs when the muscles, joints and ligaments of the jaw move out of alignment. Symptoms of TMJ include headache, earache and pain in the face, neck or shoulder.

"But," you ask, "don't we all grind our teeth once and a while?" It's true that a number of people grind their teeth during periods of stress, but chronic grinders – those that suffer from bruxism at least once a week – could eventually pay the price. Not only can it lead to the ailments already mentioned, but can result in daytime sleepiness and headaches as well.

Research has also discovered that people who brux are more likely to snore, suffer from breathing pauses during sleep and be victims of sleep apnea. As is the case in many sleeping problems, stress is a major cause. It's not unusual to clench or grind the teeth when angry or nervous. The use of tobacco, alcohol or caffeine tends to aggravate the problem. What's more, nobody is immune. All age groups and genders are susceptible to bruxism, though most cases occur among those between the ages of 19 to 44.

There are a number of things you can do if you feel either you or somebody you love is suffering from bruxism. For starters, try to alleviate whatever stress in your life you can. Kick the tobacco habit and heavy drinking, and try not to drink too much coffee. Severe cases may need to be fitted with a mouth guard or have their teeth reshaped to eliminate unusual alignment. If you feel you may be suffering from bruxism, call our office at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com for a consultation.


Regards,

Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center

___________________________________________________________
References: www.idanewsletters.com

Are You Interested in Dental Implants?

We believe that it is extremely important to meet the dentist who will be treating you and discuss any questions or concerns in person, rather than quoting a flat price on the phone to a potential patient, who we have never met or evaluated before!

When it comes to implant treatment, there may be a few possibilities and  variations in the procedures involved. The process begins with a thorough evaluation of the patient's medical and dental history, and a clinical examination of the entire mouth and missing tooth area, study of your jaw bone anatomy and density. The clinical exam may also include specific X-rays, in some cases a CT scan might be needed. All of that could be done at the consultation visit in our office, so there is no need for you to go to another practice for additional visit and waste time!  We understand your time is valuable and therefore work hard to minimize the lenght of the entire treatment experience, so that you can resume normal lifestyle as soon as possible. 

Once the dentist has reviewed the data from the CT scan, he will be able to propose a more comprehensive and precise treatment plan. Our treatment coordinator will prepare the quote for your treatment cost and work with you on the financial arrangements. 
The surgery date will be scheduled next. At that visit  implants are surgically placed in the jawbone under local anesthesia, if extractions and bone graft are a part pf your treatment, they will be performed at this visit as well. You will be allowed some healing time and requested to return for a post op visit in about a week or so following the implant placement surgery. The length of the healing time is based on the quality and quantity of bone, as well as the type and number of implants placed, the type and number of extractions done. After adequate healing time is allowed, the implant will be used to support a partial, denture or restored with  the help of a crown or bridge.

Since every one of us is an individual, treatment options also may vary from person to person.  If you have questions regarding dental implants, please call our office at 212-689-0024 or email us at  appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today to schedule your personalized consultation with one of our caring doctors.

We look forward to seeing you!


Sincerely,

Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center

______________________________________________________________________
References: www.idianewsletters.com

Sugarless Gum and Xylitol Help Fight Cavities!

Good afternoon from Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam , Dr. Shirzadnia and Dr. Song!

We all  love chewing gum, the proof is all over our streets- we chew gum and after it looses its taste we spit it on the street ( well, maybe not all of us do that, but a great number unfortunately do! ).  However, not just any gum being sold in the store is actually helping us in our fight against cavities. 

 The American Dental  Association ( ADA) has created a list of products that have met its requirements to be awarded with the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which is an indicator that the product owning it has met the requirements needed and the manufacturer has accordingly presented the corresponding data from clinical or laboratory studies that support the product's safety, effectiveness and promotional claims  ot in other words that it basically does what is advertised on the packaging.

The products in the group of the chewing gum contain Xylitol which reduces decay-causing bacteria.  By using Xylitol products throughout the day, bacteria is prevented from adhering to the enamel and creating the acids that damage the teeth. Xylitol enhances the remineralization of teeth, particularly in small decay spots just developing in the tooth enamel, normalize the  pH levels, prevents demineralization.  Xylitol's naturally cooling and sweet tastes also increase saliva production which is another way to fight the growth of cavity causing bacteria.

 If you are a regular gum chewer and can not help it but chew often, here is a link to the ADA approved sugar free gums on the market: http://ow.ly/l6jQc. 

________________________________________________________________
References: http://www.xylitol.org

Asians Are at Greater Risk of Periodontal Disease?

Good Afternoon from Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia and Dr. Song!

A recent study of the clinicians from the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) suggested that the teeth roots are significantly shorter in people with Asian origin, which automatically predisposes them to higher risk of developing periodontal disease. Previously, the reason given for the higher incidence of periodontal involvement in Asians was attributed to poor hygiene, however this study rules this out as the cause and confirms that Asians are genetically predisposed to develop periodontal disease. Regular preventative care in these patients  is of ultimate importance to maintaine healthy gums. If you are periodontally involved or if it has been a while since your last hygiene visit, please call us at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com to schedule an appointment with our hygienists - Paola and Alicia today!

We hope to see you soon,

Herald Square Dental
&The  Denture Center
________________________________________________________
References: http://www.dental-tribune.com

Your Dental Insurance in Our Practice!

Today we would like to provide a little bit more information on how our office works with your dental insurance. We have been working with the majority of the PPO insurances for more than a decade now in an effort to help you meet your financial responsibity. We are happy to work with any plan which approves benefits towards your treatment in our practice.

Provided for your referances are the insurance plans and discounted fee schedule plans which we participate with: AARP/Delta Dental, Access Dental, Aetna, Ameritas, Ameriplan, Anthem BC/BS, Assurant, Benecare, Cigna Dental PPO, CignaPlus Savings, Conection Dental, Delta Dental, Dental Direct, Dental Wellness, Dentegra, Dentemax, DentSave, DentalSave, Empire BC/BS, HIP, Horizon, Humana, Guardian, Lincoln Financial, Metlife, Oxford- Premium/ Enhanced, NYS Medicaid (straight, no HMO plans attached), Principal, Signature Dental, Sunlife Financial, United Concordia, United Healthcare.

We do not participate with DC37, UFT, Local 1180, Local 1199, ASO SIDS, CSEA, PBA, 32BJ or any other union or local plans, however we will work with them to apply any benefit they approve towards your treatment to help you reduce your out of pocket expense.

If you have further questions regarding our participation with your dental plan, please call us at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com and our insurance coordinator Gladi, or our office manager, Nina, will be more than glad to help you.


Best regards,

Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center

Lost Teeth Impact Your Overall Health

In the past, the loss of teeth was dismissed as a natural part of the aging process, and dentures were considered a normal sign of old age.

While such ignorance is rapidly becoming a thing of the past, there is still not a general awareness of the seriousness of edentulism (the condition of being completely toothless). Multiple tooth loss is most commonly caused by periodontal disease, i.e.. gum and bone disease. Periodontal disease has a high statistical correlation with chronic debilitating disease, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and arthritis.
So it is not very surprising that studies now show a shortened life expectancy by as much as 10 years for persons who have lost their natural teeth, when compared to those who have kept their teeth.

In addition to longevity, quality-of-life differences are just as significant. The functional efficiency of dentures has been measured to be only 20% of that of natural teeth. Can there be any doubt that nutritional deficiencies will be much more prevalent in those without their natural teeth?


Loss of teeth often causes a feeling of loss of wholeness and a sense of deterioration and aging. Given these factors, preservation of the natural teeth is integral to whole-person wellness.

If you have questions regarding how dental health affects your total well-being, 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!