Celebrate World Oral Health Day with a Smile!

Almost ninety per cent of the world’s population will suffer from oral diseases in their lifetime and many of them can be avoided! Prevention and compliance are key to maintaining good oral hygiene in order to avoid significant dental problems.  Today is the day to take action in a world-wide effort to reduce tooth decay and dental disease.  The campaign this year is under the logo"Smile for Life",  so take a minute to smile today!


Smile with us,

Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center Team

Use 'Em or Lose 'Em: Top 5 Reasons to Take Advantage of Your Dental Insurance Benefits Now!

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


Ever feel like you funnel money into a dental insurance plan that you'll never see again? Don't let your dental policy become a black hole! Take advantage of all the benefits they offer – benefits you're already paying for. Need a little motivation? Here are 5 very good reasons to use your benefits to the fullest!

1. Yearly Maximums. Dental insurance plans put a maximum on the amount of money they're willing to pay for your dental care. Maximums vary from one company or policy to the next, but typically fall between  $1000- $1500. Sounds like a lot of money, doesn't it? Insurance companies consider this amount to be a good investment. Allowing you to get regular dental care, your carrier can prevent the need for more serious (and more expensive) dental procedures down the road. Why not do you both a favor and use it, ensuring your mouth is in tip-top shape when next year rolls around?
2. Premiums. You're probably paying a monthly premium to keep your insurance. Even if you don't need extensive treatment, you should use that money for regular check ups and cleanings to prevent costly procedures in the future. Don't throw your money away!
3. Deductibles. Insurance companies typically expect you to pay a certain amount of money for your dental care each year. If your smile isn't in good shape, our office can create a treatment plan to put you back on track. Deductibles begin anew each year, so spreading out this care over more than 1 year will mean you have to pay more out-of-pocket.
4. Inflation. It seems everything becomes more expensive from one year to the next, and dental materials and equipment are no exception. Putting off necessary dental care could mean that you'll have to pay more down the road.
5. Dental Problems Escalate. If your pearly whites are anything but, they're only going to get worse. That is, of course, unless you take advantage of your insurance benefits and tend to your teeth and gums. A little cavity that isn't bothering you one year may become a major  toothache (or a headache!) the next.

If you haven't yet taken advantage of your dental insurance benefits for this year and would like to schedule an exam to verify everything is ok with your dental health, call our office at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today. We'll help you find which treatments are and  which ones are not covered by your policy!

Best Regards,

Herald Square Dental and Staff

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.

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References:www.idanewsletters.com

A Holiday Survival Guide for Your Smile

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

The holidays are upon us, and it is the season for a bit of togetherness (and a lot of indulgence). We don't all celebrate the same holidays or adhere to the same belief systems, but there is one thing that seems to unite us all: comfort food.

Cold weather and sweets go hand-in-hand. What's a good snowball fight without a warm cup of cocoa to come home to? Even in warmer climates, it's difficult to dissuade dreams of sugar plums after a good night of classic movies with your family. So, while this "soul food" may be good for your spirits, take a moment to think about what it's doing to your teeth.

How Could Something So Good Be So Bad?
Sugar can wreck havoc on your pearly whites. It's a complicated process, but here's the scoop. Bacteria in your mouth use your sweets as energy, growing and multiplying faster than they would otherwise. Some bond with the sugar to form a sticky glue called plaque. Plaque, in turn, produces acid. The acid dissolves the minerals that make your tooth enamel hard, and the surface becomes porous. The acid causes these tiny holes in the enamel to become bigger until one large hole appears. This is a cavity.

Does This Mean No More?
While ideally we would never expose our teeth to sugar or anything else that promotes tooth decay, that's just not realistic. All we can do is try to minimize the damage. Don't let your holiday routine interrupt your dental care regimen. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste (unless you're a young tyke), and floss at least once.

If you decide to indulge in more sweets than usual, it's a good idea to brush more often. If you don't have your toothbrush on hand, rinse your mouth out with warm water. Certain sugar-free gums can help as well. Choose those with Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can help prevent tooth decay. And finally, try to mix up your snacks. If you're eating a sugary treat, try to also eat a bit of cheese (or a similar protein) as well.

Nothing warms a chilly night like a big smile, so be sure to protect yours! Please do not hesitate to call us at (212)689-0024 if you have questions regarding proper dental care, or would like to schedule a check-up or cleaning. As always, your continued good health is our top priority.

If you have questions regarding dental health, please call our office at (212)689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today.

Wishing you a very  happy holiday season,

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.
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References: www.idanewsletters.com

How to Pick the Right Dental Floss?

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

A lot of our patients admit that they do not floss because they find flossing uncomfortable and even painful, and when they see a little bloody residue on the thread they start to panic and this discourages them from continuing with this extremely important element of dental hygiene. We have to admit that brushing alone is not sufficient. Flossing does about 40% of the work required to remove sticky bacteria,  plaque, and food particles stuck between teeth, which otherwise will be left there if you only brush.  In other words don't feel you have completed your oral hygiene routine without flossing and rinsing with mouthwash.  If you fail do integrate all three components into your regimen, it is as if you  take a shower but forget to clean your ears or clip your nails!

It's amazing how much variety you can find in dental floss.  It is easy to find something that works well for you. All types remove cavity-causing plaque and food debris from between your teeth. Here are a few of your choices:

• Dental Flossers: Often regarded as being easier to manage than conventional floss, flossers are a popular choice. There's no need to wrap any excess thread around your fingers, which some find uncomfortable.
• Conventional Floss: There's nothing wrong with sticking with traditional types of floss. Just tear off a piece at least 18 inches long and wind it around your index fingers. If you find traditional thread-like floss is uncomfortable for your gums, try dental ribbon, its smoother counterpart.
• Floss Threaders: If you have a fixed bridge in your mouth, it doesn't mean you get out of flossing. Nifty little floss threaders allow you to thread  the floss between your teeth, under the bridge work. 

If you have questions regarding flossing and dental health in general, please call our office at (212)689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today.
 
 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.
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References: www.idanewsletters.com; http://www.oralb.com; http://www.webmd.com

Vitamin D Found Beneficial for Periodontal Health in Recent Study

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

Periodontal disease has established itself as a major culprit for oral health and lately more and more patients are diagnosed with this condition.  It starts presenting itself with the "harmless appearing" at first sight redness and inflammation of the gums. Even though these symptoms may appear harmless and not alarming, they are caused by the toxic waste products of oral bacteria and if left untreated may lead to tooth loss.

We would like to stress out the significant role which the immune system plays for oral health and how it could aid in the fight with periodontal disease and the possible reversal of  this condition. A good diet and in some cases, dietary supplements can enhance the immune system.Vitamin D might be helpful in controlling the inflammation associated with gingivitis and periodontitis. The upper limit recommended by the U.S. Food and Nutrition Board is 2,000IU. Researchers suggest this limit could be safely raised by about 10 times.
Researchers from India executed a three-month study which led to the conclusion that Vitamin D is a safe and effective anti-inflammatory supplement when given in a dose of 2,000IU per day which could aid in the prevention of periodontitis.

Don't forget your vitamin D supplement and spend time outdoors as much as possible since sun exposure is one of the most important sources of vitamin D!

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


All the best,

Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center
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References: http://www.dentaltown.com;  http://altmedicine.about.com/od

Eating Disorders and Oral Health

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

You have heard it many times: the mouth is the window into the health of the body, right? Well, since our various cultures and lifestyles present to us the opportunity to gather around the table at every celebration and enjoy food in quantities much greater than the absolute needed for normal existing, and therefore we systematically consume larger amounts of food than needed, some people develop eating disorders.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association approximately  ten million Americans suffer from some type of an eating disorder.  Most frequently it is associated with either starvation ( in the cases of Anorexia- when one believes that they are "fat" when in reality they are not fat at all, ) or overeating and excessive vomiting to compensate the bulge eating, very often controlled by mood swings( in the cases of Bulimia- one would eat uncontrollably to satisfy the urge to eat, then feel guilty and vomit after a meal).

Eating disorders are frequently seen with teenagers and young adults, and more common among females.  The effect that they have on  the oral cavity, tissues and dentition is tremendous. The reason for it is the repetitive destructive and eroding effect of  stomach acids on tooth structures and the tissues in the mouth. With time, teeth become discolored, brittle, decay develops, and the tissues in the mouth become inflamed and bleed easily.  Eating hot or cold food or drink may become uncomfortable.

In many cases, the patient would feel ashamed discussing this issue and therefore fail to obtain professional help in a timely manner. However, it is extremely important to discuss with your healthcare provider the presence of such a problem if it exists. After all , even if you do not want to admit, a professional will be able to conclude the presence of such problem  by the obvious damage of the eating disorder.

If you suspect that a loved one is challenged by an eating disorder, don't be afraid to take the first step and initiate a friendly conversation to help them open up and acknowledge the fact that they need help if they want to overcome this problem. A timely intervention is important also because the damages caused may be irreversible, depending on the severity of the case and the length of time during which the problem was occurring.

If you have any questions  regarding this matter please feel free to contact us via email at  appts@newyorkdenturedental.com or  call us at 212-689-0024. We are here to help!



Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center

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References: http://www.mouthhealthy.org

Severe Gum Disease Can Instigate Joint Replacement Infections

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

We thought you should know: a thorough dental examination for presence of tooth and gum infection is recommended prior to joint replacement.

Periodontal disease is a commonly occurring oral infection of the adult population (80% of adults are affected) destroying the bony support of the teeth. This infection slowly progresses over the lifetime of the patient and is often manifested in the advanced stage in the senior population.

Because of the lack of any discomfort to the patient until total loss of bony support to the teeth, many adults are unaware that they have this infection. However, the bacteria from this bone destroying disease, especially in the more advanced cases, has been attributed to possible infection of joint replacements.

Candidates for joint replacements who have not been seen by a dentist in over a year should be considered for a thorough dental evaluation of their teeth and gums before surgery. Depending on the severity of the infection, treatment of gum infections and tooth abscesses may take from two weeks to two months before the patient reaches adequate health before surgery.

If you have questions regarding severe gum disease, please call our office at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today.


Looking forward to meeting all of your dental needs,

Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center


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References: www.idanewsletters.com