Welcoming our newest team member, Kala!

Greetings!

Please join us in welcoming our newest team member, Kala! 

We are marching into April with Kala Brown,  our newest team member here at Herald Square Dental.  Kala's strong knowledge base, optimism, critical thinking and pleasant demeanor have enhanced the care we administer since her arrival.  This "southern belle", has 10 years of prior dental office experience and has stepped into her role as Patient care Coordinator with great ease, as well as having been warmly received by our entire team and all of you,  our valued patients.    Kala looks forward to meeting you soon! 

Please enjoy the flash interview below to find out more about Kala.

HSD: Kala, where are you from?

Kala: I am originally from Houston, TX, but have also lived in Arkansas, and Florida for a while, before making the move to NYC a couple of years ago.

HSD: Tell us about your education!

Kala:  I have an Associate Degree in Science from Arkansas.

HSD: Do you have any hobbies?

Kala: Yes, I do. I love cooking and watching various investigation series! Snapped is my favorite lately. (Giggles)

HSD: What interests you most?

Kala: I have to say that traveling is the one thing that really intrigues me. 

HSD: What is the most exotic destination you have visited?

Kala: That would be Phuket, Thailand.

HSD: Do you have any pets?

Kala: No. But I would love a dog! (Laughing)

HSD: Who is your favorite singer/artist?

Kala: Beyonce!

HSD: What is the one thing we don't know about you?

Kala: I am the youngest of five children. I have three sisters and a brother.

Kala is readily available to answer any questions pertaining to your care and experience at our practice.  You will find her in our reception area, welcoming  you for your appointment or explaining your treatment plan and insurance related questions in detail.
We are  very thankful to have found this "gem" and to have made her a part of our family. We look  forward to what's ahead  of us!

Until the next time,

Keep Smiling!

Severe Gum Disease Can Instigate Joint Replacement Infections

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

With the advancement of medicine and various treatment and surgical approaches, joint replacement has become very common nowadays. We bet your dental health is the last thing on your mind if you are preparing yourself for a hip replacement, for example, but you should know that  a thorough dental examination for presence of tooth and gum infection is recommended prior to joint replacement.  Here are the reasons why this should be done:

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@heraldsquaredental.com today.


Best Regards,

Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center

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References:www.idanewsletters.com

Herald Square Dental Team Participates in the Walk Against Breast Cancer 2013 Campaign

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

October is the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  We are very proud to announce that, this year, our office is participating in the Walk against Breast Cancer in Central Park. The purpose of the walk is to bring awareness, fundraise and contribute to the fight against Breast Cancer.  It will take place on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at 8am starting at E72nd Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan and we invite you to join our team. 

Why do we walk? 

It is unfortunate, but Breast Cancer has become so common that almost every one of us either has a family member or relative affected by it, or has lost someone close due to this illness.  We believe that, together, we are stronger and can find a cure! 

We encourage everyone to express their support for everybody affected - breast cancer survivors and those who could not beat the disease. By taking part in this event , we all have the chance to sponsor critical research in an effort to find a cure, raise awareness by encouraging and empowering women to take charge of their own breast health!  The American Cancer Society has been saving lives for 100 years. Today, they are helping save more than 400 lives a day that would have otherwise been lost to cancer. We remind you that the donations are tax deductible!  Please support Herald Square Dental‘s initiative by joining our team and follow the link below to submit your donation: 

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCCY13EA?team_id=1476460&pg=team&fr_id=55917 .

If you are able to walk with us, meet us at Central Park and 72nd Street Bandshell. We will be wearing white T shirts with the pink ribbon on the front and the office logo on the back. Walk with us and thousands of other participants for this humane cause and help us beat cancer, the plague of the 21^st century.

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

Cleaning My Baby's Teeth

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

Cleaning you infant's teeth is a habit you should definitely start early! The teeth must be cleaned as they erupt. Use a damp wash cloth or a soft rubber sleeve with toothbrush-like bristles to gently massage gums and the newly erupted baby teeth.

If your pediatrician agrees, use a tiny dab of fluoride toothpaste for infants. Tooth brushing is definitely a parent's job during the preschool years as well. You should always monitor the brushing process to minimize toothpaste swallowing and to ensure proper oral hygiene has been performed.

Children are usually able to brush their teeth well when they are 8 years old. Be sure to check your child's teeth regularly for any chalky white or brown spots which could be the beginning of tooth decay.

If you have questions regarding your baby's teeth, please call our office at 212-689-0024 or email us at  appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today.



Best Regards,

Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center

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

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References: www.idanewsletters.com