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!

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

Periodontal Disease: Silent and Deadly

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

We wanted to bring your attention to a very important problem and talk briefly about it: Periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth. The early stages of periodontal disease are often asymptomatic; many adults may have the disease and not know it.

A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that nearly one out of every two American adults aged 30 and over has gum disease, also known as periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease can go on for years without pain and without detection unless specific examination procedures are performed. Visual oral examination by itself will not reliably detect periodontal disease until it has reached an advanced stage.

Early detection and adequate diagnosis require measurement of pockets (the crevice between the tooth and gum) with a periodontal probe. Early detection and treatment is critical to prevent tooth loss and disfigurement. Although the procedure is simple, painless and requires only a few minutes, millions of American adults have never had it done.

Signs of periodontal disease include bleeding gums, redness of gum tissue, swelling of gums around the teeth, breath odor, receding gums, mobility of teeth.

If you have questions regarding periodontal disease or any other dentally related concern, please call our office at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com  today.


Best Regards,


Herald Square Dental &
The Denture Center

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References:ADA, AAP, www.perio.org

Stroke Prevention - Routine Dental Hygiene Appointments

You may wonder what a tooth cleaning has to do with a stroke — that sudden, devastating paralysis in which blood supply to the brain is blocked. Simply put, it's the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Yes, the same sort of plaque that builds up on teeth and can go on to cause inflammation and gum disease if not professionally cleaned at least once every six months.

A hygiene appointment is probably the easiest and most painless way of eliminating at least one of the risk factors leading to stroke. We have two registered hygienists on staff -Paola and Alicia, to meet the needs of preventative care of all of our patients.  And here are a few tips from them to help you get educated about the most beneficial way of caring for your teeth:

Brushing
• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Flossing
• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind it around the middle fingers of each hand. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
• Bring the floss back toward the contact point between the teeth and move the floss up or down the other side, conforming the floss to the shape of the tooth.
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.

Mouth rinse
A mouth rinse, in addition to daily brushing and flossing, can increase the cleanliness of your mouth. Antimicrobial mouth rinses reduce bacteria and plaque activity, which cause gingivitis and gum disease. Fluoride mouth rinses also help reduce and prevent tooth decay, however not everyone should use a fluoride mouth rinse. For instance, fluoride rinses are not recommended for children ages 6 or younger because they may swallow them. Always check the manufacturer's label for precautions and age recommendations and talk with your dentist about the use of fluoride mouth rinse.

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References: http://internetdentalalliance.com, http://www.knowyourteeth.com

Bad breath?

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


Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.

While bad breath might be a symptom of some other disorder, it most likely stems from dental decay and periodontitis. It's more than just socially awkward - it's a serious threat to your oral health.

Periodontitis is a disease affecting gums and bone that support the teeth, and it is caused by inadequate brushing and flossing. In this disease, the irritated gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets between the teeth and the gums. These pockets fill with bacteria and pus which give off a foul odor.

Patients with bad breath should be referred for a complete dental evaluation. If gum disease and/or dental decay is diagnosed, it can be treated readily. The patient will no longer have an infection in his or her mouth, and will no longer have the embarrassment of bad breath.

If you don't brush and floss teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, which promotes bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath.  Antibacterial mouth rinses can also help reduce bacteria. In addition, odor-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned.

There's no need to live with bad breath, and no reason to neglect your dental health. If you have questions regarding halitosis, please call our office at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today.
 
Best Regards,


Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia, Dr. Song

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: http://www.webmd.com

The Stress and Gum Disease Connection

You've seen the headlines. It seems like each day people in white lab coats discover some new health anomaly is linked to stress. Now you can add one more to the list: stress is bad for your teeth. (Just one more reason to go on that vacation you've put off!)

According to a study printed in the Journal of Periodontology, short term psychological stress can lead to elevated plaque levels, while physical stress is linked to gingivitis (gum disease). What's more, caregivers helping people under these physical and emotional stresses are also at increased risk for gum disease.

So, how does stress lead to elevated plaque levels and gum disease?

Experts believe chronic stress may lead to a malfunction of some biological functions. Also, those who are struggling with stress and those who care for them often become depressed and slide on oral hygiene, if not giving up on themselves altogether.

Enough of the scientific jargon. How does this affect me?

Virtually all of us find ourselves dealing with excessive stress now and again, and some must deal with it day in and day out for years. It is important that you are aware of the risks associated with this stress so that you can prevent them from wrecking havoc on your teeth (not to mention the rest of you!)

What can I do to prevent gum disease?

Gum disease leads to more than bleeding gums. It can affect the integrity of your teeth and the bone that supports them. If unchecked, gingivitis can lead to loose and missing teeth. When this happens, teeth can often shift. It can be uncomfortable and painful for your bite (not to mention your smile). Brushing at least twice a day and flossing each night are the first step toward protecting yourself from gum disease. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are also crucial. If you've missed an appointment or would like us to create a care schedule for you, call our office at (212)689-0024.

While these steps can help reduce the risk of stress-related periodontal disease, they don't resolve the key problem – stress! Exercising and eating right can help, and developing a hobby can be a fantastic release. Talking about it can help as well.

As always, your health is our primary concern. Do not hesitate to call us at (212)689-0024 or email us atappts@newyorkdenturedental.com if you have any questions about periodontal disease or would like to schedule an appointment to discuss your oral health!


Best Regards,

Dr. Pasch & Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia, Dr. Song


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!