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Oral herpes, commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters, is a prevalent viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). While it may not be a comfortable topic to discuss, understanding oral herpes is crucial for promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and preventing its spread.
Continue reading “The Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention of Oral Herpes | Central Park West Dentist”
When it comes to oral health, the choice between a commercial dental practice and a private dental practice is a decision many individuals face. Each type of practice has its unique set of characteristics, catering to diverse preferences and needs.
Continue reading “The Difference Between Commercial and Private Dental Practices | Central Park West Dentist”
Laughter, they say, is the best medicine. But what if you could literally inhale laughter? Enter nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, a fascinating and widely used anesthetic with a side effect that has everyone smiling – uncontrollable fits of laughter. Let’s take a closer look at this whimsical gas and its surprising role in the world of medicine.
Continue reading “The Lighter Side of Medicine: What To Know About Laughing Gas | Central Park West Dentist”
If you experience a physical reaction to the idea of certain stimuli being triggered by going to the dentist, you may have dental anxiety. Dental anxiety is common among kids and adults alike. Continue reading to learn if IV Sedation may be right for you.
When dentists perform restorative procedures, there are typically a variety of sedation options available to the individual. The two main ones are nitrous oxide and intravenous (IV) sedation. The inhalation of nitrous allows a patient to relax, but IV sedation can guide the patient into a deeper relaxation and in some cases, lull them to sleep.
The following are the benefits of utilizing IV sedation for sleep dentistry
Remaining consistent with your oral health in your daily life, as well as with regular check-ups, are the best way to avoid unfavorable experiences at the dentist. If you do enter into a restorative process, discuss your concerns with your dentist to see if IV sedation may be right for you.
If you have questions or concerns about IV sedation, make an appointment today with Dr. Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.
Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves Central Park West and all surrounding areas.
After a long holiday season, it may be possible for us to develop a toothache. After all, there are so many events filled with tasty eats, overindulging can sometimes have an effect on your smile. Thankfully, there is a quick solution to help ease the pain.
Sure, it tastes like you are drinking a glass of ocean water, but a warm saltwater rinse can be highly beneficial to your oral health. It is more than just a disinfectant; it also helps in removing swelling of oral tissues. Here are just a few ways swishing some saltwater can help:
Halitosis. While poor oral hygiene is a cause for halitosis, or bad breath, rinsing your mouth with salt water can prevent bacterial growth and infection, which often causes halitosis.
Gingivitis. Gingivitis is a typical condition characterized by swelling, inflammation and bleeding gums. Bacteria proliferation forms a sticky and whitish film, called plaque. Rinsing the mouth with salt water solution daily can help in soothing inflamed gums and wipes out bacteria.
Toothache. Toothache can happen to anyone; it is a common complication caused by several reasons. While bacteria are the main cause, weak roots or open nerve endings can also lead to sensitivity and throbbing in teeth. Gargling regularly with salt water can offer some relief.
Sore throat. Sore throat can cause you to cough, only adding to the pain your throat feels. Saltwater gargle can help in relieving soreness.
Salt water has been used by multiple cultures over countless generations to clean wounds and rinse out mouths, but it should not be swallowed in quantity. Talk to your dentist about the benefits of washing your mouth with salt water. To make a saltwater solution, mix 1 tsp of salt to 1 cup of warm water.
If you have questions or concerns about salt water rinse, make an appointment today with Dr. Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.
Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves Central Park West and all surrounding areas.
We all know that there are a few tools we need in order to maintain a healthy smile – a toothbrush, some toothpaste, floss and mouthwash. With these tools, we can achieve not only a healthy mouth but a bright smile that you’ll love to show off.
But what if you don’t have toothpaste handy, or you’ve just run out and don’t have time to run to the shop? There are some ways you can make your own toothpaste using very regular household items. Check it out!
Baking soda. There are lots of toothpastes that contain baking soda, so this shouldn’t sound so foreign to anyone. This ingredient helps whiten teeth and remove plaque. Simply place some on your finger, paper towel, or washcloth before brushing your teeth.
Saltwater. Salt has natural antibacterial qualities that can help eliminate some of the plaque-causing germs in your mouth when you don’t have any toothpaste. Simply combine 1–2 teaspoons of salt to 8 ounces of lukewarm water and allow the salt to dissolve in the water. Then dip your finger, paper towel, or washcloth in the saltwater before brushing your teeth, or use the elixir as a rinse afterwards. Just be aware that salt can corrode metal fillings so if you have some, don’t use this method too frequently.
Strawberries. This may sound crazy to you, but strawberries have malic acid, which can help whiten teeth, vitamin C, to maintain gum health, and an astringent that helps remove plaque. So, crush up some strawberries & apply to your teeth, even when mixed in some baking soda. When you finish, rinse well with water as strawberries still have sugar and fructose, both of which can cause tooth decay.
If you have questions or concerns about toothpaste alternatives, make an appointment today with Dr. Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.
Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves Central Park West and all surrounding areas.
When Halloween comes around, as parents it is important to teach our children to take care of their teeth to instill good dental habits through life. After all, there are lots of sugary sweets available to damage a tiny human smile, so staying on top of your child’s smile is important on this haunted night. Now, there’s no reason to deny children the enjoyment of Halloween candy, but it’s important to supervise them to ensure that their Halloween is enjoyed in a way that keeps their teeth safe.
Use Halloween as a way to teach children about moderation – by teaching children to eat a moderate number of treats, you’ll encourage them to practice moderation in their daily lives, including other sugary foods they’ll encounter year-round such as sweet juices and starch heavy breads. Allow your children to choose the candy they want to eat, but set a limit on the number of pieces, and remove the extras – they can be saved for a future day, frozen for later, thrown away, or donated.
While sugar does promote decay, the effect of sugar is not instant. If children eat candy for a short time period, and then brush their teeth a short time later, the impact of the sugar is fairly minimal. For that reason, allow children to eat candy during a fixed time – rather than an all-day feast, they’ll have a fixed window for candy. This allows them to prioritize their candy enjoyment, minimizes the chances that they’ll consume far too much, and by following treats with brushing, helps prevent cavities.
Focus on fun, but effective, tooth brushing. Children often need stimulation beyond simple health to brush regularly and sufficiently, so swap toothbrushes every few months, and give your children the opportunity to choose.
If you have questions or concerns about the effects of Halloween candy on your teeth, make an appointment today with Dr. Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.
Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves Central Park West and all surrounding areas.
We have all heard it before – breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Not only does it get your day started right, but it also gives your body the boost it needs to make it through with little issue. The problem is that many people do not choose the best breakfast options. They think easy and quick, which will typically end up being not the best choices they could be.
Thankfully, there are options that can be quick and easy, but also really healthy for to not only get your day started on the right foot, but can give you all the nutrients your body, and your smile, need to be the best they can be. It’s true – your breakfast can improve your smile! Let’s celebrate the first meal of the day by taking a look at some of our favorite breakfast options guaranteed to not only nourish you, but your smile…
Fruit. It’s always nice to start the day with a bit of fruit, whether it be via juice or by the piece. We all know that vitamin C, and lots of fruit have it. From strawberries to pineapple, the sweet vitamin C will also help scour away plaque and whiten teeth. But don’t overdo it – too much acidic food will begin to wear down your tooth enamel.
Dairy. Between milk, cheese and yogurt, the dairy section will give your smile the calcium & phosphorus boosts it needs to be its strongest. They will focus on re-mineralizing your teeth and protecting your tooth enamel from damage.
If you have questions or concerns about the effects of breakfast food on your teeth, make an appointment today with Dr. Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.
Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves Central Park West and all surrounding areas.
When it comes to dental hygiene, we do our best to make sure our teeth are healthy and strong by brushing, flossing, eating well and visiting the dentist regularly. So, when you find out that you have developed a cavity, we tend to question why it happened. Unfortunately, there are ways you can develop cavities that have nothing to do with how well you brush your teeth. But worry not, there is a way to prevent cavities from happening – dental sealants.
Dental sealant is a thin coating that is painted onto the crevices of your premolars and molars in order to prevent cavities from forming in the areas it is difficult for toothbrushes to reach. While it is available to everyone, dental sealants are a great way to prevent cavities while your tiny human is learning to properly brush.
The process is quick, painless and economical, as sealants are less expensive than a filling. The tooth is cleaned and dried, then a low-acidic solution is applied so the sealant can adhere to the tooth. The sealant is painted onto the respective tooth and dried with a curing light. Start to finish, the process takes less than a minute.
Once the sealants have been applied, the upkeep is simple – look after your teeth like you would normally. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes, floss at least once, and swish some mouthwash around. Your next dental visit will go off without a hitch.
If you have questions or concerns about dental sealants, make an appointment today with Dr. Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.
Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves Central Park West and all surrounding areas.
It may have been the cool thing to do in the past, but if they knew then what we know now, it would likely not have been so popular. Lung cancer, heart disease, premature wrinkles are just a few of the perks of smoking. But how bad it is for your mouth? In the beginning, the effects are fairly minor. But bad breath & yellowing teeth are just the tip of the iceberg. Soon you will have a build-up of plaque and tartar on your teeth, which can lead to gum disease and even tooth loss. Healing from tooth loss will take longer to heal. The dental implant used to replace the tooth have a lower success rate due to bone loss in the jaw. We haven’t even gotten to the gum disease.
When you smoke, the smoke you inhale interferes with the normal function of your gum tissue. When infected, you are more susceptible to periodontal disease. The more your blood flow is impaired, the longer it takes to heal. As you lose more alveolar bone, or the bones that anchor your teeth in your mouth, the easier it is for them to fall out.
Quitting will benefit your health tremendously, no matter how long you’ve been smoking. A study in the Journal of the American Dental Association revealed that mouth lesion leukoplakia completely healed in 97.5% of patients just after 6 weeks of quitting. The American Cancer Society states smokers are 6 times more likely to contract cancer of the mouth, lips, tongue, and throat than those who do not. So, grab yourself some nicotine gum, join a support group, or try acupuncture or hypnosis to ensure you stay healthy for a long time to come.
If you have questions or concerns about quitting smoking, make an appointment today with Dr. Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.
Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves Central Park West and all surrounding areas.