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Fighting Gum Disease at Home | New York Dentist

When we think about dental hygiene, most of us are thinking we are keeping our smiles bright and shiny – we never really stop and think about the damage we are preventing by brushing, flossing and rinsing each and every day. But in reality, that should be our main focus. Because if we ignore our dental health, it can lead to a number of dental issues in the future.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common problems Americans face – as many as half of American adults have some level of periodontal disease, and that percentage increases at higher ages. Periodontal, or gum, disease can take many forms – from mild gingivitis, with symptoms like red inflamed gums to severe periodontal disease, where pus from infections can push teeth from their socket.

Fortunately, there are things you can do at home to help prevent periodontal disease. Controlling harmful bacteria in the mouth can be done with a few home remedies. Saltwater rinses (1/2 tsp. of salt in a glass of warm water, swirled in your mouth for up to 60 seconds) and hydrogen peroxide (food grade, equal parts 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and water, swirled in your mouth for a few seconds and then spit out) can help combat bacteria in your mouth, while chewing sugar-free gum with Xylitol has antibacterial properties, in addition to producing saliva, which helps wash food particles from your mouth.

While there’s no substitute for professional dental visits, taking good care of your mouth at home will help keep periodontal disease at bay. If you see red, inflamed, or bleeding gums, it’s time to make an appointment to visit a professional – it’s best to treat periodontal disease before it becomes a serious problem.

If you have questions or concerns about gum disease, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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Starting Off the New Year Right | New York Dentist

Here we are…moments from a new year. And after this last one, we can theoretically only go up. And since now is the time we take a step back to take a look at ourselves in order to improve upon ourselves. Why not throw our dental health in the mix? And because our mouth is the first line of defense against other health issues, we should always try to keep our smiles healthy and bright. So, here are a few dental hygiene tips to help you brighten that smile and keep you on your dentist’s good side. They may seem obvious, but many of us can use the refresher:

Brushing. The rule of thumb is pretty well-known – brush your teeth twice a day, for at least two minutes. Start your day off right with fresh, clean breath and wrap up your day with a quick brush before bed to prevent cavities from forming while you snooze. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush in rounded strokes to keep your gums healthy as well.

Flossing. It’s one of the least favorite tasks on the list of dental hygiene tasks. The problem is, flossing not only removes stuff stuck deep between each tooth, but it also keeps your gums healthy by preventing bacteria from getting inside and causing infection.

Rinsing. Rinsing is not only a quick way freshen breath, but it also adds an additional layer of protection from plaque and cavities. We have been taught to rinse with mouthwash after brushing, but doing it beforehand can loosen any particles you may have, making your brushing more effective.

If you have questions or concerns about dental health, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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You May Need Your Dentist this Summer | New York Dentist

Who doesn’t love summertime? It is the most fun time of the year. No school, lots of time for family vacations, the sun is warm and there is plenty of fun to be had. So, you pack a few things and off you go…off to spend a few days being carefree with the ones you love most.

Before you leave the house, take a few moments to prepare for an emergency we rarely think about when preparing for a vacation: an oral one. It’s important that you are cognizant of the amount of sugars you consume, and that you drink lots of water to make sure you and yours stay hydrated and keep saliva production active. The more saliva production, the more protection you’re giving your mouth from cavity-forming bacteria and bad breath. Who wants to come home and deal with a mouth full of cavities after a wonderful time away?

If your family is a more adventurous brood, keep some type of lip balm handy for your outdoor adventures and apply often. With being active comes a lot more chance for accidental mishaps, so always be aware of your surroundings. Cracking a tooth during a camping trip or some other dental emergency could spoil the fun if you aren’t careful. Having a dental first aid kit is a smart idea if you are planning to spend time outdoors. Make sure you also include contact info for a local dental contact in case something major happens and immediate action is necessary. Being proactive on a vacation saves a lot of stress, and isn’t that the point of your family fun?

If you have questions or concerns about the effects of dental care on vacation, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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Garlic: Your Mouth’s Best Friend? | New York Dentist

Some of our favorite dishes have it. The Italians have made it a staple in every dish they serve. There is even a festival in Gilroy, CA every July. In fact, the only ones that don’t enjoy it would be vampires. Yes, we are talking about garlic – that gloriously smelly delight that graces our kitchens and taste buds. And with every good comes a bad and garlic is no different. The more we enjoy it, the more it is invading our mouths, leaving us with some of the stinkiest breath around. But have you ever stopped to think that garlic is actually helping our smiles? It may be hard to believe but it’s true. Garlic is one of the most multi-faceted foods we have. And since April 19th is National Garlic Day, let’s celebrate our favorite smelly friend…

Gum disease prevention. Garlic has thiosulfinate, a bacteria-reducing compound that specializes in reducing the production of plaque, the first stage of gum disease.

Promotes dental hygiene. We all know that garlic is guaranteed to give us some of the worst breath, so garlic is actually helping us maintain healthy dental practices as we are more prone to brush after eating garlic.

Get a good night’s sleep. Did you know garlic helps you sleep? Those that suffer from sleep apnea can benefit from its anti-inflammatory properties that can also help open up your airways and reduce enlarged tonsils.

Toothache relief. If a toothache or headache has occurred, munching on a clove of garlic can help relieve some of your pain naturally.

If you have questions or concerns about garlic, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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A Smile Is Contagious | New York Dentist

It’s tough to deny the fact that a smile is contagious. If you’re in a bad mood, something as simple as a smile can lift your spirits. And if you have the smile on your face, the world just seems to feel a little bit brighter. Yes, our smile is one of the most powerful tools we have to make the world a better place.

Because our smile is so important, it is vital that we take care of it with proper daily dental hygiene and a healthy, balanced diet. Make sure to brush at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes, floss to get into those areas missed by your toothbrush, and rinse thoroughly to remove any of those cavity-causing bacteria.

A healthy balanced diet is not only good for our overall health, but also for our teeth. Fruits and vegetables are a great way to get vital nutrients into our systems, but there are some in particular that add a dental boost. Crunchy foods like apples and carrots increase saliva production, which is our mouth’s natural cleanser. Dairy products include lots of calcium, which is ideal for strong teeth and gums. Staying away from excessive sweets and junk food is also going to help keep your grin the brightest it can be.

So, before you start your day, take a moment to put a smile on your face. Not only will it help your general disposition, but it can spread to everyone you meet. Say cheese!

If you have questions or concerns about your smile’s health, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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Improving Hygiene with Oral Appliances | New York Dentist

When creating our ideal smile with the help of our dental professional, it is important to know that this may lead to the use of removable dental appliances, like dentures or bridges. If this is the case, you need not worry – today’s dental advancements can now give you the most natural-looking smile possible. While these dental miracles are going to give you a fantastic smile, you are in charge of maintaining that smile. This includes hygiene.

When you receive your new smile, your dentist is going to give you a set of do’s and don’ts to follow – pay attention. These words of advice are not only going to ensure that your new smile is going to last as long as possible but will also prevent future issues due to the development of pathogens that can lead to oral thrush, pneumonia and other systemic diseases.

Many will soak their appliances in an OTC solution dissolved in water. This is fine for aesthetic maintenance, but they do nothing for the harmful pathogens. Best solution is a nice soak in an all-purpose antimicrobial cleanser.

We know that toothpaste is necessary for proper dental hygiene, but it isn’t for removable dental appliances. Most toothpastes are too abrasive and can cause tiny scratches, and these tiny scratches are the perfect hiding place for bacteria and other fungal colonies.

In order to maintain your dental health while using dental appliances, make sure to thoroughly disinfect your appliances and clean the areas they are placed. No sense in keeping pristine dentures if you plan on placing them in an unclean mouth. Keeping both clean and disinfected will keep your renewed smile around for years to come.

If you have questions or concerns about dental appliances, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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Gum Disease Prevention at Home | New York Dentist

Periodontal disease is one of the most common problems Americans face – as many as half of American adults have some level of periodontal disease, and that percentage increases at higher ages. Periodontal, or gum, disease can take many forms – from mild gingivitis, with symptoms like red inflamed gums to severe periodontal disease, where pus from infections can push teeth from their socket.

Fortunately, there are things you can do at home to help prevent periodontal disease. First and foremost – brush at least twice a day (ideally after each meal), and floss at least once a day. Periodontal disease typically starts with plaque and tartar on the teeth – brushing and flossing helps remove that plaque before it can harden into tartar.

Controlling bacteria in the mouth can be done with a few home remedies. Saltwater rinses (2 teaspoons of salt in a glass of warm water, swirled in your mouth for up to 60 seconds) and hydrogen peroxide (food grade, equal parts 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and water, swirled in your mouth for a few seconds and then spit out) can help combat bacteria in your mouth, and sugar-free gum with Xylitol has antibacterial properties as well as encourages the production of saliva to help wash food particles from your mouth.

While there’s no substitute for professional dental visits, taking good care of your mouth at home will help keep periodontal disease at bay. If you see red, inflamed, or bleeding gums, skip the home treatment and visit a professional – it’s best to treat periodontal disease before it becomes a serious problem.

If you have questions or concerns about gum disease prevention, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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Drink Up! It’s National Drink Wine Day | New York Dentist

Our smile is very important to us, so it is important that we take care of it. Because if we develop tooth decay, we may not be keeping our teeth much longer. Thankfully, there are things we can do that can prevent cavities beyond brushing and dental visits. The following are a handful of not-so-well-known tips for cavity prevention. And since February 18th is National Drink Wine Day, you’ll be happy to know wine is actually on this list…

Wine. Red wine is generally not considered great for teeth because of the stains, but one study suggests that many of the individual chemical components in both red and white wine can actively fight the bacteria that lead to tooth decay and cavities.

Raisins. Within the same vein, scientists have found that some of the chemicals present in nature’s candy, including polyphenols and flavonoids, may actively fight oral bacteria that lead to cavities.

Use a straw. We really shouldn’t have sugary drinks in our diet, but a good way to minimize damage to healthy teeth is by sipping that soda through a straw, so there is minimal contact with your teeth.

Cheese. Some researchers believe that casein, a protein found in cheese, may have a protective property that promotes healthy teeth and could help with cavity prevention.

Chewing gum. Chewing sugar-free gum has long been recommended to avoid bad breath and cavities. Even more so if it’s made with xylitol, a natural sugar substitute.

Dental sealants. To prevent tooth decay, many dentists recommend dental sealants, a protective coating that’s applied to the surface of the back teeth.

If you have questions or concerns about cavity prevention, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.