Posted on

Let’s Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month | New York Dentist

Taking care of our teeth is important. We all know this. If we don’t we have dental issues and pain we don’t even want to deal with, so we do our best to keep our mouths clean. But what if I told you that you were brushing your teeth wrong? Would you believe it? It’s true. The average person spends around 30 seconds brushing their teeth; dental professionals recommend a minimum two minutes. In honor of National Dental Hygiene Month, let’s break down our dental hygiene. If you are checking off the boxes, you’re in great shape…

  • Brush twice a day for at least two minutes each session
  • Floss once a day before you sleep
  • Limit daily snacks, especially those full of sugar
  • Visit the dentist every 3-6 months for regular checkups and cleanings

When brushing your teeth, time alone isn’t the only factor, make sure that every surface is brushed and cleaned as thoroughly as possible. Do not focus solely on the ones people can see. Use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to your gums, back teeth and all areas around dental work to give yourself the best cleaning.

When it comes to flossing, follow the following technique:

Start with about 18 inches of floss, hold it between your thumbs and index fingers, then gently slide it in between the gaps of your teeth. Slowly move the floss back-and-forth to bring it away from your teeth without causing any harm.

If you are still unsure if you are using proper technique, feel free to ask your dentist on your next dental appointment.

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

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

Posted on

Why Your Smile Hates National Coffee Day | New York Dentist

Here you are again – in line at your local coffee shop, waiting to order your favorite morning pick-me-up. You aren’t alone, of course. But this isn’t just your average day, nor is it your average cup o’ joe. Today is special – today is National Coffee Day.

Coffee is one way to get our early morning jolt of energy, but it isn’t exactly the best for our teeth. Not only does coffee stain your teeth, but it can also contribute to the buildup of plaque and tartar, while accelerating the progression of gum disease.

Gingivitis, or an inflammation of your gums caused by plaque, and periodontitis, a more advanced version of gingivitis that results in a gap between your teeth and your gums. When caught in the beginning gingivitis stage, it can be treated and, hopefully preventable in the future. Periodontitis, on the other hand, is more difficult to treat and, due to the gap between the teeth and gums, may cause your teeth to become loose and fall out.

When you drink coffee, it is affecting your mouth by lowering the temperature of your mouth and gums while reducing the blood flow to your gums, which does not allow your gums to get all of the necessary oxygen they need to continue functioning properly.

When it comes to gum disease, saliva plays a major role in prevention. It contains oxygen and specialized enzymes which help prevent gum disease by killing the unnecessary bacteria in your mouth. Drinking coffee can cause dehydration and reduce the amount of saliva you produce, thus increasing your chances of developing gum disease.

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

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

Posted on

Straighten Things Out with Braces | New York Dentist

In an era of constant need to document life through pictures, having a flawed smile is a tough one to take. Not only does it look less than pleasing, but it can also cause other issues to develop, like trouble eating, speech issues and a lack of self-esteem. Thankfully, most dental issues can be resolved by taking a trip to the dentist, so they can take a look and you can both decide on a plan of attack.

One great way to fix a crooked smile is with orthodontics. Believe it or not, having braces can fix a number of dental issues. Fixing your crooked teeth with a set of braces – traditional or otherwise – will improve your mouth’s alignment, speech and/or chewing difficulties. Take a look…

Gapped teeth. Gaps in between teeth can occur from the abnormal continued growth of the jawbone or missing teeth causing teeth the shift to adjust to the empty space, creating gaps.

Overbites. When the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth, you have an overbite. Much like teeth gaps or spaces, overbites can eventually lead to gum problems and add unnecessary stress on the lower teeth and jaw.

Underbite. The opposite of overbites, an underbite occurs when the lower teeth protrude past the upper teeth. Having an underbite causes unnecessary tooth wear, in addition to causing pain and other issues in the jaw joints.

Teeth crowding. Crowded teeth occur when there’s not enough room in the jaws for teeth to fit normally as they would. If left untreated, expect severely crooked teeth, which causes various dental issues, such as plaque accumulation, tooth decay and an increased risk for gum disease.

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

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

Posted on

Ever Been to the Dentist? Here’s What You Can Expect | New York Dentist

When trying to maintain a healthy smile, it is important that you practice proper dental hygiene on a daily basis. We need to brush for a couple of minutes, floss thoroughly and use with mouthwash that will not only freshen our breath but also rinse away any bacteria and particles stuck between our teeth. But there is one thing we also need to do in order to maintain our mouth’s health, and it’s something we don’t exactly enjoy doing – visit the dentist.

As much as we hate to admit it, dentists are key – they can not only fix any issues we have developed but can also help prevent things from progressing. But what exactly can we expect from a dental appointment? Let’s take a look at what a typical appointment would look like…

Cleaning. You are cleaning your teeth when you brush, but this cleaning will involve special dental tools that can remove any tartar from your teeth, then polish any stains or plaque that may be developing. Once complete, you may be told about any problems found that may be a concern or habits you could improve.

Examination. Once your smile is nice and clean, your dental professional will take a closer look at your entire mouth to find any changes that may have occurred, and identify any dental issues, like cavities or gum disease. Sometimes this means having x-rays taken. And if necessary, a treatment plan will be discussed.

As you can see, there really is nothing to worry about if you take proper care of your smile. Proper dental hygiene and regular dental visits will keep your smile healthy.

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

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