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Brightening Your Smile for 2022 | New York Dentist

Now that we are officially ingulfed in 2022, it is time to think about our future goals. For many of us, it is a health thing, for others it’s a spiritual thing. Regardless, it is the time of year we reflect on how we want to be as humans. A simple way to make a change that can not only affect the way you look, but also the way you feel is to whiten your smile. There are plenty of variations on how it is done – from over-the-counter options to in-office dental procedures. So, if you’re thinking about improving yourself for 2022, think about brightening that grin.

First thing’s first – brushing and flossing on a daily basis are the two most important things you can do to prevent yellow teeth and to maintain oral health. Avoiding smoking and the over-consumption of acidic food and drink are all simple options that will surely improve the state of your tooth coloration overall. Food and drinks that are very acidic break down the tooth’s enamel, making your teeth look dingy.

Over-the-counter teeth whitening products, such as whitening toothpastes, whitening trays and even mouth rinses, can all help whiten teeth by removing some of the stain build-up and providing a mild bleaching effect when used properly.

Lastly is the most effective way to whiten teeth with lasting results – visit the dentist. Only they can give you the proper advice on how to achieve the sparkly, white smile you’ve always wanted, which may include bleaching kits for you to use at home, or via in-office bleaching procedures, the latter being the more effective option. Enjoy your new year!

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

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

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Bright Smiles for the Holidays | New York Dentist

It’s the holiday season and while there are different rules this year, pictures will be taken and we all want to look our best. Unfortunately, many of us don’t have the smile we would like. Lots of times, a simple whitening treatment would do the trick. But keeping up a bright white smile isn’t exactly easy. Most of us don’t keep up the greatest diets and lifestyle choices, and that can hinder our teeth being their whitest. You can brush & floss every day, but your teeth will eventually lose its natural sheen. And being smack dab the holiday festivities, we need a bright smile. So, what do we do? Try these whitening options:

Kitchen items. DIY toothpaste can be made with a little hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, but did you know that strawberries and bananas can produce similar results? Strawberries contain stain-fighting malic acid, so crush a couple of berries with some baking soda. Even simpler, rubbing a potassium-filled banana peel over your teeth like a toothbrush will also shine up your smile.

Whitening products. Over the counter in the form of strips, trays, or paste work by using the oxidizing agents to remove pigment on the surface of the enamel. The products are effective at removing surface stains but make sure to follow the instructions. Overuse will wear down enamel making your teeth look yellowed.

In-office visits. When all else fails, it may be time for you to make a dental appointment. A ZOOM! whitening treatment that can either be applied by your professional, or customized so you can do it yourself. Ask your dental professional which whitening options will work best for you.

If you have questions or concerns about teeth whitening treatments, 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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Wake Up! It’s National Coffee Day | New York Dentist

It’s the beginning of the day for many. It’s the pick-me-up some need in the afternoon to make it through the day. And even during a pandemic, we are still lining up for a hot cup of coffee. But did you know today was National Coffee Day? It’s true. America’s favorite morning elixir has its own day to celebrate and today is that day.

And while coffee is the perfect beverage to wake us up, it is terrible for our teeth. The more we drink, the quicker our smile are affects. But this spans further than just tinging your smile – 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 affects of coffee, 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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Brighten Your Smile in the Kitchen | New York Dentist

There are plenty of things we use the kitchen for beyond cooking – parties always gather in the kitchen; homework is best done wherever snacks are close. It is basically the most important room in the house. But did you ever think you could brighten your smile in the same room you do all of those other important things? It’s true. There are lots of ways you can brighten your smile using things you have in your kitchen. Check it out…

The version most people are used to hearing about is a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste, or “old reliable”. You can find a lot of toothpastes with these ingredients, but you can mix a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into a little bit of baking soda.

Doesn’t get more natural than this – strawberries and banana peels. Strawberries contain malic acid, fantastic at breaking down stains. So, grab a couple berries, add about a teaspoon of baking soda & rub on your teeth for 5-7 minutes. After you brush your teeth, peel a ripe banana and rub a piece of the inside on your teeth for two minutes.

If you have apple cider vinegar, dilute it with some water (3 parts water, 1 part vinegar) and mix it with an all-natural toothpaste, you’ve made yourself a pretty efficient tooth whitening solution. If you are one that has discovered the many uses for coconut oil, you may also know that swishing it around in your mouth for 20 minutes is a possible solution to dingy teeth. Heat a cup of coconut oil, add two teaspoons of baking soda & five to ten drops of natural spearmint essential oil. The spearmint adds antimicrobial benefits for your gums.

If you have questions or concerns about DIY teeth whitening, 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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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.