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Many of us desire a bright, healthy, perfect smile. Pearly whites can help us to appear younger, healthier, and more attractive, but they can also help improve our overall health. So, who wouldn't want a better smile? Everyday Health collected a list of seven steps towards a better smile, so check out their tips, tricks, and advice by reading on.
We all know that we’re supposed to brush twice a day, floss, and visit the dentist regularly for checkups, but we like to remind our patients of all the things that are important to avoid as well! Here are ten of the worst things you can do for your teeth:
After you have lost your baby teeth, you assume your days of having loose teeth are over. So when an adult tooth becomes loose, it is a reason to worry. Having loose adult teeth can mean that a ligament, which normally suspends the tooth, isn't functioning properly. There might also be damage to your gums or jaw bone, according to Dear Doctor.
So how does this damage happen? Why do teeth become loose? Dear Doctor claims there are three reasons for ligament damage.
After losing a tooth, you are faced with several options. While you could just ignore the problem, replacing a missing tooth is much more optimal. To restore maximum function, maintain healthy alignment and preserve facial contours, consider the following options, as curated by Dear Doctor.
Millions of people around the world today live with missing teeth. In fact, the statistics in the United States are staggering: 69 percent of Americans age 35 to 44 have at least one missing tooth, and one in four over the age of 74 have lost all of their natural teeth. Perhaps you’re needing to replace missing teeth but are not quite sure how to approach the process. We’ve got some helpful information regarding the two best alternatives to missing teeth: traditional bridgework and dental implants. While both are reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing options, it’s important to understand the differences between the two. Take a closer look at bridgework and dental implants.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is literally that – a bridge which closes the gap resulting from missing teeth. A bridge is an appliance made up of two or more crowns which is attached on either side to natural teeth. A bridge incorporates either a metal or porcelain frame that attaches to existing teeth. These adjacent teeth must be prepared through a process that involves the removal of enamel. According to dental professionals, this preparation process can increase the risk for tooth decay.
What are the benefits of dental bridges?
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an appliance that acts as a replacement for the tooth root. A dental implant provides a strong foundation for either fixed or removable replacement teeth. With a dental implant, a titanium metal implant is fused directly into the jawbone through a minor surgical procedure. According to dental professionals, dental implants are less likely to lead to gum disease than dental bridges.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Considering a dental bridge or dental implant? The professionals at Dr. Joseph C. Lattinelli and Associates are here to provide the information you need to make informed dental decisions. Visit the dental office of Dr. Joseph C. Lattinelli and Associates or give us a call to start your journey towards a healthier smile!
It’s never too early to start working on good dental habits, and children may avoid later problems if they develop behaviors that encourage proper dental care. Many children don’t have good habits about brushing their teeth or flossing, and parents need to take the initiative to teach them proper techniques. It can save children a lot of discomfort and parents a lot of money over time when children follow proper dental habits.
Since childhood, we are taught to brush our teeth twice a day, floss regularly and visit a dentist every 6 months for maintaining our teeth. But healthy teeth and gums need much more than just brushing & flossing. There are several seemingly ‘innocent’ habits that put our teeth at risk for getting damaged permanently! Our cosmetic dentistry office has compiled a list of habits that can damage your teeth- chipping, cracking, enamel erosion or gum problems.
Gum disease is a serious health problem that ranges from gum inflammation to major issues like damage to the bones that support the teeth. Gum disease is caused when bacteria multiply and form plaque on your teeth. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth after meals, especially meals that have a lot of sugar, the bacteria can eat away at the enamel on your teeth. Plaque that stays in place for a long period of time causes tartar, which needs to be removed by our dentist.
When there is tartar on the teeth, the gums can become inflamed. This makes them bleed or become red and is often called gingivitis. 
Gingivitis is a gum disease, but it can be reversed with proper oral health and a deep cleaning at the dentist. If left untreated, periodontitis can form. If the periodontitis becomes too advanced, the bone and tissues in the mouth are broken down and loss of teeth is possible.
There are a few signs of gum disease that you can look for: bad breath, swollen or red gums, gums that bleed when brushed or flossed, teeth that are sensitive to hot or cold food or drink, and gums that recede.
Certain people are at a higher risk for gum disease than others, especially people with diabetes. It is common for people with diabetes to develop periodontal disease earlier in life than people without diabetes. If not reversed in time, the tissue and bone can break down in the mouth and cause a loss of teeth.
Visiting your dentist regularly is an important way to guard against gum disease. The dentist or dental hygienist will be able to remove tartar that has built up in the mouth and can see the warning signs of gum disease. If you are told you have gum disease, your dentist will provide you with steps to take to reverse it.
Dr. Lattinelli cares about you and your oral health. If you haven’t been to the dentist in awhile, call us today at 212-752-7188 to make an appointment. Our Upper East Side dentistry office is conveniently located at 121 East 60th Street in New York. Your mouth will thank you.
You take good care of your teeth. You keep those pearly whites healthy with regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings. But when the unthinkable happens and you injure a tooth, what do you do? We’ve got a closer look at how you should handle different types of tooth injuries. When you have an injured tooth, it’s important to act immediately. Visit our cosmetic dentistry office right away to have your injury evaluated and x-rayed. If the tooth or a piece of it has broken out of the mouth, make sure you bring it with you to the dentist. An over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever can help with any pain from a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth. Here’s what you can expect in treatment for tooth injuries:
Tooth decay is a preventable oral disease that can have serious consequences on your dental health. Tooth decay happens when acid in the body dissolves the tooth enamel. Acid is produced by bacteria from carbohydrates and sugar. When there is a lot of acid, the tooth enamel is dissolved and can lead to the loss of the tooth.