National Dentist's Day

Without the dentist, we would have a lot of problems with our teeth and oral health. We owe a lot to our dentists for keeping our mouths healthy and our smiles bright. This March 6, show your dentist you care by celebrating National Dentist's Day.

Dentistry has a long history. The first documentation of dentistry dates back to 2600 B.C. with dentist Hesy-ra of ancient Egypt. Many, many years later, the Book of Dentistry was written. In 1530, Artzney Buchlein published the "Little Medicinal Book for All Kinds of Diseases and Infirmities of the Teeth." By 1990, cosmetic dentistry was on the rise. Everything from colorful braces, to bleaching, the veneers, to implants were used to help improve people's smiles.

There are a few ways to celebrate National Dentist's Day this March 6. First, brush your teeth. You should brush your teeth two to three times every day, but spend a few minutes on March 6 caring for your teeth as your dentist recommends. In addition to brushing, don't forget to floss and use mouthwash.

Another way to celebrate National Dentist Day is by scheduling an appointment with your dentist. We should see our dentists at least twice a year for semi-annual cleanings and check-ups. If you forgot to schedule your appointment this year, schedule it for March 6 so you won't forget again!

Finally, consider writing a thank-you note to your dentist. Being a dentist can be a thankless job, especially because so few people actually enjoy going to the dentist. To show your dentist you care, even if you don't like going to your bi-annual cleanings, write them a thank-you note. This small gesture can mean a lot to your dentist.

If you're in need of a new dentist. Consider Joseph C. Lattinelli, DMD. At our offices, we offer friendly, personalized care to each and every one of our patients. To schedule your appointment, give us a call at 212-752-7188. We are located at 121 East 60th Street in New York, New York.

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Avoid these Items to Protect Your Teeth and Gums

We’ve all been spending a lot more time eating these days. Often, we spend a lot of time eating things that aren’t good for us. You may have thought about watching your weight, but have you thought about watching out for your teeth and gums? Here are some foods you might want to avoid to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

What Foods Should I Avoid?

The number one food on your list of things to avoid is sugar, especially refined sugar. Sugar is the primary cause of tooth decay and gum disease. While you may be concerned about other foods harming your teeth and gums, sugar is a huge problem. Sugar enables the bacteria that is constantly in your mouth to grow and populate. Without proper brushing and flossing, sugar gives your mouth bacteria all of the fuel it needs to eat away at your teeth. Over time, you can develop both cavities and gum disease. If you have to indulge your sweet tooth every once in a while, make sure that you are brushing and flossing immediately after you eat sugar.

There are some sugar products that are more harmful than others. If you love caramels, taffy, toffee, or other sticky, sugary foods, it is even more important to brush and floss properly. Be sure that you use proper dental hygiene because sticky chewy, sugary foods are more difficult to get out of your mouth with absentminded brushing, which means they can stay on your teeth and cause more trouble.

Also, be sure that foods that are highly acidic, such as citrus, peppers, tomatoes, soft drinks, caffeine, and alcohol. Brushing after consumption of these foods will lessen the chances they will eat away at your tooth enamel.

When you are ready to have some help protecting your valuable teeth and gums, you need to come and see us. We’re located at 121 East 60th Street, New York City, New York 10022. You can call us to schedule a visit at 212. 752.7188.

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Keeping a Healthy Mouth and the Importance of Routine Cleanings in the Times of COVID-19

Dr. Lattinelli and his staff always stress the importance of routine dental cleanings and proper hygiene, but a recent article in the NY Post brings to light the importance of proper dental care. The Post article found here describes how poor dental health can negatively affect the outcome of getting COVID-19.

The article states that more than 500 patients were studied who had been admitted to hospitals with COVID-19. The statistics are startling for patients showing gum disease:

3 times more likely to suffer additional complications from the virus
3.5 times more likely to be admitted to intensive care
4.5 times more likely to need a ventilator
9 times more likely to die as a result of COVID-19

The researchers found a high increase in blood markers that indicate inflammation in the bodies of the patients with gum disease. This result led them to suggest that this inflammation makes it harder for the body to fight COVID-19. Gum disease is already known to have negative effects on the heart and other organs in the body, and this inflammation is felt to be one key factor in a person’s ability to fight COVID-19.

The researchers also took into effect other causes such as body mass index, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, and smoking. But they felt that there is a likely relationship between gum disease and inflammation that can contribute to COVID-19 illness and death.

Dr. Lattinelli wants his patients to know that we take their dental health very seriously and will make every effort to keep our patients in top dental health. We welcome any questions you may have about our dental programs and procedures and how good dental health can protect you. Please give our office a call at 212-752-7188.

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The Benefits of Dental Implants vs Dentures

It’s a New Year, which is the time of the year when you look at yourself more closely. You look at yourself and think of things you want to change. Perhaps one of those changes you want to make this year is your smile. If you are looking at your teeth in the mirror, and you are less than satisfied with the way your smile looks, you have options. One of the best options for smile restoration is a dental implant. Here are some reasons why dental implants work better than dentures.

Why Dental Implants?

If you are missing one tooth, a couple of teeth, or a lot of teeth, implants can help. A dental implant is a porcelain crown that sits atop a screw. The screw actually screws into your jawbone, which acts as an anchor. Implants are the closest thing to having your real teeth back that you can get. In fact, your gums will remain pink and healthy, because your body will believe that your teeth are still intact. This is perhaps the largest advantage to dental implants.

Dental implants can also be used to replace several teeth at one time. Implants can replace all of your teeth with the newest techniques in dentistry. Because they are permanent, there’s no removing them to clean them, or worrying about whether or not they smell bad. In fact, you can care for your dental implants in much the same way you care for your permanent teeth.

Dental implants are a great way to make sure that your teeth look the best that you possibly can. If you are missing teeth, you need to take a look at implants. When you are ready to talk about implants, we’re ready to help. Come by and see us to discuss an appointment at 121 East 60th Street, 10th Floor, New York, 10022. You can also give us a call at 212.752.7188.

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What is Cosmetic Dentistry

There are several different types of dentistry. In addition to your bi-annual cleanings, you may also be interested in cosmetic dentistry. To learn what cosmetic dentistry is, keep reading.

Cosmetic dentistry is a type of dentistry that focuses on the appearance of your teeth. Even though cosmetic dentistry is designed to make your smile more attractive, it can also improve your oral health. Dr. Lattinelli can perform five main cosmetic procedures.

The first main cosmetic procedure Dr. Lattinelli can provide to you is inlays and onlays. Inlays and onlays are made from composite resins. They're designed to restore the look of decayed or damaged teeth. An inlay is used if your teeth have damage, but the tooth cusps are intact. An onlay is used to cover the entire tooth surface.

The next procedure is composite bonding. The composite material is applied directly to a damaged tooth and a bonding material is applied after color is added to match the rest of the teeth. Another procedure to consider is veneers, which are made from ceramic and cover the front of individual teeth.

Teeth whitening is a common cosmetic dental procedure that can brighten your teeth. During teeth whitening, plaque, tartar, and stains are removed from your smile. The final cosmetic dental procedure Dr. Lattinelli can perform for your implants. If you have missing teeth, implants can be used to replace these teeth. A titanium screw is put into the bone below the missing tooth area, acting as a support for the replacement tooth. This is known as a crown, which is created in a laboratory. Implants are just as strong as normal teeth. They also look incredibly natural.

To schedule a cosmetic dentistry appointment with Dr. Lattinelli, give us a call at 212-752-7188 today!

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What To Look For In A Quality Dentist

If you have been on the planet long enough, we know that you have heard a lot of horror stories about dentists. While most dentists are reputable and amazing, there are always those dentists you would not want to send anyone to ever. If you are looking for a dentist, how do you know which dentists are cream of the crop, and which dentists should be avoided? (more…)

National Brush Your Teeth Day

You should brush your teeth every day, at least twice a day, but you should also celebrate National Brush Your Teeth Day on November 1! National Brush Your Teeth Day is a reminder to take care of your oral health. To learn more about this unofficial national holiday, keep reading.

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What To Do When A Cavity Occurs

If your tooth hurts, there are several things it might be. It may be a cracked tooth, or a tooth that has fractured or broken. However, the most common reason your tooth might hurt is also the most obvious--you have a cavity in your tooth. If you aren’t familiar with what cavities are and how they are treated, here’s all of the information you might need.

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October is Dental Hygiene Month

October is Dental Hygiene Month, which is a great time for you to remember how important dental hygiene is to your overall health and wellness. If you aren’t sure how dental hygiene connects to your overall health and wellness, we have some information for you.

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Don’t Do the Following With Your Teeth

Did you know that your teeth have rules? They do. There are things you should not do with your teeth if you expect to keep your teeth white and healthy-looking. If you break the rules, not only could you damage your teeth, but you could end up with a hefty dental bill as well. Here are the top no-no’s when it comes to taking care of your teeth.

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