Last updated 3 months ago
Did you know that proper dental hygiene begins even before a baby’s first tooth appears? If your child’s first tooth has crowned or they are one year old, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your family dentist. To ensure proper teeth cleaning at any age, be sure to review these helpful guidelines.
Early Start
Before your infant’s first tooth appears, wipe their gums with gauze or using a soft wet washcloth during bath time. You don’t need to use any toothpaste at this very early stage, but getting your baby used to having their teeth cleaned will ensure that the transition to teeth cleaning later on is smooth and easy for both baby and parent.
Soft Toothbrush
Your child’s first teeth usually appear around six months. Select an infant toothbrush and use a tiny dot of toothpaste that is about the size of a grain of rice. Twice a day, gently brush both the inside and outside of any teeth and their tongue. When their teeth begin to come in together, ask your dentist for tips on how to floss between baby teeth. For a two to five year old, dentists recommend using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. If you are supervising your child as they brush, make sure that they never swallow excess toothpaste.
Fluoride Toothpaste
If you are like many parents, you are unsure of when to start using toothpaste that contains fluoride. Dentists now advise parents to begin using fluoridated toothpaste as soon as they start brushing their baby’s teeth. You may also want to consider asking your dentist to evaluate the fluoride levels of your primary source of drinking water to make sure your children are getting enough fluoride.
The dentists at Charles M. Marks, D.D.S. and Dental Associates of Manhattan provide comprehensive dental care for babies, children, teens, and adults. Whether you are interested in cosmetic dentistry services such as teeth whitening or simply need a routine teeth cleaning, call (888) 803-3767 to schedule an appointment today.
Last updated 3 months ago
Teeth cleaning and teeth whitening are two simple and effective ways to achieve an attractive smile. These articles discuss how good oral hygiene and periodic cosmetic maintenance can give you beautiful teeth for many years.
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WebMD.com lists some of the factors that lead to tooth stains, from foods and drinks to tobacco.
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The best way to fight tooth discoloration is through consistent oral hygiene. The Mayo Clinic gives readers an overview of appropriate brushing and flossing methods.
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Sometimes even consistent brushing and flossing cannot eliminate stubborn tooth stains. HowStuffWorks.com describes how teeth whitening can remove teeth discoloration.
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Floss.com explains how veneers can conceal both tooth discoloration and tooth fractures.
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Do you have wisdom teeth? MouthHealthy.org breaks down what wisdom teeth are and why they should be removed.
Charles M. Marks, D.D.S. and Dental Associates provide a comprehensive array of dental services for patients in the greater Manhattan area. Our dentists specialize in general and cosmetic dentistry, as well as preventative and restorative dentistry. To schedule a consultation with a dentist about your oral health needs, call (888) 803-3767 today.
Last updated 3 months ago
Tooth discoloration comes in many forms, but one aspect of it always remains the same: no one wants it. Teeth may acquire stains for many reasons, many of which can be avoided with preventative care. The following reasons constitute a few of the more common causes of tooth discoloration. If you have stained or yellowed teeth, but wish for a brighter smile, you may want to consult a dentist about teeth whitening.
Inadequate Brushing and Flossing
Proper oral hygiene isn’t just about having healthy teeth. When you practice consistent brushing and flossing, you also ward off plaque that can create the appearance of yellowed teeth. Plaque forms when bacteria and food contaminants have the chance to adhere to tooth enamel, so to prevent discoloration, be sure to maintain good hygiene practices.
Smoking
Tobacco usage is detrimental to your physical health in many ways. However, it can significantly impact your appearance as well. Cigarettes and other tobacco products can yellow and stain teeth over time. For this reason, as well as the many health considerations, make a commitment to stop smoking as soon as possible.
Drinking Stain-Producing Beverages
Coffee and tea are daily indulgences for millions of people. Unfortunately, these two beverages also happen to be common culprits of tooth discoloration. In fact, virtually any colored drink has the potential to stain your teeth. Coffee, tea, dark sodas, juices, and sports drinks can all lead to a discolored smile. If you find it difficult to eliminate these beverages from your diet, try drinking them through a straw to avoid direct contact with your teeth. You should also clean your teeth after drinking any of these beverages, or swish with water until you have the opportunity to brush.
Charles M. Marks, D.D.S. and Dental Associates provide safe and effective teeth whitening services, as well as many other cosmetic dentistry options. To schedule an appointment for teeth whitening, call our Manhattan office at (888) 803-3767.
Last updated 4 months ago
The oral hygiene habits you practice today will largely determine your dental well-being in the future. This video explains how easy yet essential it is to take care of your teeth for a beautiful and healthy smile.
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once each day. Though many people may assume that skipping these steps will not impact their teeth, eventual tooth decay and periodontal disease can result in discoloration, infection, and tooth loss. To make sure that your smile remains attractive and healthy well into older age, commit to a consistent oral hygiene routine today.
Charles M. Marks, D.D.S. and Dental Associates look forward to helping you have gorgeous and strong teeth. To make an appointment for a professional teeth cleaning at our Manhattan office, call (888) 803-3767.
Last updated 4 months ago
Millions of people develop wisdom teeth, also known as third molars. In many cases, these teeth will need to be removed by your dentist in order to avoid serious health problems. The following questions and answers can help you better understand what to do when your wisdom teeth come through.
When Do Wisdom Teeth Appear?
Most people first notice their wisdom teeth during late adolescence or early adulthood. Some individuals may feel a pressure against their back molars or sensitivity at the back of the mouth as their wisdom teeth attempt to erupt. Under some circumstances, dentists can identify the location of wisdom teeth before eruption with the use of X-rays.
What Are the Risks of Wisdom Teeth?
Many adults do not have adequate space in their mouths to accommodate wisdom teeth. As a result, these teeth begin to push against the molars while trying to erupt, which can lead to many problems. Aside from the pain and gum sensitivity that these circumstances can bring, wisdom teeth can also produce infection and teeth misalignment. Should they erupt without obstruction, they can still cause tooth decay and gum disease. Typically, this stems from the difficulty people have in reaching their wisdom teeth and being able to properly clean them.
How Does the Wisdom Teeth Extraction Process Work?
In some circumstances, dentists may recommend extracting a patient’s wisdom teeth before they erupt. Because wisdom teeth can create so many cosmetic and oral health problems, it is essential to remove them before they have the chance to affect a patient’s dental welfare. The process itself is relatively simple. After administering anesthesia to alleviate any discomfort, the dentist will remove the wisdom teeth from the jawbone. This procedure can be done with minimal trauma to the area, as the dentist can fragment the wisdom teeth before the removal process. This helps to ensure the least amount of discomfort and fastest method of recovery for patients.
Do you have wisdom teeth coming in? If so, call Charles M. Marks, D.D.S. and Dental Associates at (888) 803-3767. Our team of dentists can see to it that you undergo safe, swift, and pain-free wisdom teeth extraction in the comfort of our Manhattan office.
