Teeth whitening is among the most commonly performed cosmetic dentistry procedures. When you think about how much this treatment can improve the look of someone’s smile, it comes as no surprise that it continues to grow in popularity. If you want to enjoy the benefits of a whiter smile, then use the following tips:

Whiten your teeth.

If you’ve always wanted a whiter smile, then the first step that you should take is to consider your whitening options. Today, you will find that there are mouth rinses and toothpastes intended to help whiten your teeth. While these products can help you maintain your bright smile after whitening, they aren’t likely to make a significant impact on the color of your teeth. Instead, consider using over-the-counter teeth whitening kits or talk to your dentist about professional teeth whitening. Seeing your dentist to have your teeth whitened means that you can enjoy a noticeably whiter smile in as little as a single, 1-hour appointment.

Avoid staining foods.

Once your teeth are whitened, it’s important to avoid staining foods and drinks if you want it to stay brighter for longer. Foods like berries and tomato-based items can cause your teeth to stain. Drinking sodas, red wine, coffee, and tea can also cause your whitened smile to become dull. When you do choose to eat or drink staining foods and beverages, remember to rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth afterward.

See your dentist.

Besides helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy, regular visits to your dentist can also help you to maintain your whiter smile. When you visit your dentist twice per year for teeth cleanings, this can help prevent stains from building up on your enamel, and your dentist can let you know when it might be time to touch up your smile with additional whitening.

At our dentist office in New York, Dr. Charles Marks offers teeth whitening to help give you the brighter smile that you’ve always wanted. To schedule your consultation, please give us a call today at (212) 279-1232.

When your upper teeth sit slightly forward over your bottom teeth, this is considered to be a normal fit. If your dentist tells you that you have a malocclusion, this means that your teeth lack a proper fit. There are many types of malocclusions but, here, you’ll find a few of the most common ones described.

Spacing or Crowding

When there is too much space between an individual’s teeth, dentists describe this as a spacing malocclusion. On the other hand, a patient’s mouth can be too small for their teeth, causing them to crowd together. Both of these issues can have an effect on a person’s oral health and, in the case of overcrowding, can demand the need for a tooth extraction to make more space.

Upper Protrusion

Sometimes referred to by dentists as an overjet, an upper protrusion occurs when a person’s front upper teeth stick outward. This malocclusion can be caused by a small lower jaw, thumb-sucking, or pacifier use.

Overbite

Although it’s normal for a person’s upper front teeth to sit over and in front of the lowers ones, when the overlap is too large, this is referred to as an overbite. In a severe case of this type of malocclusion, the patient’s lower teeth to hit the roof of the mouth.

Underbite

In a normal bite, a person’s upper teeth reach farther forward than their lower ones. When a patient has an underbite, this means that their lower front teeth are farther forward than their upper ones.

Open Bite

When a person has an open bite, this means that when they close their mouth and their top and bottom molars are touching, the front teeth fail to overlap, leaving an open gap between the top and bottom.

If you’re looking for an experienced and compassionate dentist serving New York, then Dr. Charles Marks can help. To learn about our preventative care services or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call today at (212) 279-1232.

Dental crowns are a common element of restorative dentistry. Crowns can replace a tooth’s structure and function, so patients can chew and smile properly again. Typically, your dentist will place a crown on your tooth following a root canal treatment. Continue reading for simple instructions about caring for your crown, and don’t be afraid to ask your dentist any further questions you may have.

After your dental crown has been placed, you may experience some sensitivity in the area, especially if the tooth nerve is still intact. Though the crown should resist tooth decay, your gums can still be affected by bacteria and infections. Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.

Come see Dr. Charles Marks for all of your restorative and preventative care in New York. Whether you need a new crown, dental implants, or a simple teeth cleaning, you will find comprehensive and compassionate service with Dr. Marks. Please call our office at 212-279-1232 to set up your appointment.

During your regular dental exam and teeth cleaning, your dentist may suggest you have a dental sealant treatment. This is a safe and effective treatment to give you added protection against tooth decay and bacteria on the chewing surfaces of your teeth.

As you can see in the video, everyone should have sealant treatments. However, sealants are especially important in children and teenagers to protect their teeth from tooth decay and cavities. The sealant treatment is easily done by drying the chewing surfaces and applying a plastic liquid that is hardened with a UV light. This sealant should last for many years before it needs to be reapplied.

Dr. Charles Marks believes in preventative care for all of his patients. If you are interested in sealants near New York, then please call our dentist’s office at 212-29-1232 for more information.

Whether you have just started your Invisalign treatment or you are nearing the end, you will be amazed at the results you receive. Invisalign is one of the leading treatments in straightening teeth and restoring proper mouth function. At the end of your Invisalign treatment you will notice not only straighter teeth, but a more confident feeling in yourself and your brand new smile.

Straighter Teeth

Invisalign is the perfect orthodontic choice if you have overcrowded, widely-gapped, or crooked teeth. With the plastic aligners custom-molded to your teeth, your smile will become straighter within a matter of months. With advancing technology, Invisalign can even correct most bite issues that patients may have.

Healthier Teeth

Due to having straighter teeth, your dental hygiene should also improve. Straighter, evenly-spaced teeth tend to have healthier gums. It becomes easier to floss daily because the teeth are correctly spaced. With crooked or unevenly-gapped teeth, flossing and teeth brushing becomes more difficult, and infections and tooth decay can set in. Once you have finished your Invisalign treatment, you should be able to improve your daily oral care and thus your oral health.

More Confidence

One of the biggest benefits you will find after your Invisalign treatment is the rise in your self-confidence and self-esteem. Many people with crooked teeth refrain from smiling or speaking because they feel embarrassed about their teeth. Once you finish wearing your Invisalign plastic aligners, typically after a year or so, your confidence will begin to grow. Your teeth will be straighter, and you will be more than happy to speak and smile again without any difficulty or embarrassment.

Trust Dr. Charles Marks with your Invisalign treatment near New York. We pride ourselves on restoring our patients’ smiles with Invisalign, dental implants, and other forms of restorative and cosmetic dentistry. If you have any questions or would like to schedule your Invisalign consultation, then please visit us online or call us at 212-279-1232.