What to Do When Your Dental Implant Breaks

All of a sudden, you hear a cracking noise, look inside your mouth, and find your implant is broken. When this happens, the first thing you should do is call your oral surgeon to schedule a visit as soon as possible. With an exam of your dental implants in Brooklyn, they can find out what the problem is.

It’s not common for an implant to fail, as they’re as strong and sturdy as your natural teeth. However, it can happen. Sometimes, the implant itself will break. This is the titanium screw implanted in your gums to take the place of a tooth root. In this case, your surgeon can replace the screw.

In other cases, the crown itself could crack. When this happens, your dentist has a new crown made to replace the damaged one.

How to Protect Your Implants

At your semiannual checkups, your dentist looks at the condition of all of your teeth, including dental implants. Then, lets you know about any problems. With this mind, make sure to keep your regular schedule of appointments.

There are other things you can do. One is to avoid grinding your teeth. This damages your teeth and implants. Another is to stop chewing certain foods, such as hard candy, nuts, and ice. And a third is to drink your beverages at warm -- not hot -- temperatures, as heat impacts the crown and implant itself. But with care, you only have to replace the crowns every 10 to 15 years.

How to Take Care of Your Dental Veneers

Now that you’ve had your smile transformed, you want to make sure to take good care of your dental veneers. Our cosmetic dentists in Park Slope recommend sticking to a regimen of good oral hygiene. This means the basics of brushing, flossing, and rinsing.

Brush at least twice a day with a non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid damage.

Floss once a day. Those bits of food that get between your teeth cause cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Rise after flossing, using an antiseptic mouthwash with no alcohol. Alcohol causes discoloration and deterioration.

Visit your dentist twice a year. This way, they check to make sure everything is as it should be. If not, they can take measures to prevent or minimize problems.

More Protective Measures

Likely, you have all the basics down and are safeguarding your teeth and gums. Our Park Slope cosmetic dentists recommend other measures to keep your smile bright and beautiful:

Watch Out for Stains -- The same foods that dim your natural teeth also darken your veneers. This means cutting out or minimizing beverages and food that stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, cola, and red wine.

Be Careful of What You Chew -- The list of things to avoid includes hard substances, such as ice, bones, pens, and nails.

Wear a Mouth Guard -- Save your teeth and veneers when playing sports by investing in a mouthguard. It costs less than a new veneer.

What is Covered in a Routine Dental Exam?

Just like clockwork every six months or so, you settle into the exam chair at your dentist’s office. You sit there trying to make small talk with the staff while sporting a mouthful of dental tools and hope you’re being understood. But what are they really checking for during a routine dental exam? Apart from asking your opinion about the recent weather, that is?

At Park Slope Dentistry, we are the location of choice for a vast number of patients who turn to us to be their Brooklyn dentist, and we’re going to use this blog post to tell you a bit about what’s covered in a routine dental exam.

Firstly, the hygienist or dental technician will discuss any changes in your medical condition that should be noted in your file. Once the initial query is complete, the dentist will then perform a full visual examination of your mouth. This inspection includes the teeth and all of the surrounding soft tissue.

Next, your dentist will use an instrument called an explorer to check each tooth for any signs of decay, staining, or gum recession. The inspection will also include the margins of crowns or fillings. If any problems are found, we’ll book a follow-up appointment for you.

Whenever you need a checkup or any other dental procedure, remember that we are a Brooklyn dentist clinic ready to help you.

Tips for Recovery After Receiving Dental Implants

When you’ve decided to replace missing teeth and restore your smile by receiving dental implants in Brooklyn, there are a few things you want to keep in mind to make sure your recovery progresses as it should.

Like any surgical procedure, several steps are recommended to ensure your continued health and that the implants heal as swiftly as expected. At Park Slope Dentistry, we have conducted a large number of dental implants in Brooklyn, and we’ve created this blog post to address the recovery period.

The first thing we recommend regarding the post-op period is to have a driver with you to make sure you get home safely. If sedation is used, you may be groggy following the procedure and not in any shape to drive.

Once the implants are in place, you may have bruising, swelling, minor bleeding, and some low-grade pain. We find that over-the-counter medications are useful for keeping this minor pain in check. While recovering, we suggest that you eat soft foods, cold foods, and warm soup.

For the long-term, we suggest the same level of dental care that you give your regular teeth. This means brushing and flossing daily, along with routine checkups and cleaning. Implants are not subjected to decay, but they can be affected by periodontal disease.

As you can see, dental implant recovery is a very straightforward process if you follow a few simple recommendations.

How to Tell When Dental Problems Are An Emergency

Some dental problems cannot be put on hold until your next scheduled dental appointment. Some issues occur over time, and some happen suddenly. For high-quality dental treatment, you should visit Park Slope family dentistry immediately before the problem worsens. Here are some signs that you must visit an emergency dental clinic immediately.

Relentless Toothache

If you have a constant toothache, it can be a matter of concern. You should visit an emergency dental clinic to have it addressed. It could be due to an abscessed tooth, tooth sensitivity, infected gums, a fractured tooth, or other serious reasons.

Fractured Tooth

A chipped, broken, or cracked tooth doesn’t just look unappealing, but it can also affect your oral health. The cracks can grow and lead to loss of part or all of the tooth. Park Slope family dentistry can fix a broken, chipped, or fractured tooth and save you more pain.

Gum Bleeding

If you find your gums are frequently bleeding, this is a sign of serious gum infection or gum diseases. If left untreated, gum diseases can become severe and painful. Therefore, visit Park Slope family dentistry if your gums are constantly bleeding.

Accidental Tooth Loss

If you lose a permanent tooth due to falling, an accident, or a sports injury, you must visit an emergency dental clinic immediately. The accident might have applied a sudden trauma to the gum tissues and dental nerves. Emergency dentists can provide a quick solution that may also fix the lost tooth if treated immediately.

How to Avoid Chipped Teeth

From chewing on hard candy to sports injuries, there are many ways you could injure and chip your teeth. If you want to ensure your smile continues to look its very best and avoid a trip for emergency dentistry in Windsor Terrace, here are some recommended ways to reduce your chances of chipping a tooth.

Be Careful With Food

It may seem obvious, but a lot of chipped teeth are caused when crunching on ice or a large piece of candy or nuts, so avoid crunching down on hard foods. They can cause fractures to your teeth. As a general rule, never chew ice. Also, avoid chewing shells or pen caps and opening bottle caps with your teeth.

Protect Your Mouth

If you’re an athlete, you know it’s essential to protect your mouth from injury and avoid needing emergency dentistry. Up to 39 percent of dental injuries are sports-related. Don’t let it happen to you. Make sure to wear your mouthguard and save yourself an extra trip to the dentist. Contact your dentist about a custom mouth guard that fits properly.

Reduce Tooth Grinding

A lot of people grind their teeth while sleeping. This can wear your teeth down and make them prone to chipping, sometimes causing the need for emergency dentistry. If you are a tooth grinder, a nightguard should be worn while sleeping to stop this habit. Custom-made guards protect your teeth from the continual wear and tear from grinding.

Strengthen Your Enamel

If you want healthier teeth, then strengthen your enamel. When enamel weakens, it’s prone to cavities and chipping. Stave off these problems by adding remineralizing gels to your hygiene regime. These gels contain calcium phosphate and fluoride, which help remineralize tooth enamel.

How to Get Kids to Brush their Teeth

One of the necessary life skills every child needs to learn is to brush his or her teeth properly. Getting your child into the habit of brushing twice a day can be tricky, but a little creativity can go a long way and will bear out in his or her long-term dental health.  Providers of family dentistry in Park Slope will partner with you, but here are some tips to start.

Go Shopping - Let your child pick out a toothbrush and toothpaste that he or she likes. Maybe they will choose a character toothbrush to make brushing more fun.  Fluoride toothpaste also comes in a variety of flavors and colors.

Make a Routine and Stick to It - It may be tempting to let your child skip brushing after a long day, or during busy times, but keep at it. Experts in family dentistry recommend that the more routine brushing becomes, the easier it will be for your child to maintain brushing twice a day for two minutes.

Reward Good Behavior - Do you know what motivates your child? If it’s stickers, make a reward chart and add one every time he or she brushes. If your child loves reading, let her or him pick out a bedtime story. Sometimes it’s just as simple as asking to see their white, healthy smile and saying, “I’m so proud of you” with a big hug.

What You Should Know About Charcoal Toothpaste

Recently, activated charcoal toothpaste has unseated whitening strips in consumer popularity. If your teeth are perpetually enveloped in subtle surface-level stains, active charcoal toothpaste may make them noticeably brighter and whiter, but all dentists are not convinced. 

Abrasion and "Stain Binding"

Charcoal toothpaste does not penetrate the enamel to change the actual color of the tooth. It's all about removing surface-level stains. If you seek out cosmetic dentistry in Park Slope, a cosmetic dentist will advise you that, for effective stain removal, the abrasion level in the product has to be high enough to remove stains without damaging the tooth enamel. If it’s too abrasive, it can roughen the surface of your enamel and remove or erode the enamel over prolonged use.

To be a viable alternative to cosmetic dentistry, the product needs to be effective but gentle as well. Charcoal products range in their abrasiveness, and most are not tested.

At the end of the day, each of us needs to be a savvy consumer. While you may have success whitening your teeth with charcoal toothpaste, you may want to cut back on how often you use it to ensure your teeth stay strong and healthy.

FAQ about Dental Veneers

If you are considering improving your smile with some dental veneers in Park Slope, here are some frequently asked questions!

What are dental veneers?

They are thin, durable shells made of tooth-colored material and are bonded to the surface of a tooth to enhance its appearance.

What are the types of veneers?

Composite and porcelain bonding are the most common materials for dental veneers. Composite veneers are made of a resin and are shaped and bonded to a tooth. Porcelain veneers are made in a lab and can be more resistant to staining.

What are the advantages of dental veneers?

Veneers preserve the most amount of tooth structure, as very little needs to be removed.  They improve the appearance of teeth, and gum tissues respond well to them.  A custom color can be selected, and in the case of porcelain veneers, they are stain-resistant.

What are some drawbacks of dental veneers?

The process is not reversible. If a veneer cracks, it is sometimes difficult to repair without replacing the entire veneer. It is important not to chew pens or bite nails, as these actions can crack the veneer.  And as veneers are still susceptible to decay, you must ensure good oral health and visit your dentist regularly.

Ways to Improve Your Smile

When it comes to lovely, white teeth, we all know about whitening and braces, but what other techniques can be used to get the perfect smile?  Of course, each person is different, so it’s advisable to have a consultation regarding your cosmetic dentistry in Park Slope, to discover which options will work best for you.

Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic bonding is when a white filler is added to the bottom edges of the teeth. There is no drilling, and it makes the edges look neater and straighter. Bonding has become quite popular, with a lot of you tubers and celebrities who want their smiles to look natural.

Veneers for a White Straight Smile

Many people seek out cosmetic dentistry for bonding and then upgrade to porcelain veneers as they only need to be replaced every 5-10 years. Porcelain veneers can be more durable than Cosmetic Bonding but are also more expensive. This process also requires more destruction of a tooth’s surface. If your teeth are fairly straight to start with, then the destruction to your teeth surface will not be that much. And, if you have worn away enamel, veneers are a good choice.

Botox and Laser for a Gummy Smile

Cosmetic dentistry may involve Botox being injected on either side of the nose, which inactivates the muscles, so when you smile, you don't reveal as much of the gum. As a temporary measure, it will need to be done every 3-6 months. A longer-term solution is a cosmetic gum lift.  The cosmetic dentist can cut off some of the gum with a laser, and as the laser cauterizes, so there is no bleeding.

How to Prepare for Dental Implant Surgery

There’s no need to fear surgery when you need dental implants in Brooklyn. The procedure can seem intimidating, but the right oral health experts and early preparation help you achieve success. Before you head into the operation, follow your dentist’s advice and make sure you prepare effectively by:

Knowing What to Expect -- Your dentist should be able to explain the procedure to you in detail. It’s usually not painful, and the operation is fairly common, so learning more about it can help you feel less anxious.

Arrange Transportation -- If you’re getting sedated or just don’t want to add the stress of driving to your operation, it’s a great idea to have a friend or family member ready to take you back home.

Avoid Disease -- Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash before your appointment and take any antibiotics you’ve been prescribed.

Take the Rest of the Day Off -- While the procedure shouldn’t be painful, you probably won’t want to rush back to the office after even minor surgery. To help yourself heal and focus on a successful recovery, it’s best to have some time afterward so you can adjust to your dental implants -- especially if you intend to make the process easier with sedation.

Tips for Recovering After Dental Implant Surgery

For people who need a little help shaping and restoring their smiles, Brooklyn dental implants can make a lifelong impact on confidence, comfort, and function. Getting them in the first place, though, requires surgery from a qualified dentist. That’s not a bad thing in and of itself, but it means you’ll need to plan for the recovery period. If dental implants are the right pathway forward for you -- or if you’ve already had the procedure done -- these tips can help you protect your oral health while you heal:

1. Avoid unnecessary pressure. This includes blowing your nose, chewing tough foods, or drinking through a straw. Doing so can damage your stitches or even increase the possibility of failure. For your first two weeks, you might be put on a diet of pureed or finely chopped foods, and adhering to it is the key to a successful recovery.
2. Don’t smoke or use chewing tobacco. They can drastically increase failure risk and cause other health problems that make healing harder.
3. Rinse regularly. For your own comfort and the health of your implants, spend the first two or three minutes of every hour rinsing with half a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of baking soda, and eight ounces of water.

What to Do When You Think You Have a Cracked Tooth

The leading cause of tooth loss in industrialized nations, cracks in enamel can be scary and painful to deal with. They occur for a wide range of reasons, from sports-related injuries to teeth grinding, but the condition almost always requires prompt attention. If you think you might have a cracked tooth, don’t wait to find an office that offers emergency dentistry in Windsor Terrace. Your treatment team will help you preserve and repair your smile with options like:

·         Bonding Using Resin

·         A Dental Crown

·         A Root Canal

·         Emergency Extraction

The right way forward depends entirely on the nature of the damage, so it’s vital to see a professional as quickly as possible for advice. In the meantime, rinse with warm water and use a cold compress on the outside of your jaw to avoid swelling. Anti-inflammatory painkillers can also help you feel better while keeping inflammation under control.

Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner you get treated, the easier the process is likely to be. While a cracked tooth is often a major issue for oral health, it’s perfectly treatable with today’s advancements in emergency dentistry. Act quickly, but don’t panic -- your dentist has your back.

Why it’s Important to Get Regular Dental Cleanings

You brush. You floss. Do you really need to visit your local Brooklyn dentist for more cleaning? The answer is yes, but many patients skip or put off regular cleanings because they feel inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. That could cost you in the long run, though, and your smile is worth the extra protection. To understand why regular visits to your dentist matter; let’s take a look at three key reasons to get your regularly scheduled cleanings:

They’re More than a Quick Brush -- Everyday care is important, but it can’t power through all the buildup your teeth encounter over the course of your life. Powerful professional cleanings help you take that extra step and take care of tough contaminants.

They Catch Problems Early -- The earlier you notice an issue with your teeth, the easier and less expensive it is to fix. Since you might not see a problem until it’s already impacting your comfort, getting your cleanings is a great way to put professional eyes on your smile often enough to avoid trouble.

They Save You Money -- Effective cleaning helps you keep your enamel strong and prevent cavities. That could translate to massive savings when you compare it to the cost of fillings and other smile-restoring solutions.

Why You Need to Keep Up with Dental Hygiene During Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, you spend a lot of time at doctor appointments to check up on the baby’s health and your own. It may be tempting to skip over seemingly less important appointments like seeing your Brooklyn dentist. However, keeping up with your dental hygiene is more important than ever during pregnancy. Why? While your body is busy creating a new life, you’re more vulnerable to a range of concerning dental and oral conditions, including:

Pregnancy Gingivitis: It’s common for people to develop pregnancy gingivitis during the first trimester. You may notice that your gums are bleeding, swollen, red, or tender. This irritation is caused by hormonal changes that increase blood flow to your gums and make them more sensitive.

Increased Plaque Build-Up: While pregnancy itself doesn’t cause plaque, it’s easier for plaque to build up on your teeth and along your gum line during pregnancy due to the hormonal changes. Talk to your dentist to learn what extra preventative measures you should take to protect your oral health; your previous habits may not be sufficient, especially if you already had gingivitis or another condition.

Tooth Enamel Erosion: Morning sickness is troublesome for a variety of reasons, but one problem many people don’t consider is the effect all that stomach acid has on your teeth. When your teeth are frequently exposed to stomach acid, the enamel weakens, and you become more vulnerable to decay.

How to Protect Your Oral Health

First and foremost, always tell your dentist and the rest of the dental staff when you are pregnant. They need to know to better assess your needs, plus they may need to adjust certain treatments. Next, keep going to your regular check-ups and cleanings. Be sure to brush, floss, and use an antimicrobial mouth rinse daily. Finally, when you’re suffering from morning sickness, rinse your mouth with baking soda mixed with water to neutralize the stomach acid.

How to Tell If You Have an Abscessed Tooth

When you’re experiencing a severe, persistent toothache, there’s a good chance you have an abscessed tooth. This painful condition occurs when bacteria infect your tooth, creating a pocket of pus that irritates your tooth’s nerve. In addition to throbbing pain that radiates to your jawbone, neck, or ear, other symptoms include:

·         Temperature Sensitivity

·         Pressure Sensitivity

·         Fever

·         Swelling in Your Face or Check

·         Tender Lymph Nodes Under or Jaw or in Your Neck

If you believe you have an abscessed tooth, you should seek emergency dentistry in Windsor Terrace as soon as possible. The condition will not go away without treatment, but fortunately, treatment is usually quick and straightforward.

What Causes a Tooth Abscess?

The primary cause behind every tooth abscess is a bacterial infection. Typically, the bacteria penetrate your tooth through either a dental cavity, chip, or crack. Over time, the infection spreads, generating pus and causing swelling and inflammation.

You have a heightened risk for a tooth abscess if you have poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, or eat a diet high in sugar. Not taking good care of your teeth makes it easier for harmful bacteria to thrive in your mouth; daily hygiene and routine appointments are the best way to avoid the need for emergency dentistry.

When you suffer from dry mouth, you have less saliva fighting germs and protecting your enamel. Dry mouth may be caused by age, certain medications, and certain conditions. Finally, high-sugar diets can contribute to cavities, which may eventually become a tooth abscess. Restrict your intake of sweets, sodas, and so on to protect your teeth and your overall health.

What to Expect from Treatment

To relieve your pain and remove the infection, your emergency dentist will drain the pus. Typically, root canal treatment is also done to preserve the tooth and ward off future infections. However, in some cases, the tooth may need to be pulled.

The Benefits of Dental Implants in Brooklyn

If you are missing one or more teeth, or have some severely damaged teeth, you’ve probably thought about dental implants before. Dental implants in Brooklyn can drastically improve your life. Here are some of the benefits of getting dental implants:

Appearance – Missing teeth can make you feel less attractive. You may find yourself covering your mouth when you laugh or smile. Dental implants not only improve the appearance of your smile, but they can actually affect the shape of your jaw and face as well. A full set of teeth makes your overall face shape healthier in appearance.

Better Speech – Having missing teeth can negatively affect your speech, causing you to slur or lisp on certain sounds. Dental implants replace the missing teeth so that you can sound like your old self again.

Easier Chewing – Eating is a lot easier when you have all of your teeth. While dentures can be a solution for missing teeth, you may still experience difficulty chewing. Dental implants will work exactly like your natural teeth.

More Confidence – You’d be surprised at how much having a full set of teeth can do for your confidence. You’ll smile so much wider knowing there aren’t any gaps in your smile.

Better Oral Health – When teeth are missing, the other teeth will start to move into the space, resulting in crooked teeth – which can be more difficult to clean. Individual dental implants are more beneficial than dentures or bridges because they do not affect the surrounding teeth at all. They are also much easier to keep clean than bridges.

Permanent – Unlike dentures, you do not have to remove your dental implants to clean them or to sleep. Your implants are permanently affixed in your jaw, so you don’t have to worry about them once they are in place.

Natural Looking – One the biggest benefits of choosing dental implants in Brooklyn over other tooth replacement options is that they look completely natural. Implants look exactly like your natural teeth, so no one will even know you have them.

The Benefits of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most common procedures performed in cosmetic dentistry in Park Slope. It’s a simple, quick process that has many benefits. While there are many different ways to whiten your teeth, going to your dentist for a professional whitening treatment always yields better results, and is much safer than a home kit. Here are some of the reasons to consider whitening your teeth:

Confidence Boost – One of the main reasons patients come to us for cosmetic dentistry is to improve their self-esteem. Are you afraid to show your teeth when you smile because they aren’t as white as you want them to be? Improving your appearance with teeth whitening can give you a major confidence boost. Just this small improvement can help you smile wider, and be more outgoing because you’re not worried people will judge you because of your teeth.

Great First Impressions – Your smile is one of the first things a person notices about you. If you have a beautiful, white smile, you’ll likely make a better first impression. The newly-found confidence you will have will also help you make solid first impressions, whether at work or when meeting new friends.

Helps Kill Bacteria – Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are both common ingredients used in professional teeth whitening. Both have been shown to have anti-bacterial properties, which is great news for your dental health. Bacteria in your mouth can cause gum disease and tooth decay. While some think of teeth whitening as purely an aesthetic choice, it can also be a healthy one.

Contact our office today to schedule an appointment for teeth whitening. Patients come to us for cosmetic dentistry in Park Slope because our dentists deliver the results they desire. Find out how we can help achieve your dream smile.

FAQ About Teeth Bonding in Park Slope

When it comes to cosmetic dental procedures, most people think of veneers or teeth whitening first – however, you should also consider teeth bonding in Park Slope. You may have a lot of questions about what exactly this procedure is, so we have compiled a list of common questions patients have about teeth bonding.

Q: What is Teeth Bonding Used For?

A: Dental bonding is used mainly for minor aesthetic issues such as a gap between the teeth or uneven tooth length. It can even be used to repair small chips or cracks in the teeth, and can cover up stains on the enamel.

Q: How Many Appointments Does Teeth Bonding Take?

A: When you come to our office for teeth bonding in Park Slope, you will typically only need one appointment. As we mentioned, dental bonding is typically used for very minor issues, so it doesn’t take very long to complete.

Q: Does Teeth Bonding Require Anesthetic or Novocain?

A: No, you will not need dental anesthetic for dental bonding. There is no pain related to this procedure because you are only laying the composite over the tooth. This is not an invasive dental procedure, so you should be comfortable for the entire process without needed to numb the area.

Q: Is Teeth Bonding an Affordable Option?

A:  Compared to other cosmetic dental procedures like veneers, dental bonding is an affordable option. If you don’t need major work on your smile, this is a great option to change your appearance without breaking the bank.

If you are interested in teeth bonding in Park Slope, make an appointment at our office today. Our experienced dentists can give you the smile of your dreams with dental bonding and other cosmetic procedures. Contact us today to learn more.

FAQs about Dental Implants in Brooklyn

At Park Slope Dentistry, we provide a complete range of services to maintain the health and appearance of our patients’ teeth and gums. To replace lost or damaged teeth, we offer dental implants in Brooklyn, New York City. Schedule an appointment with us to discuss whether this treatment is right for you. Below, you can read the answers to some frequently asked questions about dental implants.

1. What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth replacement that has three parts: a small titanium rod that fuses to your jawbone, an abutment that fixes the artificial tooth in place, and the artificial tooth itself.

2. Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you are missing teeth, the short answer is yes. At your appointment, we will review your specific case and determine what the most beneficial treatment for you will be.

3. Are There Advantages to Dental Implants?

Yes. Dental implants restore the functionality of your mouth so you can eat and speak normally. They are custom-made to resemble the appearance of your natural teeth, so you can have an attractive smile. Additionally, fusing implants with your jaw helps prevent the loss of bone tissue that comes with missing teeth. Implants are permanent replacements that can last a lifetime.

4. What Are the Disadvantages?

Dental implants do require a minor surgical procedure, so there are the usual risks associated with any operation: infection, inflammation, and pain. If you have already experienced bone loss, an additional bone and gum grafting procedure may be necessary at an additional cost. However, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

5. Are Dental Implants Expensive?

The cost of implants varies from case to case, based on how many implants a patient needs, whether a grafting procedure is required, and other considerations. In many instances, insurance will cover a portion of the cost. At your appointment, we will discuss the pricing as it applies to your individual situation.

How to Treat a Toothache While You Wait for the Dentist

Toothaches are very common and can have a number of causes. Often, biting into something hard, getting something caught between the teeth, or having braces can result in tooth pain. In children, toothaches are a regular part of the developmental process. More severe cases are usually the result of tooth decay, gum infection, or injury. If you need immediate treatment for a damaged tooth or extreme pain, Park Slope Dentistry offers emergency dentistry in Windsor Terrace, New York City.

Milder cases of tooth pain may clear up on their own. If pain persists for more than a few days, it’s a good idea to call and schedule an appointment. While you are waiting to see the dentist, you can try these effective, at-home remedies to treat your symptoms.

1. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers - Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other common pain relievers may help reduce your toothache.

2. Keep the Affected Area Clean - Floss and brush regularly, and rinse your mouth with salt water several times a day to fight infection.

3. Topical Ointment - Applying an appointment that contains benzocaine will numb the affected area.

4. Use Cold Compresses - Icing the affected area helps to reduce any swelling and pain.

Practicing proper dental hygiene and scheduling routine dental visits are the best ways to prevent toothache. Since many cases of tooth pain are caused by the buildup of bacteria that leads to infection, brushing and flossing will help you avoid symptoms. In cases where the pain keeps you from completing daily tasks, it’s crucial to seek out emergency dentistry right away. Untreated injuries and infections can lead to worse pain, fever, difficulty swallowing, tooth loss, and other severe symptoms. At Park Slope Dentistry, we are committed to protecting your oral health.

Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants in Brooklyn

When making an important decision, it’s always wise to have reliable information about both options. This allows you to weigh the benefits of each and make a smart decision. This applies to everything in life, including dental implants in Brooklyn.

Dental Implants

Implants are becoming more and more common. These are tooth replacements with titanium screws replacing the root with a false tooth in place of the damaged or diseased one. First, you’re evaluated for dental implants in Brooklyn, and then the titanium root is placed. After about four months, the jawbone has grown over the implant, and you’re ready to have a replacement tooth inserted.

Dental Bridges
The conventional method of tooth replacement has been a dental bridge. To do this, the teeth on both sides of the missing tooth are filed down and fitted with crowns. Attached to the crowns is a bridge that holds the false tooth. The bridge is fitted to the crowns and then secured to your teeth.

Which Is Better for You?

Both dental implants in Brooklyn and dental bridges have their benefits. These include:

Surgery -- Implants require surgery to place the titanium tooth root. Bridges do not.

Time -- Implants take a matter of months to place, while bridges require weeks.

Money -- Implants are more expensive when looking at the procedure, but when looking at the long run, bridges needs to be replaced after 5 to 15 years, while implants last 15 years and more.

Permanence -- Implants are a permanent part of your jaw after the titanium root is placed.

There are many who believe implants look more natural and function better because they are a part of your jaw. Others look at the cost and find bridges to be a more practical option. We urge you to weigh the factors, talk to your dentist, and then decide.

How to Keep Your Smile Bright after Teeth Whitening in Park Slope

You’ve just had a treatment for teeth whitening in Park Slope, and your smile is dazzling. Of course, we understand you would like to maintain this brilliance. Here are a few tips to keep your pearly whites bright:

Use Whitening Products -- Make toothpaste and mouthwash with whitening agents a part of your daily oral hygiene routine. These work to keep drinks, such as wine, coffee, and cola, from dimming your smile.

Maintain a Regular Routine for Cleaning Your Teeth -- Brushing twice a day is more important than ever as you work to keep those teeth white. Food can stain your teeth and contribute to tooth decay and loss. We want to remind you to take good care of your investment. For many, an electric toothbrush is more effective than brushing the conventional way. Spending money on a specialized toothbrush is well worth the money.

In addition to brushing, floss at least once a day. This keeps food from getting lodged between teeth and marring the beauty of your smile.

Drink Your Beverages through a Straw -- Something as ordinary as a straw is of great help to preserve a lovely smile. You’ve been told to stay away from cola, red wine, and coffee because they stain your teeth, but that’s hard to do. When you sip drinks through a straw, the beverage bypasses your teeth and heads down your throat and reduces staining.

Schedule Visits with Your Dentist -- We encourage you to keep current with your twice-yearly dental cleanings and check-ups. Your dental professionals keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. Plus, they always polish your teeth during a visit.

In addition, you need to have touch-up visits for whitening in Park Slope. These restore the dazzle to your smile. Having your teeth whitened at the dentist’s office is more powerful than doing so at home. The dentist uses a stronger gel that whitens quickly and safely. Think about this when admiring your pearly whites.

Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Smile as You Age from Our Brooklyn Dentist

Every part of our body ages as we get older. There are no miracle parts or pieces that maintain their youthful vigor. Things sag and slip and just fall right out.

This doesn’t mean that you have to resign yourself to decrepitude as you age. Taking care of yourself allows you to stay healthy from head to foot, and that applies to your dental health as well. At Park Slope Dentistry, you can rely on a Brooklyn dentist to help you maintain your smile as you move along life’s long and winding road. Our team will take care of your teeth as you hit bumps along the way and when you’re on easy street too.

Here are a few tips that we have assembled for you:

If you look after your teeth, they will look after you by staying strong and healthy. Losing teeth is not part of aging; your teeth should last for your lifetime.

Brush and floss regularly. This is a practice that we need to develop early in life and stick with as the years go by. Also, make sure you visit your dentist for checkups and cleanings on a routine basis. If you have difficulty brushing due to arthritis, switch to an electric toothbrush.

Certain conditions and medications can lead to dry mouth, which, in turn, can leave you open to oral health problems. So, make sure you drink plenty of water if this applies to you.

If you smoke -- quit. It’s a good idea at any time for your overall health and will be very beneficial for your teeth and gums too.

Eat dairy products because calcium keeps your teeth and bones healthy. Also, promote gum health by eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C. Avoid soda, as it’s full of acids that damage teeth.

As a Brooklyn-based dentist team, we see a lot of patients who follow these tips and have strong and healthy teeth well into old age. All it takes is dedication and dental care.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Nobody wants to have a gap-toothed smile or lose a tooth, but sometimes it’s an unavoidable reality. Losing a tooth can happen for many reasons, such as an accident, an illness, or a dental condition. But whatever the reason, the result is the same: a space in your mouth where a tooth used to be. That leads to additional problems, as other teeth will begin to move and attempt to fill that space, which results in crooked and uneven teeth.

Luckily, if you’re missing a tooth, it is easy enough to prevent shifting from occurring. Implants are a permanent solution you should consider to replace missing teeth.

In Brooklyn, dental implants are one of the many services we offer at Park Slope Dentistry, and we are providing this article, so you have the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about implants.

Not only does a dental implant help keep your remaining teeth where they should be, but it also gives you back your healthy smile. Implants are comfortable and allow you to eat all sorts of foods, which is a luxury people with dentures don’t have. You don’t need to worry about taking them out or them becoming loose. They also offer improved speech when compared to loose-fitting dentures.

Dental implants are put in place through a relatively simple process that is suitable for most individuals as long as your overall health, gum health, and bone tissue are acceptable. We’ll assess those points when you come to our office for a consultation for your Brooklyn dental implants, and if we find everything is good and we have the time, we can even begin the process right away.

Following the consultation, the first step is to place a small titanium screw into your jawbone while you are under local anesthesia. This screw is the implant, and it acts as a root for the abutment and crown, which is your new tooth. Following the insertion of the implant, there is a healing period of a few months before we put the implant in place.

How to Deal With Sensitivity after Teeth Whitening

You can brush and floss every day and have regular dental checkups but still have teeth that are dull and dim. It’s not from lack of dental hygiene, but just because there are so many foods and drinks that have excess coloring added. The color gets trapped in tooth pores and causes discoloration.

If you’re not entirely happy with the color of your teeth, then there are options you should consider. Park Slope cosmetic dentistry, such as teeth whitening, can return brilliance to your smile. It’s a simple process that’s proven to work but can lead to temporary sensitivity for some patients.

If you are affected by sensitivity following a whitening treatment, there are a few ways to combat it easily. We tell our patients that they should use sensitivity toothpaste one week before treatment and one week after. Some people get sharp, short jolts of pain from a tooth, and in this case, we recommend Advil for relief.

Some other simple tips are:

Limit Cold Drinks and Food

Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

Use a Fluoride Rinse

Inform Your Dentist if Sensitivity Persists or Worsens

As with any dental procedure, always make sure to follow the advice of your dentist to ensure the health of your teeth.

What to Do During a Dental Emergency

In an emergency, time is of the essence, and it’s the same with dental emergencies as well. When you’re suffering, you don’t want to wait for relief, and we don’t want you to either. That’s why at Park Slope Dentistry, we provide emergency dentistry in Windsor Terrace.

Our staff has come up with this blog post to give you information on what you should do when you experience a dental crisis such as a toothache, abscess, or loose crown or bridge.

It’s a good idea to act quickly when you are experiencing pain or discomfort or a dental injury. Sometimes a cracked or broken tooth may not be painful, yet still requires immediate attention to prevent further damage or complications such as an infection. Pain is a warning sign that something is not right with your teeth, so you need to address it without delay.

Contact an office that offers emergency dentistry in Windsor Terrace, such as ours, and make an appointment for assistance. You need to find a clinic that has many services such as emergency tooth extraction, abscess treatment, root canals, and re-cementing of crowns, bridges, and veneers.

Quick action is the key to success and avoiding complications such as swelling, irritation, and increasing pain.

What to Expect When You Get Dental Implants

If you want to know what to expect when you get Brooklyn dental implants from Park Slope Dentistry, we suggest this simple thought exercise. Picture yourself looking in the mirror and admiring your dazzling new smile with a full set of brilliant and healthy teeth.

Dental implants are among our many services, and we’ve created this blog post to give you some insight regarding the entire process. Let’s look at what an implant is to start. It’s a small titanium screw that’s implanted in your jawbone. It acts as a root, holding the abutment and crown (the new tooth) in place.

When you come to our clinic, we will assess if you’re a good candidate for the procedure based on your overall health, gum health, bone tissue, and commitment to oral hygiene. Once we proceed, we’ll use local anesthesia and carefully place the implant. Following a four- to six-month healing period (during which you will have a healing cap placed on the implant), you will return for an impression of the implant.

Finally, you will return two weeks later so we can place the abutment and crown and return your smile to its healthy appearance. In Brooklyn, dental implants are a sure way to a stellar smile.

Tips for Preventing Enamel Stains

There’s nothing better than a hearty laugh between friends or a joke shared with loved ones--but what happens when you’re too self-conscious to show off your smile? No one should have to feel nervous about their teeth. However, yellowing teeth is an issue that many people all over the country deal with. The good news is that there are simple ways you can prevent stained enamel at home, as well as a variety of services offered by Park Slope Cosmetic Dentistry.

Food: The Good & The Bad

Many of our favorite foods and drinks--chocolate, red wine, berries, and more--are some of the main culprits behind enamel stains. It’s important to watch out for anything acidic or deeply-colored. Some of these staining foods, including sugary treats and soda, should be eliminated from your diet entirely as they are both acidic and deeply-colored. They’ll erode your beautiful white enamel and reveal the yellowish dentin beneath. Other foods, such as blackberries and kale, can still be enjoyed; however, there are many ways to enjoy these foods without discoloring your pearly whites.

Helpful Tips

Take a minute to read through this dental advice from Park Slope Cosmetic Dentistry:

Rinse your mouth with water after consuming dark foods.

Use a straw for dark liquids.

Brush your teeth regularly for a full two minutes.

Chew sugarless gum.

Start a regular flossing routine.

Eat a piece of cheese to finish off your meal.

Reach out to Park Slope Cosmetic Dentistry for more information about keeping your teeth bright and brilliant.