Dental Hygiene

During the month of October, it is common to have more treats lying around the house. Some of these, like popcorn balls and cookies, are homemade. Many others are store-bought. Both may pose a threat to your oral health.

Most people, it’s safe to assume, brush their teeth once, maybe twice a day. After breakfast, perhaps. Again before bed. Maybe in between. For years, this has been considered fine: brush your teeth a few times a day and enjoy peak oral health for a lifetime.

Our brains are fascinating things, willing to jump through remarkable hoops to convince us that everything is okay. It is alarming what signs we can casually ignore and what myths we will happily glom onto in an attempt to justify our poor oral health habits.

Oral health is not separate from systemic health. Conditions impacting the health of teeth and gums have a direct relationship with symptoms and medical complications throughout the body. Gum disease, for example, may result in oral health issues like tooth loss or jawbone necrosis, but when bacteria from gum disease enters the bloodstream, health risks include:

You may have recently seen popular YouTubers and DIY “health experts” demonstrating the amazing tooth whitening power of activated charcoal. The instructions are simple: place activated charcoal on a toothbrush and brush in small circles before rinsing. It works, too. In some instances, teeth can become visibly whiter after just one treatment.

Here’s the rub: activated charcoal is not actually safe for your teeth. In fact, it’s downright unsafe.

June is Men’s Health Month, which may prompt you to hit the gym, take up some group classes, and make healthy changes to your diet. To be sure, these are all good things, all necessary for a long and healthy life. They are not, however, the only issues impacting the health of males.

If you struggle emotionally or physically during dental appointments, you may be the ideal sedation dentistry candidate. The safe and effective sedation options offered at our Manhattan dental office can help even the most anxious of patients feel calm, comfortable, and at ease before, during, and after their appointment.