Dental Care and Dementia

On our last blog post we discussed how brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand could help give your brain cells a boost, and today we are excited about the new study on Dentition, Dental Health Habits and Dementia which explores the association between good dental health and lower cases of dementia. 5468 adults, with the average age of 81, were followed from 1992 to 2010 regarding dental health, specifically on the number of natural teeth, dentures worn, number of visits to the dentist and oral health habits. The research shows that in addition to helping maintaining natural, healthy, functional teeth, oral health behaviors are associated with lower risk of dementia in older adults.


This study supports the importance of taking care of your teeth. Please remember to:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily.
• Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
• Make sure to use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Tooth decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.

Give Your Brain Cells A Boost While Brushing Your Teeth

We all know how important it is to brush your teeth, for a healthy mouth and smile, but did you know that if you brush with your non-dominant hand you can also give your brain cells a boost?  Doing simple tasks such as brushing your teeth, combing your hair, opening jars, washing dishes and even eating with chopsticks with your opposite hand actually strengtheners neural connections in your brain and will help grown new ones.  It might feel awkward to do some of these tasks, but brushing your teeth with the opposite hand is pretty easy once you get used to it.

Don't forget, when brushing to use a soft-bristled brush that fits your mouth and allows you to reach all areas easily.  Replace your toothbrush every three or four months or as soon as the bristles are frayed.

Health Facts: Diabetes and Periodontal Disease

Did you know that 95% of diabetic patients have periodontal disease?

Diabetes and periodontal disease are closely linked. Diabetic patients are more likely to develop periodontal disease and people with periodontal disease are more likely to develop diabetes. Treating and managing one of these conditions can help improve the other.

If you are diabetic, or have risk factors for diabetes, such as a family history, or high cholesterol, contact us to discuss your periodontal health. Request an appointment or call our office at 914.713.2424 to schedule a personal consultation during your next visit.

What to Do For a Toothache

A toothache should not be overlooked, but what can you do if it's 2:00 in the morning and you can't get right to a dentist?

Take two aspirin or acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ibufrofen (Advil) may be the best choice since it relieves inflamation as well. However, do not place an aspirin next to a tooth. You may have heard of this "remedy", but it actually does more harm than good. Placing an aspirin directly on your gum causes an ulceration of the tissue, commonly referred to as an aspirin burn.

Here are some home remedies that might help:

• Apply oil of cloves. Follow the directions for use carefully and be sure to put it only on the tooth and not on the gum.
• Cool the swelling: Place a cold compress on the outside of your cheek if there is swelling from your toothache. You can also try holding an ice cube or cold water in your mouth if your teeth are not sensitive to cold.
• Elevating your head can decrease the pressure in the area and lessen the throbbing.
• Rinsing with warm water can remove food debris which could be aggravating the area. Stir in one teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water, swish it around and then spit it out. You can also try flossing away food debris.
• Avoid eating or drinking anything hot, cold or sweet because it might make matter worse if you have sensitivity.
• If the tooth feels sensitive to air, place a piece of gauze or even a bit of chewed sugarless chewing gum to plug up the area until you can get to the dentist.

The best cure for a toothache is a trip to your dentist to find out what’s causing the pain. Even if the pain goes away it does not mean the problem is gone, so don't ignore it.

Veneers - Improving Your Smile

There's no reason to put up with gaps in your teeth or with teeth that are stained, badly shaped or crooked. Today a veneer placed on top of your teeth can correct nature's mistake or the results of an injury and help you have a beautiful smile.

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. They're made by a dental technician, usually in the dental lab, working from a model provided by your dentist.

Your dentist may recommend that you avoid some foods and beverages that may stain or discolor your veneers such as coffee, tea or red wine. Sometimes a veneer might chip or fracture. But for many people the results are more than worth it.

Request an appointment or call our office to schedule a personal consultation during your next visit.

TMD/TMJ (Temporomandibular Disorders)

According to the American Dental Association, more than fifteen percent of American adults suffer from chronic facial pain. Some common symptoms include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth, or even headaches and neck aches.

Two joints and several jaw muscles make it possible to open and close the mouth. They work together when you chew, speak, and swallow. These structures include muscles and ligaments, as well as the jaw bone, the mandible (lower jaw) with two joints, the TMJ's.

Diagnosis And Treatment

A dentist can help identify the source of the pain with a thorough exam and appropriate X-rays. Often, it's a sinus, toothache or an early stage of periodontal disease. But for some pain, the cause is not so easily diagnosed. The pain could be related to the facial muscles, the jaw ortemporomandibular joint, located in the front of the ear. Treatments for this pain may include stress reducing exercises, muscle relaxants, or wearing a mouth protector to prevent teeth grinding. They've been successful for many and your dentist can recommend which is best for you.

Request an appointment or call our office to schedule a personal consultation during your next visit.

Teeth Whitening: Get Your Smile Back

Let's face it: one of the first things you notice about people is their smile. When you meet someone with a bright, natural smile, it catches your attention. However, over time, the natural aging process and your lifestyle (smoking or drinking coffee, tea, or wine) can stain your teeth. To get your smile back to looking its best, you should choose a whitening method that:

• Achieves the longest-lasting results
• Gives you the most naturally brilliant and uniform look
• Is clinically proven to be safe and effective
• Is administered by dental professionals

A teeth whitening can make you look and feel younger, more attractive and more confident. Request an appointment or call our office to schedule a personal consultation during your next visit.