The Staten Island Dentist Blog

Hearing that you have gum disease can be upsetting. At Staten Island Dental Care, we’re committed to preventing it in all our patients. Gum disease isn’t as common as it once was, but it still happens. If you discover that you already have gum disease, don’t despair. We can help.

Symptoms of Gum Disease
Bleeding gums
Swollen, tender gums
Receding gums
Bad breath that won’t go away
Loose adult teeth
Sensitive teeth

The single most important thing you can do to prevent gum disease is to brush and floss every day. You should brush at least twice and floss at least once.

It may not be as prevalent as it once was, but when it happens, gum disease must be taken seriously. Studies suggest that inflammation from severe gum disease is linked to an increased risk of stroke and heart disease.

Gum disease can also increase your risk of pneumonia.

Steps for Healing or Preventing Gum Disease
Brush at least twice a day – morning and night
Use a fluoride toothpaste
Floss at least once a day
Visit the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings
Avoid between-meal snacking
Avoid tobacco products

Gum disease has a way of sneaking up on you. Regular check-ups and consistent, thorough oral hygiene are essential for preventing it. Gum disease can be successfully treated, but avoiding it is best.

At Staten Island Dental Care, we take a special interest in healthy gums. Our office also provides a range of other services, including smile makeovers, cosmetic dentistry, and for our patients with dental anxiety, sedation dentistry.

Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht:

347-695-4380

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314

At Staten Island Dental Care, we are concerned with the dental health of each of our patients. Today’s post focuses on fluoride: what it is, and why it is so beneficial to your dental health.

The Miracle Mineral

Fluoride is a mineral, plain and simple. Fluoride occurs naturally in different foods as well as in water. Many communities adjust the fluoride content of their municipal water. Fluoride is also added to oral care products. This makes it possible for you to apply fluoride to your teeth when you brush, or use mouth rinses.

Why would you want to put fluoride on your teeth? Because it helps to prevent tooth decay! Fluoride does this by giving the teeth stronger resistance against the acid attacks brought on by plaque bacteria, as well as sugar in the mouth.

Essential for Young Teeth

Fluoride is especially vital for growing teeth. In children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years, the primary and the permanent teeth come in. Therefore fluoride exposure is extremely helpful for creating a strong foundation for lifelong oral health.

The enamel-strengthening benefits of topical fluoride are available to adults, too! In addition to the oral care products mentioned previously, adults can get a boost of this miracle mineral during routine dental cleanings at Staten Island Dental Care.

Staten Island Dental Care is a full-service practice in Staten Island. We’ve been serving the New York City area since 1976. Helping our patients maintain ideal dental health is critical for us, and so is helping them achieve the smile they want through cosmetic dentistry procedures such as complete smile makeovers. We also provide general and restorative dentistry.

We are committed to the dental health of our Staten Island patients, and would like you to consider us. Please give us a call so we can make an appointment for you.

Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht:

347-695-4380

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314

Believe it or not, plaque can rear its ugly head in any mouth – even yours – no matter how meticulous your teeth cleaning regimen. The general dentistry practiced by Staten Island Dental Care can help you keep it under control.

People with deep grooves in their teeth are especially susceptible to plaque. The process goes something like this:

Bacteria naturally occurs in the mouth, always will. Bacteria tries to colonize on the smooth surfaces of your teeth. At first, it will be soft enough to be removed with a fingernail. After 48 hours, it begins to harden. Give it ten days and it becomes tartar, which is difficult to remove. (See picture.)

This bacteria feeds on sugars and produce acid that eats away the tissues of the tooth, leading to cavities. Cavities originate on the tooth surface and spread on and through it. The best way to deal with plaque is to have a consistent removal process, which is to say, daily brushing and flossing after eating (and even sleeping).

A fabulous smile with fabulous teeth isn’t always the reality for NYC, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Bayonne folks. We encourage anyone who is unhappy with their smile in the NYC area, including Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Bayonne, to consider the benefits of a smile makeover. At Staten Island General Dentistry, it’s one of our specialties.

If you have a persistent toothache, don’t ignore it. It could be an indication of a larger problem, and we provide toothache relief. We also practice sedation dentistry.

Dr. Fred Hecht has been serving the Staten Island area since 1976, with dentistry designed for your comfort. Call to schedule a consultation.

Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht:

347-695-4380

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314

Today, we’re reviewing the water flosser, also known as interdental cleaner, interdental irrigator, or water jet. The first water-shooting device for cleaning between teeth was invented in the early 1960’s by Colorado dentist Dr. Gerald Moyer and John Mattingly, a hydraulics engineer. The apparatus is now known by the brand name Waterpik, though many people use the term generically. Since its conception, numerous other companies have entered the market with similar dental technology products. (Note: Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht does not necessarily endorse any particular brand.)

A water irrigation instrument oscillates a stream of water through a small, targeted tube to shoot out fragments of food and plaque from around and between teeth. To use it, you put the tube into your mouth, turn it on, and then lean over the sink with your mouth slightly open to let the water dribble out as you maneuver the stream of shooting water around the gumline, hesitating briefly at each gap between adjoining teeth.

There have been over 65 studies that have verified the safety and effectiveness of water flossing for calculus reduction, plaque biofilm removal, bleeding reduction, inflammation reduction, and gingivitis care.

Should I Use a Water Flosser?
If you don’t floss at all, absolutely. If you have gingivitis, possibly. It may also help you keep your teeth and gums healthy if you have braces.

First, talk to Staten Island dentist Dr. Hecht to obtain an oral care treatment plan that factors in your tooth and gum health, physical dexterity, and lifestyle. The following conditions may impact whether or not Dr. Hecht guides you to use an interdental irrigation device.

Braces or other orthodontic appliances
A physical disability that decreases ability to brush and/or floss
Periodontal disease
Gums that bleed when flossing
Bleeding around dental implants when flossing
Aversion to flossing
Sensitive teeth

The comfortable team at Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht would love to help you learn the best methods for keeping your gums pink, healthy, and gum disease free and firmly attached to cavity-free teeth. To schedule an appointment, call 347-695-4380.

Sources:
Jacquelyn L. Fried, RDH, MS, “Interdental Cleansing,” The American Dental Hygienist Association, https://www.adha.org/resources-docs/7123_Waterpik_Irrigation.pdf, accessed March 10, 2017
Carol A. Jahn, RDH, MS, “The Water Flosser: Your Tool For Optimal Oral Health,” https://www.waterpik.com/oral-health/pro/education/pdf/Waterpik_WaterFlosser_ContinuingEducation.pdf, accessed March 10, 2017
“Water Flossing,” MouthHealthy (ADA), http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/water-flossers, accessed March 10, 2017

Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht:

347-695-4380

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314

While substandard dental hygiene is the most prevalent cause of halitosis, many circumstances can contribute to or intensify the condition. One of these is the lack of saliva or xerostomia.

Saliva and Oral Health
Saliva moistens the teeth and gums and gets rid of odiferous dead cells. Saliva also neutralizes the ever-present acids on the tongue, gums, and cheeks and the minerals in saliva help to maintain enamel durability. Immunoproteins in saliva suppress the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth, thereby protecting the gums from gingivitis. Saliva also functions as a disinfectant by cleansing the mouth of leftover food, bacteria, and fungi. This safeguards against dental caries and infections.

Many people experience dry mouth occasionally; perhaps when they are feeling anxiety or stress. Limiting caffeine, chewing sugar-free gum, using OTC saliva substitutes, and using a humidifier can add moisture to the mouth.

If you have periodic periods of dry mouth, there is probably nothing to worry about. Constant dry mouth, however, can cause additional oral and physical health problems.

I am Dr. Hecht of Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht. I have been treating xerostomia and bad breath since 1976. If you experience either condition, I invite you to set up an exam and consultation. If you struggle with bad breath regardless of vigilant oral health, let me help you discover the source.

With help from my comfortable team of dental professionals, I provide the full spectrum of general and cosmetic dental services including porcelain veneers, teeth whitening and porcelain crowns.

Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht:

347-695-4380

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314

Superficial cuts in the skin subside without a trace, infections are wiped out with antibiotics, broken bones mend, and inflamed tissues subside. Our teeth, unfortunately, can’t regenerate. Decay can be halted in its progress, but scientists are still years away from actual enamel regeneration. That’s why the team at Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht strongly emphasizes preventative general dentistry.

The healthiest mouths have all teeth intact and free of current or former cavities. But how many smiles can boast such an admirable record? Very few.

The stark reality is that most individuals get one or more cavities over the course of their lifetime.

In fact, most individuals in Staten Island probably don’t even know someone who has never had a cavity. Tooth decay is second only to the common cold as the most prevalent health problem in childhood. When we reach middle age, many of us have even had a root canal or two.

Depending on the size of the cavity, after cleaning and preparing the tooth, Dr. Hecht can fill it, place a crown, or complete a root canal (usually followed by a crown).

Restorations Have Come a Long Way
Modern restorations have many advantages over those in years past. There are stronger and more natural-looking materials. Many of our patients at Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht who have not had a filling for a while, are not aware that white fillings are available. You can even replace old amalgam fillings with tooth colored fillings and give your mouth a makeover!

As we said before, when a tooth is by injury or decay, it is never exactly the way it was before. But now, with modern fillings and dental crowns, it can regain stability and beauty.

Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht:

347-695-4380

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314

Chewing sugared gum all day.
Cavities, a sore jaw, or broken bridgework may result. If you must chew, select gum with Xylitol.

Drinking soda and energy drinks.
These sugary, acidic beverages are extremely efficient at damaging enamel.

Chewing ice or hard candy.
Your enamel is quite hard. But so are ice and hard candy, and head-to-head, occasionally they win, resulting in a cracked tooth.

Skipping flossing.
Maybe you think brushing is sufficient. Following brushing with a careful flossing job gets rid of fragments of food and plaque between teeth.

Using a firm bristled toothbrush.
A soft bristled brush is the best suited tool for the job. Save your firm brush for cleaning the grout around your bathtub.

Delaying dental checkups.
Don’t wait until something hurts. Call 347-695-4380 to book a comprehensive exam and the best deep dental cleaning you can get anywhere. Our exceptional hygienists really are the best!

Dr. Frederick Hecht has been providing premium dental care in Staten Island area since 1976. For more information on how to keep your smile healthy, call 347-695-4380 to schedule an appointment.

Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht: 347-695-4380

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314

Parents usually know the basics on children’s oral health: limit sugar, make sure they brush and floss regularly, take them to the dentist for twice-yearly exams and cleanings, discourage between-meal snacking, see that they get enough calcium and Vitamin D, etc. Many New York parents also give their kids fluoride supplements if their municipal water supply has an inadequate level of fluoride.

Is there anything else a concerned parent can do to promote children’s oral health? Yes! Have children use an oral rinse that contains fluoride.

Fluoride supplements help strengthen teeth that are still forming, but fluoride rinses help teeth that have already come in. A fluoride rinse is an added measure of protection.

I recommend New York children use an oral rinse after they brush and floss. They should swish it around in their mouth for thirty seconds or so, and then spit it out. (Make sure your child doesn’t swallow it!) This should be the last substance in their mouth before they go to bed. The fluoride will remain on the teeth and help prevent new cavities from forming. It can also help stop any demineralization that has already begun by accumulating in the tiny fissures and fortifying the enamel.

At Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht, we focus on preventative dentistry for NYC families. We believe that today’s New York children can enjoy healthy teeth for life.

In addition to all general dentistry procedures, we also offer complete smile makeovers. If you are interested in transforming your entire smile with precision cosmetic dentistry, call us at 347-695-4380 to schedule an appointment.

Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht: 347-695-4380

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314

If you feel that you have an unattractive smile, you probably don’t smile very often. Perhaps you make a deliberate effort to avoid flashing a smile in social and professional settings.

Do you think frequent smiling has a considerable effect on your life? You bet it does.

In addition to simply making us happier, smiling benefits our quality of life in a myriad of ways.

1.  Look Younger and More Attractive

It doesn’t take a scientific study to validate this fact. No matter your age, you always look better with a smile on your face.

2. Smiling Minimizes Stress

When you smile, your brain releases feel-good chemicals that lessen your stress level.

3. Smiling Boosts Your Confidence

Who doesn’t want to enjoy more self-assurance?

4. Smile For Success

Researchers have established several ways smiling can improve the chance of a favorable outcome in personal and professional pursuits. These benefits stem from the fact that smiling influences your behavior as well as the behavior of the men and women with whom you interact.

5. Help People Trust You

Genuine smiles that involve the mouth, cheeks, and eyes, portray honesty and trustworthiness.

How would your life improve if you loved your smile?

Even small cosmetic changes can yield compelling improvements in the attractiveness of your smile. At Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht, we offer everything from tooth whitening to complete smile redesigns. Let’s review the possibilities for your smile. Call 347-695-4380 today to schedule a cosmetic dental consultation.

Sources:
Horn P.W. Scharlemann, Catherine C. Eckel, Alex Kacelmik, Rick K. Wilson, “The value of a smile: Game theory with a human face, “ScienceDirect, October 2001, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167487001000599, accessed April 4, 2017
Ronald E. Reggio, PhD, “There’s Magic in Your Smile,” Psychology Today, June 25, 2012, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201206/there-s-magic-in-your-smile, accessed April 4, 2017
“10 Hidden Benefits of Smiling,” Psyblog, http://www.spring.org.uk/2011/06/10-hidden-benefits-of-smiling.php, accessed April 4, 2017

Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht: 347-695-4380

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314

Hello, NYC! Thanks for visiting the Staten Island dental blog. Today we’re talking about eruption charts and what they are used for.

First, an eruption chart is simply a listing of the different types of teeth in the mouth and when, on average, they come out, or ‘erupt’, from the gums. A primary teeth eruption chart will also tell you when to expect the different teeth to be lost.

Dentists use these charts to compare the development of their patients’ teeth to the average times in the population.

Hi. I’m Dr. Frederick Hecht, an experienced Staten Island family and cosmetic dentist. The friendly staff here at Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht would love to schedule an appointment with you and answer any questions you have about eruption times, children’s braces, dental sealants, athletic mouthguards as well as questions about teeth whitening and Brooklyn dental implants.

Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht is a full-service dental office. Some of the services we offer are:

porcelain veneers
cosmetic dentistry
porcelain crowns
root canals
teeth whitening

Give us a call today at 347-695-4380 and we can discuss these services as well as smile makeovers.

Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht: 347-695-4380

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314