What to Expect with Oral Dental Sedation

If your dentist determines that you’re a good candidate for sedation dentistry, one of your options may be oral conscious sedation. The dentist will give you a prescription for an oral medication ahead of your appointment. You’ll need to fill the prescription and take it as directed. Typically, patients are asked to take the pill about an hour before their dental office visit. 

Because the pill needs to be taken ahead of your appointment, a responsible adult will need to drive you there and bring you home afterward. As the medication begins to take effect, you’ll feel very relaxed. The pill won’t put you to sleep, but you may feel sleepy. During your appointment, time will seem to pass more quickly and you might not remember much of the treatment. 

Park 56 Dental is pleased to offer safe and effective sedation dentistry services in NYC, including oral sedation. Give us a call at (646) 783-3529 and one of our dentists can determine if sedation could be right for you. 

How Oral Health Affects Diabetes Management

Did you know that your dentist can help you manage your diabetes? By visiting your dentist at least every six months for a checkup, you’re reducing your risk of developing gum disease. That’s critically important for diabetics since this disease can make you three times more likely to develop gum disease. 

You can hear more about the diabetes-gum disease connection when you watch the accompanying video. It explains that gum disease can lead to higher blood sugar, which can increase the likelihood of diabetic complications. The good news is that taking good care of your oral health can help you manage diabetes more effectively. 

Looking for a warm and friendly dental clinic in NYC that offers complete oral health services? Look no further than Park 56 Dental! Call (646) 783-3529 for an appointment.

Considering Cosmetic Dentistry? Here Are the Facts You Need to Know

There are different types of services your dentist may provide. General dentistry refers to any care that is primarily intended to improve or maintain the health of your teeth and gums. Cosmetic dentistry is primarily intended to improve the appearance of your smile. These two approaches go hand-in-hand, since having a smile that’s both healthy and beautiful is important for one’s self-confidence. 

Cosmetic dentistry can help support your oral health.  

Although cosmetic dentistry emphasizes the aesthetics of your smile, some of these treatments can also improve your oral health. Take the example of Invisalign aligners. These enable patients to straighten their crooked teeth without having to resort to aesthetically displeasing metal braces. A crooked smile isn’t only a cosmetic concern, however. Crooked teeth can also be more difficult to keep clean, even if you diligently brush twice daily and floss once daily. By straightening your teeth with Invisalign, it’ll be easier for you to get rid of food particles and plaque. Another example is dental implants. Tooth implants replace missing teeth, which is definitely cosmetically preferable to an incomplete smile. However, they can also help you maintain the health of your jawbone by preventing the loss of bone density. 

Cosmetic dentistry treatment plans are individually tailored. 

No two patients are alike. When you visit a dentist to talk about cosmetic options, he or she will take the time to listen carefully to your concerns and goals. Then, the dentist will develop an individual treatment plan based on your preferences. Your treatment plan may include any of the following: 

• Teeth whitening 
• Invisalign 
• Veneers 
• Dental implants 
• Bonding 

Some cosmetic dentistry treatments provide rapid results. 

Patients often want rapid results from cosmetic dentistry treatments. Some of them do take a while to produce results, such as Invisalign, while others take effect right away. If you have an important event coming up, for example, you might ask your dentist about teeth whitening. Your teeth will be several shades lighter by the time you leave the office! 

You’ll find a complete suite of general and cosmetic dentistry services at Park 56 Dental. Our dental office in NYC is known for providing friendly patient care within a welcoming setting. New and current patients can get in touch at (646) 783-3529 to request a dentist appointment. 

Surprising Facts About Gum Disease

It’s often thought that the teeth are the most important component of oral health. But actually, the gums play a critical role too. The health of your gums reflects the overall state of your oral health and systemic well-being. That’s why it’s so important to get to a dentist for gum disease treatments as soon as you notice any symptoms. By becoming better informed about gum disease, you can become a proactive advocate for your own wellness. 

Gingivitis and gum disease are nearly the same thing. 

Dentists often hear patients wonder about the difference between gingivitis and gum disease since the terms are often used interchangeably. Gingivitis is actually a form of gum disease. Gum disease occurs in stages, becoming progressively worse. Gingivitis is the first stage. At this point, the gums are inflamed, puffy, and tender, and they may bleed when brushed or flossed. Gingivitis is easily reversed with scaling and root planning, as long as the patient follows good at-home oral care. 

The body’s natural response causes inflammation. 

Now that you know inflammation is part of gum disease, you might be surprised to learn that gum disease doesn’t directly cause inflammation. In a patient with gum disease, bacteria build up in the mouth, infecting the gum tissue. The body’s natural response to bacteria is to trigger the inflammatory process. As the gum tissue is harmed, it releases chemicals that cause fluid leakage into the tissues. This results in swelling. It also helps wall off the bacteria from surrounding tissues. 

Gum disease can affect a developing fetus. 

It’s recommended that women who are trying to conceive and those who become pregnant see a dentist early on in the pregnancy. This is because expecting mothers are at an increased risk of developing gum disease. Additionally, it’s possible for untreated gum disease to affect the health of the unborn baby, such as by increasing the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. 

Here at Park 56 Dental, our friendly dentists firmly believe that every patient should be able to enjoy a beautiful and healthy smile. We strongly encourage you to schedule a dentist appointment in NYC every six months for preventive care. If you notice potential signs of gum disease and need an appointment sooner than this, give us a call at (646) 783-3529 and we’ll fit you in as soon as possible! 

Spotlight on the Risk Factors for Tooth Loss

Tooth loss is normal in four-to-six-year-old children, but not in adults. Although tooth loss is quite common in adults, it shouldn’t be considered to be a normal consequence of the aging process. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of tooth loss at any age. With good oral care from your dentist and a healthy lifestyle, you can enjoy your pearly whites well into your 80s, 90s, and beyond! 

Never or Rarely Receiving Routine Dental Care 

Some people only visit the dentist when they suffer a toothache or other dental emergency. However, it’s really important to visit a dentist at least every six months for professional teeth cleaning and exam. The dental hygienist uses professional instruments that can scrape away plaque from underneath the gum line. Dental hygienists can also remove calculus or tartar, which is hardened plaque that’s impossible to remove with a toothbrush and floss. This intensive cleaning reduces your risk of developing problems like gum disease and tooth decay, which may eventually cause tooth loss. In addition, the dentist’s exam can detect problems early, before they cause symptoms. The early treatment of oral health problems can help prevent tooth loss. 

Smoking or Chewing Tobacco 

Tobacco use is a significant risk factor for tooth loss. There is no “safe” amount that one can smoke; even just one or two cigarettes per day will harm your health and raise your risk of tooth loss. According to the American Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), smokers are twice as likely to suffer from tooth loss as non-smokers. People who smoke a pack a day can expect to lose at least two teeth every 10 years. Remember that it’s never too late to quit smoking. Even if you’ve already lost some teeth, quitting now can preserve the rest of them. Plus, you might not be a candidate for dental implants while you remain a smoker. 

Tooth loss can be troubling, but with tooth implants, you can enjoy a beautiful and complete smile once again! Call (646) 783-3529 if you’re curious about getting dental implants in NYC. The dentists at Park 56 Dental look forward to meeting you and discussing your treatment options. 

Moderate Dental Sedation 101

Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for patients who are nervous about their upcoming visit to the dentist. There are different levels of sedation. Your dentist may recommend moderate sedation if you have moderate dental anxiety or require a lengthy, complex treatment. Be sure to tell your dentist about your full medical history before receiving any sedatives. Your dentist will consider your current medications and medical conditions before confirming that moderate sedation is a good choice for you. 

Moderate sedation is achieved through oral medications or intravenous (IV) medicines. It’s also referred to as conscious sedation because the drugs won’t force you to fall asleep. However, you’ll be completely relaxed, time will seem to pass quickly, and you probably won’t remember much about your treatment. You may be groggy for quite some time afterward. For your own safety, please arrange to have a responsible adult take you home and stay with you for a little while. 

Park 56 Dental is a leading provider of sedation dentistry services in NYC. New and current patients can give us a call at (646) 783-3529 if they have any questions about upcoming dentist visits. 

Tips for Treating Swollen Gums

If you have gums that are swollen, tender, or bleeding, there’s a good chance that you could have gum disease. Visit a dentist as soon as possible to get the problem under control. Your dentist can clear up the infection and heal your gums with treatment options like scaling and root planing. The sooner gum disease is treated, the easier it is to reverse. 

While you’re waiting for your dentist appointment, watch this featured video to get some helpful tips on managing your swollen gums. You’ll learn why mouth rinse that contains peroxide can help, and you’ll discover which over-the-counter medications can fight inflammation. 

At Park 56 Dental, we focus on delivering friendly, patient-centered care within a relaxing, judgment-free setting. Call (646) 783-3529 to request our next available dentist appointment in NYC. 

What to Expect Before and After Dental Sedation

Dental sedation has allowed countless patients who previously avoided the dentist out of anxiety to get the treatments they need. Sedation also allows your dentist to combine multiple treatments into a single appointment, saving you time and money. There are multiple forms of dental sedation, from mild nitrous oxide—better known as laughing gas—to deep IV sedation. Your dentist will help you select the best kind of sedation for your needs. Here is a closer look at what you can expect before and after your sedation dentistry appointment.  

Before Sedation 

Your dentist will provide you with instructions for preparing for sedation. It is important to follow them closely, as failing to so could lead to your appointment being rescheduled. In some cases, it is not necessary to do anything other than arriving at your appointment. This is the case for nitrous oxide. For other kinds of sedation, you may need to avoid eating within six hours of your appointment and drinking for two hours before your appointment. If you are taking an oral sedative, you will need to take the pill at the time requested by your dentist, to make sure the sedation is in effect for your appointment. Before your sedation dentistry appointment, you should also arrange for someone to take you to your appointment and drive you home afterward.  

After Sedation 

With some forms of sedation, such as nitrous oxide and intramuscular injections, the effects wear off quickly. However, other forms of sedation will leave you feeling tired and groggy for a few hours afterward. It is recommended to take the remainder of the day off to relax at home while the sedative wears off. All forms of sedation can cause headaches and nausea, but these symptoms are typically mild and clear up quickly.  

Could sedation dentistry be right for you? The best way to find out is to schedule a consultation with Park 56 Dental. You can make an appointment at our dental office in NYC by calling (646) 783–3529.  

What Kind of Filling Is Right for You?

If you have a cavity, one of the facets of your treatment plan that your dentist will review with you is the material used for your filling. Gold, porcelain, and composite are all common options for dental fillings, and now, ceramic and plastic materials that look like your natural teeth are also popular choices. When choosing the right material for your filling, your dentist will discuss several factors with you.  

One important consideration is how much of the tooth will need to be filled. If the filling is large, a natural-looking filling material is often preferred. The location of the tooth also matters. Teeth in the back of your mouth that are less visible may be better suited to fillings that don’t mimic the appearance of natural teeth than those in the front of the mouth. The chew load of the tooth is also a consideration, as are your personal preferences.  

At Park 56 Dental, we specialize in providing patients with high-quality dental care that helps them look and feel their best. If you need a dental filling in NYC, you can make an appointment by calling (646) 783–3529.  

What Is a Sinus Toothache?

Toothaches are extremely painful and can make it difficult to focus on your everyday tasks. What you may not realize is that toothache pain is not always caused by your tooth. In some cases, when you visit your dentist about tooth pain, he or she may refer you to your doctor instead because your sinuses are causing your toothache. 

Watch this video to learn more about sinus-related toothaches. Sinus infections can cause referred pain that seems like a toothache but can actually be relieved by treating the infection instead of focusing on dental treatments.  

At Park 56 Dental, our top dentist in NYC can help you get fast relief from tooth pain by diagnosing the root cause. Make an appointment at our dental clinic by dialing (646) 783–3529.