SEVEN FOODS THAT WILL GIVE YOU A SMASHING SMILE

The New Year always brings on healthy resolutions. This year when you think about changing your eating habits, focus on foods that can also give you a strong healthy smile. As the saying goes, you are what you eat. But did you know that what you eat also affects your smile? Chow down on these seven tasty treats, recommended by Dr. Alina Bergan DDS and our staff, for a healthier mouth and a smashing smile!

Sesame Seeds

These tiny seeds that you find in some Chinese and Thai dishes (as well as on top of your hamburger bun) are packed with bone-building calcium. They help to preserve and protect the bone that supports your teeth and gums. As a bonus, they also help to build up your tooth enamel while sloughing away plaque. You can sprinkle them on a salad, stir fry, and even add them to homemade hummus.

Kiwi

This funny little fruit has the highest amount of Vitamin C of any fruit, including oranges! What does this mean for your chompers? Vitamin C is essential to keeping your gum tissue healthy and strong. Without it, they are more susceptible to periodontal disease.

Sweet Potatoes

These are not just for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner! You should add sweet potatoes to your regular diet. These delicious spuds are rich in Vitamin A, which your body uses to form tooth enamel and heal gum tissue. Try slicing them into half-moons and sprinkling with your favorite seasoning or try an exotic one like Harissa and bake them in the oven.  

Onions 

You know those strong vapors from onions that make you cry? Well, they come from the sulfur compounds in the vegetable, which gives them a superpower-packed antibacterial punch. Get ready, though: Onions are most effective for your smile when you eat them raw!

Cheese

If you love cheese, you will love this news! Munching on some cheese helps prevent gum disease and cavities. The reason is that cheese is very high in calcium and phosphate, which help to balance the pH levels in your mouth. This in turn helps to preserve your tooth enamel and kill harmful bacteria.

Green Tea

Sipping on some green tea can not only help prevent cavities and gum disease, it can also kill the bacteria that cause bad breath. Score! Green tea has catechins, which kill the bacteria that cause plaque. So, drink up! Your smile depends on it! You can also try some Matcha (green tea powder) in your smoothie or green juice.

Celery

Have some fun with that crunchy stuff because, guess what? It is great for your smile! When you chew celery, you produce saliva. Your saliva neutralizes cavity-causing bacteria. As a little bonus, while you are chewing, it is giving your gums a little massage and cleaning between your teeth.

Take advantage of these healthy foods and give your mouth something to smile about!

Start the year off right with healthy eating and a visit with Dr. Alina Bergan call us today at 800-223-0801 to schedule an appointment in our Cedarhurst office. You can also schedule online at http://www.alinabergandds.com/appointments/

NEW YEAR BRIGHT SMILE

As 2017 gets underway in New York, many patients are looking for ways to make improvements in every aspect of their lives. A bright, white smile is a great way to boost your confidence so you can take on all the New Year has in store for you. Professional teeth whitening is an easy and fast safe way to get dramatic results.

Many people turn to at home teeth whiting products only to discover they do not get the results they are looking for. Some also cause harm and damage to the enamel of their teeth. If you want to use a product at home, please contact our office before you use it so we can advise you properly on the use and let you know if it is one that may cause harm to your teeth.

Start your New Year off right with a healthy white smile by calling Dr. Alina Bergan DDS today at 800-223-0801. You can also schedule online: http://www.alinabergandds.com/appointments

WHAT SHOULD I USE TO CLEAN MY BABY’S TEETH?

Many people think babies don’t need to brush their teeth, especially when they don’t have any. But by starting good habits like brushing when your child is young, you can lay the foundation for them to continue those good habits into adulthood.

When do I start?

The best time to start brushing your baby’s teeth is before he or she has any. Develop the habit of wiping your baby’s gums with a wet, soft washcloth or gauze every day. There is no need to use toothpaste, just wrap the gauze or cloth around your finger, moisten it with a little water, and gently rub it over the gums.

This helps your little one get used to brushing while it eliminates bacteria in the mouth that can harm emerging teeth. You don’t need to apply a lot of pressure or even take very long: just a quick, gentle rub over the gums will do it.

What do I use?

When your child’s teeth begin to come in, you will need to switch from a cloth to a baby toothbrush. Find one that has a grip big enough for your hand, but a head that is small enough to maneuver easily in your infant’s mouth.

You don’t need to use any toothpaste until your son or daughter is about a year old. Even then, though, you’ll want to use just a tiny amount: about the size of a grain of rice. When your toddler is about two years old, you can use a pea-sized amount.

By around six years of age, your child will probably rinse and spit without your help. At that point, you may want to introduce a child-friendly fluoride mouthwash.

How do I do it?

Your child probably won’t be able to brush his or her teeth alone until about the age of five or six. This means that you will need to do it. To brush your child’s teeth, gently use the brush over all the teeth and gums, even areas where the teeth have not come in yet.

As your child grows and becomes more independent, you can allow him or her to hold the toothbrush while you guide your child’s progress. Make sure you talk to your child while you are brushing, and explain why you brush: what you are doing and how you are doing it.

In addition to regular visits with Dr. Alina Bergan, instilling good oral health habits in your child early on will ensure a lifetime of good dental health. Call today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan at 800-223-0801. You can also schedule online: http://www.alinabergandds.com/appointments

WHAT IS GUM RECESSION?

Gum (gingival) recession occurs when gums recede from the tops of the teeth enough to expose sensitive roots. People typically experience increased sensitivity to cold drinks and sugary foods and when gums no longer cover and protect teeth roots. In addition, untreated gum recession may lead to loosening of teeth and accelerated tooth decay, something Dr. Alina Bergan DDS sees all too often.

Causes of Gum Recession

·         Periodontal disease – a serious oral disease arising from poor oral habits

·         Gingivitis – gum disease characterized by bleeding and swollen gums

·         Aging

·         Overly aggressive brushing and/or flossing – brushing hard in a scrubbing fashion will erode gum tissue at the roots of teeth

·         Genetic predisposition to gingival recession – having inherited thin, insufficient gum tissue facilitates gum recession

·         Bruxism – a condition where someone regularly grinds their teeth, usually during sleep

·         Chewing tobacco/smoking – promotes chronically dry mouth and reduced gum health

Periodontal gingivitis may also cause causing drooping of the gums instead of gum recession. A gingivectomy removes excess gum tissue weakened by bacterial decay while a gingivoplasty can reshape gums around the teeth. If sagging or receding gums are left untreated, they may develop pockets (gaps) that provide hiding places for food particles, mucus and other mouth debris conducive to anaerobic bacteria growth. As the most destructive type of oral bacteria, anaerobic bacteria is responsible for tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and chronic halitosis (bad breath).

Treatments for Gum Recession

Corrective actions need implemented as soon as possible to reverse gum recession by addressing the cause. For example, people who brush with hard-bristled toothbrushes should switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush more gently. If gum recession is the result of poor oral hygiene, improve oral hygiene habits by brushing after meals, flossing, rinsing with non-alcoholic mouthwash, and getting dental checkups and cleanings every six months. For severe cases of gum recession, soft tissue grafts can add gum tissue to exposed roots by removing tissue from the person's palate and attaching it to existing gums at the area of recession via laser surgery.

If you’re worried about gum recession, visit as today at our Cedarhurst, NY office. Call today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan at 800-223-0801. You can also schedule online: http://www.alinabergandds.com/appointments

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER DO WITH YOUR TOOTHBRUSH

Do you give your toothbrush any serious thought? Sure, you use it every day (and ideally twice) to make sure your breath is good, and you know that with a dollop of toothpaste it waxes up your pearly whites nicely, not to mention preventing bacteria, plaque, and inflammation.

But what are the things you should never do with your toothbrush? Here’s a brush-up on 5 toothbrush No-Nos, from Alina Bergan DDS.

1. If you have your toothbrush too close to the toilet, you’re brushing your teeth with what’s in your toilet. In other words, keep your toothbrush stored as far from the toilet as possible.

2. The average toothbrush harbors ten million microbes. Most families keep their toothbrushes jammed together in a cup holder on the bathroom sink, but this can lead to cross-contamination. Family members’ toothbrushes should be kept an inch apart. Don’t worry; they won’t take it personally.

3. Don’t delay replacing your toothbrush. It’s best to purchase a new one every three to four months, get one sooner if the bristles are broken down due to your frequent and vigorous brushing. If you have a cold or the flu, replace your toothbrush after you recover.

4. Make sure to store your toothbrush out of the reach of toddlers. The last thing you want is for your toothbrush to be chewed like a pacifier, dipped in toilet water, or used to probe the dusty heating ducts.

5. Sharing is caring, right? Your parents probably taught you the importance of sharing back when you were, well, dipping their improperly stored toothbrushes in toilet water. But here’s the thing: As important as sharing is, there are some things you just don’t share, and your toothbrush is one of them.

Come in a get a free toothbrush today, contact our Cedarhurst, NY office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan. Call us at 800-223-0801. You can also schedule online: http://www.alinabergandds.com/appointments

BEST AND WORST HALLOWEEN CANDIES FOR YOUR TEETH

Whether you are planning to go door-to-door trick or treating, attended a party dressed in a clever, funny or scary costume, or a simple get-together with friends and family to watch scary movies, we have you had a fun and safe holiday!

We also wanted to give you some Halloween tips for the Best and Worst candies that you could receive this year.

Worst:
Chewy/sticky sweets, such as caramels, gummy candies, taffy, and even some dried fruit can be difficult for children and adults to resist, and even more difficult to remove from teeth. They are also a major cause of damage and sometimes removal of dental fillings and crowns.
Sour candies, sour patch kids and other sour candies are highly acidic and can break down tooth enamel quickly. The good news: Saliva slowly helps to restore the natural balance of the acid in the mouth.
Sugary snacks, including candy corn, cookies, and cake, all contain high amounts of sugar, which can cause tooth decay.

Best:
Sugar-free lollipops and hard candies stimulate saliva, which can help prevent dry mouth.
Sugar-free gum can actually prevent cavities as it not only dislodges food particles from between the teeth but also increases saliva—which works to neutralize the acids of the mouth and prevent tooth decay.
Dark chocolate and its antioxidants, according to some studies, can be good for the heart and may even lower blood pressure.

If you are concerned about what types of candies you should consume, contact our Cedarhurst, NY office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan. Call us at 800-223-0801.  You can also schedule online: http://www.alinabergandds.com/appointments/

DOES SMOKING AFFECT ORAL HEALTH?

I think it is safe to say that everyone knows smoking is bad for you. Unfortunately, the truth is its broad-reaching health effects are not all known by everyone. This is especially true of oral health. Smoking can have serious repercussions in this regard. To give you a better idea of how smoking can affect your oral health, Dr. Alina Bergan and our team have listed some issues that can arise. 

Tooth Discoloration and Bad Breath

At the very least, it is fair to say that as a smoker you will often have bad breath. While you may try to cover up your bad breath with gum or mints, tooth discoloration is a whole other story. The chemicals and substances in cigarettes stick to your teeth staining them brown and yellow colors that are increasingly difficult to disguise. If you are wanting whiter teeth, please come into the office for a free consultation with Dr. Alina Bergan, as many people damage their teeth my access use of over the counter whitening products. 

Oral Cancer

Smoking increases your risk of all cancers especially oral cancer. Oral cancer can have steep ramifications for anyone that gets it. Surgery can be required to eliminate the cancer before it spreads to more vital parts of your body. The type of mouth surgery required with oral cancer can leave your face deconstructed in certain areas. This can also affect the ability to chew food and the overall appearance of your face.  This is all due to smoking or use of other tobacco products.

Gum Disease and Loss of Bone

Another effect of smoking is the increased risk of gum disease. Your gums may start to recede, which can eventually lead to the loss of teeth. Smoking can also increase bone loss and density in your jaw which is vital to the health of your mouth. Gum disease and bone loss are two signs that smoking is definitely bad for your mouth.

When it comes to the health of your mouth, the question is not whether smoking affects your health, it's how does it affect your health and to what degree. If for no other reason than because smoking involves your mouth as its entry point, it is safe to say that it can have long-lasting and detrimental consequences on your oral health.

To learn more about smoking and your oral health, contact our Cedarhurst, NY office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan. Call us at 800-223-0801.

You can also schedule online: http://www.alinabergandds.com/appointments/