Have a Bright Summer with a Whiter Smile

Summertime brings sunshine and warm weather, and many of our patients begin thinking about brightening their smiles this time of year. A whiter smile is one just one visit away with Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S!

Many people try to whiten their teeth on their own at home, only to find out the products they are using either do not work or they cause harm to their teeth. Dental office tooth whitening is safe, quick, and inexpensive. It can be used to correct many tooth discolorations which may have been caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in whitening technology, we can offer a safe method for creating the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. Come in today for a consultation and let us tell you how we can get your smile shining in no time.

Dr. Alina Bergan is ready to help make your smile whiter this summer. Give us a call today at 800-223-0801, to schedule appointments at our convenient Cedarhurst, NY office!

Ways to Keep Kids’ Teeth Safe In Summer

To kids, summer is a time to play outside, go swimming, and have all kinds of adventures. Even though summer is a carefree time of year, it’s still important for them to take care of their teeth. Here are some simple ways you can keep their teeth safe as they play from dawn to dusk.

1. Swimming: Frequent swimmers are prone to something called “swimmer’s calculus,” which causes yellow-brown or dark brown stains on teeth. These spots are the result of pool water treatment chemicals coming in contact with their teeth. This usually happens when kids spend more than six hours a week in the pool. The good news is that it’s a cosmetic condition that can be easily removed by dentists. As a precaution, you may want to schedule an extra dental visit your kids do a lot of swimming.
2. Diving: If you plan on doing any scuba diving this summer, you may experience something called “tooth squeeze,” or pain in the center of the tooth. The changes in air pressure combined with divers biting too hard on the regulators can result in jaw pain, gum issues or tooth pain. Have the whole family’s teeth checked prior to any scuba excursions.
3. Pool safety: Many summertime dental injuries occur around the pool. Two of the most common causes are slipping and falling, and playing too rough. Talk to your kids to make sure they do not run around the pool or roughhouse in or around it.
4. Summer sports: When playing any contact sport—even if it’s just for fun—make sure your kids wear helmets and mouthguards. Mouthguards prevent more than 200,000 dental injuries each year.

Another way to keep your kids teeth this summer is to make sure they are eating the right kids of foods. Microbes from sugars and starches thrive in food particles stay in your kids’ mouth and create a menacing acid that can promote tooth cavities. It should be proposed that you just give your kids sugary pastries after dinner, or once a day. If your child needs snacks throughout the day, attempt to maintain a distance from sugary beverages, for example, fruit juices.

The following is a rundown of good snacks for your kid to enjoy during summer heat.

Fruit: Pineapples, pears, apples, berries, melons and oranges.

Grains: Unsweetened cereals, plain bagels and whole-grain breads.

Nuts and seeds: Pumpkin seeds, low-salt or unsalted peanuts, and sunflower seeds.

Raw vegetables: Carrots, broccoli and celery sticks.

Dr. Alina Bergan is ready to help make sure your family has great dental health this summer, please call with any questions or concerns you may have. We can be reached at 800-223-0801, to schedule appointments at our convenient Cedarhurst, NY office!

Fourth of July Dental Tips

Happy Fourth of July from your Cedarhurst Dentist Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. and staff! To help keep your celebrations as joyful as possible, we've put together a few dental tips that will keep your smile as bright as the fireworks.

Ice, Candy Apples, Corn on the Cob, and Pretzels are common at Fourth of July BBQs. Try to avoid chewing on ice and if you must have a candy apple, slice the apple to make it easier to chew on. Use a knife to cut the corn off of the cob so you can enjoy the flavor without hurting your teeth. If the pretzels are a bit stale try dunking them in some water before you chow down. If you do chip your tooth, here are some tips to keep the pain down until you can visit the office after the holiday day.

If your tooth is broken, chipped, or fractured, you definitely need to see Dr. Bergan as soon as possible), as you risk damaging your tooth further, or worse becoming infected, which can lead to total tooth loss. 

Make sure that you:

• Rinse your mouth with some clean, warm saltwater.
• Take some over-the-counter pain relief. Look for the bottle with acetaminophen as the active ingredient.
• If you have to eat, try to avoid using the broken tooth, and stick to soft foods
• Sometimes a broken or chipped tooth will leave a sharp edge, which you can cover with wax or plain chewing gum (sugarless).

Daylong snacking is a common event at Independence Day celebrations. To help keep your teeth clean without bringing a toothbrush, try chewing on some sugarless ADA approved gum. It will remove food particles and stimulate saliva production.

Beer and Soda are popular beverages at BBQs, so make sure to alternate drinks with water. This will help keep your teeth clean and the pH normal in your mouth. As an added bonus, water helps avoid hangovers and helps you to avoid becoming dehydrated.

Cheese, celery, and onions all help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, and they should be in easy supply at your celebration.

Please do not use your mouth as a bottle opener. This may sound ridiculous, but it happens more than you might think. When the bottle opener disappears, people resort to crazy tactics, and your teeth are often involved. Beer bottle related tooth injuries actually make up a large percentage of BBQ-related dental problems. Please Avoid it!

After you make it home safe and sound, make sure to finish the night with brushing and flossing. The few minutes you spend can fight off unnecessary dental work down the road. Also consider scheduling a cleaning if you are due. Regular dental cleanings help fight off cancer, protect your teeth, and fight off heart attacks/strokes.

Dr. Alina Bergan is ready to help make sure your Independence Day is memorable for the good times, not the bad, please call with any questions or concerns you may have. We can be reached at 800-223-0801.

A Father’s Day Dental Health Tip

Based on research, men are more likely than women to develop gum disease. Due to men being more apt to smoke, drink, clench or grind their teeth, and eat a poor diet. They are also less included to brush and floss. However, the good news is that this situation can be addressed when you work with your dentist on a plan of action. While you will need to eat healthier and cut down or quit smoking and drinking if you do, your dentist can provide hands-on instructions for proper brushing and flossing, in addition to creating custom-fit mouthpieces that protect your teeth while sleeping and when playing sports. Instead of getting your dad a tie, get him a new toothbrush. Get rid of dad’s old toothbrush in favor of a new one every 3-4 months, you will be well on your way to having many more Father's Day celebrations with a healthier and more attractive smile. Call us  to get your dad in for a checkup today at 800-223-0801, at our convenient Cedarhurst, NY office! 

We wish all dads a Happy and Healthy Father’s Day!

Keep Your Teeth Healthy this Summer with Simple Dental Care Tips

Let the summer pool parties, barbeques, summer camps, and vacations begin. Summer is a time to slow down, take a break and soak up a little extra time with family.

Summer is NOT the time to let your dental care routines go, which can often be the case when we are on vacation or away from our daily routines.  Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. wants to remind you to keep your teeth and gums healthy over the next few months by remembering these summer tips:

"Sip All Day, Get Decay"

As the temperature heats up, it can be tempting to sip on cold, sweet drinks like soda, juice, lemonade, Gatorade or Kool-Aid throughout the day. Prolonged exposure to the sugar in these beverages can really do a number on the enamel of your teeth.  Sugary drinks are one of the leading causes of tooth decay.

Here's how it works: the sugar in soft drinks, juice and other sweet beverages mixes with the bacteria in your mouth to create acid, which damages your teeth.  This damage happens every time you take another sip, creating an ongoing assault to the tooth enamel.  Of course it's best to avoid these sugary drinks all together, but at the very least try not to sip throughout the day.  And remember to rinse your mouth with water after drinking, brush and floss twice a day, and don't skip your regular dental checkups.

Remember to Brush and Floss When Away from Home

It can be easy for kids to fall out of the habit of brushing and flossing when they are away at summer camp, Grandma and Grandpa's or on a family vacation.  Remind your kids to pack their toothbrushes and to brush and floss at their usual times.  Make it fun with a brushing chart they can take with them.

Take Care of Your Braces

Unfortunately, many summer foods can be bad news for braces.  Barbeques and parties can make it very tempting to throw caution to the wind and dig into that corn on the cob, and much on some sticky candy.  But while it may be satisfying in the moment, a loose or broken bracket or wire will definitely cramp your summer style.  With just a little bit of effort, you can avoid making an extra trip to the orthodontist (cut that corn off the cob; avoid eating sticky candy).

Drink Water, and Lots of It!

Adults and especially kids can often get caught up in fun summer activities and forget to drink adequate water.  It's critically important to stay hydrated when the temperatures rise, and water is important for keeping your teeth healthy. Water helps keep your mouth clean and healthy by rinsing away food and boosting saliva levels in your mouth.  Saliva, which is actually 95% water, contains protein and minerals that fight acid and defend your teeth against tooth decay.

In Case of Dental Emergency...

Summer sports and activities can be risky for your teeth, which is why it's important to always wear a mouth guard during contact sports.  According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), mouth guards prevent over 200,000 tooth, mouth and jaw injuries every year.  Not only can a mouth guard protect braces or other orthodontic appliances, they can also protect against mouth cuts, tooth damage/chipping and jaw injuries.

If you do run into a tooth injury, whether it's from slipping near the pool or falling off a bike, Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. is here for you in case of a dental emergency.  Keep our office number in easy reach in case you do need to schedule an emergency appointment, 800-223-0801.  Have fun this summer!

Summer is Here

Memorial Day yesterday means that the unofficial start of summer begins. Did you know that Memorial Day didn't become an official holiday until 1971, but Americans started gathering annually in the spring to remember those who lost their lives in war during the 1860s, right after the Civil War. Celebrated on the last Monday in May, people still decorate the grave sites of war veterans and hold memorial services, but Memorial Day has also evolved into a day that signifies the beginning of summer.

During the summer months, school is out for most kids and so many people take road trips to visit family members. Others head off to the airport to enjoy a long-awaited vacation far away, while some look forward to spending time with friends and family at home. However you spend the subsequent summer months, there are a few things you can take care of to ensure your summertime is enjoyable.

Checklist for an Enjoyable Summer

• Have your AC Checked. During the hottest days of summer, many families find themselves sweating it out due to a broken air conditioning system. Be proactive so you can avoid waiting for hours or days because the HVAC repair person is booked solid. Have your air conditioning system checked before or around Memorial Day each year. If you do not have AC make sure to get all your fans out of storage as you will want to have the ready to cool off your house.
• Remember to ensure your security while away. When you leave for vacation, the last thing you should have to worry about is the security of your home. Install a home security system, if possible, and put a timer on your lights so they go on and off at normal hours. Have your neighbor look out for you.  You can also alert your local police department that you'll be gone, and ask them to drive by your house once in a while to make sure everything is okay.
• Visit Dr. Alina Bergan before your vacation. Many people put off exams until after their summer vacations. You can avoid the fall crowds and make sure your physical and oral health is in top shape prior to vacation time so there are no unpleasant surprises. The last thing you want is a toothache on vacation.

Our team at Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. wants you to look forward to the days of summer by preparing to spend the time safely and comfortably. As you plan ahead, take care of your health and secure your home, you can place your focus on creating memories with family members and friends while enjoying your favorite summer traditions. Call us for your checkup today at 800-223-0801, at our convenient Cedarhurst, NY office!

Feeding Your Family a Mouth-Healthy Diet

Practicing good oral hygiene will help you avoid dental problems for a lifetime. Brushing, flossing, and making regular visits to Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S., can prevent gum disease and tooth decay. However, good hygiene practices are not enough if you don’t eat a mouth-healthy diet. The foods and beverages you consume greatly impact the health of your teeth and gums. To keep your smile strong, keep these diet suggestions in mind:

Focus on Fresh Produce

Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S., stresses the importance of eating fruits, vegetables, and other foods that are beneficial for healthy teeth and gums. Many fruits and vegetables are fibrous, which helps with the natural cleaning of oral contaminants. Vegetables typically have low sugar content as well, which limits the ability of bacteria to create plaque. In addition, produce is dense in nutrients, and can provide a wealth of vitamins and minerals that fortify tooth and gum health.

Include Calcium-Rich Products

The bone that supports your teeth is made largely of calcium. This substance helps teeth retain a strong and rigid structure, which is necessary for chewing and eating. Consuming plenty of calcium-rich products—including dark green leafy vegetables, low fat milk, soy milk, yogurt, and cheese—can provide ample amounts of calcium to support your oral health.

Restrict Sweet Beverages

Many people know that residual food particles can get stuck between teeth, hastening the development of plaque and gum disease. As a result, they might wash down their meals with a large cup of cola, fruit juice, or sweetened tea in the hopes of dislodging food remnants and lowering the risk of cavities. Unfortunately, sugary beverages only heighten the danger of tooth decay. If you normally drink soda, juice, or other sugar-laden drinks, they could be the reason for your dental issues. Sodas and sugary drinks can increase tooth decay. To ensure the best oral health, make water your beverage of choice. This single change to your diet could dramatically reduce tooth decay and improve your general wellbeing. Start adding fruits and vegetables to your family’s diet to help your family oral and over all health.  

For more information about how food affects your oral health, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S., please give us a call at our convenient Cedarhurst, NY office! Call today 800-223-0801.