GOOD TEETH LEAD TO SPORTING SUCCESS

Everyone knows that taking care of your teeth can help prevent tooth decay and the need for extensive work such as root canals or implants. The question is do you know the benefits of good teeth that can go far beyond having an attractive smile and being able to crunch carrots and chew meat.

The American Dental Association explains that healthy teeth are linked to a lower risk for heart disease and diabetes. Furthermore, recent research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine states that good teeth can improve athletic performance among elite athletes.

Researchers examined the oral health of nearly 300 athletes in 25 sports at the 2012 Olympics in London. They looked for conditions such as dental caries, gingivitis, dental erosion, and periodontal disease, and asked about recent visits to a dentist.

Study investigators also asked athletes whether their oral health interfered with quality of life or athletic training and performance. The study concluded that poor oral health and fewer dental visits led to interference with preparation for competition.

This can happen for a few reasons. Tooth pain can disrupt sleep, which leads to slower reaction times. Oral health conditions can indicate chronic inflammation in the body, which means suboptimal performances on an elite level. Tooth pain can interfere with focus during training and competition.

Unfortunately, merely taking good care of your teeth won’t turn you into an Olympic gold medalist. However, the benefits can still be worthwhile. Even if healthy teeth provide little if any detectable gain in your athletic abilities, the potential benefits of maintaining a healthy mouth clearly go far beyond an attractive smile.

Practicing good oral hygiene and seeing Dr. Alina Bergan regularly can promote your physical health, and maybe – just maybe – you will start to achieve an advantage over your weekend athletic opponents.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan, at her convenient Cedarhurst, NY office call 800-223-0801. You can book online http://www.alinabergandds.com.

CHOOSE DARK CHOCOLATE ON VALENTINE'S DAY

Love is in the Air. This is shown by students handing out sweets for classmates to an older married couple exchanging boxes of candy; Valentine’s Day is the time of year when people like to show affection by gifting sugary treats to their loved ones. Whether you’re on the giving or receiving end of Valentine’s Day candy, you can celebrate the holiday in a healthier way by making dark chocolate your confection of choice.

Contribute to Your Health

According to the Cleveland Clinic, studies have shown that the cocoa beans used to make chocolate contain flavonoids, which can help protect the body against damage from various toxins. Flavonoids may also help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart and the brain. Dark chocolates typically contain a higher amount of flavonoids than other types, making them a great choice for chocolate lovers. However, you should keep in mind that many companies produce chocolate that is so heavily processed that the flavonoids are largely eliminated. Your best bet is to look for high-quality dark chocolates and cocoa powders that have undergone minimal processing. Always look for 100% Organic Fair Trade Dark Chocolate that is not processed with alkali and contains 70% or higher cocoa.

Protect Against Cavities

If you think there’s no way candy could ever be beneficial for your teeth, think again. The Texas A&M Health Science Center has reported that the tannins present in cocoa beans may actually help prevent cavities by interfering with bacteria’s harmful interaction with teeth. Just like with flavonoids, tannins have been found to be present more often in dark chocolates, rather than milk chocolates, giving you another great reason to choose the richer varieties.

Avoid a Sticky Situation

One more benefit of choosing chocolate over other candies is that it is less likely to get stuck in the crevices and spaces between teeth. Gooey sweets like taffy can stay lodged in the mouth for longer periods of time, putting you at a greater risk for developing cavities. When you choose your chocolate, be sure to avoid types that also contain sticky ingredients like caramel or marshmallow, and instead opt for the plain varieties.

Remember that the health benefits you can receive from dark chocolate are largely based on eating the candy in moderation. The Cleveland Mayo Clinic recommends 1 ounce a few times a week.  With that being said, it’s easy to make this delicious and health conscious switch when you’re out shopping for your sweetheart, friends, loved ones, and yourself. Have fun satisfying your sweet tooth this year and Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Alina Bergan D.D.S!

For more information on foods for oral health, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan, at her convenient Cedarhurst, NY office call 800-223-0801. You can book online http://www.alinabergandds.com.

HOW DOES WHITENING TOOTHPASTE WORK AND DOES IT WORK TO WHITENING TEETH?

Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association seal of approval can help prevent tooth decay and relieve other conditions, such as bad breath, gingivitis, tartar, and sensitive teeth.

Beyond these health effects, another motivation for frequently brushing your teeth with high-quality toothpaste is to keep your teeth white. If you want whiter teeth but do not want to undergo in-office or at-home bleaching treatments, then you might consider choosing whitening toothpaste for your daily brushing.

Why Whitening Toothpaste

Whiter teeth are more attractive, which can help you feel more confident in your smile. Your smile is also one of the main components of the first impression you make on people in your professional and personal life. Having a whiter smile and greater self-confidence can send the message that you take care of yourself and are confident in your abilities.

How Whitening Toothpaste Works

The American Dental Association explains that all toothpaste has whitening properties because they help to remove food particles from your teeth. To carry the American Dental Association seal for whitening, however, toothpaste must contain certain chemicals that help remove stains.

Unlike bleaching products, which contain carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, whitening toothpaste only cleans the enamel rather than changing the color of your teeth. To get the benefits of whitening toothpaste, you need to use it regularly.

The Effectiveness of Whitening Toothpaste Varies

Due to individual variations in the color of your teeth, some people are more likely than others to achieve the desired results with teeth whitening. Teeth that are tinted grayish are unlikely to respond well to bleaching, while brown teeth can sometimes respond, and yellowish teeth are most likely to become pearly white with bleaching.

Come see Dr. Alina Bergan and our staff to see if in office teeth whitening is faster and safer option for you.  Proper oral hygiene and the use of whitening toothpaste are your best bets for keeping your teeth as white as possible. In addition, avoid using tobacco products, and rinse your mouth after drinking coffee or wine.

For more information on teeth whitening, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan, at her convenient Cedarhurst, NY office call 800-223-0801. You can book online http://www.alinabergandds.com.

PROPER FLOSSING TECHNIQUES

Flossing seems to be the one dental hygiene techniques you can use at home to promote clean teeth and good oral health that is likely to most troublesome for most people. It can be viewed as confusing and time-consuming, but when you learn how to floss your teeth correctly, you’ll find it’s easy to do on a daily basis. The more you floss the easier it will become.

Proper flossing techniques are vital to the health of your teeth and gums. These tips will help you with the correct flossing procedures. Likewise, Dr. Alina Bergan and our team can also help you learn how to floss effectively and efficiently.

Steps to Flossing Your Teeth Properly

1.     Choosing Dental Floss. You can find dental floss in various flavors, as well as waxed or unwaxed. If the floss you use seems to get stuck between your teeth, switch to waxed to make it easier. On your next cleaning in our office ask our hygienist to give you both kinds to try.   

2.     Flossing “Helpers.” Beginner flossers who have trouble coordinating the floss and the movements of their hands can use a floss holder to help them get in and around teeth.

3.     Preparing the Floss. Cut an 18-inch piece of floss to use for flossing a few teeth. This allows you to make progress before you must stop and cut another piece of floss.

4.     How to Hold It. Wind the ends around your middle fingers. Hold the floss taut, pinching each side with your thumbs and index fingers. Make sure to leave a couple inches free in the middle.

5.     The Process of Flossing. Use your index fingers to guide the floss toward your gum line. Bring it down between the teeth with a zigzag motion. Hold the floss in a C-shape around the tooth, and move it up and down along the side.

6.     Where to Floss. Use a clean portion of the floss to clean around and in between each tooth. Make sure you don’t forget about the molars in the back of your mouth.

Flossing: A Vital Part of Oral Care

Flossing is used to prevent periodontal disease that begins at the gum line. Regular flossing helps you remove plaque from the gum line and between your teeth to avoid gum disease. In conjunction with daily brushing and twice-a-year visits to Dr. Alina Bergan DDS, floss each day to maintain good oral hygiene and overall health. Gum disease can have an impact on your general health, but it doesn't have to. This easy-to-prevent condition can be avoided with regular visits to our Cedarhurst NY  office and daily flossing. Allow our team to partner with you in maintaining a bright, shiny smile and good oral health.

For more information on proper flossing techniques, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan, at our convenient Cedarhurst, NY office call 800-223-0801. You can book online http://www.alinabergandds.com.

How to Slow Down and Enjoy the Holiday

Wild, crazy, busy, stressful, overwhelming – there are so many negative words that we use to describe the holiday season! But let’s be real, it’s all for good reason. Here are some practices for keeping things calm and collected during stressful times, which I think are especially helpful when guests are in the house, shopping lists are long, and holiday travel is imminent. Here are six ways to slow down and really enjoy the holiday season – take them to heart!

1.    Meditate! Meditation, prayer, or just setting aside some quiet time. This works differently for everyone, and there are so many ways you can use that time to focus and unwind. It is good to start your day this way so you can feel rejuvenated and balanced when your busy day begins. There are also apps you can use to help you with meditation. Headspace is a popular App for quick 10-minute meditations.

2.    Schedule a group exercise activity. Spending a whole day lazing in the living room with your in-laws can drive anyone up the wall; many find that getting a good workout is an instant, foolproof way to get moods back in order. You can book time at local tennis courts and ice rinks with your family, so you can get all of the cousins (and adults!) out and moving around. Yoga class, long walks, spin class or even something fun like Zumba could also work.

3.    Take an aromatherapy bath. It’s tough to find time to actually do this when you have four guests sharing the same bathroom and people to entertain downstairs. But even if you have to do it after everyone has gone to sleep – or, before they’ve waken up – spending fifteen minutes soaking in hot water and essential oils can work wonders for your nerves, mood and spirit. A favorite de-stress essential oil blend is the following: 2 drops lavender, 1 drop neroli, and 2 drop geranium essential oils. 

4.    Holiday shopping should happen online. It’s true; there’s something so fun and magical about spending a day out and about looking at the holiday decorations in the stores – many particularly adore the holiday windows at Bergdorf Goodman – but shopping online is a major time saver.

5.    Do just one thing at once. We have a tendency to glorify multitasking, but in the holiday season try slowing down and focusing on one task at a time – and really getting into it, not letting yourself become distracted or worried by other things – makes every task so much more enjoyable. Put on some holiday music and put your heart into your tasks of wrapping gifts, decorating the house, or cooking your holiday meal.

6.    Practice gratitude. It’s easy to lose sight of gratitude during the busy holidays, but it’s what will help center you and make you feel a little stressed. Even if it’s just in between thoughts, think about how grateful you are for your family, health, home, the food on the table, the clothes in your closet, and your teeth (so you can eat all the holiday goodies) you get into this frame of mind, life feels full. (PS – check out this recent New York Times piece on the emotional effects of gratitude. It’s powerful!)

We hope some of these ideas make it into your holiday season. I know, they’re easier said than done, but a little bit of intention can go a long way!

Give yourself the gift of good oral health this year. Check out our $99 new client special at http://5townsdentistry.com. 

What happens if you don’t have your wisdom teeth removed?

One of the things Dr. Alina Bergan and her team monitor during your dental appointments is the growth of your wisdom teeth, or third molars. Third molars generally begin to erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. Wisdom teeth may require removal for many reasons, including pain, infection, or growth issues. While not all patients need their wisdom tooth removed, problems can develop if removal is not performed.

Overcrowding

A lot of people have smaller mouths and jaws, which do not allow room for the third molars to grow in properly. If these teeth do erupt, overcrowding can occur. Your teeth will begin to shift or overlap each other. Wisdom teeth that erupt after orthodontic care is completed can cause the teeth to shift and negate the work performed.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

When wisdom teeth are impacted, they are trapped below your gum line. Impacted wisdom teeth can be very painful and they are also prone to abscess and infection. The impaction can lead to decay and resorption of healthy teeth.

On occasion, if wisdom teeth are not monitored properly, their growth can shift parallel to the jaw line. They can also shift backward and eventually interfere with the opening and closing of your jaw.

Greater Potential for Decay

Even when wisdom teeth grow in properly, the location can make these teeth harder to care for. This in turn can lead to the growth of more bacteria, and create health issues later in life.

If you do not have your wisdom teeth removed, they will require continued monitoring. Wisdom teeth are just as subject to decay and other problems as the rest of your teeth. Those that appear above the gum surface can often be extracted at a dental office in a fashion similar to any other tooth extraction. Impacted teeth are normally handled by an oral surgeon.

Pain in the back of the jaw and swelling may indicated wisdom teeth that are beginning to rupture or are impacted. A simple set of X-rays will determine the extent and direction of growth. Please do not hesitate to discuss your concerns during your next visit at our Cedarhurst NY office. We will be happy to explain wisdom teeth, and potential removal, as it applies to your specific case.

For more information about wisdom teeth and oral health, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan, at her convenient Cedarhurst, NY office call 800-223-0801. You can book online http://www.alinabergandds.com/.

Dental Cleaning*, Exam & X-rays: Adult - $89 / Kids up to 12 years old - $69

Dental Cleaning*, Exam & X-rays: Adult - $89 / Kids up to 12 years old - $69 Expires 12/31/2015