Dr. Peter Rubinstein

Understanding How Your Oral Health Affects Your Body

Maintaining excellent oral health is vital for preserving the appearance of your smile and reducing your need for cosmetic dentistry services. You may not realize that it is also critical to your overall health. Gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss have all been linked to numerous medical conditions ranging from preterm labor to heart disease.

How is the Mouth and Body Connected?

In addition to being the starting point of the digestion process, your mouth serves as a portal to the rest of your body. Germs and bacteria that live in your mouth can gain entrance to your bloodstream via tiny cuts in the gums or other soft tissues of your mouth. Infection from abscessed teeth can also spread throughout the body and, if left untreated, lead to severe illness or even death.

Why Worry About Germs and Bacteria?

While it is normal to have certain organisms in your mouth, periodontal disease creates a breeding ground for these bacteria to spread and flourish. With periodontal disease, the gums can separate from the teeth, creating pockets that are perfect for bacterial infection. Brushing and flossing regularly, along with using a mouthwash when your dentist recommends it, can prevent periodontal disease and greatly reduce the chance that harmful organisms in your mouth will spread throughout your body.

What Types of Problems Can Poor Oral Health Cause?

There is evidence that suggests a link between periodontal disease and an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Pregnant women with poor oral health are more likely to experience problems with labor, while women trying to conceive may experience fertility delays because of gum disease. Diabetes complications and certain respiratory ailments are also connected to poor oral health.

If you are concerned about your oral health and need an excellent dentist in NYC, contact the practice of Dr. Peter Rubinstein. We offer general dentistry services, as well as cosmetic services such as teeth whitening, dental crowns, dental implants, and veneers. Call (888) 375-3531 today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

Oral Health Diet: Eating for Your Teeth

The foods and beverages you consume all have an effect on your teeth and can either promote your oral health or jeopardize it. Your cosmetic dentist can give you some excellent suggestions regarding healthy food choices for your teeth and warn of those that can harm your oral health. Keep reading for a quick overview of foods that are good for your teeth and others that are bad.

Harmful Foods for Teeth

Any foods or beverages that are sticky, sugary, acidic, or starchy can promote tooth decay. Some common offenders include:

• Soda, sweetened fruit drinks, and fruit juice.
• Citrus fruits.
• Candy bars, caramels, and hard candies.
• White breads and crackers.

Some of these foods and beverages cause tooth discoloration, which can necessitate whitening treatments. Additionally, these items encourage plaque buildup, enamel erosion, and decay. These problems can lead to the need for veneers, dental crowns, and, in severe cases, dental implants after tooth loss. Indulge in these foods and beverages in moderation and be sure to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after consumption.

Beneficial Foods for Teeth

While there are certainly some foods and beverages that you should avoid, there are others that can actually encourage oral health. Some of these include:

• Crunchy fruits and vegetables.
• Low-fat dairy products with plenty of calcium.
• Wholegrain foods.
• Water.

Citrus fruits, while on the harmful list, do offer valuable vitamin C. Kiwis are an excellent non-citrus source of vitamin C. Calcium and the minerals found in wholegrain foods can help you maintain strong teeth, while water is essential for balanced saliva.

If you are looking for a New York City dentist who offers comprehensive dental treatment and advice, contact the office of Dr. Peter Rubinstein. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry services to keep your smile beautiful and healthy. Call us today at (888) 375-3531 to schedule your next dental appointment.Water

Lifestyle and Oral Health

The lifestyle you lead plays a major role in how you feel and how well different parts of your body function. Unhealthy habits, such as smoking, can be detrimental to both your oral health and your overall health.

Watch this video to learn about the chronic diseases you can avoid by choosing to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The clip also provides additional information about the link that exists between your oral health and your general health.

If you are looking for a dentist in New York City who can help you maintain your oral health, contact the office of Dr. Peter Rubinstein. We offer teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, and more. Call (888) 375-3531 today for more information.

Learn About Keeping Your Mouth In Tip-Top Shape

A healthy, happy smile reflects a healthy lifestyle and brings you greater confidence. To learn more about keeping your teeth looking great, check out the links below:

• Find out about braces options for adults in this informative article on WebMD.com.
• Learn how the American Dental Association recommends keeping your teeth and gums clean and disease-free on this page on their website.
• Read how plaque causes tooth and gum decay on the website of the Greater St. Louis Dental Hygienists' Association.
• The American Academy of Periodontology presents information linking healthy gums with a healthy heart in this interesting article.

The practice of Dr. Peter Rubinstein is dedicated to providing patients with attractive, confidence-building smiles. We provide quality cosmetic and general dentistry services to residents of NYC. To learn more about us, visit our website or call us at (888) 375-3531!

Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces

A straight smile is a confident smile, but traditional metal braces are no longer your only option for improving the alignment of your teeth. If you’ve been considering straightening your teeth for medical or cosmetic reasons, ask your dentist about the Invisalign system. To see how this new, state-of-the-art system compares with traditional braces, read on:

Treatment Mechanism

Traditional metal braces use brackets and wires to move your teeth into the proper position, which feels cumbersome and takes a great deal of time. Invisalign uses clear plastic aligner trays that fit over the teeth and efficiently guide them into the correct positions.

Appearance

Not only is the Invisalign system more comfortable to use, but the clear plastic trays are virtually invisible as opposed to shiny metal brackets and wires. This makes Invisalign an ideal choice for those concerned about their appearance during the procedure or adults who do not want to undergo many months spent in metal braces for cosmetic changes.

Dentist Visits

When calculating the cost of different types of braces, you should include not only money spent, but also time spent in the dentist’s chair. Traditional braces must be adjusted by your dentist in the office, who will tighten or change the wire alignments during what can sometimes be lengthy appointments. All the Invisalign system requires is picking up a new alignment tray from your dentist and switching it out with the old one approximately every two weeks, a fast and painless process.

Oral Care Requirements

Because of its innovative design, Invisalign can be removed for normal care of teeth, while traditional braces are fixed, requiring alternate methods of caring for your teeth. Additionally, there are no dietary restrictions while using Invisalign, but patients with traditional braces must avoid certain foods that may break or dislodge brackets.

The dental practice of Dr. Peter Rubinstein offers personalized, professional cosmetic and general dentistry care in the NYC area. Whether you’re looking to improve your smile or just keep it healthy, stop by our website or give us a call today at (888) 375-3531.