Genetics and Cavities

Sometimes life can be unfair.  Even if you brush and floss your teeth twice per day every day cavities can still happen.  Don’t be too hard on yourself.  There’s mounting evidence that your genetic makeup may have predisposed you to cavities.  Yes your ancestors are still alive and well and in your neighborhood.

The postulation that your genes are related to your oral health is still a novel concept and more research is needed but commonly cited finding states that genetics may increase your chances of having cavities by 64%.

Of course not brushing and flossing your teeth and eating and drinking foods with high sugar content over time will eventually lead to cavities.  Genes can influence the strength of the enamel of your teeth which is the outer protective coating on your teeth.  For some the enamel is hard and strong but others it is softer and more easily damaged by cavity causing bacteria.

Genes can also affect how your body responds to the bacteria within your saliva which cause cavities.  Not to worry we are cavity finders and fighters.  We are always looking for new people to enter our practice.  We will examine your mouth and tell you what we see.  For many a regular exam will lead to a standard six month dental cleaning and you’ll be good to go.

So if you live in Yorkville and are in need of a dentist, give us a call at 212 517 9000.  We are located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets.  After meeting with us we believe you and your teeth will be glad you did.

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Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

The Case Against Silver- Change Amalgam Fillings for Looks Not Safety

If you have some Silver Dollars in your pocket you are not going to throw them away.  If you were given a sterling silver set for your wedding you’re probably going to keep them.  But, for some if you have silver in your mouth you might be inclined to have them nuggets removed.

The Amalgam Silver controversy is still alive today.  If you are of a certain age you probably have some silver fillings in your mouth.  These restorations can last for decades, some more than fifty years.  Think of something else that a human can create that can last for more than a half century with only little maintenance efforts on your part.  Quite impressive!

Back in the day the choice was gold or silver since white fillings did not exist.  If you were in the limo you were probably getting gold while in the bus or subway silver was for you.  The concern with silver is the filling is an amalgam or a combination of things.  The thing most patients are concerned about is the mercury in the filling.

Mercury is produced by the burning of coal and is a heavy element.  When coal is burned mercury is placed into the atmosphere and since it is a heavy element it falls back down to the surface of the earth.  Most of the planet is water so the mercury enters the oceans where the oysters, lobsters and clams consume it.  The large ocean fish such as tuna, shark and tile concentrate the mercury within them when feeding on the other inhabitants of the seas.  When you eat them you concentrate their mercury content in your body.  With silver filling the mercury is a bound salt so if you swallow your filling the mercury will just pass straight through you instead of accumulating within your body.

Silver fillings are strong but not aesthetic.  Today with the development of white fillings, silver ones are entering the dustbin of history.  With a white filling you can’t see it so it’s like you never had it and you’re even more beautiful.   It took a while for dentist’s to figure out how to successfully place white fillings but today the process is very straightforward.

So do you remove any silver fillings you have?  In my opinion no unless you are not happy with the way they look or if your tooth is becoming grey in color due to leakage of the silver ion into your tooth.  You must realize that every time you perform surgery on your tooth there is a chance of the tooth’s nerve checking out as if saying I’ve had enough.  If this happens root canal therapy can be in your future.

Besides aesthetics one advantage of white fillings is that when they finally fail the filling breaks and generally not the tooth.  When a properly placed silver filling fails decades later generally the filling is still intact but it is the tooth that breaks because ultimately a silver filling is a wedge within the tooth.

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit we believe in informing you what is happening in your mouth and if there is a concern giving you the options and price points to correct the situation.  We always like meeting new people even if you’re only looking to have your teeth cleaned.

So if you need a new dentist or a second opinion call today at 212 517 9000 and we will be happy to see you.

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Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

It’s Not James Bond but Dental Bond

Good Evening and welcome to my world of dentistry.  Sometimes nature can be cruel or accidents do occur.  When these maladies concern your teeth you might be seeing me.  It’s a good thing.  Maybe your teeth are misshapen, asymmetric, have gaps and spaces between themselves, discolorations and/or stains, chipped or cracked or have an exposed root.

If you’ve noticed any of these flaws in your own smile then come on down and meet with us.  Dental bonding can be an effective way to cosmetically rejuvenate your tooth or teeth.  Dental bonding is using an acrylic resin which is matched to the color of your teeth and can be molded to recreate a more pleasing appearance to your smile.

Once placed, tooth bonding should be brushed and flossed just like all your other teeth.  It is amazing how just a little bonding in certain areas of your mouth can brighten your whole smile.

We are located at 1498 Third Avenue in Yorkville between 84th and 85th Streets.  Easily accessible to the 4,5,6 and Q subway lines one block away and local bus service.  So if you need a cleaning or maybe a little bit more give us a call today at; 212 517 9000.

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Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

Are All Carbs Created Equal? - How Eating Well Supports Healthy Teeth and Gums

Carbs, Carbs, Everywhere in New York City

When thinking carbohydrates your thinking bread.  New York City is the bread capital of the world.

We like our pizza, we like our bagels, we like our baguettes and don’t forget croissants.  Of course there’s the liquid carbs as in Beer Here.  Go to Yankee Stadium or Citi Field and your beer is part of the game.  The problem with carbs is that too many carbs means you’re eventually going to get bigger like Clemenza in the first Godfather movie.

As most know; sugar is found in candy, cookies, juices and sodas which can harm your teeth.  But there is also sugar present in all the carbohydrates you eat that can cause cavities.  A handful of pretzels or a piece of rye bread can have the same effect on your teeth as a fudge brownie.

All carbohydrates break down into simple sugars which are converted into plaque which can then cause cavities and gum disease.  Carbohydrates are naturally sticky and adhere firmly to your teeth.  Eating carbs with meals is healthier than eating them as snacks because more saliva is generated at mealtime.  Saliva helps prevent food particles from sticking to your teeth.

If you must drink sodas drink them through a straw limiting their contact on your teeth and preserving your enamel.

If you are in need of a check up or just a dental cleaning please call us at 212 517 9000 to schedule an appointment at the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS.  We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets right here in Yorkville.  We like meeting new patients and helping them to maintain their dental health.  

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Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

Do You Have Any Cavities In Your Mouth?

Being a New Yorker and probably driving around you have encountered numerous potholes in our streets.  Your car falls in, your tires and shocks take a beating and you proceed on.  Sometimes a pothole can become a sink hole by that’s a whole nother matter.

Your teeth can get their own potholes.  We call them cavities.  An opening appears on the surface of your tooth and once there food can get in.  As the food breaks down it releases acids that eat your teeth.  Actually bacteria colonies form which like warm, dark places without oxygen – sort of akin to your mouth.

Like a pothole if not fixed they will just get bigger until one day a car just falls in and disappears.  In your tooth’s case if the hole gets too big you get a surprise as in a toothache and nobody wants a toothache.

The key is to catch them holes when they are small and here’s where you need the skill of a dentist.

I’m a dentist and on a mission to search for dental potholes and repair them before they bite, YOU.

At my dental practice we like people and we like to fix teeth.  What a deal!  So if you have not been to the dentist for awhile something which many people like to avoid – give us a call?  Your teeth and subsequently you will be glad you did.

We are conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets in the 10028 zip code.   The Q, 4, 5, and 6 subway lines have stations one block away and there is plenty of bus service available.

So let’s get rid of those potholes and if you’re pothole free you and your teeth might like a cleaning

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you

Let's Get You Out of Tooth Pain

Eastside, Westside all around the town.  You could live anywhere in the Big Apple.  10021, 10075, 10028, 10128, 10023 and get a toothache.  And oh when your tooth aches you want relief.  So what can be done to treat an aching tooth?

If you have been reading my blogs you know a toothache can be caused by decay or trauma.  When you come into the office we will listen to what you have to say.  Most people have a pretty good idea of what is going on.  If they’re in pain they have been looking to determine the cause.

We will then examine the area and take some pictures to confirm the diagnosis.  Next we will advise you of the options to resolve the problem and the advantages, disadvantages, risks and alternatives to treatment.  Finally we will clearly explain the procedure and costs involved so you can make an educated decision.  Finally we will treat the situation or refer you to a specialist if that’s what your situation entails.

Nobody wants a toothache but if you experience one, we will be there to take action.  We are conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on Third Avenue between 84th and 85th street directly across from our own Upper East Side’s McDonalds.   We pride on treating our patients on time with as little discomfort as possible.

No one really likes going to the dentist including me so we understand where you are coming from.

We have been performing dentistry for decades so we have a good idea of what may be happening in your mouth.  If you are in need of a dentist even if only for a cleaning give us a call at 212 517 9000. 

We will be happy to see and take care of you.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you.

To Fill or Not to Fill and With What Material

One of the sad parts of life is that your teeth can decay.  Tooth decay occurs when a person does not clean their teeth on a regular basis.  The tooth decay happens when a small hole occurs on any surface of a tooth.  The outside of your teeth are made of enamel which is a very hard substance.  The inside of your teeth are composed of dentin which is not as hard.  On the surface of your teeth there are grooves which if not kept clean can develop into a hole or cavity which leads to tooth decay.

All the bacteria in your mouth are anaerobic meaning they live without oxygen.  For decay to occur when you eat you leave residue of food on your teeth.  If not removed the remaining food breaks down and becomes acidic which attacks the surface of your teeth.  The bacteria in the decomposing food prefer warm, dark places without oxygen.  Your mouth is warm at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit and dark when you close your mouth and when the decay gets into your tooth there is no oxygen present.   

Once the decay is within your tooth even with brushing and flossing you cannot remove it.  The decay continues to expand and if left alone will eventually lead to a root canal of the tooth where the nerve of the tooth needs to be removed for you to retain your tooth.

Before that occurs, regular visits to the dentist can confirm visually or through x rays if any of your teeth is developing a cavity.  Once a cavity due to decay is observed it needs to be repaired with a filling.  Today there are several types of fillings we can place into your tooth to restore it to function.

The best material is gold.  However, gold is yellow in color so in today’s cosmetic culture for most individuals this is not an option.  Why is gold the best?   It wears the same amount as enamel which covers the surface of your teeth.  It also expands and contracts the same as enamel to hot and cold.

Gold can also form a very tight seal to your tooth and is strong since it is a metal.

A metal alternative to gold is silver.  Silver is strong and over time chemically bonds to your tooth; meaning an old silver filling is actually better than a new silver filling.  Once again the drawback to silver is that you can see it.  Gold fillings can last a life time while silver fillings can last decades.

We now have the ability to place a tooth colored or white filling into your tooth.  A white filling is made of composite.  Its advantage is you will not see it.  Its disadvantage is that it is not as strong as a metal filling but for most patients metal is no longer acceptable.

If a filling grows in size by not being addressed in a reasonable time a lab processed filling can be made.

These types of fillings are available in gold and tooth colored materials.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in the area of Yorkville we like meeting new people and to help them have a healthy, happy mouth.  We can tell you if you have any developing problems with your teeth and give options to restore these areas to health.

We have Saturday and evening appointments available to fit your busy schedule.  We participate with the major dental insurance companies.  Before any treatment we will tell you your options and the costs involved.

We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets and within reach of the Q, 4, 5 and 6 subway lines and the third avenue bus.   Even if you know it’s only time for a cleaning, give us a call today.  You’ll be glad you did!

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you.

Fillings, Fillings, Fillings

You have a cavity and you need to restore your tooth to health.  What are your alternatives?

Your teeth are pretty tough.   Their outside is covered with a layer of enamel which is so hard that we need industrial diamonds on a high speed turbine to cut through it.  Think of a jet engine with a diamond attached to it and spinning around and that is what is needed to get into your tooth.

Bacteria are tenacious and they thrive in a dark, warm environment without air and a source of food.

Your mouth is dark and under the gums and between your teeth there is little air present.  Since you eat there is plenty of food and it is quite warm, approximately 100 degrees.

The bacteria look for little defects within your teeth to deposit themselves and then drill into the interior of your tooth.  Once inside you are unable to remove them with a toothbrush or floss.  At this point you need a dentist to get inside of your tooth and remove the decay.

Once removed the hole created needs to be filled.  There are several options.  The gold standard is gold.  Gold has the same expansion and contraction as your tooth and wears evenly with the opposing tooth.  However, today most people will not tolerate gold due to its yellow color.  On the other hand gold fillings last longer than any other procedure we can perform on you.

Back in the day when there was only gold or silver if you were in the limo you were choosing gold but if you were in the bus or subway then silver was for you.   The advantage of silver is it is also a metal and very strong.  Most people who have silver fillings have had them for decades.  The fillings rarely ever break but after decades the teeth holding them usually break.  At that point a crown is necessary.  Once again most people will not tolerate silver due to the silver color.

Today we now have white fillings made of a composite plastic type material.  The advantage is that after being placed no one will know that you have a filling.  The down side is since the filling is made of plastic it is not as strong as gold or silver but esthetically there is no comparison.  As time goes on this will be the standard of care since dental schools are no longer teaching dental students how to do gold or silver fillings.

If your filling is large and you want a white filling then as an alternative we can have a white lab processed filling.  This is made of porcelain and is stronger than a white composite filling but takes two appointments to fabricate and is more expensive.  The filling will also be invisible when you smile.

Sometimes there is no cavity but just a discoloration of your tooth.  If whitening cannot correct the situation then we can make a cosmetic veneer to cover the discoloration.  Since this is a cosmetic procedure your dental insurance will not cover it.  However the final result achieved can be dramatic making your smile much more attractive.

Here at the Dental Practice of Glenn Reit DDS conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan we have the ability to restore your teeth with the material of your choice.  If you find yourself in Yorkville or the adjoining zip codes of 10028, 10128, 10075 or 10021 come on down we will be happy to meet with you.   We are conveniently located within a three minute walk from the 4, 5, 6 and Q subway lines.

If you experience an emergency, as in breaking a tooth, give us a call at 212 517 9000 and we will see you and treat your emergency.  We have evening and Saturday hours available.  At our practice, making you smile again is our goal.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you.

Nobody wants Cavities

Everyone wants to be healthy.  Luckily today concerning your teeth with fluoride in the drinking water the amount of tooth decay is way down, especially if you make the effort to brush and floss your teeth.

How do cavities occur?  Sometimes you can be predisposed to decay due to your genetics but most of the time it is due to eating sugary, sticky foods and not removing the remaining residue by not cleaning your teeth.

The outside of your tooth is made up of enamel which is a very hard substance.  The inner part of your tooth is made up of dentin which is technically millions of little straws pressed close together.  For decay to inhabit your tooth it has to break through the enamel layer.  Think of decay as looking like an upside down or right side up pyramid depending if you are on your upper or lower teeth.

The top point is the entry point into your inner tooth.  Most people have grooves and lines on the surface of their teeth so if food remains there it disintegrates giving off acids which attack the surface of your teeth.

Once the decay forms that little hole into the interior of your tooth it now has an ideal environment to cause mayhem.  For decay to grow it is looking for a dark, warm area without oxygen and a continual source of food.  Inside your mouth it is dark, approximately 100 degrees and once the decay is inside your tooth there is no oxygen.  As you continually eat there is a constant source of food.

Since the decay is within your tooth you are unable to remove or clean it with your toothbrush and it continues to grow.  The only way to remove it is to see your dentist who will excavate it out and replace the missing tooth structure to restore your tooth to health.  You can also get decay between your teeth by not flossing to remove any impacted food remaining there after eating.

Here at Dr Glenn Reit’s dental practice we do not want you to have decay.  If you do we will remove it and restore your tooth to health. So if you are looking for a dentist on the Upper East Side of Manhattan or you are visiting the Yorkville, New York City area give us a call.

We are happy to meet with you and restore your health.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you.

Pain is Pain

No one wants to experience any pain and tooth pain can be quite challenging.  When you feel pain your body is telling you something is happening.  When it comes to teeth the pain can range from mild to severe.  One thing is sure when your teeth are aching you need to see a dentist.  Mouth pain rarely subsides and progressively becomes more bothersome.

The mouth is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.  Bacteria like warm, dark places without air and a source of food.  Meaning you mouth is a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.  Maintaining regular oral hygiene and trips to the dentist is a good way to prevent the bacteria from taking over.

What causes tooth pain?  It could be from stress in which you grind or clench your teeth.  It could come from a cold as in when your sinuses fill with liquid and put downward pressure on your upper teeth.  Most of the time pain is due to trauma or decay.  A sharp bite on a cherry pit, of piece of bone can crack your tooth.  A cavity can develop from inadequate oral hygiene and if left untreated can lead to dental pain.  If left alone long enough the bacteria can enter your tooth’s nerve giving you the classic tooth ache. 

Your gums hold your teeth into your head.  It is important to maintain healthy gums to prevent pain and increase the longevity of your teeth.  This can be easily accomplished by daily brushing and flossing of your teeth.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

If you are or even if you are not experiencing any dental pain we are here to help you maintain a healthy mouth.  Call today 212 517 9000 we are always happy to meet with you and help you achieve dental health.

What Are Cavities

Sometimes even with the best intentions cavities still occur. You can brush and floss till the cows come home and yet a cavity still occurs.  Cavities or tooth decay happens when bacteria get into the inside of your teeth.  One way to cosmetically restore your tooth to health is with a white filling consisting of a plastic glass mixture of material which replaces lost tooth structure caused by the decay.  We can also use this material for cosmetic improvements of your smile such as fixing chips or gaps in your teeth.

Need Cavity Treatment in the Upper East Side?

Call us today (212) 517-9000 to schedule your next dental appointment where we can help you to achieve a healthier and brighter smile.

Go For The Gold

With the Olympics coming to Beijing, China in February 2022 the goal is to go for gold. In dentistry you can also go for gold. With a gold filling or if you’re brave a gold crown. Obviously, the gold crown would need to be on one of your back teeth unless you’re going for the bling.

Most individuals today will not accept gold due to its color. In fact, most people prefer not to have yellow teeth to begin with and will undergo bleaching or cosmetic dentistry to lighten the shade of their teeth. In California, you can never be too-blond, too-tan and have too-white teeth.

In fact, today the demand for gold dentistry is predominantly by dentists. That should tell you something. Just like you, dentists do not like going to the dentist. They make like performing dentistry but not having dentistry. When it comes to dentistry women are a lot stronger than men. Something about lying on your back with a stranger working a couple of inches from your brain can cause men to panic.

Back to gold. The reason dentists choose gold is that it lasts the longest. Gold has the same expansion and contraction as enamel. Meaning, gold is the closest to what the outside of your tooth is made of. Gold is very biocompatible with your mouth.
It is easy to clean and its edges can be very closely adapted to your tooth structure. In fact, most dental restorations are wide open. Meaning the armies of bacteria inyour mouth are marching in mass into the interior of your tooth. Since cementing mediums contain huge amounts of fluoride this helps to keep your teeth protected.

The great draw back to gold is that it is yellow and you can see it and in today’s esthetic conscious society Moi is perfect in every way. Sort of like: Only your hair dresser knows for sure. Here at the practice, we still do gold crowns and gold fillings. If the need arises this alternative will always be presented and then promptly rejected.

The cool thing about gold is when you melt it. It looks like mercury except it is gold in color. You can actually see your reflection in it and before it becomes liquid it has a reddish golden sheen. Just magnificent and it makes you realize why it has been in use since antiquity. However, at 1948 degrees Fahrenheit you certainly don’t want to touch it for then you’ll definitely be singing, but not in a good way.

But even today it continues to remain the gold standard in finance and in dentistry.

Looking for a Crown Treatment in the Upper East Side?

Contact us today (212) 517-9000 or info@reitdds.com to schedule your dental appointment.