Proactive Vs Reactive

When you pay for something you usually want to feel better off after the expense.  Going on a vacation, to a show or out for dinner is generally pleasurable.  Going to the dentist is not on many people’s desirable list.  When your mouth feels and looks good that is the time to see the dentist.  You’re not having any problems and a quick exam and cleaning confirms your diagnosis.  Your treatment is quick and painless.  In addition if you have dental insurance you’re fully covered for the treatment.  Even if you have to pay on your own the cost is within reason.

What’s the alternative?  You don’t like going to the dentist and only go when you have a problem.  Today if this is your situation we can still treat you, with you remaining comfortable but now there is more dental treatment involved.  If you have put off going to the dentist since your last experience was not great you will probably be apprehensive leading to increased stress.  Now you have a dental issue and even with dental insurance you will have a copayment.  If no insurance there are costs involved.

So going to the dentist when there are no problems is the way to go.  Even if something is found it will be in the beginning phase requiring less treatment.  So it’s better to be proactive than reactive. 

Here at the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets on the Upper East Side of Manhattan we are here for you.  We like meeting new people and interacting with them.  If you are in need of an exam and cleaning or you feel there may be something more give us a call at 212 517 9000 today.  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!

Simple Ways to Strengthen Your Teeth

Maybe you lift weights to build strength but are you also doing things to strengthen your teeth?

There are ways to strengthen your teeth.  Just like you want to have strong bones, having strong teeth are also advantageous. Having a healthy diet, good oral hygiene habits and regular dental checkups is a good start.

Tooth Enamel is the hard surface of your tooth which needs to be strong and healthy to prevent dental decay from penetrating into the interior of the tooth leading to dental problems.  Enamel can weaken due to genetics, illnesses and/or poor oral hygiene habits.  Brushing too strongly with a stiff toothbrush can wear down the enamel surface.  Unlike your bone your tooth does not have regenerative cells so once it is worn down it will not build back up.

Fermentable carbohydrates which are found in breakfast cereals, crackers, breads, bananas, soft drinks, candy, cookies and other starchy foods form harmful and dangerous acids on your teeth.  When combined with bacteria, those acids will start to break down the enamel.  This demineralization process literally eats away at the naturally produced minerals in your enamel. Clearly meaning that highly processed foods and sweet treats will cause demineralization of the enamel over time.

Brushing twice per day and flossing once per day is vital if you want to strengthen your teeth.  Be careful not to brush too hard and always brush at a forty-five degrees angle with a soft bristled toothbrush using short and decisive strokes.  Brush for at least two minutes and don’t forget your tongue as bacteria love to linger in places your toothbrush misses.

The saliva that you produce after you brush your teeth can also help prevent demineralization as it contains proteins and minerals that will safeguard the enamel on your teeth.  Saliva is constantly washing off the germs on your teeth and helps to maintain the pH thereby reducing acid production. Our early ancestors since they had a quite different diet showed very little signs of weakened enamel.

Most city water is now fluoridated which helps to keep your enamel strong.  A healthy diet includes whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products.

If you would like to learn how to strengthen your teeth give us a call at 212 517 9000.  At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS we care about you and your teeth.  Give us a call  today; you 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!

Smile Boosters

Do You Need A Boost

Who Ya Going to Call; Smile Booster’s?

Sometimes when looking in the mirror you might see something you’re not too thrilled about.  It could be the space between your lips as in your teeth.  Maybe you need a little upgrade.  Here are 4 Smile Boosters that can improve your smile.

1.       Teeth Whitening is quick, easy, affordable and non-invasive.   External tooth whitening occurs when teeth whitening agents bleach the teeth directly. 

2.       Dental Implants are another common procedure that many New Yorkers now seek to replace missing teeth.  A dental implant is secured into one of your jaws and then a natural-looking crown is attached to the implant.  In addition to improving your appearance it restores tooth function and maintains your bone support.

3.       Dental Bonding can be done using various materials such as porcelain and composite resins.  These materials can now precisely replicate natural tooth structure and natural appearance.

4.       Periodontal Plastic Surgery is a terrific solution for gum recession and cosmetic irregularities.

You can remove a gummy smile or remedy an uneven gum line.

If you are interested in boosting your smile give us a call today at 212 517 9000.

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!

Brushing the Night Electric- Electric Toothbrushes

What about electric?  Well Frankenstein likes electric.  Today there are all types of electric toothbrushes.

For some they love them, for others they don’t like the sensation.  Some of them have timers which is a good thing because it keeps you brushing.  The most important is to use a soft bristle brush whether it’s electric or manual.  Here at our practice every one is given a Crest Oral B toothbrush after their cleaning. If you’re an electric you can use it when you vacation but if you’re a manual you’re all set.

If you are older and developing arthritis then an electric toothbrush can be a godsend.  Then comes the problem with so many offerings: what to choose?  I’ll talk about three of the main brands.

Sonicare

Seems to feel like how you feel after getting your teeth cleaned at the dental office.   This system uses sonic vibrations similar to the Cavitron used in the dental office to clean your teeth and also has a timer.

There is a brush head subscription service for convenience.  So if your teeth need a little extra TLC then this brush is for you.

Oral B

They are another excellent option using an oscillating motion to move the brush in tiny circles rather than sonic vibrations.  They claim the brush will remove more tooth build up than their manual brushes.  The toothbrush heads are rounder than a manual brush allowing them to get into harder to reach places.  This is an excellent alternative if you have a smaller mouth or don’t like the vibrations.

Quip

A new addition you may have seen here in the Big Apple.  The brushes are compact and battery operated so great for travel if you are of the electric mindset.  They come with a timer, which is always a plus.

They have a subscription service that sends you a brush head, toothpaste and batteries at an affordable price.  They are somewhat less powerful than the above two and the brushes are a little bit firmer making it harder to get into the nooks and crannies.

Since there are so many variations out there and the prices are all over the place we only recommend these products but do not sell them inside the office.

Need a dentist. We are here for you and we love to meet new people, especially ones with dental challenges.  No one likes going to the dentist, even me, so we make the extra effort to make you feel comfortable.

We are located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets directly across from McDonald's here in Yorkville in a five story brownstone on the second floor.  So if you need a cleaning or something else give us a call today at 212 517 9000.  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!

What is a Dental Exam?

When is an exam an exam?

When you go to the dentist you will be examined.  What types of exams are provided at a dental office?  Your exam will be based on your situation.  If you are a new patient and have no urgent problem you will receive a first time comprehensive examination.  Here we will take x rays of your teeth and supporting structures to get a baseline on where you’re at.  We will examine your teeth, gums and oral cavity.  We will palpate and examine your masticator muscles and your jaw joint.  We will then be able to give you an evaluation of where you are presently at and what types of treatment would be amenable to your state.

In a periodic evaluation you are already a patient of the practice and are on a recall care schedule.  Generally this means you are coming in twice per year to have a dental cleaning and check the condition of your teeth, gums and oral cavity.  We generally take recall x-rays once every two years.

An emergency evaluation is done on a new patient in pain or an existing patient experiencing a dental trauma.  Here we evaluate the particular situation which is bothering you and take any needed x-rays.

Evaluations are the first step before treatment.  For larger cases a game plan is created to address your needs. In all situations multiple alternatives are given and costs involved are fully discussed before the commencement of any treatments allowing you to make an informed decision on your dental care.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS located in Yorkville we are always looking to meet more new patients.  If you are in need of a dentist give us a call at 212 517 9000 today.  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!

Do Veneers Make Your Teeth Look Bigger?

What’s Up Doc?

You may like Bugs Bunny but you probably do not want to look like Bugs Bunny.  However some people actually do as they want big anterior teeth.  Maybe a big pair of upper chomper’s isn’t the look you’re going for but that’s up to you.

Sometimes your front teeth do not look the way you would like them to.  Nature can be cruel, but as dentists we can out maneuver nature.  Your teeth may be discolored or have distorted shapes leading to a non pleasing appearance.  What can you do?   Ideally orthodontics where your teeth are moved into a more pleasing and functional appearance can be done but many patients will not accept the time to accomplish the procedure.

As an alternative porcelain veneers can be done.  These are thin pieces of porcelain that are bonded to the front of your anterior teeth to correct the unacceptable color or shape of these teeth.  For veneers to look natural we need to reduce some of your teeth in most cases.  If no reduction is done the finished veneers can look too big and bulky.

There are multiple alternatives to correcting your teeth to give a more pleasing look.  Since you lead with your smile and many of us are now on zoom conference calls your teeth are apparent.  If you would like an evaluation of your smile and the alternatives available give us a call today at 212 517 9000.

We are located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in Yorkville at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets.  Easily accessible by subway and bus or just walking, we are here for you.  We like people and we like teeth.  Call Today, 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!

How Much Do You Know About Gum Disease?

Think of a picture.  There’s the picture and then there’s the frame.  This situation is somewhat like what’s in your mouth.  There’s your teeth and then there’s the gums that surround them.  The gums along with the bone of your jaws support your teeth.

Healthy gums lead to healthy teeth to a healthy mouth.  When you eat food which contains sugar it starts to break down in your mouth.  Your job is to remove the remaining food to prevent these breakdown materials converting into acids which then can attack your teeth and gums.

You remove the remaining food substances by brushing your teeth.  When brushing you clean the top, front and back of the tooth.  However, you cannot get in between your teeth.  To accomplish this you need to floss.  The floss fits between your teeth and removes any food remaining there.

When food remains in your mouth for extended periods of time the acids produced attack the outer layer or enamel of the tooth.  The enamel is very hard so it takes a real effort for the bacteria to get inside your tooth which leads to a cavity.

Your gums are not as strong.  So by failing to floss the food accumulates within the pocket or cuff which surrounds your tooth.  In a healthy situation the pocket is approximately 3 millimeters in depth.  At this level you can get the floss to the base of the pocket and keep the area clean.

If you are not cleaning the acids attack the ligaments that hold your teeth in your jaws and cause them to become deeper.  Once they become deeper even if you floss you are unable to get the floss to the base of the pocket.  If the condition is not corrected in the next phase of gum disease the bone supporting the teeth starts to deteriorate leading to tooth loss.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS we want you to keep your teeth and to have a healthy mouth.  No matter what state your teeth or gums are in, we can assist you in having and maintaining a healthy situation.  We are conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets.  

If you are in need of a cleaning or just a dental check up give us a call at 212 517 9000.  We look forward to meeting you and helping you preserve your oral 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

The Wisdom of Wisdom Teeth

Well they are not actually wisdom teeth but third molars.  Why do we have third molars? Evolutionarily they were there to give us an additional tooth at 15 years of age to aid in chewing due to the wear and tear on our other teeth.  Back then the food supply was a lot grittier containing dirt, sand and rocks.  After all, it was the caveman age.

Today our food is much less coarse and our teeth generally last longer.  The problem is for many individuals there is not enough room in their mouth for the third molars to come in.  This could be caused by genetics like dad is six feet tall and mom is four feet.  The combo can produce big teeth in a small jaw or vice versa.

Back in the day dentists would tell patients to keep their wisdom teeth because later in life they might be needed to support dental restorations.  Today with the advent of dental implants this is not necessary.

Third molars generally cause problems.  They are so far back in your mouth it is hard to keep them clean which can lead to decay or gum disease. Sometimes they only partially come in leading to more problems where an infection can develop between the partially exposed tooth and your jaw.

If an individual is on blood thinners and needs to have the wisdom tooth removed their cardiologist will generally refuse to take them off their medication. The extraction could cause real problems as the area will not stop bleeding after the procedure.

The morale here is that wisdom teeth in the vast majority of cases should be removed when you are around 16 years of age.   At this point your skeleton is still forming and not fully hardened.  Also the wisdom teeth have not developed legs or roots and are therefore smaller in size.

If the extractions are difficult it is easier to take a few days off when you are still in high school.  Leaving the wisdom teeth in can cause major problems if as they grow they decide to reside next to your mandibular nerve in your lower jaw or go into your upper sinus.

If you feel a little pressure in the back of your mouth or your bite suddenly appears to be off, or there is a rotten smell in the back of your mouth come on in and we’ll tell you if your pesky wisdom teeth are about to cause you problems.

Here at the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit in Yorkville on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in the 10028 zip code we are always happy to meet with new patients and inform you what is going on in your mouth.   Give us a call today at 212 517 9000. You’ll be glad you did.

It's Not About Vanity

You lead with your smile.  Rightly or wrongly people make judgments about you based on your appearance.  When your teeth and smile look great they disappear and you just appear healthy.  When something is wrong either consciously or subconsciously this has an effect on the person you are interacting with.

It is a competitive world and most individuals care about their appearance.  If your smile looks good there is a strong chance that your mouth is healthy.  A healthy mouth helps to contribute to a healthy body.  Ongoing dental decay and inflamed gums can be painful but also allow toxins to travel through your body by using your circulatory system.

Most individuals do not like going to the dentist but everyone is happy with a healthy mouth.  Sometimes people avoid going to the dentist due to traumatic experiences earlier in their life.  This creates a relentless cycle.  The person does not go to the dentist due to previous trauma and thereby lets minor problems turn into serious ones.

When the pain finally comes they are forced to go to the dentist and they are terrified.  Tooth pain can be debilitating.  If this is you we want to break this cycle before it can reoccur.

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit we are here to meet with you and tell you what is going on.

If nothing is going on great.  Maybe all you need is a cleaning.  If something is brewing although ignorance may be bliss eventually it will put the bite on you.

Give us a call today at 212 517 9000. We always like to meet new people.  Open Saturdays and evenings accommodating your busy schedule.  We are conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in Yorkville on Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets. 

CALL NOW your teeth will thank 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.

Why Dental Health Contributes to Your Overall Health

Why Dental Health Contributes to Your Overall Health

Preventive Dentistry

Your overall health is most important. It’s always better to be proactive than reactive. Life can get in the way and sometimes we forget about our most important asset that being our health. Did you know going for preventive dentistry can save your oral and total health? By

going for preventive dentistry you protect yourself from tooth loss, tooth pain, tooth sensitivity, chronic bad breath, collapsed jaw bone, expensive dental procedures, surgeries and the potential risk of heart disease, diabetes and dementia.

Doing preventive dentistry wards off dangerous bacteria. Sometimes the bacteria start in your mouth and then travel throughout your body. The goal at our practice is to maintain and create healthier smiles. The combination of consistent home brushing and flossing and preventive dentistry promotes good oral health. 

What Types of Preventive Dentistry can be done?

Exam and Cleanings

This is the starting point to determine where you’re at with your oral health. We begin by examining your mouth for signs of cavities, gum disease and anything else that needs attention.

Using special instruments we remove plaque, tarter and calculus from your teeth. We screen for oral cancer and examine your jaws and existing dental work. We will be able to detect oral health problems earlier and tell you about all your treatment options.

Why should you come in for dental exams and cleanings every six months? 

So we can catch any problems sooner before they can develop into something bigger leading to sensitivity, pain and/or more expensive dental procedures.

How long does a dental exam and teeth cleaning take?

Generally one hour leaving enough time to address any questions or concerns you may have. 

Can I brush my teeth after a dental cleaning?

Yes and you definitely want to continue you’re at home dental regimen.

Additional Preventive Treatments

Fluoride Treatment

We offer a simple fluoride treatment that will strengthen your teeth against decay and sensitivity. Our dental team will provide a fluoride treatment that benefits your dental health. Fluoride is especially helpful if you’re prone to getting cavities. 

How long does the fluoride treatment last?

The benefits of the fluoride will generally last for a couple of months and should be repeated once or twice per year.  After the treatment, you should not rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes to allow your teeth to absorb the fluoride and help repair microscopic areas within the teeth.

Looking for a Dental Exam and Cleaning in the Upper East Side?

The best way to protect and provide for your oral health is to have regular preventive dental checkups and cleaning. We want you to have healthier and brighter smile! Call us today at  (212) 517-9000 or email us at info@reitdds.com to schedule your dental exam and cleaning.