My Gums Are Bleeding Should I Stop Flossing?

No , No, No!  The reason your gums are bleeding is because you have not been flossing.  Think of your teeth as cubes in your mouth.  When you brush your teeth you can get the top, front and back.  However, unless you are missing an adjacent tooth you are unable to get in between your teeth with your toothbrush.

Consider that all the bacteria in your mouth are anaerobic meaning they like areas without oxygen.  When you breathe in the air it has twenty percent oxygen and helps to kill the bacteria in your mouth.

When you brush your teeth you are bringing air into your mouth.  But you are not bringing air in between your teeth.  This is where floss comes in.  When you floss your teeth you bring air in between your teeth which helps to reduce the bacterial levels there.

 When you eat, the food remaining in your mouth begins to break down releasing acids.  The acids like to corrode your teeth with the bacteria they contain.  These bacteria also like warm, dark places with food to eat.  Sounds like the environment in your mouth.

 In a healthy situation there is a little cuff around each tooth.  The cuff should be one to three millimeters in depth.  When you fail to remove the food there the acids produced attack your gums and the depth of the cuff increases.  Once the depth gets greater than four millimeters even if you floss you are unable to get to the base of the cuff or pocket and it continues to increase in depth leading to gum disease and after a period of time left untreated, will lead to tooth loss.

 When you begin to floss since your gums are probably inflamed the floss will cause bleeding.  Your gums are ulcerated and the floss ruptures the ulcers leading to bleeding.  Even if you begin a flossing program it can take a week or two before the gums toughen up and become healthy.

 The first step is to visit a dentist for an exam and cleaning.  If your gums are diagnosed healthy we will teach you how to floss to maintain your healthy condition.  If your gums are unhealthy we will diagnose and offer treatments on how to return them to a healthy state where through brushing and flossing your mouth will remain healthy.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS we like people and want you to have a healthy mouth.  You lead with your mouth and if it is healthy this can only increase your feelings of self esteem.  We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue in Yorkville.  That’s directly across from our very own Mickey Dees, between 84th and 85th streets on the second floor of a five story brownstone.

So if it’s been a while and your teeth may need a cleaning and we’ll give you some flossing encouragement.  Call us TODAY at 212 517 9000 to schedule a checkup appointment.  Your teeth will thank you and happy teeth are healthy teeth, so call NOW.

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 Inlay to Onlay to Crown

Dentistry is the filling of holes, holes you create within your teeth. When you eat food and do not clean it off the food breaks down and releases acids which attack the outside surface of your teeth.  Your teeth are covered with a very hard surface called enamel.  It is so hard that we have to use industrial diamonds to cut it.  The enamel around your teeth represents the hardest substance in your body.

 But bacteria in your mouth produced by the breakdown of food are tenacious and will attack your enamel until they break through.  You now have a cavity or hole within your tooth and once inside you’re no longer able to clean the bacteria away on your own.  

 The inside of your tooth is made up of a substance called dentin which is much more porous and susceptible to decay.  Anaerobic bacteria which form tooth decay like environments which are warm, dark and without air.   This is the exact situation within your mouth.

 As the bacteria multiply they get hungry and begin to eat your tooth.  If the hole produced is small we can place a filling.  Filings are made of gold, silver and now mostly composite which matches the color of your tooth.  If the decay becomes too large we can have a lab processed filling of gold or porcelain to replace the missing tooth structure.

 For a filling to be placed we need to have more tooth than filling to work with.  In a lab processed filling we still have more tooth than filling but the filling has to be fabricated in a lab to restore the additional contours of your tooth which you have lost.

 If the filling becomes too large a crown has to be made which will restore the tooth to its original condition by acting as a girdle to hold the tooth together.  The crown can be gold or tooth colored porcelain.

 The sooner a cavity is detected the smaller the restoration necessary to resolve the situation.

To be or not to be is not the question rather what size restoration will need to be done for the health or your tooth.

 At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit we like people and we definitely like to help people who need dentistry.  We will look at the condition of your mouth and tell you what we see.  If you need to have treatment we will tell you the alternatives, risks, advantages and disadvantages for treatment.  We will inform you before beginning any procedure what the charge to you will be and what your dental insurance carrier will pay if applicable. 

We believe an informed patient can make a more intelligent decision on their dental needs.  Even if you only need an exam and cleaning , come on down or up to 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets right here in Yorktown on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. 

 You can’t miss us.  We are directly across from our very own Upper East Side’s McDonalds on the second floor of a five story brownstone overlooking Third Avenue.  We look forward to meeting with you and resolving any teeth problems you may have.

 Give us a call today at 212 517 9000 you and your teeth will 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

Dental Implants Make You Age Gracefully

Sometimes a tooth just has to go.  Maybe it got tired, maybe it fell apart or maybe it became infected.  Back in the day when a tooth was removed you either had a new space or you would replace it with false teeth that you placed in your mouth upon waking.

Later you could connect the missing tooth to its neighbors.  However this was generally not appreciated by the teeth concerned.    Even if they were cavity free they had to be ground down in order to support their missing buddy.

Today we can place a tooth that is almost an identical match to the tooth removed.  The process is called dental implanting where we implant a small piece of titanium into your jaw which resembles and functions like you original tooth’s root.  After we place a crown on the implant which resembles your former tooth and you’re good to go.

You now have replaced your missing tooth and not disturbed any of the remaining resident teeth in your mouth.  We like people and we like patients and performing needed dentistry on them.  If you are in need of a dentist even if just for a cleaning give us a call at 212 517 9000.

We are conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on Third Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets at 1498 Third Avenue.  Give us a call and come on down.  We look forward to meeting 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

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

Help I’ve Lost My Kingdom...I lost my crown!

My crown has come off.  What will I do?   I am still the master of my universe but inside my mouth I don’t have a clue.  Yes some dentists say crowns are permanent but even your dental insurance carrier will pay for the same procedure every five years, so much for permanence.  Your crown should last for more than five years but crowns do come off.

 If you crown comes off the first thing to do is NOT to place it back in your mouth.  You need to call a dentist – maybe me and bring the crown and yourself to the office.  Hopefully when your crown came off it did not break the tooth which is supporting it.  

 In most cases we can clean the crown and the tooth and then reattach it back to how it was.  The reason you do not want to place it yourself in your mouth with temporary cement from the drug store is if you do not place it exactly correctly you may not be able to close your mouth.  Also sometimes the crown comes off due to decay and needs to be remade.

 The most important consequence of placing it back into your mouth on your own is that you might swallow it.  If it goes into your stomach it will probably pass through but you will have to look then next time you see a man about a horse.  If it drops into your windpipe you’ll be at the emergency room.

 At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS we like people and the teeth connected to them.  Yes, only a dentist can love a tooth and we love teeth.  If your crown has decided to take a vacation give us a call.

We will look at your situation and give you alternatives and the costs involved allowing you to make an educated decision on what to do.

 Conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets in a five story brownstone on the second floor directly across from our very own Upper East Side Mickey Dees – that’s where you’ll find us.

Don’t delay call today at 212 517 9000.  You’ll be glad you did and once again you'll be the king or queen of your domain with your crown intact.

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

Tea for You and Tea for Me

Most people like tea.  In the winter hot and in the summer cold, but tea has tannic acid within and this can cause your teeth to stain.  Do you drop the tea or do you accept the staining?   I like my tea so I’ll continue to imbibe but I’m also not big on yellow teeth, so what to do?

You need to clean your teeth regularly.  You take a bath/shower and go to the bathroom daily so extend that habit to your teeth.  A good start in addition to brushing and flossing regularly is to rinse your mouth with water after drinking your tannic beverage.

Not to beat up on tea alone.  Coffee and red wine will also stain your teeth over time so, if you still do not like the color of your teeth you can come in for a professional cleaning.  If you still are not happy we have whitening products which will lighten the color of your teeth.

 So call today 212 517 9000 and we’re here to help.   At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS we like teeth and the people connected to them.  After being in Los Angeles for 20 years and now back in New York for another ten we know whitening.  In LA you can never have too white teeth, along with a nice tan and a fit healthy body.  Here in New York City everyone is on the run but most also want attractive smiles.

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 Do My Gums Bleed If I Haven’t Flossed in a While?

All the bacteria in your mouth are anaerobic meaning they thrive in areas without oxygen.  Around each of your teeth is a cuff that should be approximately one to three millimeters in depth.  In a healthy mouth with healthy gums by brushing and flossing you’re able to keep these areas clean.

Your toothbrush can clean the top, back and fronts of your teeth.   However, the brush cannot get in between your teeth.  This is where dental floss comes in.  The dental floss can get in between your teeth to clean these areas.

When you brush your teeth you bring air into your mouth and the air has twenty percent oxygen.  The oxygen helps to kill the anaerobic bacteria which cause gum disease and tooth decay.  If you do not floss over time the pocket around your tooth becomes deeper.  Once the pocket is more than 4 millimeters deep even if you floss you are unable to reach the base of the pocket.

Food which can remain in the pocket after eating breaks down and releases acids.  Bacteria like dark, warm areas without oxygen and a source of food exactly the environment in your mouth.  The acids irritate your gums and make them more porous or fragile.  The net result is once touched by your tooth brush or floss your gums can begin to bleed. 

In the first phase of gum disease called gingivitis your gums become swollen and bleed upon flossing.  If this is not remedied in the next phase called periodontitis in addition to gum inflammation you begin to lose the bone holding your teeth in your jaws.  Left untreated the final outcome is tooth loss.

So what to do?  If you have not been to the dentist, come on in.  We’ll take a look and see what’s going on.  Next you need to clean your teeth daily once in the morning and then again in the evening.  Think about it.  When you go to sleep if you have not cleaned your teeth and gums it is a bacterial paradise.  So, before you go to sleep brush and floss and this will decrease the levels of bacteria present.  Also, nobody wants morning mouth.

Then upon waking brush and floss again to remove the bacteria that has built up during the night.  Your mouth will feel better and so will you.  So there it is.  Brush and floss in the morning and again at night and come twice per year to see your dentist and you’re on your way to dental health.

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan we like teeth and the people attached to them.  If you need a dental exam and cleaning you’ve come to the right place.  Conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets we know teeth and have been treating them for decades.

Times change but teeth don’t.  If you take care of them they will take care of you.                                       

So call today at 212 517 9000.  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

How can an FSA or HSA help with my dental care costs?

What is an HSA or FSA?

Both are employer- sponsored savings plans that allow you to put money away for your yearly healthcare expenses.  This is pre-tax dollars meaning you don’t have to pay income tax on any funds deposited into these accounts.  As an example if you are in a 30% tax bracket and you put one thousand dollars into one of these accounts you’ll save three hundred in federal taxes.  Usually your employer will provide you with a health savings debit card with the money you place already preloaded.

What can I use my HSA of FSA funds to pay for?

These accounts are used to pay for healthcare including dental care.  They can be used to cover the actual cost of any dental procedure or any co-insurance payments you are responsible for.

What is the difference between an HSA and FSA?

An HSA is a healthcare savings account.  They are not available for all individuals.  Generally they only pertain to insurance policies that have a high deductible and there are additional restrictions to its use.

An FSA is a flexible spending plan and has fewer restrictions for eligibility.

One big difference between an HSA and FSA plan is that HSA will follow you if you change employers while an FSA does not.  In addition any leftover funds in an FSA will not move forward to the following year.  If you do not use it you lose it.  With an HSA unused funds can be forwarded to next year.

If you need additional information your human resources department at your place of work will have all the details.   Many of our patients have these types of plans and successfully use them to cover part of their costs for dental treatments at our practice.

If you are in need of a dentist and the address of 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets are accessible to you, give us a call at 212 517 9000 and we are happy to meet with you.  At our practice we will listen to you and then diagnose your situation.  Multiple alternatives will be given and the price of each.  An informed patient can make a more accurate assessment of what dental choices work best for them.

We hope to meet with you in the near future to remedy your dental needs even if it’s just for an exam and 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.

Dental Implants

Implant as in placing.  You implant a seed into the ground and eventually a plant arrives.  We plant an implant into your jaw and eventually a new tooth arrives.  What is a dental implant?  Well, it is a piece of titanium which most people can tolerate that is placed into your jaw to simulate the root of a missing tooth. 

Life happens and sometimes a tooth needs to be removed.  Most people do not want the picket fence look in their mouth.  When a tooth is missing since there is no light inside your mouth from the outside you see a black hole.  For a very long time in dentistry the main way a missing tooth was replaced was by doing substantial work on the adjacent teeth so that the missing tooth could be replaced by attaching it to the adjacent teeth. 

The adjacent teeth generally do not want to participate in this procedure.  They are happy just being left alone.  But sometimes the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many.  I sense Mr. Spock here.  Today we can place a single crown without disturbing the adjacent teeth.

So, we place a piece of titanium into your jaw after removing the broken or infected tooth and we let it sit there for some time.   After a period of four months the implant has taken up residence in your jaw and is ready to be restored.  At this point we can place a crown which resembles the missing tooth into your mouth and you’re good to go.

Give us a call at the dental practice of Glenn Reit, DDS and we can go more into depth of what is involved in placing and restoring a dental implant.   At our practice we will give you several alternatives to your situation and the costs involved so that you can make an intelligent decision on what is best for you.

We are conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in the 10028 zip code at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets.  Even if all you are interested in is a dental cleaning and check up, give us a call at 212 517 9000 and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Happy patients with healthy teeth are the goal of our practice.  So don’t delay 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.

Dental Crowns

How many kingdoms do you rule?  If you have many crowns you could be an emperor.  Teeth have a hard life.  Continually they are under pressure from chewing, grinding and clenching.  The outside of your tooth is covered with enamel, a very hard substance that gives strength to your teeth and helps prevent decay.  However, bacteria are tenacious and over time can make a small hole in the enamel and access the inner surface of your tooth.

The inside of your tooth is made up of dentin which is not as strong as enamel.  The decay that attacks your teeth is anaerobic meaning it likes areas without oxygen.  Once inside your tooth there is no oxygen present and it is warm and dark making the bacteria even happier.  If the bacteria take off and eat too much of your tooth you may need a crown to preserve the tooth in your head.

A crown is like a girdle.  It holds your tooth together.   Crowns are made of different materials.  A metal crown is quite strong but not too attractive.  The best crown is made of gold which has the same expansion and contraction as your own teeth.  A gold crown can have a very thin margin and have the best fit on your tooth.  However, the gold color may not be acceptable for most patients esthetically.

Today we have tooth colored crowns which will match the color of your own teeth.  Most patients prefer this type of restoration.  There are several types of porcelain crowns we can use based on the condition of your tooth.

A crown after being placed may not make you a queen or king for life but it will save your tooth. 

If you are in need of dental services give us a call at 212 517 9000.  At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit, DDS we are always looking to help people preserve their teeth.   We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue on the Upper East Side between 84th and 85th streets directly across from our very own Mickey Dees.  The 4, 5, 6 and Q subway lines are one block away and of course there are multiple bus lines in the area.

If you are experiencing tooth problems don’t delay call us 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.

When your teeth come a knocking you won’t be rock in

Nobody wants the dreaded toothache but things happen. If you find yourself with an aching tooth you need to see someone. Getting you out of pain is one of our goals.

Most time pain occurs by not visiting the dentist on a regular basis. If you go to the dentist only when you are in pain this creates a negative cycle. If you are in pain we can help to relieve the situation and then move you in the right direction.

What causes dental pain; trauma from an accident or biting on a very hard substance or dental decay that has progressed into the nerve of your tooth.   Both decay and trauma can injure your tooth’s nerve.  Once injured the body is unable to repair the damage without intervention by a dental professional.

For you the patient the details may not be important rather get me out of pain.  Once comforted we can instruct you on how to keep your mouth and teeth healthy.

If you have just moved into the area or have resided on the Upper East Side for some time and are in need of a dentist we are here for you.  We have been doing dentistry for decades and have seen it all.

Your situation may be unique but your pain is universal.

So, if you need a dentist we are here for you. Located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th street directly across from our own Upper East Side McDonalds is where you’ll find us.  Conveniently located adjacent to the 4,5,6 and Q subway lines and the Third and Second Avenue bus lines.

So don’t delay, call today 212 517 9000 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.

How To Make Brushing Your Teeth A Habit

For most people to establish a habit you have to perceive you will get some benefit from doing it.  Having healthy teeth which look and feel great is something most people would like to strive for.  If your mouth is in dire straits, first you need to remedy the situation.  Maybe you need some fillings.  Maybe you just need your teeth cleaned.  Maybe there are more serious problems that need to be addressed.

One of the advantages in getting your mouth in shape is after you have accomplished the task you will want to maintain it.  Someone who wants to lose weight and makes the effort to do so is not too quick to start overeating to gain back the weight.  If you pay off all your credit card debts you may think twice before making that purchase.

To establish a habit it is best to do it at the same time each day.  Your mind and body gets used to the routine.  A healthy and clean mouth is a happy mouth.  You should be trying to clean your mouth twice per day.  The most important times are when you wake up and before you go to sleep.

Think about it.  When you are sleeping bacteria have a grand time in your mouth.  They are looking for areas that are warm, dark with food present.  If you do not clean your teeth before you go to bed the food remains and the bacteria party leading to decay and dental treatment.

So before you jump into bed go to your bathroom, take out your toothbrush, put on some toothpaste and brush away.  Your mouth will feel cleaner.   Realize your toothbrush only gets the top, front and back of your tooth.  There are areas to clean in between your teeth.  This is where dental floss comes in since by flossing you can get in between your teeth and remove any food or bacteria still present.  I know flossing can be a pain but practice makes perfect and you’ll be surprised how quick you can get it down.  One of the benefits of flossing is that if you can do it for a week you’ll notice the difference when after brushing your teeth you will not feel fully clean until you complete the process by flossing.

No one wants a morning mouth and by brushing and flossing at night you decrease this from happening.  Upon waking any bacterial surge in your mouth from the previous night can be removed by brushing and flossing.

 You lead with your mouth and no one wants to have bad breath, bleeding gums or areas of decay. By regularly brushing and flossing you will keep this part of your body healthy and since your mouth is connected to the rest of you; a healthy oral environment helps to promote a healthy body.

 If you are looking for a dentist on the Upper East Side of Manhattan give us a call.  We are located on 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85thstreets in a five story brownstone on the second floor.  We are convenient to the 4 5 6 and Q subway lines and the MTA Bus system.  So if you reside in the 10028, 10128, 10075 or 10021 zip codes we’re in your area.  Give us a call at 212 517 9000.   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.

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.

Do You Have a Tooth Ache?

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.  What causes a tooth to ache?  It could be that you have a hole in your tooth.  You have a holey tooth but what you feel will only inspire you to seek treatment.

If you do not brush or floss your teeth the outside of your tooth made of enamel can be compromised.  As food in your mouth breaks down acids are released.  If not removed these acids can leach and obtain access to the inside of your tooth.

The inside of your tooth is made of dentin which is not as strong as the enamel covering.  Once inside decay looks for areas that are warm, dark and have a continual source of food.  Your mouth is warm, dark and food is continually being consumed.

In the initial phase of decay you may not feel anything.  Over time you may become sensitive to cold.  If left untreated the decay will finally reach the nerve and then the infamous tooth ache will arrive.

We have been treating teeth for decades and when pain comes a knock in we’re here to get you back in tip top shape.  So if you’re howling and need relief give us a call.  We’ll get you right in and take care of your situation.

Over the next couple of blogs we will discuss other dental pain situations that can occur.  We are conveniently located in Yorkville at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets.

The Q, 4, 5, 6 subway lines have stops one block away from the office.  The M86, M79 and M101, M102, M103 and M15 bus lines also have stops very close to the practice.  Of course Uber and Taxi service will bring you right to our door.

We always run on time and will see you at the time of your appointment.  We like doing dentistry and meeting fellow New Yorkers.  If you are in need of a check up or have a dental emergency give us a call at 212 517 9000.  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.

Your Little Friend – Maybe?

Everyone has to eat if you’re to survive.  For the food to be of value it must be broken down into its component parts in order for your body to inherit the nutrients within.  Digestion begins in your mouth as the food enters.  Your teeth through chewing reduce the bulk of the food into sizes that your body can more easily handle.

The food you ingest also contains bacteria and some organisms which are not conducive to your health. Bacteria thrive in areas that are dark, warm and without air.  This describes your mouth precisely.  It is warm close to 100 degrees; it is dark when you close your mouth and there are areas around the necks of your teeth if the food gets into where there is little oxygen present.

Brushing and flossing help to clear out any remaining pieces of food after eating.  If you do not clean out this detritus then bacterial colonies will form and grow eventually leading to gum disease.  So now you have an unwarranted city of little friends setting up residence within your mouth.

Not too shabby or maybe it is.  Gum disease takes a long time to hurt and that is why people can get it and live with it.  If you do not want that city developing within your mouth then you need to brush and floss your teeth twice per day.   Proper brushing and flossing will remove the remnants of your meals.

If you are experiencing bad breath, if your gums are bleeding when brushing or flossing, if the roots of your teeth are becoming sensitive and your gums look swollen and red; you may be in the process of building a bacterial colony within your mouth.

Your blood system or circulatory system carries things throughout your body.  It is your internal river system.  So, if you start to increase the supply of bacteria in your mouth some of them will soon decide to move elsewhere causing more mayhem.  Bacteria of your mouth can lead to inflammation of your circulatory system and possibly inflammation of your heart.

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit located on the Upper East Side of New York City in the area of Yorkville we like to meet new people and help them in maintaining the health of their teeth and gums.

Come on in and we will look at what is or is not going on in your mouth.  We can evaluate your home hygiene routine and check to make sure all is well.

If we find anything we will help you correct the situation and give you options and the costs involved before proceeding with any treatment. We have evening and Saturday hours to fit with your busy schedule. We participate with most major dental insurance carriers and in many cases the cost for exams, x-rays and cleaning are covered at 100%.  We can check your insurance benefits before you arrive and tell you exactly what to expect.

 As it is often said Happy Mouth, Happy Life and let’s make sure that you choose who your little friends might be.

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.

Your Teeth and Heart Connection

Cleaning your teeth should make you feel better.  A clean mouth is a healthy mouth and feels better.  Did you know that in addition to making your mouth feel better your teeth cleaning habits helps to keep your heart healthy?

Failure to brush and floss your teeth allows food to remain and build up around your teeth.  The food breaks down in your mouth due to the bacteria present and releases acids.  The acids irritate your gums and lead to toxins.  If your gums are inflamed they may bleed.  This bleeding provides direct access or a highway into your inner body.

The bacteria then travel through your circulatory system and eventually transverse through your heart.

Your heart pumps blood throughout your body and is basically a series of chambers with muscle attachments.  The chambers are connected together by valves.  Bacteria from the mouth like to attach themselves to these valves and over time can cause deterioration of the valves.

Your effort to brush and floss your teeth decreases the bacterial count within your mouth.  This leads to a healthier oral environment and prevents the development of gum disease which is the cause of bleeding in your mouth.  If you are not bleeding then you are not providing a pathway for the oral bacteria to enter your circulatory system and you are helping to maintain the health of your heart.

At the Dental Practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS we are here to help you achieve a healthy mouth.  If it has been some time since your last dental exam and teeth cleaning give us a call at 212 517 9000 and we will be happy to take a look and make you feel better.

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.

Make every day a happy day but when you have a toothache your day will be challenging

What do you do when your tooth is biting?  For most the best answer is to find and call a dentist.

Fortunately today we have procedures to quickly get you more comfortable.  Sometimes trauma happens and you just have to respond.  Previous dentistry will eventually fail and need to be remedied.  Some fail to brush or floss and develop new areas of decay and finally others have had bad dental experiences earlier in their lives so they avoid the dentist until an emergency happens.

What causes tooth pain?  A trauma to the jaw like falling down or being hit or new dental decay which progresses around or under a previous dental restoration.   When the decay or trauma reaches your tooth’s nerve the only response a tooth can give is pain.

Oil of cloves, ice and a pain Rx can help to temporarily relieve the pain but ultimately dental treatment is necessary to resolve the situation.   When a patient’s tooth is hurting first we need to determine the cause of the pain.  

If it is simple decay we will remove the decay and replace the damaged tooth structure.  If the decay has entered the nerve then a root canal treatment where the nerve is removed from the tooth is needed or the tooth needs to be removed.   If the tooth due to trauma has cracked sometimes we can repair the crack while other times the tooth will need to be removed.  If the gums are swollen then a thorough cleaning and medicinal rinses may be necessary.  In the worst cases we will look to see if a systemic disease is causing the problem.

The intelligent person establishes a relationship with a dentist and is a known patient.  The dentist will already have a relationship with the person and x-rays on file.  Then if an emergency situation occurs the preexisting conditions in their mouth are already known.  In addition a patient having a relationship with an office will less likely experience an emergency unless it is due to trauma.

At our office we want to keep you healthy and help prevent you from ever experiencing dental pain.  Call today to schedule your appointment for a check-up and cleaning.   We look forward to meeting you.

Looking for a Emergency 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.

Trends in Dentistry

Over the decades dentistry has changed.  When I first started practicing there was more dental decay present in every patient.  The main culprit was the lack of fluoride in the public water system.  It was routine to see patients with cavities in almost every posterior tooth.  At that time the choices were silver or gold.   For most patients gold was too prohibitive in cost so silver was the only option.

Many other patients had severe periodontal disease necessitating the removal of their teeth and the placement of full or partial denture or plastic teeth to restore the missing spaces.  Alternatively fixed bridges or connected crowns or caps could be made to replace missing teeth.

Today things have changed.  Due to the presence of fluoride in the drinking water and better hygiene by the general public the level of decay has decreased.  Also advancements in dentistry have led to the creation of more esthetic alternatives to fix your teeth.  White fillings have replaced silver or metal fillings and implants can restore a missing tooth without damaging the adjacent teeth.

Periodontal procedures can be applied to strengthen the gums holding your teeth into your jaws.  Whitening and cosmetic procedures can enhance your appearance.  The saying you lead with your smile is readily apparent.  If you are not happy with your smile you will probably not smile.  Smiling helps to improve your outlook and positivity.

With many of us now online due to video conferencing people can really get a good look at your teeth.  A pleasing smile is appreciated, one that is not is definitely seen and commented upon even if unconsciously.  If you are concerned about your smile or you just want your teeth cleaned please give us a call to schedule an appointment.  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.

Meet Jade by Surgically Clean Air

Say Hello to Jade, our in office air purification system. She works hard to clean the air for your benefit. She and her sisters work 24/7 and never sleep. We care about our patients and are committed to having you experience a clean, safe and comfortable environment during your visit.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

Contact us today (212) 517-9000 to schedule your next dental appointment.