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!

Different Type of Dental Specialties

In dentistry there are specialties but all general dentists perform all the procedures of specialists.

Dentistry is somewhat different from medicine.  In medicine Doctors generally deal with one part or treatment of the body.  While in dentistry even though there are specialists most dental treatments are performed by general dentists.  The specialists are for challenging cases.

With proper training general dentists can and do perform treatments of all the specialties.   So what and who are dental specialists.  First they are all general dentists who obtain additional training in one area of dentistry and then limit their practice to only performing specific treatments.

Here they are:  Endodontists who are concerned with root canals

                                Orthodontists who are concerned with movement of teeth

                                Periodontists who are concerned with providing dental treatment to children

                                Periodontists who are concerned with maintaining gum health

                                Oral Surgeons who are concerned with removing teeth

All dentists extract teeth.  This is the final treatment for hopeless teeth.  Today we are able to save teeth which in the past would be extracted.  Difficult extractions, third molar or wisdom tooth extractions and patients who want to be put to sleep for their tooth removal are generally referred to an oral surgeon.

Oral surgeons are also placing implants at this time.

Root canals are mainly done by general dentists.  An advantage to the patient is that the fee charged by a general dentist for a root canal is less than what an endodontist would charge for the same treatment.   Once again it is the degree of difficulty of the tooth involved which determines if the patient should be referred.  In the United States there are not enough endodontists available to perform all the root canals that are needed so general dentists are doing the vast majority of them.

All dentists can and do work on children.  It is a personal decision of the dentist if he or she wants to treat children.  Treating children requires a different mindset and the staff needs to be trained to handle the unique needs of working on adolescents.

Gum surgery and implant placement which is what periodontists perform can and are being performed by general dentists.  It comes down to the training and confidence of the general dentist to perform these treatments.

Finally in orthodontics general dentists are performing a substantial number of treatments.  With the advent of clear aligners such as Invisalign tooth movement is becoming the province of general dentists.  Again it is the parameters and the difficulty of the case that determines if an orthodontic referral is necessary.

In dentistry the general dentist as the name implies is the General.  The specialists are the subcontractors who the general dentist engages if he deems their services are needed.   The average patient generally first goes to their dentist for an evaluation before ever seeing a specialist.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS we are always happy to meet with new patients and to diagnose their condition.   We like people and we like taking care of you and your teeth.  If you think you need to see a dentist 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!

When Your Crown Falls Out... What do you do?

You’ve Lost Your Crown

Your Tooth Kingdom is challenged

What Will You Do?

For many of us at some time in our lives a tooth has deteriorated to a point where a dental filling can no longer be placed.  A more elaborate tooth restoration has been performed.   This is a dental crown sometimes considered a dental cap by the public.   The crown restores your tooth to function but it is cemented onto your tooth.

Life happens and cements do fail and your crown is suddenly off.  Your tooth has lost its head.  It needs to be reattached as soon as possible.  The exposed tooth is not as strong as other teeth since the protective enamel layer has been removed during the tooth preparation for the crown. 

Sometimes a crown comes off due to a new cavity that has formed at the margin of the crown.  If this occurs and the situation is not rectified quickly it can lead to the fabrication of a new crown.

Unencumbered teeth like to migrate like birds.  They like to move towards the front of your mouth.  In addition they like to move up or down depending on if they are on your upper or lower jaws.  This ability for teeth to move is why orthodontics or braces work.

When you crown is no longer attached to your tooth there is now a space both horizontally and vertically for the tooth to begin moving into.  So the quicker the crown is restored the less chance of movement of the opposing and/or adjacent teeth.

So, if your crown is off you need to take action now.  You need to see a dental professional who will evaluate your situation and provide a solution.

If you are in need of this service or just want a check up or dental cleaning give us a call at 212 517 9000. At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit we like people and we like resolving any dental challenges you may be facing.  We are conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets in Yorkville.  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!

Why You Should Not Avoid Going to the Dentist

Not going to the dentist can bite you.

Your brain due to experience will try to protect you from experiencing pain.  One of the unfortunate consequences of life is that when you are little you have very little say in what happens to you.  One of these circumstances is when going to the dentist you had a painful experience. This will haunt you for a very long time. 

As stated before if you experienced pain from earlier dental procedures your brain will tell you to stay away from the dentist.  This can boomerang.  As time goes by, not going to the dentist can allow a minor problem to become a big problem.  Now you’re in pain and your expectation is you’re going to have more pain.

Today dentistry has progressed where even the dreaded root canal can generally be treated painlessly. The time to come in for a dental checkup is when you are feeling fine.  Then any mysteries can be exposed before they can bite you.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS I realized going to the dentist is vastly different than being the dentist.  It’s a lot different being the patient under treatment.  So, I take it very seriously to ensure you have a pain free experience while in the office.

We will diagnose any situation you may have, give you alternatives to resolve the situation and give you local anesthetics to prevent you from feeling any pain during treatment.  I have taken the time to learn how to give painless dental injections which most patients appreciate.

So if you are in need of dental treatment or just a cleaning give us a call at 212 517 9000 and we’ll be happy to meet with 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!

Healthy Teeth During Pregnancy

Are You Pregnant?

Congratulations; you’re having a baby.  Now you have to consider your health and your baby’s.  The ideal situation is to come into the dentist for a checkup before you become pregnant.   In this way any dental treatments can be done now.   During your pregnancy if a dental emergency happens we can still treat you but it is much better if you only need a dental cleaning at that time.

In fact your MD doctor will recommend dental cleanings during your pregnancy since most women will experience gingival bleeding and inflammation during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.

While you are pregnant the taking of dental x-rays needs to be kept to the absolute minimum so knowing your dental condition before pregnancy and fixing any problems will generally take care of this issue.  Eating a healthy diet is good for you and your developing baby.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS we like meeting people and taking care of your dental needs.  We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets right here in Yorktown.   So if you think you have something going on or it’s just been a while since your last cleaning give us a call at 212 571 9000 to schedule.  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!

Dental Concerns for Women

Throughout life women are challenged by changes in their hormones which can affect their dental health.  Starting from puberty to menstruation to pregnancy and finally menopause hormonal changes are a factor to be concerned about.

During puberty due to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels can lead to gingivitis. Menstruation can lead to gingival inflammation at the beginning of a woman’s period. Oral Contraceptives can lead to inflamed gums and discoloration of the soft tissue in the mouth. Pregnancy can make teeth more susceptible to accumulation of bacterial plaque within the mouth. Menopause can lead to inflamed gums, burning sensation, dry mouth and altered taste. Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become more fragile, less dense, leading to more fractures.

Problems with the temporomandibular joint system or TMJ affects more women than men. This dysfunction of the jaw joint leads to headaches, jaw popping, jaw locking and teeth grinding.

Saliva production generally is reduced during pregnancy.  Saliva is important to lubricate the mouth and keep the bacterial count lower thereby reducing the chance of tooth decay.

Here at the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS we are aware of the special conditions women face during their lives in relation to tooth health.  We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets.   We are always looking forward to meeting new people.   If you are in need of dental services please give us a call 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!

How a Dental Night Guard Can Benefit You

The Daily Grind

We are not talking coffee here but instead the grinding of your teeth.  Human’s have a biological way to relieve stress.  It’s grinding your teeth – sometimes it's clenching while at other times it's grinding or maybe even both.  Clenching is when you bring your teeth together real hard.  Grinding is when you move your lower jaw back and forth.  Clenching generally does not show wear on your teeth but the muscles around your mouth are sore.  Grinding will show wear patterns on your teeth and may also exhibit sore mouth muscles.

The problem with these maladies is that they put pressure on your jaw joint named the temporomandibular joint or TMJ which is the only three way joint in your body.   All other joints move in one plane.   While your jaw opens and closes, moves forward and backwards and goes side to side.  This is one joint you do not want to have problems with.

So what to do if you’re clenching or grinding?  First you want to determine what is causing you stress.  Then maybe you can relieve the stress through exercise or meditation.  If the problem exists maybe a custom night guard is the solution for you.

Being a resident of the Big Apple and living in New York City you are under stress.  That's big city living.  Most clenching and grinding occurs at night while you are sleeping.  Most individuals know that they’re grinding.  If I ask a patient if you are grinder, if so, they go oh yes.   For some it’s a mystery but upon waking if you open your mouth and the muscles feel sore, like after carrying a heavy bag you’re grinding.

Another way to see if you’re grinding is are your teeth together when you are just sitting at your desk working? Sometimes it is unconscious until you actually notice by looking for it. 

For some standing in a shower under warm water and massaging your jaw muscles and TMJ joint works, for others taking Tylenol or Motrin gives relief.  However, if the problem persists you might be in need of a night guard.  This is a soft piece of acrylic that you wear at night.  You will still grind and clench but this will prevent damage to your teeth and relieve the stress on your TMJ joint.

Unfortunately, this is a band aid treatment to minimize the results of grinding.  Ultimately the best course is to determine what is causing the stress and rectify the situation.

Here at the dental practice of Dr. Glenn Reit on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in Yorkville we see many patients that are experiencing this situation.  We are here for you and can implement treatments to help alleviate your situation.  Give us a call at 212 517 9000.  We are located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84thand 85th Streets directly across from McDonalds in a five story townhouse on the second floor.  Your teeth will thank 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!

You Should Check Your Dental Bridge Before You Lose Teeth

London Bridges Falling Down

Here in New York we have the Whitestone, Verrazano Narrows, Brooklyn and on and on bridges.  What happens to those bridges is that over time they fall apart.  Some people also have bridges in their mouths.  Back in the day when someone lost a tooth and needed a replacement a dental bridge was constructed.  This entailed connecting the adjacent teeth to the missing tooth together.  Sort of like when the Beatles sang; All Together Now or maybe not?

The problem with bridges is that the adjacent teeth have to support themselves and the missing teeth.  Over time the supporting teeth can become tired, cracked or decayed.  It is more difficult for a patient to keep a bridge clean vs. cleaning individual teeth.  The patient may not even realize this is happening.  So if you have a bridge it’s a good idea to visit a dentist like us to make sure all is well.

Today, with the advent of implants dental bridges are becoming a thing of the past.  Still viable and sometimes necessary, the advantage of the implant is that the adjacent teeth next to the missing tooth are not involved.

It is also possible to convert a dental bridge into an implant situation if the supporting teeth are in trouble.  Once accomplished keeping the area clean is a whole lot easier.

Need a dentist and you’re located on the Upper East Side of New York City?  Give us a call today at 212 517 9000.  We’re conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets.  The 4,5,6 and Q subway lines are one block away and there is plenty of bus service on Third Avenue.

Even if you all need a cleaning and checkup we are here for you.  We like people and the teeth connected to them.  No one likes going to the dentist but we will make it a much better experience for you.  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!

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!

Do You Have Bad Breath or Dry Mouth?

How Dry I Am

Dry mouth leads to bad breath.  Sometimes we just can’t help it.  If you sleep with your mouth open your mouth will dry out and you’ll lead with your breath.  If you have sinus problems and breathe more through your mouth instead of your nose you’ll dry out your mouth.  Sometimes due to medications you need to take you’ll have a dry mouth.

If so there are rinses, sugar free gum and suckers you can take to bring increased moisture into your mouth.  In addition to bad breath, dry mouth leads to an increased incidence of dental decay. If you have a continuous dry mouth syndrome in your life going to the dentist on a regular basis is a necessity.

We can examine your teeth to make sure no cavities are forming.  Sometimes a fluoride treatment or custom fluoride trays can be made for you to help keep your teeth healthy.

Give us a call at 212 517 9000 today.  We will be happy to meet with you and evaluate your situation.  We are located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets.  We are here if you need us.

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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 BioFilm?

Did you know what BioFilm is and did you realize you probably have it?

Biofilm is a coating of bacteria that likes wet places just like what is happening in your mouth.

If you’ve ever picked up a rock in a stream or river you might have noticed a slimy film on the surface.

This is a form of biofilm which is similar to the film that builds up on your teeth.  If you do not remove this biofilm it can lead to gum disease and cavities.

This accumulation of bacteria begins to form within several hours after brushing your teeth.

Over time it appears as a hard substance that is either brown or yellow in color.  You’ve probably seen it on the backs of your lower anterior teeth.   It can cause dental decay by just sitting there for prolonged periods of time.  It is full of bacteria and acidic in nature leading to breakdown of the enamel layer covering your tooth.  Once through the enamel the bacteria enter the inner dentin of your tooth forming a cavity.

In addition, if the plaque buildup remains for extended periods on the outside of your teeth the acidity leads to gingival irritation and eventually gum disease.  Here your gums will become red and inflamed. Removing biofilm by regularly brushing and flossing is the key to the prevention of cavities and gum disease. 

 At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS we can examine your mouth and see if biofilm is accumulating.  If so we will comfortably remove it and check to see if any cavities or gum disease is present and if so give you alternatives to treat it.

We are conveniently located in the Upper East Side in Yorkville at 1498 Third Avenue which is between 84th and 85th streets.  We like meeting people and we love taking care of you and your teeth.   Whether you are in need of a checkup, cleaning or something more substantial 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!

To Scale or Not

When one hears the word scale what comes to mind is scaling a mountain but in dentistry it’s cleaning a surface generally the surface of a tooth. When you eat food residue remains in your mouth.  When food is broken down it releases sugars. Bacteria need sugar to survive and especially like warm dark places without oxygen.

Guess what?  That’s exactly the situation in your mouth.  It’s dark, warm with limited oxygen.   Therefore to maintain your dental health you need to floss and brush daily.

Think of your teeth as cubes or squares.  When you brush your teeth you are cleaning the top, front and back of the tooth.  However, you are not cleaning in between your teeth.  This is where dental floss that little string comes in.  The floss can get in between your teeth to clean out whatever you have packed in.

If you’re not flossing and brushing you’re leaving food which will eventually lead to cavities and gum disease.  That’s where we come in.  We will be able to help you restore your mouth to a healthy condition painlessly and quickly.

If things are good a simple cleaning which includes scaling where we remove any hard deposits on your teeth followed by a cleaning with toothpaste.  You and your mouth will feel a whole lot better.

 If things are not so good meaning that your gums are inflamed and bleeding a more advanced cleaning will be needed.  In this situation we will get the area anesthetized and then be able to clean the inflamed areas more thoroughly with you remaining in comfort.   Once accomplished, your gums will begin to heal up and your mouth will feel a whole lot fresher.

For most individuals gum disease does not hurt and this allows it to progressively get worse without the patient realizing it.  If left untreated; it will eventually come back to bite you.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in Yorkville we like people and we also like teeth.  So if you have or even if you don’t have any teeth come on by – we’d like to meet you and resolve any oral problems you may have.

We’re right across from our very own Mickey Dees on Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets.  So 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!

So You Want Straight Teeth and Don’t Want To Wait

In an ideal situation if your teeth are out of alignment you undergo orthodontic treatment to straighten them.  Today in addition to traditional metal braces which most patients will not accept due to esthetics there is clear orthodontic tray therapy.  However, some patients will not tolerate wearing trays while others want immediate results.

For those who will not or cannot wait, teeth can be straightened with the application of porcelain veneers.  Traditionally, veneers were used to improve the color and shape of anterior teeth.  Some individuals due to the ingestion of tetracycline by the mother during pregnancy developed darkly stained teeth which will not whiten.  For those people veneers restored the desired color they want.   Some patients have anterior teeth that are not esthetically pleasing due to the shape of their teeth.  With veneers we can alter the shape and color of non esthetic teeth very quickly.

Some patients do not like the look of their smile due to the misalignment of their teeth.  For these individuals cosmetic veneers can reposition their teeth to be more in alignment.   Veneers are small pieces of porcelain that are bonded onto the front of your teeth.  Consider them somewhat like Lee Press on Nails.

There are two ways veneers are done.  In one scenario the teeth are not modified and the veneers are just bonded onto the existing teeth.  These are called no prep veneer.   The problem is the appearance of the teeth being bulky since no room was created for the veneers which is somewhat like having a thimble on your thumb.

If the teeth are prepped then the veneers appear more natural.   A combination of the two treatments may be necessary to produce a pleasing smile in a patient whose teeth are misaligned.  To help a patient decide if this type of treatment will produce the desired result we have a cosmetic wax up done for the patient by the lab before proceeding.   This allows the patient to make an intelligent decision before beginning treatment.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan we like making people happy and if you are unhappy with your smile we may be able to help you.  Conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets directly across from our very own Mickey Dees we are easy to get to.   The 4,5,6 and Q subway lines are a block away as are multiple bus lines

If you need a cosmetic consult or just want a dental cleaning give us a 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!

Be Wise About Your Wisdom Teeth

You may be wise like an owl when buying potato chips but are you wise about your wisdom teeth?

Many believe their teeth may have intelligence as in your wisdom teeth but they are really just third molars. Evolutionarily your third molars exist as a replacement for your anterior teeth being worn down. Back in the day the food humans ate was not processed as in rocks, stones, sand and dirt was included in your diet. A person’s teeth wore down more quickly and by the age of nineteen there was the room and need for additional teeth. The arrival of your third molars helped to relieve the situation and provided you with additional aid in mastication of food.

Today many individuals do not have the room for third molars to erupt and need to see an oral surgeon for their removal. If the wisdom tooth is fully encased in your jaw bone generally there is no problem. But, if they are partially exposed in your mouth or are growing diagonally or sideways they need to be removed.

Several decades ago wisdom teeth were retained by dentists as an additional tooth to be used if the individual lost some posterior teeth. The tooth was used as an anchor for a fixed bridge or as an abutment for a removable partial.

Today, with the advent of implants the retention of third molars is no longer necessary. Most individual should have their third molars removed when they are 15 years old meaning the determination of their removal is left up to your parents.

Patients who have undergone orthodontics to straighten their teeth as a child should have had their wisdom teeth removed prior to undergoing orthodontic treatment or definitely right after the completion of the orthodontics.

The advantage of removal at a young age is that the teeth have not yet developed their legs or roots so they are basically marbles and easier to remove. Also the bone of the jaw is more pliable and the patient generally heals much quicker.

The problem of retaining the wisdom teeth into adulthood is at a later age if they need to be removed the patient may have medical complications such as being on a blood thinners. It then becomes trickier to remove the tooth. Also once the person is into adulthood the teeth now have legs or roots and are much larger. Sometimes over time the teeth ankylose or cement to your jaw meaning they have to be cut out.

The good news is after removal of wisdom teeth patients do not report any lose of wisdom.

If you are having problems with your wisdom teeth or you are just in a need of a cleaning give us a call at 212 517 9000 and we’ll be happy to meet and greet. At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit we care about your teeth but more importantly we care about you.

We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84 th and 85 th streets in Yorkville. We are on the second floor of a five story brownstone directly across from our very own Mickey Dees. The Q, 4,5, and 6 subway lines are one block away and the third avenue bus stop is also a block from the practice.

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 want to be Crowned?

Prince Charles did and did.  He now has a crown and is King.  In dentistry we can also crown you.  However, you would rather avoid being crowned for it means your tooth is in trouble.  Sometimes a crown may be too aggressive and instead you need a veneer.  Does the King of England need a veneer, he might look a little better.

So to crown or to veneer that is the question.  Generally when you get a cavity or decay in a tooth due to lack of brushing or flossing the first step is to place a filling.  Think of this as a pothole in the road.  If the pothole is not fixed as cars continually drive over this hole becomes larger.

 In your mouth a hole if not repaired will also get bigger and if left long enough could become painful.

So initially a filling is placed.  If you get another cavity in the same tooth or if the filling breaks then it’s time for your tooth to be crowned.

Think of a crown as a girdle to hold your tooth together.  Today the crowns are made of esthetic materials that will match you adjacent teeth.  Your tooth is now whole and you’re ready for action.  Sometimes on anterior teeth a hole is bigger than a filling but not big enough for a crown.  In this case we can place a veneer to replace the missing or decayed portion of your tooth. 

Veneers can also be used esthetically to enhance the beauty of your smile even if there is no hole in your tooth.  Remember you lead with your smile and a beautiful smile enhances most people’s self esteem.  If you think you need to be crowned or veneered or just in need of a cleaning give us a call.  We’ll be glad to see you.  Even though we repair teeth we are more concerned with the person connected to the tooth.

We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue in Yorkville between 84th and 85th streets in a five story brownstone on the second floor directly across from our own Upper East Side McDonalds.

Easy to get to by; bus, subway or just walking around the block.  So call today 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

You’ve Lost a Tooth, Now What?

Sometimes things just happen.  You bite a cherry pit one too many times.  You think you’re an ice crusher.  Your tooth gets tired and breaks in half and has to be removed.  The adjacent teeth are happy and do not want to get involved. So what to do?

In the past your choices were to just go without the tooth which is still a possibility today.  Most people want to replace the tooth.  You could involve the adjacent teeth with a bridge which is three teeth connected together.  However, with this option the adjacent teeth have to be cut down in order for crowns or caps to be placed.  Then the three teeth are connected making it harder to clean the area.

Another option is to make some plastic teeth that you place In your mouth in the morning and remove at night.  Problem here is they move around and do not feel like real teeth.  They're not wooden like George Washington’s teeth but they are not real either.

Today there is a better option, it's called a dental implant.  Here the adjacent teeth are not involved.  This is not a removable device but like a tooth stays in your jaw.  Just like a regular tooth it is easy to keep clean.  No matter what we do in dentistry we cannot recreate nature but this is a close second.

For an implant a piece of titanium is placed in your jaw resembling the root of your original tooth.  Then a crown is made which resembles what your tooth looked like in your jaw.  It’s not a real tooth but it functions and feels like the one you lost.

Dental insurance companies will generally cover half the cost of the procedure.  It takes a little while to complete and it does cost you some money but in the end most people are happier to have the missing tooth replaced.  At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS located on the upper east side of Manhattan we place and restore dental implants.  Consider us a one stop shop so all of the procedures are done in house.   

Getting to us is easy.  If living in the area; just walk to 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets.  The Q, 4 ,5 ,6 subway lines and bus service is within one block of the practice.  We are always happy to meet with you and help solve your dental needs.  So, if you’re missing a tooth or are just in need of a cleaning 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

Make Cleaning Your Teeth a Dental Habit

When you do things often enough at the same time each day it turns into a routine.

Some routines are monotonous while others can be exhilarating.  When you exercise routinely you experience an endorphin rush after your workout.  This makes you feel good.  Feeling good helps you to maintain your routine.  Taking a shower or bath each day makes you feel clean which for most; is an enjoyable sensation.

To achieve it you need to develop a routine to clean your mouth.  Ideally it should be twice daily in the morning and in the evening.  When you wake up each morning you might have the sensation which I call morning mouth.  The bacteria within your mouth has been having a party, party.  They have grown and are producing noxious substances which can irritate and smell.

To reduce the party you should brush and floss before you go to bed causing the bacterial count in your mouth to be less upon waking.  So the goal is to brush in the morning and follow up in the evening.  

All the bacteria in your mouth are anaerobic, meaning without oxygen.  The air contains 20 percent oxygen.  So when you brush your teeth you bring air into your mouth and the oxygen within destroys the bacteria.  You can only brush the top, front and backs of your teeth.  To prevent cavities between your teeth you need to floss.  The floss brings air in between your teeth which kills the bacteria hiding there.

Everyone wants a healthy mouth.  You have the tools to make it so.  By brushing and flossing twice per day every day you will make cleaning your teeth a routine which ultimately leads to a habit which in this case will maintain your tooth health. You should also come in to see us for a professional cleaning twice per year.  We can tell you how you’re doing and make sure there is nothing growing inside your mouth.

At our dental practice we like teeth and we like the people connected to teeth.  If you are fortunate to have Aetna, Cigna, Guardian or MetLife Dental PPO insurance and you have not used your benefits, your cleaning, exam and x-rays are covered at 100% with no additional cost to 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.   Our phone number is 212 517 9000 with the 4, 5,6 and Q subway lines one block away.  In addition there are plenty of bus lines close to us.

So, if people are backing away from you or you’re aware of something odoriferous emanating from your mouth, give us a call.  You and your mouth 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

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

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

Can I Ignore a Cracked Tooth?

If you see a crack you must react. There is a difference between a craze line and a crack.  Everyone has craze lines on their teeth.  If you hold a light up to your teeth you will see fine lines on the surface of the teeth.  This is caused over time due to temperature differentials when you eat.   You bite into an ice cream cone and the ice cream is below 32 degrees.  You then immediately drink some coffee which could be at 90 degrees.  The immediate difference in temperature causes these lines to occur.

A crack however is much deeper and more apparent.  If you bite down on something and your tooth starts to hurt you may have a crack.  If you’re a grinder or clench meaning you bite down hard on your teeth or move your jaw back and forth while holding your teeth together a crack can only become worse.  Clenching and grinding is due to stress and if you can’t remove the stress we can help with a night guard.   

It’s like when your car’s windshield is hit with a rock sometimes it causes a chip while at other times the chip expands into a crack which progresses.  This is the condition with your teeth.   Sometimes a chip turns into a crack and can spread.  In a minor case it is seen and repaired quickly.  Left alone it can expand into the nerve requiring root canal therapy.  In the worst case it can fracture your tooth in half requiring the removal of the entire tooth. 

So if you see a crack go on the attack and give us a call at 212 517 9000 so we can treat your situation.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in Yorkville we are seeing more patients with cracked teeth.  Most of us in the Big Apple are under increased stress due to Covid, the recession or just the pace of life here in the city.

 We like people and we like repairing teeth to health.  Give us a call.  We will be happy to meet with you.  We’ll give you alternatives to resolve your situation and tell you the costs involved so you can make an educated decision.  If you only need a cleaning we still would love to meet you.

We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets.  The  4,5,6 and Q subway lines are within one block of the practice in addition to the 1st, 2nd,3rd and Lexington Avenue bus lines. 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