Living with Sensitive Teeth

You may be a sensitive person and be caring to others but you probably do not want sensitive teeth.

Teeth are part of you and they can have character especially if their sensitive. Surrounding your teeth is a layer of enamel. Enamel is very strong and prevents your teeth from becoming sensitive. As you age your enamel thickness decreases. The vast majority of your teeth are made of dentin. Dentin is softer than enamel and is actually millions of little tubules pressed together. When the dentin becomes exposed in your mouth due to wear and/or trauma many people experience sensitivity.

Sometimes when a person undergoes orthodontic treatment to move their teeth into alignment the roots of the teeth become exposed inside your mouth. The roots are also made of dentin and can exhibit sensitivity. If you develop gum disease due to not brushing and flossing the gums can become inflamed or recede from your teeth also exposing the tooth’s roots.

Individuals are different. Some people with exposed dentin feel nothing while others even with a little exposure have trouble eating cold foods. If you consume very acidic foods like sucking on lemon wedges while you drink your ice tea you could be on the way to sensitivity. Chewing on ice cubes can also lead to sensitivity problems over time.

So you’re experiencing sensitivity – what can you do? The easiest solution is to buy a fluoride rinse. The fluoride in the rinse can help in minor cases to relive the sensitivity. You could also purchase toothpaste that helps to relieve sensitivity such as Sensodyne.

If this is not working we can make you custom fluoride trays to wear five minutes a night before retiring. Over a thirty day period this will help to alleviate your sensitivity since you are placing a thick RX grade fluoride gel within the trays and the trays hold the gel adjacent to the teeth.

Other times if your root is exposed or there is exposure on another surface of the tooth a cosmetic white filling can be placed.

Sensitive teeth can lead to reduced enjoyment in your life. If you are experiencing this situation give us a call at 212 517 9000. At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS, located right here in Yorkville we like take caring of people. We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84 th and 85 th streets directly across our very own Upper East Side Mickey Dees in a five story townhouse on the second floor.

Even if you don’t have sensitivity and are just in need of a cleaning and exam we are here for you.

So don’t delay call today. 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!

Steps for Healthy Teeth

Everyone Wants A Healthy Body and that for most include healthy teeth. Like good editing in a movie you do not want to see the cuts or movements. You want your teeth to just be there and available for chewing and eating. If you don’t notice your teeth then things are generally good. But, life happens and your teeth have to endure a lot.

The best things you can do to promote a healthy mouth is to daily brush and floss your teeth. Most will brush but many do not like to floss. Not flossing is good for my business because in general those who do not floss tend to have more cavities and eventual gum disease and if that’s you, I am here for you to get you and your teeth back to health.

All the bacteria in your mouth are anaerobic meaning they like environments without oxygen. When you brush your teeth you bring air into your mouth and air has 20% oxygen. When you brush if done correctly you clean the top, front and backs of your teeth. However, you cannot get in between the adjacent teeth. For this you need to floss. Yes that annoying little string. When used correctly it brings air in between your teeth which helps to kill the bacteria.

Your mouth is an ideal place for bacteria to grow. There is little air especially if you do not clean your teeth. It is warm around 100 degrees, it is dark when your mouth is closed and of course since you need to eat there is plenty of food around.

So, cleaning your teeth leads to decreased bacterial counts leading to a healthier environment. If you let things go too long gum disease and tooth decay are the outcomes leading to problems.

A healthy diet is also necessary for good health. Bad habits such as cigarette smoking can lead to problems. You lead with your smile and most want to make a first good impression. If you are or are unsure of your mouth situation come on down to the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS where we like teeth and the individuals connected to them.

We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84 th and 85 th streets in Yorkville. The 4,5,6 and Q subway lines are within one block of the practice. Multiple bus lines are found within a block of the practice. So if you are in the 10028, 10128, 10075 or 10021 zip codes you are out neighbors.

Evening and Saturday appointments available so, call today 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!

Why it’s Critical to Replace Missing Teeth

When you lose a tooth, do you miss it?  For some they do while for others they do not.  Hopefully you are attached to your teeth and they remain attached to you.  But, sometimes things just happen.

You’re in an accident, a large filling fractures and then fractures your tooth, you bite down hard on a piece of bone or an olive or cherry pit and suddenly a tooth departs.  If it is a front tooth you will need to act.  Most people do not want to be a gap tooth person when they smile.  If it’s a back tooth some may ponder do I really need to replace it?

The first and most paramount question is do you miss that tooth?  If so, there are several ways to replace it.  If you don’t miss it here are some of the consequences if a tooth is not replaced.  Think of your teeth as the pylons supporting a pier going out into the ocean.  If some of the pylons collapse eventually the pier will also collapse.

Your back teeth have three roots, your side teeth have two roots and your front teeth have one root.  When you lose a back tooth you lose three roots or three pylons.  However, you lose more.  Without the tooth the opposing tooth is no longer in function.  So instead of three roots you have lost six roots.  One tooth loss is not going to kill your bite but as you lose or remove more teeth the remaining teeth are not strong enough to hold your bite. 

Also when you lose a tooth the supporting bone starts to disappear without the tooth present.  The bone is there when the tooth is.  No tooth leads eventually to no bone giving you that gaunt look.  Might be good for trick or treating on Halloween but probably not anywhere else.

Nobody loses all their teeth at once unless in a terrible accident.  It’s a slow progression like the domino effect.  In addition to losing support when you lose a tooth, the tooth behind it now has the ability to move forward.  Unfortunately, the tooth does not move horizontally but generally begins to tip, like the leaning Tower of Pisa.

When you have fewer teeth in your mouth the remaining teeth are under more pressure causing dental restorations in these teeth to have a better chance of fracturing and needing to be replaced.  Today we have the ability to replace a missing tooth without involving the adjacent teeth.  When replaced the new tooth will look and feel like your original tooth.

If you’re missing a tooth and want to learn what alternatives are available to replace it give us a call at 212 517 9000.  At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS located at 1498 Third Avenue in Yorkville between 84th and 85th streets right here on the Upper East Side of Manhattan – We like people and we like people who like their teeth.

So call today, 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!

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

A New Reason to Eat More Fish for Your Dental Health

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you want to fish, sometimes you don’t. However as for your gums they like nuts and fatty fish. Research claims there is a link between diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids and a decreased risk for periodontal disease.

Gum disease is alive and present in the population.  Many individuals have gum disease and don’t even know it.   Around all your teeth is a cuff or pocket.  In a healthy situation this pocket should be about 3 mm in depth.  When you eat food begins to break down within your mouth.  As it breaks down it releases acids which if not routinely removed can cause decay and gum disease.

You prevent this from happening by brushing and flossing hopefully twice per day.  Your toothbrush can clean the top, front and back of your teeth.  However, it cannot get in between your teeth.  This is where dental floss comes in.  Properly used floss or string can get in between your teeth and remove any accumulated food present. 

If the food is not removed it begins to break down and cause inflammation.  As the inflammation progresses it destroys the ligaments that hold your teeth in your jaws.  Not a good thing.  Enough destruction leads to tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss. 

Researchers have found that people whose diets are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids were as much as 30% less likely to have gum disease than those who ate little or none of this type of fat.  Foods that are a good source of these types of fats include salmon, tuna, trout, mackerel, sardines and herring.

Oils that also have these fats are safflower, soybean, corn, and sunflower.  Almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, pecans, brazil nuts and pumpkin, sesame, sunflower and flax seeds are also good

 The possibility of preventing gum disease is not the only reason to eat foods with polyunsaturated fats.

These foods pack a nutritional punch and have myriad health benefits.

Please understand that diet alone will not treat or prevent gum disease, however it may be an additional tool for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

If you have not had an examination or teeth cleaning in a while I urge you to schedule an examination and cleaning today.  We are conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in Yorkville at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th street.   

The 4,5,6 and Q subway lines along with the MTA bus lines are one block away.  We participate with the major dental insurance carriers.   For most Aetna, Cigna, Delta, Guardian, MetLife and United Health Care patients you are covered at 100% for an exam, x-rays and cleaning with no patient co-payment as long as your benefits have not been used.

Call us TODAY at 212 517 9000.   As a courtesy we will do a benefits check before you come in to confirm your eligibility for a preventive care cleaning appointment at no charge to 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

Some Surprising Tooth-Friendly Foods

We all need to eat but some foods are good for your teeth. 

THE BAD

Citrus is acidic and if eaten continuously can erode the surface or enamel of your teeth.

Sugar if not removed by brushing and flossing after eating can lead to cavities.

Nuts or other hard foods can lead to tooth damage by fracturing your teeth.

THE GOOD

Raisins are good for your teeth.  They contain iron and fiber.  They provide high energy and low fat.

Overall raisins can improve digestion and lower your blood pressure.

However, some disapprove of raisins due to their natural sweetness and tendency to stick to your teeth; some suggest they may actually help to fight cavities due to plant antioxidants.

Dairy products contain calcium and vitamin D.  These two essential nutrients work together to promote healthy bones and teeth.  But there is an added bonus when you eat hard cheese at the end of a meal.

The cheese neutralizes the acids in your mouth thereby maintaining your mouth’s pH levels preventing cavities.

Leafy green vegetables activate your saliva and reduce cancer risk.  They are high in fiber, promote digestion and help maintain cholesterol levels.

 Strawberries whiten teeth naturally.  Berries of all kinds are good for you.  Specifically they are shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.  Dark berries like blue berries contain antioxidants which are good for you but unfortunately can cause teeth to stain.  Strawberries do not darken teeth since they contain a substance called malic acid which acts as a natural tooth whitener.

Carrots help clean your teeth when eaten.  In addition to being a low calorie food carrots are a superior source of Vitamin A and the antioxidant beta carotene.  They are reported to improve vision and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.  In addition raw carrots when eaten help to scrub away plaque or the filmy bacterial layer that grows on your teeth and gums.  Chomp down on a medium size carrot or a handful of minis and your teeth will thank you.

THE UGLY

If you do not regularly clean and floss your teeth your odoriferous mouth and inflamed gums are only beneficial if Halloween is upon us.

We like people and we like to meet you and resolve any tooth issues you may have.  We are conveniently located in Yorkville on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets at 1498 Third Avenue.

We are directly across from our own Upper East Side Mickey Dee’s in a five story brownstone.  Bus lines and the 4,5,6, and Q subway lines are one block away.  We participate with the major dental insurance carriers such as Aetna, Cigna, Delta, Guardian, MetLife and United Health Care.

For most of our patients an exam, x-rays and cleaning is covered at 100% with no out of pocket expense to you unless you have already used your benefits.  We can always do a courtesy check before your appointment.  So 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

How Much Do You Know About Gum Disease?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

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

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

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

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.

Sinus vs Abscessed Tooth?

What is the sign us?

No directional sign here.  But, your sinus is the area in your head above your teeth which is an air cavity.  Think of it as your own internal cave system.  One of the problems with the sinus is when you are not feeling well the area may become full of fluid which can cause you pain and pressure.  When your sinus is filled with fluid your teeth can start to hurt.   The question is whether it is sinus pain or an abscessed tooth.

If a tooth develops decay and if the decay becomes large it can cause the nerve within the tooth to die causing your tooth to start to hurt. You may feel a throbbing pain or start waking up at night.  Your ear on the same side as the involved tooth may also begin to hurt.  If you have these symptoms you probably have an abscessed tooth which will need a root canal treatment to relieve the pain.

Other times if a tooth or several teeth on one side of your head begin to hurt it is due to inflammation of your sinus.  If your sinus fills with liquid it puts pressure on your teeth, especially the posterior ones with large roots that may be within your sinus.  Your teeth are connected to your jaw by ligaments.  Think shock absorbers.  So if your sinus is full the teeth are pushed a little out of their housings and when you chew your lower teeth start banging into them.  Sometimes the roots of the teeth become exposed making your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms give us a call at 212 517 9000.   At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit, DDS we pride ourselves in helping you resolve your dental problems.   Conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in the 10028 zip code within one block of the 4,5,6 and Q subway lines, it is easy to access us.

If you are living in the 10021, 10075, or 10128 zip codes we are still within your area.  Just come up Third Avenue  between 84th and 85th streets directly across from McDonald’s and we are located in a five story brownstone on the second floor.

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.