• Chester Hill Dentistry • 

Cosmetic Dentist Westchester NY on Mouth Vigilance

As not only a cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY, but as a dentist, in general, our office recommends that all patients set up twice yearly dental cleanings and exams with us. The idea of these appointments is to get all of the “hard to reach” stuff with our special tools and to diagnose and then take steps towards treating problems before they develop further. We understand and have seen that sometimes in between these 6 month intervals, other problems can arise and you may ponder to yourself, “Can’t this just wait until my cleaning date?”

In the following blog, we will discuss a few signs or symptoms of potentially greater damaging dental issues that you should NOT ignore, and instead should make an appointment with us sooner, rather than later.

The first sign to be aware of is bad breath. While bad breath may stem from something as innocent as a going too heavy on the garlic at lunch, it can also be an indicator of other dental issues. Gum disease, teeth decay or abscess, even oral infections have been linked to original symptoms of bad breath. It may also be a sign that you are not properly brushing or flossing daily, leaving behind particles that not only cause the stench, but can thus result in the decay and other issues listed previously.

A loose tooth may be common place for those young ones shedding their first set of teeth, for older adults, it can be not as natural. Loose teeth can often be the result of serious gum disease or in a worst case scenario, oral cancer. Of course other events, such as trauma to the mouth, can cause loose teeth- but all of these scenarios still beckon the need to visit your cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY fairly soon.

Lastly, any long term sores, pain or swelling of the mouth can also be indicators of more seriousissues. All of these can be a sign that the mouth is suffering from infection, disease, decay or worse. And while all of these issues seem like they might not be able to get much worse- they can. They can all lead to whole body health issues such as heart or lung problems, jaw or structural issues and tooth loss…all of which no one wants to suffer through.

While some of these issues may be hard to notice yourself (bad breath in particular), you should stay vigilant over the health of your mouth at all times. If you have any questions about unusual or potentially unhealthy oral health problems, make sure to contact your cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY at (914) 939-2132 as soon as possible.

Cosmetic Dentist in Westchester NY discusses Cosmetic Treatment Options

A great smile is one of the first appearances that people notice, which is why cosmetic dentistry has been gaining more and more popularity amongst patients. A healthy smile not only feels its best, but also looks its best. Some of the most popular cosmetic procedures asked of your cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY are teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and Invisalign.

Why Should I Consider Teeth Whitening?

Over time, your teeth could become discolored or stained. This discoloration could be caused from a variety of factors including your diet, medications, age, or tobacco and alcohol use. Just like hair and eye color, everyone’s teeth come in all different sizes and colors. Maybe a patient feels like their teeth have become discolored over time, or maybe a patient is not happy with their natural shade. If so, your Westchester NY cosmetic dentist is here to help! Dr. Chi Fu uses a chemical process to bleach your teeth with either a system patients use at home or during an in-office procedure at our Westchester NY cosmetic dentistry. Teeth whitening works best with customization, because we know that not all patients teeth are the same. With a custom mouthpiece tray, Dr. Chi Fu is able to ensure that the right amount of whitening solution reaches your teeth. Because whitening products are not meant to clean teeth, it is still important to practice regular oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.

Veneers, Veneers, Veneers!

Another popular cosmetic procedure involves a custom shell, typically made of porcelain, that acts as a cover to the front and sides of your teeth. Many patients choose porcelain veneers to improve teeth with:

• Spaces between them
• Chips or wear-and-tear
• Misshapen
• Crooked
• Permanently stained

Invisalign: The Clear Alternative to Braces

Another cosmetic procedure offered by your Westchester NY cosmetic dentist is Invisalign. This procedure offers the benefits of orthodontia work without the use of metal braces. With Invisalign, cosmetic dentistry patients have the freedom to straighten their teeth without having the hassle of metal braces affecting their smile. Invisalign consists of a customized series of clear aligners that are worn over a prescribed period of time. Unlike braces, you’ll be able to remove the clear aligners when you eat, brush or floss. It is important to their success that you keep the aligners in at all other times.

Your cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY wants to help patients feel good about their smile, so that you’ll always feel that sparkle and shine! If you’re interested in a cosmetic procedure feel free to call us at (914) 939-2132.

Westchester NY Dentures Care from Dr. Fu

Though the practice of replacing missing teeth with certain appliances, such as dentures, is centuries old practice- it doesn’t mean that it can’t be a frustrating experience for patients new to them. Though the science and makeup of dentures have advanced over time, some of the problems related to the appliance have not. As leading Westchester NY dentures provider, we are here today to share some solutions to various issues, as well as some caretaking tips, related to your dentures.

Always an important part of oral health, regular maintenance and cleaning of your dentures is needed for them to remain in top shape. Unless instructed to otherwise, you should take your dentures out nightly and have them soak in an approved cleaner. In the morning, you should brush them with a soft bristle toothbrush and a denture cleaning solution, not toothpaste. Though warm soapy water could also be utilized if you do not have a cleaning solution, your Westchester NY denture dentist can provide you with information on some excellent ones.

While handling the dentures around the sink whilst cleaning, make sure not to drop them- for they are extremely delicate. A single fall to the floor or on some porcelain can do some damage that may result in the need for a new appliance. Place soft towels nearby or take the needed precautions to make sure a mishandling doesn’t lead to serious denture damage.

Besides thoughtful handling and cleaning, a new diet and the fit of the appliance can also be issues that pop-up for new dentures patients. No matter your age, the mouth’s structure can shift over time and cause your set of dentures to not fit as they used to. Your dentist has the ability to make improvements for this, and if bothered, make sure to make an appointment to have them re-fit.

If this ill-fit or an overall new mouth feeling is having a detrimental effect on your appetite, try taking small bites and eating softer foods to benefit your diet. Evenly chewing with both sides of the mouth, not rushing and avoiding sticky foods can also help lead to a more successful meal with your dentures.

As a top Westchester NY dentures providing dentist, we have had patients deal with all of these issues and many more. We want you to know you can reach out to us anytime to address these issues or to schedule an appointment by calling (914) 939-2132.

Cosmetic Dentist in Westchester NY Gets You Ready for Your Big Day

Your cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY knows that timing can sometimes be everything. Rather you have a business trip coming in a few months, a wedding in a year, family reunion or performance just around the corner- you want to have your teeth be there best. Below we review a few of the most popular types of cosmetic corrections we specialize in that you can apply to your teeth, all with regard to how long you have before your big event.

When you just booked a performance and you have only a month to be at your most stunning, teeth whitening is an affordable and quick option to make your smile stand out. We offer in-office procedures and take-home whitening kits that can help much more effectively than the in-store whitening toothpastes. With just one to two visits to the office or wearing trays overnight a couple nights a week, you could see the shade of your teeth, no matter how they got that way, brightening substantially.

If you don’t want to sport a gap in your teeth while attending a family reunion that is about a half a year away, dental implants could be an option to consider. Utilizing the latest in dental technology, implants are quickly overcoming dentures as a means of replacing missing teeth. It works by fusing a titanium post to the bone and tissue of your mouth, then attaching a natural looking false tooth to that post. Due to the need for the materials involved to become properly adjusted to their new environment, this process may take a few trips to the cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY, but is well worth it. Implants are a sure way to get the most accurate appearance, bite and feel of a natural tooth, like never before.

The big day is coming up in about a year or two, and you have some issues to straighten out (with your teeth) before you say “I do.” Invisible or clear braces, such as Invisalign, are great alternative treatments to teeth straightening, compared to the original metal braces. Improved aesthetic appeal, shorter treatment time and fewer means of device-related injury all make clear braces an up and coming orthodontic must-have.

While your cosmetic dentist in Westchester can help you prepare for your big day in the above procedures, amongst many more, the first step to getting there is setting an appointment. To do so, please call (914) 939-2132 today.

Dentist in Greenwich CT Helps Fight Periodontal Problems

As a dentist in Greenwich CT, we see plenty of patients that have issues related to periodontics, their gums, day in and day out. The gums play such an essential role in the overall health of the mouth and even the entire body. Without healthy gums, you could have a diminished structure in the teeth- and that could result in losing said teeth outright. If the gums are not flossed well enough, bacteria can even sneak into the pockets of the gum line and enter the bloodstream and affect the heart.

Where these “higher level” issues all seem to stem from is bleeding gums. Usually a bleeding while flossing or brushing is the first sign something is wrong, and we are here today to tell you a few issues that could be a leading cause of this first step.

The number one cause of bleeding gums is a poor oral health regimen. Without participating in the twice daily brushing and once daily flossing rituals that are recommended by your dentist in Greenwich CT, you could be doing harm to your whole body. As a result of a lack of a frequency or improper technique, tartar and plaque can build up, causing inflammation and pain, eventually leading to bleeding at a simple touch.

Vitamin deficiencies have also been linked to bleeding gums, but can be easy to resolve. By eating more fruits and vegetables, you can gain vitamin C, which is essential to total body health. Vitamin K, which helps the body with clotting, is usually reproduced naturally inside the gut. If you take antibiotics for an extended period of time, however, it could be killing the possibility of this vitamin from flourishing.

Lastly, crooked teeth or trauma to the gums can cause bleeding as well. With misaligned teeth, brushing is not as easy, leading to some more “aggressive” habits in cleaning, which can be detrimental. In general, such aggressive techniques, even if not related to crooked teeth, can result in bleeding too. Make sure to use a soft-bristled brush that you replace every 3-4 months, and not to scrub too hard, no matter the circumstance.

Bleeding gums are certainly a first step in recognizing a slew of larger scale oral hygiene issues, but are typically preventable and can be healed. Maintain regular appointments with your dentist in Greenwich CT by calling (914) 939-2132 to ensure you’re keeping your gums, teeth and whole body healthy!

Dentist in Greenwich CT talks Teeth Grinding

We all know the sounds that can make us grind our teeth a bit. Nails on the chalkboard…the car screeching…the high pitched frequencies that make our pets head cock to the side. All of these rather unpleasant noises can cause us to stress momentarily and force teeth grinding… but if you suffer from Bruxism, the grind can go on indefinitely. Your Dentist in Greenwich CT is here to offer you some symptoms, effects and treatments for chronic teeth grinding- also known as Bruxism.

As alluded to earlier, most teeth grinding can be the result of stress. Many times patients will subconsciously perform this act even while sleeping…for it works as a way for the body to quite literally grind the stress of the day away.

If you wake up (or in general) and notice your teeth are worn down or short looking, suffer from chronic headaches, or you hear new popping or clicking sounds in your jaw, you may be grinding your teeth and not even knowing it.

Bruxism can lead to less surface area for the teeth to chew, making it more difficult to eat. Chronic facial/sinus pain and headaches can also be a result of too much teeth grinding. It also has not been unheard of for teeth to loosen or crack due to the stress that could be put on them.

The good news to take away from this “grind” is that there are quite attainable solutions to your problem. By wearing a mouth guard while sleeping, you could reduce grinding that you may not even be consciously participating in. Some patients will even have their jaw or teeth re-aligned to help stop their habit. There are also certain behavior modifiers, such as mouth exercises and various stress relief tactics that have been proven to halt teeth grinding in its tracks.

If you suffer from any of the above or feel you may show the signs of Bruxism, contact your Dentist in Greenwich CT today by calling (914) 939-2132.

Westchester NY Dentist Dishes out Foods to Avoid

As your Westchester NY dentist, we always have the health of your whole mouth in mind. One of the biggest players when it comes to preventing and maintenance of a successful smile is your diet. The food and beverage you consume day in and day out may satisfy a craving or give you the boost you need, but the effects it may have on your teeth could be not worth it. Here are five food choices you should avoid or try to cut back on in order to maintain an amazing smile:

Though advertised as the ultimate “thirst-quenchers” for your workout, your sports drinks could be too sugary to bare. While some brands can include vitamins and other nutrients into their drinks, make sure to check the sugar content as well. It may not be worth sweating over the dental damage being done by these instead of just choosing water for your physical activities.

Sticky foods can cause all sorts of havoc in your mouth as well. Many people would think trail mix or dried fruits to be a great dietary option, but they can literally stick around in your mouth a lot longer. And the longer they stick around, the more harm they can create. Make sure to have some water and brush or floss after consumption to get all the particles out.

One of the most commonly consumed unhealthy beverages without a doubt is soda. Soda is very sugary and sugary means plaque. These bacteria can create acids that eat away at your teeth and also dry your mouth out. If not possible to abstain from soda, follow one up with some water at least.

Another fairly regular mouth-foe would be candy. Not only can candy have the same sugary and detrimental effects as soda, but can also cause chipping due to how hard it is. Try sugarless alternatives, if possible, and avoid biting down to ensure a sustained sweet smile.

Lastly, a coffee every once and a while is not the worst for you in its natural form. When sugar and other ingredients are added or consumed too frequently- decay and staining can be the caffeinated catastrophe that results.

Avoiding or cutting back on these dietary detriments, alongside daily at-home tooth care and regular appointments with your Westchester NY dentist are the best ways to ensure you have a bright smile. Make an appointment today by calling (914) 939-2132.

Cosmetic Dentist in Westchester NY Explains

As a cosmetic Dentist in Westchester NY, Dr. Chi Fu offers patients with gingivitis the option to have a gum lift, also known as gingivectomy. This is a procedure in which your dentist will reshape your gums to provide a more pleasing smiles.

Why would someone need a gum lift?

There are many different reasons why one may utilize this procedure from their Cosmetic Dentist in Westchester NY. Some people may have gums that have not receded after a permanent tooth erupts and many others choose this procedure because a large portion of their gums show when they smile.

A gum lift is a great procedure for those that are self-conscious about their smiles because their gums show. It can improve their appearance and increase self-confidence. Typically this procedure is only done on the front teeth since those are what we see when we smile.

This procedure has come a long way over the years. In the past, your Cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY would need to cut the gums and place stitches in the mouth. Now, however, the procedure is complete using lasers and recovery is minimal. Patients can eat and drink normally in just a day or two!

How is the procedure completed?

First, your cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY will administer anesthesia. Then, they will cut and reshape the gum line to make it more even and visually appealing. This procedure causes little to no bleeding since it is completed using a laser. It is typically a quick procedure and patients can choose to have their gums lowered or raised, depending on preference and needs.

If you are interested in learning more about a gum lift procedure from your cosmetic dentist Westchester NY, be sure to call (914) 939-2132 to schedule an appointment.