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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.

Greenwich CT Dentures

If you need Greenwich CT Dentures, Dr. Fu thought you may find the following facts extremely interesting:

In the past, little was known about dentures and false teeth. Many years ago, dentures used to be made out of wood, ivory, metal, porcelain, and sometimes even human and animal teeth! These materials didn’t have the best results. They typically stained easily and quickly, often they went rotten, and after a while, they would have a putrid scent. Luckily, these types of dentures were only used between the years of 1790 and 1850. In the absence of suitable adhesives, the early dentures were held together by springs at each angle which helped to retain them in place with an open mouth.

Below is a photo of ivory dentures made hundreds of years ago:

If you are in need of Greenwich CT Dentures, don’t worry you won’t have to get ones made from animal teeth or ivory! Call Dr. Fu at (914) 939-2132 or click here to schedule an appointment for your advanced and beautiful dentures.

Nature’s Natural Whitening

We believe in creating a relationship with our patients that goes beyond the office doors. We’ve specially created this section of our site to share with you some blogs posts that your dentist in Greenwich CT thought you would find interesting and enjoy. Below you will find our July 2014 blog posts to help our patients have the healthiest teeth possible.

Greenwich CT Dental Implants

If you are in need of Greenwich CT Dental Implants or dental bridges, how do you know which is best for you?

One way to find out for sure is to consult Dr. Fu, of course, but it is definitely important to know the benefits of implants. Implants can be done on patients of all ages, and can be utilized to replace one or more teeth!

• Dental implants look and feel more natural. If installed properly, a dental implant is comfortable and can help to prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompany bridge work and dentures.
• Dental implants don’t require any support from the surrounding teeth, unlike dental bridges. This can benefit the surrounding teeth and overall oral health in the future.
• Dental implants are almost always successful. They alleviate anxiety and concerns over misplaced dentures and messy pastes and glue.

If you think you may be in need of Greenwich CT Dental Implants, click here, or call (914) 939-2132, to schedule an appointment with Dr. Fu.

Dental Care at the Office

Your Westchester NY Dentist, Dr. Chi Fu, wants to ensure patients understand the importance of brushing their teeth throughout the day. We brush in the morning and we brush at night, but brushing our teeth at the office?

A recent study highlighted the importance of brushing our teeth while at the workplace. During the day a majority of people eat twice while at the office. Between meals, coffee, and snacks, plaque is left lingering on our teeth which can lead to loss in tooth enamel, gum disease, and tooth loss. Dentists recommend leaving an extra toothbrush at the office to boost your chance of brushing. A smile is the first thing most people notice about their co-workers. Keep yours looking sharp by brushing up at the office and having your teeth cleaned by your favorite Westchester NY Dentist, Dr. Chi Fu.