• Chester Hill Dentistry • 

Dentist near Greenwich CT Warns Patients about Severity of Gum Disease

One of the most, if not THE most, common health issue in the US is periodontal disease. While it may seem unlikely, there is a large majority of people who suffer from gum disease and face the consequences. This is more common than heart disease, stroke, or different forms of cancer. Below, your dentist serving Greenwich CT will share what gum disease is, why it’s important to monitor, and what you can do to protect your smile.

Periodontal disease had two different stages—gingivitis, which is a mild case, and periodontitis, which is an advanced case. This infection damages the gums and bone that support your teeth. When plaque hardens into tartar below the gum line, it makes the rest of your mouth, gums and tissues vulnerable. Combined with a poor diet and bad habits, the infection can spread much faster than you may think.

Unfortunately, many patients don’t recognize that they’re suffering from periodontal disease until it’s too late. There aren’t many extreme symptoms that patients will recognize are overtly dangerous. You’ll have red, swollen gums that will bleed when you brush your teeth, but this is something that patients ignore since they’re overall health isn’t reacting to the issue. For a majority of the symptoms, patients don’t think that they will warrant a visit to the dentist until something drastic happens, like extreme dental pain or tooth loss.

When periodontal disease gets to its advanced stages, there is no cure. This is why visiting our office bi-annually for your routine dental check-ups can help detect any early warning signs. Prevention is the best way to protect all of your teeth—brushing every morning and night, flossing, and having a proper diet will dramatically improve your oral and dental health.

We have periodontal treatment for patients who suffer from periodontitis, but it won’t completely remove the disease. You’ll want to frequently visit our office for extensive cleanings in order to protect your teeth from consistent pain.

Call our office to schedule an appointment or consultation with your dentist near Greenwich CT by reaching us at (914) 939-2132 to discuss your periodontal treatment.

Your Westchester NY Dentist Warns You about Other Potential Dental Dangers

The choices that we and our families have for snacks, meals, and beverages probably far exceeds what any of us would ever need. Most people stick to a circle of favorite consumables; often those that they believe are more “friendly” to the teeth and the body than others. For instance, many parents today do not purchase soda for their children due to the inclusion of high-fructose corn syrup. Instead, kids are routinely given the alternative of some type of sports drink. Older kids may choose to quench their thirst with these and even the occasional energy drink. Because there is no sugar in most of these beverages, there is the idea that they are safer for teeth. Not so, and here’s why.

It is not only sugar that damages teeth. Interestingly, it really wasn’t until the popularity of sports and energy drinks began to soar that we realized that there could be another danger lurking in food choices – acid. Yes, acid. If you are envisioning the effects that some type of acid has if you pour it over, say, metal; the smoke, the peeling or bending, you aren’t far off from envisioning what mild acids in foods and drinks do to enamel.

Acid-washing your Teeth

You wouldn’t really want to acid-wash anything that you do not wish to alter. However, this is what happens when acidic beverages are consumed. The liquid does not stay in line, as if passing through the mouth in an invisible tunnel. No. It washes over every tooth, in between teeth, in the tiniest crevices. When it sits, it causes erosion, the widespread wearing down of the tough outer shell of teeth. When enamel wears down, or erodes, the result is higher sensitivity that is difficult to reverse, and also an increased risk for cavities.

Saving your Teeth

Secondary to creating new, healthier habits, the way to save teeth from erosion is to rinse the mouth out after drinking soda, a sports drink, or an energy drink. If a beverage has acid as an ingredient, rinse the mouth. By the way, coffee is also highly acidic. Rinsing with water can dilute acid and wash some of it away. Brushing should be postponed about an hour after an acidic beverage, though, because brushing enamel in a state of weakness can do more harm than good.

Your Westchester, NY dentist is here to support you. Call (914) 939-2132.

Cosmetic Dentist in Westchester NY Shares how Lumineers can Restore Your Smile

Cosmetic dentistry has given hundreds of thousands of patients the ability to completely restore and rejuvenate their smile into the one that they’ve always dreamed of. There are a number of cosmetic procedures available that patients can and have benefitted from. Dentistry as a whole has drastically evolved, allowing patients to keep their natural, but improved smile. With the help of your cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY, patients can receive lumineers, an advanced cosmetic option for your smile.

Lumineers are contact lens-thin and are applied to your teeth by your dentist without the need of grinding or shaving down your natural teeth. They help transform your teeth into a beautiful, natural-looking smile that’s made to fit you! Not only can they be placed over your natural teeth, but they can also be placed over other dental work as well, including bridges and crowns, without having to replace them. There’s no surgery, no pain, just a brand new smile!

While general veneers are also helpful, lumineers have more cosmetic advantages to them. Traditional veneers are usually thicker, which means that your dentist must extensively prepare for this procedure—your natural teeth may have to be reshaped in order for the veneers to fit properly and look naturally. This can result in some discomfort and pain, whereas lumineers eliminates that entire process.

In just 2 to 3 visits, you’ll be able to have the opportunity to have a completely new smile with the help of lumineers that can last for up to 20 years. To learn more about this procedure and what it can do for you, contact your cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY by calling our office at (914) 939-2132 to schedule an appointment or consultation.

Cosmetic Dentist in Westchester NY Shares how Lumineers can Restore Your Smile

Cosmetic dentistry has given hundreds of thousands of patients the ability to completely restore and rejuvenate their smile into the one that they’ve always dreamed of. There are a number of cosmetic procedures available that patients can and have benefitted from. Dentistry as a whole has drastically evolved, allowing patients to keep their natural, but improved smile. With the help of your cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY, patients can receive lumineers, an advanced cosmetic option for your smile.

Lumineers are contact lens-thin and are applied to your teeth by your dentist without the need of grinding or shaving down your natural teeth. They help transform your teeth into a beautiful, natural-looking smile that’s made to fit you! Not only can they be placed over your natural teeth, but they can also be placed over other dental work as well, including bridges and crowns, without having to replace them. There’s no surgery, no pain, just a brand new smile!

While general veneers are also helpful, lumineers have more cosmetic advantages to them. Traditional veneers are usually thicker, which means that your dentist must extensively prepare for this procedure—your natural teeth may have to be reshaped in order for the veneers to fit properly and look naturally. This can result in some discomfort and pain, whereas lumineers eliminates that entire process.

In just 2 to 3 visits, you’ll be able to have the opportunity to have a completely new smile with the help of lumineers that can last for up to 20 years. To learn more about this procedure and what it can do for you, contact your cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY by calling our office at (914) 939-2132 to schedule an appointment or consultation.

Westchester NY Dentist Shows Why Desserts in the Daytime can Harm Your Smile

Having a smile that you’re proud of is something worth sharing—whether you’re at work, at home, or on the go. In order to protect your teeth, you have to make sure that you’re monitoring your diet since you’re the one who’s in control! Sometimes, it’s difficult to ignore particular food items in the workplace, including desserts like cakes and cookies. With the help of your Westchester NY dentist, we’ll explain what “cake culture” is and how it’s damaging adults’ oral and dental health.

In a workplace setting, it’s common for coworkers to bring in desserts to share with everyone! For brithdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations, it’s fun to gather around with your friends and enjoy delicious foods and drinks together. Unfortunately, this can become a bad habit for people who get used to indulging in these sweet treats on a daily basis.

Many adults admit to consuming more sugary items at work than they do at home; whether it’s because they simply don’t buy it at home or aren’t in the mood isn’t specified. But when dessert items are “free” and readily available in your common kitchen area, it’s hard to find a reason to ignore these delicious treats.

There are healthier options that we want our patients to consider when they think about snacking! Instead of bringing in cookies, brownies and the like, try substituting those for fruits and vegetables platters. If you continue to indulge in desserts, you’re more likely to suffer from cavities and tooth decay. Not only will this affect your smile, but your overall health is at risk, as well. Those who are struggling with diets and weight loss may succumb to the tasty, sugary sweets if they’re right in front of you.

Your smile deserves to be taken care of and we’re here to help! Schedule an appointment with your Westchester NY dentist by calling our office at (914) 939-2132.

Defeat Decay With Your Westchester NY Dentist

One of the top causes of issues for not only the patients of your Westchester NY dentist Dr. Fu but of dental patients everywhere is decay. Decay is the number one chronic childhood illness worldwide and can grow worse over time, resulting is disease, structural damage and much more if untreated.

In order to understand more about dental decay, today we will be taking a look at what it is, some ways to prevent it and some facts you may have never considered before about it.

So what is decay?

It is caused by oral bacteria and plaque, a microfilm that builds up on the teeth over time. These issues all usually go hand in hand in the erosion of the enamel, formation of cavities, gum disease and more- and typically stem from two things: diet and regimen.

By eating or drinking too many sugary dietary options, you can be feeding the bad bacteria in your mouth that produce acids. These acids then eat away at the teeth, causing all of the problems listed above and more.

Your at-home oral health regimen plays into this because it is the ultimate way to defeat all of the above factors. By brushing and flossing daily, you can be removing harmful particles between the teeth that can result in plaque, as well eliminating oral bacteria. Make sure to brush twice and floss once daily for at least two minutes per session, while utilizing proper technique, to see the best results.

If you do not choose to brush, floss or eat healthy, dental decay can result in some serious consequences:

• Malnourishment. Bacterial Infections.
• General oral pain that can lead to concentration issues or stress, especially in children.
• Speech impediments or problems eating certain foods.
• A dental disease that could be developed into heart disease, diabetes, stroke and more.
• Ultimately, and unfortunately, we know that many of the above issues lead to death as well- the most severe consequence you can imagine.

Save yourself from bodily harm at the hands of decay by maintaining a proper at-home oral health regimen, eating right and keeping appointments with your dentist in Westchester NY. You can schedule an appointment by calling (914) 939-2132.

Dentist near Greenwich CT Talks about Your Smile Outside of Your Appointment

Making sure that you have a healthy and happy smile is the ultimate goal of your dentist near Greenwich CT. We use a variety of procedures that all patients can benefit from, including children, to make sure that your dental and oral health is the best that it can be. Although we’re attentive and thoroughly clean your teeth during your appointment, we’re not always around to see how you’re keeping up with your dental care. Check out some tips below on what your dentists want patients to know when it comes to their teeth.

Your Smile is Your Own and No One Else’s!

Many patients want to have that celebrity smile that they always see on television, but that’s just not always the case. Every person has a unique smile of their own and your dentist wants to help create the perfect smile that works for you. Even if you receive a complete smile makeover, your teeth won’t look exactly like someone else’s. Your dentist will help you choose the best cosmetic procedures that work for you.

Overlapping Teeth Aren’t the End of the World

Patients aren’t always happy with the way their smile looks if they have some crooked or overlapping teeth. But this is strictly a cosmetic issue and can be easily corrected with different kinds of services that we have at our practice. If you don’t get this corrected, just make sure that you’re properly cleaning them by flossing and brushing to prevent cavities and other issues.

With the help of your dentist near Greenwich CT, we can give you some more tips on how to take care of your smile when you’re not visiting our practice. If you have any questions, call our office at (914) 939-2132 to learn more or to schedule an appointment!

Westchester NY Dentist With Facts that Roll off the Tongue

As a Westchester NY Dentist, Dr. Fu doesn’t only take care of your teeth- he treats and helps with the health of your whole mouth! Your oral cavity is a highly integrated system that aids in the essential tasks of speech and eating/swallowing, and if one small area is impacted- the whole thing can be. With that in mind, today we will be sharing with you a few interesting facts about the often overlooked, but never underused portions of your mouth known as the tongue and the taste buds!

• Different areas of the tongue sense different tastes. Various spots across the tongue sense sweet, sour, salty, bitter and savory all differently. The sides of the tongue are usually more sensitive and the back of the tongue is more reactive to a bitter sensation.
• The average human tongue is 3 inches long. It is measured from the tip to a piece of cartilage at the back of the tongue, called the epiglottis. Men usually have longer tongues than a woman, at 3.3 inches compared to 3.1. The record for the longest tongue in the world, which doesn’t actually belong to Gene Simmons, is held by an American man with a tongue that is 3.1 inches!\
• Your tongue is an amalgamation of different muscles- not just one! It has 8 different muscles altogether that intertwine and work together. It is also the only muscle that works away from the skeleton!
• Your tongue says a lot about your health. Either we or a physician can identify issues such as vitamin deficiencies, oral cancer, diabetes, yeast infections, scarlet fever and more just be looking at the appearance of your tongue.
• Average adult tongues have between 2000 and 4000 taste buds covering them. The cells within the taste bud responsible for how we perceive tastes can renew themselves every week!

For more information on how your tongue and taste buds play into your overall oral health, or to have us examine them for you, schedule an appointment with your Westchester NY dentist today by calling (914) 939-2132.

Greenwich CT Cosmetic Dentist Shows how to Protect Your Teeth from Sugar Cravings

Having a sweet tooth can be enjoyable, but it can also be extremely dangerous to your teeth. Treats, chocolates, desserts and candies are tasty and delicious, usually accompanied after a dinner, and can satisfy your craving. But your Greenwich CT cosmetic dentist wants all patients, young and old, to know why it’s important to curb your sweet tooth so you can protect your smile no matter what!

Even if you’re not consuming a lot of sweets and desserts, your diet could still be full of sugary foods and drinks that you enjoy on a daily basis. We want to help you fight your sugar intake, so we’ll be discussing some tips that can help your teeth and your overall health, as well.

Check the Labels
If you’re trying to protect your teeth from the craving of sugar, it’s important to check as many labels as you can. Although it may seem tedious, your health will thank you! There are constantly products that add unnecessary sugar (like bread and condiments), so notice the everyday food items that you consume on a daily basis.

Don’t be Tempted
Sweets are always tempting, no matter what age you are! It’s harder for some more than others, but most people have a difficult time ignoring harmful treats since they’re easily accessible. This goes for bags of chips, small candies, and other equally easy snacks. If you’re one to eat in between meals, try to bring in your own healthy snacks like assorted fruits and vegetables.

Cut it Out – Completely!
Some of the best advice that people can follow who enjoy too much sugar is to cut it out of your diet completely. Sugary foods and drinks, whether they’re specified as candy or not, can be difficult to limit, so it may be easier to remove it altogether. Sugar can be extremely addicting, so elimination can be the key.

Taming your sweet tooth can be tough, but your Greenwich CT cosmetic dentist knows that you can do it for the sake of your smile! To continue keeping your teeth healthy and strong, schedule an appointment with our office today by calling (914) 939-2132.