Bernstein Dental Care: Blog

Canker sores are small, shallow ulcers that appear in your mouth and make it difficult for you to eat and talk. The cause of canker sores isn't known although stress is thought to trigger the ulcers. Canker sores are circular and are usually white or gray with a red edge. When possible, we encourage our patients to avoid foods that have citrus and acidic. Some foods to avoid when you have an ulcer include lemons, oranges, apples, and tomatoes. When you have canker sores, it can extremely painful on the inside of your cheeks. You may feel a burning sensation that makes it difficult to eat and drink. Some symptoms that you may have a canker While there is no exact cure for canker sores, If you do get a canker sores, we encourage you to rinse your mouth out with hot salt water a couple times a couple of times a day to help with recovery. If you still have a canker sore after 1-2 weeks we advise you to make an appointment with us at Bernstein Dental Care. Dr. Paul Bernstein runs Bernst...

If you have a fear of going to the dentist or dentist working on your teeth, you likely suffer from dental phobia. Dental phobia affects a lot of people with about 9% to 15% of people avoiding the dentist because of it. Going to the dentist can be a traumatic experience if you suffer from dental phobia. Our doctors at Bernstein Dental Care, we want our patients to be comfortable when they visit us. Patients who avoid going to the dentist are at a great risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Some signs that you might have dental phobia include tense or nervousness, sleepless nights before the dentist, and the thought of the dentist makes you feel sick. If you experience sickness or nervousness before your appointment, please give us a call. We encourage our patients to ask us questions before your appointment so we can make you feel more comfortable. Your health is the most important thing to us. Dr. Paul Bernstein runs Bernstein Dental Care at 350 91 st  St, Suite 1C, Brooklyn...

Your wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that emerge. When they emerge, they will either come in naturally or crowd your gums. If your wisdom teeth protrude your gums, they need to be extracted at your local dentist. At Bernstein Dental Care, we can tell you if your wisdom teeth need to be removed through routine x-rays. In most cases, wisdom teeth will grow in on an angle which can cause crowding for your teeth and possible damage to your jawbone or nerves. Wisdom teeth that develop that only partially impact your gums increases the chance for bacteria to build which leads to more cavities and gum disease. If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain or there appears to be an infection, please give us a call. We can schedule your appointment for x-rays and have your wisdom teeth removed in no time. The sooner you remove your wisdom teeth, the less shifting the rest of your mouth will do. Dr. Paul Bernstein runs Bernstein Dental Care at 350 91 st  St, Suite 1C, Brooklyn, New York, 11...

At Bernstein Dental Care, we advise our patients to change their toothbrush every 3-4 months or when their bristles become worn down and split. Overtime, toothbrushes become less effective the more they are used which means your teeth aren’t being cleaned as effectively as they should be. When buying a new toothbrush, you should consider how well you brush your teeth and for how long before deciding. Traditional toothbrushes work fine as long as you brush for a full two minutes. For patients who tend to brush for less than two minutes, we encourage you to get an electric toothbrush. Electric bristle’s rotate to help you remove plaque from your teeth and gums more effectively. The most important thing to us is that you brush twice a day to keep your teeth clean. We also advise our patients who haven’t had a cleaning in the last 6 months make an appointment with us to ensure your teeth are healthy. Dr. Paul Bernstein runs Bernstein Dental Care at 350 91 st  St, Suite 1C, Brooklyn, New Yo...

At Bernstein Dental Care,  LLC we advise our patients to practice good oral hygiene for their baby’s teeth. Before your baby’s teeth come in, we encourage you to clean your baby’s gums with a warm cloth to clean off excess food and to keep their gums clean. Once your children’s teeth begin to develop, you should clean them by applying a dab of toothpaste to a soft bristled toothbrush. Preventing cavities is important because their baby teeth act as placeholders for permanent teeth. We recommend to all of our parents to install good dental hygiene habits in their teeth when they are young to install good habits. Remember to brush or wipe your baby’s teeth after every meal to prevent tooth decay. When tooth decay forms, it can lead to gum disease and then gingivitis which can cause spacing problems for their permanent teeth. The younger children learn to brush and clean their teeth, the more likely they are to have a lifetime of healthy teeth. Don’t forget to schedule your baby’s first c...

At Bernstein Dental Care, LLC we use digital radiography to take x-rays instead of traditional photographic film. Digital x-rays are more efficient by bypassing chemical processing and it allows us to transfer and view the photos of your mouth faster. Digital radiography uses 80% less radiation than traditional films. At our practice, your health is the most important thing to us. When our patients have a dental issue, digital x-rays help us to identify any dental problems you may be having. They allow us to detect bone loss, tumors, infections in the tooth nerve, tooth decay, and other abnormalities. Digital radiography is the safest and most effective way to get pictures of your teeth. With the ability to enhance image quality, we are able to fix your dental issues efficiently. If you are experiencing pain in your teeth, please give us a call. Digital X-Rays will help us diagnose the source of the issue so we can treat it. Dr. Paul Bernstein runs Bernstein Dental Care at 350 91 st  S...

Mouth guards are designed to prevent structural damage to your teeth and jaw during contact sports. Our doctors at Bernstein Dental Care, LLC encourages our patients who play contact sports to wear mouth guards. Studies have shown mouth guards to decrease the risk of concussions and increase your safety while playing sports. There are a couple of ways you can purchase mouth guards for yourself or your children. Most sporting goods stores sell mouth guards but they don’t fit custom to your mouth. These mouth guards are generally one size fits all or on a small, medium, or large scale. We advise our patients who are considering a mouth guard to make an appointment with your dentist. Custom mouth guards are the most comfortable and offer the most protection for your mouth. Custom mouth guards will allow you to breathe easy and talk with no restrictions. Don’t forget to make an appointment with your dentist for your custom mouth guard. Protecting your teeth during sports is essential to yo...

Sealants are a plastic coating on the chewing surfaces of the molar to prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children. Sealants have shown to reduce the risk of tooth decay by nearly 80% in molars, making them a great investment for your children’s oral health going forward. At Bernstein Dental Care, LLC we know it can be hard to clean between every nook and cranny of your teeth which is why we advise our younger patients to get sealants. To apply the sealants to your molars, an adhesive is applied with a liquid that is painted right on your tooth. The liquid than hardens and creates barrier between your tooth and any plaque or bacteria that can be damaging to your teeth. Sealants can last for up to 10 years and are replaceable when then they need to be. Sealants aren’t a substitute for brushing and flossing but it is a great addition to keeping your molar’s healthy and clean. Dr. Paul Bernstein runs Bernstein Dental Care at 350 91 st  St, Suite 1C, ...

It can be difficult to keep your teeth white and sparkly. As you age, your teeth naturally begin to lose their lackluster. Cigarettes and coffee are also infamous for staining teeth. Foods that are high in tannic acids, like grapes and tea, are also good at staining. If you are worried that your teeth might be losing their dazzle, contact Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care LLC. We offer teeth whitening services to our patients.   If cutting back on foods and drinks that stain your teeth isn’t helping, a little extra help might be needed. At your appointment with Dr. Bernstein, you can discuss various whitening options. The most commonly used teeth whitening system is a take-home whitening system. Dr. Bernstein will take an impression of your teeth. This will be used to create your personalized teeth whitening trays. This tray is safe for the bleaching and can be used for a week. At your own home, you will insert whitening gel into the tray. Then you will place the tray onto yo...

A soft tissue graft is similar to a bone graft. The soft tissue graft restores gum recession in specific areas of the mouth. This gum recession can be caused by a variety of factors, the largest being poor oral health or gingivitis. Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care LLC, located in Brooklyn, NY., offers soft tissue grafts. If you are interested or think you might need a soft tissue graft, contact us for an appointment.   In the beginning, a slight gum recession can easily be reversed. It is caused by a lack of proper oral health. Making sure you brush twice a day and floss at least once a day can fix this. It’s also important to make sure that you are visiting the dentist twice a year for your checkups. When the gingiva continues to recede is when it becomes a problem. This recession will open up your mouth to greater risk of infection and bacterial penetration. You might notice that you are more sensitive to hot and colds foods too. If the gums recede so much that the roots ...

If you wake up with a sore jaw in the morning or feel like your jaw is lopsided when you bite down, then you might need an occlusal adjustment. An occlusal adjustment corrects the alignment of your bite and teeth. It is a relatively painless procedure. Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care LLC offers occlusal adjustments to our patients.   Your jaw can become misaligned due to loose, shifting, crowded, or missing teeth. This destroys the even distribution of pressure in your mouth. Once unbalanced, too much pressure is put on one side of the mouth and not enough on the other. This is what causes pain and discomfort. The best candidates for occlusal adjustments are those with loose or shifting teeth. Patients who clench or grind their teeth can also benefit from an occlusal adjustment. Occasionally this corrects teeth sensitivity as well.   At your appointment with Dr. Bernstein, he will use a computer scan of your mouth to identify areas that need adjustment. He does this by taki...

Porcelain veneers, or dental veneers, are a cosmetic procedure for helping you achieve the smile that you deserve. These thin durable shells go over your natural teeth, essentially replacing them. At Bernstein Dental Care LLC, located in Brooklyn, NY., Dr. Paul R. Bernstein, D.D.S., is dedicated to giving you the smile you’ve always wanted. Dental veneers can correct problems such as stained, misaligned, chipped, and broken teeth. It can also help with gaps or spaces between teeth.   The complete veneer process takes between 2-3 appointments with Dr. Bernstein. At your first appointment or consultation, you will discuss what you want your veneers to achieve. There are many different options and choices when it comes to veneers. It is recommended that you do some individual research before your appointment. That way, you’ll have a better idea of what it is you want. The two major choices for veneers are shape and color. In terms of shape, there are rounded veneers and square veneers. So...

Endodontics is the dental specialty concerning the nerves of the teeth. The most common of these procedures are root canals. These are needed when the tooth becomes infected, usually in the root of the teeth where the nerves are located. If left untreated, an infection can turn into an abscess, causing serious medical consequences. At Bernstein Dental Care LLC, located in Brooklyn, NY., Dr. Paul R. Bernstein provides root canal and endodontic services.   During the procedure, Dr. Bernstein and his staff will numb the infected tooth and area with a local anesthetic. Once the area has been sufficiently numbed, the drilling will begin. Dr. Bernstein will use a drill to go down into the tooth and create an opening into the canal. This allows him to dispose of infected tissue and clean the area. Afterward, a sealant is used to fill the hole and a crown is placed on the tooth.   Remember to listen and follow any and all instructions given to you by Dr. Bernstein and our staff. In modern soci...

If a tooth starts to decay or weaken, a crown will be needed to keep the tooth healthy. As we age, our teeth begin to naturally decay, crack, and discolor. Dr. Paul R. Bernstein, D.D.S. can help. At Bernstein Dental Care LLC of Brooklyn, NY., we offer dental crowns and other dental services. If you are in need of a dental crown, don’t hesitate to contact us.   The majority of crowns are made from porcelain, due to the natural look and feel of the crown. Gold crowns and porcelain fused to metal crowns are also available. The porcelain crowns are practically unnoticeable once placed. There’s no need to feel self-conscious or worry about a dental crown negatively affecting your smile.   The crowning process takes between 2-3 visits with Dr. Bernstein. The first visit will partake of the tooth being reshaped. This is done by filing down the enamel for placement. A local anesthetic is used to prevent pain or discomfort. Upon finishing, a mold or impression will be made of the tooth and surr...

A bone graft is a dental procedure that is needed when a patients jawbone isn't able to support a dental implant or restorative device. It also repairs botched implant sites, structural damage, gum disease, and injuries. The bone graft, once placed and healed, strengthens the jaw for other procedures. Dr. Paul R. Bernstein, of Bernstein Dental Care LLC in Brooklyn, offers bone grafting services.   An implant or replacement tooth can’t be placed if the jaw is not large enough or strong enough. With the majority of cases, this is caused by missing teeth. Teeth are needed to keep the bone and tissue strong. Without it, the jaw bone will disintegrate. An x-ray will allow us to see the state and size of the remaining bone. This lets Dr. Bernstein evaluate and decide if a bone graft is necessary. If so, the bone will either be taken from another area of the mouth or received from a tissue bank.   At the procedure, you will be placed under general anesthesia. A cut or incision will be mad...

At Bernstein Dental Care, Dr. Paul Bernstein, DDS performs root canals to save and repair teeth that are badly damaged or infected.  A root canal procedure involves removing any inflamed or infected tissue, and thoroughly cleaning the root canal system.  In most root canal cases, the tooth heals and doesn’t require further treatment. When an infection won’t go away or the canals become re-infected, Dr. Paul Bernstein can perform an apicoectomy. An apicoectomy removes damaged tissue and seals a tooth’s root from any further infections.  The procedure involves a small incision in the gums, followed by removal of any infected tissue and finally the end of the root tip itself.  A root-end filling is placed there to act as a seal, preventing reinfection. The gum is sutured, and most patients only feel slight discomfort or swelling during healing.  If you have a tooth infection lingering after a root canal gone wrong, please contact us to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about t...

Dr. Paul Bernstein and the staff of Bernstein Dental Care encourage all our patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for regular professional cleanings.  During the holidays, we want everyone looking forward to the New Year and maintaining great oral hygiene!  However much you brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional.  It’s important to see a professional regularly not just to clean your teeth, but also to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, a hygienist thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your tee...

Smoking will exacerbate any respiratory condition, and it is proven to cause snoring and lead to obstructive sleep apnea.  Patients struggling with sleep apnea should see Dr. Paul Bernstein and the staff of Bernstein Dental Care for evaluation. We can help patients find relief from sleep apnea with a snore guard, but quitting smoking is up to you! Smoking causes upper airway inflammation, meaning the swelling causes the airway to narrow and disrupts the flow of air to the nasal passage and throat.  This causes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.  Cigarettes are highly addictive, and some smokers seek treatment for sleep apnea like a snore guard or CPAP machine, but continue to smoke. Smoking with sleep apnea not only puts more stress on the heart every day, but negates any treatment a sleep apnea patient is undergoing. Habitual smokers may feel relaxed by one last cigarette for the day, but it actually creates more complications for restful sleep. Smokers can experience nicotine withd...

Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care replaces teeth and restores patient smiles with dental implants. Implants are a permanent restorative option for teeth that are missing or have been extracted.  They look and feel like natural teeth, and are the most permanent and efficient means of replacing lost teeth. Implants are titanium screws inserted into the jaw bone. Over a period of 3-6 months, the jaw bone heals around the implant to become a solid, stable base for the new tooth. During this time a patient is fitted with a temporary crown, and a custom crown is created to match their smile perfectly. After the jaw bone and gums have healed appropriately, the custom crown is placed in a second appointment. Sometimes, the doctor may need to expose the head of the implant in a second minor surgery.  When everything is healed, the crown will be screwed or cemented to the top of the implant.  When this is complete the tooth looks like part of the natural smile, and with proper care wil...

Visiting the dentist is not always a calm task, which is why some people tend to avoid the office like a plague. If the idea of going to the dentist for a procedure brings on feelings of fear or anxiety, Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care wants to help take the edge off, which is why he is happy to discuss anxiolysis sedation during your initial consultation or dental appointment. There are several reasons that sedation dentistry might be considered. One example is that you may find that you are overly stressed about a procedure and this could cause you to feel fidgety in the dental chair. Depending on the severity of your anxiety, this can make it hard for the dental professional to do their job. Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care utilizes anxiolysis sedation at his dental practice, where the patient is in a drug-induced state during which he or she may respond normally to verbal commands. If you have questions or concerns regarding sedation dentistry, please give us...