Bernstein Dental Care: Blog

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...

Bad habits are hard to break. When it comes to your teeth, habits such as biting your nails, using your teeth as tools, and brushing aggressively will do more harm to your teeth than good. Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care is here to encourage patients to break these bad habits. Additional tasks that harm your teeth are listed below. If one or more seems all too familiar, schedule a consultation today. You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result. You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will cause you pain. You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown...

You’re having a meal with your friends when suddenly a piece of pesky steak gets stuck between your back molars. Neither of you has floss and now are you stuck with leftover food particles in your teeth. Floss does more than removing leftovers, it prevents against periodontal disease by keeping the gums healthy. Next time you break out that fabulous floss, Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care recommends using this technique. Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. ...

Bad breath, medically termed halitosis, affects an estimated 25% of Americans. It’s one thing to have bad breath after eating onions and garlic, but it’s another to have persistent bad breath that is diminishing your confidence. If you have bad breath, review your oral hygiene habits. If poor oral hygiene isn’t the cause, Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care will need to see you for a consultation to rule out any underlying conditions. The specific odor of bad breath may vary depending on the cause though most types are considered to be fairly normal. The best way to prevent bad breath is to keep your mouth as clean as possible after consuming a meal. Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to remove food particles that have been left behind. Additionally, you should visit our office twice a year for routine cleanings to ensure that your dental health is in a good stance. If you are concerned about bad breath, please give us a call to discuss your treatment opti...

Your toothbrush is the ultimate weapon to fight against periodontal disease, cavities, and tooth decay – but are you using it properly? Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care knows that patients have been brushing their teeth since they learned how, but they might be surprised to learn that they are brushing incorrectly. Next time you brush your teeth, try utilizing these tips if you aren’t already. Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums. Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria. If you have questions or concerns about oral hygiene, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide, visit  www.bernsteindentalcare.com  for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Paul Ber...