Bernstein Dental Care: Blog

Have you recently had a cold drink ruined by a sensation of shooting pain in your teeth? It could be eroded enamel. We hope that all our patients at Bernstein Dental Care in Bay Ridge are enjoying summer treats, but if they’re suffering from tooth sensitivity, we can help. The pulp chambers inside our teeth are highly sensitive. They are surrounded by dentin, a hard substance made up of tubules that easily conduct heat. Dentin is a greyish-yellow color, and although it is normally shielded by a crown’s hard enamel, it can be visible when enamel is thin. Enamel may be worn down by mechanical processes if there is a problem with the patient’s bite or if the patient is grinding their teeth, but in most cases of sensitivity, enamel has been eroded by acid. The most common source of acid is bacteria that consume food debris, although it may also be regurgitated from the stomach. Tooth roots are surrounded by a thin substance called cementum. If the gums have receded enough for the cementum ...

At Dr. Paul Bernstein’s Bay Ridge dental office, we assist patients suffering from jaw pain and teeth grinding as a result of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Night guards are a simple solution to both teeth grinding and throat obstructions, but they require daily maintenance to prevent bacterial build-up. There are cleaning solutions approved for night guards by the American Dental Association, and anti-bacterial soap works well, too. But most night guard manufacturers still recommend brushing it daily after removing it in the morning. Patients should take care to avoid using a hard-bristled toothbrush (which isn’t appropriate for anything dental-related) and to not use a cleaning solution that is reinforced with minerals for teeth. Extra fluoride could scratch the night guard, creating a home for bacteria. The water should also be room-temperature to eliminate the risk of warping. The biggest difference between cleaning a night guard and a denture is that dentures should alway...

It’s October, and that means its National Dental Hygiene Month. While most people know that brushing and flossing are essential to good health, they may be rusty in their technique. We at Bernstein Dental Care in Bay Ridge thought the beginning of the holiday season would be an appropriate time to remind our patients. From the time a baby’s first tooth begins to erupt, peoples’ teeth should be brushed twice a day. (People with removable dentures should also brush their gums.) People using manual toothbrushes should brush for two minutes each time. When brushing the fronts of the teeth, use a side-to-side motion, but don’t skip over the parts near the gum line. When brushing the backs, use a vertical motion with each tooth. Floss by sliding the strand all the way down each side of each tooth, including the backsides of the back teeth. Pull the strand up with a sweeping motion to catch more plaque. A Waterpik is also an acceptable way of cleaning between teeth, but there are other means ...

Which dental hygiene products are best for a patient will vary according to their needs. At Bernstein Dental Care in Bay Ridge, we are attentive to all our patients’ unique challenges, which is why we want to help people choose between electric and manual toothbrushes. An electric toothbrush makes thousands of strokes per minute. A manual toothbrush can only make dozens. This means there is a greater risk of overbrushing with electric toothbrushes, but they are much easier to use for people with compromised motor skills. Studies have shown that the two kinds of toothbrushes are equally good at preventing decay when used properly, but to use a manual toothbrush properly, patients must brush for two full minutes per session. Brushing thoroughly is of little use if the patient frequently misses spots. Some newer electric toothbrushes are also compatible with apps that inform a user of when they’re skipping over tooth surfaces. Versions of the apps for children include video games which pr...