Bernstein Dental Care: Blog

At Bernstein Dental Care in Bay Ridge, we’ve saved many peoples’ teeth over the years. However, there are times when extractions are the more practical approach, and to help patients to understand their options, we wanted to explain why that might be. The most common reason for extractions is overcrowding. The wisdom teeth, the molars furthest in back, are large and do not usually erupt until the patient is in their late teens. This is a problem because major orthodontic correction works best in children and young teenagers but wisdom teeth threaten to undo orthodontic work while getting stuck and creating a trap for bacteria. The upper canine teeth and incisors next to them can also get stuck, and while orthodontic work is used to guide them into position in teenagers, this may not be possible for adults or doable within a particular timeframe. Teeth may also need to be extracted in cases of infection. While root canals remove infected pulp, an infection may return if the tooth had hi...

Healthy gums are firm and pale pink in color. If your gums are any other color besides this, it’s time to visit Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care to get your periodontal health in good shape. Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums and commonly occurs due to a lack of oral hygiene habits. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance into a more aggressive form of periodontal disease. Symptoms of gingivitis include red, puffy, and tender gums. The longer plaque sits on the teeth, the more likely a patient is to develop this condition. To avoid gingivitis, the best thing to do is to brush at least twice a day for two minutes, and floss at least once a day. Also, don’t forget to visit us twice a year for professional cleanings and oral exams. The good news about gingivitis is that it’s reversible. All it takes is a good week of consistent flossing and you should notice less pink (blood) in the sink. If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease or gingivit...

When the gums begin to pull away from the teeth this is usually a symptom of gingivitis that has been left untreated for too long. Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease, where a patient may notice blood in the sink when they brush and floss. Gingivitis can be reversed through proper flossing and adequate oral hygiene habits, but if it’s not treated properly, it can advance to periodontitis, which Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care will need to take extra steps to treat. Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and bone that supports the tooth. All forms of periodontal disease are problematic, but because this is considered the second stage of gum disease, the patient suffering from this condition will need a deep cleaning of the gums. Scaling and root planing is a common method of treatment for periodontitis. It’s important to remember that periodontal disease is preventable, which is why Dr. Bernstein encourages all patients to brus...

At Bernstein Dental Care in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge neighborhood, our patients can count on us for their urgent dental needs. Make no mistake: if a permanent tooth has come loose, the need for repair is urgent, and the problem will only get worse without intervention. Loose teeth are the result of trauma to the gum and jaw bone structures. Primary occlusal trauma is the term used to describe damage from stress, such as night-time teeth grinding or violence. Secondary occlusal trauma occurs when a gum infection has eroded significant gum and bone tissue. Secondary occlusal trauma is more common, but primary occlusal trauma is a major reason why bruxism needs to be prevented. The teeth depend on each other to reinforce the jaw bone. The loss of one tooth root destabilizes the others, causing them to come loose, as well. This effect is even worse if the loose tooth is a molar and the patient attempts to compensate by chewing with their front teeth. The front teeth do not have the support to ...

In the earliest stage of periodontal disease – gingivitis – you may not be aware of the problem until your gums become inflamed and it hurts to brush and floss your teeth. Healthy gums are firm and pale pink in color, so if yours are anything but, it might be time to visit Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care. When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease. When periodontitis becomes aggressive, this can lead to a serious infection that destroys the bone that supports the teeth. This can eventually lead to tooth loss if the patient doesn’t treat this condition right away. Like gingivitis, periodontitis begins with plaque – a sticky invisible film that forms on your teeth and causes decay – and the best form of prevention is to practice proper oral hygiene. In addition to brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day you should be visiting Dr. Paul Bernstein of Bernstein Dental Care to improve the...

A toothbrush, floss, and mouthwash are the three essentials you’ll need in your home to combat the first stage of gum disease, also known as gingivitis. Studies show that an estimated three out of four American adults suffer from this condition, though all you need to do to prevent it is practice proper oral care. Dr. Paul Bernstein would like to explain what happens to the teeth when gingivitis sets in and encourages you to brush your teeth twice a day, floss at least once a day, and use an antiseptic mouthwash to protect your teeth and gums.  You should also visit us twice a year for routine cleanings. Gingivitis develops when plaque is not removed after consuming carbohydrates. If you don’t brush your teeth properly, bacteria from plaque can cause the gums to be inflamed and bleed easily when you do decide to brush your teeth. There are a number of factors that can contribute to gingivitis, but smoking, diabetes, poor nutrition, and especially poor oral hygiene habits are the primar...