Post-Op Tooth Extraction Care

There are many reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted. Tooth decay, gum disease, or even for orthodontic purposes name a few. After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches and you will need to follow strict instructions that Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office will give you. After the surgery, you will need to rest and you should expect the extraction site to bleed a little following extraction. In addition, here are a few things to remember during post-op care.

If bleeding continues for longer than 24 hours you should call our office immediately. Once you return home after the surgery you should rest, but do not lie flat. This could prolong the bleeding. One of our doctors will prescribe you pain medication, as well as cleaning solution for the extraction site, so if you become sore take as directed. It’s important to limit yourself to soft foods such as gelatin, pudding, yogurt, mashed potatoes, etc. so that the stitches are not punctured. When drinking, make sure you do not use a straw, because the sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process.

If you are experiencing tooth discomfort or have questions about post-op aftercare, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Dental Anxiety in Patients

It is one thing for anxiety to affect your daily relationships, but when it starts to impact your overall health then it becomes a problem. Dental anxiety, or dental phobia, is much more serious than just getting sweating palms and sleepless nights before an appointment – it’s a paralyzing fear of dentists or dental treatment. Luckily Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro has the tools, techniques, and gentle touch to help make regular dental visits as comfortable as possible for you.

The key to coping with dental anxiety is to discuss your fears with your dentist. Once your dentist knows what your fears are, he or she will better be able to work with you to determine the best ways to make you less anxious and more relaxed. In addition, ask your dentist what’s happening at every stage of the procedure. This way you can mentally prepare for what’s to come.

If you suffer from dental anxiety, give us a call so we ease your fear. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Extraction Site Preservation

When removing a tooth, it is important to consider what will be done with the empty space after that tooth is removed. Wisdom teeth are in the back of the mouth so that site has the ability to heal on its own with no complications. However, if it is necessary for Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro to remove another tooth, plans must be made and this is where extraction site preservation comes into play.

If a tooth is removed and nothing is done with the extraction site, the jaw bone will degenerate and change shape during healing. This can cause teeth to shift and can create problems in your bite that can affect the ability to speak and chew. Just imagine chewing food with no teeth and how uncomfortable that would feel. Options for filling the space include dental implants and bridges. What you choose to do with your extraction site is your choice, and Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro is always open to a conversation on what to do with your extraction site before removing a tooth.

If you’ve recently had teeth extracted and have questions about the site preservation process, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Do You Need a Night Guard?

During the day, a person who is concentrating on a task will often place his or her teeth together and apply force through a contraction of the jaw muscles. This is commonly associated with the daytime tasks of lifting heavy objects, driving, reading, and writing. During sleep, it presents as clenching and rhythmic contractions. If you frequently wake up with a sore jaw, a dull headache or tooth pain, you may want to ask Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro if you are suffering from a condition called sleep bruxism.

Bruxism can erode enamel, making your teeth vulnerable to tooth sensitivity. The best way to protect your teeth and prevent tooth wear and fracture is to wear an occlusal appliance, such as a night guard. Here at the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro we can provide you with a custom night guard. Wearing a custom night guard provides a tough protective layer between your teeth which prevents the destruction of your irreplaceable tooth enamel which also cushioning your jaws to ease daily muscle pain.

If you are waking up every morning with pain around the cheeks, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Oral Cancer Facts

Oral cancer is a malignant growth that affects any part of the oral cavity, including the lips, upper or lower jaw, tongue, gums, cheeks, and throat. Anyone can get oral cancer, but the risk is higher if you are male, over age 40, use tobacco or alcohol or have a history of head or neck cancer. Understanding the causative factors of cancer will contribute to the prevention of the disease. Your health is important to us and you should schedule regular dental checkups with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro to detect oral cancer early when it is the easiest to treat.

The most common symptom of oral cancer is a sore in the mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal. Another common sign of oral cancer is developing pain in the mouth that does not go away. In New York, NY, Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro can examine the mouth and throat as part of a routine checkup if you are concerned about developing oral cancer. During regular checkups, abnormal tissue changes and oral cancer can be detected at its earliest stage when there is a greater chance for a cure.

If you have questions about oral cancer don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

When is Crown Lengthening Required?

Sometimes, not enough of the tooth sticks out above the gum to support a filling or a dental crown. When this happens, crown lengthening is often required in preparing your tooth for the crown. Dental crown lengthening is a type of oral surgery that is necessary if you have a broken or decayed tooth at the gum line. However, there is no need to go to an oral surgeon because Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro provides the service at his dental practice.

Crown lengthening procedures are done for restorative dentistry and/or to improve the esthetics of your smile. To place a filling or a crown, Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro needs to expose more of the tooth and crown lengthening will be necessary. Sometimes patients have what is considered a “gummy smile” when the teeth appear short and crown lengthening can be done to several teeth or your entire gum line to improve it, depending on your specific needs.

To learn about how the crown lengthening procedure is done, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Flossing with Braces

As Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro will tell you, flossing can be difficult when you have traditional metal braces, but it’s more important than ever to keep the gaps in your teeth clean when you have a mouth full of metal. Many folks who have braces don’t know how to floss with them or think that they can’t floss at all if they have braces and this is not true. Therefore, we thought we would share some tips with you for flossing effectively in addition to keeping those brackets and wires clean.

• Use waxed floss because unwaxed floss is more likely to get caught and shred in your braces.


• Use about 18 inches of floss and thread it carefully.


• Take the floss and gently thread it under the main wire of the braces before passing it between two teeth. Then remove the floss and re-thread it under the main wire to pass between the next pair of teeth.


• Be sure not to snap the floss. Simply move the floss up and down carefully against the side of each tooth.

If you have questions about oral care, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Brushing with Braces

If you have braces, your oral hygiene routine should be accelerating into overdrive. The reason for this is that braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped, and inadequate cleaning while wearing these wires can cause enamel staining and tooth decay around brackets or bands. At the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, he and our staff can’t stand behind you to monitor how you often you brush, but we can recommend the following routine to help make daily brushing and flossing with braces both simple and effective.

• Prepare to brush – take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.


• Clean your braces – use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush the top of each wire and then from the bottom. Take time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed.


• Brush your teeth – clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.

Last but not least, don’t forget to floss in between brackets!

If you have questions about oral care, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Sedation Dentistry: Nitrous Oxide

Some people would rather endure the agony of a toothache rather than step foot in a dentist’s office, while others simply desire relaxation during an appointment. Nitrous oxide, sometimes called “laughing gas,” is one option Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro may offer to patients to help make them more comfortable during certain procedures. If you are a candidate for sedation, our staff is here to make you feel as calm and comfortable as possible.

Nitrous oxide is the most commonly used form of sedation dentistry. It is a safe and effective sedative agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose. It is not intended to put you to sleep. Therefore, you will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro may have for you. When nitrous oxide is being administered you will breathe normally through your nose and within a few short minutes begin to feel the effects.

If you have questions about our sedation options, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Defining Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax, and central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Here at the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in New York, NY, we may suggest oral surgery to assist with sleep apnea, depending on the severity of the condition.

When obstructive sleep apnea occurs, the muscles relax, your airway narrows or closes as you breathe in, and you can’t get an adequate breath in. Your brain senses this inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep so you can reopen your airway. You may make a snorting, choking or gasping sound. When central sleep apnea occurs, you may awaken with shortness of breath or have a difficult time getting to sleep or staying asleep. Like with obstructive sleep apnea, snoring and daytime sleepiness can occur. Regardless of the type you have, it’s best to explore your treatment options.

If you sleep apnea is a concern of yours, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Rotary Endodontics for Smoother Root Canals

Root canal therapy has had a bad reputation in the past; however, thanks to new technology, the process is now quieter, quicker, and less uncomfortable. Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS of New York, NY uses rotary endodontics in our office to provide his patients with quick and easy root canals.

In the past, a manual file was used to perform root canal therapy. Rotary endodontics uses an electric drill that has a much more flexible file made of titanium alloy. The flexibility allows the dentist to go further into the root without stretching or damaging the canal. This means a more comfortable experience for the patient during and after the procedure. Rotary endodontics is also much quieter than the manual files of the past, so patients who are nervous about hearing the drilling can feel more at ease. Rotary endodontics also makes the process of a root canal quicker, a clear benefit for both the patient and the dentist.

The latest technology allows us to perform dental procedures more accurately and comfortable. That is why we have implemented rotary endodontics into our practice. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS in our New York, NY office, call us at (212) 988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com. 

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a necessary procedure when dental work needs to be completed under the gumline. Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS offers crown lengthening here at his New York, NY dental office. Keep reading to learn more about the procedure.

Sometimes tooth decay can extend below the gum line and fillings need to be placed there. Other times a tooth may be broken off below the gumline, and there is not enough of the tooth above the gumline to place a restoration on it. Other times, a patient may have excess gum tissue that covers up part of their tooth. For these cases, a crown lengthening can be performed. Gum tissue is removed so that more of the tooth’s crown (the part of the tooth visible outside the gums) is exposed.

Even if only one tooth needs to be worked on, multiple teeth will have their crowns lengthened so that the gums can heal in a natural line. First, an incision is made and the gums are pulled back. To work on the tooth, sometimes some bone around the tooth roots will also need to be removed so if needed, the bone will be removed at this time. The area is then cleaned and the gums are stitched into their new place.

Crown lengthening can save a tooth or make a smile more appealing. To learn more or to schedule an appointment in our New York, NY dental office, call (212) 988-1089 or visit Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro’s website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com. 

Necessary Tooth Extractions

Although permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime, having a tooth pulled is sometimes necessary. At the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, our staff would like you to know that before the doctor considers tooth extraction, every effort will be made to try to repair and restore it.  You’re probably most familiar with wisdom teeth extractions, but other necessary reasons for the removal procedure may include:

• Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible.


• Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


• Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore, will require extraction.

If you have a tooth that is causing you pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Different Levels of Gum Disease

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three stages that you should be aware of. The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If caught early enough, it can be reversed. However, if your gum disease gets out of control it can turn into periodontitis which may eventually lead to tooth loss. It is important to schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro twice a year to avoid this condition. 

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you experience gum inflammation, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Diet for TMJ Disorder

TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder is a pain or malfunction at the point where the jawbone is attached. TMJ can have many symptoms, from clicking, to locking of the jaw, to a headache, earache, or even a feeling of tiredness in the face. Because TMJ affects the chewing muscles, the condition may worsen when eating certain foods. This is why at the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in New York, NY the doctor suggests incorporating softer foods into your diet to alleviate symptoms.

We know that giving up certain foods is easier said than done, but you may need to try eliminating certain culprits from your diet if this decreases your problems with TMJ. To lessen pain and other symptoms associated with this condition, avoid eating hard foods, crunchy foods, and thick or large foods that involve opening your mouth wide when you chew them. You may also want to eliminate fatty foods that require a lot of chewing. Some good foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs. By incorporating soft foods into your diet you are giving your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal.

If you experience pain in your jaw or hear a clicking noise when you chew, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

White Fillings

In the past, silver amalgam fillings did their job of restoring decayed teeth, but they did not look very good for a smile. These days, we have the technology available to provide white fillings that blend right in with the color of your natural tooth. Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS prides himself for being able to offer our patients restorative dentistry that improves teeth cosmetically at the same time. We offer white fillings here in our New York, NY dental practice.

White fillings work just the same as regular fillings. The decay is first removed from the tooth and any debris is cleared away. A composite resin that is color-matched to the shade of your tooth is then applied in layers. Each layer is hardened with a curing light. Afterwards, Dr. Dallessandro will shape the resin and make sure there isn’t any extra material. He will then polish the resin so that it shines like the rest of your tooth. Your tooth is now newly restored with a strong and good-looking white filling.

Fillings should be taken care of just like the rest of your teeth. You should continue to brush two to three times per day and floss once per day. Routine visits to your dentist for cleanings and examinations are also part of good oral hygiene.

If you suspect you have a cavity due to pain, sensitivity, or a dark spot on your tooth, come in for an examination. To schedule with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS in our New York, NY office, give us a call at (212) 988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com. 

Tips for a Charming Smile

With the popularity of selfies and instant photo sharing on the rise, having a camera-ready smile is a nice thing to have. However, with all of the coffee, wine, smoking and other foods that have the ability to stain our teeth on a daily basis, keeping our teeth their whitest is a lot harder than it sounds. Fortunately, at the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, we can provide our patients with cosmetic options to give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Whether you decide to go the cosmetic route or not, we’d like to share some tips on how to flash your pearly whites once your dream smile is achieved!

• Be natural – when it’s picture time, smile gently. That way, your face looks relaxed. Your mouth opens slightly, and your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.


• Check your teeth and gums – getting your smile camera-ready sometimes calls for a little behind the scenes prep work. If your pearly whites have yellowed with age, try an over-the-counter whitening product or pay us a visit! Also, don’t forget about taking care of your gums. They play a critical role in your nice smile. So keep them in good shape by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash every day.


• Practice – your perfect smile may not happen overnight, but if you have a big photo event like a wedding or a graduation coming up, it doesn’t hurt to try out your grin in front of the mirror!

If you wish to enhance the appearance of your smile, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Handling Common Dental Emergencies

Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro understands that accidents happen, and being informed about what to do in case one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. If you or your child experience some sort of trauma to your mouth for whatever reason, please give us a call immediately. Meanwhile, in the midst of a dental emergency, utilize these tips to ensure a smooth recovery. 

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

If you suffer a dental emergency, please contact our office immediately. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Teeth Types and Their Functions

Can you imagine what life would be like if you didn’t have any teeth? Performing tasks such as eating and speaking would be very difficult. While the mouth is a small part of our overall anatomy, it’s filled with a team of parts, all of which work together to help you eat, drink, speak, and have a radiant smile. Here at the office of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, it is the job of our staff to take care of that smile, and if you’ve ever wondered what purpose each tooth serves in your mouth we are here to tell you all about it.

The types of teeth we have and their functions are:

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have questions about your teeth, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089. 

Athletes and Mouthguards

Mouthguard use has been shown to reduce the risk of sport-related dental injuries. Imagine playing a sport that you love and suddenly your teeth get knocked out. Smiling, talking and eating would be difficult and it will probably take you some time to recover. When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard from an early age. Fortunately, Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro can provide patients of all ages with custom-fitted mouth guards for proper protection.

Custom-fitted mouthguards are made from exact and precise models of an individual’s own teeth. They are also made of resilient and tear-resistant materials ensuring a proper fit. A properly fitted mouthguard absolutely must be protective, comfortable, resilient, tear resistant, odorless, tasteless, and allow room for you to breathe. Because our custom-fitted mouthguards are made for your mouth and your mouth only, they are more reliable than over-the-counter mouthguards.

If you think you may benefit from a mouthguard, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Beat Bad Breath

If you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This promotes bad breath and it can be embarrassing in social situations and additionally cause lack of self-esteem. Medically called halitosis, bad breath can not only result from poor dental hygiene, it may also be a sign of other health problems. This is why it’s important to schedule regular dental exams with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro to keep your mouth healthy and rule out serious medical conditions.

In most cases, Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro can treat the cause of bad breath, but prevention is always key. In addition to visiting our office twice a year, you should brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Don’t forget to brush your tongue too. It also helps to rinse with a bacterial mouthwash at least twice a day. Always remember to floss so that you reach places where the toothbrush can’t reach.

If you suffer from bad breath, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Seal out Cavities with Sealants

Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth – usually the back teeth (premolars and molars) – to prevent tooth decay. At the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, our staff applies dental sealants as a barrier to prevent cavities in pediatric patients. Though cavity prone adults can benefit from sealants too, the likelihood of developing pit and fissure decay begins early in life, so children and teenagers are primary candidates.

Although thorough brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, they cannot always get into the grooves of the back teeth to remove the food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by “sealing out” plaque and food. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay.

If you think you may benefit from dental sealants, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Do You Suffer from Sensitive Teeth?

Have you ever sipped a hot or cold beverage and felt a sharp pain shoot through your tooth’s nerve? If you’ve answered yes, then you may be suffering from the common problem known as sensitive teeth. This is because the inside of your tooth is primarily made up of a material called dentin, which contains microscopic tubules filled with tiny nerve endings and dentin hypersensitivity or nerve irritation occurs whenever this material loses its protective covering of enamel, exposing these nerve endings to hot, cold, acidic or sticky foods, leaving you in pain. If this sounds all too familiar, having a conversation with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro is the first step in managing your sensitivity.  

What causes sensitive teeth is a mystery you can solve with Dr. Dallessandro. However, most causes include worn tooth enamel due to brushing aggressively, tooth erosion due to highly acidic foods and beverages, tooth decay, and/or gum recession. After Dr. Dallessandro determines the reason for your sensitivity, he will treat the underlying cause. To prevent sensitive teeth from recurring, twice a day, you should brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. In addition, you should schedule dental checkups twice a year, or more depending on the severity of the issue.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS in New York, NY, call 212-988-1089.

What is a Tooth Abscess?

When a tooth persistently throbs and keeps you up at night with pain, it could be more worrisome than a simple tooth ache. An abscessed tooth is a painful infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth. It occurs when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, dies and becomes inflamed after being left untreated. If an abscessed tooth has you bothered, Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS can usually resolve the problem with endodontic therapy.

The abscess itself is a pocket of pus that’s caused by a bacterial infection. The most common symptom is an ache in the bone around the tooth, but you may also experience pain when chewing. Other causes of a tooth abscess are trauma to the tooth, such as when broken or chipped, and periodontal disease. The goals of treatment for an abscessed tooth include strategies to eliminate the infection, preserve the tooth, and prevent further complications.

If you are experiencing inflammation of your gums, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS in our New York, NY office, give us a call at 212-988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information about the services we provide. 

How Effective Is Your Brushing Routine?

Even though we’ve been brushing our teeth for our whole lives, many of us are surprised to learn that we’re not doing it properly. How many of you think it’s a race when you step in front of the sink? You may brush for less than a minute, leaving a layer of plaque behind. Plaque that isn’t removed can harden into tartar, making it harder to keep teeth clean. That’s why it is important to utilize these brushing tips in between professional cleanings and dental checkups with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS.

• Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.


• Move the brush back-and-forth gently in short strokes.


• Brush the outer surfaces, the inside surfaces and the chewing surfaces of all teeth.


• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

If you have further questions regarding your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS in our New York, NY office, give us a call at 212-988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information about the services we provide. 

The Proper Flossing Technique

Flossing should never be painful. If you floss too hard, you could damage the tissue between your teeth. However, if you’re too gentle, you might not be removing the food from your teeth. Floss removes food trapped between the teeth and removes the film of bacteria that forms there before it has a chance to harden to plaque. Plaque buildup causes gingivitis, which can lead to a more serious form of periodontal disease. Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro can’t monitor how often you floss (once a day) but he can give you some flossing tips to utilize the next time you get the job done.

• Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with.


• Holding the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth.


• ·        Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gum line. Never force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue.


• Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.


• To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth.

If you have further questions regarding your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS in our New York, NY office, give us a call at 212-988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information about the services we provide.