Chew Gum with Xylitol

Xylitol is added to some chewing gums and other oral care products to prevent tooth decay and dry mouth. Xylitol tastes sweet but, unlike sugar, it is not converted in the mouth to acids that cause tooth decay. If you’re going to chew gum, Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro suggests reaching for gum that contains this ingredient to do your oral health a favor.

Benefits of replacing sugar with xylitol include increased absorption of calcium in the digestive system, which is good for your teeth and increased production of saliva. Saliva contains calcium and phosphate, which get picked up by the teeth and aid in remineralization. In addition, xylitol reduces the acidity of saliva, which helps to fight acid-driven degradation of tooth enamel.

If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth sensitivity or periodontal disease, 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.

Gum Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis

When people are suffering from autoimmune disorders, their dentist becomes a much more important part of their care team. At Dr. Joseph Dallessandro’s Upper East Side practice, we want to help patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) understand why they are at risk for periodontal disease.

A recent study found that 70% of people with RA have gum disease, twice the rate of the general population. This could be partly due to people with RA having difficulty brushing and flossing their teeth, but gum disease is also common in people whose RA had not progressed that far. Instead, scientists think it is because of the structure of the gingival tissue. RA occurs when the body’s immune system attacks a joint lining called synovium, and gum tissue shares some crucial DNA markers with synovium.

RA is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Patients can reduce their risk for it and gum disease by not smoking. If they are having difficulty with their oral hygiene, they may want to consider an electric toothbrush and floss picks. They may also find themselves in need of throat moisturizers if RA affects their salivary glands.

Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS, and Jiah Choi, DDS, operate at 360 E 72nd St, Ste B, New York, New York, 10021. To set up an appointment, call 212-988-1089, or visit Joseph Dallessandro DDS and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Cavity Development

A cavity is a form of tooth decay that develops over a course of time. In this time, the patient likely didn’t practice adequate oral care, visit a dentist, or has a diet that is high in acidity and added sugars. Cavities are permanently damaged areas on the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. The best form of prevention is to visit Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro twice a year for an oral exam and routine cleaning.

Though cavities are common in children and teens, they can develop in adults, too. Cavities are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in the mouth, frequent snacking on junk food, and not brushing and flossing on a daily basis. To prevent cavities, it’s important to pay attention to the teeth by brushing at least twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day. If you experience a toothache, pain when you bite down, or tooth sensitivity, give us a call.

If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth decay, dental health, or cavity prevention, 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.

White Spot Lesions

We hope none of our patients at the Upper East Side dental practice of Dr. Joseph Dallessandro experience tooth decay, but if they do, we want them to recognize it. Contrary to what people might think, incipient lesions in tooth enamel don’t usually start off painful or dark-colored. They look chalky and white.

Decaying enamel’s unusual texture and whiteness are due to acid exposure. This is one of the ways in which a dentist can identify if a patient is suffering from acid reflux or if they aren’t brushing enough. As bacteria eat and multiply, they secrete acid, which gets stuck to the thin layer of plaque near the gum line. White spots also develop in other places that are hard to brush, such as around traditional braces.

It only takes about thirty days of acid exposure for a white spot to form. The good news is that if the infection’s progress is stopped, the body can remineralize enamel. The bad news is that if enamel material is lost outright, it cannot regrow and must be replaced artificially. Patients should think of white spots as an early warning system and come see us if they need help.

Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS, and Jiah Choi, DDS, operate at 360 E 72nd St, Ste B, New York, New York, 10021. To set up an appointment, call 212-988-1089, or visit Joseph Dallessandro DDS and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Thank You for Your Positive Reviews!

At the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, our staff appreciates feedback from our patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our team would not only like to thank Christine F. for this five-star review, but we would like to thank her for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

“I could not find a better dental practice. Dr. Dallessandro is professional, thorough, and most of all painless and friendly. He listens to your concerns and only recommends work that is necessary. I have great confidence in him and his dental hygienist is the best. She is gentle, yet very precise and my teeth feel and look great after a cleaning. Because of the great care from Dr. Dallessandro and his hygienist over the last 15 years, I have maintained healthy teeth with no problems. The office staff is helpful and friendly and they will accommodate a convenient appointment time for their patients.” – Christine F. (Patient since 2001)

If you would like to leave a review or are interested in learning about the services we provide at the dental practice of Joseph S Dallessandro, 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.