Back to School Check-Up

As kids go back to school, potential problems with their oral health become even more important. At Dr. Joseph Dallessandro’s Upper East Side dental practice, we believe nobody should have to endure a toothache, which is why if a child has missed a dental appointment, we want parents to know why now’s a good time for one.

While healthy teeth may be sensitive when they first erupt, children’s toothaches are still cause for concern. Children get dental infections at higher rates than adults, usually as a result of bad brushing. We can show them better brushing techniques and recommend slide-on handles for toothbrushes if they’re having trouble with motor control. It’s also possible that they’re brushing too hard, which could cause their gums to bleed. Children also have high rates of sinus infections, which could result in pain being deferred into the upper teeth.

Dental visits provide us with a chance to provide sealants to reinforce the teeth’s enamel and eliminate crevices in the molars where food gets stuck. They also allow us to plan for extractions or referrals to orthodontists if the adult teeth aren’t coming in straight. Toothaches cause children to miss meals and sleep and to have delayed speech development, so don’t let them disrupt your child’s education.

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.

 

Is an Electric Toothbrush Right for You?

We want patients at Dr. Joseph Dallessandro’s Midtown dental office to feel confident in their oral hygiene products. There is a vast array of toothbrushes out there, so we’ve provided this guide to help our patients with one of the most difficult decisions: whether or not to go electric.

A manual toothbrush must be used for two minutes during each session to be effective. Electric toothbrushes make tens of thousands of strokes per minute, which cuts down on time. While studies have not shown manual toothbrushes to be any less effective when used properly, people with problems moving their hands or maintaining focus benefit from saved labor.

An electric toothbrush still has to be used on every tooth surface, but many now come with apps and Bluetooth technology that make that easier. Besides alerting users of when they miss a spot, toothbrushes can also be programmed to send warnings if the user is brushing too hard and to provide feedback on improved technique. Some also come with games for mobile devices that encourage better brushing habits in children.

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.

 

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.

 

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.