What is a Dental Exam?

When is an exam an exam?

When you go to the dentist you will be examined.  What types of exams are provided at a dental office?  Your exam will be based on your situation.  If you are a new patient and have no urgent problem you will receive a first time comprehensive examination.  Here we will take x rays of your teeth and supporting structures to get a baseline on where you’re at.  We will examine your teeth, gums and oral cavity.  We will palpate and examine your masticator muscles and your jaw joint.  We will then be able to give you an evaluation of where you are presently at and what types of treatment would be amenable to your state.

In a periodic evaluation you are already a patient of the practice and are on a recall care schedule.  Generally this means you are coming in twice per year to have a dental cleaning and check the condition of your teeth, gums and oral cavity.  We generally take recall x-rays once every two years.

An emergency evaluation is done on a new patient in pain or an existing patient experiencing a dental trauma.  Here we evaluate the particular situation which is bothering you and take any needed x-rays.

Evaluations are the first step before treatment.  For larger cases a game plan is created to address your needs. In all situations multiple alternatives are given and costs involved are fully discussed before the commencement of any treatments allowing you to make an informed decision on your dental care.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS located in Yorkville we are always looking to meet more new patients.  If you are in need of a dentist give us a call at 212 517 9000 today.  You and your teeth will be glad you did.

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Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

Is Sticky Candy Bad for Your Teeth?

Attack of The Gummi Bear!

Everyone likes sweet things but some sweet things have hidden dangers.  Sticky candy such as Gummi Bears, Taffy, Tootsie Rolls and Milk Duds make it difficult to open and close your mouth.  This also can happen when chewing a hard sourdough baguette.

Unlike all other joints, think knee or elbows your jaw joint or TMJ moves in three planes.  You can open, close, move side to side, forward and backwards.   Since you probably like to talk and eat you do not want to damage this joint.

If you are having pain when opening or closing, or have a clicking or popping sound give us a call so we can evaluate your condition.  There are simple changes you can make to relieve these problems if caught early.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS we like meeting new people and helping them to resolve their dental challenges.  We are conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 1498 Third Ave between 84th and 85th streets in Yorkville.  You can reach us at 212 517 9000.

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Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

Healthy Diet Healthy Teeth

You Are What You Eat

Eating correctly is good for your body including your teeth.  Teeth are good if you like eating and healthy teeth can only help your outlook on life when looking in the mirror.  The saying you lead with your smile is true.

To have healthy teeth you need to brush and floss daily and biyearly visits to the dentist is a great way to maintain your dental health and make sure nothing negative is happening.   Eating a healthy diet which helps your muscles and bones will also help you develop healthy gums and healthy teeth.   Foods rich in vitamin B such as breads and cereals, and vitamin C found in fruits and vegetables, and zinc and magnesium, and lean beef, fish and poultry are all good for you.

All foods increase the production of saliva which is important since it maintains the proper pH balance in your mouth which in turn keeps your teeth and gums healthy.  Foods high in fiber also encourage saliva production as does occasionally chewing sugarless gum.

The consumption of foods high In sugar content such as sugar laden sodas and coffee drinks can be detrimental to the health of your teeth.  Foods high in sugar are more likely to form acids which can attack your teeth and result in decay.  Limiting the consumption of sugars to mealtimes lessens the amount of time your healthy teeth are exposed.

Making good diet choices and limiting meal sugar consumption can improve the health of your gums and teeth.

If you would like to reassure yourself about the condition of your teeth and gums give us a call at 212 517 9000 to schedule a checkup appointment.  At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS we like meeting new people and taking care of their teeth.  We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84thand 85th streets in Yorkville.  Call today you and your teeth will be glad you did.

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Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

Healthy Teeth During Pregnancy

Are You Pregnant?

Congratulations; you’re having a baby.  Now you have to consider your health and your baby’s.  The ideal situation is to come into the dentist for a checkup before you become pregnant.   In this way any dental treatments can be done now.   During your pregnancy if a dental emergency happens we can still treat you but it is much better if you only need a dental cleaning at that time.

In fact your MD doctor will recommend dental cleanings during your pregnancy since most women will experience gingival bleeding and inflammation during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.

While you are pregnant the taking of dental x-rays needs to be kept to the absolute minimum so knowing your dental condition before pregnancy and fixing any problems will generally take care of this issue.  Eating a healthy diet is good for you and your developing baby.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS we like meeting people and taking care of your dental needs.  We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets right here in Yorktown.   So if you think you have something going on or it’s just been a while since your last cleaning give us a call at 212 571 9000 to schedule.  You and your teeth will be glad you did. 

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Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

Dental Health Tips You Might Not Know

Did You Know…

Here are some interesting tidbits concerning your teeth.

Citrus acid in fruits can lead to the erosion of tooth enamel.   Continually sucking or chewing on the lemon slices which adorn your drinks over time is not a good habit in protecting your teeth. 

Sticky candies which contain large amounts of sugar can lead to a greater chance of dental decay if not assiduously removed.  Yes, everybody likes candy but if you are consuming a lot you must make sure to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth daily.

Your gums support your teeth; so if you support your gums they will support you.   This is easily accomplished if you establish a routine of daily brushing and flossing daily.  The brushing cleans the front, back and top of your teeth while the flossing cleans in between your teeth.   

The ideal times to brush and floss are before you go to sleep and upon waking in the morning.  During the night bacteria can party in your mouth.  It is warm, dark and if you do not clean up after eating there is plenty of food remaining.  So if you brush and floss before you go to sleep you reduce the bacterial count in your mouth.  Even so the party will happen so upon waking you need to brush and floss again to restore your mouth to a cleaner environment.

You should always use a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth even if you think using a hard toothbrush will do a better job.  Hard toothbrushes destroy teeth and can irritate your gums.  You should be brushing for four minutes with a manual toothbrush to get the job done.  With a mechanical toothbrush like Sonic Care you can get the job done within two minutes.

So; here are the particulars

                Hold the brush at 45 degrees against your gums

                Rotate the brush gently in small, circular motions

                Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth on both the upper and lower arches

                Repeat on the inside and chewing surfaces of all teeth and

                FINALLY - Don’t forget to FLOSS – coming into the office we can show you how

Flossing can be confusing and time consuming but with a little practice you’ll be an expert.

As a consistent flossing person you will feel and notice the difference if you fail to floss.

Coming in for a professional cleaning and check up is a sure way to avoid problems and to review your home cleaning techniques.

In addition, some people have grooves or a rough surface on the top of their tongues; if this is you, the use of a tongue scraper will help to clean these areas.   Scrape the tongue from the back towards the front sweeping away the bad breath causing bacteria out of your mouth.  Then using a non-alcoholic mouth rinse such as BreathRx and water will wash away the bacteria you are removing.

We’re here for you right here in the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets close to all public transportation with the 4 5 6 and Q subway lines one block away and  bus lines on 2nd, 3rd, and Lexington Avenues.  Give us a call at 212 517 9000 to schedule your appointment and you and your teeth will be glad you did.

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Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

How to Keep Your Smile Looking Young and Healthy

Everyone wants to be Healthy and Healthy Teeth Are Part of the Equation

Most of you have teeth.  Teeth are good especially if you like food and food is necessary if you want to stay alive.  There will come a time in life when eating will be your greatest pleasure.  So you want your teeth to last and to last you need to make a little effort to help them survive.

Your teeth want to be cleaned on a daily basis.  Think of each tooth as a little square box.   There is a top front, back and sides.  The bottom or basement is in your jaw so this part may not seem apparent.  Tooth brushing gets the top, front and back.

All the bacteria in your mouth are anaerobic, meaning without oxygen.  When you brush your teeth you bring air into your mouth which contains 20% oxygen.  The oxygen destroys the bacteria helping you to prevent dental decay. 

However, your toothbrush cannot get to the sides of most of your teeth unless you have a missing one.  These areas also need to be cleaned so you need to floss.  You know that thin little string that can get in between your teeth.  Just like the toothbrush the floss pulls air between your teeth and the oxygen within helps to destroy the bacterial colonies always present in your mouth.

Bacteria like warm, dark places with food.  So to keep your mouth and teeth healthy you need to floss and brush in the morning and at night.  Before you go to sleep by cleaning your mouth you decrease the bacteria present and upon waking you remove the buildup that has occurred while you’re asleep. Everyone knows the experience of morning mouth.

What you consume also plays a part in keeping your mouth healthy.  The outside of your teeth are made of enamel, the strongest substance in your body but even this material can become damaged by eating too much sugar or acidic foods such as citrus fruits.  Calcium rich foods such as cheese, milk and nuts protect tooth enamel.

Also, drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. Water also serves to wash away foods recently eaten within your mouth.  If you have dry mouth due to aging and/or medications you are on, chewing gums stimulates saliva keeping your mouth moist which is a good thing.

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit we want you and your teeth to be healthy.  If your teeth are facing some challenges and even if they are not, give us a call at 212 517 9000.  We are here for you even if all you need is a cleaning.    It is always better to be proactive versus reactive.   So call today; your teeth will thank you.

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Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

Living with Sensitive Teeth

You may be a sensitive person and be caring to others but you probably do not want sensitive teeth.

Teeth are part of you and they can have character especially if their sensitive. Surrounding your teeth is a layer of enamel. Enamel is very strong and prevents your teeth from becoming sensitive. As you age your enamel thickness decreases. The vast majority of your teeth are made of dentin. Dentin is softer than enamel and is actually millions of little tubules pressed together. When the dentin becomes exposed in your mouth due to wear and/or trauma many people experience sensitivity.

Sometimes when a person undergoes orthodontic treatment to move their teeth into alignment the roots of the teeth become exposed inside your mouth. The roots are also made of dentin and can exhibit sensitivity. If you develop gum disease due to not brushing and flossing the gums can become inflamed or recede from your teeth also exposing the tooth’s roots.

Individuals are different. Some people with exposed dentin feel nothing while others even with a little exposure have trouble eating cold foods. If you consume very acidic foods like sucking on lemon wedges while you drink your ice tea you could be on the way to sensitivity. Chewing on ice cubes can also lead to sensitivity problems over time.

So you’re experiencing sensitivity – what can you do? The easiest solution is to buy a fluoride rinse. The fluoride in the rinse can help in minor cases to relive the sensitivity. You could also purchase toothpaste that helps to relieve sensitivity such as Sensodyne.

If this is not working we can make you custom fluoride trays to wear five minutes a night before retiring. Over a thirty day period this will help to alleviate your sensitivity since you are placing a thick RX grade fluoride gel within the trays and the trays hold the gel adjacent to the teeth.

Other times if your root is exposed or there is exposure on another surface of the tooth a cosmetic white filling can be placed.

Sensitive teeth can lead to reduced enjoyment in your life. If you are experiencing this situation give us a call at 212 517 9000. At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS, located right here in Yorkville we like take caring of people. We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84 th and 85 th streets directly across our very own Upper East Side Mickey Dees in a five story townhouse on the second floor.

Even if you don’t have sensitivity and are just in need of a cleaning and exam we are here for you.

So don’t delay call today. You and your teeth will be glad you did.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

A New Reason to Eat More Fish for Your Dental Health

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you want to fish, sometimes you don’t. However as for your gums they like nuts and fatty fish. Research claims there is a link between diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids and a decreased risk for periodontal disease.

Gum disease is alive and present in the population.  Many individuals have gum disease and don’t even know it.   Around all your teeth is a cuff or pocket.  In a healthy situation this pocket should be about 3 mm in depth.  When you eat food begins to break down within your mouth.  As it breaks down it releases acids which if not routinely removed can cause decay and gum disease.

You prevent this from happening by brushing and flossing hopefully twice per day.  Your toothbrush can clean the top, front and back of your teeth.  However, it cannot get in between your teeth.  This is where dental floss comes in.  Properly used floss or string can get in between your teeth and remove any accumulated food present. 

If the food is not removed it begins to break down and cause inflammation.  As the inflammation progresses it destroys the ligaments that hold your teeth in your jaws.  Not a good thing.  Enough destruction leads to tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss. 

Researchers have found that people whose diets are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids were as much as 30% less likely to have gum disease than those who ate little or none of this type of fat.  Foods that are a good source of these types of fats include salmon, tuna, trout, mackerel, sardines and herring.

Oils that also have these fats are safflower, soybean, corn, and sunflower.  Almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, pecans, brazil nuts and pumpkin, sesame, sunflower and flax seeds are also good

 The possibility of preventing gum disease is not the only reason to eat foods with polyunsaturated fats.

These foods pack a nutritional punch and have myriad health benefits.

Please understand that diet alone will not treat or prevent gum disease, however it may be an additional tool for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

If you have not had an examination or teeth cleaning in a while I urge you to schedule an examination and cleaning today.  We are conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in Yorkville at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th street.   

The 4,5,6 and Q subway lines along with the MTA bus lines are one block away.  We participate with the major dental insurance carriers.   For most Aetna, Cigna, Delta, Guardian, MetLife and United Health Care patients you are covered at 100% for an exam, x-rays and cleaning with no patient co-payment as long as your benefits have not been used.

Call us TODAY at 212 517 9000.   As a courtesy we will do a benefits check before you come in to confirm your eligibility for a preventive care cleaning appointment at no charge to you.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you

Tea for You and Tea for Me

Most people like tea.  In the winter hot and in the summer cold, but tea has tannic acid within and this can cause your teeth to stain.  Do you drop the tea or do you accept the staining?   I like my tea so I’ll continue to imbibe but I’m also not big on yellow teeth, so what to do?

You need to clean your teeth regularly.  You take a bath/shower and go to the bathroom daily so extend that habit to your teeth.  A good start in addition to brushing and flossing regularly is to rinse your mouth with water after drinking your tannic beverage.

Not to beat up on tea alone.  Coffee and red wine will also stain your teeth over time so, if you still do not like the color of your teeth you can come in for a professional cleaning.  If you still are not happy we have whitening products which will lighten the color of your teeth.

 So call today 212 517 9000 and we’re here to help.   At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS we like teeth and the people connected to them.  After being in Los Angeles for 20 years and now back in New York for another ten we know whitening.  In LA you can never have too white teeth, along with a nice tan and a fit healthy body.  Here in New York City everyone is on the run but most also want attractive smiles.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you

Your Little Friend – Maybe?

Everyone has to eat if you’re to survive.  For the food to be of value it must be broken down into its component parts in order for your body to inherit the nutrients within.  Digestion begins in your mouth as the food enters.  Your teeth through chewing reduce the bulk of the food into sizes that your body can more easily handle.

The food you ingest also contains bacteria and some organisms which are not conducive to your health. Bacteria thrive in areas that are dark, warm and without air.  This describes your mouth precisely.  It is warm close to 100 degrees; it is dark when you close your mouth and there are areas around the necks of your teeth if the food gets into where there is little oxygen present.

Brushing and flossing help to clear out any remaining pieces of food after eating.  If you do not clean out this detritus then bacterial colonies will form and grow eventually leading to gum disease.  So now you have an unwarranted city of little friends setting up residence within your mouth.

Not too shabby or maybe it is.  Gum disease takes a long time to hurt and that is why people can get it and live with it.  If you do not want that city developing within your mouth then you need to brush and floss your teeth twice per day.   Proper brushing and flossing will remove the remnants of your meals.

If you are experiencing bad breath, if your gums are bleeding when brushing or flossing, if the roots of your teeth are becoming sensitive and your gums look swollen and red; you may be in the process of building a bacterial colony within your mouth.

Your blood system or circulatory system carries things throughout your body.  It is your internal river system.  So, if you start to increase the supply of bacteria in your mouth some of them will soon decide to move elsewhere causing more mayhem.  Bacteria of your mouth can lead to inflammation of your circulatory system and possibly inflammation of your heart.

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit located on the Upper East Side of New York City in the area of Yorkville we like to meet new people and help them in maintaining the health of their teeth and gums.

Come on in and we will look at what is or is not going on in your mouth.  We can evaluate your home hygiene routine and check to make sure all is well.

If we find anything we will help you correct the situation and give you options and the costs involved before proceeding with any treatment. We have evening and Saturday hours to fit with your busy schedule. We participate with most major dental insurance carriers and in many cases the cost for exams, x-rays and cleaning are covered at 100%.  We can check your insurance benefits before you arrive and tell you exactly what to expect.

 As it is often said Happy Mouth, Happy Life and let’s make sure that you choose who your little friends might be.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you.

Your Teeth and Heart Connection

Cleaning your teeth should make you feel better.  A clean mouth is a healthy mouth and feels better.  Did you know that in addition to making your mouth feel better your teeth cleaning habits helps to keep your heart healthy?

Failure to brush and floss your teeth allows food to remain and build up around your teeth.  The food breaks down in your mouth due to the bacteria present and releases acids.  The acids irritate your gums and lead to toxins.  If your gums are inflamed they may bleed.  This bleeding provides direct access or a highway into your inner body.

The bacteria then travel through your circulatory system and eventually transverse through your heart.

Your heart pumps blood throughout your body and is basically a series of chambers with muscle attachments.  The chambers are connected together by valves.  Bacteria from the mouth like to attach themselves to these valves and over time can cause deterioration of the valves.

Your effort to brush and floss your teeth decreases the bacterial count within your mouth.  This leads to a healthier oral environment and prevents the development of gum disease which is the cause of bleeding in your mouth.  If you are not bleeding then you are not providing a pathway for the oral bacteria to enter your circulatory system and you are helping to maintain the health of your heart.

At the Dental Practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS we are here to help you achieve a healthy mouth.  If it has been some time since your last dental exam and teeth cleaning give us a call at 212 517 9000 and we will be happy to take a look and make you feel better.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you.

A Healthy Smile Contributes to Healthy Living

You may ask; How can I start living a healthy lifestyle? Well, it all starts with your habits. By drinking more water, getting enough sleep, exercising on a regular basis, eating more fruits and vegetable and avoiding negativity will lead you to a healthy lifestyle. Everyone has their own definition of what is healthy living. Oral health should be part of your healthy lifestyle.

What can you do for your oral health that contributes to healthy living? The most important habits you should be doing is brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day; every day and going to the dentist for routine exam and cleaning every six months. By doing these habits your oral hygiene will improve. We recommend a soft bristle toothbrush to protect your gums. You want to brush your teeth in small, circular motions for 2-3 minutes to make sure you get all the surfaces of your teeth. 

Flossing is very important. You can find floss in any New York City drugstore. You might need to experiment until you find the one that works best for you. Flossing gets in between the teeth and pushes oxygen between your teeth and gums. Bacteria loves dark warm places without air so by flossing we are pushing oxygen between your teeth.

We are a dental office located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and at Glenn Reit D.D.S. we want to help you get your oral health to be the best it can be. We know how a healthy smile can contribute to healthy lifestyle. We offer dental services of white fillings, dental crowns, dental implants, inlays as well as cosmetic procedures such as porcelain veneers and whitening.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

Give us a call today at (212) 517-9000 or email us at info@reitdds.com to schedule your dental appointment. Your smile will thank you!