Yes! Flossing removed the bacterial plaque which accumulates between your teeth. Brushing alone cannot remove this. Over time this un-cleaned bacteria can cause decay between your teeth

You should brush your teeth at least 2-3 minutes twice a day. Get into a routine and always start and end in the same place. That way you will make sure not to miss any parts of your mouth. Unfortunately, most Americans only brush for 45-60 seconds twice a day, and that is just not enough. Many new mechanical toothbrushes have built in timers to help you brush the proper length of time.

The use of a mouthwash is fine to give yourself a fresh feeling. Try to use an alcohol free mouthwash if possible. Mouthwashes which contain alcohol can dry out the lining of your mouth and decrease saliva flow. Both of these symptoms can contribute to increased bacterial growth and lessen the mouths natural defenses.

It does not matter what brand of toothpaste you use as long as it contains Fluoride. Just choose a toothpaste that has a pleasant flavor for you.

Rinse your mouth with water after a meal or snack to neutralize acid and reduce bacteria by 30%. Also chewing sugarless gum or gum containing Xylotol has been shown to decrease the incidence of decay.

Not entirely. Whitening toothpastes will reverse the effects of some surface stains, but not change the shade of the teeth themselves. The change is usually minimal.

There is some evidence that over-the-counter bleaching products do whiten teeth, however these products are not used under the supervision of your dentist and There may be potential problems which may need attention prior to whitening in this Way. Also, the trays usually sold with these products do fit as well as those that are custom made by your dentist. As a result, damage to your gums and teeth is possible.

Ulcers are very difficult to treat. There is no proven technique that will eliminate ulcers. They can occur as a result of trauma or due to a viral source. Depending on their cause there are specific medications that can shorten their duration. Left alone, ulcers will generally diminish and disappear in two weeks.

Bad breath or halitosis, can be caused by many things. The most common cause is the presence of bacteria in your mouth and on your tongue. These bacteria produce odorous compounds. In some cases, the cause of bad breath can be from gastrointestinal origin.

Tooth decay is caused by bacteria (plaque) in your mouth which react with sugary and starchy deposits from food you eat. This reaction produces acid which damages the enamel over time and weakens the tooth.

Cold sensitivity can be due a number of reasons. Some people are just generally more sensitive to temperature changes. Other causes may be due to recession of the gum tissue, abrasions of the teeth, large metal restorations or decay. Treatments for this condition can include fillings, fluoride applications or the use of desensitizing toothpastes.

Your gums bleed as a result of inflammation caused by the presence of bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria when not properly cleaned off your teeth will result in an irritation of the gum tissue. This irritation called gingivitis, will result in red, puffy and bleeding gums. Gone untreated, it can progress into periodontal disease.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist by the age of seven – and for good reason. Even at a young age, an orthodontist can spot problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.This is important because some orthodontic issues are most easily corrected while the child is still growing. If problems are found and treated early, it could very well eliminate the need for extensive orthodontic treatment down the road.

Phase I is the first part of comprehensive orthodontic treatment that is aimed at intercepting moderate or severe orthodontic problems early in order to reduce or eliminate them. Early Phase I treatment provides the orthodontist the opportunity to guide normal jaw and dental development by addressing the problems early, while growth is actively occurring. Phase I, which usually begins around the age of 7 to 8, helps to reduce the risk and chance of developing more severe orthodontic problems,subsequently delivering better long-term results.

Phase II begins when most of a child’s permanent teeth have erupted. In some cases, the orthodontist may feel Phase II is not necessary after successful Phase I treatment. However, when Phase II is recommended, its goal is to treat all kinds of orthodontic problems comprehensively, like teeth alignment, bite/chewing corrections, and jaw positions using fixed braces or removable clear aligners. Phase II helps to complete and finalize the tooth and jaw correction that was started during Phase I

There are several options of braces offered today. The options we offer include metal braces , the traditional braces made of high quality stainless steel that use arch wires attached to brackets fixed on the teeth to provide controlled force to move teeth. Metal bracketscan also have a wide array of color bands on them, making them popular for kids. Ceramic braces , also called clear braces, work exactly the same way, but use tooth-colored ceramic brackets instead of metal and matching white wires to be almost “invisible braces.” Sometimes known as “inside braces,” lingual braces are a method of orthodontic treatment where the brackets, wires and bands used to align your teeth are all mounted on their backside (tongue side). Clear aligners like Invisalign aren’t technically braces, because they don’t use brackets or wires. Instead, they’re clear (transparent) aligners made of flexible material that can be easily removed from your child’s teeth as needed. Clear aligners are virtually invisible and allow your child to clean teeth, eat and smile without any problem when undergoing orthodontic treatment.

There really is no simple answer, because orthodontics is not a one-size-fits-all solution and each patient’s mouth is unique. However, on average, it takes about 18 months to complete the treatment, but there are some patients that require less than 12 months and others who may require up to three years to reach the desired treatment outcome.

Yes, in order to ensure they keep their beautiful smile and perfectly aligned teeth, yourchild must wear a retainer . Immediately after having completed their orthodontic treatment, they’llneed to wear it all the time for at least a couple of months in order to prevent any relapse after treatment. After the first couple of months, your child will need to wear their retainer every night. Not wearing their retainer as recommendedrisks allowingall the time and money you invested in braces to go to waste and letting yourchild’s teeth slip back into their previous position.

Every smile is unique and so is every orthodontic treatment plan, including braces and aligners. At Park Smiles NYC Pediatrics, we want theentire dental experience to be pleasant and stress-free: from your child’s treatment to your pocketbook. We are in-network with many dental insurance plans . For those without dental insurance, our Miles for Smiles Savings Plan provides excellence in recommended, routine preventative care for your entire family.And when you’re in need of any other dental treatments over and above preventative care -- including orthodontics --we also offera variety of affordable payment options, including financing through CareCredit. At your child’s initial examination and consultation, we’ll go into details about their specific needs and how we can help make their treatment as affordable as possible.

Not necessarily. While some of our patients are referred to us by their family dentist, many take the initiative to schedule an orthodontics exam or check-up themselves. Also, at Park Smiles NYC , our sister practice at the same offices as Park Smiles NYC Pediatrics, we offer a comprehensive array of dental services for all ages under one roof, including general, cosmetic and restorative dentistry.