Fear of needles or a bad experience in the dental chair can keep many people away from the dentist until an aching tooth brings them back. Dental Anxiety is common: 25 million Americans avoid the dentist because they are anxious or afraid. But…Imagine going to your dental visits without any apprehension or fear, being able to receive all your dental care in just one appointment, and achieving that beautiful smile you long for with virtually no pain!

For those who truly dread going to the dentist because of anxiety, dental phobias, severe gag reflexes, or sensitive teeth, sedation dentistry is the answer.

Sedation dentistry allows the patient to drift through even the most complex dental work in a semi-conscious state. You will feel completely relaxed throughout your visit, without any discomfort or pain, turning a stressful or lengthy visit into a pleasant and comfortable one. Some of those who enjoy sedation dentistry are simply busy people who use it because they don’t have the time to schedule multiple appointments, preferring to get all their work done in one visit. It is also a great solution for those who have had trouble getting numb in the past.

Sedation Dentistry is a term that refers to the use of anesthesia during treatment to put patients into a relaxed state, like sleep. While sedation implies that patients are unconscious, this is usually not the case. There are many forms of sedation, from simply alleviating anxiety, to “conscious sedation”, which places you in a “twilight sleep”. Conscious sedation is a safe, precise, and highly effective technique for management of moderate to more severe levels of dental fear. This method may also be used for patients who are not physically or behaviorally able to cooperate with dentistry.

Our caring Doctors will discuss with you any concerns or fears you may have, and the sedation dentistry technique recommended will depend upon the treatment being performed and the degree of your anxiety. They will be able to tell you if you are a candidate for moderate sedation with oral sedatives, nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”), or deeper sedation with intravenous drugs. Our Doctors have received advanced certification and training in I.V. Sedation, and with their combined 60 years of experience, you will be in the best of hands. Whatever your dental needs or desires may be, don’t let anxiety keep you from having that brilliant healthy smile you so deserve.

When your child needs urgent dental treatment, our team stands ready to help. Here are some helpful answers to some recent patient questions.

Q: What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?

A: Find the tooth and rinse it gently in milk or saliva. (Do not scrub it or clean it with soap, use just water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water. Get to our office immediately. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

Q: What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?

A: Contact any one of our offices immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you when you visit us.

Q: What about a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?

A: Go immediately to the emergency room of the closest hospital. A blow to the head can be life threatening.

Q: What if my child has a toothache?

A: Call us promptly. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.

Q: How can I best prevent a dental injury from happening to my child in the first place?

A: Oral injuries can occur from many activities.

Many oral injuries occur during physical activity such as sports. You can greatly reduce the chance of oral injury by having your child wear a mouth guard. While there are many store-bought varieties available, a custom mouth guards can often provide better protection. Our offices provide custom-mouth guards and is an Under Armour provider.

• Always use a car seat for young children. Require seat belts for everyone in the car.
• Child-proof your home to prevent falls, electrical injuries, and choking on small objects.
• Help prevent your child from dental-health related toothaches with regular visits to our practice.
If you have any other questions about dental health and emergencies for your child, please contact us.

Who wouldn’t want to look better, speak better, eat better … and smile more? Dental implants are now the treatment of choice for many people who need to replace missing teeth. Interestingly, implants are considered by many dentists to be a more conservative intervention than traditional bridges or dentures.

They require only normal brushing and flossing to maintain oral health, unlike bridges that may make cleaning awkward or dentures that don't fit well and slip and slide every time the moth opens and closes and not to mention chewing. Because implants are anchored into the bone like the roots of your teeth, they act like natural teeth and preserve and strengthen the surrounding bone. There is no need to shave down adjacent healthy teeth, and there are no removable plates to affect comfort and fit.

An implant has two parts: a root made of biocompatible metal, and a custom-made crown which is attached to it. Most implants are made of titanium, an inert metal proven effective at fusing with living bone and widely used in orthopedic surgery. In one survey, patients who had their prosthetic appliances replaced with implants rated them nine out of ten – second only to natural teeth, and far above the two out of ten for their removable prosthetics! If you’re worrying about your age … don’t! The oldest known implant patient is 88; the youngest 15. Once the implant fuses with the bone it becomes a part of it and unlike bridges and dentures doesn't have to be replaced every 7 - 10 years as statistics suggest, so your investment in your health and comfort over time more than pays for itself.

Our Dr. Singh has written the best-selling textbook on dental implants, The Atlas of Oral Implantology. If you have any questions about dental implants or would like to schedule a consultation, please call us. We’re here to help.

Your temporomandibular joints, or jaw joints, connect your lower jawbone to your skull. As you may imagine, these joints get quite a lot of use throughout the day as you speak, chew, swallow, and yawn. Pain in and around these joints can be unpleasant and may even restrict movement. Millions of Americans suffer from pain in this area, as well as recurrent headaches. In some cases this pain is due to Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD.

What are the symptoms of TMD?

• Pain in the jaw area
• Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
• Frequent headaches or neck aches
• Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
• Swelling on the sides of the face
• Muscle spasms in the jaw area
• A change in the alignment of top and bottom teeth
• Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth

Even if you aren’t experiencing any of the symptoms above, there are some simple things you can do at home or work to prevent TMD from occurring in your jaw joints:

• Relax your face – remember the rule: “Lips together, teeth apart”
• Avoid grinding your teeth
• Avoid constant gum chewing
• Don’t cradle the phone receiver between your head and shoulder – either use a headset or hold the receiver to your ear
• Chew food evenly on both sides of your mouth
• Do not sit with your chin rested on your hand
• Practice good posture – keep your head up, back straight, and shoulders squared

Should you notice any of the symptoms of TMD, give our office a call. Our team can help identify the presence of TMD, and if necessary, recommend an appropriate course of treatment.

Tooth sensitivity is common in many of our patients at Arch Dental, and can usually be identified by pain or discomfort when consuming foods or beverages that are hot, cold, sweet, or sour. Sensitivity can be felt when brushing or flossing, and can also be experienced after routine dental procedures such as the placement of a filling or crown, tooth restoration, or even teeth cleaning. Such sensitivity is usually temporary; if it does not cease after four to six weeks please consult us.

Tooth sensitivity is often due to the breakdown of tooth enamel or a receding gum line, which can occur from:

• Teeth grinding
• Tooth Decay
• Gum disease
• Vigorous brushing
• Cracked or chipped teeth

In most instances, tooth sensitivity is treatable. Here are a few remedies you can take advantage of at home:

1. Try a desensitizing toothpaste which contains chemicals that block sensations like hot and cold from reaching the nerves in your teeth.
2. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that will be gentler on both your teeth and gums.
3. Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice every day and flossing once daily.
4. Switch to a fluoride mouthwash.
5. When possible, avoid acidic foods such as tea, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.

Depending on the cause and severity of your sensitivity, you may benefit from professional treatment. If you suffer from sensitive teeth, please be sure to contact us at our Manhattan, Garden City, or Huntington, NY office. We can set up an appointment to discuss your unique situation and determine the best way to address the problem.

The beginning of a new year a time to not only reflect on the year that was, but also to set personal goals for the upcoming year. How are you planning to improve your health and happiness in 2012? Make a New Year’s resolution to benefit your oral health. The overall health benefits of taking care of your teeth are overwhelming and go beyond teeth and gums. Studies show that people who take care of their teeth live an average of 6.3 years longer than those who lose their teeth.

Most adults lose their teeth to gum disease, which research links to heart disease, diabetes, preterm births and numerous other health problems. The bacteria that cause tooth decay can cause damage in other areas of your body. Your mouth is truly an indicator of your overall health, and not taking care of oral disease can negatively affect your health. This year make a resolution to take better care of your mouth and teeth. The brighter smile will give you confidence, and your body will thank you with an overall improvement in health.

Happy New Year from your Arch Dental Team!

The end of the year is rapidly approaching and we'd like to take this opportunity to remind you if you have dental insurance and/or flexible spending accounts, most of those benefits if not used will expire at year's end with no carry over into the following year. If you were planning on having any required or elective treatment, it may be wise to consider having it done now. Please take this as a kind reminder and feel free to contact us with any questions concerning the type of coverage or benefits your plan provides and to schedule your next appointment.

Sincerely,

The Arch Dental Team

We all may enjoy a hot-brewed coffee or tea in the morning, followed by a cola (or more coffee) in the afternoon. Both coffee and tea are especially tough on your teeth because tannic acid (the substance that makes the dark color) etches into the pits and grooves of tooth enamel, and can stain your pearly whites brown.

So, if you can’t give up that morning cup o’joe, what can you do? The Dr.'s and team at Arch Dental suggest rinsing with a glass of water after every cup. If you enjoy iced coffee or tea, drink your beverage with a straw so that tannins don’t make contact with your front upper and lower teeth. Even if you’re not a big coffee drinker, we encourage you to swish and swallow some water at the end of each meal. Water helps neutralize acids left in your mouth and reduces cavity-causing bacteria.

We also invite you to visit our convenient Manhattan, Garden City or Huntington office for teeth whitening options. To learn more about whitening options, please visit our website or give us a call!

Halloween marks the beginning of a candy and dessert holiday season. It’s a time to become more vigilant about how much sugar we consume, especially children. It’s not the amount of sugar consumed that's important, but how often. Nibbling small amounts of candy over long periods can expose their teeth to acid levels that can cause tooth decay and wear down the enamel that protects them.

Here are tips for enjoy Halloween treats :

• Consume candy with meals rather than as snacks, because saliva flow increases during a meal.
• Brush or rinse after eating candy.
• Don't suck on hard candy for a long period of time.
• Choose candy that melts quickly and can be eaten easily, like chocolates, as opposed to hard or sour candies. Sticky candies such as gummies stick to the teeth longer, while others, such as chocolate are more quickly washed away with saliva or by rinsing. Hard sugary candies are held in the mouth longer, giving bacteria more time to create acid that weakens tooth enamel.
• Avoid hard candy that can break a tooth or crack a crown.
• Have a glass of water after eating candy to wash away the sugar and neutralize the acid.
• Avoid grazing on candy; it increases the time sugars are in contact with tooth enamel.
• Time is of the essence when it comes to teeth and sugar. If not removed by brushing, or swishing with water, sugar from any source can increase the likelihood of cavities.
• Visit Arch Dental for your recommended hygiene visits during and after the holidays.

Have a great weekend!

October is here, and for our staff at Arch Dental Associates, that means only one thing: National Dental Hygiene Month!

Your teeth are an important part of your body, (as heard on Dr. Singh's Radio on Sirus XM channel 81) and keeping them clean helps keep your mouth and your body healthy. By taking care of your teeth, eating a
balanced diet and visiting our convenient Manhattan, Garden City or Huntington offices on a regular basis, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life.

We encourage you to check out the official National Dental Hygiene Month website link thru archdental.com, which provides pointers on keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Lastly, has it been six months since your last visit to our office? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call to set up an appointment.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

For any of our patients at Arch Dental Associates who wear dentures, we encourage you to read this article about excess zinc intake and the effect it might have on your body.

The study, published in the March/April 2011 issue of General Dentistry, asks denture wearers to pay special attention to the amount of zinc they consume and notes that “over time, toxic levels of zinc could cause a copper deficiency, which has been linked to neurological damage.”

If you happen to be a denture-wearer, please let our team at Arch Dental Associates know if you have any questions. We also invite you to give us a call at one of our offices at Manhattan, Garden City, or Huntington, NY.

If you’re brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing after every meal, we think that’s great. But, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit Arch Dental every six months, in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing a couple times a day. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Our team can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show you or your child how to properly brush or floss

During an oral exam we will usually check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to one of our three convenient offices in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment!

Please call our office 1-888-NY-ARCH1 to schedule your appointment.

Thanks for the question. Germs are known to linger on the bristles, so be smart and keep a spare this summer, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

Hope these tips help! Feel free to call us at 1-888-NY-ARCH1 if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

Last week, we asked you, our wonderful patients, what you most liked about your experience at Arch Dental. Well, we received some pretty great reviews, and thought we’d share a few with you today! We love receiving patient testimonials!

“So happy in my 8th week of Invisalign. I can’t believe the difference already. 8 more weeks to go. Judy spent so much time explaining the benefits not only will I have an amazing smile but I will have healthy teeth, I really understood it. I have to admit when I do go out to dinner I take it off for a couple of hours and put it right back after. It’s been so easy.” – Michelle B.

“Last week I brought my daughter to Arch Dental Associates for an extraction of her wisdom tooth. She was seen by Dr. Chu who gentle & mild mannered. My daughter was initially uncomfortable and in a lot of pain. I have to admit that Dr. Chu was very patient and did the procedure swiftly and skillfully. The cost was very reasonable and the staff was professional and up front with the billing. I highly recommend Dr. Chu to anyone that is nervous to go to a dentist!” – Sam S.

“I suffer from sleep apnea and recently found an article in the newspaper concerning a mouthguard that can help. I contacted Dr. Singh's office and was given an appointment within a week. Not knowing what to expect, I found a friendly staff and doctor who explained all that would be done. The equipment was totally updated, computerized and painless. Time was taken to explain any questions and procedures. Within 2 weeks I had my mouthpiece. They do follow-up and e-mail to make sure all is satisfactory. Not knowing what to expect when I first went and being totally comfortable with what the doctor explained and did made me write this review. I would recommend this office for any dental work.” – Kathy Z.

“I was interested in a holistic dentist and after searching the internet I came across Arch Dental of Huntington. Dr. Brenner and Dr. Singh, were able to answer all my questions and concerns regarding amalgam free dentistry. The staff was warm and caring right from the start. They were truly accommodating; the office manager had a genuine concern for my treatment options. After having had a horrible experience in a different office it is refreshing to see that there still is a place that actually cares for their patients and not the money!” – Carol T.

If you’ve ever visited one of our convenient offices, you know we offer professional individualized dental care to make your smile beautiful and healthy. Our Dr.'s and team recognize that no two smiles are alike, and we are a practice dedicated to creating unique, personalized dental treatments for each of our patients.

Whether you’ve just come in once for a hygiene and preventative care or your family has been visiting us for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You may write a review on our Google Places page or on our Yelp listing.

We look forward to reading your feedback!

Please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions or if we can be of any help.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at 1-888-NY-ARCH1.

Dr.'s Singh, Kaufman, Brenner, Natour, Chu and the rest of our team at Arch Dental hope you are not a part of the 51 percent of Americans who don’t floss every day. And we definitely hope you’re not part of the 10 percent who never floss at all. Dr. Singh and team will always tell you that proper flossing is just as important for your dental health as brushing regularly. Flossing, you see, cleans food and plaque that build up between teeth and below the gumline, key areas that brushing simply cannot reach.

Flossing 1-to-2 minutes twice each day is recommended, but even 60 seconds of flossing has a great benefit over not flossing at all. Also, make sure to always brush your teeth after you floss, and to rinse with water or mouthwash. When you begin flossing you may experience gum pain or bleeding, but with daily flossing and brushing this should stop within a week or so.

Lastly, has it been at least six months since your last dental checkup? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at any one of our convenient offices located in Manhattan, Garden City and Huntington!

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at 1-888-NY-ARCH1.

You deserve a truly unique dental experience! At Arch Dental Associates, we recognize that no two smiles are alike, and we are a practice dedicated to creating unique, personalized dental treatments for each individual patient.

And speaking of smiling, in a recent poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

We proudly invite you to visit our practice, meet our doctors and team members, and receive a complimentary dental consultation. We look forward to working with you, and taking care of your smile for many years to come.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at 1-888-NY-ARCH1.

At Arch Dental Associates, we know fear of needles or a bad experience in the dental chair can keep many people away from the dentist until an aching tooth brings them back. Dental Anxiety is common: 25 million Americans avoid the dentist because they are anxious or afraid. But…Imagine going to your dental visits without any apprehension or fear, being able to receive all your dental care in just one appointment, and achieving that beautiful smile you long for with absolutely no pain!

The dream of trouble and pain free dentistry is a reality at Arch Dental Associates. For those who truly dread going to the dentist because of anxiety, dental phobias, severe gag reflexes, or sensitive teeth, sedation dentistry is the answer.

Sedation dentistry allows the patient to drift through even the most complex dental work in a semi-conscious state. You will feel completely relaxed throughout your visit, without any discomfort or pain, turning a stressful or lengthy visit into a pleasant and comfortable one.

Some of those who enjoy sedation dentistry are simply busy people who use it because they don’t have the time to schedule multiple appointments, preferring to get all their work done in one visit. It is also a great solution for those who have had trouble getting numb in the past.

Sedation Dentistry is a term that refers to the use of anesthesia during treatment to put patients into a relaxed state, like sleep. While sedation implies that patients are unconscious, this is usually not the case. There are many forms of sedation, from simply alleviating anxiety, to “conscious sedation”, which places you in a “twilight sleep”. Conscious sedation is a safe, precise, and highly effective technique for management of moderate to more severe levels of dental fear. This method may also be used for patients who are not physically or behaviorally able to cooperate with dentistry.

Our caring Doctors will discuss with you any concerns or fears you may have, and the sedation dentistry technique recommended will depend upon the treatment being performed and the degree of your anxiety. They will be able to tell you if you are a candidate for moderate sedation with oral sedatives, nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”), or deeper sedation with intravenous drugs. Our Doctors have received advanced certification and training in I.V. Sedation, and with their combined 60 years of experience, you will be in the best of hands. Whatever your dental needs or desires may be, don’t let anxiety keep you from having that brilliant healthy smile you so deserve.

We proudly invite you to visit our practice, meet our doctors and staff, and receive a complimentary dental consultation. We look forward to working with you, and taking care of your smile for many years to come.

At Arch Dental Associates, we know there are many products and techniques available for patients who want to achieve a whiter smile, and with so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the method that is right for you. This week, Dr. Pankaj Singh and team thought we'd answer some of the most frequent questions we get about teeth whitening.

What is the difference between in-office whitening, take-home whitening kits, and over-the-counter products?

The major differences between the three are the concentration of the active ingredients and the requirement of duration of contact with enamel for the whitening effect to appear. The more concentrated the active ingredient, the shorter the time it takes for the enamel to whiten. In-office treatments utilize the most concentration available and maximum whitening can be achieved in one sitting and for that reason should only be done under strict supervision of a licensed dental professional. The take home whitening kits utilize the moderate concentration version but require a custom tray to hold the gel in place and prevent it from flowing out. It requires multiple applications over several days to see maximum effects. The least concentrated version are the over the counter products and are best for maintenance of existing whitening and require an even longer application duration than the take home kits.

Do whitening toothpastes really make a difference?

They help remove the surface stains that accumulate daily from external sources like Coffee, Tea, Smoking, Red Wine, Red Sauces, etc. They give the appearance of whitening due to the removal of these surface stains.

How do I get my teeth whiter without them looking unnatural?

The best way is to do controlled whitening session. When done in a professional dental office, the level of whitening is constantly being monitored by the staff administering the treatment and when the desirable whitening effect has been achieved the session can be stopped and from then on can be maintained at home with the take home kits.

Can I use whitening products on my teeth while receiving orthodontic treatment?

If undergoing Invisalign orthodontic treatment, then the Aligners can function as custom trays for the professionally dispensed whitening gels. If undergoing fixed brackets, bands and wires, then whitening should be deferred until after the appliances have been removed.

Can I use whitening products on my dentures?

No, there are better ways to whiten denture teeth, using denture cleaners will remove the surface stains better and give the appearance of whitening.

What is the best over-the-counter whitening product?

Naturally-Radiant is by far the best over-the-counter product made, it is soon to be released in the next few weeks. To keep updated, please visit www.naturally-radiant.com

After I’ve received in-office teeth bleaching, what’s the best way to maintain my bright smile?

Avoid foods and liquids that are chromogenic i.e. Red Wine and Sauces, Coffee, Tea and definitely smoking. Use the take home kits or over the counter products frequently to maintain the desired whitening.

What foods and beverages will discolor my teeth? Which foods and beverages taste good but won’t discolor my teeth?

Discoloring foods are coffee, tea, red sauces, red wine, tobacco chewing, etc. Foods that taste good and are natural whiteners are strawberries, papaya and certain other similar foods.

Is tooth discoloration genetic?

Only in very rare genetic conditions, Discoloration is usually inherited thru environmental insults on our tooth structure. Sometimes it is because of certain medications that were ingested while the teeth were developing or the dyes and colors found in certain medications that are taken on a regular basis. For the most part we acquire the discoloration and not born with it.

“If you want to assess a person’s general health just look in their mouth,” says Dr. Pankaj Singh, author and research scientist in the Department of Dental Medicine and Oral Surgery at LIJ/NS Hospital and director of Arch Dental Associates with offices in Manhattan, Garden City and Huntington. Mounting evidence links periodontal disease, a chronic infection of the gums caused by bacteria, and a host of serious and sometimes life-threatening medical problems.

What is going on in your mouth can directly affect the risk or severity of many other medical conditions! The bacteria in your mouth, as a result of gum disease, can enter your bloodstream and travel through your body. Heart disease, strokes, uncontrollable diabetes, respiratory infections, and premature birth or low birth weight babies have all been linked to gum disease. Fortunately, periodontal disease is preventable, controllable, and treatable. An examination with a professional and a plan for good oral hygiene at home is the first start.

Your smile is the gateway to your overall wellness. A clean and healthy mouth will leave you more immune to infections, feeling better, and looking beautiful.

At Arch Dental Associates, we embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative dental treatments we offer, our high-tech web site or our Facebook fan page. As you can probably tell, we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our fan page. For social media to work, however, we understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While we take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks moving forward? What would you like us to share on our blog? Please post your thoughts below or on our Facebook page, or give us a call at our convenient Manhattan, Garden City or Huntington offices!