Need New Reasons to Brush Your Teeth Twice Each Day?

7 Reasons to Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day

By Himanshu Agarwal, 10th April 2017 via www.tgdaily.com

How many times were you told as a kid that you’ve got to brush your teeth not once but twice, in order to have a healthy mouth? Well, we’re here to tell you that piece of advice is one of the most important you’ve ever been told. Yeah, you definitely should in order to have a happy and healthy mouth, brush every day, twice!

But why is that exactly? You may have wondered throughout your life what would happen if you didn’t brush your shining teeth in the morning and in the night. Good luck calling them shiny if you don’t. Well, no worries my friend! The following article is going to clue you in on the top seven reasons why you have got to brush those chompers twice in a day, at least.

1. Keeping That Breath Fresh

What do you think happens if you don’t brush regularly? Well, brushing your teeth keeps bacteria from having any places to latch onto and fester, like in old pieces of food. So, when you stop brushing your teeth regularly, you’re not going to be able to brush away that food debris and keep the bacteria away.

And when that happens, your breath is going to start smelling a little funky, thanks to that bacterial build-up in your mouth. Nobody is going to want to be around you if you have stinky breath all of the time! Plus, how gross does it just sound that all that bacteria are just hanging around in your mouth?

2. Preventing Any Gum Diseases

And taking it a step further, when you don’t brush your teeth twice daily, you are putting yourself at risk for various gum diseases, like gingivitis. This is because that plaque build-up allows bacteria to work its way into your gums and fester in there.

Some of the first stages of gingivitis is the bleeding of the gums when you brush or floss them and general sensitivity of your teeth. If you’re experiencing either of these symptoms, you’re going to know that you should have been brushing at least twice a day. When you brush twice a day, you’re brushing away all of that gunk that could allow bacteria to grow and helping reduce your risk of gum diseases.

3. Removing Those Nasty Yellow Stains

And when all of this bacteria sticks onto your teeth, it can take a pretty big toll on those pearly whites. You want white teeth, don’t you? Nothing says confidence and health than a white set of teeth. However, when you don’t run-in to your teeth at least twice a day, your teeth are going to look a whole lot more yellow than normal.

That’s because toothpaste contains ingredients that eliminates debris from the surface of your teeth and the surface stains that come with that. So, that’s another reason why you’ve got to brush your pearly whites each morning and night! And when it comes to it, it may not be the most painless thing in the world to get the stains off of your teeth. That’s why there are plenty of air pressure devices on the market to get those stains out.

4. Reducing Your Chance of a Heart Attack – Yes, You Heard That Right!

This may be one of the reasons on the list that you least expected to hear. But yes, when you brush your teeth twice a day, you can lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke! Sounds crazy, but here’s why.

Every time you skip brushing your teeth out of idleness, you let the bacteria build up on the surface of your teeth, which later travel down your bloodstream and increase the cholesterol in your arteries. And as you probably know, that is indeed what causes heart attacks.

So, what are you waiting for? If you think you might be at risk for a heart attack or stroke, you should definitely be brushing twice a day to lower that risk as much as you can!

5. Saving You Tons of Money in The Long-Run

Let’s face it. It’s much more expensive to get cured than to prevent an illness in the first place. You know that, but it’s sometimes hard to implement in your lifestyle. Well, the same thing applies to when you brush (or don’t brush) your teeth. Imagine the soaring costs of those dentist bills when you need to deal with gingivitis or some other teeth cleaning!

You obviously don’t want to be stuck with a huge dentist or doctor bill because you couldn’t bring yourself to brush your teeth twice a day. Plus, you don’t want that frustration to drag you down and cause you to forget again and again to brush your teeth. Save yourself a lot of stress and brush twice a day.

6. Having A Healthy Baby

When it comes to having a healthy baby, you probably wouldn’t think that would be included in this list. However, with gum disease, it’s been shown that this is linked to the chances of premature birth and a low birth weight. You see, whenever you are pregnant and not brushing your teeth, that plaque and bacteria can get into the bloodstream (much like what increases the risk of heart disease). This puts your baby’s health at risk. So, if you’re a soon-to-be mother, don’t forget to brush every morning and night!

7. Preventing Any Dementia in The Future

Indeed, some studies have even suggested that not brushing your teeth twice a day can lead to increased risk of dementia in some cases. This isn’t good news for those of you who have dementia or Alzheimer’s running in the family.

Even though this link hasn’t been 100% confirmed, it’s better to be safe than sorry! Get those brushing times set in the morning and night so you can be safe in the future.

And there they are! These are the top reasons why you’ve got to get that brushing time done in the morning and in the night. It’s only going to help your overall health and wellness. Plus, how hard is it really to brush those chompers? It won’t take a lot of effort on your part and the pay-out is really great for your quality of life. 

Patient Question: Avoiding the dentist can be dangerous

I bleed from my gums every time I brush my teeth. I have seen ads on TV that talk about pink in the sink. What should I do? - Victor M.

Any bleeding of the gums is an early warning sign of something that could be potentially serious, such as gum disease or even infection.

The American Dental Association recommends that all adults have an examination every 6 months. This is about how long it might take for symptoms of any issue to start to show. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In the case of teeth, it can be the difference between hundreds of dollars for a check up, xrays and professional cleaning, and thousands of dollars in dental expenses due to you neglecting your mouth for years. Get to a dentist ASAP. That pink in the sink could be a sign of early gum disease and potential tooth loss. Severe dental infections can also be fatal.

We know that money has been tight in many US households, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to your teeth. A little problem does not need to turn into a major expense if you get regular check ups every 6 months.

Thank you for your question!

Dr. Romano

Patient Spotlight: Louis R.

Place of birth and current city: Brooklyn and Brooklyn
Patient since: 2004. "Dr. Romano took wonderful care of my abscess tooth and I've stayed with him ever since!"
Occupation: Retired
Hobbies: Enjoying new restaurants (Louis knows them all!), going shopping and to the theater, and watching old movies
Favorite Brooklyn restaurants: Red Rose and Meze (although Per Se in Manhattan deserves a mention according to Louis)
Last film seen: Hidden Figures
Favorite decade: 1970s
Childhood memory: Louis fondly recalls going to the circus and the cinema as a young boy.
Person from history he'd most like to meet and why: John Kennedy because of how he changed this country for the better in terms of civil rights.
Can't live without: Shoes and... you guessed it... going out to dinner!

15 Foods Which Are Actually Good For Your Teeth & Gums

We thought you'd enjoy this article! - Dr. Romano and Team

http://www.tgdaily.com/health/15-foods-which-are-actually-good-for-your-teeth-and-gums

The health of your teeth and gums, to a large extent, is determined by what you eat. Include too much of processed sugar and get ready to fight tooth decay. While you might have heard a lot about the must-skip-foods from your dentist, they hardly talk about the foods that do wonders for your teeth and gums.

Well, that’s perhaps why we thought of compiling a list of 15 foods which are actually good for your oral health.

1. Hard cheese to your rescue

A die-hard cheese lover? Well, you just got another reason to grab this wonderful food! Cheese is one of the best sources of calcium and phosphorus which are good for your teeth. These elements help build the teeth enamel. Studies show that having cheese raises the pH level in the mouth thereby reducing the chances of tooth decay. This is because chewing the hard cheese produces more saliva which washes off the bacteria in the mouth.

2. Extract the goodness of yogurt

Yogurt, like cheese, is rich in calcium and phosphorus that make teeth strong. Being a probiotic food, it contains good bacteria that are necessary for healthy gums. The beneficial bacteria eliminate the bad ones. The best way to include this food in your diet is to have plain unsweetened yogurt. It is also effective in fighting against bad breath and cavities.

3. Apples to keep dentist away

You might argue that apple is sweet, and could have detrimental effects on your oral health. Well, not exactly! This is because apple is also a rich source of fiber and water. When you eat an apple, more saliva is produced which helps wash away the food particles and bacteria. The fruit is good at maintaining healthy gums owing to its fibrous texture. Having an apple every day gives your teeth a scrubbing effect. It contains many nutrients that are good for the body as well.

4. Crunchy Carrots

Munching crunchy carrots is always a fun. But apart from that, carrots are also found to have positive effects on our oral health. They contain many nutrients like vitamin A and fiber which help in fighting against cavities. Finishing your meal with some carrots produces saliva which keeps the mouth clean. You can have a salad topped with carrots or alternatively, chew some raw baby carrots on the go.

5. Snack on a few almonds on the go

Dentists recommend almonds for your teeth as they contain a good amount of protein and calcium in them. They contain very less sugar, making them a healthy snack. You can have some almonds along with your meal or mix them in salads. You might also like to snack on a few almonds between meals.

6. Green leafy vegetables

Nothing can replace the goodness of green leafy vegetables when it comes to health. They are low in calories but, contain a high amount of minerals and vitamins. Leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and the likes are rich sources of calcium which ensure healthy teeth. Green vegetables also contain folic acid which keeps gum diseases away.

7. Go nuts over nuts

Nuts contain a lot of nutrients which are good for your teeth and gums. They contain calcium and phosphorus that make your teeth stronger. Nuts like cashews and Brazil nuts help get rid of bacteria that cause the decay of the tooth. However, peanut butter might not be a safe option as it contains sugar.

8. Oranges to whiten teeth

Orange is a citrus fruit which contains vitamin C. Even though it is citrus, it contains very less acid. So, it is considered good for oral health. Rubbing orange peel on your teeth for several weeks in a row is found to whiten teeth. The chemical in the orange peel whitens your teeth, thus giving your teeth a fresh appearance.

9. Garlic clove for infections

The presence of a compound called allicin prevents the risk of tooth decay due to its anti-microbial properties. Garlic is also found to be effective against various oral problems like a toothache. Chewing a garlic clove gives relief from the pain and helps build immunity to fight infection. This also reduces inflammation and any associated discomfort.

10. Reap the amazing benefits of ginger

Ginger fights the bacteria in the mouth in an effective way and thereby eliminates bad breath. It kills the bacteria that cause gum diseases. It works against infections and thus promotes oral health. Being a natural remedy for tooth infections, it is suitable for both children and adults alike.

11. Celery as a scrub

Like apple, celery is a good tooth scrub which washes away bacteria and food particles from the teeth. It can be considered as natural floss which keeps the teeth clean. It is high in vitamin A and vitamin C that are good for healthy gums. Being a nutritious vegetable, celery boosts the production of saliva.

12. Say hello to soy

Soy contains arginine, an amino acid which prevents the formation of plaque and cavities in teeth. It is also good for the health of gums. Having soy milk is a good option as it is very nutritious. People who don’t like to drink cow’s milk can opt for soy milk.

13. Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are rich sources of vitamin A which is considered to be good for your gums and teeth enamel. Sweet potatoes make the soft gum tissues and the mucous membranes healthy. The vitamin contained in them maintains the level of protein keratin which helps form teeth enamel. These can be included in your food in any form like mashed, baked or steamed. Thus, it is only logical to replace the white potatoes with sweet potatoes.

14. Coffee made black

This is contradictory to the belief that coffee is bad for your teeth. Studies show that black coffee works against the decay of the teeth and stops the formation of plaque. But, remember to make your coffee black without sugar.

15. Dark chocolates to fight bacteria

Yes, you read that right. As per a recent study, dark chocolate helps fight tooth decay and prevent cavities from happening. It also keeps plaque away from teeth. Components in cocoa bean husk contain antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth. So, these properties compensate for the sugar content in dark chocolates. Research also shows that the cocoa extract is even better than the fluoride which is an important ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwashes.

Over to You

Like the ones given above, there are a number of food items that are good for oral health. Along with having the right food, you may consider practicing good oral habits like flossing, brushing and scraping the tongue. Neglecting oral health is a sure sign of getting your first dentures. While you can still take care of your teeth, it is better to avoid thinking about dentures.

Welcome video

Dear patients,

I had a lot of fun making this short welcome message video! (But not sure if I should quit my day job and move to Hollywood just yet...) Have a look at it on the welcome page of my new website here: http://www.drrichardromano.com/ 

Happy Thursday!

Dr. Romano

Happy Friday!

Joann and Teresa take a break to say hello to the camera! (And show off Dr. Romano's new, personalized coffee mugs)

Have a wonderful weekend,

Dr. Romano and Team

The Best Tips to Stop Teeth Grinding

Here's an interesting article I thought my patients might enjoy! - Dr. Romano

  

The Best Tips to Stop Teeth Grinding

by Boris Dzhingarov, 3rd March 2017 http://www.tgdaily.com/section/health

Everyone deals with life’s pressures differently. You might know people who have high blood pressure due to the stress in their lives, and others who suffer from blinding headaches or painful ulcers. Perhaps you or someone you know grinds their teeth. As with some of the other problems mentioned, stress causes almost all teeth grinding issues.

How can you tell if you have a problem with teeth grinding? Sometimes people find out that they’re grinding their teeth when a sleeping partner mentions it. Others find out from their dentists, who notice damage or excessive wear on teeth. If you grind your teeth a lot, then you might notice that they hurt, and if you allow the problem to continue, you’ll notice that your teeth become damaged.

Fortunately, there are several ways to stop teeth grinding. Taking a multi-pronged approach addresses the cause of this involuntary but destructive problem while helping to protect your teeth from worse damage.

Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive therapy will help you take stock of your life and determine the source of your problem. While this approach takes some time, it is likely to benefit you by helping you to identify the worst stressors in your environment, and to give you some healthy ways to cope with them. Once you’ve identified stress factors, you can take concrete steps to eliminate them. As stress decreases, your teeth grinding behavior is likely to diminish.

Behavioral therapists can teach you how to be attentive to your feelings as each day progresses, and to specifically relax your jaw and mouth whenever you feel stressed, angry, or anxious. The better your response to stress during your waking hours, the less likely you will be to clench your jaws and grind your teeth at night.

In behavioral therapy, the main goal is to retrain your brain and your body to stop of the teeth grinding habit. Just as your problem took time to show up in your life, though, it will take some time to form new neural pathways inside your brain. Be patient and don’t expect results to happen overnight. Working consistently with your therapist, following his or her instructions, and paying very close attention to the way your body feels will help you make important changes to the way your body reacts to stress and tension.

Mouth Guards

Whether you are using behavioral therapy or another method to stop teeth grinding, it’s a very good idea to provide yourself with some protection while treating your teeth to instant relief from the ongoing discomfort that teeth grinding causes. MouthGuardsForTeethGrinding.com is an excellent source for a variety of different guards that can be worn to alleviate the effects of teeth grinding.

Protective mouth guards are made from plastic or acrylic, and are designed to provide a comfortable fit. They are primarily worn at night while you’re sleeping, since this is when most teeth grinding occurs. Although a mouth guard won’t prevent your body from going through the motions of grinding your teeth, it will cushion and protect teeth from forceful grinding.

If you decide to wear a mouth guard, you’ll notice a big difference in the way your teeth feel as long as you remember to put the guard in place each evening after brushing and taking care of other nighttime routines.

Hypnosis, Meditation, and Affirmations

Hypnosis might sound like a strange way to stop teeth grinding, but it works very well for some people. You might be wondering what makes hypnosis such an effective tool. Here’s how it works: While you are asleep, your subconscious mind is wide awake, and it controls everything that happens. Right now, if you’re grinding your teeth at night, your subconscious is directing your body to do so. The good news is that you can easily reprogram your mind so that it stops telling your jaws to move as a response to stress.

Some individuals seek help from a professional hypnotherapist, while others use online resources that offer audio hypnosis programs that are specifically designed to promote relaxation, help you deal with stress in a healthful way, and stop grinding your teeth while you are asleep. Either way, it can be a good idea to use daily affirmations and meditation along with the hypnosis. Both of these techniques can help strengthen the messages that your mind receives.

Most people find that hypnotherapy, meditation, and affirmations help, but they do take some time to work.

Massage Therapy

Besides working on your stress level, cushioning your teeth, and working on your subconscious, you can obtain relief from discomfort via bodywork or massage therapy. One example is craniosacral therapy, which focuses on the way you move and breathe. This technique can ease pain and help you relax so that you grind your teeth less or stop altogether.

Whichever of these methods you decide to try, be sure that you protect your teeth while you’re waiting for stress-relieving measures to take effect. Meanwhile, keep in mind that the greater your efforts, the sooner you are likely to find relief.

Our Practice

Dear patients,

Our new website updates continue... have a look at our page that introduces each of my wonderful staff!

http://www.drrichardromano.com/our-practice/meet-the-team/

Happy Friday,

Dr. Romano

Bay Ridge News

We thought this article from last week's Brooklyn Daily would brighten your day!

-Dr. Romano & Team

Rubble with a cause! Ridgeites are hiding painted pebbles around the ’hood to brighten neighbors’ days

http://www.brooklyndaily.com/stories/2017/9/br-bay-ridge-rock-collections-2017-03-03-bk.html

Photo: Elaine Ng

Heart stone: Bay Ridgite Elaine Ng finds an uplifting rock in a planter.

Talk about hard news!

Bay Ridgites are painting rocks with vibrant patterns and kind messages, and scattering the stones across the nabe for others to stumble upon. The whole thing started out as two local women’s quirky hobby, but they say the trend has now gone viral amongst residents looking to spread some good vibes in these tumultuous times.

“People are looking for a way to reach out to their neighbors, and, in the current political climate, there are plenty who want to remind those around them that even though we might not be the same, we’re close and small things can make a big difference,” said Rana Abu-Sbaih, who launched the effort with pal Amie Jo Pappas.

Inspired by rock-painting groups that have popped up across the country, Abu-Sbaih in January busted out her own craggy collection from lakes, rivers, and creeks she has visited over the years and began painting the stones with her friends and family.

Word quickly spread beyond Abu-Sbaih and Pappas’s circle of friends, and the pair created the “Bay Ridge Rocks!” Facebook group so other locals could get in on the action.

The page now has nearly 200 members, and hundreds of smooth-stone paintings pepper the Ridge with faces, rainbows, and slogans such as “You rock” and “Rock on.” Each is tagged with instructions urging the finder to share a snap on social media, and collect or re-hide their discovery.

Plenty of local kids have taken up the hobby, and Abu-Sbaih said it’s great to see youngsters tearing their eyes away from screens and getting some fresh air.

“People are putting their phone in their pocket — I think it opens up a lot in their lives,” she said. “It’s getting people outside, getting people to be creative, and getting people to brighten up someone’s day.”

Now, Bay Ridge Rocks is coming out of the underground and making appearances at community events. At the Children’s Choral and Arts Festival of Peace, held at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd on Feb. 11, Pappas and Abu-Sbaih set up a table with a veritable quarry of pebbles for tykes to decorate — and that was just one of many more events to come.

“The goal is to keep sharing this with others,” said Abu-Sbaih. “And in our community I think it’s really going to blow up because anyone can do it, whether you have a family or not. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Bay Ridge Rock’s next outing will take place at PS 102’s Art Gala (211 72nd St. between Third Avenue and Ridge Boulevard in Bay Ridge), March 9 at 1–8 pm. Free.

Reach reporter Caroline Spivack at cspivack@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260–2523. Follow her on Twitter @carolinespivack.

Patient Spotlight: Michael Lynch

Patient Spotlight: Michael Lynch

Place of birth and current city: Brooklyn and Staten Island

Patient since: About 2007. “Dr. Romano does great work!”

Occupation: When we sat down to chat, the camouflage print of the lining of his jacket peeked through, exposing Michael’s military past. He led an exciting career in military communications and intelligence, and currently works as a consultant for people who import and export. This ranges from “nuts and bolts and screws” to “200 million dollar aircraft.” This job has been equally exciting, as it has allowed Michael to travel widely and meet an array of people, including Margaret Thatcher, Jacques Cousteau, François Mitterand. 

Hobbies: Work is his hobby! It's a good thing his job is so interesting, and includes travel (sometimes as many as 50-60 flights in a year!) and attending events such as airshows -- he even got to walk on a B-1 bomber!

Favorite Brooklyn restaurants: Ginos on 75^th & 5^th

Favorite decade: The early 1960s when he was working on crypto-intelligence for the US military. “It was very interesting being a young man in the military traveling the whole Far East.”

Childhood memory: “The first time I saw my wife, I was 14, she 13”

Person from history he'd most like to meet: Ronald Reagan

Michael Can’t live without: Pepsi Cola

View of the Brooklyn Bridge from The Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Here's a beautifully illustrated article from The Brooklyn Daily Eagle that we thought our patients would enjoy! Dr. Romano & Team

The Brooklyn Bridge is a tourist magnet even in February cold

By Lore Croghan

It's irresistible.
Even when temps are in the 30s and the wind whips wildly over the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge draws crowds of visitors.
Selfie-snappers from myriad nations and New Yorkers in need of a breath of fresh — and very cold — air all flock to the pedestrian walkway of the famed span, which was built by the Roeblings in the 19th century.

http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/2017/2/27/brooklyn-bridge-tourist-magnet-even-february-cold

Patient Question: How often should I brush and floss? -Donna L.

Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.

• Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
• Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
• Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Electric toothbrushes are also recommended. Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.

Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. It also disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

• Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
• Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
• Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.

Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.

It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to brush. 

Dr. Romano

Happy Birthday Dr. Romano!

Happy Birthday Dr. Romano!

Welcome!

To our wonderful patients,

We are so thrilled to welcome you to our new blog and website! We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy getting to know you and providing you with your dental care. Please visit this space for patient news and specials, office updates and informational posts. We invite you to have a look around it now, and leave your comments or let us know in person how we can improve it to fit your needs!

Our best wishes for a happy and healthy 2017,

Dr. Richard A. Romano and Team