Choosing a Pediatric Dentist in Monroe, NY

Children need to visit a pediatric dentist by their first birthday. Usually, around this time a child already has their first tooth or teeth. Parent’s that have children who experience harsh teething symptoms such as fever and discomfort should visit a pediatric dentist for an exam. The earlier your child see’s a dentist the better their chances are to have good oral care throughout their lifetime. If you are looking for your child’s first dentist in Monroe, follow the tips below to help guide you to the right one.

Consult with Family and Friends

Ask your family and friends if they can refer you to a good pediatric dentist in the area. Friends and co-workers that have children that have already visited a dentist will usually provide you with valuable information. Often the list of dentists to avoid comes first since people want to warn others of a negative experience their child had in the past. Make sure you avoid dentists that have bad reviews from your family, friends, and co-workers. Begin making a list of good pediatric dentist options with the dental offices your friend’s children currently visit.

Search Online

You can access a list of pediatric dentists in Monroe by searching online with your favorite search engine. A list will appear quickly and provide you with websites and other information.

Narrow Down Your Search

Never choose a dentist just because they are located close to your house. This is a common mistake parent make that often result in a negative experience and finding a new dentist. Your goal is to find the best pediatric dentist for your child, even if you have to drive a bit further. Remove any dentist offices from your search list if they don’t have a license, phone number or permanent address. These are all red flags that can lead to a negative experience for both you and your child.

Contact the Dental Office

Some people can determine if they want to bring their child to a dentist just by the way the person at the front desk answers the telephone. If they don’t sound happy, cheerful and eager to help you, move on to the next option. You don’t want your child getting rushed through a dental visit with rude staff that is trying to see as many children as they can without forming a professional bond and relationship.

Visit the Office

Make an appointment with your top three options to visit the dental offices. Bring your child along to see how they react to the environment and staff. Some dental offices offer free consultations on your first visit so take advantage of the offer. This will help you determine which dentist makes your child happiest.

Dr. Jacquie Smiles pediatric dental office in Monroe, NY

You might be in a rush to find the right dentist but you need to make the choice carefully. If you are a new parent and your child is still too young to visit a dentist, start your search anyway. Sometimes the best dentists have a high number of patients they have to form a waiting list. You will definitely want to get on the waiting list if the dentist is known as the best in the area. Choose wisely and carefully.

Pediatric Orthodontics Consultation in Monroe, NY

Dr. Jacquie Smile provides pediatric orthodontics and dentistry for children in Monroe, NY. She specializes in Invisalign braces to straighten teeth, preventative care, correct overbite issues, first dental visits and fix other problems that may be affecting your child’s smile. Our team of orthodontist specialists in Monroe can help your child fix common dental problems and prevent any future issues that may arise.

To schedule a pediatric orthodontist appointment for your child in our Monroe office, conveniently located in Orange County near 70 Gilbert Street, Suite 202, Monroe, NY 10950, please contact our office by calling us at 845-782-4288 or fill out the contact form to receive more information.

Risks of Do-It-Yourself Braces at Home

A dangerous trend of do-it-yourself braces has caused people to attempt to straighten their teeth at home without the assistance of an orthodontist. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, 13 percent of their members have seen patients who attempted DIY braces that ended in disaster. Patient’s that tried to straighten their teeth at home were using paper clips, fishing line, floss, and rubber bands. The intention behind do-it-yourself braces is to save money, but it often ends up in disaster. The following risks will convince you to consult with an orthodontist instead of attempt to fix your own teeth.

Rubber Bands

A popular DIY braces treatment involves using rubber bands. People often get small rubber bands from their local pharmacy or they purchase them online. They are usually used to close a gap between teeth. You might think this will bring your teeth closer and the gap will close but it actually turns out rotating or tipping teeth.

Gum Damage

If you use objects such as paper clips and metal twist garbage ties in your mouth you are risking injury to your gums and cheeks. These pointy objects can slip and move easily and stab your gums, tongue, and cheeks resulting in a bloody painful mess. If the damaged area is not treated properly you can get an infection and further damage the tissue.

Pressure Damage

DIY braces don’t allow you to control the pressure level that gradually moves the teeth into place. This means your at-home braces contraption can be too loose and not do anything but cause an inconvenience or be too tight and move the teeth at a fast rate which causes teeth to loosen. Orthodontists use proper equipment that gradually and safely straightens teeth.

Pain and Discomfort

You might be saving money trying to apply do-it-yourself braces at home but you can be causing more damage than good. Your intention might be to straighten your teeth but you can cause some serious damage, pain, and discomfort that will lead you to emergency dental care. Braces, whether made at home or professionally move teeth into place. You are physically moving your teeth which causes feelings of pressure and discomfort sometimes during the process. You can end up causing yourself severe jaw and gum pain that won’t go away until you seek professional treatment.

Benefits of Going to an Orthodontist

Straightening your teeth under professional supervision
You get to choose the type of braces such as standard of Invisalign
Prevention of other issues from forming
Professional care from a licensed orthodontist

Visiting an experienced and licensed orthodontist for a consultation will provide you with details regarding your specific situation. The orthodontist will discuss the diagnosis and treatment needed to help you achieve a healthy beautiful smile. If braces are needed to straighten your teeth you can discuss payment options with the orthodontist office.

Are you ready to toss the DIY braces into the trash and straighten your teeth the right way? Call us today to make an appointment. We also offer financing plans to help you pay for the treatment.

BRACES CONSULTATION

If you are interested in Invisalign braces or an orthodontics consultation in NYC, please contact the offices of Dr. Jacquie Smiles today for an appointment by calling 212-972-3522 or filling out the contact form to receive additional information. Her office is conveniently located near 30 East 40th Street Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

Dr. Jacquie Smiles is a top rated orthodontist in NYC area. She has completed her DMD degree and orthodontic residency at Boston University and after graduation became the first female and youngest Director of B.U.’s Predoctoral Orthodontic Department.

How to Take Care of Invisalign While Traveling

Invisalign is an excellent alternative to conventional braces. Adults and teens choose Invisalign clear aligners for the convenient features it offers. Popular benefits include almost invisible aligners, eating anything you want and removing them when needed. These conveniences sometimes have minor drawbacks when traveling. The following information will help you travel successfully with Invisalign.

Basic Dental Care

You need to continue your regular dental hygiene routine while traveling. Bring along your toothbrush, floss, and mouthwash on your trip. These are basic necessities in general, but they are also directly related to proper hygiene with your Invisalign aligners. You need to brush after every meal or snack before placing the aligners back into your mouth. If not, you risk trapping food particles between the aligner and your teeth which leads to plaque, bacteria growth and decay.

Rinse with Water

Traveling can put you in awkward situations that prevent you from caring for your aligners properly. You might need to eat while on the plane but don’t have the opportunity to brush or floss afterward before inserting the aligners back into place. In this type of situation use a fresh bottle or glass of water to rinse your mouth out. Basically, you want to swish the water around a bit before swallowing. This is a discreet way to remove food particles from teeth.

Soak Aligners Daily

Pack paper cups that are large enough to fit your aligners easily. Use one paper cup per day to soak your aligners with a denture tablet to remove bacteria and keep them clean.

Only Drink Water

You might enjoy a hot cup of coffee or a glass of wine before getting on the plane, but if you don’t have the opportunity to remove your aligners before consuming the beverage, you need to drink water only. Hot beverages can damage the aligners and wine can cause stains. Never drink any other beverage besides water when wearing your aligners.

Packing Invisalign Aligners

Generally, patients who use Invisalign aligners are instructed to change them every two weeks for best results. If your trip is going to be longer than two weeks, you need to be prepared. You want to bring your current set and next set of aligners every time you travel, even if you don’t expect to be gone for two weeks. This safety measure will prevent you from skipping days and set your progress back.

Keep Aligners Close

Always pack aligners in your carry-on bag or purse. Never pack them in checked luggage. As you know, airlines are famous for delayed or lost luggage. If your aligners are in the lost luggage, you won’t have access to them for days or longer.

Traveling with Invisalign gets easier every time. Once you create your own routine and follow the tips shown above, you will travel with ease during your treatment.

Dr. Jacquie Smiles in an Invisalign Elite Premier Provider in NYC. She has been recognized as a top provider every year since 2003. Dr. Jacquie Smiles is a top rated orthodontist in NYC area. She has completed her DMD degree and orthodontic residency at Boston University and after graduation became the first female and youngest Director of B.U.’s Predoctoral Orthodontic Department.

Invisalign Consultation

If you are interested in Invisalign consultation in NYC, please contact the offices of Dr. Jacquie Smiles today for an appointment by calling 212-972-3522 or filling out the contact form to receive additional information. Her office is conveniently located near 30 East 40th Street Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

If you have any questions about traveling with Invisalign, please call us today. Our friendly staff is ready to help!

11 Ways to Protect Teeth from Red Wine Stains [Infographic]

Do your teeth get stained when you drink red wine? If you have ever enjoyed a night out sipping red wine and suddenly became horrified at your reflection in the mirror, it’s time to protect your teeth and yourself from this embarrassment. Red wine contains pigment-producing ingredients that adhere to enamel and stain teeth. Tannins in red wine are specifically responsible for helping it bind to teeth.

Before you give up drinking your favorite Merlot, Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon, view the infographic below created by Dr. Jacquie Smiles, top-rated orthodontist in NYC, about ways to protect your teeth from red wine stains.

1. Brush Your Teeth Before You Consume Wine

If you know you will be drinking red wine brush your teeth before you leave the house. It helps remove plaque from the surface of teeth. Plaque is known to easily absorb color pigments in wine and food.

2. Floss to Remove Plaque Before Sipping Wine

Plaque hides in between teeth and causes red lines to appear in the crevices. Carefully floss your teeth to lessen the risk of red lines forming in between teeth.

3. Sip Sparkling Water in Between Glasses of Wine

Sparkling water washes wine away from the surface of teeth and prevents it from staining. Alternate wine and sparkling water to help wash away wine residue on teeth.

4. Eat Cheese as You Drink

The ingredients and texture of cheese close micro-pores on the surface of teeth and creates a protective barrier. Carefully bite into the cheese slowly to assure your teeth get coated and close the micro-pores.

5. Snack on Vegetable Based Appetizers while Drinking Red Wine

Restaurants usually pair appetizers with wine. Choose vegetable-based appetizers such as broccoli, spinach, and Brussel sprouts. They contain fiber that increases the production of saliva and helps wash away red wine stains.

6. Drink Wine Out of a Straw

Drinking red wine out of a straw limits contact with the surface of teeth. Choose a short straw or ask the waiter to cut a regular size straw down to size so it looks as elegant as possible sitting in the wine glass.

7. Use a Petroleum Based Lip Gloss

Teeth aren’t the only thing that gets stained when drinking wine. Your lips do also. Using a petroleum-based lip gloss creates a barrier between lips and teeth. The texture of the lip gloss catches the tannins in the wine which has a high binding capacity to the surface of teeth. The lip gloss protects your lips and your teeth from red wine stains.

8. Wait at Least an Hour After Sipping Red Wine to Brush Your Teeth

Red wine contains acid that adheres to the surface of teeth. Waiting about an hour after sipping red wine to brush your teeth reduces the risk of damaging and staining tooth enamel.

9. Chew Gum Afterwards

Keep a pack of your favorite gum in your pocket or purse. After you finish sipping wine and eating dinner, discretely chew the gum. The chewing action produces saliva that helps wash away stains from teeth plus helps freshen breath.

10. Use Teeth Wipes Afterwards to Remove Stains

The dental industry is always creating innovative ways to help people protect and care for their teeth. These handy wipes prevent red wine stains from forming on the surface of teeth and an easy go-to during an emergency.

11. Use Professional Teeth Whitening Services

Professional teeth whitening by a cosmetic dentist is much more effective, safer, more comfortable and less aggravating than whitening with a store-bought kits. Learn more about Zoom! Whitening.

Red wine stains on teeth is a common issue among wine connoisseurs. Preventing teeth from getting stained with red wine is possible when using the tips listed above combined with professional teeth whitening services. If you want immediate results, Zoom! Whitening system is an in-office procedure in NYC that uses proprietary technology to whiten teeth up to eight shades. Those red wine stains will disappear! Call 212-972-3522 or filling out the contact form to receive additional information.

Guide to Living with Invisalign Clear Aligners for NYC Patients

Congratulations! You decided to take the first step towards straight teeth and a beautiful smile. Your Invisalign aligners are going to take you on the journey to your best smile but first, you need to learn to live with the process. The following guide will provide valuable information that will help make living with Invisalign clear aligners easier. As you go forward you will be happy to learn Invisalign aligners fit into your life, not the other way around.

Live Your Life to the Fullest

You won’t be held back from living your best life. Invisalign aligners are clear and most people won’t even realize you are wearing it. You will continue to eat all your favorite foods, participate in sports and events you enjoy, brush and floss as usual and live life to the fullest.

Wearing Your Invisalign Aligners

Your Invisalign aligners are custom made and easy to wear. If you want the best results from this convenient teeth straightening system you need to wear the aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. When you are ready to drink or eat, just remove the aligners, enjoy your meal, brush your teeth afterward and put them back in carefully. The aligners that are made for teens have a blue compliance indicator so parents can be assured their children are wearing them the recommended amount of time.

Cleaning the Invisalign Aligners

Keeping your aligners clean will help prevent bacteria from building up in the aligner trays. Cleaning is easy, by gently brushing them with a toothbrush and rinsing them with water every night. Invisalign has also created a cleaning system that provides step-by-step instructions to help you keep your aligners fresh and clean. Your dentist will provide you with the details and instructions.

Getting New Sets of Aligners

Your dentist will schedule check-ups about every six to eight weeks. Your progress will determine when you will need to pick up your next set of aligners. Generally, you will wear each set for up to two weeks or as recommended by your dentist.

Discomfort and Pressure

The aligners are gradually moving your teeth into place. You should expect to experience discomfort and pressure during the first few days of each new aligner set. The discomfort is usually minimal, if you experience severe pain you need to discuss it with your dentist to see if an adjustment to the aligner schedule is needed.

Eating and Drinking

Standard braces require you to eliminate foods from your diet to assure bacteria and plaque don’t build up on the brackets. Invisalign allows you to remove the aligners and enjoy all your favorite foods and hot beverages. Avoid consuming hot coffee, tea and other beverages with the aligners in your mouth. The heat from the beverage can cause damage to the aligner and interfere with your progress.

Invisalign clear aligners allow you to maintain a regular schedule, continue with your life as usual and create a healthy oral hygiene routine. If you are interested in Invisalign clear aligners contact the office today for an appointment to see if they are best suited for your situation.

To schedule your no-obligation Invisalign consultation with Dr. Jacquie Smiles in NYC, please call 212-972-3522 or fill out the contact form to receive additional information. Her office is conveniently located near 30 East 40th St @ Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Dentist in NYC

Everyone needs a dentist but it’s not always easy to find the perfect fit in NYC. The relationship between patient and dentist is essential to maintaining healthy gums throughout your lifetime. People change dentists when they move, their dentist retires or their health insurance only covers specific dentists in the area. If you are looking for your next dentist in NYC, here are 5 mistakes to avoid.

Choosing a Dentist Based on Price

Depending on your dental needs, your medical bill can become quite expensive. Paying high dental bills are difficult when you don’t have insurance or a financial budget to cover expenses. This situation often leads people to choose a dentist based on the cheapest prices. Dentists that offer lower prices compared to their competitors are usually cutting back expenses in other important areas such as quality of dental equipment and training. You can avoid choosing dentists based on low pricing by inquiring with other dental offices that offer financing plans.

Choosing a Dentist Based on Location

Patients that choose their dentist based on location often cheat themselves out of better service. The convenience of the location of the office doesn’t mean the dentist is the right fit for you. If you don’t have a method of transportation to visit dentist offices in other areas, research the dental offices located in your area to make sure they are licensed, experienced in their field, offer the services you need and have positive reviews from previous patients. A quick online search can reveal important information in addition to contacting the office directly and asking important questions.

Settling for a Dentist that Doesn’t have Good Communication

Honest open communication between dentist and patient is highly important. Dentists that are always in a rush to get to the next patient and don’t take the time to explain the diagnosis and treatment clearly can make the situation uncomfortable for the patient. Also, dental offices that feel chaotic and confusing can make a patient nervous and fearful.

Choosing Dentists that Only Offer Expensive Treatments

Some patients believe the more expensive the treatment the better the dentist. In this situation, you want to be careful because some dental offices are only focused on earning money instead of treating the patient and building a long-term relationship. Dentists that only offer expensive treatments aren’t always the most experienced or skilled in their industry. You can avoid choosing a high priced dentist by comparing prices to other dental offices and researching the background, education and licensing of the dentist.

Choosing a Dental Office that Lacks Credentials

You can easily confirm if a dentist is licensed in New York. However, it’s a bit more difficult to confirm the staff’s credentials. All of the hygienists and assistants working in the office need to be licensed. You can ask for further details regarding the staff’s credentials by contacting the dental office directly.

Avoid choosing a dentist in NYC on a whim or based on price and location. You might be in pain and need a dentist fast but its best to take the time to research the dentist and their qualifications. It’s better to receive dental care from a licensed and skilled professional than to save a few dollars for low-quality service.

You can feel safe and welcome at Dr. Jacquie Smiles dental office. Our experienced, licensed and professional staff are standing by ready to help you with all of your cosmetic and general dentistry needs in NYC.

About Dr. Jacquie Smiles

Dr. Jacquie Smiles is a top rated dentist in NYC. She is dedicated to providing her patients with the best quality dental care available. Dr. Jacquie Smiles started her career in orthodontics/dentistry at Boston University and after graduation became the first female and youngest Director of B.U.’s Predoctoral Orthodontic Department. Dr. Jacquie teaches and certifies students and orthodontic residents in many of our dental schools and universities in the U.S. and Canada. She has also taught over 14,000 doctors, students and their teams in multiple areas of orthodontics throughout the world including North and South America, Europe, Asia, The Caribbean and the Middle East.

CONSULTATION

Schedule your dental consultation with Dr. Jacquie Smiles in NYC at her office conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan near near 30 East 40th Street Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Begin your journey to a healthy beautiful smile today by calling for a consultation right now at 212-972-3522 or filling out the contact form to receive additional information.

10 Ways to Get Rid of Coffee Stains from Your Teeth

Teeth that are exposed to coffee, which is an acidic hot liquid, tend to stain and become discolored gradually over time. Your teeth have a delicate layer of white enamel that is prone to staining. The dental industry has created various tooth whitening systems that help keep your teeth white. However, you still want to do your part to prevent coffee stains from forming on your teeth.

Here are 10 ways to get rid of coffee stains from your teeth.

Add Milk to Your Coffee

Cow milk is high in protein and is capable of binding to the polyphenols in coffee. Instead of attaching to your teeth, the polyphenols are swiftly broken down in the stomach. Almond, soy and other types of milk do not contain polyphenols, it can only be found in animal milk.

Drink Decaffeinated Coffee

Caffeine is one of the main reasons people drink coffee, especially in the morning. The caffeine level determines the severity of the staining effect on your teeth. Decaf coffee compared to caffeinate coffee is less likely to stain your teeth.

Brush after Drinking

After you finish your morning cup of coffee, brush your teeth to prevent stains from settling into your enamel. If you drink coffee at work or anytime throughout the day, bring along a toothbrush and toothpaste so you can keep up the routine when needed.

Zoom! Whitening System

Do you want whiter teeth in about an hour? The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System uses proprietary technology to treat all teeth simultaneously, remove stains from veneers, crowns, and other dental restorations and provide long-lasting results. This system has the power to whiten teeth an average of eight shades.

Dr. Smiles White System

Dr. Smiles White System is an innovative alternative to teeth whitening was developed by Dr. Jacquie Smiles using cutting edge technology. The in-office treatments provide patients with whiter teeth quickly and without sensitivity.

Drink Water

If you don’t have a toothbrush and paste close by, gargle with water. The water prevents the pigments from the coffee from permanently lodging onto your teeth. Consuming water and gargling lessens the chance of them staining.

Eat Crunchy Vegetables

Raw crunchy vegetables such as broccoli and carrots contain tiny fibers that act as cleaners against tooth enamel. As you chew it naturally removes stains caused by coffee pigments. In addition, the vegetables help initiate the production of more saliva which helps increase the rate the stain-causing pigments trapped in the crevices of teeth are broken down.

Use Whitening Toothpaste

Regular professional whitening services are recommended, but when you are in between sessions, you can help keep your teeth white with a high-quality dentist recommended whitening toothpaste.

Use a Straw

Drinking coffee with a straw might not be a popular choice, but it will prevent the coffee from touching most of your teeth. This lessens the risk of coffee stains and damage due to exposure to acidic liquids.

Floss Routinely

Flossing should already be part of your daily routine. Knowing you can prevent your teeth from being stained should encourage you to floss more often.

Getting rid of coffee stains can be done with the tips listed above. Remember, coffee stains teeth but the acid it contains also damages tooth enamel. Always consult with a professional before trying any tooth whitening system.

Eating and Drinking with Invisalign

Invisalign patients often wonder how they will eat and drink. Orthodontists are often flooded with valid questions and concerns regarding eating habits and Invisalign clear aligners.

If you are considering using the Invisalign aligners to straighten your teeth but worry about being able to drink and eat your favorite foods, the following tips will answer many of your questions.

Can you eat while wearing Invisalign aligners?

No. Eating while wearing Invisalign aligners is not recommended. The warmth of the food can cause permanent damage to the aligners and slow down your progress. The great thing about Invisalign is you never have to give up eating your favorite foods. You just need to remove the aligners each time you eat. There are no restrictions on what you can or cannot eat.

Recommended foods to avoid while wearing Invisalign aligners

Below are some of the foods recommended to avoid while wearing your Invisalign clear aligners. During your orthodontic treatment, there are some limitations to the kinds of foods you are allowed to eat. Here is a list of foods to avoid:

Foods with sugar

Candy, cakes, cookies, ice cream, etc. Anything high in sugar content can lead to tooth decay and should be avoided.

Sticky Foods

Gum, licorice, caramel, taffy, Starburst, Skittles, etc. Anything sticky may cause damage to your trays.

Citrus Foods

Citrus fruits such as oranges lemons, grapefruit, etc. These foods can eat away the enamel protection on your teeth.

It is recommended to remove your Invisalign aligners when consuming the following drinks:

Hot beverages. Hot temperatures may warp your Invisalign aligners, which may cause the trays to not to fit properly.
Acidic drinks. Soda and fruit juice both contain high amounts of acid. With Invisalign, acid remains trapped on your teeth under the aligner and starts attacking the enamel, which can lead to tooth decay.
Colored beverages. With aligners, your saliva is also unable to wash away the color from a drink. This may lead to temporary stains that can be difficult to remove with brushing alone.

Can I eat foods that cause teeth stains?

Foods that cause stains such as coffee, tea, wine, beets, and others can be consumed, but brushing is recommended afterward. Invisalign wearers can eat any type of food they want.

The rule is, the aligners must always be removed while eating. Good oral hygiene includes brushing your teeth after eating to prevent bacteria and tooth decay from forming. If you forget to brush your teeth and place the aligner back into place, the food particles from the meal you just ate will get trapped in between teeth which causes plaque to form.

If plaque builds up on teeth it can cause the aligner to be out of place and not fit properly. This will slow down your progress and possibly cause you discomfort. Remember to brush and floss after every meal.

Helpful Tips

Drink your coffee with breakfast – This will prevent you from having to brush twice. Also, you need to get used to consuming your coffee in one sitting instead of sipping it during your morning commute.
Wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours per day – You want the best results from your Invisalign clear aligners. Wearing them for 20 to 22 hours per day is recommended. This means you will need to schedule meals and snacks carefully to make sure you have enough hours in the day to wear your aligners.
Avoid gum – Never chew gum when wearing your Invisalign aligners. The constant chewing motion and sticky consistency will damage the aligners preventing you from getting the best results.

Invisalign aligners allow the wearer to have the freedom to eat all their favorite foods and more. This convenient straightening system is an excellent alternative to standard bracket braces.

Choosing a Pediatric Dentist in Monroe, NY

Choosing a Pediatric Dentist in Monroe, NY