How to Care for Bridges

Our skilled doctors at Elite Dental Arts can craft all kinds of artificial teeth for our patients, but to ensure that their new teeth last a lifetime, patients need to know how to care for them. Dental bridges are an important tool for repairing bite function, but because they present some unusual surfaces for plaque to accumulate on, some extra steps are required to floss them properly.

Fortunately, flossing with bridges isn’t hard; it just requires some new tools. A dental threader is a soft, needle-like device which is used to pull a strand of floss under a bridge and loop it around so the patient can grab it at both ends. The patient can then floss along the bridge and adjoining teeth in an arc-motion. There are also specialty brands of floss which have stiffened tips to allow them to be pushed under a bridge.

Implant-supported bridges may have larger empty spaces between the gum and the prosthetic structure. This allows larger bits of food to get stuck, but also allows them to be dislodged with a proxy brush. It is also becoming more common for makers of electric toothbrushes and water picks to make pieces designed for use with implants and the prosthetic teeth they support.

Nick M. Mobilia, DDS
ELITE DENTAL ARTS
9 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017                                                                             (212)681-0939

Types of Stains

Fixing tooth discoloration is our specialty at Elite Dental Arts in Midtown, but depending on what type of stain a tooth has, the treatment will be different. Extrinsic stains and age-discoloration are the types of cosmetic problems people probably most associate with cosmetic dentistry, but there are also intrinsic stains, which may require a different approach.

Bleaching is used on extrinsic stains. These are the kinds which affect the surface of the teeth and are due to dark liquids and smoke. Intrinsic stains are those which affect a tooth’s pulp, which can be too deep for bleaching to affect. An intrinsic stain may be concealed with veneers, and if it was caused by the tooth being exposed to tetracycline antibiotics or excessive fluoride during its formation, this may be the best solution. But it may also be caused by infection or trauma of the pulp. If that is the case, the patient will need to have the pulp removed, because a dental infection is much more dangerous than a simple cosmetic problem. After undergoing a successful root canal, the patient and Dr. Mobilia can discuss further options for concealing or replacing the tooth’s crown.

Nick M. Mobilia, DDS
ELITE DENTAL ARTS
9 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017                                                                                           (212)681-0939

Brushing with Traditional Braces

If you have braces, you should be working overtime on practicing proper oral hygiene. This is because braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped, and inadequate cleaning while wearing these wires can cause enamel staining and tooth decay around brackets or bands. Dr. Nick Mobilia of Elite Dental Arts can’t stand behind you to monitor how you often you brush, but he can provide you with the following routine that will help make brushing with traditional braces both simple and effective.

• Prepare to brush – take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.


• Clean your braces – use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush the top of each wire and then from the bottom. Take time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed.


• Brush your teeth – clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.

If you have questions about orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.elitedentalarts.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Nick Mobilia of Elite Dental Arts here in New York, NY, call our office at 212-681-0939.



Nick M. Mobilia, DDS
ELITE  DENTAL ARTS
9 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017

Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?

Tooth sensitivity can be mild at first, but it can often develop into worsened pain if not taken care of. Here at Elite Dental Arts in New York, NY, we want our patients to know some common reasons for tooth sensitivity.

Tooth sensitivity can occur for many reasons. Whatever the case, the sensitivity is from the nerve endings within a tooth being exposed. Sensitivity is often felt with cold food or drinks, hot food or drinks, air exposure, sweetness, or sourness. Sticky foods can also irritate a sensitive tooth.

Some of the most common reasons for tooth sensitivity include cavities, worn down enamel and receded gums. Keep these tips in mind to avoid creating these conditions:

• Make sure to wait at least thirty minutes after eating or drinking anything but water to brush your teeth. The acid in food and drinks can actually soften our enamel and when we brush, it erodes our enamel.


• Try to stay away from very acidic foods like lollipops, soda pop, and sour candy.


• Brushing too harshly can wear down enamel and irritate gums, so remember that only a light touch is needed to clean teeth. In addition, try using a sensitivity toothpaste to help relieve sensitivity.

If you suspect you have a cavity or a tooth infection, be sure to see us as soon as possible. If you are experiencing sensitivity of any kind, schedule an appointment with us to ensure it is nothing serious. We can then help you determine the cause. To schedule an appointment in our New York, NY office, call Elite Dental Arts at (212) 681-0939 or visit our website, www.elitedentalarts.com.

Nick M. Mobilia, DDS
ELITE  DENTAL ARTS
9 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 681-0939
drmobilia@EliteDentalArts.com
BE SURE TO CONNECT WITH ELITE DENTAL ARTS 
  

Why Do I Have Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are often removed for health reasons. Either they do not fit or they are causing overgrowth of bacteria. Occasionally, they are okay to keep, but with so many of us having them extracted, you may wonder why we even have them in the first place. At Elite Dental Arts in New York, NY, we can safely extract your wisdom teeth to protect your oral and overall health. Take a look at why it is thought we have wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth are thought to have had a purpose around 20,000 years ago, but not so much now. Back then, humans may have needed an extra set of teeth to chew through the hard items in their diet like roots, leaves, and uncooked meat. Nowadays, we have ways of cooking our foods so they are not so tough to chew. Also, since then, the sizes of humans’ jaws and faces have gotten smaller; explaining why many of us do not have enough room for wisdom teeth.

While there are a few of us lucky ones who are born without wisdom teeth, many of us have them and need them taken out. If you think your wisdom teeth may be growing in, be sure to schedule an appointment here in our New York, NY office. To schedule, call Elite Dental Arts at (212) 681-0939 or visit our website, www.elitedentalarts.com.



Nick M. Mobilia, DDS
ELITE  DENTAL ARTS
9 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 681-0939
drmobilia@EliteDentalArts.com
BE SURE TO CONNECT WITH ELITE DENTAL ARTS 
  

Dental Care with Braces

Taking care of your teeth while you wear braces is vital to the health of your teeth. In addition, poor oral care can result in uneven staining once the braces come off. At Elite Dental Arts in New York, NY, we want all of our patients to understand the extra care needed when wearing braces.

Since braces create new surfaces for plaque to hide in, you will need to make sure you brush these areas to avoid build-up. Brush your teeth as you normally would, but then also brush along the tops and bottoms of all your brackets. To reach the sides, you will need an interdental cleaner. These are tiny brushes that are able to get underneath the wires. Make sure you can see the edges of all sides of the brackets. To floss, it helps to have floss threaders or floss with a threader attached to it. These threaders make it easier to get the floss underneath the wires.

Special brushing and flossing are important with braces because the plaque has more places to hide. Plaque that is left alone can lead to staining and decay.

Along with good care at home, make sure you are seeing your dentist for routine cleanings. To schedule an appointment at Elite Dental Arts in New York, NY, call our office at (212) 681-0939 or visit our website, www.elitedentalarts.com.

Nick M. Mobilia, DDS
ELITE  DENTAL ARTS
9 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 681-0939
drmobilia@EliteDentalArts.com
BE SURE TO CONNECT WITH ELITE DENTAL ARTS
  

Bad Breath

Bad breath is not pleasant and it’s really bad when it keeps coming back. At Elite Dental Arts in New York, NY, we want our patients to know how bad breath is caused and what to do about it.

Bad breath is caused by bacteria in the mouth. There are bacteria that develop on our teeth just hours after brushing them. There are also bacteria in certain foods that smell worse than others. Keep reading to learn how to defeat bad breath.

If your mouth is dry, bacteria can thrive. Make sure to keep hydrated by drinking your recommended amount of daily water. It is also important to have a great dental care routine. Brush your teeth two or three times per day and floss your teeth once per day. Plaque is the sticky bacterial film that develops on our teeth throughout the day. In addition, clean your tongue each time you brush your teeth. Bacteria can also form there and cause bad odor.

Dairy is a food that often has those stinky bacteria in it. Milk products are the main culprit. If you want to avoid bad breath, avoid these types of products beforehand. Yogurt, however, is a dairy product that actually has bacteria in it to fight the stinky bacteria. You can also reach for green tea. Not only will it hydrate you , but it also has odor-fighting bacteria in it.

If you have questions about your breath, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.elitedentalarts.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Nick Mobilia of Elite Dental Arts here in New York, NY, call our office at 212-681-0939. 

Nick M. Mobilia, DDS
ELITE  DENTAL ARTS
9 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 681-0939
drmobilia@EliteDentalArts.com
BE SURE TO CONNECT WITH ELITE DENTAL ARTS
  

Avoiding Staining to Keep a White Smile

Look your best this spring by keeping those pearly whites bright! At Elite Dental Arts in New York, NY, Dr. Nick Mobilia, DDS offers professional whitening. Take some tips for keeping your smile white after your whitening procedure!

The most important part of keeping a white smile is keeping it clean. A great at-home oral hygiene routine is important to keep away stain-causing debris, as well as routine professional cleanings. Sticky plaque that develops on our teeth just hours after brushing them can hold stain-causers close to teeth. Brush two to three times per day and floss once per day to keep away plaque and debris!

After drinking dark liquids or eating dark foods, like cola and soy sauce, make sure to rinse your mouth out. Brushing too soon after eating or drinking anything but water could harm your enamel, but rinsing with water will not. After thirty minutes, it is then safe to brush. In addition to rinsing afterward, drink your dark liquids through a straw to minimize contact. Avoiding tobacco use will also help keep stains away.

To find out more about our professional whitening, be sure to contact Elite Dental Arts. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Nick Mobilia in our New York, NY office, call us at (212) 681-0939 or visit our website, www.elitedentalarts.com.

Nick M. Mobilia, DDS
ELITE  DENTAL ARTS
9 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 681-0939
drmobilia@EliteDentalArts.com
BE SURE TO CONNECT WITH ELITE DENTAL ARTS