bnewman

Your cosmetic dentist in East Greenbush New York

bnewman — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 17:29:56 +0000

Smile with the confidence you deserve! Feel free to contact our East Greenbush dental practice with any questions or concerns you may have. We strive to provide the most comfortable, caring and family-oriented dental experience possible.

https://www.jcraigalexanderdmd.com

My philosophy of practice is one of prevention and providing the best comprehensive treatment that the patient can afford. If ideal treatment isn’t possible due to financial limitations, I will offer treatment alternatives. I would much rather see a patient follow a less expensive, affordable, comprehensive treatment plan than spend his or her entire dental budget on one small aspect of the dental problem while a larger, growing problem was left untreated.

Our Family Dentistry Services

– Cosmetic Dentistry
– Dental Crowns
– Dental Veneers
– Dentures
– Family Dentistry
– Gingivitis
– Home Sleep Study
– Mini Implants Dental

Dr. Alexander
739 Columbia Turnpike
P.O. Box 237
East Greenbush, New York 12061

Call our office at 518-477-1008.
Email: Dr.A@JCraigAlexanderDMD.com

Thanks for visiting our blog! Contact us anytime.

“Smiles aren’t something you can giveaway, they always come back to you.”

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Dr. Alexander: The Finest Tuba Player This Side of the Mississippi

bnewman — Fri, 31 May 2013 19:02:45 +0000

Dr. Alexander is not only one of the best dentists in the East Greenbush area, he is also one of the best marching band tuba players around. Dr. Alexander recently performed in a local parade and here are the photos as proof!

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East Greenbush Dentist Discusses: When Hot and Cold Temperatures Really Hurt

bnewman — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:10:10 +0000

Have you ever taken a sip of a cold beverage, expecting refreshment, only to wince in sharp pain? Has a warm cup of tea been the source of unrelenting toothache? If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms when dealing with temperature, it is likely that you suffer from sensitive teeth. Dr. Alexander, an East Greenbush dentist, wants to help you understand why your mouth is reacting to environmental temperature shifts.

There are numerous reasons why people experience sensitivity in this way. More specifically, and usually the most likely culprit, is that the root is exposed at the base of the tooth. It is there that millions of tiny tubes (called dentin), which are connected to nerve endings, are exposed to the elements. Gum recession, teeth grinding, aggressive brushing techniques, and acidic drinks all contribute to exposed gums and ultimately sensitive teeth.

Dr. Alexander says thats some people don’t realize they’re brushing too hard, thus affecting tooth sensitivity through enamel erosion and gum wear. Your most loved beverage — coffee, tea, juice, wine, and popular energy drinks — are also putting the condition of the tooth’s enamel and the dentin in a vulnerable position.

If you’re experiencing severe sensitivity, talk to Dr. Alexander about bonding the problematic areas. This is essentially a very fine varnish your dentist applies to the tooth. It’s not a permanent fix, though. In the meantime, consider brushing gently, reduce your acidic beverage intake, and be aware of any tooth grinding you may be experiencing.

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East Greenbush Dentist: Energy Drinks Are Bad For Teeth

bnewman — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:09:26 +0000

Many people believe energy drinks are useful consumable items that get them through the day. However, studies are suggesting that although energy drinks give people a short burst of productivity, they actually contribute to declining oral health. Many people believe that an energy drink is a healthier alternative to soda and other sugary drinks. Specifically, the study shows that ingredients contained in sports drinks can damage tooth enamel which leads to increased risk of developing cavities.

The ABA led the research team, where 13 “sports” drinks (like gatorade) and 9 “energy” drinks (like Red Bull) were tested for their acidity. They tested six drinks for their effects on tooth enamel and found both types caused damage. Energy drinks, however, were twice as bad. Damaged tooth enamel cannot be fixed. This study was published in the journal, General Dentistry.

The samples of enamel were immersed in the test drinks for 15 minutes. The samples were then to artificial saliva for two hours. This process was repeated four times a day for five days. The beverages were replaced with fresh ones every day. This process was developed in order to simulate real life, since people tend to consume these drinks throughout the day. The research shows that enamel loss was evident after five days of exposure!

If you’re an avid energy drink/sports drink user, then it would be wise to dilute the liquid with water in order to minimize the harmful effects to your teeth. Dr. Alexander, a East Greenbush dentist, suggests discontinuing use of these beverages as a source of energy and instead, make healthy changes to your sleeping and dietary habits. You’d be surprised to find out that little steps will make you feel healthier, refreshed, and less dependent on stimulants.

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East Greenbush dentist discusses flossing excuses

bnewman — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:54:40 +0000

Believe it or not, a recent survey has found that only 49% of Americans floss daily and 10% of Americans don’t floss at all. These rough estimates are quite unfortunate, given howimportant flossing is to your oral hygiene routine. In fact, dentists agree that flossing is more important than brushing in the fight against periodontal disease, which could ultimately lead to tooth loss. People joke about how the only time they floss is when they’re due for their annual check-up. East Greenbush dentist, Dr. J. Craig Alexander, wants his patients to know that he can tell if you’ve been a long-term flosser or not.

And, he wants you to put an end to your excuses for not flossing regularly. The main “culprit” people cite for not flossing is that they don’t have time. Although effective flossing does require a bit of time (about 3 to 5 minutes), Dr. Alexander says that even 60 seconds of flossing is better than zero seconds of flossing. The key here is to make flossing a daily habit.

Other excuses vary from not knowing how to floss, not having enough dexterity to floss, or having dental work that makes flossing impossible, or that food doesn’t get stuck in your teeth. If it’s lack of knowledge that is keeping you from flossing your teeth, take a look at this video that clearly illustrates how to properly floss. Also, if you have dexterity constraints, consider a floss holder. These disposable plastic Y-shaped devices (some equipped with a spool of floss) hold a span of floss between two prongs to allow one-handed use. Furthermore, flossing doesn’t rid your mouth of food detritus, it gets rid of dental plaque, the very thing that causes gum disease.

Another oft-used excuse is that flossing can be painful for some. Bleeding while brushing and flossing is the precise condition flossing aims to prevent. The good news is that once you regularly floss and brush, these symptoms subside. If they persists, it is wise to contact Dr. Alexander at his East Greenbush office to figure out what is going on with your oral. Remember, brushing and flossing regularly is how you prevent periodontal disease!

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East Greenbush Dentist Discusses Electronic Toothbrushes

bnewman — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:51:27 +0000

When electronic toothbrushes first arrived in the dental healthcare market, there was only one brand offering automatic oral health care. These days, however, there are many different electronic toothbrushes available to consumers with different options — like re-chargeable batteries, smaller designs, and superb cleaning options. Because of this, it can be daunting when trying to figure out which electronic toothbrush is right for you.

Fortunately, Dr. J. Craig Alexander, an East Greenbush dentist, wants to help guide you through the maze of modern electronic toothbrushes. First, let’s discuss the main difference between the two major electronic tooth brushes.

Electronic V. Sonic

Electronic toothbrushes are designed to mimic the motion of your hand when you brush your teeth with a regular toothbrush, except you get 3,000 to 7,500 rotations per minute. These toothbrushes do most of the work for you. Sonic toothbrushes dwarf regular electronic toothbrushes with 30,000 to 40,000 strokes per minute. The sonic toothbrushes rapid movements go a long way to remove plaque and ultimately, lead to an easy next check-up at Dr. Alexander’s East Greenbush office.

How You Reap The Benefits

Recent studies have shown that electronic and Sonic toothbrushes help alleviate plaque and gingivitis — reducing your risk of future gum disease as a result of gingivitis and eventually, periodontitis. Additionally, if you have any dexterity issues, having a toothbrush do the work for you, while also getting better than average results is another bonus. It might even influence users to brush more often, since there is less manual labor involved.

The only drawback associated with power toothbrushes is that they may be too expensive for some — ranging in price from $15 to $100. Some even break the $100 dollar price point.

What Your East Greenbush Dentist Recommends

Since buying a power toothbrush can be a commitment of $100, Dr. Alexander knows how important it is to get the best one. As such, he advises his patients to ask their dental hygienist for their opinion on which electronic toothbrush is right for them during their next visit to our East Greenbush dental office.

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East Greenbush Dentist Discusses Ways To Improve Your Smile

bnewman — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:47:07 +0000

Are you embarrassed about your teeth? Do crooked or chipped teeth keep you from smiling the way you would like to?

Tooth discoloration, asymmetry, overcrowding, or chipped teeth can dictate whether or not someone feels their smile is adequate enough to show to the world. Even though these imperfections are normal and completely human, often times they prevent people from achieving their personal and professional goals.

That’s why East Greenbush dentist, Dr. J. Craig Alexander, would like to discuss the many ways in which people can make a difference in their smile. The first step, and possibly the easiest one to take is that of whitening — the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure on the market. Optimal whitening is achieved in the office with your dentist, but at-home remedies have been shown to help improve the appearance of teeth as well. However, a dentist whitened smile will last for years when used properly (that includes using professional gels and trays once a month).

If you have broken or chipped teeth, you have a few options. The first would be to implement bonding, a process where chips and gaps are filled in with a hardened, tooth colored substance. Crowns, or porcelain “caps,” are more durable, as they cover the entire damaged tooth. Veneers are another option, but only cover a section of the tooth. Your dentist may also suggest gum reshaping (gingivectomy), if you feel your smile is too “gummy.”

To save time and money, combine these procedures with orthodontics first — if your teeth are especially misaligned. Once teeth are straightened out, your East Greenbush dentist will cosmetically correct the teeth orthodontics couldn’t touch.

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East Greenbush Dentist Discusses Tooth Wear

bnewman — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 01:39:21 +0000

There are three major threats that lead to wearing down or injuring teeth: chewing, brushing, and grinding, along with accidental injuries. Today, East Greenbush dentist Dr. J. Craig Alexander, discusses how you can avoid the daily wear your teeth encounter.

Accidental Injury

Biting down on a hard surface is how people normally imagine they’ll chip a tooth, or think they’ll chip a tooth. The reality is that chipping or breaking a tooth in this manner is actually quite uncommon. It is more likely that chipped teeth arise from those with root canals and fillings if you bite down on something hard.

Additionally, it is more likely that a chipped and/or broken teeth are a result of playing sports. Studies have found that wrestling, boxing, basketball, and karate are the biggest culprits of tooth injuries. If you play sports, be sure to protect your teeth by utilizing a mouthguard.

Unconscious Grinding: Bruxism

If you find yourself unconsciously grinding your teeth when you’re not chewing food, then you might be suffering from bruxism, and endangering the surface of your teeth. Not only does teeth grinding wear down the pointed shape of molars, but also create micro cracks on the enamel surface, making you more susceptible to tooth decay. As any with bruxism knows, grinding your teeth also creates headaches, muscle pain, and jaw injury.

Your East Greenbush dentist, Dr. J. Craig Alexander, can usually spot the tell-tale signs of bruxism during an exam. You may not even know you suffer from teeth grinding until you go to your dental check-up. That’s another reason why it is important to see your oral health professionals twice a year.

Enamel Erosion and Acids

Teeth are built tough, but when the level of acid becomes imbalance in your mouth, the structural strength of teeth become compromised and susceptible to decay. Acidic foods and beverages and stomach acids (brought into the mouth by bulimia, morning sickness, or GERD) contribute to continued erosion of enamel.

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East Greenbush Dentist Discusses Gum Disease

bnewman — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:26:41 +0000

Gum disease poses a risk to your oral health and you may not even be aware of it — says East Greenbush dentist Dr. Alexander. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to serious tooth loss and other health complications. Before gum disease escalates to that point, it is possible to reverse the progression of the effects of gum disease.

Gingivitis and Periodontitis

You’ve probably heard of gingivitis, but have you heard of periodontitis? Gingivitis occurs when bacteria gets stuck in areas of the gum line, inflaming gums. Symptoms of gingivitis usually come in the form of continual bad breath and bleeding gums while brushing. Once gingivitis goes untreated, the disease transforms into periodontitis — reaching connective tissue and even the bone.

How Your Check-Up With Your East Greenbush Dentist Helps

By the time patients even begin to notice the signs of gum disease, it’s usually too late. That’s why it’s important to see your dentist bi-annually, to ensure you’re not suffering from a severe case of gum disease. Dentists can spot problem areas along the gum line and any erosion around the root of the tooth. When you visit the dentist regularly, you begin to build up a history that allows the dentist to compare previous visits and x-rays, monitoring the progress or added erosion.

Preventing and Treating Gum Disease

Maintaining recommended dental hygiene habits is the first step in preventing gum disease. Most of us know the basics (brushing and flossing twice a day), but there are additional steps you can take:

Use an anti-bacterial mouthwash after brushing to wash away any “left-over” bacteria
Quit Smoking. Smoking damages gums, providing a habitable environment in which bacteria flourishes
Dr. Alexander can scrape away plaque at the gum line

What To Do About Periodontitis

If gum disease has infected the bone, then more specialized care at home and the dentist’s office is required:

The first step is for a dentist to remove plaque and tartar from below the gum line. You may need a local anesthetic so you don’t feel pain.
Next, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection. Some people, may need periodontal surgery to fold back gum tissue. Periodontal surgery can also treat deeper pockets of infection.
Your dentist or periodontist may need to do a procedure called grafting. For that, he takes tissue from one part of your mouth (such as the roof) to replace gum tissue that has eroded, exposing the roots of your teeth.

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Our East Greenbush Dental Office Team at Continuing Ed

bnewman — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:27:51 +0000

Here’s a pic of our East Greenbush Dental team at a recent course. We learned a lot and had a wonderful time. Our entire Team stays current with the latest technologies and procedures in the field of Dentistry.

Our East Greenbush Dental office team at continuing education

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