Regular maintenance keeps teeth clean, healthy

As our bodies age, so do our teeth. Years of chewing and crunching can take a toll.

At 38 years old, Jery Lobrow's teeth were showing signs of aging, so he checked with Dr. Marc Leichtung, of Manhattan Dental Arts, for tips to keep his chompers healthy.

"Patients can come and get their smaller fillings done routinely instead of being fearful and waiting until these things become catastrophic," Leichtung said.

Many doctors have tools to reduce the pain from shots, they also use lasers instead of knives and implants, not bridges, replace teeth.

He added that what patients do away from the dental office is equally important.

Lobrow sees the dentist every six months. He also brushes and flosses every day and rinses after every meal.

"Once I'm done, I feel like my mouth is super-clean," he said. Dentists recommend brushing twice a day for two full minutes apiece.