expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Scott Levitz

Dentist

Dr. Scott Levitz is a Dentist practicing in Forest Hills, NY. Dr. Levitz specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
Dr. Scott Levitz
  • Accepting new patients

What can I eat or avoid eating to reduce plaque?

Make sure you are brushing and flossing immediately after your meals. Plaque buildup mixed with saliva causes a hard substance (called calculus) to stick to the teeth. If plaque READ MORE
Make sure you are brushing and flossing immediately after your meals. Plaque buildup mixed with saliva causes a hard substance (called calculus) to stick to the teeth. If plaque is not removed from the teeth in a timely manner, this is what happens. To fix this problem, it sounds like it's not as much about what you eat, but the timing of you brushing and flossing your
teeth.

How long after my extraction stitches are removed can I drink or eat?

The area where the tooth was extracted may feel tender for up to two weeks after the time of the procedure. Be careful eating hard-textured foods in the area until your dentist READ MORE
The area where the tooth was extracted may feel tender for up to two weeks after the time of the procedure. Be careful eating hard-textured foods in the area until your dentist tells you it’s ok to do so.

Can novocaine be used during cleanings?

It certainly is! Many hygienists nowadays are licensed to administer anesthesia. If they aren’t, your dentist can do it for you.

Brushing too hard?

Your first dentist may have not said anything because the dropping down of the gum line (often referred to as recession) may have not been as noticeable. Brushing too hard can READ MORE
Your first dentist may have not said anything because the dropping down of the gum line (often referred to as recession) may have not been as noticeable. Brushing too hard can cause recession, but using a toothbrush head with softer bristles will decrease the likelihood of this issue getting any worse. Hope this helps!

Is a root canal during pregnancy safe?

A root canal is needed when bacteria has made its way into the nerve of your tooth, causing an infection, which is causing your tooth ache. Ideally, the best time to do major dental READ MORE
A root canal is needed when bacteria has made its way into the nerve of your tooth, causing an infection, which is causing your tooth ache. Ideally, the best time to do major dental treatment while in pregancy is during the second trimester, however, it is OK to have emergency dental treatment done outside of that time. Usually you need X-rays to perform root canal therapy. You can have done what’s called a pulpotomy, which is a superficial debridement of an infected tooth, and that should help with the pain until you can have the procedure completed after you give birth.

Is the fluoride treatment at the dentist really worth it?

It absolutely is worth it! Fluoride treatments at the dentist office are more concentrated than ACT - and the best time to get this treatment is immediately after a dental cleaning! READ MORE
It absolutely is worth it! Fluoride treatments at the dentist office are
more concentrated than ACT - and the best time to get this treatment is
immediately after a dental cleaning! These fluoride treatments are
excellent for minimizing your risk for cavities in the future!

Wisdom teeth removal

Ultimately, that is dependent on what the wisdom tooth looks like on the x-ray and if there is an infection present. Oral surgeons are better equipped for managing deeply impacted READ MORE
Ultimately, that is dependent on what the wisdom tooth looks like on the x-ray and if there is an infection present. Oral surgeons are better equipped for managing deeply impacted wisdom teeth that have not erupted yet. Frequently, general dentists remove wisdom teeth that are partially erupted where a patient does not have to be put to sleep. If you are concerned about your wisdom teeth, schedule a consultation with your general dentist. Hope this helps!
-Dr. Levitz

I can't fix my teeth sensitivity. What do I do?

If your tooth sensitivity is on all of your teeth, I would strongly recommend use of a prescription toothpaste called PREVIDENT. This toothpaste has higher levels of fluoride in READ MORE
If your tooth sensitivity is on all of your teeth, I would strongly recommend use of a prescription toothpaste called PREVIDENT. This toothpaste has higher levels of fluoride in it that can reduce tooth sensitivty. If your sensitivity is more localized, contact your dentist to evaluate what is causing it. Hope this helps!

-Dr. Levitz

Bloody painful gums, what should I do?

The most common cause of bleeding gums is gingivitis - an inflammatory disease of the gums frequently caused by lack of flossing or infrequent dental visits. Sometimes, if plaque READ MORE
The most common cause of bleeding gums is gingivitis - an inflammatory disease of the gums frequently caused by lack of flossing or infrequent dental visits. Sometimes, if plaque is present around the teeth for long enough, it turns into a hard substance that sticks to the teeth called
calculus. A regular toothbrush cannot clean calculus, you need to see your dentist for a cleaning to get that removed. Hope this helps!