Medication Use and Oral Health

Most of us are unaware that medications, whether prescribed or over-the-counter will have some sort of impact on oral health. Some medications may cause a bitter or metallic taste in the mouth, oral sores, inflammation of the soft tissues, and/or discoloration. Unfortunately, the side effects of medication are more negative than positive, and The Oyster Bay Family Dentists are here to explain why.

A common side effect of medication in addition to the complications we mentioned above is dry mouth. Saliva keeps food from collecting around the teeth and neutralizes the acids produced by plaque, so when saliva is eliminated due to dry mouth, the chance of developing tooth decay increases. Be sure to discuss the medications you are taking with one of our doctors to avoid complications and discomfort.

If you have questions or concerns about medications the effects they have on oral health, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.oysterbaydentists.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call 516-922-5730.

Common Retainer Methods

If your orthodontic treatment has come to an end, The Oyster Bay Family Dentists would like to wish you congratulations! The orthodontic train doesn’t stop there because now it’s time to protect your hard work with a retainer. There are two types of retainers that are commonly suggested at the end of treatment, and we will explain the difference between the two. During your appointment, we can help you reach a conclusion on which choice is best for you.

• Removable Retainer – a removable retainer is the most common type, but depending on the individual, it may not always be the best choice. A removable retainer is crafted from a clear plastic that is formed by heat and a model of your teeth.  Removable retainers can be virtually invisible, and easy to wear.


• Fixed Retainer – also known as a bonded retainer, a fixed retainer consists of a wire being bonded to the back of the six bottom teeth. Bonded retainers tend to protect fewer teeth than removable retainers, but are ideal for the patient that may forget to wear his or her retainer at night.

If you have questions or concerns about retainer options, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.oysterbaydentists.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call 516-922-5730.

Tooth Sectioning

We hate for patients to lose their natural teeth, but at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we ensure they are extracted safely. Typically, teeth are removed by rocking or them back and forth while pulling or elevating them, but this is sometimes a risk with larger ones, especially wisdom teeth. In those cases, we may section them.

The wisdom teeth are held in place by thick ligaments. Pulling or levering them could require a lot of force and risk damaging the surrounding tissue, which includes major nerves. Additionally, a common reason for wisdom teeth to be removed is that they are trapped below the gum line, and there is not enough room for them to move. When this happens, we use a dental drill to cut the tooth into pieces. The patient is numbed before this happens and the surgical site is kept under a stream of water so the patient’s oral tissues will not be harmed by the drill’s heat. The smaller sections of the tooth can be moved with less force and through smaller openings in the gum pocket. This procedure is safe and common, but we provide nitrous oxide sedation to patients who are worried about undergoing it.

Drs. Denise VeyVoda and Robert G. West operate The Oyster Bay Family Dentists at 123 South Street, Oyster Bay, New York, 11771. To schedule an appointment, call 516-922-5730 or visit Oyster Bay Dentists and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Dangers of Snoring

Are you waking up feeling fatigued after a full night of sleep? Is your partner kicking you in the middle of the night because you’re snoring too loud? Are you the one waking them up just to get some relief? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, it’s important to understand that although occasional snoring is common, habitual snoring can be hazardous to your health. Fortunately, The Oyster Bay Family Dentists have a solution.

Snoring occurs when nasal air passages are obstructed when there is poor muscle tone in the throat and tongue, or if a person is overweight. Frequent snoring can be a symptom of a sleep apnea and can put a strain on the heart, cause chronic headaches, or long interruptions of breathing during sleep. If you experience daytime sleepiness or fatigue, give us a call to discuss your treatment options.

If you have questions or concerns about sleep apnea, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.oysterbaydentists.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call 516-922-5730.