Senior Dental Care

Even though the Tooth Fairy stops visiting when you’re older, that doesn’t mean you should stop taking care of your teeth! As you age, your dental needs shift. Problems that never occurred before start to manifest. This is especially true for senior citizens. Your teeth, like all bones, weaken as you age. Patients over the age of sixty are at a higher risk for tooth decay, extraction, and periodontal (gum) disease. Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda offer premium dental care for all ages. Learn more by contacting Osyer Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY.

 

When you get older, certain physical tasks become much harder. For senior citizens that struggle with brushing, your Osyer Bay dentists have some advice for you. The first thing you can do is buy an electric toothbrush. These are incredibly helpful. They provide you with a thorough cleaning while using minimal physical activity. You should also consider elongating the toothbrush handle. This lets you reach the back areas of your mouth effortlessly. Wrap the handle in materials like foam, rubber, or even tape tongue depressors to it. Any flexible material around the house will work. If you haven’t already, consider switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush. These are much gentler on your teeth and gums. Check out the oral hygiene aisle at your local grocery store. Many brands provide toothbrushes targeted toward senior citizens.

 

Dentures are an affordable and functional replacement for your natural teeth. Your teeth should come in a complete set. Dentures let you go about your everyday life as normal. If you’re interested, talk to your Oyster Bay, NY, dentists. At your initial appointment, a specialized mold is created from your mouth. This creates your personalized dentures. Doing so guarantees a perfect fit.

 

If you are a caretaker or live with an older individual, help them out with their dental routine. Remind them to schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda at Oyster Bay Family Dentists. To contact our office in Oyster Bay, NY, visit their website or call 516-922-5730.

Sealants

We offer a variety of prosthetics to repair dental damage at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists, but when it comes to healthy teeth, a sealant can be most useful. Children are particularly vulnerable to tooth decay, so we often talk to their parents about getting sealants during regular dental check-ups.

The crevices in our molars and premolars can easily get caked in food debris. The shape of these teeth is necessary for them to grind up food, but they are hard to keep clean and food debris stuck in them may remain in place for several hours. Sealants are plastic shields for the teeth that smooth over crevices. They are thin enough to allow the chewing teeth to continue to function, but add a layer of protection against acid and make brushing easier.

Placing a sealant doesn’t require any preparation from the patient. After cleaning a tooth, we’ll apply an etching acid to increase its surface area. This will allow it to more easily bond with the liquid sealant. We will then use a blue light to harden the plastic, and the patient should be able to soon resume eating normally.

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.

 

Oral Cancer Check-Up

At The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we offer oral cancer screenings to our patients to look for signs of oral cancer.

During the exam our doctors will look for any lumps and spots in different areas in your mouth. Besides looking for lumps and abnormalities, our doctors might use their finger to feel the skin and tissue underneath your jaw for possible signs of cancer.

When possible, we advise our patients to avoid using tobacco as it increases your chance of developing oral cancer. If you consume alcohol regularly you have a higher chance of developing it. Our patients that have a family history of oral cancer or have previously been diagnosed with oral cancer are encouraged to have an exam at least once a year.

Don’t forget to ask for an oral cancer screening the next time you see us or if you notice any abnormalities in your mouth.

To learn more about all of the services provided at our practice, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Our office is located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert G. West or Denise VeyVoda, please visit our website or call 516-922-5730.