Dental Care with Arthritis

Arthritis and other conditions that affect the use of your hands can end up affecting your oral health. It may not be the first thing you think of when you think about difficulty with hand use, but it is important to recognize when you begin having the issue. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY want their patients to know how to take good care of their teeth even with difficult hand use.

First, it can be difficult to grip a toothbrush and move it around to all the areas of the mouth. Fortunately, there are toothbrushes that can make this easier. If it is difficult to grip things or it hurts to move your hand around so much, consider an electric toothbrush. They basically do all of the work; you just need to hold them in the right position. They also tend the have thick handles, which are easier to grip. There are also toothbrushes made especially for those with arthritis. They help you get a good grip on the handle.

Secondly, holding floss can be difficult, as well. Try wrapping the floss around your fingers so that the floss will be held nice and tight. It also helps to tie the floss in a loop. If this is too painful, there are floss picks available where most dental supplies are sold.

Last, but not least, be sure you choose a toothpaste with an easy-open cap. Make sure to look for a toothpaste that has a flip cap instead of one that screws on. They are easier to open, plus they do not become stuck as easily when toothpaste makes them sticky.

Arthritis and other hand conditions may make simple tasks a little more difficult, but there are ways to help yourself out. In addition, it is important to make your routine dental appointments for cleanings and examinations. To schedule with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY, call our office at (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com. 

Are You Cleaning Your Tongue?

Keeping your mouth clean is vital to your oral and overall health. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY want to make sure our patients are doing all they can to maintain a healthy mouth. If you are not brushing your tongue already, read on to find out why you should!

The tongue is filled with those tiny taste buds that can collect and hang on to bacteria and debris. Just like how a layer of plaque can form on teeth, a film of bacteria can also form on the tongue. It can contribute to more cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

To clean your tongue, you just need a simple toothbrush. You can use the same toothbrush you use to brush your teeth. Some patients prefer to use a tongue scraper, which is also fine. Take the toothbrush or scraper and place it at the back of your tongue. Press down firmly and drag the toothbrush down your tongue to the tip. Keeping doing this until your tongue looks clean. Rinse off the toothbrush with each stroke. You should brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.

To learn more about dental hygiene or to schedule your exam and cleaning, call The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY at (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com. 

Tender Teeth

Does eating anything hot or cold make you say, “Ouch?” If so, you may have what’s known as tooth sensitivity. The first step to reducing your pain is to improve your oral hygiene routine. If you are not brushing at least twice a day or flossing at least once a day, then our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists recommend that you start. However, if your oral hygiene routine is at its prime, we’d like you to take into consideration what might be causing this mouth malady.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will cause you pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

If your teeth are tender to the touch, please give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as 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.

Types of Teeth and Their Functions

Most of us know how important it is to look after our teeth, but how many of you know what the different types and their functions are? As humans, we have 32 permanent teeth (including wisdom teeth) and a total of 20 primary teeth. These choppers just don’t help us bite and chew, they play an important role in speaking and support many aspects of our facial structure.

Our staff at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists thought it would be neat to inform you about the four main tooth types in the mouth and their responsibilities. We’d also like to remind you to take care of them by brushing and flossing on a daily basis!

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have questions about your pearly whites, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as 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.