Pediatric Sealants

Did you know that cavities are common in kids aged five to fourteen? With baby teeth falling out and adult teeth coming in, deep grooves and gaps make it difficult for kids to brush their teeth thoroughly. Drs. Haeri and West at Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, take pride in educating young patients about proper oral hygiene. Sometimes, though, certain procedures are required to help young patients prevent cavities. Sealants prevent food from getting stuck in grooves and gaps, which ultimately prevents the process of tooth decay. Your experienced Oyster Bay dentists are committed to helping your child stay cavity-free!

 

In addition to regular brushing and flossing, dental sealants are used in an effort to keep out tooth decay. Sealants are plastic coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of your child’s back teeth. Drs. Haeri and West fill in the grooves that are hard to reach while brushing, with the thin plastic material. This added layer of protection greatly lowers your child’s chances of developing a cavity.

 

When you help your child prevent cavities at an early age, they are less likely to have oral health problems as an adult. The way they take care of their baby teeth directly affects how taking care of their adult teeth will be. Solidify good dental hygiene habits now by encouraging your child to take care of their teeth properly, and they will be rewarded with a lifetime of good oral health.

 

Do you think your child could benefit from pediatric sealants? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you might have. Oyster Bay Family Dentists is located at 123 South Street in Oyster Bay, NY 11771. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit oysterbaydentists.com or call 516-922-5730.

 

Whiten Your Teeth With Zoom!

Your teeth lose their white sheen over time, especially if you use tobacco products or drink beverages that accelerate this process. While it’s true that the aging process discolors your teeth, it’s not the leading cause. Drinking tea, soda, coffee, and red wine plays a big role in darkening your teeth, as well as smoking. If you absolutely cannot break one of these habits, just make sure you take the necessary steps to everyday good oral hygiene. And if you’ve tried everything to whiten your smile, Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, is excited to offer Zoom! teeth whitening in our practice. 

 

Zoom! is a safe whitening gel that, in combination with a low-intensity light to activate the gel, has the ability to whiten teeth instantly. The light and gel work together to dissolve the stains on your teeth. It only takes an hour to notice a six to ten shade difference from where you started! Zoom! contains materials that are more able to penetrate tough stains than over the counter whitening kits. Because of this, Zoom! offers these great benefits:

 

- Instant results that are noticeable

- Safe and effective product

- Convenience

- Results that last a long time

- Confidence boosting

 

Do you want to try Zoom! to whiten your teeth? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you might have. Oyster Bay Family Dentists is located at 123 South Street in Oyster Bay, NY 11771. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit oysterbaydentists.com or call 516-922-5730.

 

Night Guards

Night guards are placed in the mouth to act as a “cushion” during sleep to prevent someone from grinding or gnashing their teeth together. Some people actually do this during the day as well. Grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism, damages enamel, wears down teeth, causes jaw pain, and irritates gums. If you think you are grinding your teeth, Drs. Haeri and West at Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, can help you.

Severe teeth grinding can lead to tension-type headaches and disorders in the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), where a clicking noise is heard when you open and close your mouth. Teeth grinding has also been seen in quite a few children. According to WebMD, “approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth.” The first step to preventing teeth grinding is to determine what is causing it. Sometimes a night guard or change in lifestyle is all you need to prevent it.

There are several factors that increase the chances of grinding your teeth:

- Stress and anxiety

- Age (though common in children, bruxism goes away by adulthood)

- Aggressive or competitive personality type

- Psychiatric medications

- Smoking tobacco

- Consuming caffeine or alcohol

- Family history of teeth grinding

- Other disorders such as Parkinson's, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), epilepsy, night terrors, sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Do you think you’re experiencing bruxism and want to try a night guard? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you might have. Oyster Bay Family Dentists is located at 123 South Street in Oyster Bay, NY 11771. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit oysterbaydentists.com or call 516-922-5730.