Bite Checks

As prosthodontists, the doctors of The Oyster Bay Family Dentists often restore people’s bite function, allowing them to chew and speak without pain. One of the most important parts of the biannual dental examination for every patient is the bite check, during which we’ll assess the mechanical condition of a patient’s jaw and inspect their teeth for wear.

People with obstructive sleep apnea or temporomandibular joint disorder commonly develop bruxism. The word “bruxism” describes nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching, which causes attrition to enamel and puts it, as well as prosthetic teeth, at risk of cracking. People who grind their teeth are also likely to develop jaw pain and their natural teeth may be pushed out of position.

We’ll ask patients whether they’ve been suffering from headaches or neck pain that could be related to bruxism. Our hygienists will inspect the patient’s teeth for signs of wear associated with bruxism, and the digital x-ray machines in our office will help us to determine whether the jaws’ shape and tooth placement is healthy. If there is a problem, we can recommend the patient use a night guard to relieve bruxism and discuss orthodontic options for tilted teeth. We may also do restorative work on teeth that have been worn down and reshape artificial palates to accommodate changes in the patient’s facial shape.

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.

Sensitive Teeth

Do you dread your teeth coming into contact with something cold? If so, you don’t have to let dental sensitivity ruin anymore ice cream treats. At the Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we restore patients’ teeth, protecting the nerves within, and we also educate patients about how to preserve their teeth’s natural protective tissues.

Our teeth have several layers. Surrounding the pulp is dentin, which is a porous substance. Covering it is cementum, and on the crowns, another protective layer called enamel. A crack in the outer layers makes the pulp vulnerable to infection and extreme temperatures, but more often, the problem is that the protective layers have slowly been worn away. This can be caused by exposure to acid.

Cavities are caused by caries, bacterial infections on the surface of teeth that secrete acid. Regular brushing and flossing is essential to preventing the development of caries. Acid might also enter the oral cavity from the stomach if the patient suffers from acid reflux or bulimia. The roots of the teeth are more vulnerable to sensitivity. Fluoride sealants can be used to bolster the teeth’s protective minerals, arresting the progression of wear. Avoiding soda and citric juice reduces direct contact of acid to enamel. We may also recommend that patients use extra-fluoridated toothpaste and get a gum graft if their tooth roots have become exposed.

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.

 

National Facial Protection Month

Did you know that April is National Facial Protection Month? As prosthodontists, we at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists frequently restore missing and broken teeth. We want to see our work protected, and we want to ensure that our general dentistry patients who have not experienced traumatic injuries continue to enjoy their natural teeth. To that end, we thought this would be a good month to remind our patients of mouth guard protocols.

Athletes may complain that mouthguards are bulky and interfere with breathing, but this should not be the case when they are fitted properly. A mouthguard may be fabricated for a particular patient by a dentist, or an athlete may purchase a boil-and-bite model from online retailers or sports stores. The mouthguard and its container will need to be regularly cleaned with antibacterial soap or a cleaning solution sold by the manufacturer and should be kept out of high temperatures.

Mouthguards are required for most organized sports, including wrestling if the wrestler has braces. Orthodontic aligners are not substitutes for mouthguards. However, a young person or orthodontic patient whose teeth are shifting position rapidly may need to have their mouthguard frequently updated. People who skate and ride bicycles are also advised to wear mouthguards. We’re happy to help patients determine whether theirs needs to be refitted and to answer any other questions they may have.

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.

 

National Dental Hygiene Month

It’s a great time of year in October! Leaves are changing, hot drinks are in season, and it’s National Dental Hygiene Month. Dentists once believed that people would lose all their teeth if they lived long enough, but thanks to fluoridation, less smoking, and better hygiene, people are now retaining healthy teeth throughout their lives. In the spirit of the season, let’s review good hygiene.

Anybody who has teeth should be brushing theirs twice a day. We recommend brushing for two minutes per second, being sure to cover every surface. To clean the inward-facing side of your lower front teeth, point the brush vertically. On the outer side, brush sideways, but be sure you don’t skip the gum line. After brushing, floss your teeth thoroughly by sliding floss all the way down each side of each tooth and making a scooping motion to capture tartar. Don’t forget to floss your back teeth. You could also use a device such as a Waterpik, but not anything sharp that wasn’t made to be used on teeth.

Once a day, you should also scrape your tongue. This will prevent bad breath and bacterial build-up. Rinsing with mouthwash may also be helpful. Lastly, by chewing sugar-free gum after meals, you can remove some food debris so it doesn’t sit there for hours until the next time you brush.

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.

Children's Dental Health Month

We of the Oyster Bay Family Dentists treat patients with all kinds of needs, but preventive care is always best. Each February, the American Dental Association devotes a month to educating the public about children’s dental health, and the theme of this year’s campaign is how to use fluoridated toothpaste to protect every part of every tooth surface.

Children’s baby teeth need to be cared for. Although they will eventually fall out, decay is still painful and can cause children to miss sleep and avoid eating and speaking. Parents should start brushing a baby’s teeth as soon as the first one erupts. As children get older, brushing their teeth is a good habit for them to get into as an introduction to taking responsibility for their overall health. It is important for them to remember to brush for two full minutes during each session and to brush every tooth surface and on their tongue.

Fluoridated toothpaste is particularly beneficial because it helps to prevent acid produced by bacteria from eroding tooth enamel. Fluoride treatments available at our office are offered for the same reason. However, fluoridated toothpaste should not be used on mouth guards or other oral appliances because the minerals can leave scratches on plastic.

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.

 

Hygiene with Bridges

Oyster Bay’s Dr. Robert West and Dr. Denise VeyVoda are highly skilled prosthodontists, providing patients with long-lasting replacement teeth. But to ensure lasting oral health, patients need to know how their hygienic routines will change to accommodate structures such as a fixed bridge.

In the same way that patients slide floss along the sides of their teeth, they should also slide floss along the underside of the bridge. Some companies manufacture specialty floss with stiffened tips that can be threaded through the gap between the bridge and the gum. But patients can also use a threader, which is like a soft, flexible sewing needle, to loop normal floss.

Bridges that are secured with implants instead of resting on natural teeth may have a bit more space for patients to work with. Electric toothbrush and water pick manufacturers are now designing adjustable heads for their devices that can be used on implants. Patients also get good results from using a proxy brush, also known as a Christmas tree brush, to push away food debris.

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 OysterBayDentists.com and fill out a contact sheet.