Diet and Dental Health

Oral systemic health and diet go hand-in-hand. A poor diet can lead to periodontal disease, tooth decay, and can even cause enamel to wear down over time. Foods that contain sugars of any kind accelerate the tooth decay process and though most foods contain sugars, certain foods are part of a healthy diet and need to be consumed. If you need a refresher on what foods to eat for your oral health, The Oyster Bay Dentists are here to inform you.

Added sugars are often present in junk foods, like cookies, candy, and pastries. To maintain a balanced diet, you should consume foods from each of the five major food groups and limit the number of snacks you eat. Wise choices include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products like cheese and milk. These foods will keep the mouth clean, and help protect it from dental disease.

If you have questions or concerns about diet and dental 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.

What is a Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a procedure to remove a frenulum, or muscular attachment between two tissues, from the mouth.  The Oyster Bay Family Dentists perform frenectomies to correct a number of issues patients may have with their teeth, lips, and tongue.

We each have a frenulum in between the font teeth (both upper or lower) that connects the inner surface of the lip to the gums. Removing this attachment is called a labial frenectomy. Patients who have receding gums can benefit from this procedure, because a strong frenulum from the gum to the lip can cause extra pulling on the gums and lead to further recession.

Another frenulum is located underneath your tongue, and removing this is called a lingual frenectomy.  Patients that have an enlarged frenulum underneath their tongue will not be able to move their tongue freely.  This interferes with speech and is often called ‘tongue tie’. Lingual frenectomies are typically performed on young patients, who can recover quickly and continue to develop their speech.

To learn more about frenectomies and all the services we provide, 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.

Sealants for Pediatric Patients

Almost half of all children and adolescents in the United States have had cavities in their permanent teeth.  The Oyster Bay Family Dentists take pride in serving the families from our community, and we offer sealants for young patients to start protecting teeth early.  We want to see your whole family set up for a lifetime of great oral health!

Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11-14. It is best to have a sealant placed when the molars first come in to ensure they are protected early.  In children and teenagers, most tooth decay occurs on the chewing surfaces of molars where the pits and grooves can trap food and bacteria.  Dental sealants are applied to the surface of these back teeth much like paint.  When the plastic resin is brushed on, it fills any pits and grooves on the surface and then hardens. Now the surface is protected from bits of food being stuck, and bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.  Sealants also protect tooth enamel from plaque and acids, and can effectively prevent cavities for up to ten years.

To learn more about sealants and all the services we provide, 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.

Reducing Children's Dental Anxiety

At the Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we are attentive to the needs of patients of all ages, including children. Although children can feel anxious about seeing the dentist, it is important for them to have regular check-ups. We want to work with parents to make these visits as comfortable as possible.

Children should start making dental visits as soon as their first tooth comes in, so hopefully, the experience won’t seem strange to them by the time they’re school-age. Let children know that the dentists and hygienists are friends who want to help clean their teeth and make sure they’re growing right. It’s not necessary to describe procedures you don’t know your child will need. We can provide children with more detailed explanations of what we’re doing when they arrive and demonstrate our tools to them.

If one parent feels anxious about visiting the dentist, it may be better for a different one to accompany the child. Children will pick up on implications that the parent expects the visit to be painful or scary, such as if they are offered a reward for good behavior, which is why it’s best to treat the visit as routine and casual.

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.

 

Causes of Bleeding Gums

People whose gums are bleeding need help and The Oyster Bay Family Dentists are here for them. Many people accept spitting some blood out with their toothpaste as normal, but it’s actually a sign of gum disease. We wanted to use this post to help our patients prevent this problem.

In most cases, bleeding gums are caused by infection, although there are several other factors which contribute to it. The gum pockets are an easy place for decay-causing bacteria to colonize, and the tartar they produce accumulates on dental crowns around the gum line. This irritates the gum tissue, causing it to bleed when brushed. That doesn’t mean patients should stop brushing, but they may need to switch to a toothbrush with softer bristles. Keep in mind that brushing harder is not necessarily a good thing and that a professional hygienist’s help is necessary to remove plaque.

Dry mouth makes oral infections worse. There are several medications, including anti-depressants and heart medications, which suppress saliva production, throwing off the mouth’s pH level and depriving it of a means of washing away tartar. Pregnant women also tend to experience bleeding gums due to hormonal changes. Oral hygiene is especially important for these people, as are regular cleanings.

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.

 

Bad Breath Causes and Treatment

Bad breath is embarrassing, especially when others notice. Usually, bad breath isn’t a cause for medical attention because most of us experience it at some point in our lives, but sometimes it can be a sign of something more serious. To rule out any underlying medical conditions and to assure that your mouth is healthy, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists.

Bad breath can linger after consuming foods such as garlic, onions, and even coffee. It’s not only associated with food, however. It can be a symptom of dry mouth, occur as a result of smoking, and even be a warning sign for gum disease. Treatment for bad breath will depend on the cause, but a consultation will include a dental exam while our doctors review your oral hygiene habits.

If you have questions or concerns about bad breath, 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.

Sugar’s Effect on Teeth

It’s common knowledge that sugar is bad for your teeth. If you go to the dentist and are told you have a cavity, sugar is likely the culprit. This is because tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth that uses sugar from foods and drinks to produce acids that damage the teeth. Our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists don’t expect you to quit sugar cold turkey, but we’d like to encourage you to reduce your intake.

Sugar attacks the teeth and provides no nutritional benefits to their components. Soft drinks, sports drinks, and energy drinks have high acidity levels, so if you drink them on a daily basis, you are at a high risk for developing cavities. Fruit juice has a medium acidity level, but can be watered down to reduce the levels of sugar. As you may already know, water is your smile’s best bet for staying healthy. Milk is also beneficial for keeping enamel strong.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth decay, 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.