Stop Bad Breath in Its Tracks

Whether you call it bad breath or halitosis, it’s an unpleasant condition that’s cause for embarrassment. The odor is caused by wastes from bacteria in the mouth, the decay of food particles, other debris in your mouth and poor oral hygiene. This odor can occur from time to time, or it can be long lasting, depending on the cause. When bad breath has you down, The Oyster Bay Dentists provide a wide variety of treatment to freshen it up.

You may not always know that you have bad breath. That’s because odor-detecting cells in the nose eventually get used to the smell. Millions of bacteria live in the mouth, particularly on the back of the tongue. In many people, they are the primary causes of bad breath. The mouth’s warm, moist conditions are ideal for the growth of these bacteria. Maintaining good oral hygiene, eliminating gum disease and scheduling regular professional cleanings are essential to reducing or eliminating bad breath.

If you would like to schedule a dental checkup, give us a call. To learn more about 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.

How Does Pregnancy Affect Your Teeth?

Pregnancy can cause numerous emotional and physical changes, even in your mouth. The primary changes are due to a surge in hormones – particularly an increase in estrogen and progesterone – that can cause your gum tissues to exaggerate a normal reaction to plaque. With proper hygiene at home as well as professional help from The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, your teeth should remain healthy throughout pregnancy.

Pregnancy can lead to dental problems in some women, including gum disease and increased risk of tooth decay. Pregnancy does not automatically damage your teeth, but so-called “pregnancy gingivitis” affects most pregnant women to some extent, and it generally begins to surface as early as the second month. It’s important to visit us during pregnancy for checkups and cleanings, along with brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing.

Pay attention to any changes in your gums during pregnancy. If you notice any changes, give us a call. To learn more about 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.

Customized Take-Home Teeth Whitening Trays

When a bright and flashy smile is desired, our patients want a whitening treatment that is going to deliver results. Here with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, we offer completely customized take-home teeth whitening trays for a smile you can be confident in.

Our whitening trays are created by using impressions of your upper and lower teeth. These impressions create trays that fit your teeth perfectly. The whitening gel placed into the trays is able to evenly coat the surface of your specific teeth; unlike mass produced whitening strips bought at the store. The whitening trays are worn for a short period of time over a few days. The length of the time you wear them can be altered depending on if you would like to wear them overnight or during the day.

The process works by reaching below the enamel’s surface to whiten stains within the dentin of the tooth. Every case is different, and depending on the current level of staining to your teeth, our custom whitening trays may offer whiter teeth by four to eight shades.

If you are looking for a teeth whitening system that works, schedule a consultation to see if our customized take-home teeth whitening trays are right for you. To schedule, call The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY at (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com. 

Frenectomy in Oyster Bay, NY

Lip tie and tongue tie are frustrating conditions that have a simple solution. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists here in Oyster Bay, NY have been solving patients’ lip and tongue tie concerns with frenectomies. A frenectomy is a simple and common procedure to free the “tied” tongue and lips.

Lip tie is a condition where the lips are connected to the gums with a frenulum that is too short or too tight. Tongue tie is the same scenario, but with a tongue that has restricted movement. Both conditions can be terrible for an infant and a breastfeeding mother. The baby may not be able to breastfeed correctly, causing coughing, colic, and fatigue from feeding within a short time. If the baby cannot feed correctly, they suffer with inadequate weight gain. The condition can also be very painful for the mother as milk flow may not be regular. The baby may also bruise the mother’s nipples.

A frenectomy is a quick procedure that is done right here in our Oyster Bay, NY office. A scalpel or a laser is used to detach the short frenulum so it can heal with more range. The procedure and the healing time afterward are both quick and cause very minor discomfort.

To learn more about lip tie, tongue tie, or frenectomies, visit our website. To schedule a consultation with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call our office at (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com. 

Crown Lengthening in Oyster Bay, NY

When teeth have decay or damage below the gum line, the gums must be altered so that dental work can be performed to save the tooth. This procedure, called crown lengthening is a routine procedure performed here with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY.

A crown lengthening procedure begins with the dentist making an incision to the gums and removing the amount necessary to reach the lower part of the tooth. The gums are then stitched into place to heal. Since gum tissue tends to shrink as it heals, if a crown is being placed on the tooth, the healing process will need to be fully completed before the crown can be placed.

For instances where a patient has excess gum tissue in their smile, crown lengthening may also be utilized for cosmetic purposes. The process is the same; the gums are cut and stitched down so that more of the tooth is showing. The gums will then heal into a natural-looking, healthy line.

If you are unhappy with your “gummy smile”, or are in need of dental work below the gum line, trust in our skilled and experienced dentists. To schedule a consultation in our Oyster Bay, NY dental practice, call The Oyster Bay Family Dentists at (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com. 

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Many of us have heard of a friend or family member who has had their wisdom teeth removed. It is a very common procedure, but it makes you wonder what wisdom teeth are for and why they are taken out so often. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists here in Oyster Bay, NY want to inform their patients of why wisdom teeth are around and the benefits of removing them.

Wisdom teeth are thought to have had a purpose around 20,000 years ago, but not so much now. Back then, humans may have needed an extra set of teeth to chew through the hard items in their diet like roots and uncooked meat. Since then, the sizes of our jaws and face have gotten smaller; explaining why many of us do not have enough room for wisdom teeth.

Since wisdom teeth create an overcrowded mouth for many of us, this creates several problems that are solved when we extract them. When the teeth do not have enough room to grow in correctly, they can damage other teeth, create hard-to-reach places, or become impacted; meaning they are completely or partially stuck in the jaw. Impacted teeth can cause gum disease by trapping bacteria under the gum tissue that is still present over the chewing surface.

While wisdom teeth may have had a purpose in the past, problems with them are frequent these days. If you are experiencing issues with your wisdom teeth growing in, schedule an examination with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY by calling (516) 922-5730 or by visiting our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com. 

Night Guards for Protection Against Teeth Grinding

Grinding teeth can lead to damaged teeth, worn down teeth, sensitivity, and jaw pain. To protect teeth from damage during the night, a night guard should be worn. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists offer night guards for their patients who need protection from grinding and clenching their teeth at night.

During the day, teeth grinding and clenching can still be present, but it is easier to recognize the behavior and stop it. At night, you almost have no control over doing it. Teeth grinding will wear down enamel, causing sensitivity and making teeth prone to cavities. The sound of grinding at night can also be disturbing to any sleeping partners.

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists create a custom night guard to wear while sleeping. The night guard puts a barrier between the upper and lower teeth so night grinding cannot cause harm. We take impressions of your teeth so that the night guard created is a perfect fit. Night guards are durable and may last for up to ten years.

Grinding teeth can damage teeth, wear them down, and cause pain and sensitivity. Protect your teeth by putting a shield between them. If you would like to try a night guard, or if you suspect you are grinding your teeth at night but do not know for sure, schedule an appointment with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in their Oyster Bay, NY dental practice. To schedule, call (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com.