Are You Flossing?

Flossing your teeth is more important to your well-being than brushing. So why do people come up with silly excuses such as, “I’m not coordinated enough to floss,” or “I don’t know how to floss.” After today, you won’t be able to use these excuses anymore, because our staff at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists is going to teach you how to floss and floss correctly.

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.


• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.


• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.


• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.


• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the back ones!

If you have questions regarding your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more 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 Cavity?

Having bacteria in your mouth is a normal thing. Certain types of bacteria, however, can attach themselves to hard surfaces like the enamel that covers your teeth. When this bacteria turns into plaque, if left untreated it can cause cavities. Here at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists we have plenty of materials to fill your cavity, but we would rather you have a better understanding as to what they are and how you can prevent them.

Cavities are what you get from tooth decay. When foods with carbohydrates like bread, cereal, milk, soda, and other sugary treats stay on your teeth this leads to the decaying of your teeth. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and your saliva combine to form plaque, which clings to the teeth. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel, thus creating holes called cavities. Only your dentist can tell for sure if you have a cavity. That’s because cavities develop below the tooth’s surface, where you can’t see them. Brush at least twice a day and floss daily to remove plaque from between teeth and below the gum line to avoid cavities. In addition, try eliminating starchy and sugary foods from your diet.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about 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.

Scaling and Root Planing

The three stages of gum disease – from least to most severe – are gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum tissue that could affect the teeth and supporting bone in your mouth. If you think the metal scaling tool we use on you during a professional cleaning is scary, our staff at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists doubts you want to get to the point where you’ll need scaling and root planing.

Plaque bacteria, acids and certain foods all contribute to the development of gum disease. Fortunately, two common methods exist to reverse the disease. Dental scaling occurs with manual hand instruments, ultrasonic instruments or both. Our dentist will start the procedure with a thorough examination of your mouth. Next, an ultrasonic scaling device will be used to eliminate the plaque bacteria with sonic vibrations. Root planing involves detailed scaling of the root surface to decrease inflammation of the gum tissue. If your gum tissue is sensitive and diseased, local anesthesia will be administered to numb the tissue. Dental scaling and root planing may take two to four visits based upon the level of oral disease in the mouth.

If you wish to inquire about the comfort level of the scaling and root planing procedure, give us a call. To learn more about scaling and root planing as well as other 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.

The Root Canal Procedure

Hearing that you need a root canal might shake you to your core, but at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists we are here to make you as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Signs you may need root canal therapy include: severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures (after the heat or cold has been removed), discoloration (darkening) of the tooth, swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums and/or a persistent or recurring pimple on the gums.

The root canal procedure itself requires one or more office visits and can be performed right here in the office. The first step in the procedure is to take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone. Once anesthesia is administered, your dentist will make an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling. After the space is cleaned and shaped, your dentist will fill the root canals with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening. There may be some soreness after the procedure, but that is perfectly normal.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about root canal therapy as well as other 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.

Tooth Enamel Restoration

Tooth enamel covers each of your teeth and protects them from damage. Enamel can be damaged by a variety of factors including overexposure to acids, physical damage to teeth, and other oral health issues. When tooth enamel becomes worn down, the Oyster Bay Family Dentists offer a variety of restoration options to restore it.

Enamel’s primary purpose is to protect your teeth from damage. When you chew, you risk damage to your teeth because you have to grind your food. Although enamel is a hard protective surface, it can crack or chip fairly easily. If food gets stuck between your teeth or a food substance is particularly hard, the enamel can break. If your enamel begins to decay, we may recommend a variety of procedures, depending on the degree of enamel loss. It’s important to visit us as soon as possible when you experience tooth pain, as well as get regular checkups so that you can stop enamel problems before they get more serious.

If you have questions about tooth enamel restoration, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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.

Diet Affects Your Dental Health

Your body is a complex machine, which is why it’s necessary to feed it with the right fuel. The foods you choose and how often you eat them can affect your general health and the health of your teeth and gums. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists can’t monitor what you eat and drink, but we can tell you what foods are and aren’t harmful to your dental health.

You may be able to prevent two of the most common diseases of modern civilization, tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease, simply by improving your diet. To keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape, choose health foods from the five main food groups: fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy. If you consume too many sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks or non-nutritious snacks, you could be at risk for tooth decay. For healthy living and for healthy teeth and gums, think before you eat and drink.

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.

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.