HPV and Oral Cancer

As part of The Oyster Bay Family Dentists’ observance of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we’re teaching our patients about the changing landscape of oral pathologies. Last year, the rate of new oral cancer diagnoses associated with the human papilloma virus (HPV) outpaced diagnoses of new cases of tobacco-associated oral cancer for the first time, and we in the medical community are left relying more heavily on our patients than ever before to help us keep them safe.

HPV-associated oral cancer usually occurs in the back of the mouth and the top of the throat, which is why medical literature sometimes calls it “oropharyngeal” cancer. The tissue of this region is so deeply creviced that randomly scraping it is unlikely to catch an HPV infection. Even if HPV were caught, that may not prove helpful, because 80% of American adults get an HPV infection at least once in their lives, but only one out of nearly two hundred strains of HPV is believed to cause oral cancer.

Because throat cancer may not be easy to see, patients should request examinations if they are experiencing pain, numbness, or swelling in their throats or in the region between their ears and jaws. Throat cancer can still be checked for with a tactile examination and HPV-associated cancers are easier to treat than tobacco-associated cancers, but adults should not think that avoiding smoking makes them immune to oral cancer.

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.

 

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting may not sound like a dental procedure, but a bone graft has become a routine procedure to help bodies heal. The bone graft dentists perform is on the jaw bone.  A jaw bone can weaken over time if tooth loss or gum disease has left a certain portion of the jaw vulnerable. When a patient needs a dental implant to replace a lost or damaged tooth, the jaw bone needs to be strong enough to receive the implant. A bone graft is used to strengthen the jaw before the implant is placed.

The bone graft procedure consists of harvesting bone material from a healthy part of a patient’s body, and transferring it to a site that needs reinforcement. This gives the injured or deficient bone a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the site. There are synthetic options for bone grafts, but a dental graft is usually obtained from a different spot in the patient’s own mouth. The healing process can take several months, and your jaw is monitored by your dentist until it heals enough to handle the placement of an implant.

To learn more about bone grafting 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.

Mini Dental Implants

The availability of mini dental implants is important because they make treatments possible for patients who previously could not benefit from dental implants. Mini dental implants are about half the diameter of a traditional dental implant, which allows them to be used in narrow spaces where regular implants were not an option. Oyster Bay Family Dentists

Other than replacing teeth in narrow spaces, mini implants are also used to install a full upper or lower denture. Four to six mini implants are placed along the gum line to serve as the base for securing the denture. Most mini implants can be placed without an incision. The small size makes it possible for them to be inserted right through the gums into the bone. No incision means no stitches, and eliminates the need for a recovery period. This means the restoration or denture can usually be placed right away or a short time after.  Mini implants are also less expensive than regular implants. A dentist can tell you if a mini implant is a good solution for you.

To learn more about mini implants 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.

Importance of a Maintaining a Healthy Mouth

If you maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine, it results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means your teeth are clean and free of debris, your gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss, and bad breath is not a constant problem. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists and their team of hygienists take pride in teaching proper oral hygiene techniques to patients. Additionally, they will point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention while brushing and flossing at home.  

Taking good care of your mouth – teeth and gums – does more than help ensure you have a bright, white, smile. The mouth is the doorway to our body and its first line of defense. It performs essential functions than any other part of the body. Good oral hygiene and oral health can improve your overall health, reduce the risk of serious disease and perhaps even preserve your memory in your golden years. When your mouth is unhealthy, your body will feel the effects in many ways and your health, in general, will suffer. In between regular visits to the dentist, you should be brushing thoroughly twice a day, flossing daily, eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals, as well as using dental products that are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

If you have questions about dental health or oral care, 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.

The 2-Minute Brushing Rule

When we hit the snooze button in the morning, two minutes flies by like lightning, when we are waiting in traffic, two minute seems like an eternity. At the sink, two minutes is the time you need to spend brushing your teeth in order to clean them adequately and reduce plaque. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists want you to understand why you should follow the 2-minute brushing rule.

Most people don’t even come close to brushing two minutes and if you don’t brush your teeth long enough, you may not be getting your teeth clean enough. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily establish the basics of good oral hygiene. Brushing helps to clear particles of food from the teeth, but a brush can’t reach between teeth, which is why flossing is also necessary. To make the two-minute mark seem like less of a lifetime, split the mouth into four quadrants. That way, it should take about 30 seconds each quadrant. The proper position of the brush head should be along the gum line, half on the gums and half on the teeth, pointing the bristles at a 45-degree angle. Don’t forget to brush every part of your mouth, including your tongue!

If you have questions about oral care, 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.

How to Care for Dentures

Oral hygiene is just as important to maintain for people with dentures, but some of their life-long habits are going to have to change. To help our patients through this transition, we’ve supplied this guide on how to care for their new teeth.

Even if a denture is supported by implants, it should be removed each night. This will give patients an opportunity to clean it and for their gums to rest. Natural teeth produce a protective film, but dentures can easily be scratched by minerals. Therefore, dentures should be brushed with specially designated toothpaste. Patients should only ever use soft-bristled brushes for oral hygiene, and this remains true while they are brushing their gums and tongue, as well.

Besides being vulnerable to scratches, dentures can warp if they are placed in hot water. But it is important to always keep them moist. There are cleaning solutions available to soak them in, but these products are supplements for brushing, not replacements. Dentures should only be carried over soft surfaces and patients should seek professional help for any repairs or adjustments which may be necessary.

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.

Dry Mouth

We depend on saliva to keep our teeth, and by extension, the rest of us, healthy. Unfortunately, dry mouth is a common side-effect f chemotherapy and a number of medications, particularly ones for pain and psychological conditions. It is important for patients to understand that dry mouth is a serious condition so that they can seek help.

Older people are usually the ones who suffer from dry mouth due to the aforementioned medications, as well as a history of smoking or Sjögren’s syndrome. (This disorder dries out the eyes as well as the mouth and is mostly found in women over fifty.) People who suffer from dry mouth have difficulty sleeping through the night, as well as swallowing and breaking down food. The body’s immune system also depends on saliva to wash away harmful bacteria and their food sources, and teeth have to be kept moist to maintain their protective film.

Since it may not be possible for patients to change medications, they will need to consider products which can stimulate saliva production or provide their teeth and gum tissues with extra protection. Patients should also cut back on sugar and caffeine.

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.