Pediatric Sealants

Did you know that cavities are common in kids aged five to fourteen? With baby teeth falling out and adult teeth coming in, deep grooves and gaps make it difficult for kids to brush their teeth thoroughly. Drs. Haeri and West at Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, take pride in educating young patients about proper oral hygiene. Sometimes, though, certain procedures are required to help young patients prevent cavities. Sealants prevent food from getting stuck in grooves and gaps, which ultimately prevents the process of tooth decay. Your experienced Oyster Bay dentists are committed to helping your child stay cavity-free!

 

In addition to regular brushing and flossing, dental sealants are used in an effort to keep out tooth decay. Sealants are plastic coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of your child’s back teeth. Drs. Haeri and West fill in the grooves that are hard to reach while brushing, with the thin plastic material. This added layer of protection greatly lowers your child’s chances of developing a cavity.

 

When you help your child prevent cavities at an early age, they are less likely to have oral health problems as an adult. The way they take care of their baby teeth directly affects how taking care of their adult teeth will be. Solidify good dental hygiene habits now by encouraging your child to take care of their teeth properly, and they will be rewarded with a lifetime of good oral health.

 

Do you think your child could benefit from pediatric sealants? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you might have. Oyster Bay Family Dentists is located at 123 South Street in Oyster Bay, NY 11771. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit oysterbaydentists.com or call 516-922-5730.

 

Whiten Your Teeth With Zoom!

Your teeth lose their white sheen over time, especially if you use tobacco products or drink beverages that accelerate this process. While it’s true that the aging process discolors your teeth, it’s not the leading cause. Drinking tea, soda, coffee, and red wine plays a big role in darkening your teeth, as well as smoking. If you absolutely cannot break one of these habits, just make sure you take the necessary steps to everyday good oral hygiene. And if you’ve tried everything to whiten your smile, Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, is excited to offer Zoom! teeth whitening in our practice. 

 

Zoom! is a safe whitening gel that, in combination with a low-intensity light to activate the gel, has the ability to whiten teeth instantly. The light and gel work together to dissolve the stains on your teeth. It only takes an hour to notice a six to ten shade difference from where you started! Zoom! contains materials that are more able to penetrate tough stains than over the counter whitening kits. Because of this, Zoom! offers these great benefits:

 

- Instant results that are noticeable

- Safe and effective product

- Convenience

- Results that last a long time

- Confidence boosting

 

Do you want to try Zoom! to whiten your teeth? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you might have. Oyster Bay Family Dentists is located at 123 South Street in Oyster Bay, NY 11771. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit oysterbaydentists.com or call 516-922-5730.

 

Canker Sores

Everyone has experienced that moment of dread after noticing a canker sore. These little ulcers are painful sores that make it hard to eat, drink and talk without discomfort. If you notice yourself developing canker sores frequently, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Located in Oyster Bay, NY, Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda are here to help. While you’re waiting to be seen, check out this small guide on canker sores.

 

Before you start treating your canker sores, it’s important to understand what they are. They are identifiable as small white or yellow sores surrounded by a red border. Canker sores develop on your soft tissues, like the gums or lips. There are three separate types: minor, major, and herpetiform. A canker sore is either major or minor depending on its size. A minor sore takes about a week to heal. Major sores often take longer, sometimes up to six weeks. Herpetiform canker sores look different from the other types. These manifest in clusters of ten to one hundred. If you are prone to canker sores, contact your Oyster Bay, NY, dentists for an appointment.

 

You can treat your canker sores either holistically or with over-the-counter solutions. Your Oyster Bay, NY, dentists recommend trying different options to find what is best for you.

 

There are a few great options for holistic treatments. The first is just plain, old-fashioned ice. Apply an icepack to the injured area of the face. Keep it on for about twenty minutes to reduce the swelling. Tea bags are another possible solution. They have certain nutrients and minerals in them that promote healing. Place the tea bag directly on the canker sore and let it sit. Lastly, create a baking soda or salt-water rinse. Create the solution and then swish it around your mouth. This works by both cleaning and soothing the sore.

 

If these options aren’t right for you, try out some over-the-counter remedies. These products focus on numbing the pain. Most of them contain a product known as benzocaine. Apply a small amount to the canker sore, numbing it for an extended period. You’ll now have a chance to eat and drink without irritation from the sore. Certain dental products target canker sore relief, such as mouthwash.

 

Don’t wait when you have frequent canker sores. Contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Located in Oyster Bay, NY, Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda are here for you. To schedule your appointment, call 516-922-5730 or visit http://www.oysterbaydentists.com/.

Night Guards

Night guards are placed in the mouth to act as a “cushion” during sleep to prevent someone from grinding or gnashing their teeth together. Some people actually do this during the day as well. Grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism, damages enamel, wears down teeth, causes jaw pain, and irritates gums. If you think you are grinding your teeth, Drs. Haeri and West at Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, can help you.

Severe teeth grinding can lead to tension-type headaches and disorders in the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), where a clicking noise is heard when you open and close your mouth. Teeth grinding has also been seen in quite a few children. According to WebMD, “approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth.” The first step to preventing teeth grinding is to determine what is causing it. Sometimes a night guard or change in lifestyle is all you need to prevent it.

There are several factors that increase the chances of grinding your teeth:

- Stress and anxiety

- Age (though common in children, bruxism goes away by adulthood)

- Aggressive or competitive personality type

- Psychiatric medications

- Smoking tobacco

- Consuming caffeine or alcohol

- Family history of teeth grinding

- Other disorders such as Parkinson's, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), epilepsy, night terrors, sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Do you think you’re experiencing bruxism and want to try a night guard? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you might have. Oyster Bay Family Dentists is located at 123 South Street in Oyster Bay, NY 11771. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit oysterbaydentists.com or call 516-922-5730.

 

 

 

Sjogren's Syndrome

The Oyster By Family Dentists provide patients in Oyster Bay, NY, with quality dental care. Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda can help you with the oral symptoms of certain systemic conditions, like Sjorgren’s syndrome. This is an autoimmune condition that targets that salivary and tear glands. The results are a chronically dry mouth. If you notice this happening to you, schedule an appointment with us today.

 

Sjogren’s syndrome, because it is a systemic autoimmune condition, affects the entire body. Your dentists here in Oyster Bay, NY, have sorted out the symptoms specifically related to your mouth. Here are a few of them:

 

-Scratchy or sore voice

-Constant oral infections or cavities

-Dry lips, mouth, and throat

-Chronic cough

-Difficulties swallowing

-Swollen glands in the neck and face

 

There is no known cause for the development of Sjogren’s syndrome. Your general practitioner or primary care provider can provide you with certain medications. This helps curb your immune system’s response.

 

Your Oyster Bay, NY, dentist can make a diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome during a dental appointment. Drs. West or VeyVoda evaluates your salivary glands, along with checking for other secondary conditions like dry mouth or cavities.

 

It’s possible to increase your body’s production of saliva. Artificial Saliva keeps your mouth moist and fresh. Certain over-the-counter products like mouthwash and toothpaste can also increase your salivary flow.

 

If you or a loved one are struggling with dry mouth, and are concerned it could be Sjogren’s syndrome, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists today. Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda are available at their office in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment, call 516-922-5730. You can also visit their website at http://www.oysterbaydentists.com/.

Receding Gums

Dental problems don’t develop overnight. They progress over time, often due to neglect. This is the case with Receding Gums. The gum tissue surrounding the teeth starts to pull back, exposing more of the tooth structure and sensitive areas. When this happens, it’s important that you contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists right away. Located in Oyster Bay, NY, Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda are here to help.

 

Receding gums is a progressive condition, meaning that it doesn’t happen all at once. You probably won’t notice that anything is different right away. Many Oyster Bay, NY, patients have symptoms but don’t connect them. The first of these is that your teeth suddenly look longer. In reality, your teeth are the same size, it’s the amount of gum tissue covering them that has shrunk. Patients also report a sudden onset of teeth sensitivity. This directly correlates to how much more tooth is shown. Lastly, be on the lookout for any teeth that seem loose or wiggly. Without the secure attachment from the gums, the teeth are prone to looseness.

 

Knowing how receding gums develops helps you prevent it. The biggest cause for it is neglecting your oral health. You need to brush and floss properly multiple times a day. If you don’t, you are at risk for periodontal (gum) disease. This is also a good moment to evaluate your brushing habits. You don’t want to brush so hard that you damage the gums. Grinding your teeth is also detrimental. An appointment with your Oyster Bay, NY, dentists can work that out for you.

 

The best thing to do is to start taking better care of your teeth. Remember to brush twice a day and floss at least once. It’s also important that you see your dentist for a professional cleaning every six months.

 

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists are located right here in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert West or Denise VeyVoda, call 516-922-5730 or visit their website at http://www.oysterbaydentists.com/.

Gingivitis in Children

Many parents make the mistake of not helping their small children take care of their teeth. Just because baby teeth are temporary, does not mean they aren’t important. It’s much easier for baby teeth to suffer from complications, including gingivitis. This is the first stage of periodontal (gum) disease. You’ll notice that your child’s teeth are swollen and red, producing blood when they rinse after brushing. It’s important that you schedule an appointment for your child with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda can help treat your child’s gingivitis. Learn more by contacting our office in Oyster Bay, NY.

 

Gingivitis, as mentioned above, is the first stage of gum disease. It’s caused by an accumulation of large amounts of plaque on the teeth. This material is also responsible for cavities. Abnormal amounts are the result of not properly taking care of your oral health. The first thing you need to do is re-evaluate your child’s dental habits.

 

First, take a moment to observe your child’s brushing techniques. They need to brush twice a day, after breakfast and before bed. Children older than five can brush by themselves. You just need to watch them to make sure it’s done right. Younger kids need a parent’s direct involvement. Your Oyster Bay, NY, dentists also stress the importance of using the correct toothbrush. Toothbrushes differentiate in size depending on a child’s age. You should also replace your child’s toothbrush every 3-4 months.

 

Flossing, like brushing, can be done by children over the age of five. Younger children need your assistance. Flossing is the only way to clean and remove excess plaque from certain areas. You or your child starts by removing 18 inches of floss. Move the floss around each separate tooth in a “C” formation. Carefully move it up and down, rubbing the sides of the teeth.

 

Everyone, including children, need to see the dentist twice a year. Professional cleanings are the only proper way to treat gingivitis. Contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists right away if your child experiences symptoms of gingivitis. Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda are available by appointment in Oyster Bay, NY. To set up your appointment, call 516-922-5730. You can also visit our website at http://www.oysterbaydentists.com/.