A Brush-Up on Kids Oral Care

Baby teeth are vital to the development of adult teeth, along with speech and eating patterns. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY want all of our patients to keep a healthy smile. Check out some of our reminders for helping kids keep good oral hygiene.

Even before a baby’s first teeth grow in, their gums need to be tended to. They should be wiped down with a soft cloth after feedings. As soon as the first tooth appears, it should be brushed with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is important for keeping cavities away. As soon as two of their teeth touch, they will need to be flossed. Babies and kids will need help with flossing until they can do it on their own.

Kids should begin seeing a dentist as soon as their first tooth grows in, or by the age of one if their first tooth hasn’t grown in by then. As they grow older, their dentist may want to protect their molars with seals. This keeps cavities out of the pits and grooves of molars, especially during their cavity-prone years.

One last tip is to limit thumb-sucking and pacifiers. These actually disrupt the proper placement and growth of baby and adult teeth, which can eventually lead to dental problems, speech problems, and even problems with eating.

To schedule your child’s first dental appointment, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Our Oyster Bay, NY office can be reached by calling (516) 922-5730 or by visiting our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com. 

How Smoking Affects Dental Implants

By now, mostly everyone knows about the endless list of ways smoking can harm your body. However, did you know that it can also affect the success of dental work like dental implants? Since the smoke enters your body first through your mouth, it can really have a major effect on your soft tissues. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY want our patients to understand the ways smoking can affect your future oral health. Keep reading to learn more.

Smoking physically changes the gum tissues in your mouth and the blood vessels surrounding them. The top layer of skin cells in the gums develops a condition called keratosis, which is the thickening of the tissues. The salivary glands within these tissues become blocked off and damaged, which creates dry mouth. The superficial blood vessels in the mouth begin to constrict, so they do not supply enough blood to the area. These effects create problems with healing, immune strength, and bacteria. When there is decreased blood flow, the area can take longer to heal after implant surgery. In addition, a dry mouth promotes gum disease. Over time, these issues will cause more bone loss in the jawbone around an implant, increasing the risk of the implant falling out.

Smoking wreaks havoc on the lungs, the circulatory system, oral health, among many other body systems. It is also a known cause of cancer. The best thing to do is to quit or never start. To schedule an examination, an oral cancer screening, or an implant consultation with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call us at (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com. 

Invisalign for Discreet Straightening

Invisalign is a way to straighten teeth without the pain, hassle, or looks of braces. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY offer Invisalign to their patients looking to straighten their teeth comfortably and conveniently.

Invisalign is a teeth aligning system made of a series of clear, smooth plastic trays. The trays are completely customized to fit your teeth. Using a computer system, each tray will be created with minor adjustments so your teeth gradually shift into place. The trays are switched out every two weeks and you will visit with your dentist every four to five weeks to pick up your new trays and to make sure the process is going as planned. The Invisalign trays are to be worn for twenty to twenty-two hours per day. They are convenient because you can take out them when you eat and brush your teeth.

There are no restrictions on what you can eat with Invisalign, so you do not have to avoid certain types of food like you do with braces. You can also brush and floss normally, unlike with braces where you need special dental supplies. Invisalign is also nearly invisible; the clear, fitted plastic is all that covers your teeth. The smooth plastic is also more comfortable than metal braces.

If you have thought about straightening your teeth but were deterred by the thought of braces, Invisalign may be right for you. To schedule an appointment with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY, call our office at 516-922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com. 

Custom, Natural-Looking Dental Crowns

It is ideal to keep our natural teeth, which is why we attempt to restore teeth before we pull them. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY are able to offer natural-looking dental crowns to restore both the strength and the look of teeth.

Dental crowns are caps that replace the outermost part of your tooth. Your tooth is first reshaped so that the crown can fit on it. An impression is then taken of the tooth and the area surrounding it. A dental laboratory will use the impression to create a custom crown that will have the look and feel of one of your natural teeth. The laboratory process can take between two and three weeks, so your dentist will place a temporary crown so you can still use your tooth normally during that time. When the permanent crown is ready, it is cemented into place. Crowns need to be taken care of like regular teeth to ensure they have a long life in your mouth.

If you are interested in learning more about our custom crowns, be sure to schedule an appointment with us or check out our website. Appointments may be made by calling our Oyster Bay, NY office at 516-922-5730 or by visiting our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com.