Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Halitosis: Chronic Bad Breath

Halitosis, also known as chronic bad breath, is something that mints, mouthwash, or gum, will not remedy. Unlike morning breath or a strong smell that lingers after a pungent meal, halitosis lingers for weeks, maybe months at a time. Halitosis can result in an anxiety among those affected and may leave you feeling bad about yourself. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists don’t ever want to see that happen and encourage you to schedule an oral exam to assess the condition.


If a daily dental routine of brushing and flossing isn’t reducing the odor in your mouth, you may be a victim of periodontal disease, cavities, and/or dry mouth. If you’re a smoker, tobacco can dry out the mouth leaving you with oral discomfort and bad breath. By drinking plenty of water, and cutting down on caffeine and cigarettes, you’re not only doing your breath a favor, but you’re making a wise decision for your oral health and periodontal health as well. Treatment for halitosis will depend on the cause, but if it’s hindering your self-esteem and leaving you feeling unconfident, please give us a call to get the problem under control.


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

Laser Treatment for Gums

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists take pride in offering the best technology available to patients, and have seen great results for the treatment of periodontal disease with laser tools. Patients experiencing every stage of gum disease can see improvement from laser treatment.  The laser is so effective in periodontal treatments because it can target unhealthy gum tissue and leave healthy tissue undisturbed. The precision that can be achieved with a laser results in less trauma to the mouth and less recovery time.


In the past, periodontal treatment was completed using more aggressive tools and often required stitches. With a laser, treating only the affected gum tissue and not damaging any healthy gums is more efficient and causes little to no bleeding, which means less swelling after the procedure.  Patients often find the laser procedure relatively painless, so less and sometimes no anesthetic is needed.  Please contact us to improve your oral health with a laser treatment for your gums!


To learn more about treatments for gum disease 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.

Friday, June 22, 2018

Post-Operative Instructions

Oral surgery is a complex process. First, you anticipate the procedure and fret about getting a tooth extracted, and secondly, you must render up the patience to heal over a course of several days. Whether you’ve recently undergone oral surgery for a tooth extraction or a restorative treatment such as dental implants, The Oyster Bay Family Dentists will give you strict instructions to follow post-operation.


Immediately following surgery, bleeding will continue. To reduce the amount of bleeding and to help stop it completely, damp gauze should be placed over the extraction site. Be sure to replace the gauze after eating soft foods, and never suck through a straw, as you risk the stitches coming undone. Swelling of the jaw is normal because this is the body’s natural reaction to pain. Swelling can be reduced by applying ice, but if it persists for more than seven days, please call our office.


If you have questions or concerns about oral surgery or post-operative instructions, 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.

Thursday, June 7, 2018

White Spots on Teeth

Everybody wants whiter teeth. But when white spots with a chalky character develop, they’re a warning sign of infection. We of the Oyster Bay Family Dentists don’t want our patients to let tooth decay take them by surprise, which is why this week we’re talking about white spot lesions.


Tooth decay is caused by an infection on the enamel. Bacteria produce acid, which sticks to tartar and plaque. When enamel is eroded by acid, it first takes on a glazed, white appearance as it loses minerals. (This can also be seen in people who suffer from acid reflux.) White spots don’t usually hurt, but if the infection is not stopped, it will create a cavity and remove the protection from the nerve in the tooth.


A white spot can form in as few as thirty days. They are particularly prone to appearing on the upper front teeth at the part where the crown meets the gum line and in the area surrounding orthodontic brackets. Although enamel cannot be regrown, it can be remineralized, so patients should not give up on fighting incipient lesions. We also offer Invisalign as an alternative to fixed braces at our office, which creates less of a risk for white spot development.


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 Oyster Bay Dentists and fill out a contact sheet.


 

Friday, June 1, 2018

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gum Disease

Arthritis can cause problems throughout the body, but patients may be surprised to learn that some kinds of it are highly correlated with gum disease. We of the Oyster Bay Family Dentists often have to provide patients with replacement teeth, so we want everyone to be aware of when they are at risk.


Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the joints become inflamed because the body is attacking itself. New studies have found that it is extremely common in people with severe periodontal bleeding. While this could be partially explained by arthritis making it difficult for people to perform oral hygiene, periodontal disease often appeared in the very early stages of RA. Upon further investigation, scientists found that gum tissue has similar genetic processes in common with joint tissue, and in the case of autoimmune disorders, they may be affected the same way.


The studies found that oral hygiene is still beneficial for people with RA, even with their additional challenges. Scientists are investigating whether oral care can reduce other RA symptoms, but in the meantime, people with RA are advised to consider electric toothbrushes so they can brush more easily and to use artificial throat moisteners if their salivary glands are compromised.


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 Oyster Bay Dentists and fill out a contact sheet.