Smoking and Pulpitis

As specialists in prosthodontics, we at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists have seen a lot of damage caused by smoking. We’ve provided prosthetic face pieces as well as teeth for people suffering from oral cancer. Recently, scientists uncovered evidence of even more oral health hazards caused by smoking: the disappearance of immune system mechanisms in dental pulp.

When dental pulp becomes inflamed, it is said to have “pulpitis.” This can be due to an injury, but is usually because bacteria have decayed the surrounding enamel and acid is leaking in. The pulp within our teeth depends on antimicrobial peptides to defend it from infection. Smoking is known to weaken the immune system, making smokers more vulnerable to gum infections, and now it appears that smoking can wipe out the pulp’s antimicrobial peptides.

Pulp infections make teeth extremely sensitive. They can also spread into the bloodstream or into surrounding tissues, causing sepsis. We can treat pulp infections with a root canal, although the odds of success for smokers are lower. If necessary, we may talk to the patient about removing and replacing the tooth. However, it is important to note that the researchers also found that defense mechanisms can return after the patient quits smoking.

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.

 

Tooth Decay during the Holidays

Between candy canes, eggnog, and Christmas cookies, sweet treats abound at the end of the year. We’ve provided a lot of people with replacement teeth at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists, and would hate to see anybody have another outbreak of gingivitis due to tooth decay. But we want our patients to enjoy the holiday fun, too, so we thought we’d offer some suggestions for teeth-friendly winter socializing.

The longer the teeth are exposed to sugar, the more time bacteria will have to eat it and produce acid. Bacteria are able to consume simple sugars quickly, but they can also metabolize starch. Bits of food debris lodged in between teeth and dental cusps are obviously a potential source of decay, but so is the residue left by sugary drinks. Hard candy is also a tooth decay hazard because it remains in contact with the teeth for a long time and tends to deplete the mouth’s saliva, which is needed to rinse away food debris and maintain the mouth’s pH level.

People produce the most saliva while eating large meals, but socializing sometimes prevents us from avoiding snacks and drinks. Often, it is still acceptable to chew sugar-free gum (as long as it is spat out discreetly). This will dislodge some food and stimulate saliva production. Another option is to alternate sips of water with sips of other drinks to prevent dry mouth and give the teeth a wash. We can also try to favor sugar-free candy and remember to bring floss with us to use when convenient.

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.

 

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMD)

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw (the mandible) to your skull at the temporal bone. Injury to your jaw, the joint, or muscles of your head and neck can lead to severe pain and discomfort. In most cases, the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders can be alleviated with self-managed care or nonsurgical treatments such as a mouth guard. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists can provide long-term relief for patients who are experiencing Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) symptoms.

Other causes of TMD include: grinding or clenching your teeth, which puts a lot of pressure on the joint, movement of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket of the joint, arthritis in the TMJ joint and stress, which can cause you to tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench the teeth. Common symptoms include clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when you open your mouth, a tired feeling in your face, or pain or tenderness in your face, jaw, neck, and shoulders.

If you have questions or concerns about TMJ or TMD, 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.

Reasons for Extractions

With the advanced imaging tools available in our office, The Oyster Bay Family Dentists are well-prepared to do routine dental extractions as well as prosthodontic work. In general, we would rather save a tooth than remove one, but there are times, particularly in adolescence, when extractions are the best choice.

Overcrowding is the most common reason for extractions in young patients. Permanent teeth start erupting in childhood, but the back molars, or wisdom teeth, often do not emerge until the end of the teen years. Orthodontic work has usually already been completed by this point, so the wisdom teeth may disrupt other teeth’s alignment, and they are likely to get caught themselves. The wisdom teeth are not the only teeth that can be impacted; baby teeth may need to be extracted if they do not fall out on their own because they create a risk of the adult teeth getting stuck. Premolars are also frequently removed to prevent overcrowding.

It’s rarer for teeth to be extracted due to infection, but it can happen if repeated root canals fail. It was formerly common for dentists to remove patients’ teeth when supplying them with dentures, but we can now fabricate partial dentures that have room for a patient’s natural teeth. When patients come in for regular cleanings, our x-rays will help us determine whether a tooth is infected or at risk of being impacted.

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.