Author: nhpdental

Teeth are amazing. They help you chew food, they let out a laugh, and even form your smile. But did you know that teeth change with age? As you grow older, your teeth will change in shape and color.

So how do teeth change with age? This transition begins in your teens and early twenties. At this point in your life, teeth are growing to their final shape. Once they have reached this point, you will never eat the same way again.

The adult set is somewhat different from your baby teeth in a few key ways:

The number of teeth: You will lose your baby teeth, but you’ll never lose all of your adult teeth. Adults develop about six more permanent teeth than babies do. In total, you get 32.

The color: Baby teeth are usually whiter than adult teeth, especially molars. Adult teeth may not grow in white because they don’t come in contact with food as often.

Stronger enamel: Baby teeth have high mineral content, but as you age, your enamel hardens, and the structure of your teeth becomes stronger.

The placement: Adult teeth can shift slightly, so be sure to re-evaluate the color and shape of your teeth every six months.

The Edges: Baby teeth don’t have grooves for your tongue to grip. Adult teeth will have these grooves, so it’s essential to maintain healthy gums.

Thicker dentin: Dentin is the layer that gives your teeth strength. It is thicker in adults, so they can handle the forces of grinding and chewing with less risk of fracture.

By adulthood, your teeth will take on the shape you have created for them with repeated biting and chewing. They are affected by everyday habits such as drinking coffee, tea or red wine. They are also affected by smoking and other habits.

With the arrival of wisdom teeth, this is the last addition of teeth you will get to replace a set of baby teeth.

Teeth in Old Age: Changes in Adulthood

Starting in your late 30s or early 40s, teeth begin to change in shape and color. Cavities (tooth decay) increase with the weakening of gums, often caused by lack of brushing. At the same time, there is a noticeable loss of mineral content in teeth because of increased consumption of sugar and processed foods.

You’ll probably notice these other adult changes:

The enamel will lose its gloss and become more transparent. The enamel can be easily chipped because of the loss of gloss.

The dentin layer will become thinner. A thinner dentin can result in more sensitivity to hot and cold foods, particularly the liquids that create those sensations.

The gum line can recede, exposing more of the tooth’s root. This increases the risk of cavities and infection.

The crowns of adult teeth are more likely to become discolored. A common culprit is root canal therapy, which can cause the tooth’s crown to take on a gray hue. The crown of the tooth may also lose its color because of damage from injuries or decay.

If you are concerned about changes in your teeth, you should connect with our doctors at New Hyde Park Dental. We can either monitor the condition of your teeth or provide treatment to restore them back to their natural color and shape.

Contact us to schedule an examination. We look forward to hearing from you!

Teeth can become sensitive for various reasons. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), sensitive teeth are the most common dental problem reported by adults in the U.S.

So, the first step to taking care of your teeth is understanding why they’re sensitive.

What’s the difference between teeth sensitivity and tooth decay?

Tooth sensitivity is not the same as tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in your mouth consume carbohydrates (sugar) and produce acid.

Sensitive teeth can be seen on x-rays, but tooth decay cannot. The two don’t imply the same thing.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Any number of things can sensitize your teeth, including:

Gum disease

Gums are the thin, soft tissue that encloses your teeth. When gums pull away from the crown of a tooth or become inflamed, they can expose the tooth root, making your teeth sensitive.

Chewing ice, chips, or hard candy

These can wear away the enamel on teeth and dentin (the dense, hard substance beneath the enamel.) Dentin contains nerve endings.

Chemicals in tooth-whitening products and mouthwash

In some cases, chemicals in these products can thin the enamel or cause irritation in or around your gums.

Tobacco use

Tobacco use can irritate your gums, causing them to pull away from your teeth.

Cracked fillings or dentures

Cracks in old fillings and worn-out dentures can expose the nerves inside teeth, making them sensitive to hot, cold, or sweets.

Cavities

A cavity is simply a hole in your tooth caused by decay. Cavities can expose the nerves inside your teeth, making them sensitive.

Tooth grinding

Grinding down your teeth over time can cause sensitivity.

Sinus issues

Allergies, colds, and sinus infections can all cause swollen tissues in your face, including around your teeth. Swollen tissues can make your teeth sensitive to hot and cold.

What are the symptoms of sensitive teeth?

In addition to being sensitive when you eat cold or hot foods, you may have these additional symptoms:

• Tooth pain or aching
• You may have a tingling or prickly sensation in your teeth.
• You may experience tooth sensitivity and other symptoms at night.

What should I do?

To deal with your sensitive teeth, try these tips:

Use desensitizing toothpaste: These are specifically formulated to reduce the effects of irritants on your teeth.

Use a cold/hot mouth rinse: Mouth rinses that contain potassium nitrate can help relieve pain by providing temporary relief.

Eliminate irritating foods and beverages: Ditch the ice cream, hard candies, dark-colored sodas, and energy drinks, which can all be tooth-wearying.

Try a healing rinse: A saltwater solution from your dentist or hygienist can soothe irritated gums.

Consider wearing a nightguard: This splint will protect teeth from grinding.

Ask your dentist about other treatments

New Hyde Park Dental is a full-service, family dental practice offering comprehensive treatment for patients of all ages. We pride ourselves on being a patient-focused practice, with our patients receiving the personal care they deserve. Our commitment to excellence entails providing extensive treatment options in a compassionate, ethical manner.

We’re here to assist you with all of your dental treatment needs. Call (516) 219-8918 for an appointment.

A canker sore is a shallow, ulcer-like lesion that typically surrounds the mucous membranes of the mouth. They are very common and usually appear as red or white lesions on the soft tissues inside of the mouth. 

Canker sores are not contagious, but it is important to note if you experience multiple occurrences over time, you should be referred for further examination by an oral surgeon or otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor).

How Can You Tell If You Have Canker Sores?

There are a few telltale signs of canker sores. Here are the common symptoms:

• small round or oval lesions that appear inside the mouth without a clear cause
• pain and/or swelling in affected areas
• lesions which eventually rupture and crust over leaving an open sore behind which will heal on its own

When Do Canker Sores Appear?

Canker sores can be triggered by stress, fatigue, menstruation, injury or illness, certain foods (like nuts), acidic food/liquids, or excess caffeine intake.

What Can You Do for Your Canker Sores?

To begin with, in addition to brushing and flossing your teeth daily, it is highly recommended that you rinse out your mouth with salt water at least two times per day. Eating yogurt with live cultures or taking Lactobacillus acidophilus supplements may also help in alleviating canker sores effects.

Another good remedy for canker sores is to rub an ice cube directly on the sore area. Although, at first it will cause temporary discomfort, in a few minutes you should feel relief from pain and inflammation if applied consistently.

Additionally, there are also other remedies that people have used in the past with mixed results. If you would like to try them out just remember that the effects may not bring instant relief. 

When to Talk to a Dentist 

When your canker sores do not heal within a few weeks, it is time to visit your dentist. In some cases, they may need to administer a biopsy to determine the underlying cause of the ulcerations and provide you with the appropriate treatment.

In case you have multiple canker sores, make sure that you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Also, avoid foods that increase mouth acidity, like candy, citrus fruits, or tomatoes.

A New Hyde Park dentist can also help by performing a thorough oral examination and assessing the overall health of your teeth and gums. They may also discuss certain dietary changes or other possible factors that contribute to recurring sores.

A Lake Success dentist can usually help by providing pain relief for the sores or lesions with topical anesthetics or prescription medication. They may also recommend using desensitizing agents to reduce the amount of pain experienced when eating hot, cold, or sweet foods and drink.

In extreme cases, dentists may prescribe stronger medications to help speed up the healing process by fighting the infection or inflammation. 

If you would like more information on canker sores and what a New Hyde Park dentist can do for them, please contact us today!

The biggest problem with treating TMJ is that most of the pain in the joint does not come from a structural problem within the joint, but rather it comes from surrounding areas. These surrounding areas include muscle spasms around the jaw and neck, or tension pains in any one of these muscles. 

A New Hyde Park dentist can help by identifying where the tension originates and the best treatment to reduce the pressure. This would be done by identifying if muscles are causing the problem or an actual joint issue (such as arthritis or a disc.)

Here, we will give you examples of various treatments that could help with TMJ issues.

1. Dental Orthodontics

These are any treatments that straighten teeth, such as braces or retainers. This would help people who clench or grind their teeth at night in their sleep. This works because the muscle tension from grinding and clenching will be spread over a wider surface of your teeth, so any pain should reduce.

2. Teeth Repositioning

Teeth repositioning is the process of moving teeth into a different position that reduces painful areas of your mouth. For example, if you have an upper front tooth that is sticking out too far but has caused TMJ in the past, it can be trimmed down to where it isn’t poking your cheek anymore and doesn’t cause pain.

3. Orthodontic Retainers

Orthodontic retainers are used to hold teeth in place after braces, so if you have had braces before and still got TMJ afterward, it may be worth looking into getting an orthodontic retainer. The retainers work because they keep the teeth in the right place and prevent them from shifting back to where they were before. 

4. Jaw Stabilization

Jaw stabilization is a treatment that stabilizes the jaw joints to spread muscle tension around, so it isn’t just focused on one specific joint. This will reduce the amount of stress put onto one fixed point so it can reduce pain. This is usually done by wearing a splint at night as you sleep.

5. Invisalign

Invisalign is a product that helps straighten teeth but is not as noticeable as regular braces. This is especially useful if you have to wear your retainers all the time because it will be easier to hide them from others and they won’t notice anything different in your appearance.

If you are experiencing pain in the jaw or neck, contact us at New Hyde Park Dental about which of these treatments may be best for you.

We hope this article has been helpful to you and we look forward to seeing you at our office soon!

Tooth issues are common no matter what the cause of the pain might be. Sometimes, it’s a simple tooth ache from eating something too hot or too cold too quickly. Other times, it may be related to other medical conditions, or a sign that you need to get your teeth cleaned and gums taken care of. Finally, sometimes, it is a sign of a tooth abscess and the need for immediate dental care. Below, we’ll detail what a tooth abscess is, what its symptoms are, what a dentist can do for your tooth abscess, and what to do if you think you have one.

What is a tooth abscess and what are its symptoms?

A tooth abscess is a pocket that is often filled by pus which is usually caused by a bacterial infection, which can occur in different parts of the tooth for different reasons. Unlike cavities, they can occur generally anywhere. There are two different kinds of abscesses. One is called a periapical abscess and occurs at the tip of the root which is at the bottom of the tooth in the gums. The other one, a periodontal abscess, occurs at the side of the tooth near the gums. 

These abscesses are often caused by a bacterial infection that has occurred as a result of an untreated or badly treated cavity, an injury, or prior dental work that was done carelessly. Symptoms of a tooth abscess can include: a toothache that can radiate to your jaw, ear, or other nearby extremities, sensitivity to chewing, biting, or hot and cold temperatures, fever, swelling in the face or neck, a difficulty breathing or swallowing, and other dental-related difficulties. 

What can a New Hyde Park dentist do for my tooth abscess?

If a dentist determines you do indeed have a tooth abscess, there are several possible courses of treatment that can be taken. The first is to open up and drain the abscess by making a small cut and allowing the pus to drain out, while he or she washes it with a saline solution. Another option might be to perform a root canal that can not only drain the abscess, but can help save the infected tooth. The most extreme option is to pull the infected tooth to prevent further damage to the jaw and other areas of the mouth, if the harm is severe enough. A dentist may prescribe antibiotics at his or her discretion to stop any spread of infection or potential spread.

What should I do if I think I have a tooth abscess?

Call our New Hyde Park office today to schedule an appointment to find out what one of our dentists can do for your tooth abscess. Our staff of dental professionals is standing by to help and is ready to assist you, no matter the dental issue you may face.

Brushing twice a day isn’t just good practice, it helps preserve your oral hygiene in the short and long-term, so that you can have a brilliant smile for years to come. For many, they worry when in the course of their brushing, their gums begin to bleed. This leads to asking themselves why their gums are bleeding, even though they are taking proper care of their dental hygiene. Below, we’ll detail a few reasons why gums bleed from the common and every day to the serious. 

Overly aggressive brushing and flossing

We’ve all been there, a bad day at work, a discussion gone wrong with a spouse, or daily frustrations somehow put us in a bad mood. Sometimes, that translates to overly aggressive brushing and flossing that mean you bear down on your teeth harder than you intended to. These brush strokes and flossing can cause your gums – which are naturally sensitive – to bleed and quickly recover. While not advisable, this is not likely to do long term damage to your gums. It is also entirely preventable.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and often leaves gums swollen, puffy, and tender. This leads to blood when brushing or flossing at a regular pace and is often a warning sign that you should see a dentist. Gingivitis is reversible given the proper treatment. If you think gingivitis may be the reason your gums bleed, you should contact New Hyde Park Dental immediately so you can begin treatment before it progresses into gum disease.

Medication

Sometimes, the reason why gums bleed is unavoidable. Some medications, such as blood thinners, make gums more susceptible to bleeding. While this isn’t a cause for concern, make sure to mention any medications – especially blood thinners – that you’re taking during your next visit with your dentist or dental hygienist. 

Pregnancy gingivitis

In some cases, women who are pregnant may experience swollen and sensitive gums that bleed while brushing normally. This “pregnancy gingivitis” as it’s known should be mentioned to your dentist, so you can do as much as you can to protect your gums. Ensuring you continue to floss and brush can help make sure any damage does not worsen.

If you have any questions as to why your gums bleed, call our New Hyde Park office today to make an appointment and ensure that you’re on the right course of treatment.

That throbbing feeling you have in your mouth won’t go away no matter how hard you try to avoid hot and cold liquids. More sleep doesn’t help either. An infected tooth is never fun and even less appealing is the pain, swelling, and other discomfort that you feel from the ache that accompanies it. Sometimes, patients will try to ignore the pain or will look for home remedies. Others will rely on aspirin or other over-the-counter pain medications. However, these are not permanent solutions and a patient should consult a New Hyde Park dentist for long-term help with their infected tooth.

What causes an infected tooth?

A tooth infection is caused by bacteria pooling at the base or root of the tooth creating what is called an abscess. This bacterial pooling creates infections that are harmful and painful for the patient. One of the root causes is poor dental hygiene – not taking proper care of your teeth and gums – that can increase your likelihood for gum disease, tooth decay, and other complications. Other causes can include dry mouth, which can lead to tooth decay, or a diet high in sugar which can corrode gums and teeth. A New Hyde Park dentist will be able to determine the exact cause of your infected tooth in order to help you decide on an appropriate treatment.

What symptoms do I feel? 

An infected tooth will have a few different symptoms depending on the person and severity of infection. As mentioned before, throbbing can not only impact the tooth but also extend to the jawbone, neck, ear, or other part of the head. Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, sensitivity when a patient chews or bites, a fever, swelling in the face or neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and a few other similar symptoms. A New Hyde Park dentist will be able to help you ensure that you get the best pain relief treatment.

How do I prevent an infected tooth?

One of the best ways to prevent an infected tooth is brushing twice a day, eating healthy food and avoiding sugary foods, and replacing your toothbrush. Your dentist can provide more tips on preventing an infected tooth. 

Do I need to see my dentist if I feel these symptoms? 

If you feel any of these symptoms, you should call our office immediately to make an appointment to see a New Hyde Park dentist. Our dentists can quickly help you decide what the right course of treatment is for your infected tooth. Make an appointment today to ensure your questions regarding an infected tooth are answered by our dental staff and dentist!

No one likes feeling pain, even less so when the cause is wisdom tooth headaches. For so many who get wisdom tooth headaches, their immediate reaction is to wonder what causes wisdom tooth headaches and how to fix them. More than just a minor annoyance, they can leave you feeling disoriented, tired, and sluggish. Below, we’ll detail what causes wisdom tooth headaches and how to fix them.

What causes wisdom tooth headaches?

One of the biggest causes of wisdom tooth headaches is emerging wisdom teeth. These teeth come in between the ages of 17 and 25 and often through the jawbone and gum line.

Another cause of wisdom tooth headaches are impacted wisdom teeth. This happens when there may not be enough room in the patient’s mouth for the tooth to grow. Some of the causes of these impacted teeth are teeth emerging at an angle, getting stuck in the jaw, and pushing against other molars. Other problems with wisdom teeth that can cause wisdom tooth headaches include tooth decay, cysts, gum disease, and other damage to neighboring teeth. 

What can I do to fix my wisdom tooth headaches?

One of the quickest, not to mention cheapest, ways to attack your wisdom teeth headaches is to rinse your mouth with warm water and salt. This regimen quickly kills any bacteria in your mouth that could be attacking your wisdom teeth and causing these headaches. Another method that involves medication is taking an aspirin. This simple trick often stops the pain associated with wisdom tooth headaches for a short amount of time.

However, if you find yourself having to take aspirin on a continued, regular basis you should consult with a New Hyde Park dentist. The most drastic solution to fix wisdom tooth headaches is for you to have surgery to remove the wisdom tooth or teeth that are the cause of the headaches. Wisdom teeth are unnecessary for most people and oftentimes are extracted when a person is younger than 30. 

What do I do if I have more questions about wisdom teeth headaches and fixing them?

Contact our New Hyde Park office immediately so we can answer all of your questions regarding wisdom teeth headaches and solutions. Our dental staff is ready to answer any and all questions you may have and to make an appointment today!