Category: Dental health

Dental veneers are a popular choice for people who want to improve the appearance of their teeth. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth. They can be made from porcelain or composite material and are an effective way to cover up flaws such as chips, cracks, stains, and gaps.

Veneers in Hyde Park are usually considered safe and effective but there are some potential risks too. Let us weigh the pros and cons of dental veneers to help you make an informed decision.

The Pros

1) Dental veneers look natural

When done correctly, veneers look like your natural teeth. They are made to match the color, shape, and size of your existing teeth, so nobody will be able to tell that you have them. Dental veneers come in two different materials: porcelain and composite. Porcelain veneers are the more popular choice because they resist staining and look more like natural teeth.

2) Veneers can improve your smile

If you are unhappy with your smile, veneers can help. They can be used to change the shape, size, and color of your teeth. Veneers can also close gaps between your teeth and help to correct misshapen or crooked teeth.

3) Veneers are durable

When properly cared for, veneers can last for many years. Porcelain veneers in particular are very strong and resistant to staining. With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, your veneers can last for 10 to 15 years.

4) Veneers are easy to maintain

Unlike other cosmetic dental procedures, veneers do not require a lot of special care. You can brush and floss your teeth as normal, and there is no need to avoid certain foods or drinks. Just be sure to see your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.

5) Veneers can give you an instant makeover

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to improve your smile, veneers may be the answer. The entire process usually takes two or three dental visits, and you will walk away with a brand-new smile. The process does not require any anesthesia or surgery, so it is relatively painless. 

The Cons

1) Veneers are not reversible

Once veneers are bonded to your teeth, they cannot be removed. Patients must also know that the treatment involves the removal of a small amount of enamel from the natural tooth. 

2) Veneers may make your teeth more sensitive

Some people have reported increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures after getting veneers. The issue is usually temporary, and not everyone is affected. Be sure to discuss sensitivity concerns with your dentist before getting veneers.

3) Veneers may not be suitable for people with gum problems

If you have receding gums or gum disease, veneers may not be the best option for you. This is because veneers can cover up your gums, making it more difficult to spot early signs of problems. 

In conclusion, it can be inferred that dental veneers are an excellent choice to gain an aesthetic smile makeover. The pros of the treatment easily outweigh the minor potential risks. To ensure optimal success with the treatment, be sure to consult with a qualified cosmetic dentist in Lake Success, NY. 

New Hyde Park Dental in Lake Success offers an array of cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry procedures. Our team would be happy to help you achieve your ideal smile. Call us today to schedule a consultation. We look forward to meeting you!

According to the American Dental Association, the average American should visit a dentist twice a year. However, some of you may need to see a dentist more or less often, depending on their oral health. People with certain risk factors for dental problems, such as smoking or periodontal disease, may need to see a dentist more often than twice a year.

Dental Conditions That May Require More Frequent Visits

If you thing you have any of the following dental conditions, you may need to see a dentist more often than every six months:

Cavities: If you have active holes, you will need to see a dentist more often as they are able to monitor the progress of the decay and determine the best course of treatment.

Gum disease: Gum disease is a leading infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss. You can see a dentist more often for cleanings and checkups.

Oral cancer: Oral cancer is a serious condition that can be fatal. As with any cancer, you know early detection is key to treatment. You will need to see a dentist regularly for oral cancer screenings.

Loose teeth: If you have loose teeth, you will need to see a dentist to determine the problem’s cause and find a solution.

Missing teeth: Missing teeth can cause eating, speaking, and smiling problems. You will need to see a Hyde Park dentist to discuss tooth replacement options.

If you have any of these dental conditions, see us at Hyde Park dentistry regularly to get the treatment you need.

Dental Problems Can Lead to Many Other Health Issues

Oral health is vital for overall health. ‘Bad’ bacteria in the mouth can often enter the bloodstream and cause infections in other body parts. Poor oral health has also been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory problems.

Inflammation and infections in the mouth can also make it difficult to control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Expectant mothers vulnerable to gum disease are more likely to have babies with low birth weights.

Finally, Oral health is important to your overall health, so be sure to see a dentist regularly.

Good dental hygiene habits, such as simple brushing and flossing, can help prevent many dental problems. Be sure to visit the dentist in Hyde Park for regular checkups and cleanings. We are dedicated to providing our patients with the best possible dental care at New Hyde Park Dental. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

We want to take this opportunity to talk about a topic that is often overlooked: oral cancer. This is a severe disease that can be deadly if not caught early.

If you are at high risk for oral cancer or if you have been recently diagnosed, it is essential to educate yourself on the facts about this disease. Your Hyde Park dentist can help you find the correct facts about this disease. 

Risk Factors of Oral Cancer and Its Symptoms

While this type of cancer is not as common as other types of cancer, it is essential to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms to catch it early if you do develop it.

Most cases of oral cancer are caused by tobacco use, whether it be smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes or using chewing tobacco. Alcohol abuse is also a significant risk factor, particularly when combined with tobacco use. Other risk factors include excessive sun exposure (which can cause lip cancer), a diet low in fruits and vegetables, and HPV infection.

Symptoms of oral cancer include persistent soreness or numbness in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, a lump on the lip or mouth, pain when chewing, white or red patches inside the mouth, and swollen lymph nodes. If you experience any of such symptoms for more than two weeks, you should see a doctor so that they can rule out other causes and possibly catch oral cancer in its early stages.

Truths To Know

1. Oral Cancer Is Often Diagnosed Late Because It Doesn’t Cause Any Pain

One of the most dangerous things about oral cancer is that it often doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort in the early stages. This means that people can have the disease for months or even years without knowing it. By the time they start to experience symptoms, the cancer has usually progressed to a more advanced stage. Ask our Hyde Park dentistry clinic to provide you with a list of signs that shows the risk of oral cancer. 

2. The 5-Year Survival Rate for Oral Cancer Is Only About 50%

The five-year survival rate for oral cancer is only about 50%. This is because the disease is often not diagnosed until it is in a more advanced stage. When caught early, the survival rate jumps to 80-90%.

3. Oral Cancer Can Be Deadly

About 53,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer every year, and about 11,000 people die from the disease. While it is a severe disease, there is good news. The good news is that oral cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. By quitting tobacco and alcohol, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing oral cancer. 

4. Early Detection Is Key

As with any cancer, early detection is critical. The earlier oral cancer is caught, the better the chances are of surviving the disease. If you are at risk for oral cancer or if you have been recently diagnosed, it is essential to educate yourself on the facts about this disease. By knowing the risks and symptoms, you can catch the disease early and improve your chances of survival.

If you or someone you know is at risk for oral cancer, don’t hesitate to schedule a screening with your dentist in Hyde Park.

If you suffer from chronic headaches, you may blame it on your dental health. According to studies, there may be a strong link between tooth decay and gum disease, either causing or worsening tension-type headaches. 

To determine whether your dental problems could be causing or worsening the pain in your head, understand how these two conditions can affect each other:

1. Infection can spread from the gums to other parts of your head.

2. Dental problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease, can cause headaches in their own right.

How Gum Disease Helps Cause Headaches

Gum disease is caused by plaque buildup around the teeth and along the gums. This plaque contains bacteria that can easily infect your gums and spread to other areas, such as the sinuses located very close to your teeth.

Gum disease can cause inflammation in your face and neck by attacking a nearby nerve, sometimes leading to a headache. 

Gum infections can also lead to peri-oral dermatitis, a skin condition known to cause facial swelling and pain. This can trigger a headache due to inflammation in these surrounding areas.

How Tooth Decay Causes Headaches

Tooth decay occurs when the bacteria in plaque break down certain components of your teeth, such as the enamel and the dentin. When this happens, acids are produced that can cause pain in your jaw or neck muscles.

When decay progresses to the point where it damages the pulp inside a tooth, you develop a toothache. If left untreated, inflammation in the gums surrounding the tooth can lead to chronic pain and tension headaches.

How Teeth Grinding Causes Headache

In some cases, headaches can be caused by teeth grinding, otherwise known as bruxism. This is a condition whereby people clench or grind their jaws together in times of stress or when they are asleep.

Over time, these repeated actions can lead to inflammation and pain in the muscles throughout the head and face. If you suffer from chronic headaches, consider keeping a journal to record when they occur.

If you notice that you experience the most pain after stressful events or activities such as eating certain foods or after waking up in the morning, teeth grinding may be the culprit. Many people who suffer from migraines also tend to grind their teeth at night.

How to Reduce Your Headaches from Dental Issues

To reduce or even eliminate your headache problem, you must treat any dental issues as soon as possible. If you are suffering from gum disease, a dentist may prescribe antibiotics to kill the infection before it spreads.

If you are experiencing tooth decay, a dental professional may elect to go straight for a root canal. This removes the pulp from inside the tooth and stops the pain or discomfort this infection may cause.

If you are experiencing pain because of your teeth grinding, your dentist may recommend a bite guard or splint. This reduces the stress on your jaw muscles and prevents headaches from this behavior.

Take care of yourself and book an appointment with the friendly professionals at New Hyde Park Dental. We’ll do our best to help.

Contact us today for more information at (516)-219-8192. We look forward to hearing from you!

Now that summer is upon us, everyone is excited to get back to a new normal and see their friends, family, and loved ones at various events and BBQs. Unfortunately, all this celebration comes with a price to your teeth. Sugary, acidic foods are tough on your teeth, though they tend to be what is preferred on summer menus. However, there are also some foods that can help your teeth maintain their shine and integrity. Below are the best and worst summer foods for your teeth!

Best: Water

Water is the original best food. Clear, plentiful, and with no calories, most water contains fluoride which helps strengthen your teeth.

Best: Dairy

A cold glass of milk can not only be refreshing on a hot summer day, but the calcium in milk can help strengthen teeth as well as bones. Plus, this refreshing drink can be served a variety of ways!

Best: High-Fiber Foods

Pass the baked beans and spinach, because the chewing involved helps clean teeth in a way like no other. These foods require quite a bit of chewing and produce saliva, while the food itself scrubs your teeth as you chew.

Best: Strawberries

Strawberries, long a dish for summer cookouts, are also a natural teeth whitener due to malic acid. In fact, some people even make their own strawberry teeth whitening paste!

Worst: Citrus Fruit

Oranges, pineapples, and other citrus fruit tastes great, but wreaks havoc on your teeth. The acid that give each its unique flavor wears away at the enamel both short and long term.

Worst: Candy

What is summer without some candy to make it sweeter? Well, too much of the sugary stuff will wear down your enamel and leave you with cavities. While candy tastes great, its not so great for your teeth and body.

Worst: Soda

After a long, hot day, many people want to relax with a glass of soda – but beware, all that sugar and carbonation can hurt and discolor your enamel. Soda is best left as a sometimes drink.

Worst: Pickles

One of the typical accompaniments to any summer side dish are pickles, crunchy and, unfortunately, acidic. Pickles are not often consumed but when they are, their acid wears away the enamel on your teeth.

This year, you’ll have the opportunity to eat plenty of the best and worst summer foods for teeth. Make sure to stock up on the best ones and have the worst ones sparingly to have a great summer for yourself and your teeth!

We’ve all been there: our mouth doesn’t feel quite right, teeth are very sore or very sensitive, hot or cold liquids or food cause pain, and a range of other symptoms pop up. This in addition to a consistent, throbbing pain is a tell-tale sign of a cavity. Other times, the pain is so inconsistent that it barely merits a second thought. This range of symptoms can lead some people to forgo a visit to NHP Dental and even postpone their regular dental checkup, because they may incorrectly feel that no pain means no problem. However, the symptoms above can be signs that you may have a cavity and should visit our Lake Success Dentist office sooner rather than later.

Toothache

The mostly commonly associated issue when it comes to cavities is toothaches. It has many people rushing to the pharmacy for temporary pain relief from oral gels or other over the counter medicine. However, toothaches can’t be permanently treated by over the counter pain relievers, which are only a temporary solution. Only a qualified New Hyde Park dentist can help ensure that your toothache – whatever the cause, is relieved in both the short and long term.

Tooth Sensitivity

Usually less severe than a toothache, tooth sensitivity can be a part of a person’s daily life without too much pain or interruption of daily activities. Many learn to live with this low-grade pain and may even avoid their favorite foods such as cold ice cream or piping hot coffee, to not have to deal with the tooth sensitivity. This can be a sign of an underlying issue such as a cavity, even if a low-grade one. That’s why you should never take a chance on it being “just sensitive teeth.” You should quickly schedule an appointment with New Hyde Park Dental, to make sure that those sensitive teeth don’t have any other issues.

Visible holes in your teeth or other unsightly stains 

As people get older, their teeth often yellow and weaken over time. However, this doesn’t always include unsightly stains. Sometimes, unsightly stains are more than just coffee stains and can signal a cavity or another issue related to your teeth. Another indicator that you may have a cavity is a visible hole in a tooth or teeth. Whenever you see these, you should immediately schedule an appointment at our Lake Success, NY dental office, so one of New Hyde Park Dental’s dentists can work to determine whether you do indeed have a cavity or another medical malady.

What should I do if I think I have a cavity but don’t have any of the above symptoms?

A cavity can manifest itself in multiple ways, not all of them detectable to non-dental professionals. If you think you have a cavity, you should contact New Hyde Park Dental so you can be seen by a professional who can diagnose your ailment. No matter what you choose to do, the most effective way to prevent cavities are regular teeth cleanings by a dental office and brushing and flossing. Contact our Lake Success, NY office today for an appointment with a cavity dentist, so you no longer have to live with even the thought of a cavity!

Summer is here and everyone is excited for longer days and fun activities. Along with summertime fun comes food that tastes delicious, but is bad for your teeth. From savory staples like hamburgers and hot dogs to sweet treats like ice cream, the food may be satisfying for your stomach, but it won’t be satisfying to your teeth. The summer menu is chock full of memorable meals that people look forward to all year, but can wreak havoc long after warmer temperatures have dissipated and we begin to break out our favorite sweaters. Taking some of these steps can ensure you not only enjoy your summer treats, but also prevent the consequences from extending into the rest of the year.

Resist Too Many Sugary Drinks and Sweets

Summer is a time when we enjoy many different types of sugary drinks and sweets that are only available using the freshest fruit. However, the satisfaction you get from that momentary consumption can add up and have long-term impacts on you and your dental health. The best way to help your teeth and fight plaque is to not overindulge to begin with.

Brush Twice A Day

The basic advice that any New Hyde Park Dentist or Lake Success, NY dentist would give a patient (to brush twice a day) rings true no matter a person’s age. This is likely by far, the cheapest way to promote dental health and is the most consistent way to do so. Most Americans have no trouble at all adhering to a tooth brushing regimen that helps clean teeth, dislodge food, and keep breath fresh by killing harmful bacteria which can harm teeth, gums, and even have other health issues beyond your mouth.

Floss Regularly

Flossing regularly is another inexpensive way to maintain dental health and ensure that a person’s mouth is properly taken care of. While brushing is effective, even the most diligent brushing technique does not get every nook and cranny between teeth. Flossing is a great way to help ensure that anything that brushing didn’t reach is extracted from your mouth, so it won’t cause short or long-term damage.

Visit Your Dentist

Make sure to use your summer vacation time to take care of yourself in addition to getting some relaxing R & R. Ensuring that you use some time off to get your teeth cleaned by a Lake Success, NY dentist or NHP dental surgeon is one way to help keep your dental health in tip top shape. This can also help ward off any incipient problems that can cause real and lasting damage by ensuring that treatment happens as soon as warning signs develop. Additionally, for more involved procedures that may require multiple office visits to New Hyde Park Dental or a Lake Success, NY dentist, scheduling some of those procedures during this summer can help you get a head start on future visits, and may make the overall experience less painful or less expensive if you can space them out.

No matter what your dental goals are this summer, we can help you plan a roadmap to permanent dental health. Contact New Hyde Park Dental or a Lake Success, NY dental office today to get started!

Between an active life, the demands of family, crises at work, and everything else, our health often suffers. Sometimes, there is little to no effect noticeable except for an occasional pain or other issue that people justify by saying they can “live with” it. While many believe this will not lead to any long-term consequences as long as they don’t feel extreme pain, they are sorely mistaken and can be doing more damage to themselves than they know. Allowing “little things” to accumulate can create serious, long-term harm which may be irreversible. Below, we’ll detail a few signs that you’re long overdue for a dental cleaning and may need to book an appointment at New Hyde Park Dental or a Lake Success, NY dentist.

You can’t remember your last cleaning

Generally, teeth cleanings should be happening every six months or so, or at the latest one year. However, some people go years without a cleaning even though they don’t see large discoloration or any pain. There is still an erosion of enamel and other crucial systems in your mouth. Even with no visible damage or discoloration, years without a dental cleaning can wreak untold consequences.

Persistent bad or stale breath

If you brush twice a day, use mouthwash, and use mints and still find yourself reaching for gum or other breath enhancers, it may be time for a teeth cleaning. Plaque can build up and stubbornly stick despite a person’s best efforts. One of the best ways to keep your breath fresh is to get rid of plaque that retains the scent of old, stale food. If you find yourself in this situation, a Lake Success dental hygienist or dentist at New Hyde Park Dental can help you with a simple cleaning.

Yellowed or otherwise discolored teeth

While few people’s teeth retain a naturally white sheen over time, there is little to be done about it except teeth whitening. However, teeth can become extremely yellowed or discolored due to drinking beverages which have a high-propensity to stain such as coffee and red wine, and consuming foods which are rich in other elements that can lead to staining. Some Americans also engage in tobacco use, which can contribute to the stains and discolorations on teeth as well. While not a substitute for professional teeth whitening, a teeth cleaning from a New Hyde Park Dentist can sometimes bring you a couple shades closer to white.

Pain in and around the gums

One of the cosmetic indications of dental issues is a reddening of gums, but sometimes there is no way for a person to notice their gums are suffering due to a lack of dental care. Pain or sensitivity throughout any part of your mouth’s gums are a clear indicator a dental professional at New Hyde Park Dental or the Lake Success dental group should take a look at your mouth. This pain and reddening should not be ignored by any person, because gum pain is the beginning of larger issues.

Tooth pain and discoloration

The most serious sign that you’re overdue for a cleaning is tooth pain or severe tooth discoloration linked to frequent or occasional pain. Tooth pain is a serious sign that you need immediate dental attention from New Hyde Park Dental or a Lake Success dentist’s office, to ensure you address whatever is causing the pain. If the pain is severe enough, you should book an emergency appointment with us at New Hyde Park Dental, because you don’t know the permanent damage that can be done by whatever the underlying issue is.

Call our office today

No matter how long it’s been or why you need a teeth cleaning, you should contact our office in Lake Success today. We can help ensure a thorough cleaning with professional service that reflects our years of experience in dealing with even the most severe dental issues. Call New Hyde Park Dental or a Lake Success, NY dentist today so you can be on the road to dental health.