Although dental implants have gained increased usage over the past ten years, many patients are unfamiliar with the benefits and possible applications that this technique can offer in regards to oral health. The Shine Dental Group has experienced periodontists who perform this procedure for many inhabitants of the Long Island community, with results that mimic the appearance and functionality of natural teeth. After learning more about this procedure and consulting with our staff during a check-up, you may wish to consider this as an alternative to your existing dental work. (more…)
Oral health concerns are one of the more pressing issues in healthcare today. This is because these heath problems can affect people from a number of economic and social backgrounds, and can also span a range of population ages.
The Shine Dental Group addresses a number of problems that can arise for people over the course of a lifetime. This can include simple maintenance procedures such as cleanings and x-rays, as well as addressing cavities, tooth loss, and periodontal factors that can affect anyone. General surveys about the importance of oral health have many people responding to the perception that early childhood and later life are the most important times to invest in good dental work, but the truth is that teeth are really a part of life, from beginning to end. (more…)
Smiling is contagious. My mother told me this on my first day of school. In fact, if you haven’t received this advice multiple times in your life, I would be surprised. This old nugget of wisdom is grounded in truth. Here are 5 reasons why:
1. Feel Better
This one goes deeper than your average positive attitude platitude. There are many blind studies showing that the physical act of smiling releases both serotonin and endorphins. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that not only reduces the body’s sensitivity to pain, but also creates a sense of happy calm. Endorphins are known to relieve stress and combat pain. Smiling can make you feel better.
There is no age limit for healthy teeth. The truth is that, as people age, the circumstances that cause tooth loss are likely to increase and accumulate. Bad habits form over time, especially if you’re unaware that your behavior is counterproductive. Knowing what is damaging to your teeth is half the battle.
1. Eating Late At Night
Many articles have been written about how late night snacking can ruin a diet. One of the lesser-known side effects is that late night eating can damage your teeth. When you sleep, saliva production, like many other bodily functions, is reduced severely. Bacteria thrive in this nighttime environment.
Of all aspects of your appearance, your smile is the one that communicates the most. Before the invention of Facebook or even MySpace, the smile was how you built a circle of friends. In fact, before the invention of any human technology, the smile was how people built trust, gained allies, and survived in a hostile world. Not only is the smile your most important facial asset, it is also the easiest to improve and fix in the case of damage. There is no reason not to have the best smile possible. Here are a few reasons to get your smile looking incredible.
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition which means that your breathing temporarily stops while you are asleep. Loud snoring is often a sign of sleep apnea, and many people who suffer from sleep apnea report that while they think they slept well, they do not feel refreshed when they wake up.
People with un-treated sleep apnea tend to experience frequent periods of very shallow breathing, or even periods of 10-20 seconds where they stop breathing during the night. If these episodes are allowed to continue over prolonged periods of time, they can increase your risk of suffering from a stroke or a heart attack. Even if the sleep apnea itself does not become dangerous, the interrupted sleep patterns can lead to stress, high blood pressure, weight gain and other problems.
Some people can manage their sleep apnea simply by losing weight and purchasing a better pillow, but others require more specialist treatment. There are dental devices available that can help patients to manage their sleep apnea. These dental devices are made in a similar fashion to athletic mouth guards, and while they look unpleasant to wear most of our patients report that once a device has been fitted correctly it is quite comfortable and helps them get a good night’s sleep.
The most common dental devices that we at Shine Dental Associates use to treat sleep apnea are tongue retaining devices and the mandibular repositioning dental device. Both of these devices follow similar purposes, helping to open the airway so that breathing is not interrupted during sleep.
Some people find that they experience soreness when using a dental device; if this happens to you talk to your dentist so that they can adjust it. We recommend that our patients have their devices adjusted a couple of times a year for maximum comfort and effectiveness.
If you’re like me, there have been times in your life when you’ve neglected your teeth. Whether it is through a period of not visiting the dentist or busy times when flossing and brushing lose their urgency, it happens to everyone. Over time, a smile can go from an asset to a disadvantage. Once you’ve identified a problem, how do you find a solution? Shine Dental Associates in Long Island has some ideas.
1. Dentures
Living with a less than desirable smile can affect your life in many ways. You may not want to smile for pictures, and it even could impact you so much that you tend to lose confidence in otherwise normal social situations. No matter what the reasons are for you to not be happy with your smile, the good news is there are no more excuses thanks to porcelain veneers. This is a popular treatment option because it is less invasive than other forms of cosmetic dentistry and can usually be done in just a few visits. But what are some of the benefits you can achieve by having this procedure done?
When you are living with a less than desirable smile, it can begin to have an effect on the rest of your daily life. From not wanting to show your teeth in pictures to feeling uncomfortable in social situations, this is a very real problem that can have long term and adverse effects. Fortunately there are several ways to correct and enhance your dental health, and they can usually be done in less time then you’d think. One of these procedures is known as dental implant surgery.
We have all been there at some point in our lives. We are at a party or another type of social event when get a little too acquainted with the spinach dip and bread or other appetizer. The next thing we know we are meeting someone new and as the handshake and smile are initiated all the other person can see is the remnants of the most recent snack staring back at them from our teeth.
If a simple faux pas such as bits of food in our smile can reduce our confidence and self esteem, it is easy to imagine what more sever dental issues can do. Luckily the staff at Shine Dental associates has an array of cosmetic dentistry options to tackle nearly any issue. But how do you know which procedure might be right for you?
Periodontal disease is one of the most common dental problems and involves inflammation of or infection of the gums. If left untreated gum disease can eventually lead to the loss of teeth and damage to your bones, so it is important that you let us treat your gums right away to reverse the damage.
Gum disease, like other dental problems, is the result of bacteria living in your mouth. These bacteria feed on the food particles in your mouth and can form plaque that sticks to your teeth. Over time, this plague hardens and becomes tartar that has to be removed by a dentist.
The initial stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. This problem primarily involves red, inflamed gums that may bleed easily. If you notice that your gums are bleeding after you brush your teeth, for example, give us a call so that we can help clean your teeth and reverse the inflammation.
The first time you hold your child in your arms it is hard to imagine them even getting their first tooth let alone having to prepare for their first dentist visit. Like anything in life however, time marches on and before you know it that sweet one tooth smile will not look as good if you are no longer a baby. As bottle-feeding turns into solid food, it is important to remember that good dental hygiene habits start early. Not only are strong white teeth visually appealing, they are also an indicator of overall health. In between the first tooth sprouting and the inaugural visit from the tooth fairy is an ideal time to get your child into the dentist for the first time.
Good oral hygiene is not something you should do only the day before you go to the dentist. It is a lifelong practice of cleaning and maintaining a healthy mouth that will not only prevent things like cavities and gum disease but also prevent future health issues throughout your body. The main culprit to man oral hygiene issues is bacteria which can build up and cause plaque. Plaque is created when the bacteria in your mouth produce acidic byproducts from the foods you eat, especially sugars and carbohydrates. While it may not be possible to remove all of this plaque on your own, there are steps you can take to make sure you can get rid of as much as possible.
Many people feel anxious when it is time to go visit the dentist. Even if you take good care of your teeth by brushing and flossing on a daily basis, the thought of seeing a dentist may still make you feel stressed. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to eliminate this anxiety so that you can get the dental care you need for a healthy smile.
With sedation dentistry, you can have your dental work done while you are sedated. This can really help to relieve a lot of your fears and anxieties.
Many of our patients at Shine Dental find that their fears of the dentist disappear entirely after one or two experiences with sedation. Once you realize that a trip to the dentist does not have to be an anxious or stressful event, you will be much more relaxed about the prospect. You may even find that you start to look forward to your appointments!
If you have been putting off much-needed dental work because of your anxieties, sedation dentistry may be the answer you have been looking for. When you do not have your teeth properly cared for, all sorts of unpleasant conditions can result, from cavities to gum disease. By having this work done when you are sedated, you can give your teeth the care they need to be in good health.
You only get one set of permanent teeth in your life, so you need to take good care of them. If you have questions about sedation dentistry, give our office a call. We will be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have about these procedures.
Periodontal diseases can vary in severity, but it is not uncommon for adults to find out that they have some form of periodontal disease within their lifetime.
Periodontal diseases are diseases of the gums, and they can range in seriousness from simple inflammation to major bone damage and tooth loss.
If you find yourself with any type of periodontal disease, getting treatments to fix the problem is next step in ensuring the life and health of your teeth. At Shine Dental Associates, we provide a plethora of surgical and non-surgical options that allow you to combat periodontal disease and get back your healthy smile again!