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If you’ve been plagued by frequent headaches but have not gotten relief from seeing your doctor, maybe you need to check in with your dentist. Your headaches may be caused by a dental problem.

Any dental condition that creates stress on the mouth can result in headaches. Bruxism (teeth grinding), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, impacted wisdom teeth or even a severe infection of the tooth could be the culprit. Some of these problems can create excessive strain on the various structures of the face and jaw, potentially leading to headaches.

With a thorough examination, including information about the frequency and timing of your headaches, your dentist can diagnose the issue. The dentist may also use radiography to inform the diagnosis.

After you have a diagnosis; effective treatment is possible. Bruxism often responds to a mouthguard worn at night. Orthodontics to re-position the jaw can help alleviate pain associated with TMJ. If impacted wisdom teeth are the problem, extracting them should address it.

The recommended treatment plan may include interventions beyond the dental realm, too. Stress is often a factor in both TMJ and bruxism, so your dentist may also recommend stress management techniques or psychotherapy to complement your dental treatments.

Headaches are just one symptom that will improve after you get treatment for your bruxism or TMJ disorder. You may also notice that other issues, like earaches or jaw pain, are resolved as well. If you’re experiencing headaches, being aware of these other symptoms can help your dentist figure out what is going on. Keep an eye out for problems like excessive wear on the teeth, which may indicate bruxism, or bad breath, which may signal an infection.

You don’t have to suffer through frequent headaches, keep an ample supply of aspirin or ibuprofen on hand just in case. See a dentist to determine if a dental issue may be at fault. If so, you can get an effective treatment.

If you are suffering from headaches and suspect it might be a dental issue, our experienced dental staff at East Hills Dental Associates can help.  Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

The hard outer surface of your teeth, the enamel, is quite sturdy. In fact, it’s one of the hardest substances in the body. Nonetheless, the tooth enamel can wear away over time. Fortunately, your dentist can help to limit tooth erosion if it is an issue for you.

This dental problem can be caused by a number of factors. Often, the culprit is acid, which can be created as a metabolic byproduct when oral bacteria feed on sugars present in the mouth.

Acids can also be introduced to the mouth directly from the foods we ingest. For example, soda, wine and citrus fruits can be problematic.

Certain medical conditions that expose the mouth to extra acids, such as acid re-flux or bulimia, can also contribute to tooth erosion. Dry mouth, which can occur as a side effect from many medications, may also influence tooth erosion, as the saliva performs the important function of neutralizing acids that are present in the mouth.

Grinding of the teeth, known as bruxism, can also wear down the enamel, as can chewing on hard non-food objects, like pencils.

For patients who suffer from teeth erosion, the dentist may recommend brushing with a soft toothbrush and brushing more frequently after meals and snacks to clear away any food debris that bacteria might feed on. Daily flossing will also help to cut down on tooth erosion.

The dentist may also suggest dietary changes or a change in habits, such as drinking through a straw to limit the teeth’s exposure to acid. Patients can also get a fluoride treatment or use a fluoridated mouthwash to strengthen the teeth.

It’s important to know the signs of tooth erosion, too. If you’ve experienced tooth erosion, you may notice that your teeth are more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. You may also have some tooth discoloration or a change in the shape of the tooth.

Patients who are concerned about tooth erosion should speak with our dentist, Dr. Richard Sousa, to learn what steps they can take to prevent the problem.

Call our office at 516-484-6600 to schedule an appointment today.

There are a number of factors that can influence your risk for dental disease. Many of these factors can be controlled, such as your diet, your oral hygiene habits, and the frequency of your routine dental visits. There are some factors, however, that you may have been born with which are also known to affect your general oral health.

On your own, it would be difficult to determine your risk for dental disease. That’s why routine dental visits are vitally important. Your dentist has the expertise to determine your level of risk for various dental diseases, as well as customize an oral hygiene regime that is appropriate for you. It is important to remember that, though genetics can influence your risk for cavities or gum disease, these conditions can still be prevented with proper care.

Cavities, one of the most common dental diseases, are caused by the acids which are produced by very specific bacteria. From birth, some of us are born with higher levels of these bacteria, presenting a lifetime challenge of fighting tooth decay.

Ideally, saliva is our first line of defense against the acidic environment created by these bacteria. When the natural composition of the saliva is not effective at neutralizing these acids, the risk for tooth decay rises significantly.

Similar to the presence of cavity-causing bacteria, studies show that it is also possible to inherit high levels of the bacteria that cause gum disease. With these bacteria residing in or around the gum tissue, the fight against gum disease becomes a lifelong commitment.

In addition to the inherited composition of your bacterial plaque and saliva, the anatomy of your teeth may also be an inherited factor that influences your oral health. For many of us, the shape and alignment of our teeth are often passed down from our parents. Teeth that have very deep grooves or teeth that are crowded together can be more difficult to clean, increasing the risk for both cavities and gum disease.

While genetics have been shown to play a role in your overall dental health, it is still possible to fight poor dental health with help from your dentist. Find out which plan of attack is right for you by contacting East Hills Dental Associates, serving Nassau County and surrounding areas, for an examination today.

In the past, patients with cavities had to turn to unattractive silver fillings, made of a mixture of metals including mercury, which comprises about half of the combination. These fillings detract from your smile’s appearance, and don’t bond with the enamel like modern composite materials do. In fact, amalgam fillings can compromise the teeth and make them more prone to breaking or cracking. Some patients also have concern about exposure to mercury, which is known to be toxic.

A mercury free dentist can treat your cavities without the use of amalgam fillings or replace any metal fillings that you already have.

Composite fillings offer an alternative to amalgam ones. These composite materials are resins, including plastics and glass, ceramics or silica. The major advantage of composite fillings is their color. The composite is white or off-white, and can come in a variety of shades, allowing the dentist to get a reasonable match with the color of the patient’s biological tooth.

Your mercury free dentist will also be able to place the filling with less drilling. Because the composite bonds with the teeth, the restoration can be smaller and closer to the size of the actual cavity. Less biological tooth material needs to be removed to accommodate the filling.

Early composite materials were not strong enough to withstand chewing forces absorbed by the molars. However, in recent years, technological advances have made these materials suitable for fillings in the back teeth.

If you need to get a new filling, consider all of your options as you make your decision. Keep in mind that composite fillings are more aesthetically pleasing and an increasingly popular choice among patients.

Patients may also want to have their metal fillings replaced, and this can be done. If you do proceed with swapping metal for composite, be sure that you are working with a dentist who is experienced in the process and equipped to take precautions necessary to limit your exposure to mercury.

To learn more about mercury free fillings, contact Dr. Richard Sousa, serving the Long Island area, to schedule a consultation.

Root canals are a common dental treatment, and one in which a dentist will use to try to preserve a tooth that may be otherwise healthy on the outside, but where the tooth’s roots have become diseased or damaged.

The process of a root canal involves a dentist removing diseased pulp tissue and the tooth nerves in order to clear out infection and relieve the pain associated with the infection. A tooth can become infected through bacteria entering into the tooth through cavities caused by tooth decay or damage, or other method of inlet in the enamel and dentin layers, such as lost fillings.

A tooth can have one root canal or several canals containing the dental pulp and nerves, and so it is important that a dentist removes all the diseased pulp from inside the tooth. These canals extend the length of the tooth, from the dental crown to the end of the root, which affixes to the patient’s jaw bone, supplying oxygen and blood flow.

Once bacteria has begun to affect the pulp tissue, it can multiply and grow, spreading the length of the canals, causing infection. The infection can cause dental abscesses, and can spread to other teeth if left untreated.

To perform a root canal, the dentist will use special instruments to drill into the affected tooth, in order to remove the infected tissue from the root canals. Once all the diseased tissue has been removed, the dentist cleans and rinses the tooth with antiseptic before it is sealed with a rubbery substance called gutta-percha and a dental crown applied to conceal the filling.

The procedure allows the tooth’s structure to remain intact; an otherwise healthy tooth does not require to be extracted by the dentist in order to alleviate the patient’s condition. Instead, by removing the cause of the infection, the problem is addressed without affecting the surrounding teeth, helping to preserve the patient’s bite alignment and strength.

Performed under anaesthetic by a dentist, root canals are no more uncomfortable than a normal filling and the procedure is very successful, with the tooth receiving root-canal treatment lasting many years when it would otherwise be extracted.

Contact the office of Dr. Richard Sousa, serving Old Westbury and the neighboring areas, to learn if root canal treatment is appropriate in your case.

It’s no surprise that your dental needs will change as you mature. During the adolescent years, the primary focus is typically the prevention of tooth decay through brushing and flossing. As you move through the retirement years, the focus often shifts to maintenance and restorative care. The years of wear and tear can take a toll on both the teeth and the gums, and it’s reasonable to want to preserve and protect them.

Your dentist understands the needs of your generation and has the expertise to guide you through the aging process. You may be faced with the effects of gum disease, tooth loss, old restorations, and an increasing risk for the development of oral cancer. With the help of a dedicated dental professional, you can be sure that you have what it takes to maintain healthy teeth and gums throughout the retirement years.

Controlling plaque accumulation is especially important as you age. Plaque will accumulate around the gumline, between the teeth, and along the margins of your dental work. Unless these areas are cleaned thoroughly, you run the risk of developing gum disease, tooth decay, and failed restorations. In addition to a toothbrush and toothpaste, you may need to schedule more frequent dental cleanings.

At home, an electronic toothbrush, flossing aids, and other specialized oral hygiene tools can help to improve your plaque control efforts.

Consuming a healthy diet and following your physician’s instructions regarding the status of your health will be important in protecting your teeth and gums. When the body is healthy, the immune system is better able to fight off infections and disease. This includes infections in the oral cavity. It has been proven that uncontrolled health conditions such as diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, and heart disease can have a tremendous impact on your oral health.

You should expect your teeth to stand the test of time. In fact, you deserve to have teeth that can work hard and look attractive as you move through the best years of your life.

For more information on how to care for your oral health through retirement years, call the office of Dr. Richard Sousa, serving Roslyn NY and surrounding areas, today to schedule a consultation.

If you have been experiencing frequent headaches, neck pain, or tension near the ears and temples, you may have assumed that the pain was just the normal result of a stressful life. Family situations, workplace challenges, financial concerns, and even rigorous exercise routines are the source of much of the stress in our lives.

Ideally, if you could simply make the stress go away, perhaps the headaches and tension would disappear also. Unfortunately, while some types of stress can occur periodically, other forms of stress become a regular part of our lives. As the tension is allowed to manifest, you may not realize that it can affect your jaw joint (TMJ) as well as your bite.

With help from a dentist who has experience in treating bite-related TMJ Disorders and associated problems, you may be able to find relief from your discomfort even when the source of the stress cannot be eliminated. Seeking professional help rather than purchasing an over-the-counter bite guard is the best way to ensure that the condition is being treated properly.

For patients who have suffered with an existing bite-related or TMJ disorder, stress can exaggerate the condition. For those patients who may not have experienced bite-related problems in the past, stress can trigger the onset of such conditions. Both physical and mental stress can lead to increased tension and stress on the joint. It can also contribute to constant clenching and grinding of the teeth, a habit that can damage the joint as well as the teeth, gums, and underlying bone structure.

Popping, clicking, and pain in the jaw joint should never be ignored. Identifying the source of the discomfort and seeking the appropriate solution is essential to finding relief and protecting your health.

For a consultation with our dentist, who has extensive training in craniomandibular disorders and is one of the most respected TMJ specialty practitioners in the world, call the office of Dr. Richard Sousa, serving Nassau County, at 516-484-6600 today to schedule a consultation.

Boxers wear them. NFL and NHL players wear them. In fact, most athletes who engage in sports with an element of physical contact will wear them. Mouthguards are a key component of a sports athlete’s protective wear and serve to protect the wearer’s upper and lower teeth and gums from impact injuries.

Although mouthguards can be bought in most sports equipment stores, they are usually of a standard size and shape, and so perhaps won’t provide the best protection. Traditionally ‘boil-and-bite’ – ie, the guard is heated in hot water and then placed into the mouth for shaping; but a dentist on the other hand can provide athletes with custom-made mouthguards that are designed to provide a far more secure fit and enhance the protective qualities of the guard.

Mouthguards are flexible plastic shields which protect against damage to the teeth, gums, jaws and joints and even to the neck and brain, by absorbing the impact sustained during any blow to the mouth or jaw. Mouthguards that are the wrong size, or are loose-fitting, may not provide adequate protection against impact blows, resulting in loss or damage to the teeth, or even more severe injury such as concussion.

When creating a custom-fit mouthguard, the dentist will take into account several factors in order to best match the patient’s mouth. He will examine the condition of the patient’s mouth and teeth; the age and stage of the patient’s tooth development and the sport in which the patient participates, as some sports may require a heavier, more protective mouthguard.

The dentist will take a series of impressions of both the patient’s upper and lower teeth, which are then sent to a dental lab with any other pertinent information in order for a cast to be created. The cast is then used to mold the mouthguard into the desired shape to provide the best fit for the patient.

Good mouthguards should provide a good fit, but also be comfortable enough to wear as well as flexible enough to cushion the force of any impact. It should also keep any disruption to the wearer’s speech or breathing to a minimum.

For all athletes engaged in a sport where there is the likelihood of physical contact and impact, a good mouthguard is an important addition to your sports kit.

To learn more about the benefits of custom mouthguards, contact the office of Dr. Richard Sousa, serving Glen Cove and the neighboring areas, at 516-484-6600.

Dry mouth is a common condition that most people will encounter at some stage in their life. Often, it is little more than an inconvenience and rarely serious; but prolonged bouts of dry mouth can point to underlying oral problems which should be investigated by a dentist.

Dry mouth is characterized by a lack of saliva in the mouth and can be caused by several factors. Saliva is vitally important to oral health as it helps to neutralise oral bacteria, as well as aiding in the chewing and digesting of food.

Signs of dry mouth may include:

• heightened levels of tooth decay
• increase in the number of cavities
• dry or cracked corners of the mouth
• red or inflamed mouth tissue, or other oral infection
• ‘sticky’ mouth

Causes of dry mouth can include non-oral health issues, such as high blood pressure or hormonal changes; over-the-counter medications, such as painkillers;  and also treatments for diseases, such as cancer; as well as the patient’s own emotional state. Simple dehydration can also make the mouth feel dryer than normal. Regular smokers and alcohol drinkers may also experience regular bouts of dry mouth.

In many cases, this condition can be easily and simply treated at home. Increasing fluid intake, or sucking on a hard candy to stimulate the creation of saliva, may be all that is required to alleviate the symptoms. However, more serious cases of dry mouth may require a dental check up by a dentist.

In order to ascertain the cause of more serious cases of dry mouth, a dentist will undertake a full review of the patient’s medical history and a thorough oral examination before recommending treatment. The dentist may prescribe a hydrating oral rinse, or a medicine that can help stimulate saliva production.

If the culprit is found to be medication – either prescription or over-the-counter – then an alternative treatment may be suggested. Smokers and alcohol drinkers should seek to curb their habit, and sweetened drinks, such as sodas, should be avoided.

Prolonged spells of dry mouth can lead to tooth decay, bad breath and other health problems if left untreated. As a result, it is important to consult a dentist to discuss the symptoms in cases where the condition shows no sign of receding after a time.

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with dry mouth, contact the office of Dr. Richard Sousa, serving Port Washington and the neighboring areas, to schedule your consultation.

In days gone by, when a patient required X-rays as part of their treatment, a dentist would use now-archaic machinery which exposed the patient and dental surgery staff to higher doses of radiation. Not only did this present a hazard to peoples’ health, it was also a slow and time-consuming process, as the X-ray required to be developed.

X-rays are used by dentists to examine areas of the teeth and mouth that might otherwise be concealed from a normal visual examination and can reveal problems that might exist beneath a tooth’s enamel, gum-tissue and jaw-bone. Today’s advancements in dental technology and the introduction of digital X-rays allow for the dentist to take X-rays faster, safer and easier than was previously allowed.

Digital X-rays don’t require film, and so the result of the X-ray is captured electronically onto a computer screen. This helps expedite the procedure and also eliminates the need for chemicals, and the dentist can view the results of the X-ray just a few moments after it has been taken.

And because the digital X-ray uses far less radiography than older X-rays, there is much less exposure to potentially harmful radiation for the patient, which in turns helps to protect the patient’s health.

Another advantage of digital X-rays is that the captured image can be manipulated to show different angles or enlarged to focus on specific areas. This can help the dentist spot potential problems early, such as early signs of cavities, that might be overlooked or missed through a normal check-up.

Digital X-rays can be used by dentists for both intra-oral and extra-oral examinations in order to assess both the teeth themselves, but also the entire mouth and structure of the jaw in great detail, and can provide valuable insight into the oral health of the patient.

And, if digital X-rays require to be shared with other oral specialists, such as a periodontist, then they can be sent securely via secure email, as opposed to requiring to be sent via special courier; meaning the patient can receive the right treatment faster than was previously available.

Digital radiography offers a safe, speedy and efficient alternative to traditional X-ray methods. By protecting the patient’s health and providing deep insight into the patient’s oral health, digital X-rays have become the top choice of dentists around the world when it comes to accurately screening a patient’s teeth and mouth.

To learn more about the benefits of digital X-rays and to schedule your next exam in Nassau County, contact East Hills Dental Associates at 516-484-6600.