Preventive Dentistry
There is a national movement in healthcare to increase awareness about disease and accident prevention. We completely agree with this line of thinking. In addition to recommending checkups and cleanings every six months, Dr. Kobak uses dental technology to create digital images of a patient's mouth, jaws, teeth, and gums. These images help patients understand the doctor’s findings and recommendations. When it comes to disease prevention, education is important. If you understand your situation, you’ll be well equipped to make good decisions.
These are a few conditions that might be prevented or addressed early by attending six-month checkups and dental cleanings.
Periodontal Disease
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, afflicts about 80% of adults in our country. While symptoms are mild in the beginning stages, left untreated, gum disease can cause significant problems. It's the main cause of adult tooth loss, and research has linked gum disease with heart attack, diabetes complications, respiratory conditions, stroke, low-weight births, and other serious health problems. This all sounds very distressing, but gum disease is preventable. Regular dental checkups and cleanings, daily oral hygiene, and restorative dental care as advised by a dentist will greatly reduce the risk of developing gum disease.
Oral Cancer
Dr. Kobak uses ViziLite, an early detection system that finds potentially cancerous oral cells before they surface in the mouth. Over 8000 Americans will die this year from oral cancer. By finding and treating the condition in the earliest stage, the odds for survival increase by about 80%. Major risk factors for developing oral cancer include smoking, dipping, and drinking alcohol, but even without risk factors, everyone is susceptible.
Cavities
With DIAGNOdent laser cavity detection, Dr. Kobak can find tooth decay early, which allows conservative, effective treatment options. Before teeth decay, they demineralize. In some cases, Dr. Kobak can recommend treatment to remineralize tooth enamel and actually reverse a cavity before it fully develops. However, once decay is present, it must be removed or it can spread. Tiny cavities can often be filled quickly, without administering a local anesthesia injection.
Tooth Wear & Migraines
An unbalanced bite can lead to headaches, migraines, bruxism (teeth grinding), tooth wear, and pain in the head, neck, jaw, shoulders, and low back. These symptoms may indicate that your jaw joints are improperly aligned. The NTI appliance, a comfortable mouthpiece, will relieve pain and stop bruxism. In some cases, building up back teeth with dental crowns can restore the correct shape of teeth and bite alignment, thus alleviating the reason behind bruxism.
Schedule Your Visit Today!
We invite you to call 516-433-2211 and make your appointment with Dr. Kobak. Whether you need a checkup, you’d like to discuss smile makeover procedures, or you’re interested in improving your oral health with restorative dentistry, Syosset Dental is here to help. Our office is conveniently located in Syosset, NY near all the major highways, easily accessible from almost any location in Nassau, Suffolk or New York City. Be sure to visit our blog and subscribe for updates, and join our conversation on Facebook, too!
