Syosset Dentist Discusses the Importance of Water Consumption and Your Oral Health

Posted May 9, 2012 by Dr. Kobak

From May 7^th through May 13^th, the American Water Works Commission raises awareness on the importance of water intake. Dr. Richard Kobak and the CDC recommend that people ingest a minimum of eight, eight ounce glasses of water each day. Although staying hydrated is extremely important to your overall health, water consumption also affects your oral health, too. Our team at Syosset Dental explains.

Water Dilutes Acid and Harmful Particles

Starches and sugars are a food source for cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. In about seven minutes after eating, bacteria will feed off of sugary compounds. Acid is then released by bacteria as a waste byproduct. This process softens tooth enamel by stripping away protective minerals. Dr. Kobak and our team encourage our patients to rinse their mouths with water for at least 20 seconds after every meal.

Water also benefits your oral health by rinsing away debris and particles. In the same way that saliva helps dilute acid, drinking water contributes to maintaining a healthy PH level in the mouth. We recommend that patients drink water throughout the day—especially with meals. (more…)

Restorative Dentistry in Syosset, NY

Posted May 2, 2012 by Dr. Kobak

Did you know that most people will need restorative dentistry at some point in their lifetime? In fact, only 1% of people in the United States never develop a cavity. If your teeth are damaged by injury or decay, restorative dentistry restores tooth function and saves your teeth from further damage. Restorative dental procedures require thorough attention to detail. Fortunately, residents of Long Island, Nassau, and Suffolk have access to excellent restorative dental care at Syosset Dental. Our talented dentist, Dr. Richard Kobak is experienced with placing crowns, inlays, onlays, and fillings.

The Difference Between Crowns, Inlays, and Onlays

Dr. Kobak can place biocompatible, white restorations to restore the function of teeth without sacrificing a natural-looking appearance. Restorative dentistry addresses chipped, fractured, and diseased teeth.

Crowns – These restorations can be made from a variety of materials including porcelain, zirconia, and porcelain fused to metal. Crowns restore the entire visible portion of the tooth and are strong enough the daily functions of chewing and grinding food. Dr. Kobak will take precise molds of your teeth and your crown will be custom made in a dental laboratory. (more…)

Long Island Dentist Addresses Bad Dental Habits

Posted April 25, 2012 by Dr. Kobak

Do you bite your fingernails? Do you chew on pen caps? While it’s true everyone has a bad habit, some common habits can seriously affect your oral health over time. In severe cases, bad dental habits may fracture or severely injure your teeth. Our team at Syosset Dental and our compassionate dentist, Dr. Richard Kobak discuss how bad dental habits affect our patients’ oral health.

Using Abrasive Toothpastes

Many whitening and anti-tartar toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients. In fact, whitening toothpastes don’t actually whiten your teeth; they only clean surface stains by using abrasive agents. If you use abrasive toothpastes daily, you can damage your tooth enamel and expose the soft, dentin layer to harmful bacteria in your mouth. In most cases, simple toothpastes approved by the ADA are best for daily use. (more…)

TMJ Disorder Treatment in Long Island

Posted April 19, 2012 by Dr. Kobak

Do you suffer from unexplained headaches or facial pain? Do you clench or grind your teeth when stressed? TMJ dysfunction can severely impact your quality of life and your oral health. Fortunately, patients with TMJ disorder have non-invasive treatment options. Our talented general and cosmetic dentist, Dr. Richard Kobak offers comfortable TMJ treatments.

Information about TMJ Disorder

You have two temporomandibular joints located on each side of your lower jaw below your ears. The TMJ holds the lower jaw to the temporal bone. Responsible for opening and closing the mouth, these joints move transitionally and rotationally. Facial muscles and connective tissues that surround each TMJ assist with chewing and speaking. TMJ disorder occurs when excessive stress is placed on these joints and the surrounding tissues from bruxism (teeth grinding) or malocclusions (misaligned bite).

TMJ Disorder Symptoms

Headaches – including migraines
Facial pain
Earaches
Tooth wear
Toothaches
Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
Popping or clicking sounds during speaking or eating
Neck pain
Facial swelling (more…)

Celebrity Smile Quiz from Syosset Dental

Posted April 12, 2012 by Dr. Kobak

Celebrities are famous for their flawless, immaculate smiles. To ordinary folks, it may seem like they were just born with those straight, pearly whites. Despite this misconception, most people are not born with a perfect smile. Did you know that most celebrities with white, straight looking teeth have opted for some type of cosmetic dentistry? Can you tell which type of cosmetic dental procedures these celebrities have had? Test your cosmetic dental I.Q. with our fun quiz below!

Celebrity Cosmetic Dentistry Quiz

Which two cosmetic dental procedures do Hollywood reporters believe Miley Cyrus had?
1. Teeth whitening and cosmetic bonding
2. Porcelain veneers and gum lifting
3. All of the above
4. None of the above
Which of these stars have opted for teeth whitening?
1. Oprah Winfrey
2. Sara Michelle Gellar
3. Kim Kardashian
4. All of the above
Which of the celebrities listed below does NOT have porcelain veneers?
1. George Clooney
2. David Bowie
3. Catherine Zeta Jones
4. Chris Rock
5. Mick Jagger
Which actress used Invisalign to straighten her smile before her wedding?
1. Katherine Heigl
2. Julia Roberts
3. Angelina Jolie
4. None of the above (more…)

Syosset Dentist Explains the Connection between Gum Disease and Heart Disease

Posted April 5, 2012 by Dr. Kobak

You’ve probably heard about gum disease from our team at Syosset Dental. At every examination and cleaning, our talented dentist, Dr. Richard Kobak along with our dental hygienists screen each patient for signs of gum disease. Involving the inflammation and infection of gum tissue, periodontal disease can advance into a chronic illness that destroys teeth and bone. Although gum disease is a common ailment, many people are unaware of the many health risks associated with gum disease—especially cardiovascular illness.

Periodontal Disease Increases Risks for Developing Cardiovascular Disease

Emerging research indicates that patients with heart disease often have gum disease as well. In fact, patients with gum disease are two times more likely to develop coronary artery disease than patients free of periodontal infection. Studies show that the aggressive bacteria present in gum disease are capable of entering the bloodstream and may attach to fatty plaque deposits in the arteries. When plaque deposits accumulate in the cardiovascular system, the heart cannot pump blood throughout the body properly. Additionally, inflamed gum tissue may lead to swelling in the arteries because it increases the likelihood of plaque buildup. (more…)

Digital Dental X-Rays in Syosset

Posted April 2, 2012 by Dr. Kobak

Syosset dentist Dr. Richard Kobak is dedicated to keeping his patients happy and smiling, as well as staying on the cutting edge of what’s new in cosmetic dentistry and dental technology. To do this, Dr. Kobak uses advanced technology and techniques to provide his patients from across the greater Long Island area with top-notch general, preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and implant dental care.

Digital Radiography in Syosset

In 2006, Dr. Kobak invested in digital radiography at his state-of-the-art Syosset dental practice and he’s never looked back. Digital radiography—more commonly referred to as digital X-rays—is the new face of dental care, and Dr. Kobak wants his patients to fully understand the benefit of this advanced technology. (more…)

Now Accepting New Dental Patients in Syosset

Posted March 24, 2012 by Dr. Kobak

At Syosset Dental, Syosset cosmetic dentist Dr. Richard Kobak and our team strive to provide our patients with the highest quality, most comprehensive and personalized dental care possible. To do this, we provide a variety of dental treatments and procedures, including general, preventive, restorative, implant, high-tech, and cosmetic dentistry to our patients of all ages with a variety of dental needs from across the greater Long Island area.

Top-Notch Dental Care in Syosset

To achieve our goal of meeting and exceeding your dental health care needs and expectations, Dr. Kobak and our team want to hear your feedback. Tell us what you think of the services we provide and how we provide them. Let us know when we’re doing a good job taking care of your smile. Knowing what we’re doing right—and wrong—only helps us serve you better. (more…)

Show Your Best Smile and Land that Long Island Job

Posted March 15, 2012 by Dr. Kobak

When you’re at work, are you friendly and upbeat, or are you so busy trying to get the job done that you forget to smile at your coworkers from time to time? Various research shows that a genuine—and attractive—smile in the workplace can take you far and, today, Syosset cosmetic dentist Dr. Richard Kobak wants to discuss why smiling in the workplace is so important and how to reap the benefits by achieving the smile of your dreams.

Why Should I Smile at Work?

Smiling, more than any other body language signal or physical feature, is a sign of friendliness, sincerity, and self-confidence, and your smile in the workplace relays these values to your coworkers, clients, and boss. This doesn’t mean, however, that you should go about your day with an apparently fake grin plastered across your face. In fact, studies show that faking a smile at work is actually harmful to your health. (more…)

Restoring and Renewing Your Smile with Dental Implants by Your Syosset Cosmetic Dentist

Posted March 9, 2012 by Dr. Kobak

For Syosset smile enhancement dentist Dr. Richard Kobak, helping his patients smile beautifully for life is the most rewarding part of his job. Dr. Kobak understands that some patient’s smile needs are much more extensive than others, which is why he is proud to offer advanced dental implantology services to his patients from the greater Long Island area. For patients looking to replace a missing tooth or teeth and, as a result, restore comfort, health, function, and appearance to their smiles, Dr. Kobak recommends dental implants, and, today, he’d like to address some of the most frequently asked questions about this leading tooth replacement procedure.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a man-made dental prosthetic that replaces a missing tooth. A dental implant consists of a small, metallic post that is implanted under the gum tissue and eventually fuses to the jawbone to act as the tooth root, an abutment post that fits on top of the implant and attaches the crown, and the crown that is attached to the abutment and looks, functions, and feels just like a natural tooth. (more…)