Important Reasons to Smile from Syosset Dental

Posted May 23, 2012 by Dr. Kobak

Here at Syosset Dental, we believe that smiling is an important part of our patients’ professional and personal lives. A beautiful smile can light up a room, diffuse a tense situation, and attract new friends. Did you know that there are psychological and health benefits to smiling? Psychologists have discovered that smiling frequently positively affects your health in a number of ways. Our team at Syosset Dental shares some interesting facts about smiling below.

Interesting Facts about Smiling

Every time you smile your body releases endorphins. These neurotransmitters elevate your mood and relieve pain. If you’re not feeling well, forcing yourself to smile may help you feel better.
People who smile often at work are more likely to be promoted than their coworkers who don’t smile as often.
Men find a woman with a beautiful smile more attractive than a woman who wears makeup.
The human eye can detect a smile from a distance of up to 300 feet.
Smiling is a universal gesture of openness and friendliness throughout the world.
A Californian researcher discovered that there are 19 types of smiles.
Smiling improves your body’s ability to fight off infection by boosting your immune system. (more…)

Long Island Dentist Explains the Connection Between TMJ Disorder and Fibromyalgia

Posted May 16, 2012 by Dr. Kobak

Did you know that patients who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia commonly have temporomandibular joint dysfunction as well? According to research administered by the National Institutes of Health, fibromyalgia patients have a high incidence of TMJ disorder and exhibit classic TMJ symptoms such as clicking or popping sounds during mouth movement and facial pain.

Fibromyalgia Information

Fibromyalgia is a debilitating and painful disease. Unfortunately, researchers have been unable to pinpoint specific causes or triggers of this ailment. Patients with fibromyalgia typically experience deep, radiating pain throughout their bodies—especially near joints. Those with fibromyalgia also experience stiffness and difficulty moving.

The National Institutes of Health’s Research Findings

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) studied the symptoms of 60 male and female patients with fibromyalgia. Nearly 70% of patients experienced facial pain near the TMJs while 35% of the study’s participants reported TMJ disorder symptoms such as difficulty opening the mouth and discomfort when eating. The NIH concluded that patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia should also be tested for TMJ disorder. Although fibromyalgia and TMJ disorder are two separate ailments, the NIH recommends integrated treatment that addresses both diseases. (more…)

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…)