Stuart Feurstein, DMD

More Information About Family Dentistry And Mouth Guards

Our latest blog updates have covered mouth guards for better sleep and child dental care.  To learn more about these topics, check out these links from around the Web:

• Learn all about bruxism, the involuntary clenching or grinding of teeth, at PubMed Health.
• The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine provides an in-depth explanation of how oral appliances can improve your snoring or sleep apnea.
• FamilyDoctor.org offers some basic tips on how to prevent cavities in children.
• You can get advice on dental care for children of all ages from KidsHealth.org.
• WebMD.com explains how to provide dental care for an infant.

Dr. Stuart Feurstein, DMD provides general and cosmetic dentistry for the entire family.  For more information about any of these topics, feel free to contact us online or to make an appointment by calling (914) 752-4239.

Having Trouble Sleeping? How a Night Guard Might Help

Good sleep habits are essential to a healthy lifestyle. Poor sleep can have a variety of causes, several of which can be related to your teeth and mouth. Whether you’re losing sleep due to headaches and jaw discomfort or simply waking up feeling tired, a mouth guard or oral appliance can be helpful in getting a good night’s rest again.

• Find Comfort from Bruxism
  If you’re having trouble sleeping due to headaches or jaw pain, you might be grinding your teeth while you sleep. Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth, an involuntary habit with a wide range of causes, including stress. Because sleep bruxism is involuntary, it can be difficult to control. Many people find that a night guard can be helpful in alleviating the strain of nighttime jaw clenching. These plastic appliances form a barrier between the teeth, reducing the pressure on your teeth and jaw muscles. This protects your teeth’s enamel and eliminates headaches due to jaw pain.

• Discover Relief from Sleep Apnea
  Another cause of poor sleep is sleep apnea, a condition where the airway becomes temporarily blocked during sleep, cutting off the oxygen supply to your body. Sleep apnea can be potentially dangerous. In some cases, a night guard can help. Resembling a sports mouth guard, these plastic apparatuses treat mildly obstructive sleep apnea by repositioning the tongue and lower jaw forward while stabilizing the soft palate. Many of these sleep apnea mouth guards also minimize snoring. This is a less-obtrusive alternative to the traditional face mask treatment for sleep apnea.

For both conditions, there are many designs of mouth guards available. Your dentist can help you select one to best meet your individual needs. To learn more about how a mouth guard can help you sleep better, make an appointment with Dr. Stuart Feurstein, DMD.  Dr. Feurstein also specializes in cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry for the entire family.  To learn more about our services, call (914) 752-4239 or contact us online.

Get Your Children Excited to Brush with the Help of This App!

Childhood is a great time to build healthy dental hygiene habits, but actually getting your kids to practice those habits can be tricky.  For the parents who want to liven up tooth cleaning, take a look at the Time2Brush app for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.

In this app, a friendly dollop of toothpaste instructs kids on proper brushing techniques while a song plays in the background. The song lasts two minutes, so your kids will know how long they need to brush.  The app also rewards points for every completed brushing as another incentive to brush regularly.

For more information on family dental care, visit Dr. Stuart Feurstein, DMD.  Make an appointment by contacting us online or calling (914) 752-4239.

What You Need to Know About Child Dental Care

The dental habits children form when they are young create a foundation for the rest of their lives.  By taking good care of your child’s teeth and scheduling regular dental checkups for your child with your family dentist, you can ensure a healthy future for your child. 

• Infant Care
  Even before your baby has teeth, you should clean his/her gums regularly to prevent bacterial buildup.  As soon as teeth appear, brush them twice daily with a soft children’s toothbrush.  It is generally recommended to take your baby to a dentist around his or her first birthday to check for any early problems.  This is also a chance for parents to learn how to brush their baby’s tiny teeth.

• Childhood Habits
  Good oral hygiene habits should be encouraged from an early age.  Children should brush twice a day for at least two minutes.  Children should only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to discourage swallowing too much of it.  Flossing is another good way to prevent cavities and promote gum health.  Your dentist may also recommend fluoride tablets to harden the enamel of the teeth and keep bacteria away.

• Cavity Prevention
  You can help prevent cavities by avoiding sugary snacks for your kids, especially sticky snacks and sweet drinks.  Bacteria in the mouth use the sugar as food. These bacteria produce acids that eat away at the enamel, making a hole in the tooth. Your dentist may place sealants, or thin, invisible plastic resins that seal the biting surface of the  teeth off from bacteria.  This is done especially on the adult molars.

Pediatric and family dentists understand child dental care and know what to look for in a developing mouth.  Dr. Stuart Feurstein, DMD specializes in family dentistry as well as cosmetic treatments and drill-free laser procedures.  For more information about our services, call (914) 752-4239 or contact our office online today.

Want To Know More About Children's Dental Care And Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Good dental hygiene is a great investment in your overall health. Learn about protecting your and your family’s smiles with these resources:

• A child’s anxiety over a dental visit sometimes causes a parent to put off scheduling an appointment. WebMD.com provides tips to help your child overcome his or her fear of the dentist.

• Your child may shy away when you mention a visit to the dentist or doctor, but there are ways to talk your kid through being scared. Check out this advice from ParentingHelpMe.com to learn about talking with your kids about health.

• Children aren’t the only ones who are afraid of the dentist—adults sometimes carry the same fear throughout their lives. Get more information on easing dental fear in adults with this article from WebMD.com.

• For information on your dental filling options, check out this overview from the American Dental Association.

• Want to know the basics about tooth-colored fillings? Check out this Q & A from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

For more information on dental care for children and adults, call Stuart Feurstein, DMD at (914) 752-4239.