FAMILY DENTISTRY

Developing a healthy oral routine with your family and integrating regular checkups will provide you and your loved ones with preventative dental care. We understand that our patients lead busy and active lifestyles, and we strive to accommodate schedules. Call Signature Smiles in Great Neck today and schedule yourself and a family member, and we will schedule you accordingly, eliminating extra visits. Each dentist understands that every smile is precious.

We offer a full range of family dental services at Signature Smiles!

• Regular check ups and exams
• Gentle cleaning
• Implant Dentistry
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Custom Crafted Crowns & Bridges
• Non surgical gum care
• Dentures
• Painless Dentistry
• Through Sterilization
• Flavored Nitrous Oxide
• Sealants
• Personal and experienced care

Dental Care for Children

Recognizing the importance of maintaining optimal dental health will enable children to lead happier and healthier lives.

We invite parents to become our partners in educating their little ones about dental care and dental procedures. Our staff goes the extra mile with gentle cleaning, positive reinforcement and the extra touches that will soothe any family member.

Here are some tips for parents interested in developing and maintaining healthy oral habits for their children.

We recommend regular fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel and resist decay. Whenever possible, drink fluoridated water and always use an ADA-accepted fluoridated toothpaste.

Dental sealants can provide a further layer of protection against cavities. The plastic coating is painted on the grooved chewing surfaces of the back teeth.

Oral care should begin soon after birth. Gums should be cleaned after each feeding. You can begin brushing your child's teeth as soon as they appear.

Always clean your infant's gums after feeding. Wipe gums with a clean, damp cloth or gauze pad. Parents should brush children's teeth daily with a soft wet toothbrush and a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Schedule a dental visit between 6-12 months of age. Supervise your child's brushing to ensure proper brushing habits.

If you give your baby a bottle at a nap or bedtime, fill it with plain water - not milk, formula or juice.

Dental care for seniors

Maintenance care plays an important role in good dental health throughout your life, and it becomes even more vital as you age. Fillings need to be checked periodically and replaced as needed, and regular cleanings are necessary to remove plaque and prevent periodontal disease. Our hygiene staff is terrific and you will appreciate the personal care!

At Signature Smiles we offer denture services and our efficient staff will help with scheduling so that your time and travel is considered.

If just one area of your smile needs restorative work, we may be able to help with a dental implant. Please click here for our page devoted to implants provided by Dr. Yuval Spector. They are an increasingly popular alternative to bridges and dentures because they look and feel natural.

Described below are a couple of problems that senior’s may experience. If you have any dental health questions, we encourage you to email or call Dr. Yuval Spector or Dr. Daniela Spector.

Burning Mouth

Burning mouth is a problem that usually occurs in individuals over fifty years of age, but can affect others as well. Listed are a few reasons that may lead to this condition:

1. An ill-fitted denture or a new denture may irritate your entire mouth.
2. Seniors often experience reduced salivary gland function. At Alpha dental we can prescribe rinses to protect your oral tissues, and soothe burning sensations.
3. Common medications prescribed to seniors can have side effects including dry and burning mouth.
4. Some evidence suggests that there is a link between burning mouth syndrome and Vitamin B deficiency.

Dry Mouth – Xerostomia

The lack of adequate saliva is more than bothersome for three out of every ten Americans.

Xerostomia, or dry mouth syndrome, can become evident with aging, or often as a side effect of many medications. It has been documented that half of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience an extreme form of xerostomia, with critical effects on their dental health. Relief can be available in the form of prescriptions for dry mouth toothpaste, special saliva-producing chewing gum, or saliva substitute solutions. Often when the natural flow of saliva is reduced, you may experience trouble when swallowing, pain throughout oral tissues as well as an increase in dental caries and gum disease.

The good news is that with proper habits of daily brushing, maintaining a healthy diet as well as the use of fluoride, seniors can adapt better to changing conditions.