Wisdom Teeth

From infancy to adulthood our mouths go through many changes. Between the ages of 17 and 21, wisdom teeth may erupt or may stay impacted. Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care may suggest extraction if wisdom teeth are causing pain, have become infected, or pose a risk to damaging neighboring teeth. If your wisdom teeth are still intact and causing you discomfort, it may be time to consider scheduling a consultation.

Wisdom teeth can cause problems if there isn’t enough room in the mouth for them to grow. Wisdom teeth that aren’t positioned correctly can allow food to become trapped, making it harder to brush and increasing the risk of decay. Wisdom teeth that may have partially erupted can give bacteria a place to thrive and can increase a patient’s risk of infection. We assure you that we will consider all options before extraction, but extraction is typically the best option for avoiding complications in the future.

If you have questions or concerns regarding wisdom teeth, please give us a call. To learn more about mouth guards and all the services we provide, visit www.freshmeadowsdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, NY, call 718-224-7272.

Digital X-rays

There are several benefits to the patient and the doctor when using digital X-rays compared to film X-rays. Although they make look similar in appearance, there is less-time associated with digital X-rays because there is no time to wait for images to develop. Our digital imaging program at Fresh Meadows Dental Care provides nearly 80% less radiation than a standard X-ray.

With digital radiography, Dr. Hakimzadeh inserts a sensor into your mouth to capture images of the teeth. Instead of using film to develop these images, the sensor is connected to a computer and allows you and the doctor to view them immediately. Digital X-rays are designed with the patient in mind, which means more comfort, more accuracy, less radiation, and less-time in the dental chair.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental technology, please give us a call. To learn more about mouth guards and all the services we provide, visit www.freshmeadowsdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, NY, call 718-224-7272.

Biannual Cleanings for Children

Caries, the little instances of tooth decay which result in cavities, are one of the most common maladies in children. Dentists recommend that children get checked on twice a year in order to prevent and treat tooth decay. Due to the impact decay can have on a child’s life, it is especially important to do this before it can disrupt the school year too much.

In younger children, the pain from tooth decay can delay speech development. In children of every age, it disrupts sleep and makes chewing painful, which may result in children not eating properly. Irritability, difficulty focusing, and increased stress are all associated with lack of sleep and nutrition, and stress can lead to tooth grinding. Once decay sets in, it is difficult to reverse on its own because bacteria are able to hide in the cavities. But at our dental office, we clean out decayed material and provide fillings and sealants to help defend against further decay. We also use the check-up as an opportunity to monitor other potential problems, such as wisdom tooth eruption.

Farid Hakimzadeh, DDS, operates Fresh Meadows Dental Care at 58-47 Francis Lewis Blvd., Suite 100, Oakland Gardens, New York, 11364. To schedule an appointment, call 718-224-7272 or visit FreshMeadowsDental.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Dental Sealants for Pediatric Patients

Almost half of all children and adolescents in the United States have had cavities in their permanent teeth.  Fresh Meadows Dental Care recommends dental sealants to our adolescent patients to preserve the teeth and tooth enamel.  Regular oral hygiene is important for children to establish, but a sealant is the best defense against early tooth decay. 

Most tooth decay in children and teenagers occurs on the chewing surfaces of molars, where the pits and grooves trap food and bacteria.  Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11-14.  The best time to have a sealant placed is when the molars first come in to ensure they are protected early.

Sealants are applied to surfaces of these molars like paint. When the plastic resin is applied, it fills any pits and grooves on the surface and then hardens. Now the surface is protected from bits of food being stuck, so bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay, and tooth enamel is protected from plaque and acids.  Sealants can effectively prevent cavities for up to ten years and can be reapplied if necessary.

To learn more about dental sealants and all the services we provide, visit www.freshmeadowsdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, NY, call 718-224-7272.