Diabetes and Gum Disease

At Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, we’re observing American Diabetes Month by raising awareness of the connection between diabetes and gum disease. People with diabetes are particularly susceptible to periodontitis, and the reverse appears to be true, as well.

Gum disease occurs in two phases: gingivitis (gum inflammation) and periodontitis or periodontal disease. It occurs when bacteria eat sugar stuck on the teeth and produce acid. People with uncontrolled blood sugar levels produce more food for the bacteria, and people with diabetes generally have a harder time resisting bacterial infections. As a result, diabetes patients are at a higher risk for periodontal disease’s effects, including gum recession and bleeding and disintegration of jaw bone tissue.

People with periodontal disease also tend to develop higher blood sugar levels, making it harder for them to control the symptoms of diabetes. The two can form a vicious circle if they’re not caught quickly. But at our office, patients receive through cleanings, including periodontal maintenance. As long as the patient is diligent with their oral hygiene and keeps their blood sugar under control, they can preserve a healthy, attractive smile.

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.

 

Proper Flossing Technique

Fresh Meadows Dental Care wants to see our patients set up for a lifetime of good oral health.  Regular flossing is essential to maintaining oral health and you should floss once a day, either before or after brushing. Remember these tips to help you floss effectively:

• A strand of dental floss about 18 inches long allows you to wrap the ends of the floss around a finger on each hand. This gives you excellent control over the portion of floss you are using. 


• The proper technique to flossing is sliding the floss between the teeth and rubbing the floss back and forth up until you reach your gums.


• Pushing at your gums too hard with floss can damage your gum line and isn’t necessary to floss properly. Think of a small swooping motion as you rub the floss up to one gum, then down and back up towards the other.


• As you move on to the next tooth, adjust the floss to expose an unused portion. Repeat this rubbing motion between each tooth and dispose of the floss once you are finished.

To learn more about oral hygiene and 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.

Invisalign

Invisalign is the invisible alternative to traditional braces for adults and teens, and is recommended to correct mild to moderate spacing or crowding of the teeth.  At Fresh Meadows Dental Care, we know more severe misalignment cannot be corrected with Invisalign, so consult your dentist to see if Invisalign can provide the results you’re looking for.

A treatment plan with Invisalign consists of a series of clear, removable plastic aligners that are custom-made for your teeth.  Impressions or scans of your teeth are used to create a full set of aligners customized to your teeth and your treatment plan.  Depending on your individual treatment plan, each set of aligners should be worn for about two weeks.  For the best results a set of aligners should be worn at least 20 hours a day, only being removed to eat and to brush and floss.  A typical treatment plan can be completed in less than a year. 

To learn more about Invisalign 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.