Regular Dental Cleanings

It is recommended by the Academy of General Dentistry you have a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months.  Fresh Meadows Dental Care encourages our patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for regular professional cleanings.  However much you brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional.

It’s important to see a professional regularly to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, our hygienists thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist.

To learn more about dental cleanings 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.

Oral Conscious Sedation

At Fresh Meadows Dental Care, our staff has seen many patients who experience some level of anxiety with each dental procedure or appointment. Some patients have had negative experiences with dental procedures that make them anxious, and others may have a sensitive gag reflex that has always made dental work dreadful.  We understand why a dental appointment could be intimidating, but do not want to see patients delaying treatment because of these fears.  Oral conscious sedation is an option we recommend for patients experiencing dental anxiety. 

Oral conscious sedation is administered by taking a pill orally before a procedure.  The light sedative relaxes the patient but does not ‘knock out’ the patient, as they remain conscious.  They are brought to an extremely relaxed state, and when the dentist begins working local anesthetic is still used at the site of the procedure.  The combination of oral conscious sedation and local anesthetic means the patient can stay relaxed and usually allows the dentist to complete more work in one session.  This makes a more pleasant experience for an anxious patient, and can even mean less dental appointments overall.

To learn more about oral conscious sedation 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.

How Cavities Hurt Teeth

The sugary food and beverages we consume on a daily basis might taste delicious, but they are slowly wreaking havoc on tooth enamel. Foods that cling to the teeth, such as bread, cakes, and hard candy, produce acids that weaken enamel and cause cavities. Cavities don’t go away by themselves and will need to be filled by Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care. We’d much rather you practice prevention instead of reaching that point.

Fillings help cavities from growing larger, but the best thing you can do for your teeth is to avoid them altogether. To prevent cavities, avoid frequent snacking and specific food and drinks, such as honey, raisins, and dry cereal. If your oral hygiene routine doesn’t include brushing at least twice a day for two minutes or flossing at least once a day, you’ll need to improve to prevent holes from developing in the teeth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth decay, please give us a call. 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.

Tooth Decay in Seniors

At Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, we believe nobody should suffer from toothaches. And yet, information from 2011-2012 collected by the Centers for Disease control showed nearly twenty percent of people over age sixty-five have untreated tooth decay. In order to get those numbers down, we have to look at the reasons why seniors may have poor oral health.

Most seniors did not have access to fluoridated water growing up, which means they are especially vulnerable to tooth decay. But because we see caries develop in people who kept good hygiene earlier in life, something else must be going on. Many older people are on medications which cause dry mouth as a side effect. This condition makes it harder for the body to fight off infections from bacteria, including the ones responsible for tooth decay. While forgetfulness cannot be ruled out as a cause of lax hygiene, older patients also frequently suffer from limited dexterity, preventing them from brushing and flossing normally. Many seniors also do not have coverage for dental visits, limiting their access to professional cleanings.

Our dental office works with our patients to address all of these problems. We offer individual dental coverage at low prices and flexible payment plans. We can also help our patients find toothpaste and other dental products appropriate to their needs.

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.