Acid Reflux and Sleep Apnea

Acid reflux or GERD is a common problem for patients at Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens. As part of our mission to help improve patients’ quality of life, we recognize that many of the conditions we treat are closely related to other health issues and that GERD has been linked to sleep apnea. Therefore, we wanted to help patients to understand how to protect themselves and what we can do to help them.

The discomfort from acid eroding tooth enamel may cause people to clench or grind their teeth at night. This would cause pain in their shoulder muscles and headaches. But nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism) is also common in people who have obstructive sleep apnea and whose bodies are attempting to keep airways open. It may be that the acid itself is obstructing the airways as it travels up the esophagus and into the mouth. But in any case, bruxism is likely to cause patients to be pulled out of deep sleep on a regular basis.

Acid reflux and obstructive sleep apnea are both common in people who are overweight. Some contributors to acid reflux, in particular, are fried meats, dairy, foods from the garlic and onion family, alcohol, and citrus acid. Recent studies have found that CPAP machines, which are used to treat sleep apnea, are also effective against acid reflux.

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 Fresh Meadows Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Reasons for Filling Failure

At Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, as part of our mission to provide patients with the best possible service, we are always up-to-date on the latest research. Recently, a new study was released on the subject of early filling failure. We hope this information will let patients determine if they are at risk.

Fillings naturally last for about ten years, but this study gathered data on people whose fillings failed within two years. Smoking and alcohol use are known to contribute to many dental health problems, and the study found that men who smoked and people of both sexes who drank experienced premature filling failure at higher rates. Researchers were surprised that failure rates also ran in families and speculated that genetics may be the cause, so people whose family members have experienced filling failures should make sure to have their fillings regularly assessed.

Early filling failure is uncommon, and as long as patients keep up their oral hygiene, they shouldn’t have to worry too much. The study also examined whether the fillings’ construction materials were a factor, but found that white resin fillings work just as well as amalgam ones. This is good news for everyone who prefers the aesthetic of fillings that are naturally colored.

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 Fresh Meadows Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Scaling and Root Planing

In its most advanced stages, gum disease can lead to gum recession and even tooth loss.  Fresh Meadows Dental Care wants to make sure it never gets to that point for you and your family!  When plaque builds up on a tooth, the gum starts to pull away from the tooth and form a pocket around the buildup, which only leads to more gum recession.  A scaling and root planing procedure is used to treat this buildup and prevent the later stages of gum disease.

Scaling and root planning are two parts of a deep cleaning procedure your dentist can perform to help reverse the progress of gum disease.  The procedure beings with scaling, which is the process of the dentist removing plaque from the surface of the teeth, all the way down to the gums. Root planing is the term for any minor contouring to smooth the surface of a tooth near the root.  When plaque has been removed and the tooth root has been smoothed, the gums that have pulled away will have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to as they heal.

To learn more about scaling, root planing, 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.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Fresh Meadows Dental Care takes pride in serving the families from our community.  We want your smiles to look great, but we also screen for oral cancer and it is important that you and your family are aware of oral cancer and how to prevent it.  Oral cancer screening may not be the most common reason you’ve visited a dentist, but regular screenings are the best way to protect yourself.

Heavy smoking and drinking do increase the risk of oral cancer, but oral cancer can still occur if someone never smokes.  The human papilloma virus (HPV) was recently found to be responsible for most oral cancers that originated in the back of the mouth.  Because there is no way to predict cancer, you should ask about an oral cancer screening with each dental checkup.  Your dentist will conduct a visual exam, and may use an ultraviolet light to see any irregularities inside the mouth. Always contact us if you notice any inexplicable pain, swelling, or numbness in your throat or jaw.

To learn more about oral cancer screenings 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.