Thursday, April 19, 2018

Causes of Gap Teeth

Whether they’re causing you to whistle when you speak or just making you self-conscious, gap teeth can be a problem. At Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, we provide a few different treatment options and can help you to better understand why this condition develops.


Most often the reason for a gap (or diastema) is simply that the teeth aren’t large enough to fill in the dental ridge. The quickest way to fix this is with veneers. After slightly reshaping the teeth, we can mill porcelain shells for them that are a slightly different size or shape, allowing us to fill in the gap while also covering up stains and chips on the front of the teeth. A more involved process is the use of Invisalign orthodontic therapy to move the teeth closer together. This is a popular treatment option when the gap isn’t the only issue with how the teeth are aligned. Following this, patients will have to wear a retainer to prevent relapse.


Another possible cause for a gap is a large labial frenum. This means that the strip of tissue inside the upper lip which connects it with the jaw is too large and must be surgically reduced to create more space. Other possibilities include tongue thrusting and thumb sucking, which put pressure on the teeth and can cause an overbite as well as a gap.


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.


 

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

HPV and Oral Cancer

April is the Oral Cancer Foundation’s awareness month. At Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, we want to use this as an opportunity to educate patients about a particular kind of oral cancer that they must be vigilant against: that caused by HPV.


The oral cancer screening devices in our office help us to detect suspicious tissues in the oral cavity, which might be due to cancer caused by smoking or use of alcohol. Unfortunately, cancer caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) is not so easy to detect. It usually occurs in the oropharynx, which is the region at the back of the mouth encompassing the tonsils and base of the tongue. Furthermore, of the hundreds of HPV strains, only one is known to cause oral cancer, and it has to remain in the body for an unusually long time to pose a threat.


In the absence of a direct test, we’ll need patients to disclose to us whether they’ve recently experienced persistent pain or numbness in their mouths or throats or whether they’ve had difficulty swallowing. We’ll also search for discoloration in the mouth. Unilateral ear aches and lumps on the neck may also be oral cancer-related, so don’t be shy about sharing any concerns you have about these with your dentist.


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.


 

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Toothbrush Abrasion

If you’ve ever heard that too much of a good thing can be bad for you, the same applies when brushing your teeth. Over-brushing, or brushing too aggressively, can cause sensitive gums, and abrasion to your tooth’s dentin. This can cause receded gums, periodontal disease, cavities, and may lead to the need for treatments such as root canal or tooth extraction down the line. To avoid toothbrush abrasion, Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care suggests utilizing these tips.


When brushing your teeth, it matters how hard you scrub – because brushing too hard can cause tooth or gum damage. You may be surprised, but those who fall victim to over-brushing the teeth are usually those who are particularly diligent about their oral care routine. Brushing vigorously isn’t necessary to remove plaque. Brush the teeth gently, and thoroughly, for at least two minutes.


If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health and oral hygiene, please give us a call. To learn about 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.