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.

 

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.

ZOOM! Whitening

Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care sees many patients who wish they had a whiter, brighter smile.  ZOOM! Whitening has helped patients see dramatic whitening results in a short period.  To whiten your teeth with ZOOM!, you will first meet with a dentist to determine the level of staining currently on your teeth and what kind of results you can except from treatment. When stains on the surface of the teeth start to penetrate the tooth enamel they darken the color of the dentin, the hard tissue layer of your tooth under the enamel.  Once the dentin is darkened the whole tooth will appear yellow, and successful whitening systems go below the tooth enamel to reach the dentin.

ZOOM! Whitening combines whitening gel with an activator light to penetrate the enamel and break up stains at the dentin layer. Once the gel is applied to your teeth, the light activates and accelerates the whitening process.  When this chemical reaction lightens the color of the dentin, it’s possible for the whole tooth to become whiter.  An hour long treatment has been able to whiten patient’s teeth 6 to 10 shades.

To learn more about ZOOM! Whitening 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.