Saturday, January 27, 2018

Different Types of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax, and central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS can discuss treatment options if you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, but first, we would like to explain the difference between the two.


When obstructive sleep apnea occurs, the muscles relax, your airway narrows or closes as you breathe in, and you can’t get an adequate breath in. Your brain senses this inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep so you can reopen your airway. You may make a snorting, choking or gasping sound. When central sleep apnea occurs, you may awaken with shortness of breath or have a difficult time getting to sleep or staying asleep. Like with obstructive sleep apnea, snoring and daytime sleepiness can occur.


If you are concerned about sleep apnea, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To set up an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS in New Hyde Park, NY, call us at (516) 233-2135 or visit our website, www.goinggrin.com

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Lip Care in Cold Weather

Dental health does not exist in isolation; it is connected to that of other body systems. At Dr. Amit Pandya’s New Hyde Park practice, we’ve seen the ravages of the winter weather on patients’ lips and we want them to understand how to protect themselves and why it is relevant to dental care.


The lack of moisture in cold air makes things tougher for people who suffer from dry mouth. When the body has difficulty producing saliva, it is more vulnerable to oral infections, including those which cause tooth decay. Humidifiers placed strategically around homes and workplaces can help combat this, especially when placed where the patient sleeps.


Two things that are definitely not helpful are long showers and moistening the lips with saliva. Wetting the lips causes them to dry out faster due to evaporation. Holding them under the teeth is worse; this will dry them out irritate them, and if done frequently, could cause the teeth to become misaligned. A better option is to use lip balm to seal in moisture, but some ingredients, such as fragrances and menthol, cause some peoples’ lips to become irritated. A change in products is necessary if this is a problem.


The office of Amit Pandya, DDS, is at 1575 Hillside Ave, Suite 207, New Hyde Park, New York, 11040. To schedule an appointment, call 516-233-2135, or visit his website at Going Grin and fill out a contact sheet.


 

Monday, January 22, 2018

The Correct Way to Floss

Plaque can be detrimental to our oral health if not removed with adequate brushing and flossing. This is because plaque is a biofilm, or mass of bacteria that grows on the surface of teeth once we are done eating. Plaque is the main cause of cavities and tooth decay, and to eliminate it, you’ll need to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. To get the most out of your flossing technique, Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS suggests utilizing these tips.  



  • Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.

  • Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.

  • Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.

  • When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.

  • Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method for the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the molars!


If you have questions or concerns about preventive dental care, please give us a call. To set up an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS in New Hyde Park, NY, call us at (516) 233-2135 or visit our website, www.goinggrin.com

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Proper Brushing Technique

Most of us have been brushing our teeth for years, but you may find it surprising that there are a right way and a wrong way to clean the teeth. Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS wants all patients to practice preventive oral hygiene. This includes brushing at least twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least twice a day. Next time you brush your teeth, try this technique.



  • Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.

  • Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.

  • Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

  • Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.

  • Brush your tongue to remove bacteria


If you have questions or concerns about preventive dental care, please give us a call. To set up an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS in New Hyde Park, NY, call us at (516) 233-2135 or visit our website, www.goinggrin.com