Causes of Bleeding Gums

When patients have bleeding gums, Dr. Amit Pandya of New Hyde Park is here to help. Unfortunately, many people are not even aware that bleeding gums are a problem, and think that seeing blood when they brush their teeth is normal. Perhaps they would think otherwise if they knew what they are seeing is caused by an infection.

Having some bacteria in our mouths is necessary for our health, but bacteria grow in excessive numbers when there is food debris available to them. Bacteria produce acid as a by-product of their metabolism, and the acid gets stuck in the sticky plaque surrounding teeth. Plaque in gum pockets is hard to remove, so bacteria often grow there, and the resulting acid damages gum tissue.

When gums first become inflamed, they are said to be suffering from “gingivitis.” If the infection becomes more severe, a patient develops “periodontal disease.” At this point, their gums will not only bleed, but recede, imperiling the stability of the teeth. Patients can prevent this by brushing their teeth thoroughly, but it is still a good idea to regularly come to our office for deep cleanings.

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.

 

Shopping for Mouthwash

Not everyone chooses to incorporate mouthwash to his or her oral care routine, but doing so will benefit your smile. The main function of mouthwash is to freshen breath, but certain mouthwashes contain fluoride that will protect tooth enamel. Mouthwash has a few beneficial properties and Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS would like to address a few of them.

Mouthwash contains:

• Antimicrobial agents act directly on oral bacteria to help reduce plaque, decrease the severity of gingivitis and control bad breath.


• Fluoride helps reduce tiny lesions (tooth decay) on tooth enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay.


• Astringent salts can serve as temporary deodorizers that mask bad breath.


• Odor neutralizers act by chemically inactivating odor-causing compounds.

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. 

Intrinsic Staining

As part of his quest to provide optimal dentistry, Dr. Amit Pandya of New Hyde Park helps people with stained teeth to brighten up their smiles. The most common way of doing this is with chairside whitening, which leaves patients with teeth that are several shades lighter for months. But some stains, those which are intrinsic to the tooth, require a more involved approach.

Usually, stains are acquired from things consumed in adulthood, such as smoke or coffee. These can be bleached away. But intrinsic stains may be the result of something the tooth was exposed to during its formation, such as excessive amounts of fluoride or tetracycline antibiotics. These stains are too deep to be bleached, but they are not a health hazard and can be covered with veneers.

Intrinsic stains resulting from infection are another matter. An infection in the dental pulp may not be painful initially, but it is likely to become so and can imperil the patient’s life if it spreads to the bloodstream. A root canal will be done to remove infected pulp, after which the tooth may be given a new crown.

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.

 

Shopping for Toothpaste

A toothbrush is your most powerful tool to fight against tooth decay and periodontal disease. A toothbrush isn’t as effective, however, without toothpaste. Brushing with toothpaste is important for several reasons. Toothpaste removes plaque, the sticky, harmful film of bacteria that grows on teeth that causes cavities and also contains fluoride which promotes re-mineralization. With so many toothpaste options to choose from, how do you decide?  Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS wants patients to know that when it comes to choosing the toothpaste that is best for you, it’s important to consider your unique oral health needs.

• Anti-cavity: This type of toothpaste contains fluoride. Fluoride plays an active role in preventing decay, and it actively strengthens tooth enamel.


• Anti-gingivitis: If you spit blood in the sink, this is an early sign of gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Anti-gingivitis toothpaste help reduces oral bacteria and can be very effective at stopping gingivitis in its tracks.


• Desensitizing: If you’ve ever bit into an ice cream cone and felt a sharp pain in your tooth’s nerve, this type of toothpaste will provide relief by blocking the tooth’s pain signal to the nerve.


• Tartar-control: This toothpaste does exactly what it says, however, the best way to remove tartar is by scheduling a professional dental cleaning with one of our doctors.


• Whitening: This toothpaste contains chemicals that are able to help maintain the natural color of your teeth.

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.