Dental Sealants and Cavities

Daily brushing and flossing help remove food particles from between the teeth, however, the pits and grooves of the teeth make it difficult to keep the mouth clean. This is where dental sealants that Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS offers as a service benefit the patient. Dental sealants are safe in protecting against tooth decay, especially in children, because the likelihood of developing cavities in the chewing surfaces of teeth at a young age is high.

Children and adults benefit from sealants, but the earlier they are applied to the teeth, the better. Dental sealants are a thin and protective coating (made from plastic and other dental materials) that is painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth to keep out bacteria. Sealing these teeth as soon as possible will keep them cavity-free from the very first application. The process for receiving dental sealants is quick and painless.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth decay or dental sealants, 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. 

Acid Reflux

At Dr. Amit Pandya’s New Hyde Park practice, we’re committed to preventing and treating dental damage no matter its source. Although tooth decay is caused by bacterial infection, loss of erosion to acid reflux is another problem patients need to be on guard against.

Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) describes when acid escapes from the stomach into the esophagus at least twice a week. The damage the acid does on its way up is commonly, but inaccurately, called heartburn. Acid increases the risk of esophageal cancer and if it gets as far as the teeth, it can cause erosion. Its effects will usually be visible first on the upper back teeth, which will take on a glazed appearance before becoming pitted and yellowish as the underlying pulp shines through.

Acid reflux makes teeth more sensitive but can be guarded against with fluoride treatments. Patients may also reduce their frequency of acid reflux by giving up smoking and by cutting down on citric juices, chocolate, fried food, red meat, caffeine, and foods in the onion and garlic group. It also helps to avoid large meals before bed.

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.

 

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. 

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.

 

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. 

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. 

Preventing and Treating Dry Sockets

Patients undergoing tooth extractions at Dr. Amit Pandya’s New Hyde Park dental office are provided with detailed post-operation instructions. However, it is possible in some cases for things to go wrong, particularly if the extraction required Dr. Pandya to cut through bone and gum tissue. Therefore, we want our patients to know how to recognize signs of a dry socket, as well as how to prevent one.

Typical instructions following a tooth extraction are to refrain from sipping through straws, using birth control, and smoking or otherwise using tobacco. These are meant to ensure that a blood clot is able to form over the extraction site and remain in place (birth control prevents clot formation; the sucking pressure from a straw tears clots loose). Without the blood clot, the socket will dry out and be at high risk of infection.

If a patient can see the exposed socket or is in severe pain, they should request an immediate emergency appointment. Dr. Pandya will clean the extraction site with a small vacuum and cover it with medicated dressings. These dressings will have to be replaced every few days until the socket is closed. The patient will also be given painkillers and antibiotics. Though a dry socket is painful and something to be avoided, it is treatable and should not prevent a full recovery.

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 GoingGrin.com and fill out a contact sheet.