Sensitive Teeth Causes and Treatment

If your teeth have ever fallen victim to a painful tingling sensation when eating or drinking something hot or cold, then Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. is here to treat your sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity can affect one or more teeth and is caused when your gums pull back and expose the surface beneath, called the dentin. This soft layer makes up the inner part and roots, which have thousands of tiny tubes that lead to the tooth’s nerve center (the pulp). These channels allow the trigger – the food or beverage – to reach the nerve in your tooth, resulting in the pain you feel.

The good news is that there are many ways to control sensitive teeth. You can begin by using proper brushing and flossing techniques to thoroughly clean all parts of your teeth and mouth. Additionally, you can incorporate American Dental Association (ADA) approved desensitizing toothpaste into your oral hygiene routine. If your sensitive teeth don’t let up with these techniques alone, Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD can perform an oral exam to look for decay and exposed root surfaces.

If you experience tooth sensitivity, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.phfamilydentalpc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. call our Patchogue, NY office at 631-475-1191 or our Hampton, NY office at 631-653-5888. 

Characteristics of a Cavity

Cavities are just about as common as a cold and although they mostly occur in children, adults need to be aware of them too. It isn’t unusual for bacteria to be found in your mouth, however, when bacteria mixes with acid, food pieces and saliva in the mouth it creates a sticky substance called plaque. The acids in plaque damage the enamel covering your teeth and create holes in the tooth called cavities. Although Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. offers a variety of filling options for cavities, he would prefer you avoid them altogether.

Developing cavities is a process and they just don’t appear overnight. In the early stages, tooth decay can be stopped. The best way to prevent cavities is by reducing the amount of plaque and bacteria in the mouth and the best way to do this is by brushing and flossing daily. Cavities caught in the very early stages can be reversed, however, caries that have destroyed enamel cannot. It is important to schedule a professional cleaning with our doctors every six months to reduce your risk of tooth decay.

If you suspect you have a cavity, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.phfamilydentalpc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. call our Patchogue, NY office at 631-475-1191 or our Hampton, NY office at 631-653-5888. 

Flossing with Traditional Braces

As Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. will tell you, flossing can be difficult when you have traditional metal braces, but it’s more important than ever to keep the gaps in your teeth clean when you have a mouth full of metal. Many folks who have braces don’t know how to floss with them or think that they can’t floss at all if they have braces and this is not true. Therefore, we thought we would share some tips with you for flossing effectively in addition to keeping those brackets and wires clean.

• Use waxed floss, because unwaxed floss is more likely to get caught and shred in your braces.


• Use about 18 inches of floss and thread it carefully.


• Take the floss and gently thread it under the main wire of the braces before passing it between two teeth. Then remove the floss and re-thread it under the main wire to pass between the next pair of teeth.


• Be sure not to snap the floss. Simply move the floss up and down carefully against the side of each tooth.

If you have questions about orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.phfamilydentalpc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. call our Patchogue, NY office at 631-475-1191 or our Hampton, NY office at 631-653-5888.