Details on Dental Abscesses

When the inside of your mouth gets hurt or irritated, bacteria may enter and cause an infection. Sometimes you will see a painful swelling with pus. This is called a dental abscess and it can form a deep cavity, periodontal disease, a cracked tooth, trauma, or sometimes even due to recent dental procedures such as extractions and implants. This condition can become painful, so if you notice one, you should visit Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. right away.

The cause of these infections is a direct growth of bacteria from within the pulp spaces of a tooth or on the deep root surfaces of a tooth into the supporting soft tissues and bones of the face and neck. Often one or more teeth will be very sensitive to pressure. With an advanced infection, one can experience discomfort from nausea, vomiting, and/or difficulty swallowing.

If you are experiencing inflammation in your teeth and gums, 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. 

Gum Grafting

Just like teeth, gums can become unhealthy to the point where they need repair. For instance, gum recession can occur when gum disease progresses. When the gums pull back, the teeth are not supported as they should be. Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD of Patchogue Family Dental in East Patchogue, NY and Hampton Family Dental in East Quogue, NY can perform gum grafts to repair the gums back to a normal and healthy state.

In a healthy mouth, the gums should fit around the teeth snugly. They should be in a position so that you can still get under them to floss, but also tight enough so that bacteria and other debris cannot fall down into them. Gum disease is a major contributor to gum recession, although it is not the only case where patients have recessed gums. Some patients just naturally have a smaller amount of gum tissue.

When the gums recess, the roots of the teeth are exposed which can result in pain and sensitivity. In order to add gum tissue and cover the exposed tooth roots, we take soft tissue from the palate or from another area of the gums and move it over to where extra tissue is needed. We stitch the gums down so that they can heal and promote further gum growth. The end result is a healthy gum line that supports teeth and keeps bacteria out.

If you suspect you have recessed gums or gum disease, be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD. A gum graft may put you back on track to oral health. To schedule at Patchogue Family Dental of East Patchogue, NY call (631) 475-1191. To schedule at Hampton Family Dental of East Quogue, NY call (631) 653-5888. Appointments may also be requested on our website, www.pfdentpc.com. 

The Extraction Process

It is always best to keep your natural teeth; however, when they are posing a risk to your oral health, it can sometimes be best to remove them. Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD of Patchogue Family Dental in East Patchogue, NY and Hampton Family Dental in East Quogue, NY performs dental extractions to restore his patients’ oral health.

When teeth are infected, impacted, poorly placed, or damaged, it can severely alter your oral health. Teeth in these conditions need to be removed to decrease risk of infection and further injury. To begin the process, Dr. Richter will numb the area of the tooth or he may use a general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the extraction and if multiple teeth are being removed. If the tooth is impacted, Dr. Richter will make an incision in the gums to reveal the tooth. Bone tissue may also need to be removed to access the tooth. The tooth will be rocked back and forth with forceps to loosen it. When it is loose enough, it is pulled free from the jaw bone. The area is then cleaned up and stitches are placed, if necessary.

After your extraction, you will want to rest and eat soft foods. Do not lie down flat, drink through a straw, or do any strenuous activity that may promote bleeding.

For more information about dental extractions, do not hesitate to ask. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD, call Patchogue Family Dental of East Patchogue, NY at (631) 475-1191 or call Hampton Family Dental of East Quogue, NY at (631) 653-5888. Appointments may also be requested on our website, www.pfdentpc.com. 

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. 

Arestin for Successful Gum Disease Treatment

When it comes to gum disease, it is not fun to mess around. That is why at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, PC, we use around-the-clock fighting. We make this possible by using Arestin, an antibiotic that treats gum disease directly at the source.

When gum disease creates deep gum pockets, it can be tough to reach all of the bacteria, which can lead to the continuation of the infection. This is where Arestin comes in. Arestin is an antibiotic made of time-released microspheres. The microspheres release the antibiotic over time, so it keeps working to kill bacteria long after the application.

Arestin is usually administered to the gum pockets after a scaling and planing procedure has been performed. The microspheres are applied into the deep pockets of gums and are so small; they are invisible to the human eye. They also dissolve on their own, so they never need to be taken out.

Arestin makes gum disease treatment more successful. If you are showing signs of gum disease like red, swollen, painful gums, be sure to schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. To schedule at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, PC, call our Patchogue, NY office at (631) 475-1191, call our Hampton, NY office at (631) 653-5888 or visit our website, www.pfdentpc.com.