Dr. Michael Acquista D.D.S.
Dentist | General Practice
479 Bay Ridge Pkwy Brooklyn NY, 11209About
Hi, I'm Michael Acquista DDS. I got my dental degree from Columbia School of Dental & Oral Surgery and have been in private practice in Bay Ridge for over 30 years. My office is small and you will receive individual attention. I offer the best ways to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, the best Cosmetic Dentistry and esthetics, filling materials, crowns, bridges, implant restorations and dentures. I promise I will exceed your expectations and do everything possible to explain your conditions and treatment options as well as being gentle and thorough. We perform all dental procedures except Orthodontics, complex extractions and surgery, but I will refer you to the finest specialists if need be.
Education and Training
Columbia College of Arts and Sciences B.A. Pre-Med / Philosophy 1977
Columbia School of Dental and Oral Surgery D.D.S. 1981
Provider Details
Dr. Michael Acquista D.D.S.'s Expert Contributions
Healthy Eating
Healthy eating: It is so important, but Doctors don't learn much about it. C. Everett Koop, former U.S. Surgeon General, suggested we should, but not much has happened. I want that to change. I lecture to other Doctors and my patients about it, and on smilebayridge.com, I have hyperlinks to...
Is teething delay in children normal?
Yes, sometimes it occurs later than others. Ask your dentist about it. READ MORE
My gum hurts where my wisdom tooth was taken out. Is this normal?
See your dentist. Get an X-ray and evaluation. READ MORE
I had a root canal and the same tooth is hurting again. What should I do?
Go back to the dentist that did it. Or go to a specialist (Endodontist). If you waited over a month after the root canal, the temporary filling may be leaking and the root canal failing READ MORE
My nephew has one tooth erupting and he is just 1 month old. Is it normal?
Yes, it is normal. Some children get their teeth sooner and some later than others READ MORE
How should I select my toothpaste?
Colgate total. It has an FDA approved plaque killing agent that works for several hours. Other toothpastes like Crest have only unproven claims. Whitening toothpastes are more abrasive and an ineffective method for whitening. Act Fluoride rinse (use at night) is better than any desensitizing toothpaste and remineralizing toothpastes are BS; Chewing on cheese and leaving it in your mouth for a few minutes works better. The "sodium caseinate" ingredient in these toothpastes is casein- the protein in milk that curdles. No magic here. READ MORE
My son's teeth are discoloured. Why?
Juice could cause this. Iron supplements that are chewable can do it. Have the dentist do a cleaning and see if it disappears. If a tooth sustains trauma like falling on it, it can turn black when the pulp(nerve) dies but not ALL of the teeth. READ MORE
What is the right age for kids to brush their teeth on their own?
Kids can overbrush, underbrush, forget to brush, brush hard on the gums and damage them, use too much toothpaste and swallow it- all can be bad. Teach them to do it on their own but always WATCH them. After they turn 5 they are mature enough to be in charge. READ MORE
What does bone loss in the teeth mean?
Bone loss around the teeth that hold the teeth in place. This is Periodontal disease and diabetics ESPECIALLY need to get it treated, follow directions and go 2-4 times per year for cleanings. It will help control the severity of your diabetes as well. You must floss as well as brush. You may have bone loss but your periodontal disease is under control. If so, that is better but keep up with regular care. READ MORE
Can a tooth abscess be seen on an X-ray?
sometimes, usually if it is present for 6 months to a year. You can get a pulp test to identify it sooner. How old? is it the adult tooth coming in? too many possibilities. See the dentist- they will evaluate it and maybe take an x-ray. READ MORE
Is oil pulling ever recommended by dentists?
This is really just stupid if you don't mind me saying that. Supposedly bacterial cells stick to the oil and you spit them out with the oil. Why not brush your teeth and gently brush your tongue and then spit out these bacteria? Flossing removes the rest of the bacteria and you are done. A lot simpler than leaving oil in your mouth for 20 minutes. READ MORE
Is higher or lower pressure better with water flossers?
leave it half way. that is safest. READ MORE
What are the natural ways to deal with tooth sensitivity?
Tough call. If you know which tooth it is and pain lasts for a minute or more, wakes you up from sleep, you should get the root canal or extraction. You won't get painkillers when you are pregnant; may be better not to wait. Don't know natural ways to treat tooth sensitivity. READ MORE
What could be the cause of my throbbing tooth pain?
the bite could be hitting too hard on this tooth; you might have a gum abscess; maybe dental infection. See the dentist and they will figure it out. READ MORE
How long after my extraction stitches are removed can I drink or eat?
immediately READ MORE
What are the steps involved in maintaining good oral hygiene?
floss daily and just gargle with water. Go to the dentist twice a year for professional cleaning. READ MORE
What are the best ways to get rid of tooth sensitivity?
Act fluoride rinse swish for one minute before bed and after brush, floss and rinsing. Then spit out and continue to spit out for 1 minute. then do not rinse; go to bed. Every day for 2 weeks, then 3 times per week thereafter. If sensitivity is pretty bad, you can get bonding to cover the sensitive spots and it will disappear READ MORE
I had my wisdom tooth removed yesterday. When can I start eating solid food again?
wait a day or two. You can eat tomorrow, just be careful- favor the opposite side and rinse after eating. If the doctor did not give you instructions, call them ASAP and ask. They are required to tell you. READ MORE
How can I manage my child’s dental health yet allow him to eat sweets?
Sugar, sweets and chocolate give you and your child cavities. Tooth decay is a disease and the consequences include pain, big dental bills, and many bad things you would never want for your child. get rid of all the candy and sweets in your house. tell your child that sweets have tiny bugs in them that eat holes in your teeth and he should not eat any of it. If you don't make a firm commitment now, you will regret it. Tell him if he ever eats sweets, he must rinse the bugs out with a lot of water. Teach him about fruits. they are sweet and they don't have bugs in them. Tell him you will buy him all the fruits he wants and let him taste a lot of different ones and always have some in the house. The bugs actually do form after you eat sweets but that is too complicated at his age. Also, you can buy sweets made with Xylitol which is all natural, tastes like sugar, and won't give him cavities. Tell him this is the only candy without bugs. READ MORE
Can using mouthwash frequently negatively impact the health of my teeth?
Mouthwash is useless except to make your breath smell nice. The alcohol in mouthwash could hurt the gum tissues and one study said that mouthwash is bad because it kills good bacteria as well as bad bacteria in your mouth. Mouthwash only kills the bacteria you can reach with your toothbrush; I would rather brush my teeth and spit out the germs than rinse with mouthwash and have a bunch of dead germs in my mouth. Save your money. Don't use it at all. READ MORE
How long does it take for permanent teeth to come after his primary teeth fall?
Usually pretty soon, but if you are worried about whether everything is normal, the dentist can take an x-ray to see if the permanent teeth are present. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- - 2017
Awards
Treatments
- Bridges
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Bonding
- Bleaching
- Veneers
- Ceramic Crowns
- Crowns
- Dental Fillings
- Extractions
- Fluoride
- Implant Dentistry
- Initial Oral Examination
- Metal-free Crowns (ceramic Crowns)
- Night Guards
- Periodontal Treatment
- Perioprotect
- Root Canals
- Teeth Whitening
- Brushing And Flossing Instructions
- Fluoride Treatments
- Sealants
- Cosmetic Dentures
- Treating Bad Breath
- Diagnosing Oral Diseases
- Tooth Decay
- Periodontal (gum) Disease
- Tmj Problems
- Malocclusion
- Restoring Decayed Teeth
- Amalgam (silver) Fillings
- Composite Fillings
- Root Canal Therapy
- Non-surgical Gum Treatments
- Periodontal Therapy
- Dental Emergencies
- Toothaches
- Traumatic Injuries
Professional Memberships
- Acdemy of General Dentistry, Steinway Study Club, Peninsula Dental Society,
- American Dental Association
- Professional Member Academy of General Dentistry
- Professional Member Steinway Study Club
- Professional Member Peninsula Dental Society
- Professional Member Bay Ridge Dental Society
Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors
- Guild for Exceptional Children
Areas of research
Nutrition, Diabetes, Perioprotect medical device, Bioactive glass restorative materials, Holistic medicine, herbal remedies, fish oil, cholesterol medications.Dr. Michael Acquista D.D.S.'s Practice location
Dr. Michael Acquista D.D.S.'s reviews
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Recommended Articles
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- When Should I Replace My Toothbrush?
A toothbrush is not as clean as we think, and harbors more than 100 million bacteria, according to researchers at the University of Manchester in England. This includes E. coli bacteria, which cause diarrhea, and staphylococci bacteria, which cause skin infections. “This condition is the same as...
- Are Dentures the Solution to Your Dental Problems?
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- Which Doctors Treat Diabetes?
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