Dr. Kourosh Maddahi July 2019
An t i - Ag i ng DENTISTRY MONTHLY NEWS
JULY 2019
3 Trends That May Be Harming Your Teeth
Not all health trends are good for your oral health. There are many trends and practices that, on the surface, sound healthy but can do serious damage to your teeth and gums. One trend I’ve noticed more recently is lemon water. Warm lemon water is said to be helpful for the gut and to ease digestion. Many people have a glass of lemon water in the morning and again in the evening. Some people drink the beverage all day. However, lemon is one of the most acidic foods you can ingest. While it may be good for the body, it is not good for the teeth. I tell patients that if they do drink lemon water, make it a full glass of warm water with no more than half a lemon. I also advise anyone who drinks lemon water, or any acidic beverage, to drink through a straw. This helps reduce the wear on the enamel. The acidity of lemon is very destructive to the enamel. For people who drink lemon water (or any lemon-based drink) every day, they will start noticing a change in their teeth. The biggest change often comes in the form of sensitivity. As the enamel wears down, sensitivity goes up. Another common trend is juicing. People are consuming more green and red juices. While juicing is a good way to get additional nutrients into the body and slim down, juices and smoothies can be hard on the teeth. The biggest problem is staining. Regular consumption of green and red juices or smoothies can lead to persistent stains and discoloration of the teeth. Again, the best solution for anyone drinking juices or smoothies is to make sure you use a straw — and if you use a metal straw, make sure to never bite down; metal straws can damage your teeth if you bite down too hard! One of my biggest concerns, however, is how destructive so many oral care products can be. Many products on the market today contain antibiotics or antimicrobials. We are doing a lot of damage to our oral biome with even just our toothpastes or mouthwashes.
The truth is, while our mouths are home to many harmful types of bacteria, we do live in harmony with many forms of bacteria. Using harsh products, many of which are under the Colgate and Crest labels, destroys these bacteria. At the same time, these products can cause more resistive bacteria to grow. We all want our mouths to feel fresh and clean, and many people have the mindset that all oral bacteria are bad. We need to change the way we think. Many people make sure to promote a healthy gut biome with probiotic supplements, kefir, yogurt, and other foods, but you can also promote a healthy oral biome. It comes down to treating your mouth with care. When I developed the Lumineux Oral Essentials line, I focused on safe, biocompatible ingredients. These weren’t just ingredients that were biocompatible with the body, but they were also compatible with the good bacteria we have in our mouths. As a result, Oral Essentials is the only oral care line that is certified nontoxic.
You can have a fresh, clean, and healthy mouth without sacrificing anything!
-Dr. Maddahi
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3 Foods Made for Grilling Get More Out of Your Grill This Summer
Bread There’s nothing like making your own artisan bread at home, and you can do it right in the grill. You can create your own flatbread, rolls, or full loaves with just about any bread recipe. It all comes down to time and temperature control. 500 F tends to be a safe bet. If it’s too hot, you’ll overbake the outside while the inside remains raw. Salsa You can kick up the flavor of any homemade salsa by first grilling each ingredient you want in your salsa, such as tomatoes, jalapeño, onion, or garlic. This includes salsa with fruit, such as mangoes or peaches. Allow each ingredient to get a light char, but be sure to remove the charred skin of the tomatoes after grilling. Leaving it on can result in a burnt flavor rather than a smoky one.
During the summer, the backyard grill becomes the place to be. It’s the best site for sharing grilled meat and memories. But as you grill this summer, why not take a step out of your “meat comfort zone?” Whether you prefer gas or charcoal, just about any backyard grill can be transformed into an all-purpose, high-temperature oven. Get ready to kick some of your favorite foods up a notch! Here are three foods that are great for grilling. Pizza Making your own pizza at home is incredibly easy. You can make your own dough or buy it at the grocery store. Roll it out, add all your favorite toppings, then toss it on the grill. Just make sure your pizza will fit on the grill first! You may need to make smaller personal pizzas if you have a smaller grill. Pro Tip: The hotter you can get your grill, the better. At 500–600 F, it may only take a few minutes to completely cook the pizza, so don’t leave the grill. This is the best time to use a pizza stone (if you have one) to ensure a golden-brown crust, but you can place the pizza directly on the grill. Tooth pain comes in many different forms and intensities. Sometimes it’s little more than a dull ache that goes away after an hour or two. Other times, it’s an intense, seething pain that disrupts your day. It can be difficult to determine if the pain is serious and requires the intervention of your dentist or if it’s a temporary ache that can be alleviated using over-the- counter pain medication. Here’s a quick look at four levels of tooth pain and what you can do to find relief. Brief Sensitivity to Hot or Cold Foods and Beverages For most people, this pain isn’t serious and doesn’t require immediate treatment. The most common causes of sensitivity are gum recession, tooth decay, or a loose filling. You can use tooth-sensitive toothpaste, an extra-soft toothbrush, and careful brushing habits. If sensitivity persists or worsens, treatment may be required. Brief Sensitivity to Hot or Cold Foods and Beverages After Dental Treatment Occasionally, dental work will irritate or inflame pulp inside the tooth, leading to sensitivity. It generally only lasts
Identifying Tooth Pain
a short time, but if the sensitivity remains or worsens after 2–4 weeks, it needs to be addressed. There may be an underlying issue that needs to be taken care of. Sharp Pain When Chewing or Biting Down This type of pain is often the result of tooth decay, a fracture in the tooth, or a loose or missing filling. It may also be the result of injury or trauma to the pulp and connecting nerves. If you ever experience this kind of pain, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We can make sure you get the care you need to alleviate the pain and fix the underlying cause. Severe Pain, Pressure, Sensitivity, and Swelling Around the Gums This type of pain is less common and is often the symptom of an abscessed tooth or a gum infection. If not taken care of, an abscess can turn into an infection in the surrounding tissue and bone. This requires treatment as soon as possible in order to not only alleviate pain and swelling but to save the affected tooth.
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There is a lot of misinformation about oral care. Just like prevention, education is also the best medicine. It’s always beneficial to know the best practices when it comes to your oral care. Here are four myths we’ve heard circulating and we’re here to dispel! 1. Brushing with stiff bristles equals cleaner teeth. Logically, it makes sense that stiffer bristles are more effective at cleaning away tartar and bacteria. However, stiff bristles do more damage than good. Over time, they weaken enamel and contribute to gum recession. While some people prefer brushing with stiff bristles, consistent use often leads to future complications. 2. Bleeding gums after flossing is normal. When you floss regularly, your gums should not bleed. Bleeding is generally caused by gum disease or flossing too hard. If you notice bleeding on a consistent basis, it is crucial to talk with your dentist. You may have gum disease, and signs of bleeding can mean you are at risk for further infection. Intermittently bleeding gums, however, may mean you are not flossing enough. Debunking 4 Oral-Care Myths
3. All toothpastes are the same. If you’ve been down the toothpaste aisle, you know just how many brands and types there are with all kinds of outward differences. But when it comes to what’s inside the tube, are they really that different? Fundamentally, a vast majority of toothpastes share identical ingredients, no matter which company makes it. However, a few are made with all-natural ingredients, like the Oral Essentials line of toothpastes. 4. Medications do not harm your teeth. Sometimes certain side effects of medications are overlooked. One such side effect, dry mouth, is a prime example. It doesn’t sound serious, but dry mouth can result in many serious oral-care complications. When most people see “May cause dry mouth” on their medicine bottle, they think, “I’ll just drink more water.” This isn’t enough. Saliva is crucial to good oral health, and a lack of saliva can expedite tooth decay and infection. If you experience dry mouth, immediately consult with your dentist to figure out how to best combat it.
Have a LAUGH
Paleo Tomato BASIL SALAD
The main course on the Fourth of July almost always works with paleo diets, but that isn’t always the case with sides and appetizers. This salad offers a great way to enjoy some paleo fare without having to resort to only eating grilled meats.
Why should you be nice to your dentist?
Because they have fillings too.
INGREDIENTS •
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
cut into ribbons
What did the tooth say to the dentist on vacation?
•
4–5 medium tomatoes, preferably heirloom, seeded and cut into wedges
•
1 tbsp aged balsamic vinegar
•
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Just fill me in when you get back.
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6–10 medium basil leaves,
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Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS 1. Place shallots in balsamic vinegar for 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry using paper towels. 2. Assemble tomatoes on a plate, top with basil and shallots, and season with salt and pepper. 3. Drizzle olive oil over top of salad and serve immediately.
Inspired by NomNomPaleo
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Are Popular Trends Harming Your Teeth? Get Even More Out of Your Grill This Grilling Season! Tooth Pain and What to Do About It The Truth About the Way People Brush and Floss Paleo Tomato Basil Salad Avoid the Summer Heat Somewhere Cool INSIDE 436 N. Roxbury Dr. #202 Beverly Hills, CA 90210
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As the scorching summer sun beats down, it’s hard to remember that just six months ago you were shivering through the winter, whether that meant a chilly 50 F or bitter subzero temperatures. But if cooler temps sound like paradise, and a dip in the pool is no longer keeping you cool, it might be time to take a vacation somewhere chilly. Check out these three destinations to avoid the summer heat. Alaska No place says chilly quite like Alaska. Trips to Alaska can be expensive during this time of year, but when you step into that crisp air with a cool mountainous view, you’ll understand why it’s a popular summer voyage. Travelers can choose to fly or take a cruise ship, and many cities feature tourism-packed excursions. A few notable locations include Anchorage, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and Denali National Park and Preserve. Iceland Just as its name suggests, Iceland can be the perfect destination for travelers yearning to get away from the unbearable summer heat. With temperatures rarely exceeding 60 F — the average high for the country — packing is easy
Chill Out Relax in These Cool Destinations This Summer
for this relaxing vacation. Take a relaxing dip in one of the country’s many hot springs or enjoy tremendous views of the fjords. Even better, you can tour the country at any time because it’s sunny almost 24 hours a day. What could be better than a midnight hike around the fourth happiest country in the world? Norway Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you have to give up your skiing hobby! Venture
off to Norway and experience some of their most popular summer ski resorts. After a day or two shredding the slopes, experience the popular Norwegian Opera and Ballet in Oslo or choose between numerous outdoor and indoor exhibitions. Best of all, you won’t even break a sweat, as the average temperature in Norway’s hottest month barely hits 70 F. Bordering Sweden and northern Finland, Norway can even be the beginning to a cool European tour this summer.
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