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ANTI-AGING DENTISTRY NEWS UNCOVERING A SILENT RISK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 ‘MASK MOUTH’ REMAINS A PROBLEM
We’re closing in on three years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, but I still see many cases of so-called “mask mouth” entering my practice. The name is hardly a clinical diagnosis, but mask mouth is a real phenomenon. And while many people associate the condition only with bad breath, mask mouth also affects oral health through tooth decay and gum disease. The source of the problem is dry mouth. Saliva is our first line of defense against cavity-causing bacteria, providing essential minerals to restore our enamel and washing away food particles that can lead to tooth decay. When we don’t produce enough saliva, our mouths suffer, and dentists across the nation have seen an increase in cavities and inflammation. While fewer people are now wearing masks, the practice persists. To be clear, the oral health effects of mask-wearing are not a reason to abandon the habit. Masks help prevent infectious diseases, and I regularly wear one as a part of my work. But while masks offer us protection, they also require us to be extra vigilant about our oral health.
You can also try to mitigate the effects of mask mouth by being more conscious of your behavior. Some experts believe that masks cause people to breathe through their mouths more, causing dry mouth. Others suggest we may drink less frequently when we’re wearing a mask. Making an effort to breathe through your nose and take regular sips of water won’t hurt and may help. It’s entirely possible to simultaneously protect yourself from the risks of infectious disease and dental decay. Most importantly, ensure that you schedule regular dental cleanings every six months. (Or every three months if you have gum disease.) These checkups can prevent minor decay from becoming a significant health issue. Cavities don’t hurt at the beginning. So, left to our own devices, we don’t know we have them for some time. The result is more expensive and painful procedures. Most people would agree that having a small filling is better than a root canal. Regular dental visits and X-rays can help us catch minor problems before they become big ones.
The first step to reducing the effects of mask mouth is practicing proper oral hygiene. Daily care won’t eliminate the problem on its own, but it can help reduce the severity of any effects. A comprehensive oral health
regimen should include brushing twice daily and flossing and using mouthwash at least once a day. As regular readers will know, I recommend my mouthwash brand, Lumineaux, because it reduces inflammation while protecting your oral biome. The hydrating
It’s entirely possible to simultaneously protect yourself from the risks of infectious disease and dental decay. Your dental team is standing by, ready to help. If you’re past due for your biannual cleaning, give us a call to stop mask mouth in its tracks.
mouthwash also protects against dry mouth, which can help mask-wearers. Remember that mouthwash isn’t an optional step — our teeth make up only 24% of our mouths, and we need to clean the rest, too!
-Dr. Maddahi
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Most parents want their kids to view Thanksgiving as a meaningful event — not just an opportunity to indulge in turkey and mashed potatoes. Unfortunately, most kids’ eyes will glaze over when their parents launch into a lecture about thankfulness. You will likely find better success by emphasizing the value of gratitude all year long. “What do you say?” It’s a question we all ask our young children after someone does something nice for them. This practice instills good manners, but it shouldn’t be confused with teaching gratitude. Imparting the meaning behind the words “thank you” takes something more. If you want grateful children, you need to be grateful parents. Consider how you can incorporate gratitude more into your everyday life. Are you as thankful as you should be? Do you repay favors and write thank- you notes? Do you regularly talk about why you’re so fortunate or what you’re thankful for? Cultivating gratitude in your life sets a good example, and many studies show it benefits your mental health as well. Next, consider how you can encourage your child to reflect on who they’re grateful for. Acts of kindness and returning the favor to those who have been good to us can inspire kids to put their gratitude into A DAILY DOSE OF GRATITUDE Raising Thankful Children
action. Doing some yardwork, sharing a toy, or making a painting as a gift can help children understand how powerful it can be to outwardly show our gratitude for the people who are in our lives. Consistency is the most crucial factor, so try to find ways you can incorporate gratitude into your everyday routine. Children of any age can keep a gratitude journal with their parents’ help. Some families also use a gratitude jar where each family member can write what they’re grateful for on a slip of paper and add something different to the jar each week. It’s the perfect way to keep gratitude front and center.
These lessons may not sink in immediately, but by cultivating these positive habits in our everyday lives, you will see a big difference in the long run.
THE RIGHT BRUSH And How to Keep It Clean
Your toothbrush is your first line of defense against dental disease and the many conditions caused or exacerbated by poor oral health. But few of us devote much time to selecting and caring for ours.
bacteria on our toothbrushes die when exposed to oxygen through drying. Instead of disinfecting, rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after every use to wash away any debris and stand it upright to dry. Do not use a toothbrush cover, as it will trap moisture and cause bacterial growth.
With its critical role in our overall health, the humble toothbrush deserves at least a bit of consideration.
Start by making sure you’re using the best type of brush. Dentists strongly recommend using a soft bristle brush only. While you might think that stiffer bristles will clean better, the truth is that many people brush harder than they should. Stiff bristles and too much pressure while brushing will wear down your enamel. Brushing too hard also makes your bristles bend and work less effectively, ironically increasing the amount of plaque on your teeth. The ideal brushing technique is thorough and gentle at the same time. Washing away food particles does not take a great deal of force.
Finally, remember that your toothbrush is not meant to last forever. Most dentists recommend changing your toothbrush 3–4 times yearly, and Dr. Maddahi recommends getting a new toothbrush every three months. He also provides another rule of thumb: When you see your toothbrush bristles are bent or frayed, the toothbrush is no longer effectively cleaning your teeth. Get a new one to protect your dental health.
Choosing your toothbrush and caring for it properly aren’t complex tasks; they just require
some vigilance. Since you can only clean your teeth as well as your tools allow, it’s worth the extra effort. And if you ever have questions about your toothbrush, we’ll be glad to answer them during your next appointment.
Once you have the right toothbrush, taking care of it is pretty simple. Many people think you should boil or disinfect your toothbrush, but while that process won’t hurt anything, it’s also unnecessary. Most
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The outside air is cooler, and people across the country are turning their furnaces back on. That’s bad news for your skin, which thrives in humidity. But you aren’t doomed to cracked feet, scratchy elbows, or a flaky forehead during the colder months. With the proper care, your skin can look as hydrated as it did in the summer. The process starts with an inconvenient truth about your morning shower: Hot water dries the skin. And the longer you stay in the shower, the more at risk you are. For optimal skin health, your showers should be brief, and at the lowest temperature you can stand. After your short and sweet shower, apply lotion as soon as possible. Lotion works best when your skin is still hydrated, locking in moisture. Ideally, you should use your moisturizer immediately after drying off. You’ll see much better results than at any other time of day. Choosing the right moisturizer is also crucial. Thicker lotions work best on dry skin, so stay away from watery ones in pump or squeeze bottles. The best moisturizers will hold their form even if you turn the container upside down. Petroleum jelly fits this bill and is excellent at keeping your skin hydrated. Keep Your Skin Moisturized This Winter Baby, It’s Dry Outside
Refer a Friend, Get a Brighter Smile! That’s right! Every time you refer a friend to Dr. Maddahi, you get one FREE teeth cleaning! Whatever you do, avoid scratching dry skin. Scratching will only cause more irritation and possibly break the skin. Believe it or not, there’s also evidence that scratching an itch doesn’t work — so you’re making your life harder without any payoff. Apply moisturizer instead. If that doesn’t do the trick, an ice pack will help relieve even the itchiest spots. And never skip moisturizing before bed. You can even try “slugging,” a practice where you coat your face in petroleum jelly. It works! If it sounds too greasy, try rubbing the jelly into your hands first and then rubbing them on your face for a cleaner feel. And don’t forget to apply sunscreen after your lotion. Your skin is still exposed to harmful UV rays in the winter, putting you at risk of skin cancer, premature aging, and dry, inelastic skin. Throughout the day, use a humidifier when possible. You can also keep yourself moisturized from the inside by drinking plenty of water. Meanwhile, your best defense against dry skin on your hands is wearing gloves whenever you are outside. Applying lotion every time you wash your hands will also help.
Apple Cranberry Crisp Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
INGREDIENTS •
Call us today at 310.888.7797 to get started and to start earning your free cleaning!
3 cups peeled and chopped tart apples
• • • • •
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• •
1 1/2 cups cranberries
3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided
1/3 cup butter, cold
Vanilla ice cream (optional)
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, 1/4 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. 3. Grease an 8-inch baking dish and pour the mixture into it. 4. In a small bowl, mix flour and the remaining brown sugar.
Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle this over the fruit. 5. Bake uncovered for 25–30
minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
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How You Can Combat ‘Mask Mouth’
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A Daily Dose of Gratitude
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Choosing and Caring for Your Toothbrush
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Preventing Dry Winter Skin
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Apple Cranberry Crisp
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America’s 5 Best Ski Resorts
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EXPERIENCE FRESH POWDER AND GREAT VIEWS Top 5 Ski Resorts to Cross Off Your Bucket List
Mad River Glen, Vermont For an authentic, deep-mountain experience, Mad River Glen is considered the best skiing mountain in the East. One of the best features of the resort is that it has single-chair chairlifts — and no snowboarders! The runs are long and the sights are gorgeous while providing an amazing ski run, throwback style!
Temperatures are dropping and snow is falling in some parts of the country, so it’s time for some winter fun! Whether you ski, snowboard, or just enjoy the snow, here are some of the best ski resorts to check out this ski season! Steamboat Springs, Colorado A little less glitzy than some of the other popular ski resorts and towns in Colorado, Steamboat Springs is extremely family-friendly with a Western
Aspen, Colorado Aspen just had to make this list! This incredibly popular ski resort has four different mountains, providing a wide
vibe. Because Steamboat is tucked away in the northwest corner of Colorado, the area catches snow from both Utah and Wyoming, which means you can expect some of the best skiing powder.
range of terrains for all different skill levels. The ski resort town is fun, developed, and exciting as well.
Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana While Whitefish Mountain Resort was originally a sleepy, quiet, and remote ski resort, it has gained popularity over the past few years, but it still remains an under-the-radar ski destination with friendly locals and smaller crowds. For beautiful, lush Montana views and no ski lift lines, Whitefish is a must!
Deer Valley Resort, Utah A ski-only resort, Deer Valley is a quaint ski town with legendary customer service and unbelievable Utah powder. It should be noted that the chairlifts are speedy and efficient, and the trails are well-groomed. Lift lines are nonexistent, making for an exclusive and remote experience!
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