Dr. Kourosh Maddahi - January/February 2023

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ANTI-AGING DENTISTRY NEWS TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 A GUMMY SMILE CAN HURT YOUR CONFIDENCE

There’s a science to the perfect smile. Researchers have conducted many studies on which smiles we consider attractive and have found surprisingly consistent results. Most people show roughly two-thirds of their teeth and very little gum when they smile. When they laugh, they show the entirety of their teeth and 1–2 millimeters of gum. But there are always outliers — and there may be more than you think. A gummy smile refers to a smile that reveals significantly more gum than the average mouth. It’s more common in women than men, and as much as 10% of the population may have it. A gummy smile is not a medical condition, though it can occasionally be a symptom of one. But many people who show excess gum feel self-conscious about it.

lengthening procedure, also known as a gingivectomy, removes a more significant portion of the gums to reveal additional surface area of the teeth. This procedure is best for people with short teeth; their teeth are typically average-sized but partially hidden by gum. Crown lengthening makes the teeth more proportional and reduces the appearance of the gums when smiling. Jaw Surgery The most severe gummy smiles are usually caused by incorrect jaw positioning. Surgery is the most common treatment for those with 10–20 millimeters of excess gum showing when they smile. In essence, the entire jaw is recontoured and moved up. While this is a serious commitment for the patient, it is only necessary to correct the most drastic gummy smiles.

People with gummy smiles often report feeling insecure or unwilling to smile. Further, someone with a gummy smile is unlikely to be happy with the results of orthodontics or implants alone. Fortunately, there are solutions to the problem of a gummy smile. The proper treatment will depend on the condition’s cause and how much excess gum is showing. Gum Laser Recontouring More than half of my patients with gummy smiles have approximately 5 millimeters or less of excess gum showing. They are usually ideal candidates for gum laser recontouring. During this procedure, I

Every patient is different. A cosmetic dentist must determine several factors, including the cause of the gummy smile, the length of the tooth root, and the jaw position before they can recommend treatment. All the corrective options will result in at least some discomfort, and jaw surgery has a significant recovery time. It’s also common for a patient to need additional treatment like crowns, veneers, or orthodontics to create the beautiful smile they want. But most people bothered by their gummy smiles find the process worth the results.

remove 2–3 millimeters of gum from around the top of the tooth using a minimally invasive laser. The amount of gum I remove and the final recontouring of the gumline depends on the person’s smile, and I customize the look to give each patient the desired results. Crown Lengthening About a quarter of my patients with gummy smiles have 5–10 millimeters of excess gum, requiring crown lengthening. A crown

No one should feel afraid or ashamed to smile. If you do, please give us a call so we can help restore your

confidence. A better future can await you in this new year.

-Dr. Maddahi

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UPGRADE YOUR HOME OFFICE 3 Tips to Spice Up Your Workspace

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, from 2019 to 2021, the number of people working from home tripled from about 9 million to 27.6 million. Remote work is expected to increase because of the benefits workers can get from it. For example, they have flexible schedules, spend less money on commuting, and can have more time with their children. While remote work has many benefits, some people find it challenging to remain productive and motivated in their home office. Here are three tips to upgrade your office space so you can boost creativity and productivity. Upgrading Your Lighting Lighting plays a vital role when it comes to productivity. Natural sunlight is the best illumination for stimulating motivation. PLOS One conducted a study that found sunlight

positively affected mental health, improved mood, lowered anxiety, and boosted productivity. However, if you don’t get a lot

Decluttering Your Workspace If your home office isn’t organized, it can affect your motivation exponentially. Working in a cluttered area can be distracting and stressful. So, inspect your workspace and see what you need to keep and what can be removed. Invest in containers and drawer dividers to organize supplies and tools. Remote work doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon, and it looks like more of us will spend more time in our home offices. So, ensure you have a comfortable workspace to complete all your necessary tasks. Do you work from home? What are some of your strategies to remain motivated? We would love to hear from you!

of sun in your home office, you can invest in several kinds of lights to enhance your workspace. Some examples include color- changing accent lights, light therapy lamps, string lights, and stained-glass bulbs. Adding Some Greenery If your home office is feeling a bit bland, plants not only introduce color into your room but also improve air quality and increase motivation. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, several houseplants take little maintenance to keep alive. Look into snake plants, aloe vera, nerve plants, and peace lilies. To find the perfect houseplant, go to your local home improvement store to check out plant selections in the garden center.

BEYOND REPAIR When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?

None of us want to lose our teeth — many even have nightmares about it! But unfortunately, no dentist can save every tooth. Extractions are unpleasant, but several scenarios present no other options. In these cases, extraction is the best way forward for the patient.

Meanwhile, some fractured teeth require extraction. Teeth can fracture for many reasons; fortunately, dentists can repair a lot. For example, teeth grinding can eventually result in tooth fractures, and so can repetitive biting of firm objects like ice or hard

candy. It’s crucial to treat any cracks or breaks as soon as possible before they affect the structure of the tooth. Once the fracture reaches the tooth’s root, a dentist cannot repair it. Fractures also happen due to sudden trauma, like a car accident, a fall, or a blow to the head. Again, dentists can repair some damage, but a split or cracked tooth often needs removal. Seeking immediate care is critical for the best possible outcome. We want to save as many natural teeth as possible, but some are beyond repair. These teeth will cause persistent pain and dangerous infections if left in place. Fortunately, patients have options to restore their smiles after an extraction, including implants and dentures. The result is a smile that is still beautiful but much healthier.

One of the most common causes of extractions is gum disease. A mild infection in the gums is called gingivitis, which is highly treatable if caught early. However, more advanced gum disease can affect the ligaments, bones, and teeth. When the infection has spread too far, a dentist must remove the tooth to prevent further harm. Other teeth must be removed due to significant decay of the tooth itself. Root canals can often resolve an infection that has reached the tooth pulp. But sometimes, the tooth is too far gone. The remaining portion of the tooth cannot structurally support a crown and must be removed to enable proper chewing and prevent additional infections.

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The Top Foods Staining Your Teeth Not Quite White

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! Use a straw with beverages (placed behind your teeth) to reduce discoloration. Rinsing your teeth with water immediately after enjoying these foods and drinks will also help wash away staining residue. Brushing your teeth 30 minutes (not sooner) after partaking is even better. Finally, if your teeth become discolored despite your best efforts, we’ll be glad to book a consultation and discuss your whitening options. Fruits & Vegetables While they are good for our bodies in many other ways, some fruits and vegetables can leave our teeth looking duller than we’d like. The biggest culprits are berries, like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Other dark fruits like pomegranates and cherries can also discolor our teeth. Vegetables are less of a problem, but pickles (which start as cucumbers) are prone to staining our teeth, as are beets. Few people will ever avoid all of these tooth-staining culprits, and most wouldn’t want to! While it’s best to cut back, there are ways to mitigate the risks while still enjoying yourself.

Everyone wants a pristine smile, but we sabotage ourselves every day. We’re constantly discoloring our teeth with the things we eat and drink. And while you’re probably aware of some of the top culprits, many others fly under the radar with little attention. If you want to keep your pearly whites from turning dingy gray or yellow, here are some foods holding you back. Beverages You probably already know that coffee, tea, and red wine stain your teeth. But they are hardly the only beverages that can dull the brightness of your smile. Surprisingly, white wine and soda, including clear ones, can also discolor our teeth thanks to the acid they contain. Similarly, sports drinks, slushies, and juices can also make your smile less white over time. Water is always the best drink for your oral and overall health. Sauces They may be delicious, but dark sauces can permanently mark our teeth over time. Tomato-based sauces for pasta and curries are notable culprits. Soy sauce and balsamic vinegar also promote discoloration. As with beverages, the dark hue isn’t the only problem; they also contain significant amounts of acid. Since acid breaks down enamel, it helps discoloration seep into our teeth and stay there.

Air Fryer Roasted Salmon With Sautéed Balsamic Spinach Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

INGREDIENTS •

3 tsp olive oil, divided

Dash of crushed red pepper flakes 10 cups fresh baby spinach (about 10 oz) 6 small tomatoes, cut into 1/2- inch pieces

• •

4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) 1 1/2 tsp reduced-sodium seafood seasoning

Call us today at 310.888.7797 to get started and to start earning your free cleaning!

• •

1/4 tsp pepper

1 garlic clove, sliced

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat air fryer to 450 F. Rub 1 tsp oil over both sides of salmon, then sprinkle with seafood seasoning and pepper. In a greased air fryer basket, place salmon. 2. Cook about 10–12 minutes until fish flakes easily. 3. In a 6-qt stockpot, place remaining oil, garlic, and pepper flakes. Heat over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Stir in tomatoes; heat through. 4. In a small saucepan, bring vinegar to a boil. Cook until vinegar is reduced by half, then remove from heat. 5. Arrange spinach on serving dish. Place salmon over spinach mixture and drizzle with balsamic glaze.

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Does Your Smile Show Too Much?

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Remote Work Isn’t Going Anywhere

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When Tooth Extraction Is Necessary

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The Foods Discoloring Your Smile

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Air Fryer Roasted Salmon With Sautéed Balsamic Spinach

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3 Unique Winter Activities to Experience

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WANT TO TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS WINTER? Check Out These 3 Unique Activities

Skating on Mirror Lake at Lake Placid Lake Placid, New York, had the privilege of hosting the Winter Olympics twice, so it’s no surprise they have some amazing cold weather activities to showcase. A truly exceptional experience is skating on Mirror Lake. They have a 2-mile-long ice track where you can test your speed and areas for people to skate openly or play a game of ice hockey. You can even participate in dog sledding there. It’s a beautiful area filled with various winter activities.

Throughout winter, we have the opportunity to participate in many activities that are only possible during this season. We can ski, snowboard, snowshoe, sled, and more. While some people fly south for winter vacations to escape the cold weather, others travel to extraordinary winter destinations within our country. Plenty of options are available if you’re looking for a truly unique experience this winter. Here are three winter activities that will leave you with long- lasting memories.

Snowmobile Tours in Alaska Alaska is one of America’s hidden gems, even though it’s the biggest U.S. state. If you’re looking for unique winter experiences, you’ll want to visit Alaska. One of the coolest adventures you can experience is a snowmobile tour. You can hop aboard a snowmobile and ride the same path as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race or visit some beautiful mountains and glaciers. Many of these tours will lead you right past moose, bears, and caribou as you take in the beauty of Alaska’s environment.

Ice Fishing Excursions in Brainerd, Minnesota While fishing might be more commonly known as a spring or summer activity, you can get plenty of fishing done in the winter if you know where to go. Brainerd is considered one of the best places to visit for ice fishing enthusiasts. There are over 300 fishing lakes near the city, and you can expect to catch bluegill, walleye, largemouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike, and many others. If you like to fish throughout the year, check out Brainerd.

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