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ANTI-AGING DENTISTRY NEWS
JULY/AUGUST 2022
THROUGH GRITTED TEETH How Clenching and Grinding Affect Your Health
Here is a common scenario in my office: Upon examining a patient, I notice signs that they have been clenching or grinding their teeth. I’ve found that if I ask them directly whether they clench or grind, they deny it. That’s the funny thing about grinding — people don’t even realize they’re doing it. Now I try a different approach and ask patients whether their top and bottom teeth touch. They’re not supposed to, but to clenchers, it feels normal. Many people are very surprised to learn that’s not the way it’s supposed to be. (You might be having your own lightbulb moment right now.) Any time your teeth are touching, you’re clenching. Chewing doesn’t count because food acts as a buffer between your teeth to keep them from touching directly. Meanwhile, grinding occurs when you move your teeth against each other while clenching them. It’s typically caused by a bad bite that prevents the teeth from fitting together well. But why does it matter? Clenching and grinding can cause all kinds of problems for your health. Clenching and grinding both wear down the teeth and put unnecessary pressure on them. Over time, the teeth become sensitive to hot and cold or break and require repairs. The effects can extend beyond the inside of your mouth. Clenching will eventually lead to headaches, jaw aches, and joint pain if left untreated for too long. Unfortunately, that’s what happens to many patients. The problem is that 80% of people who clench do it in their sleep. So, they don’t realize they’re doing it — and too often, no one tells them of the signs. As a result, many people need crowns and implants to correct the damage. But joint damage isn’t so simple to treat, so prevention is the best medicine. A night guard won’t stop you from clenching your teeth, but it will protect your teeth from the damage that clenching causes. It’s a simple and noninvasive solution that pays big dividends over the long run. If your dentist recommends one, you should listen — they might be saving you thousands of dollars of dental work down the line.
People who clench during the daytime face a different struggle. I urge these patients to be more aware of how they hold their teeth by resting their tongues on the floor or roof of their mouths. This step helps them find a relaxed position and be more conscious of how they should be resting their jaws. It takes a lot of practice, but vigilance can reduce the damage. Orthodontics isn’t only cosmetic, and we usually treat grinding by realigning the teeth or adding crowns to even the bite. And while night guards work for most people, they don’t cure the problem for everyone. Some people clench so aggressively that they still get headaches and sore muscles with a night guard. We treat these patients with Botox to reduce the tension, but such cases are rare. It can be difficult for many people to believe that something as simple as how we hold our mouths can so profoundly impact our health. But I’ve seen the evidence myself countless times. If you’re concerned about clenching or grinding, make an appointment today to learn more about your options. We’ll be glad to find solutions that will give you a healthier and happier life.
-Dr. Maddahi
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IS IT TIME FOR A DIGITAL DETOX? When you need a break from your busy life, you probably look at your cellphone. And when you need a break from your cellphone, you might watch TV or browse social media on your other devices. This cycle of never-ending screens can be taxing on your mental health. Everyone hits their breaking point at a different time, and you may not even realize when you’ve reached your limit. If you find yourself getting angry or upset at posted content, consistently comparing yourself to others, or feeling depressed, it may be time for a digital detox. Another benefit is that you’ll feel less stressed, especially if you compare yourself to others on social media or get lost in negative news cycles. Perhaps the most notable benefit of a digital detox is reclaiming your own time. Checking your cellphone and scrolling through social media can quickly become
a subconscious habit. Before you know it, an hour or two has passed. Even watching television can take up huge chunks of your day. With a digital detox, you get that time back, and you can reallocate it to healthier activities.
But what is a digital detox? It’s taking a break from electronic devices, such as your cellphone or tablet, and mindlessly scrolling through social media or news stories.
Now that you know what it is, how can you detox yourself?
• Schedule a break from your devices. Even if it’s just for a half- hour, use the time to do other activities, such as exercise, household chores, or even gardening. • Turn off notifications. Constant notifications can be incredibly distracting, so silencing them allows us to focus more on our surroundings. • Disconnect before bedtime. Turn off all electronics an hour before you go to sleep to relax your body and mind.
If you feel like you need a break from
your electronic devices, take one. It could lead to a healthier and happier life.
WHY MOUTHWASH SHOULD BE PART OF YOUR DAILY ROUTINE WHEN BRUSHING ISN’T ENOUGH
We all know that we should brush our teeth twice a day to protect our dental health, but teeth only make up about 24% of the inside of your mouth. What about the other 76%? It’s still affected by bacteria and needs cleaning. That’s where mouthwash comes in, and more people should consider it a non- optional part of their oral health routine.
between the teeth with your toothbrush. Flossing helps (and you should do it), but it’s not the same as killing the bacteria. Mouthwash can help penetrate those tiny gaps where toothpaste can’t reach. We recommend using mouthwash twice every day — after breakfast and before bed. This routine will prevent harmful bacteria from festering overnight while ensuring your mouth is fresh and clean throughout the day.
That might sound like a good thing, but it’s not. Many of the bacteria in our mouths are helpful and keep us healthy. Killing them harms your oral microbiome, and when it’s thrown off balance, it can cause bad breath, tooth decay, and eventually tooth loss. Dr. Maddahi’s Lumineux mouthwash works differently by targeting only the bad bacteria while leaving the healthy bacteria intact. Even better, it uses all-natural ingredients, and several varieties are sure to meet your specific oral care needs. Whether you’re looking to prevent dry mouth, whiten your teeth, protect your teeth from sensitivity, or just experience great-smelling breath, there’s a variety to suit your needs. Learn more at LumineuxHealth.com, or buy the products at your preferred local or online retailer. And if you have questions about any aspect of your oral health, please don’t hesitate to ask during your next appointment!
Mouthwash has many benefits. It helps prevent gum disease by killing the harmful bacteria that
can linger in your mouth. It improves the freshness of your breath and fights tooth decay. And hydrating mouthwashes can help people suffering from dry mouth by helping the body produce more of its own saliva.
The process only takes a minute and will pay big dividends. But not all mouthwash is created equal. Traditional mouthwashes contain ingredients like alcohol and hydrogen peroxide that kill all of the bacteria in your mouth.
Further, you won’t have much luck getting
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Your Whole Health Smiles With You What happens to your mouth impacts what happens to the rest of your body. We’ve shared before that poor oral health is linked with heart disease, preterm birth, Alzheimer’s disease, and many other ailments. Keeping your mouth healthy is good for the rest of your body. But cosmetic procedures that give you the confidence to smile can also provide benefits. The science backs it up: Smiling is good for us. A 2010 study found that people with more intense smiles live longer. Meanwhile, additional research shows that happiness is associated with longevity, indicating that your mood might matter just as much as your diet for a healthy lifestyle. That’s not all. Smiling reduces stress, improves mood, and can even reduce pain. Some research suggests it may also help lower blood pressure and heart rate, and experts believe that smiling might also boost your immune system. Even better, in addition to this, your smile can also help other people feel good because smiling is contagious, making the people you’re interacting with more likely to smile when you’re smiling. EASY VEGAN BAKED BEANS July is National Baked Beans Month, and you don’t need bacon to celebrate this iconic side dish! This plant-based version will be a crowd-pleaser at your next vegan barbecue. There are other social benefits. Many studies have shown that people view those who smile as more attractive and younger than those who don’t. Additional research indicates that frequent smilers appear more confident and are generally more successful than their frowny counterparts. If you’re not a big smiler, your goal should be to fake it until you make it. The more often you do this, the easier it will come. And the very act of smiling is likely to make you feel better. Studies have shown that smiling relieves stress WHEN YOU’RE SMILING
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! Still, some people smile less often than they should — or even less than they want to — because they’re ashamed about their teeth. If that describes you, cosmetic dentistry can help provide the confidence you need to show your pearly whites to the world! Orthodontics, whitening, veneers, and implants can correct your specific concerns and produce a smile you’ll be proud to show off. Make your appointment today — your happiness and health could depend on it. and elevates your mood even if the smile is forced. Smiling even helps release feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin — so when you’re feeling down might be the best time to put on a happy face.
INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp olive oil •
• •
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Call us today at 310.888.7797 to get started and to start earning your free cleaning!
1 yellow onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
• • • • •
3/4 cup molasses
• •
2 tsp Sriracha
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 15-oz cans navy beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 tbsp liquid smoke (optional)
3/4 cup ketchup
3/4 tsp salt
•
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. 2. In a large pot over medium
3. Add all of the remaining ingredients except the beans into the pot. Mix the sauce well, then stir in the beans. 4. Ladle the beans into a 9x13- inch pan and bake for 1 hour. Serve warm and enjoy!
heat, warm olive oil. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Inspired by NoraCooks.com
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The Long-Term Impacts of Grinding and Clenching
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The Benefits of a Digital Detox
PAGE 2
Is Mouthwash Necessary?
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How Smiling Benefits Your Health
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Easy Vegan Baked Beans
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3 Summer Food Festivals Worth the Trip
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Traveling for the Food?
DON’T MISS THESE 3 FESTIVALS
Key West Lobsterfest (Florida) Aug. 11–14, KeyWestLobsterfest.com
According to AAA, millions of Americans take “culinary-focused vacations” every year. We’ll travel to Philadelphia for cheesesteaks, Texas for barbecue, Louisiana for gumbo … you get the idea. Our culture loves to eat! If you’re a traveling foodie, you are in luck: Add these three summer festivals to your must-visit list for this summer or future food-finding trips.
also a beer garden, because as the organizers put it, “Beer and pierogies go together as well as peanut butter and jelly.” Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival (New York) July 31; JerkFestivalNY.com Yes, New York City is home to fantastic pizza and bagels, but it’s also a Caribbean food hub! At this festival, visitors can stuff themselves with jerk chicken, enjoy whole fish, and drink icies straight from hollowed-out pineapples. Six
This year is the 25th annual Key West Lobsterfest! Seafood lovers come from all corners to enjoy the crustacean-crazed festival, which includes a cinematic lobster boil at sunset, a lobsterfest pool party, a pub crawl, and an all-you-can-eat-and- drink lobster brunch. Head to the website to learn more and score delicious lobster recipes — even if you can’t attend!
Pierogi Fest (Indiana) July 29–31; PierogiFest.net
The Polish pierogi is a humble food: mashed potatoes and cheese wrapped in soft dough and either fried, baked, or grilled to perfection. But simplicity should be celebrated! In Whiting, Indiana, Pierogi Fest is a three-day affair that brings in more than 300,000 people for events like a Polka Parade, a pierogi toss, and, of course, pierogies stuffed with everything from cheese to alligator meat. Of course, there’s
celebrity chefs will make appearances this year to compete in food contests and show off their Jamaican roots and/or dishes. When attendees aren’t eating, they can relax at a musical or cultural performance.
Want more food festival intel? We’ve got you. Visit Insider.com and search “food and drink festivals” for a list of 28 top food attractions, ranked by Yelp reviews.
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