Dr. Kourosh Maddahi - October 2019

4 Important Routines to Maintain

National Dental Hygiene Month

• Brushing and Flossing: These two routines go hand in hand. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing teeth twice every day and flossing once every day. By creating these habits, you decrease the risk of losing teeth when you’re older and limit the chances of developing other health problems. • Rinsing: A toothbrush can’t clean every part of the mouth, which is why rinsing is crucial. After brushing your teeth, a good rinse will help remove any bacteria and biofilm you missed. • Chewing: Another way to improve dental hygiene is to chew sugarless gum after each meal. Gum increases the amount of saliva in the mouth, which helps break down food. The best way to observe National Dental Hygiene Month is to incorporate better oral health into your daily habits, no matter how scary it may seem at first. Start these four routines today so you can trick or treat without guilt later.

Sugar haunts us all during the Halloween season. From bags of chocolate at the grocery store to “borrowing” a few pieces of candy from your kids, temptation is everywhere. However, a sweet little treat now and then is okay, as long as you stay on top of your oral health. October is National Dental Hygiene Month, which is the perfect opportunity to talk about the importance of dental health and the best ways to keep teeth healthy and clean. The goal of National Dental Hygiene Month is to spread awareness about oral health. Oral health is vital, not only to prevent tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease but also to prevent other health problems, like poorly controlled diabetes, strokes, and heart attacks. For 2019, National Dental Hygiene Month is focusing on the four routines that improve oral hygiene: brushing, flossing, rinsing, and chewing. The Goal for 2019

Setting the Record Straight

3 DENTAL MYTHS BUSTED

Dentistry and oral care have no shortage of myths and misconceptions. Unfortunately, many of these fallacies can actually lead to decreased oral health and poor hygiene habits. Here are three dental myths that have people talking: Applying aspirin directly to a tooth will alleviate pain. As odd as it sounds, people have tried to treat tooth pain using aspirin or other over-the-counter medications

less. In reality, bloody gums mean you need to brush and floss more. Ongoing gum bleeding is often the result of plaque and dental debris stuck along the gum line. When it sits too long, gums become inflamed and irritated. To improve this condition, brush gently with soft bristles, and floss regularly. Bleach is a great way to whiten teeth. Technically speaking, this is true. Bleach will whiten your teeth. However, it comes with major risks. Bleach is a harsh chemical, so over time,

topically. For best results, aspirin must make contact with the source of pain through the bloodstream. When aspirin enters the digestive tract, it blocks pain messages from the inflamed body part to the brain, which decreases pain. Placing aspirin directly on your teeth and gums is ineffective. Plus, direct contact of aspirin on gums can leave acidic chemical burns, so it does much more harm than good.

bleaching can cause significant damage to your enamel and your teeth overall. If you are interested in having whiter, brighter teeth, always consult with a dentist first to learn the safest way to whiten your teeth without having to resort to toxic chemicals. If you have concerns about your oral health, are experiencing tooth pain or bleeding gums, or wish to whiten your teeth, make an appointment with Dr. Maddahi! With over 30 years of experience, he can address your concerns and ensure your smile is as amazing as ever!

Stop brushing to stop bleeding gums. Sometimes when people notice their gums are bleeding after brushing, they get in the habit of brushing

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