Dr. Kourosh Maddahi - October 2019

Dr. Kourosh Maddahi - October 2019

An t i - Ag i ng DENTISTRY MONTHLY NEWS

The Oral Essentials Story OCTOBER 2019

FROM AN IDEA TO REALITY

When you introduce the world to a new idea, you are met with a number of challenges. It was no different when we developed the Lumineux Oral Essentials line of products a few years ago; we met challenge after challenge. I’ve discussed Oral Essentials in the past, but this month, I want to share a few of the challenges we faced getting these oral care products tomarket. We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but we also knew it was something we had to do. One of the earliest challenges centered on the ingredients we wanted to use. I asked questions like, “Which ingredients are absolutely necessary to create an oral care product? Which ingredients will promote healthy hygiene? Which ingredients should we avoid?” We had to find the best ingredients, whichmeant doing a lot of research and experimentation. This led into our next major challenge: How do we formulate these ingredients so they taste right? We all have preconceived notions of what toothpaste andmouthwash should taste like. For most people, it’s a mint flavor. But many enjoy fruit flavors, as well. Finding the right flavors requiredmore trial and error. One problemwe ran into was due to the fact that many healthy ingredients tend to taste horrible. We had to strike a balance—ensuring we’re getting those healthy ingredients in our toothpastes andmouthwashes while avoiding the horrible flavor. One good example is ginger. Ginger is good at fighting bad breath. But when you add ginger to a toothpaste, it does not taste good. It’s much better suited for culinary uses, not oral care products. Thankfully, as we selected each ingredient, we were able to overcome this hurdle. As we formulated the toothpastes andmouthwashes, we encountered yet another big problem. I didn’t want to use preservatives, artificial colors, or emulsifiers. Emulsifiers are added to a lot of food and health care products to prevent ingredients from separating. The problem is these types of ingredients are toxic.

to produce the Oral Essentials line, we had to push them to avoid using preservatives in our hunt to avoid all toxic ingredients.

Once the Oral Essentials line was available in shops and online, the next challenge was educating the public about what sets these products apart from the rest. If you’ve walked down the oral care aisle of any store, you know how many products are available. There is somuch to choose from, and it can be overwhelming. However, none of these other products are certified nontoxic. None of them keep your oral microbiome safe. Many people aren’t familiar with what this means, so they are understandably skeptical. And we were prepared for this from the start. So we sent our toothpastes andmouthwashes to be put to the test. Our products were tested by labs and universities to see if they are what we set out to create: safe and healthy toothpastes, mouthwashes, and whitening strips. The results were conclusive; we accomplished our goal! You can actually read the results and studies at the Oral Essentials website at OralEssentials.com/pages/ scientific-studies. It took a lot of hard work, but I’mglad to see these products on store shelves and in homes across the country and around the world. It’s satisfying to knowwe can make this kind of difference in oral care.

To add to the challenge, most manufacturers require the use of preservatives, which extends the shelf life of a product. When we were looking for a company

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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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Identifying Dry Mouth A Look at a Common Cause of Tooth Decay

Dry mouth is one of the leading causes of tooth decay in older adults. Dry mouth, otherwise known as xerostomia, is the condition in which the mouth becomes abnormally dry, usually for an extended period of time, as a direct result of decreased saliva production. In most cases, dry mouth is a side effect of medication. The number of medications that list dry mouth as a side effect number well into the hundreds. This includes antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and decongestants. Additionally, dry mouth can be caused by a variety of different health conditions, such as anxiety, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

particles and keeping our mouth, gums, and teeth clean between daily brushing and flossing.

What are the symptoms of dry mouth? • Bad breath (halitosis) • Difficulty chewing • Difficulty swallowing • Dryness in the mouth and throat • Dulled taste • Increased tooth decay • Problems wearing dentures • Sensitive gums • Thick saliva

Dry mouth is a common issue, and it can lead to discomfort, difficulty eating, and, over time, tooth decay.

If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, be sure to make an appointment with us as soon as possible. We can help you reduce the symptoms of dry mouth, which can reduce the risk of tooth decay, leading to healthier teeth and gums!

Why does dry mouth cause tooth decay? Under normal circumstances, saliva is critical in preventing tooth decay. Saliva contains acids and enzymes that work to mitigate corrosive bacteria. In essence, saliva keeps bacteria in check while removing small food

Miso Caramel APPLES

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!

This silky caramel recipe is spiked with miso for a complex, rich snack that won’t hurt your teeth.

INGREDIENTS •

4 Granny Smith apples 1/2 cup raw pistachios 1 1/2 tsp plus 1 cup sugar

• • • • •

2 tbsp white miso, divided

• • •

4 Popsicle sticks

Call us today at 888.310.6771 to get started and to start earning your free cleaning!

2 tbsp light corn syrup 1/4 cup heavy cream

3 tbsp sesame seeds

1/4 tsp kosher salt

DIRECTIONS 1.

Heat oven to 275 F.

2. In a food processor, pulse pistachios and 1 1/2 tsp sugar. Add sesame seeds and 1 tbsp miso, pulsing until miso is fully broken up. Spread evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes and let cool. 3. Meanwhile, insert a Popsicle stick into the center of each apple. 4. In a saucepan, bring corn syrup, 1 cup sugar, and 2 tbsp water to a boil. Boil for 5–7 minutes, swirling infrequently, until caramel is a light amber color. 5. Add cream and salt to caramel, whisking to combine. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and quickly whisk in remaining miso. 6. To assemble, first roll apple in caramel, then in pistachio mixture, before resting on greased baking sheet. 7. Let cool 30 minutes and serve.

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The Oral Essentials Story Keep Your Dental Hygiene Fresh Setting the Record Straight Dry Mouth and Tooth Decay Miso Caramel Apples The Real Legend of Sleepy Hollow INSIDE 436 N. Roxbury Dr. #202 Beverly Hills, CA 90210

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delighted to enter the crypt of famed vampire Barnabas Collins.

Hayrides and Headless Horsemen Halloween Celebrations in Sleepy Hollow

Another highly anticipated stop for many guests is Sleepy Hollow’s premier annual attraction, Horseman’s Hollow, an experience not for the faint of heart. During the event, the 300-year-old Philipsburg Manor is transformed into a living nightmare, where vampires, witches, ghouls, and undead soldiers lurk in the shadows. They all serve the dreaded Headless Horseman and are determined to make sure guests don’t leave alive! But it’s not all scares in Sleepy Hollow. There’s plenty of Halloween fun for all ages. Sleepy Hollow boasts relaxing hayrides, tours of Irving’s home, live readings of famous Halloween stories, performances of a brand-new musical based on Irving’s spooky tale, and the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, an incredible exhibition of over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins. If you want a real Halloween experience, you can’t go wrong in Sleepy Hollow. Just be careful not to lose your head!

In 1790, a school teacher named Ichabod Crane was riding home alone from a harvest festival in the village of Sleepy Hollow when he encountered a mysterious rider on horseback. Crane, horrified by the horseman’s missing head, turned and ran in the opposite direction. The Headless Horseman gave chase, hurling his own decapitated head at the terrified teacher. Ichabod Crane was never heard from again ... or so goes “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving.

that in 1997, the village of North Tarrytown, New York, where many events of the story take place, officially changed its name to Sleepy Hollow. Today, the town becomes one big Halloween party during the month of October. Sleepy Hollow is home to many historic landmarks, including the Headless Horseman Bridge and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where Washington Irving himself was laid to rest. Evening lantern tours of the cemetery are a popular attraction, and Irving isn’t the only spooky celebrity buried there. Fans of the Gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows” will be

This story, first published in 1820, has become a Halloween favorite. The legend is so beloved

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