Dr. Kourosh Maddahi - September/October 2021

Dr. Kourosh Maddahi - September/October 2021

An t i - Ag i ng DENTISTRY NEWS

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

ORAL HEALTH AND FULL-BODY HEALTH It’s All Connected

Your oral health doesn’t only impact your mouth. Research shows that there’s a link between people who have gum disease and people who have heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and early-term pregnancies. It’s clear that oral health affects your overall health, but the question is why — and how? Through my oral care company, Lumineux Oral Essentials, we’ve done 54 clinical studies regarding the relationship between oral health and full-body health. What we’ve found are two main variables that cause this link. First off, people who have gum disease and inflammation also have inflammatory markers in their mouths. Your mouth is designed to pass things through to the rest of your body by a variety of means, so if something is wrong with your mouth, it will affect multiple other organs. In the case of gingivitis, the gums bleed, which means that the inflammatory markers go through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. Inflammatory markers have been connected to both heart disease and asthma. The second fact to take into consideration is that your entire body has a microbiome. Your mouth has a microbiome of its own, which means it’s filled with bacteria, both healthy and harmful. It’s the job of the good bacteria to keep the bad bacteria in check. When the healthy bacteria is disrupted, however, you can start to see disease, infection, and inflammation. Good bacteria can be interrupted by many things. Lifestyle factors like drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and eating foods grown with pesticides can all result in the death of healthy bacteria. You might be

surprised to know that antiseptic and antibacterial mouthwash and toothpaste can do the same thing. In fact, athletes are told not to use antiseptic products for this very reason. Unfortunately, almost 60% of the U.S. population regularly uses antibacterial mouthwash, which kills healthy bacteria in your mouth. In our most recent scientific study, we examined nitric oxide, which is key to both heart and brain health. Nitric oxide opens the veins and arteries, lowers blood pressure, and increases the body’s blood flow to different organs. About 25% of the nitric oxide in our bodies is produced by the microbiome in our mouths. This function can be disrupted if there aren’t enough healthy bacteria present, eventually leading to negative health outcomes. Antiseptic and antibacterial mouthwashes have been shown to kill the bacteria that create nitric oxide, but my Lumineux line of oral care essential products was specifically designed to be microbiome safe. Our most recent study showed that our mouthwash does not disrupt nitric oxide like other mouthwashes do. If you’re the type who likes to “read the science,” you can find out more at OralEssentials.com/blogs/scientific-studies . About 98% of the bacteria in our mouths is considered friendly, so it’s important to do everything you can to protect it. Your overall health will improve — and that’s even more important than having a winning smile.

-Dr. Maddahi

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Throughout World History UNIQUE BEAUTY TRENDS

Ta Moko Tattoos Among the Maori in New Zealand Even today, beauty standards remain disparate. For over 1,000 years, members of the indigenous Maori tribe of New Zealand have decorated their faces with intricate tattoos called Ta moko. Far from what a face tattoo represents in the United States, these tattoos represent strength and beauty in women and a readiness for adult responsibilities in men. Cosmetic Surgery as a Status Symbol in South Korea South Koreans prize porcelain white skin, pointed noses, small faces, and large eyes — to the point where 1 in every 5 people undergo plastic surgery, mostly to alter the shape of their eyes and noses. These surgeries are expensive, which goes to show that even today, people will go to extreme lengths to conform to their society’s definition of beauty.

The phrase “beauty standards” could easily be considered an oxymoron because beauty is rarely standard. Throughout history, what people in one society or time period found beautiful would often be found ugly, strange, or downright reprehensible in another. To illustrate that point, here are a few examples of the strangest beauty trends throughout world history — by our society’s own subjective standards, of course! Unibrows in Ancient Greece Rather than the intensely plucked and manicured eyebrows that are in style for women today, ancient Greek women were encouraged to let them grow into one. Unibrows were seen as a sign of purity, and some women went so far as to darken their eyebrows with black powder or close the gap with animal hair. Skull Shaping in Ancient Mesoamerica Popularized among the Mayans beginning around 1000 B.C., parents of newborn children would bind their heads in order to make them grow into an unnaturally elongated shape, possibly to mimic their depiction of one of their gods. Other tribes around the world actually had similar beauty practices, including the Incas, Hawaiians, and even Germanic Hun tribes.

But if beauty is so plainly subjective, how far should people be willing to go to appear “beautiful”?

3 TIPS TO KICK YOUR SKIN CARE UP A NOTCH BEYOND THE BASICS

Chances are, you already take pretty good care of your skin. You have a favorite cleanser, toner, and moisturizer — and, of course, you never forget the sunscreen. Since you’ve got the basics down, you might be wondering how to take your skin care game to the next level. Here are three lesser-known tips to do just that. Try a non-foaming cleanser. You have a cleanser dedicated to facial use, but is it actually best for your face? Foaming cleansers feel good but contain drying ingredients that can strip your skin of its natural moisture. Even worse, this dryness can cause lines and wrinkles. Staying away from high-foaming cleansers becomes especially important as you age because overly washed skin makes lines appear more prominent. Find a gentle non-foaming cleanser and consider adding a pre-cleanser to your routine to remove surface dirt and oils. Don’t forget your décolletage. You probably already know to apply your skin care products to your neck, because damage there can be just as impactful as damage on your face. But what about your décolletage? The area above your chest is also prone to wrinkles, discoloration, and

other effects of aging, so make sure to give it some

love. If a product goes on your neck, it should go on your chest.

Treat your skin while you sleep. You probably already apply moisturizer at night (retinol preferred), but there’s so much more you can do to help your skin while you snooze. A silk pillowcase is much better than cotton and will help your skin retain moisture. Adding a humidifier to your bedroom will also help avoid dry skin. (While this is especially useful in winter, putting the air conditioner on blast can also zap humidity and wreak havoc on your skin.) Lastly, introduce a sleeping mask into your routine once or twice a week. It will help your normal overnight skin cell replenishment happen more quickly so you can honestly say, “I woke up like this.” Armed with these tips, you’ll enjoy brighter, younger-looking skin. Get ready to be grilled for your secret. We’ll let you choose whether or not you want to share.

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Sugar is the No. 1 food that causes cavity bacteria to grow in our mouths, and the refined sugar found in candy and other processed foods is particularly bad for our teeth. With Halloween coming up, kids and adults alike will be snacking on extra chocolate and other assorted sweets, so you should have some strategies on hand to reduce the dental damage. Prevention, of course, is your best defense. Limiting your intake of candy and other sources of refined sugar will help both your oral health and full-body health. But none of us are perfect, so there are other strategies you can use to protect your teeth after you indulge. When you eat candy, there’s a spike in the number of bad bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria produces acid, which can damage your enamel and eventually cause cavities. Your mouth has its own natural defenses, and friendly bacteria will work to fight the bad bacteria off. For the best results, it’s important to make sure that good bacteria in your mouth stay healthy. You can do so by regularly consuming foods with natural probiotics, such as yogurt and unprocessed cheeses. How You Can Protect Your Teeth From Halloween Candy SUGAR RUSH

But candy produces too much bad bacteria for the good bacteria to handle on their own. You can help by brushing and flossing your teeth 30 minutes to an hour after eating refined sugar. Remember that brushing too soon after eating can cause its own damage to the enamel, so it’s important to wait. Once enough time has passed, brushing and flossing will stop the bad bacteria from living on your teeth for an extended period of time and reduce the amount of damage they can do. Lastly, hard candy can cause significant damage to your teeth if it’s chewed. Biting into hard candy might feel momentarily satisfying, but it can result in fractures and chips to the teeth. If you want to enjoy hard candy, make sure to avoid this bad habit. Whether you’re monitoring your child’s post trick-or-treat snacking or enjoying those treats you saved for yourself, keep these tips in mind to protect those pearly whites. Cavities are one fright you don’t want to deal with this Halloween.

Bring the taste of fall into your kitchen with this sizzling skillet meal. One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken

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!

INGREDIENTS •

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• • •

2 tsp Dijon mustard 4 tsp olive oil, divided

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

• • •

1 tsp salt, divided

3 sweet apples, cut into 1/2- inch slices 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for garnish

1/2 tsp black pepper, divided

1/2 cup apple cider

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DIRECTIONS 1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider and mustard. Set aside. 3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs top-side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Wipe the skillet clean. 4. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet, then add sliced apples, remaining salt and pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Return the chicken to the skillet and add apple cider-mustard mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve sprinkled with rosemary!

Inspired by WellPlated.com

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The Link Between Oral Health and Full-Body Health

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Unique Historical Beauty Trends

3 Tips to Kick Your Skin Care Up a Notch

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Protecting Your Teeth From Halloween Candy

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One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken

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The Best Places to Visit in Croatia

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The Best Places to Visit in Croatia Your Next Affordable Vacation Spot!

Split The second largest city in Croatia (the first being Zagreb) is Split, founded by a Greek colony in the second or third century B.C. Historically, Split enjoyed being an independent city-state many times, and that free spirit is very tangible, as Split is very different from any other city in Croatia. With well-preserved Roman architecture and a multitude of museums, it’s no wonder Split is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although Croatia was among the first UN countries to open its doors to Americans, always be safe and check the newest regulations before booking your travel. Hopefully you enjoyed learning about this unique, wonderful country!

This gorgeous coastal nation will absolutely blow you away with its beautiful architecture, landscapes, and delicious blend of Mediterranean and Slavic cuisine. Even better, it’s a fairly affordable place to visit! While many travelers land in Zagreb, the beautiful capital city and cultural hub, you wouldn’t want to miss these destinations. Dubrovnik As the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” this coastal city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Adriatic Sea. It’s a beautiful city, featuring 13th century walls, marble stone streets, Gothic palaces, breathtaking churches, and an imposing fortress. There’s so much to do in the town square — one of Croatia’s largest and most beautiful — and you’ll be able to explore

many historic structures nearby. Nature also has plenty to offer, with secluded coves and beaches nearby for exploration. Plitvice Lakes National Park Near the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina, you’ll find one of Croatia’s oldest and most beautiful national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although it’s quite the drive, you won’t regret it — the park has an outstanding and picturesque series of tufa lakes and caves, all connected by waterfalls. With over 16 interconnected cascading lakes, it’s unlike anything else you’ll see. If you get hungry, you’ll love the nearby National Restaurant Licka Kuca, which is famous for its traditional Croatian preparation of lamb under a cast-iron bell.

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