Dr. Maddahi Dentistry November 2017

Dr. Maddahi Dentistry November 2017

An t i - Ag i ng DENT I STRY November 2017

Dr. Kourosh Maddahi

C O S M E T I C & A N T I - A G I N G D E N T I S T R Y

What I’m Grateful For

WHAT IT MEANS TO PRACTICE DENTISTRY IN BEVERLY HILLS

I have had the fortune of living in Beverly Hills for most of my life. I love the city and the people who live here. I was 13 years old when I decided I wanted to be a dentist. I also knew that I wanted a practice right here in Beverly Hills. When I graduated from dental school at age 24, I made that dream come true. I rented office space from one of my professors from USC and jumped right into practice. More than that, I knew exactly what kind of dentistry I wanted to practice. I didn’t want to practice ordinary dentistry. I wanted to offer something ideal for people by acknowledging health concerns and providing incredible results. To this end, I’m grateful I was able to not only realize my dream of becoming a dentist, but to become the dentist I had dreamed about years ago. I made it my goal and I focused on it. I was persistent and I developed the skills I needed to achieve that goal. There’s also something to be said about being able to practice cosmetic dentistry. It is very different than preventative or restorative dentistry. There’s an exhilaration to it. Even after having practiced for three decades, I continue to be amazed by the transformative power of cosmetic dentistry. I’m as amazed as I was the very first day I started. The reason why is simple: Every person I work with is unique. They have a unique story and unique needs. They come to me and I play a major role in changing their lives for the better. Then they return to tell me that they have more confidence, feel freer, and are able to be themselves. I have even worked with patients who were reluctant to venture out into public. They were concerned with their teeth and their smile. They felt held back and avoided social situations. One patient spent six months out of the public light, and another spent two years avoiding many of the social situations we take for granted. Eventually, they decided they’d had enough and met with me to change their smile —which then transformed their entire outlook. They went from avoiding public life to pursuing new careers and enjoying time with family and friends.

I’m grateful I had the opportunity be a part of these transformations. There is a lot of pressure when it comes to delivering these kinds of results. I am responsible for a specific outcome. I have do what I promise to do. That said, I wouldn’t change it for the world. There may be a lot of pressure to deliver those results, but I love it. I wouldn’t want to do anything else. I look back to my 13-year-old self and I’m grateful I made the decision to become a dentist. I’m grateful I set goals and established myself in my favorite city. Now, people from all over the world visit me to renew their smiles. In fact, 30 percent of the patients I see are from out of town. Another 30 percent come to me to fix dental work that was done by someone else. This is work that did not meet the patient’s standards or even led to further complications. They came to me because they heard something good. They knew I was here to deliver the results they needed to smile once again. And when I see a patient smile —whether it’s for the first time in two years or the first time after a treatment — it’s a smile I cherish and feel grateful for.

-Dr. Maddahi

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OTIS: UNLIKELY HURRICANE HERO

August, the nation was put to the test after Hurricane Harvey struck Texas, displacing millions from their homes and taking dozens of lives. Activists, charitable organizations, and ordinary people sprang into action to provide needed relief. Journalists, professional and otherwise, brought back stories and images of the destruction in Harvey’s aftermath. Among those stories was one dog who went viral for exemplifying that resilient Texas spirit. Otis, a German shepherd mix, belongs to a 5-year-old boy in Sinton, Texas, just north of Corpus Christi. He’s cherished by his owner, but if you talk to other residents, you could say he belongs to the whole town. “He’s a special dog,” said Salvador Segovia, the grandfather of Otis’ owner. “He’s been instrumental in helping my grandson following numerous hospital visits for seizures and asthma.” Apparently Otis has a free pass other dogs in Sinton don’t have. He can saunter down to the Dairy Queen and score a free hamburger. Salvador says he’s also the only dog allowed to lie down in front of the county court house and refers to him as “a local celebrity.” He has an affable personality and a quiet demeanor. But, as the hurricane proved, Otis also had a fighting spirit.

after the storm, a woman snapped a picture of a damp Otis trotting down the street. In his mouth, he toted an entire bag of dog food, and not a small one. The woman posted the picture to Facebook. “This dog is walking around Sinton, Texas, carrying a [sic] entire bag of dog food with him. LOL #refugee,” the caption read.

The image resonated with people and quickly went viral, being shared over 50,000 times. The people of the Lone Star State have long prided themselves on their pluck and resilience. “Must be a Texas dog cause [sic] he can survive without help,” one commenter wrote online. Another site called him “the hero Texas needed.” Otis’ canine resilience was both humorous and inspirational. The most powerful images in a crisis aren’t of Air Force One or of celebrities donating millions. They’re of ordinary people — and pets — striving, surviving, and making their way back home, just like Otis.

When Harvey struck, dogs, cats, and people went into survival mode. For Otis, that meant gathering resources. The morning

BEFORE AND AFTER

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Ruin Your Teeth This Bad Advice Will

Most people like to be helpful. If someone is having a hard time, we’ll happily offer some advice. However, even the most well- intended advice can have damaging consequences. When it comes to our teeth, there is a lot of misinformation going around. Here are some common bits of “wisdom” you can ignore.

alcohol in mouthwash has been known to cause dry mouth, which can make your breath smell worse and lead to more germs. Studies from BioMed Research International found alcohol-free mouthwash may have a better effect on the gloss, color, and hardness of your teeth.

BAD ADVICE: Use activated charcoal to whiten your teeth.

BAD ADVICE: Don’t brush bleeding gums; give them time to heal.

Activated charcoal, which is not the same as the bricks in your barbecue, is the latest beauty craze, thanks to its ability to absorb chemicals and toxins. Walk down the health and beauty aisle, and you’ll find charcoal in soap, face masks, shampoo, moisturizer, and deodorant. However, before you use charcoal to whiten your teeth, remember most stains are beneath the surface, where the charcoal can’t reach. Furthermore, scrubbing the gritty, abrasive substance across your teeth is likely to erode your enamel and damage your gums, leading to more dental problems.

Bleeding gums are often a symptom of gum disease or a warning that gum disease is on the horizon. When plaque is allowed to build, it hardens into tartar. This calcified material irritates your gums and can potentially wear them down. The only way to remove the damaging plaque buildup is to brush your gums regularly. Not brushing due to bleeding will only lead to further problems. However, it’s important to determine the cause of bleeding, as it may also have something to do with your toothbrush or diet. If your gums are bleeding regularly, let your dentist know. When we give advice, we certainly mean well, but the best of intentions don’t make up for bad results. Let’s stick to what we know and leave the dental advice to the experts.

BAD ADVICE: The best kind of mouthwash has alcohol.

If your mouthwash burns, it likely contains alcohol. Some insist the burning means the mouthwash is working, but alcohol isn’t necessary for mouthwash to be effective. Alcohol just stabilizes the formula. It isn’t what kills germs or freshens breath. In fact,

Have a Laugh

SLOW COOKER Sweet Potato Soup Ingredients • 3 pounds sweet potatoes, roughly chopped • 1 onion, chopped • 2 stalks celery, sliced • 2 medium carrots, chopped • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced • 5 cups chicken or vegetable stock • 1 cup coconut milk • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Instructions 1. Place all the ingredients except for the coconut milk in a slow cooker. 2. Season everything to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. 3. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours. 4. Puree everything until smooth, using a blender or an immersion blender. 5. Add the coconut milk, give everything a good stir, and cook for another 30 minutes. 6. Adjust the seasoning and serve warm.

Recipe courtesy of PaeloLeap.com.

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Dr. Kourosh Maddahi

www.drmaddahi.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

310.888.7797 | 888.310.6771

C O S M E T I C & A N T I - A G I N G D E N T I S T R Y

INSIDE 436 N. Roxbury Dr. #202 Beverly Hills, CA 90210

page 1

The Things I’m Thankful For

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A Very Good Boy

page 2

Before and After Photos

page 3

Can Tall Tales Destroy Your Teeth?

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Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

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Carve Your Turkey at The Greenbrier

America’s Resort THANKSGIVING AT

This Thanksgiving, many Americans plan to go over the river and through the woods to sleep on the air mattress at grandmother’s house. But your family Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be crowded and uncomfortable. For generations, The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, has brought families together for a weekend of true American elegance. The local hot springs have been popular with travelers since 1778, but The Greenbrier didn’t come to life until 1913. The sprawling 710-room national landmark sits on 11,000 acres of rolling hills and has been described as “‘Monte Carlo’ meets ‘Gone With the Wind.’” The blend of Colonial decor and Hollywood Regency flourishes make guests feel as if they have stepped back in time, while still offering all the modern amenities. Mom and Grandma relax in the spa, Grandpa enjoys a round of golf, the siblings all go off-roading in a Jeep, and later, the whole

family faces off in a game of laser tag. With 55 leisure activities offered at the resort, make every day as busy or as relaxing as you want before enjoying a gourmet dinner at one of the resort’s six full-time restaurants. The Greenbrier is a dream getaway anytime of the year, but America’s resort really goes all-out for the traditional American holiday, Thanksgiving. Family members from every generation can find something fun to do before the family gathers together for the massive Thanksgiving brunch in The Greenbrier’s Colonial Hall. The award- winning culinary brigade serves up Thanksgiving classics, like soft rolls and roasted turkey, alongside marinated mussels and ricotta tortellini. Make time for the horse-drawn carriage ride and evening gala, and you have the perfect Thanksgiving.

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