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Preventative Dentistry

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Dental Credit Means No More Stress Or Worry About Your Family’s Dental Needs

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Have you recently discovered that you or a family member is in need of dental care, and you just don’t have the finances to handle the work needed? Does you insurance not cover the procedures that you require? Los Angeles family dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, has a dentist office in Beverly Hills that will work with you on establishing a dental credit line.

Dr. Maddahi’s office works closely with several credit providers to ensure that their patients are able to get the dental work that they need. They specialize in finding simple, convenient, affordable lines of credit to make certain that your family can maintain excellent dental health.

Maybe you just experienced a dental emergency and need to repair a few teeth. Perhaps you have several teeth that need to be replaced. Or you’d like implants. Possibly you have been considering cosmetic dentistry. Or maybe you have not had a checkup or cleaning recently? Perhaps you did have a checkup and found you needed some work, or maybe you have sensitive teeth and gums?

You can usually apply for credit in just a few minutes. If you prefer, you can call the office before your appointment to get your credit line setup.  Or you can submit your application after you are given your treatment plan from Dr. Maddahi. As soon as it is approved, you can begin your treatment.

In most cases, once you have been approved for that line of credit, you may use it for on-going and additional treatment, and for any member of the family. There is usually no need to re-apply. If you are able to pay off the loan early, you may, if and when you would like. There are never any pre-payment penalties with your credit line.

Many of our credit choices will have no down payment or annual fees charged, depending of course on the initial agreement. You will always be given options to choose between several payment plans and you can usually set up low monthly payments. Different lines of credit offer several convenient payment options, so you can get the dental work that you want, when you need it most.

As an example, some providers offer No Interest Plans for three, six, twelve and eighteen months. These charge you no interest when you pay the required minimum monthly payment, as long as you pay off the remaining balance within the agreed-upon period. These are usually the most popular plans. Dr. Maddahi’s office tries to find you plans that have an interest rate that is more competitive than most bankcards, and include a fixed, monthly payment.

Dental credit lines can be ideal for co-payments, deductibles, treatment not covered by insurance, and of course, patients without any dental insurance. Once your credit line is approved you will no longer have to have any stress or worry about how to pay for the dental work your family needs.

Expert Los Angeles family dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi has been specializing in beautiful, natural smiles and superior dental health for his patients at his Beverly Hills dentist office for 22 years. Call Dr. Maddahi today and schedule a free dental consultation.

Oral Health Care Habits

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Smiles say a lot. A smile can say “hello”. A smile can say “I care”. A smile can say “I like that”. Or a smile can say “I don’t care – about me”. A person who has dirty, dingy, broken teeth or people who are missing teeth, certainly express a certain impression about themselves.

Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, Beverly Hills dentist, is concerned with the Los Angeles population and their smiles – that is, with their teeth. Among what are considered the top fifteen U.S. metropolitan regions, Los Angeles ranked in the bottom three with regard to dental care. The three best were the Bay Area, Philadelphia and Boston.

Recently a survey of American adults regarding personal dental care habits was conducted by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. That survey found that only twenty-nine percent of those surveyed actually brush and floss once a day, as well as have a teeth cleaning at the dentist once a year. Many forgo at least one of these.

Of those who do brush and floss daily and annually visit the dentist for a cleaning, eighty-four percent said their motivation was to keep teeth and gums healthy. The other reason, given by eighty percent, was simply to clean the teeth of food and other debris.

Are you a poor brusher? Do you also have trouble getting dates? Seventy-three percent said they would not be involved with a partner who did not brush their teeth at least once a day. Forty-one percent of those said their partner has to brush twice a day.

If you are considering improving your statistics in the area, but want a few weeks to brush first, you are not alone. Seventy-seven percent of those surveyed said that they brush their teeth more thoroughly than usually when they know they are going to see the dentist.

Although we all have been told, our entire lives, that a professional teeth cleaning by the dentist or dental hygienist is important for our dental health and welfare, almost half of the population have not had their teeth cleaned professionally in the past year. Only fifty-three percent said they had.

On the other hand, they know that they should be taking better care of their teeth. More than one quarter of the surveyed American adults said they are not satisfied with their current oral health care routine and they feel they should improve it.

That could be because they don’t necessarily feel that there exists solutions for what they consider the most important factor in dental hygiene, removing bacteria and germs. Yet only 52 percent felt that their current oral health care routine actually was effective at doing so.

Those surveyed had one other beef. Sixty-nine percent said that they feel it important that toothpaste clean between the teeth. Only forty-nine percent feel that their toothpaste is effectively cleaning between the teeth.

Los Angeles dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi stresses solutions for all oral health and hygiene troubles. His dentist office in Beverly Hills provides high tech procedures and equipment to resolve any dental problem there may be.

How Can Your Overall Wellness be Affected by Your Dental Health?

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

In this day and age wellness and longevity of life are extremely popular subjects. It seems impossible to look at the cover of a paper or magazine, or to watch television or listen to the radio, without seeing or hearing some matter of how to be healthier and live a longer life. Beverly Hills Dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, a top family dentist, warns that there are numerous dental factors that can be harmful to your overall heath.

Dental disease has been often considered minor and something to be easily ignored. But dental disease can contribute to numerous ailments and is reported to actually shorten life expectancy.  If a patient disregards infection of the mouth such as gum disease, infected root canals, infected cavities or other unhandled oral disease, the effects can be quite serious.

“Gum disease alone has been found to have increased the risk of heart attack, increased risk of stroke, raised the severity of diabetes, contributed to respiratory disease, interfered with proper digestion and can even contribute to low pre-term birth weights.”, Dr. Maddahi explains, “It has also been seen to play a role in osteoporosis, to severely stress the immune system and of course, lower resistance to other infections.”

Dr. Maddahi uses the newest high-tech equipment to work on gums and teeth at his Beverly Hills office. This can make the visits faster, less painful and the procedure more precise. Using IntraOral Cameras, they view with clarity each tooth and gum surface in the mouth.

There is also a 40x by 1600x, high-resolution Trinocular Compound Microscope in use at his office. This allows the doctor, the patient and the hygienist to digitally view the moving bacteria of the mouth on a computerized video screen.

Most importantly, a state-of-the-art laser is used for soft tissue surgery, curing, and sterilizing with the benefit of no anesthetic needed or just topical anesthetic to get started. In the treatment of periodontal disease, dental lasers are employed to treat infected gums. This has been known to reduce inflammation as well as keeping the area free from returning bacteria for up to 60 days. Infected tissue will then grow back bacteria free.

With laser treatment and proper patient home care, periodontal disease can be a thing of the past. Dr. Maddahi explains how a laser works: “A laser is a device that produces a very fine, intense beam of light that renders energy. When a laser comes in contact with tissue, it causes a reaction that can remove, vaporize or shape tissue, depending on the kind of laser being used. Because the laser beam is so narrow, it allows for a precision that is just not possible with other surgical tools.”

The newest dental research and discovery has revealed that disregarded dental infections are linked to a variety of health problems. If a person allows gum disease to develop into periodontitis – which is an advanced stage of the disease – such problems as stroke and heart disease can result. Researchers have also linked periodontitis to high blood sugar levels, bacterial pneumonia, pancreatic cancer and even low birth weight as well as premature birth.

Beverly Hills family dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, will guide your dental health using the newest in advanced dental equipment and procedures employing gentle dentistry in his spa-like office setting, to assist you in avoiding numerous dental factors that can be harmful to your overall heath.

Preventative Care in Dentistry Contributes to Optimum Health

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Preventative medicine is becoming more widely accepted and adopted as a successful route in keeping ourselves healthy. Wikipedia defines preventative medicine as, “Preventive medicine or preventive care is measures taken to prevent illness or injury, rather than curing them. Preventive care may include examinations and screening tests tailored to an individual’s age, health, and family history.” Beverly Hills Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Kourosh Maddahi educates his patients about the wisdom of extending their preventative medical regimen to their mouths.

We know that a thorough and consistent oral hygiene program, when practiced daily, is a fundamental cornerstone to an oral preventative program. Mothers begin instilling this habit in their children from a very early age by teaching them to brush their teeth in the morning and before bedtime. Good oral hygiene is essential to both our visual image and our general health.

The absence of a daily oral hygiene practice can bring on a host of problems that begin in our mouths and can move to other parts of our bodies. Recent studies are linking heart attacks and strokes to gum disease. The American Dental Association states, “There is evidence that bacteria in the mouth which are associated with gum disease may be linked to heart disease, artery blockage and stroke.” Good oral hygiene coupled with regular checkups will keep your teeth and gums in optimum condition and potentially reduce your risk of life-threatening diseases.

Gingivitis, the beginning stage of gum disease, results in elevated levels of bacteria in the infected areas in the mouth. If left untreated the next stage of Gingivitis is called Periodontitis. At this stage there is a state of chronic inflammation wherein the body breaks down the bone and tissue in the infected area, which ultimately results in bone and tooth loss. If oral hygiene is integrated into our daily routines, the chance of gum disease is drastically reduced as well as accompanying whole body risks.

The complimentary element to our personal hygiene is regular dental checkups. These visits to our dentist help keep our gums and teeth in optimum condition and also detect problems such as cavities, gum disease and oral cancer at an early stage. Diagnosing and treating oral cancer at an early stage is essential, needless to say. And seeing as gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults, visiting our dentist regularly will help keep this in check. Again, prevention is the key here – early detection ensures that we keep our teeth. When we retain our teeth we chew better, assimilate the foods we eat and enjoy better health.

A general guideline for adults and children is to visit a dentist for a regular checkup and cleaning every six months. If someone is at a greater risk for oral cancer it is advised that checkups be scheduled at smaller intervals so that their dentist can screen for it. Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, when scheduling a patient’s next visit to his Beverly Hills Dental Spa, will take into account their use of tobacco and alcohol as well as whether they are pregnant, have diabetes, are at risk for oral cancer, have existing periodontal and gum disease or if they have poor oral hygiene.

Dr. Kourosh Maddahi stresses the importance of a well-balanced preventive dental program. The basis to a beautiful natural looking smile is a combined program of daily hygiene and regular visits to your dentist for thorough and meticulous dental care. Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, a caring Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, can then build on a healthy mouth to bring whatever aesthetic improvements his clients want and need.

Poor Dental Health Can Lead to Critical Infections That May Cause Disease and Illness

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

Regular visits to the dentist are considered a must, but do we really understand why? Are there actual health threats that can be alleviated by routinely visiting the dentist? Beverly Hills dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, explains to his patients that when teeth are regularly cleaned and checked, dental health and more is under control.

Poor dental health has been found to bring about critical infections, causing disease and illnesses such as gum disease, bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more. Regular check-ups and cleanings can prevent these problems, in addition to assuring excellent oral hygiene.

Beverly Hills family dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, feels that it is important for his patients to be aware of the theory behind dentistry, “Periodontal treatment is that branch of dentistry dealing with the health and care of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth.  The word means, literally, around the tooth, from peri- which is around and odontos, which is tooth. Bacteria inflaming the tissue housing the roots of the tooth are known as periodontal disease.”

“Treatment is in the form of regular dental cleaning and, in less healthy instances, full tooth scaling (scraping bacterial plaque and calculus from the tooth).  State of the art ultrasonic scaling equipment is more thorough and less invasive than scraping; however it is not as comfortable a procedure for those patients with sensitivity issues.”

The destruction of the structure of teeth is called tooth decay.  Tooth decay is caused when plaque, which is a film on the teeth and gums made up of microorganisms, mixes with sugars and/or starches of food.  Jointly they create an acidic substance that can eat through the enamel – the solid exterior of the tooth. If decay reaches the pulp of the tooth, then a root canal may be needed to save the tooth.

Therefore, it is vital to make a habit of brushing teeth – for at least two minutes, minimally twice a day, and to floss before bedtime. Tooth decay can also be prevented by eating healthy foods, and avoiding high-sugar drinks and snacks.
 
A regular dental checkup is necessary in order to maintain superior dental health because even slight decay can eat at the tooth’s surface and affect the nerve of the tooth in as short a time as one year. Without regular cleanings and dental checkups you might find yourself getting a dental implant or root canal instead of a clean bill of health.

How often are regular checkups needed?  It is advised for children as well as adults to see the dentist every six months.  It is important to get the teeth checked for and new decay, and to have a proper cleaning.

See a dental hygienist twice a year.  The hygienist can help remove plaque that is not affected by daily tooth brushing and flossing. The special tools the hygienist uses can remove this difficult plaque.

There is a noticeable difference in the cleanliness of the teeth usually after a visit with the hygienist.   Additionally, most visits with a hygienist include education on how to better take care of the gums and teeth.  Usually she can see if special guidance is needed after observing the condition of the teeth and gums before and after the cleaning.

Los Angeles dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, ensures his patients understand the importance of regular teeth cleaning and dental checkups at his Beverly Hills dentist office. His objective are not only beautiful, natural new smiles but also that each one of us has their dental health really under control.

Why Daily Care of the Teeth is a Simple but Vital Activity

Monday, April 27th, 2009

It has been found that daily tooth brushing is not the only factor leading to healthy teeth, gums and mouths and the circumvention of decay that ultimately leads to cavities, root canals and tooth loss.

What you eat and how long it remains in your mouth is a vital factor to dental health.  Teeth are most affected by sugars, any sugar including brown sugar and the natural sugars found in fruit and dairy products, is a tooth’s worst enemy. 

Foods such as raisins and other dried fruits tend to stick to the teeth, enhancing the action of destructive acids.  As a rule, starchy foods should be eaten with other foods. Hard candies, breath mints and cough drops also stay in the mouth longer than other foods. Obviously, the more often you snack on foods like these, the greater the threat of hosting enamel-destroying acids.

The variety of toothbrushes available are so diverse they can take up almost a whole aisle at the grocery store.  According to Beverly Hills family dentist, Kourosh Maddahi, “The important thing is that you choose a soft brush and that it has round-ended bristles.  This will be sturdy enough to clean the teeth and stimulate the gums, but not scrub them.”

“An electric toothbrush may help those who have difficulty brushing their teeth,” Dr. Maddahi continues, “but it has not proven to clean better than a regular toothbrush. And remember to replace your toothbrush every two to three months, as well as after colds, to keep it in top shape and sanitary.”

Toothpaste itself is formulated to clean and polish teeth and contains various abrasives such as silica, alumina, calcium and baking soda.  Too abrasive of a toothpaste can actually damage teeth, creating a place for bacteria to accumulate.

If a toothpaste is called anti-plaque that means that the paste has been proven to prevent gingivitis.  Tartar-control toothpaste helps to prevent further buildup, but won’t defeat existing tartar.  Whitening agents may extend the brightness your teeth have after a professional cleaning.

Flossing is very important and frequently neglected.  There are many types of floss to choose from: waxed, unwaxed, flavored, ribbon, flat, etc. The new flossing implements are very handy and make flossing so much easier.  The type that is used is not considered important, but in any case, flossing must be done daily. 

Some recent studies have found that some foods may actually help counter tooth decay. Research has shown that peanuts and aged Cheddar, Swiss and Monterey Jack cheeses may actually inhibit or neutralize the acids that cause cavities.  If you can’t brush after a meal, try chewing sugarless gum, to clean off the teeth.

Regular dental checkups are necessary to maintaining good health because decay can actually eat away from the tooth’s surface to the nerve in the heart of the tooth in just a year.  So, twice a year you should have your teeth cleaned and checked by your dentist.

Eating good foods, brushing and flossing daily will help to avoid decay that leads to cavities and root canals. Make sure to plan regular visits to a dentist such as Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, Beverly Hills family dentist.

Is it True? Can What’s in Your Mouth Really Make You Sick?

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

Lately the news has been full of startling stories that link oral disease and oral bacteria to an array of serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Dentists have always taught the relationship between general health and oral health.

“Persons who suffer with dry mouth—a lack of saliva—whether from age, disease or medications, are at increased risk for tooth decay.”, explains our Dr. Kourosh Maddahi.  “And if you have oral pain or can’t eat properly, you won’t get the nutrition your body needs to stay healthy.  It’s not news that the mouth is connected to the body. The mouth often times is the location used to diagnose, make a prognosis, treat and intervene on a host of diseases.”

For example, some researchers have found that periodontitis (the advanced form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss) is associated with bacterial pneumonia, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Other research has found that pregnant women with periodontitis may be at increased risk for delivering babies that are pre-term, have low birth weight or both.

Dr. Maddahi further explains, “Although reports suggest that periodontitis may contribute to these conditions, you should know that just because two conditions occur at the same time, it doesn’t necessarily mean that one causes the other. These conditions and diseases are complex.  Oral health must be considered an important part of overall health but scientists are still studying how closely the two are connected.”

Make sure to tell your dentist about changes in your oral health, including any recent illnesses or chronic conditions. Provide an updated health history including medication use, both prescription and over-the-counter products. And if you smoke, talk to your dentist about options for quitting smoking. Beverly Hills dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, has several options he’d like to share.

Pain-free dentistry could mean you’d want to go to the dentist!

Monday, September 29th, 2008

If a trip to the dentist has meant an hour or two of great discomfort, mystery and anxiety you would be one of so many people who actively avoid the dentist. What if it could be painless, precise and stress-free?

Our Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, Beverly Hills gentle dentist, has pioneered the use of drill-free dentistry whenever possible. Drill-free dentistry is described, in the doctor’s words, “as a mini-sandblaster that removes decay without the normal whirring of the drill or the strong smell and no grating vibration. Best of all, it is shot free as no anesthetic is needed with air-abrasion.”

Diagnosis has been simplified too and is much more comfortable. X-rays are taken with a digital system so you can see the results right away and with minimal radiation exposure. The practice also uses Diagnodent, a laser-based system that detects decay invisible to the naked eye and x-ray. Dr. Maddahi believes that our patients should know what’s being done to their teeth, so everything is explained and even shown to you, so it’s less scary.

Now that decay can be detected long before major damage has occurred and given that it can be treated with practically no loss of healthy tooth structure it is possible to keep your teeth in great condition with little or no discomfort. When decay is found, it’s treated and filled with a non-toxic material. Our Dr. Maddahi never uses mercury in his practice.

Drill-free dentistry is pain-free dentistry. It is only sensible to ensure that your dentist is gentle and see him sooner rather than later. Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, Beverly Hills gentle dentist, will show you a new kind of dentistry, rarely experienced.

High Tech Equipment Allows Better Viewing

Saturday, September 20th, 2008

The standard way for a dentist to inspect teeth has been to take a small mirror, open your mouth and dig around, usually while wearing reading glasses. More recently dentists began to wear a small magnifying glass over one eye, greatly improving their ability to see teeth.

 

Well now there’s a high-tech way to view what is happening in the mouth and with the teeth. Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, employs a small pen-shaped camera. This camera can easily and comfortably be positioned to show each tooth, and all the gums in the mouth and display exactly what it is that is going on, on a large screen. So the patient can actually see and understand what they are looking at!

 

IntraOral Cameras are a new high-tech tool that Dr. Maddahi uses so that he and the patient can see on a computer screen, with crystal clarity, every tooth and gum surface in the patient’s mouth as the camera is moved from structure to structure.  It is a wonderful diagnostic tool for the doctor and likewise gives the patient the exact same view of what the cosmetic dentist is viewing. 

 

It is also an effective educational tool, as a patient can ask questions about anything seen and become more knowledgeable of his/her mouth’s physical peculiarities. This usually leads to a patient becoming more responsible for the care of their teeth and gums. Also, a patient can have viewed all the aspects of his/her mouth that concerns the cosmetic dentist and get a photograph of it for their insurance company, or just take pictures home to discuss the treatment plan with other family members. 

Daily Care of the Teeth is a Simple but Vital Activity

Monday, September 8th, 2008

The selection of toothbrushes available these days is so diverse; your choices can take up almost the length of a whole aisle at the grocery store. But how is it that you choose a toothbrush? How do you know which one is best for you? Is it better to invest in an electric toothbrush or one of those new battery operated ones?

According to our Beverly Hills dentist, Kourosh Maddahi, “The important thing is that you choose a soft brush and that it has round-ended bristles.  This will be sturdy enough to clean the teeth and stimulate the gums, but not to scrub them.”

“An electric toothbrush may help those who have difficulty brushing their teeth,” Dr. Maddahi continues, “but it has not proven to clean better than a regular toothbrush. And, remember to replace your toothbrush every two to three months, as well as after colds, to keep it in top shape and hygienic.”

Toothpaste is formulated to clean and polish teeth and contains abrasives such as silica, alumina, calcium and baking soda.  Too abrasive a paste can damage teeth, creating places for bacteria to accumulate. If a toothpaste is called anti-plaque that means that the paste has been proven to prevent gingivitis.  Tartar-control toothpastes help to prevent further buildup, but won’t defeat existing tartar.  Tooth whitening agents may extend the brightness your teeth have after a professional cleaning.

Flossing is important and often neglected.  There are many types of floss to choose from: waxed, unwaxed, flavored, ribbon, flat, etc. The new flossing implements are very handy and do make flossing so much easier.  Factually, the type of floss that you use is not important, but what is important, is that you floss daily.

Daily brushing, three times a day; Flossing daily and using effective toothpaste are the important activities in the care of teeth leading to dental health.