How to have no teeth problems during the holidays...

Holidays are meant for spending time with friends and family exchanging gifts, celebrating and enjoying delicious meals. Even though holiday treats taste great, they can create some painful issues for your teeth. What should you do if you have a dental emergency? Taking a few precautions now can prevent dental problems during the holidays.

Eat cautiously: Most dental issues on holidays are due to sticky hard foods that you’re not used to eating. This can cause lost fillings or broken teeth so try to stay away from those or eat them cautiously.

Avoid strange uses: For some reason, people get the idea their teeth are made to open bottles or to crack open nuts. What they don't think about is that their tooth can come out right along with that bottle cap and that’s a real spoiler, a very painful one at that.

Keep up regular hygiene: Maintaining a healthy oral hygiene habit of brushing, flossing and rinsing will help protect your teeth from the added stress they may encounter during the holidays. If you wear dentures, keep your cleaning products specially formulated for dentures with you—don’t use regular toothpaste.

Knowing how to handle a dental emergency will be crucial for enjoying your holiday experience.

• If a tooth is broken in an accident or injury, rinse with warm water to keep the mouth clean. 
• Press with a cold cloth to keep the swelling down and cover it with a piece of sugar free gum if it has a jagged, bothersome aspect. 
• Clove oil has been used by dentists for centuries for its disinfectant and anesthetic properties. 
• Avoid chewing hard food with the injured tooth since that might cause more to chip off 
• If you manage to bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with a cloth, and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to a hospital emergency room right away. 
• Bring together a small dental kit just in case. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Dental cement is available to replace lost fillings. Orthodontic wax protects you from any sharp edges you may encounter in your mouth. You can also include a pair of tweezers, a small mirror, some sterile cotton, and a denture repair kit with adhesive may also come in handy. 

Please contact us as soon as possible if you have any dental emergencies during the holiday. Other than this,
we wish you all a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

15th Annual Troop Turkey Drive

Help a family in need this Thanksgiving by taking part in the Troop Turkey Drive!

5 healthier candy options to eat on Halloween

Candy is made largely of processed sugars that can affect your oral and general health if eaten too often. Luckily, candy companies have placed increased efforts in reducing sugars and candy portions which is why you can now find healthier candies on shelves at the supermarket to help your kids enjoy on Halloween.

We recommend choosing any of the following healthier candy options to let you kids have fun and eat candy on Halloween without putting their teeth and health at risk:

• Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate has antioxidants and is lower in sugar. Additionally, it comes in mini versions, minimizing sugar and calorie consumption and calories.
• Peanut M&Ms: Small snack sizes of this candy can boost protein, fiber, and even some calcium in your body. They are low in calories, low fat and low sugar.
• Nestle Crunch: One fun-size bar of this delicious treat has only 60 calories and 3 grams of fat. It is one of the “lighter” chocolate bars.
• Organic Pops: These are new organic choices that taste great and consist only of organic ingredients.
• Tootsie rolls: This traditional candy has just a few calories, plus they come in a small fun size.

Call Dr. Muradian if you have any questions or additional information about your oral health. We wish you a happy, cavity-free Halloween!

Is There a Difference between Metal or Silver Fillings & Tooth-colored Fillings?

There are big differences between metal/silver filling and tooth colored fillings. Our Simi Valley dentist strongly recommends using only tooth colored fillings because there are big disadvantages to metal fillings that will cost you more in the long run.

Tooth colored fillings are made of a resin based composite that are highly resistant to wear and will help protect your teeth from reinfection. The fillings are bonded in place for extra durability and are made to match your tooth color for a natural appearance.

Some benefits of tooth-colored fillings include:

• Completely metal-free (no need to worry about toxic ingredients 
• Stronger than metal fillings 
• Almost unnoticeable as they match teeth perfectly
• Prevent further damage to tooth
• Restore your smile 

Silver fillings are often more affordable, however, they are the leading reason behind tooth cracks and damage due to the fact that they expand over time. Additionally, these metal fillings can contain a toxic ingredient known as mercury, which can cause other health conditions if digested.

Dr. Muradian and staff at our Simi Valley dental office are highly trained and are focused on improving the oral health of our patients by providing exceptional dental care in a comfortable environment. Visit us today and be on your way to having a healthy smile!

Teeth Whitening – Is it Right for Me?

Teeth Whitening – Is it Right for Me?
Have you considered getting your teeth whitened, but just aren’t sure yet? Having your teeth whitened can be a very effective way of lightening the natural color of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surface or damaging it.
As we get older our teeth get darker, this is partly due to aging, but it is also caused by what we eat and drink and by other habits such as smoking. Tea, coffee, red wine and other foods that have strong colors can have an effect on the overall color of our teeth. Teeth may also darken as a result of some antibiotics. The good news, though, is that you can have these discolorations practically erased with professional teeth whitening.


Types of Whitening:
Professional bleaching is the most common method of tooth whitening. We will assess you first to see whether teeth whitening is suitable for you. Though professional whitening is extremely effective, it is really only used for patients with extrinsic stains. These stains are on the surface of the teeth and have not yet penetrated the enamel. Extrinsic stains are associated with coffee drinkers, smokers and the elderly. Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, develop from the inside of the teeth and are not reversible through whitening alone. After your consultation, our team will tell you about the options you have for teeth whitening and which will be the most suitable for you.

The most common type of whitening is a doctor-monitored, take-home custom tray system. Custom trays are created and made to specially to fit into your mouth. The whitening gel is then put in the trays, and you will be given a routine to follow at home. There are also in-office procedures that can whiten your teeth up to 6-10 shades in less than an hour. There are many different in-office whitening systems, so make sure to speak with us during your consultation to discuss which whitening options are best for you.


Why should I go with a Pro?
While home kits are less expensive, they are not always assessed for safety and tend to be more acidic. There is a chance that these products could damage your teeth and gums. Professional teeth whitening takes out the guess-work you would use standing in the drug store, purchasing a product that may or may not damage your teeth.
The effects of professional whitening are thought to last up to three years, much longer than any over-the-counter products. However, this will vary from person to person and the effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke or eat or drink products that can stain your teeth.


Is it Safe?
Yes! The active ingredient in the whitening product is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. As the active ingredient is broken down, oxygen gets into the enamel and dentin of the teeth and the tooth color is made lighter. This is all done without damage to the teeth or, more importantly, the enamel of the teeth.

This newsletter/website is not intended to replace the services of a doctor. It does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information in this newsletter/website is for informational purposes only & is not a substitute for professional advice. Please do not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating any condition.