A permanent tooth that is knocked out can sometimes be put back in place. In most cases, only permanent, adult teeth are reimplanted into the mouth. Baby teeth are not reimplanted.

CAUSES:

Tooth accidents are commonly caused by:

Accidental falls

Sports-related trauma

Fighting

Car accidents

Biting on hard food

First Aid

Save any tooth that has been knocked out. Bring it to Dr. Koshki as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the less chance there is for Dr. Koshki to fix it. Hold the tooth only by the crown (chewing edge).

You can take the tooth to Dr. Koshki by following one of these tips:

Try to place the tooth back in the mouth where it fell out, so it is level with other teeth. Bite down gently on gauze or a wet tea bag to help keep it in place. Be careful not to swallow the tooth.

If you cannot do the above step, place the tooth in a container and cover with a small amount of whole milk or saliva.

The tooth can also be carried between lower lip and lower gum or under the tongue.

Consider buying a tooth-saving storage device (Save-A-Tooth, EMT Tooth Saver) for your home first aid kit. This type of kit contains a travel case and fluid solution.

Also follow these steps:

Apply a cold compress to the mouth and gums to ease pain.

Apply direct pressure using gauze to control bleeding.

Go to see Dr. Koshki right away.

If your tooth is badly broken, your nerve endings may be exposed. You will need immediate dental help to avoid infection and pain.

You may not need an emergency visit for a simple chip or a broken tooth that is not causing you discomfort. You should still have the tooth fixed to avoid sharp edges that can cut the lips or tongue.

Do NOT handle the roots of the tooth. Handle only the chewing edge — the crown portion of the tooth.

Do NOT scrape the root of the tooth to remove dirt.

Do NOT brush or clean the tooth with alcohol or peroxide.

When to Contact Dr. Koshki

Call Dr. Koshki right away when a tooth is broken or knocked out. If you can find the tooth, bring it with you to your visit with the dentist.

If you cannot close your upper and lower teeth together, your jaw may be broken. This requires immediate medical help; please visit urgent care of ER for assessment and possible treatment.

Prevention

Wear a mouth guard when playing any contact sport.

Avoid fights.

Avoid hard foods, such as bones, stale bread, and tough bagels.

Do not chew ice.

Be careful when eating popcorn.

Do not use your teeth as tools to bite off tags or threads.

Always wear a seatbelt.

Dr. Koshki’s goal is to help you keep your healthy teeth for a lifetime of smiles!

Color is a part of our everyday life. But it does more than add variety and visual stimulation to our life. It can actually affect our mood, health, and happiness. How you may ask? Here are four fascinating ways that color affects us on a daily basis.

Color Affects Our Perception

The military, for example, understands how the greens and blues of uniforms call respect to mind in soldiers facing those uniforms, but greens and blues in the base hospital are calming. Nursing scrubs come in colors dedicated to restfulness and peace. Police uniforms are neutral tans or browns or navy blues. Restaurant uniforms are usually navy blue or tan or black. People wearing these colors are perceived as protective and professional. It’s amazing how much of our lives is actually organized by color without us realizing it. Color does affect our perception, and we should be aware of it.

Color Improves Health

Researchers at MIT know that color affects body functions and illnesses. Colors are being used in treating diseases. Called photobiology, research is showing that colors affect brain waves, blood pressure, respiratory characteristics and circulation. While photobiology remains in the realm of psychological effects, there is some evidence it has a physical effect. Color is known to have an effect on the endocrine system, which is controlled by hormones in the brain and thyroid. Colors are perceived by the brain, which sends messages to the thyroid that something needs healing.

Other examples include Russia, who uses ultraviolet light for their miners. This, they believe, prevents lung diseases. Blue appears to heal many ills. Bridges in England are painted blue to eliminate suicide attempts. Blue light is now used for newborn babies with jaundice.

Color Affects Appetite

Did you know that the restaurants you regularly attend likely use color to make you hungrier? Restaurants have known that the colors red and yellow stimulate appetite, so they will use that to make customers want to eat more of their food. Painters in Boca Raton will be happy to paint your kitchen red or yellow to make the kitchen a happy eating place. Take McDonald’s for example. Red and yellow are their base colors, and they cover their restaurants in these two colors. So if you suddenly feel hungrier once inside McDonald’s, color may be a part of that.

Conversely, blue and green are likely to suppress your appetite. So if you’re trying to lose weight and eat fewer calories, consider putting yourself in an environment of comforting blue and green colors that are likely to suppress your appetite and help you eat less. You can also paint your kitchen these colors if you are overly concerned about eating too much at meal times.

Color Can Improve Behavior

Research in Canada shows that school children benefit from changes in the color of their classroom. Their classroom was changed from orange to light and dark blue. The children were tested and it was found their behavior improved due to a drop in blood pressure. The darker color stimulated the children, whereas the cooler colors calmed them.

The next time you plan on  painting the rooms in your home, perhaps a little extra thought to the color scheme is in order.

A little Dental humor…

Thankfully, Dr, Koshki has immaculate hand writing!

Although the array of flosses and flossing products can seem daunting, choosing dental floss does not have to be difficult.

You may be new to flossing or you may want to recommit to making daily flossing a part of your regular oral care routine. But no matter what reason you have for choosing dental floss, the most important point to remember is that the best floss for you is the floss that you will use every single day.

Results from a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology showed that there was no difference in the plaque-removing ability of four different types of flossing products. In this study, 25 people were assigned to use four different products: an electric flosser, an unwaxed floss, a woven floss, and a shred-resistant floss. All four floss products showed significantly greater plaque removal compared with tooth brushing alone, and the electric flosser showed the highest average plaque reduction after one use.

Are you curious about electric flossers but worried about whether they are safe?

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry compared the safety and plaque-removing ability of an electric flosser and a standard dental floss. In this study, 78 people were assigned to use either a standard dental floss or an electric flosser. After 30 days of use, both groups had significantly less plaque on their teeth than before they began their daily flossing routines, and the electric flosser and the standard floss were equally effective at removing plaque. In addition, both flossing methods were found to be equally safe. No signs of trauma to the hard or soft tissues in the mouth were associated with using either product.

Since research shows that the electric flossers are as safe and effective as the standard floss, should you choose an electric flosser instead of one of the many types of standard floss? Many people can benefit from electric flossers, especially older adults who may have trouble manipulating floss with their fingers. Older children and teens may be more likely to use electric flossers than standard floss because they find them fun, especially if they like using electric toothbrushes.

If you’re uncertain about which type of floss is best for you or a member of your family, ask Dr. Koshki or his Team of hygienists for advice. Here are some points that might be helpful:

• Large gaps between your teeth, or generally very easy to floss? We recommend  “Listerine GumCare” which is a woven floss.
•  Not much space between your teeth? We recommend “Listerine Ultra Clean” which is a stretchy tape with micro-grooves.
• Waterpik Aquarius and Sonicare AifFloss are both available for purchase  in our office for extra help. We provide individualized instructions on how to use these important tools. Invest in your good oral health!

Many patients ask Dr. Koshki “Do I really need to floss in between all of my teeth every single day?”

Dr. Koshki loves this question… his answer is given with a smile; “Certainly not! Only floss the teeth that you want to keep for your lifetime – forget about the rest, they’ll go away!”

Just remember that when it comes to dental floss, flossing every day is the most important choice you and your family can make.

DRY MOUTH AND HARD CANDY: NOT A GOOD MATCH!  …. Many medications cause dry mouth as a side effect. While this may seem like little more than a nuisance during the time that the medication is necessary, the condition could have a serious long term impact on individuals’ oral health.

One reason for this is because those who are experiencing dry mouth often turn to sugary hard candies to stimulate saliva production. Many health experts say that this is the absolute worst thing they can do.

Holding sugary candies in the mouth for long periods of time to combat dry mouth can result in damage to the root of teeth. Individuals with this type of tooth decay often must endure hours of procedures to correct the problem

There are certain mouth rinses such as Biotene that are specially formulated to stimulate saliva production, which studies by the National Institutes of Health have shown are effective at mitigating dry mouth.
Use special products recommended by Dr. Koshki and his Team to add fluoride and calcium phosphate as protection for your precious tooth enamel such as MI Paste and Fluoridex.

If you have questions about how to deal with dry mouth, or any other oral health concern, Dr. Koshki is only a call or email away! You can also contact Dr. Koshki through his Facebook, Twitter and right here, on his website.

February is American Heart Month: Dr. Koshki’s recent personal experience has really brought this subject home. Please read this important article from the CDC.

Learn about your risks for heart disease and stroke and stay “heart healthy” for yourself and your loved ones

During the month of February, Americans see the human heart as the symbol of love. February is American Heart Month, a time to show yourself the love. Learn about your risks for heart disease and stroke and stay “heart healthy” for yourself and your loved ones.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD)—including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure—is the number 1 killer of women and men in the United States. It is a leading cause of disability, preventing Americans from working and enjoying family activities.1 CVD costs the United States over $300 billion each year, including the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.1

Understanding the Burden of CVD

CVD does not affect all groups of people in the same way. Although the number of preventable deaths has declined in people aged 65 to 74 years, it has remained unchanged in people under age 65. Men are more than twice as likely as women to die from preventable CVD.2

Having a close relative who has heart disease puts you at higher risk for CVD. Health disparities based on geography also exist. During 2007–2009, death rates due to heart disease were the highest in the South and lowest in the West.

Race and ethnicity also affect your risk. Nearly 44% of African American men and 48% of African American women have some form of CVD. And African Americans are more likely than any other racial or ethnic group to have high blood pressure and to develop the condition earlier in life. About 2 in 5 African American adults have high blood pressure, yet fewer than half of them have the condition under control.

Many CVD deaths could have been prevented through healthier habits, healthier living spaces, and better management of conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.2

Take It One Step at a Time

You can control a number of risk factors for CVD, including:

• Diet

• Physical activity

• Tobacco use

• Obesity

• High blood pressure

• High blood cholesterol

• Diabetes

As you begin your journey to better heart health that can last a lifetime, keep these things in mind:

• Try not to become overwhelmed. Every step brings you closer to a healthier heart, and every healthy choice makes a difference!

• Partner up. The journey is more fun—and often more successful—when you have company. Ask friends and family to join you.

• Don’t get discouraged. You may not be able to take all of the steps at one time. Get a good night’s sleep—also important for a healthy heart—and do what you can tomorrow.

• Reward yourself. Find fun things to do to decrease your stress. Round up some colleagues for a lunchtime walk, join a singing group, or have a healthy dinner with your family or friends.

Plan for Prevention

Try out these strategies for better heart health. You’ll be surprised how many of them can become lifelong habits!

Work with your health care team. Get a checkup at least once each year, even if you feel healthy. A doctor, nurse, or other health care professional can check for conditions that put you at risk for CVD, such as high blood pressure and diabetes—conditions that can go unnoticed for too long.

Monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so be sure to have it checked on a regular basis. You can check your blood pressure at home, at a pharmacy, or at a doctor’s office. Find more information at CDC’s High Blood Pressure Web site.

Get your cholesterol checked. Your health care team should test your cholesterol levels at least once every 5 years. Talk with your health care professional about this simple blood test. You can find out more from CDC’s High Cholesterol Web site.

Eat a healthy diet. Choosing healthful meal and snack options can help you avoid CVD and its complications. Limiting sodium in your diet can lower your blood pressure. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables—adults should have at least five servings each day. Eating foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol and high in fiber. For more information on eating a healthy diet, visit CDC’s Nutrition page and ChooseMyPlate.gov.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for CVD. To determine whether your weight is in a healthy range, health care professionals often calculate a number called body mass index (BMI). Doctors sometimes also use waist and hip measurements to measure a person’s body fat. If you know your weight and height, you can calculate your BMI at CDC’s Assessing Your Weight Web site.

Exercise regularly. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The Surgeon General recommends that adults should engage in moderate-intensity activity for at least 150 minutes per week. Remember to incorporate exercise into your day in different ways: take the stairs instead of the elevator, or rake the yard instead of using the leaf blower. Exercising with friends and family can be a great way to stay healthy and have fun. For more information, visit CDC’s page on physical activity.

Don’t smoke. Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for CVD. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quit as soon as possible. Your health care team can suggest ways to help you quit. For more information about tobacco use and quitting, see CDC’s Smoking & Tobacco Use Web site andSmokefree.gov.

Limit alcohol use. Avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can increase your blood pressure. Men should stick to no more than two drinks per day, and women to no more than one. For more information, visit CDC’s Alcohol and Public Health Web site.

Manage your diabetes. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels closely, and talk with your health care team about treatment options. Visit CDC’s Diabetes Public Health Resource for more information.

Take your medicine. If you’re taking medication to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or another condition, follow the instructions carefully. Always ask questions if you don’t understand something. If you have side effects, talk with your health care team about your options.

Need more inspiration? The “28 Days to a Healthier Heart” tips can inspire you throughout February and all year long. Follow Million Hearts® on Facebook and Twitter for even more ways to protect your heart and live a longer, healthier life. Million Hearts® is a national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.

Together, we all can prevent and manage heart disease, one step at a time.

References

1. Go AS, Mozaffarian D, Roger VL, Benjamin EJ, Berry JD, Blaha MJ, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2014 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2013 [Epub ahead of print].

2. CDC. Vital Signs: avoidable deaths from heart disease, stroke, and hypertensive disease—United States, 2001–2010. MMWR. 2013;62(35);721–7.

Let’s face it: nobody likes bad breath. It’s embarrassing, it makes us self-conscious, and it’s unpleasant for the people around us. It can bring an intimate situation to a grinding halt, and makes even casual interactions awkward by forcing people to give us a wide berth. Unfortunately, bad breath is just one of those things that we’re all going to have to experience from time to time, but there are a few tactics you can take to address it. Here’s how: