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:

A recent article published by U.S. News and World Report stressed that good oral health could have tremendous benefits toward your overall health – something good dentists have known for years.

The most common link between your dental health and your overall health is the occurrence of periodontal (gum) disease. Studies have suggested that there is a link between gum disease and many serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, as well as your risk of a stroke. It’s also interesting to note that for many of these conditions, the effects go both ways. That is to say that those who have periodontal disease are more likely to get these conditions, and periodontal disease can also be a symptom of these conditions. This means that a good dentist can not only assist in the diagnosis of serious conditions, they can also help prevent them.

No longer is “I don’t care how my smile looks” a valid excuse for not going to the dentist. Anyone who cares about their life and long term overall health should always make dental care an important element of their preventative care regimen.

According to numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the dental assistant profession is growing rapidly in the United States and is set to increase 25% by the year 2022. People are recognizing more and more the importance of caring, highly trained dental assistants when creating a successful practice.

While many know of Dr. Koshki’s stellar reputation as the go-to Santa Monica dentist when it comes to surgical and cosmetic dentistry, many don’t know that he also prides himself on hiring and retaining only the best, most qualified assistants. Dental assistants are usually the first people to care for a patient when they walk in the door, so it’s incredibly important that they perform their job to the level of excellence expected out of the practice’s head dentist.

When you walk into Dr. Koshki’s practice you likely won’t see our dental assistant’s name on the door, but you’ll know from their level of care that they are invested 100 percent in the mission to provide you and your family the best dental care that Santa Monica has to offer.

You already know you have to brush your teeth. Your dentist recommends you do it at least twice a day, and hopefully you do, but do you do it right? Brushing your teeth is one of those tasks that’s so simple, it’s easy to do it wrong. Not to worry. The pros at the offices of Dr. Koshki have your back.

• You’re aware that you should brush your teeth twice a day (after each and every meal if you really want the best results), but what kind of toothbrush you use matters. The American Dentistry Association recommends you use a soft-bristled brush to minimize irritation or bleeding. Also, make sure you find the right size and shaped brush that’s right for you that can reach all areas of your mouth.
• Replace your brush every three to four months. Your toothbrush won’t do you any good with worn out bristles.
• To properly brush your teeth, you need to place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and gentle move it back and forth in short strokes. Make sure you brush all surfaces of each tooth, and don’t forget the tongue!
• The proper toothbrushing session lasts 2 minutes.
• An important part of the brushing process is flossing! Do it at least once a day to remove all the bacteria and food particles bristles can’t reach.

Take good care of your teeth, and don’t forget to schedule regularly checkups with an experienced dentist like Dr. Koshki!

Here at the offices of Dr. Moeiz Koshki, you already know we’re dedicate to patient comfort and superior care. Maybe that’s because we geniuely find teeth so important and fascinating! A lot of us already know the basics. Teeth are bones, they help us chew, we should brush them, but there’s a lot more to your mouth than that! Some of it may surprise you…

1) More than 75% of American suffer from gum disease. That’s 3 out of every 4. And that’s not good. Clearly, we all have a lot of work to do. Luckily most cases can be corrected by proper care from your dentist.

2) The plaque on your teeth has more than 300 species of bacteria. That’s a lot of reasons to brush.

3) Tooth enamle is the hardest substance in the entire body. But you still have to take care of it!

4) Replace your toothbrush at least every three months. The older it gets, the more bacteria it holds.

5) You should place your toothbrush at least 6 feet away from the toilet to prevent particles from the flush making it to your brush!

Make sure you keep your teeth and you gums happy, and if you ever need treatment, be sure to seek the expert care offered here by our very own Dr. Koshki!

Dental x-rays (also called radiographs) are a valuable part of dental treatment because they can detect damage to teeth and gums not visible during a routine visual examination.

For example, x-rays can show the condition of your teeth, their roots, jaw placement and the overall composition of your facial bones. X-rays can help your dentist determine the presence or degree of periodontal (gum) disease, cavities, abscesses and many abnormal growths, such as cysts and tumors. X-rays also can show the exact location of impacted teeth and teeth that have not yet fully developed. Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save time, money and unnecessary discomfort. If you have a hidden tumor, x-rays may even help save your life.

X-RAY FAQ

Do all patients have x-rays taken every six months?

No. Your x-ray schedule is based on the dentist’s assessment of your individual needs, including whether you’re a new patient or a follow-up patient, adult or child.* Dentists typically require new patients to have a full set of mouth x-rays in order to evaluate oral health status, including any underlying signs of gum disease, and for future comparison. (If you change dentists and have recently had x-rays taken, ask to have them sent to the new dentist.) Dentists may require x-rays during follow-up visits to monitor oral health.

What kind of x-rays does my dentist usually take?

The most common type of x-rays dentists take are known as bitewing x-rays. These require patients to hold or bite down on a piece of plastic with x-ray film in the center. Bitewing x-rays typically determine the presence of decay in-between teeth — one of the most common areas where decay-causing bacteria reside.

Another common dental x-ray type is the periapical x-ray, which gives the dentist an image of the entire tooth, including the roots. With periapical x-rays, dentists evaluate a particular tooth’s root structure and bone level and also can detect cysts and abscesses.

My dentist has ordered a “panoramic radiograph.” What is that?

Just as a panoramic photograph allows you to see a broad view of a large area, such as the Grand Canyon, a panoramic x-ray (also called radiograph) allows your dentist to see the entire structure of your mouth (all of your upper and lower teeth and parts of your jaw) in a single image. A common use of a panoramic x-ray, for example, is to assess teeth development in a child or teenager, especially wisdom teeth. Also known as third molars, wisdom teeth don’t erupt until the teenage years or beyond and can cause crowding or become impacted (because the teeth don’t have enough room to grow). A panoramic x-rays is also used to help evaluate dental implant placements.

Why would I need more than one type of x-ray?

What is apparent through one type of x-ray often is not visible on another. The panoramic x-ray will give your dentist a general and comprehensive view of your entire mouth on a single film, which a bitewing or periapical x-ray cannot show. On the other hand, periapical or bitewing x-rays show a detailed image of a smaller area, making it easier for your dentist to see decay or cavities between your teeth. X-rays are not prescribed indiscriminately. Your dentist has a need for the different information that each radiograph can provide to formulate a diagnosis.

Should I be concerned about exposure to radiation?

All health care providers are sensitive to patients’ concerns about exposure to radiation. Your dentist has been trained to prescribe x-rays when they are appropriate and to tailor their frequency to each patient’s individual needs. By using state-of-the-art technology and staying knowledgeable about recent advances, your dentist knows which techniques, procedures and x-ray films can minimize your exposure to radiation.  Dr. Koshki has used only digital x-ray technology since 2009 which ensures the very least amount of exposure.