As kids return to school, Beverly Hills, California periodontist wants to teach parents an important lesson that, besides brushing and flossing, they should impose other rules to avoid costly trips to the dentist. She offers tips for increasing saliva flow, nature’s way of protecting teeth.
As kids head back to school, one leading Beverly Hills, California periodontist has some advice for parents. While many insist their kids brush their teeth twice daily and floss once per day, which Mahnaz Rashti, D.D.S. says is important, she warns that too many parents are unaware of steps they should be taking to lessen the chances of tooth decay, brittle teeth, tooth loss, broken teeth, gingivitis, gum disease and a whole host of other complications.
“So many of my patients understand the more commonly known basics of maintaining good oral health, but are completely in the dark about others that could result in costly and easily preventable trips to the dentist,” she warns. “Also, the habits children form in their developing years are much more likely to continue into adulthood.”
Rashti says that there are 700 kinds of bacteria inside a mouth — some helpful, others harmful. The harmful bacteria, which break down sugars from food and drinks, form into acids that cause cavities, loss of enamel and other preventable conditions. She says that if parents are not vigilant about the brushing and flossing regimen, plaque will appear on the tooth’s surface, harden into tartar and may lead to gingivitis and eventually gum disease, which is a costly complication to treat.
In addition to brushing and flossing, parents should pay close attention to their children’s diet. Among her recommendations:
AVOID CANDIES — Sugary foods are especially bad for teeth because harmful bacteria thrive on them. Also, champing into hard candy can crack and break teeth and chewy candies like gummy bears and dried fruits often stick in the crevices and between teeth, often leading to cavities.
SUGARY BEVERAGES — Frequent consumption of sodas, juices, energy drinks, etc will cause teeth to deteriorate because it lowers the acid level in the mouth, causing a host of problems.
SNACKING AND SIPPING — Saliva protects teeth, strengthens enamel and helps neutralize unhealthy acids. Frequent snacking and sipping on beverages throughout the day interrupts the saliva building process. If one feels they must consume a soda or sugary beverage, drink it at one sitting then drink some water immediately after to allow saliva to produce.
OPT FOR SUGAR ALTERNATIVES — Sugar-free foods and beverages like those containing aspartame are much better for teeth because they are not metabolized by bacteria like regular sugars.
CHEW SUGAR-FREE GUM — Chewing gum with xylitol actually slows down acid production and increases salivary flow, which greatly benefits oral health.
Rashti also recommends regular visits to the dentist as early detection can and prevention is much less expensive and painful than waiting for a problem to develop.
Mahnaz Rashti, D.D.S. has maintained a practice in the center of Beverly Hills since 1994. She is a graduate of the College of Dentistry of New York University and completed her 5-year residency at the VA Hospital in Los Angeles, where she treated medically compromised patients suffering from cancer, smoking-related illnesses and other life-threatening conditions. This led her to become a full-mouth reconstruction specialist where she conducted the most intense and life-changing work of her career involving patients who lost parts of their faces in combat. She also established her own nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans in need, children being bullied, survivors of domestic abuse and others who don’t have the finances for dental work. Her practice is a family affair with her husband, Fred, who manages the business operations for the practice and their son Benjamin and daughter Rebecca who help with social media and other day to day duties. It is located at 9735 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 307, Beverly Hills. Contact 310-623-3330 or visit DrRashti.com for more information.
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As kids head back to school, one leading Beverly Hills, California periodontist has some advice for parents. While many insist their kids brush their teeth twice daily and floss once per day, which Mahnaz Rashti, D.D.S. says is important, she warns that too many parents are unaware of steps they should be taking to lessen the chances of tooth decay, brittle teeth, tooth loss, broken teeth, gingivitis, gum disease and a whole host of other complications.
“So many of my patients understand the more commonly known basics of maintaining good oral health, but are completely in the dark about others that could result in costly and easily preventable trips to the dentist,” she warns. “Also, the habits children form in their developing years are much more likely to continue into adulthood.”
Rashti says that there are 700 kinds of bacteria inside a mouth — some helpful, others harmful. The harmful bacteria, which break down sugars from food and drinks, form into acids that cause cavities, loss of enamel and other preventable conditions. She says that if parents are not vigilant about the brushing and flossing regimen, plaque will appear on the tooth’s surface, harden into tartar and may lead to gingivitis and eventually gum disease, which is a costly complication to treat.
In addition to brushing and flossing, parents should pay close attention to their children’s diet. Among her recommendations:
AVOID CANDIES — Sugary foods are especially bad for teeth because harmful bacteria thrive on them. Also, champing into hard candy can crack and break teeth and chewy candies like gummy bears and dried fruits often stick in the crevices and between teeth, often leading to cavities.
SUGARY BEVERAGES — Frequent consumption of sodas, juices, energy drinks, etc will cause teeth to deteriorate because it lowers the acid level in the mouth, causing a host of problems.
SNACKING AND SIPPING — Saliva protects teeth, strengthens enamel and helps neutralize unhealthy acids. Frequent snacking and sipping on beverages throughout the day interrupts the saliva building process. If one feels they must consume a soda or sugary beverage, drink it at one sitting then drink some water immediately after to allow saliva to produce.
OPT FOR SUGAR ALTERNATIVES — Sugar-free foods and beverages like those containing aspartame are much better for teeth because they are not metabolized by bacteria like regular sugars.
CHEW SUGAR-FREE GUM — Chewing gum with xylitol actually slows down acid production and increases salivary flow, which greatly benefits oral health.
Rashti also recommends regular visits to the dentist as early detection can and prevention is much less expensive and painful than waiting for a problem to develop.
Mahnaz Rashti, D.D.S. has maintained a practice in the center of Beverly Hills since 1994. She is a graduate of the College of Dentistry of New York University and completed her 5-year residency at the VA Hospital in Los Angeles, where she treated medically compromised patients suffering from cancer, smoking-related illnesses and other life-threatening conditions. This led her to become a full-mouth reconstruction specialist where she conducted the most intense and life-changing work of her career involving patients who lost parts of their faces in combat. She also established her own nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans in need, children being bullied, survivors of domestic abuse and others who don’t have the finances for dental work. Her practice is a family affair with her husband, Fred, who manages the business operations for the practice and their son Benjamin and daughter Rebecca who help with social media and other day to day duties. It is located at 9735 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 307, Beverly Hills. Contact 310-623-3330 or visit DrRashti.com for more information.
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As kids return to school, Beverly Hills, California periodontist wants to teach parents an important lesson that, besides brushing and flossing, they should impose other rules to avoid costly trips to the dentist. She offers tips for increasing saliva flow, nature’s way of protecting teeth.
As kids head back to school, one leading Beverly Hills, California periodontist has some advice for parents. While many insist their kids brush their teeth twice daily and floss once per day, which Mahnaz Rashti, D.D.S. says is important, she warns that too many parents are unaware of steps they should be taking to lessen the chances of tooth decay, brittle teeth, tooth loss, broken teeth, gingivitis, gum disease and a whole host of other complications.
“So many of my patients understand the more commonly known basics of maintaining good oral health, but are completely in the dark about others that could result in costly and easily preventable trips to the dentist,” she warns. “Also, the habits children form in their developing years are much more likely to continue into adulthood.”
Rashti says that there are 700 kinds of bacteria inside a mouth — some helpful, others harmful. The harmful bacteria, which break down sugars from food and drinks, form into acids that cause cavities, loss of enamel and other preventable conditions. She says that if parents are not vigilant about the brushing and flossing regimen, plaque will appear on the tooth’s surface, harden into tartar and may lead to gingivitis and eventually gum disease, which is a costly complication to treat.
In addition to brushing and flossing, parents should pay close attention to their children’s diet. Among her recommendations:
AVOID CANDIES — Sugary foods are especially bad for teeth because harmful bacteria thrive on them. Also, champing into hard candy can crack and break teeth and chewy candies like gummy bears and dried fruits often stick in the crevices and between teeth, often leading to cavities.
SUGARY BEVERAGES — Frequent consumption of sodas, juices, energy drinks, etc will cause teeth to deteriorate because it lowers the acid level in the mouth, causing a host of problems.
SNACKING AND SIPPING — Saliva protects teeth, strengthens enamel and helps neutralize unhealthy acids. Frequent snacking and sipping on beverages throughout the day interrupts the saliva building process. If one feels they must consume a soda or sugary beverage, drink it at one sitting then drink some water immediately after to allow saliva to produce.
OPT FOR SUGAR ALTERNATIVES — Sugar-free foods and beverages like those containing aspartame are much better for teeth because they are not metabolized by bacteria like regular sugars.
CHEW SUGAR-FREE GUM — Chewing gum with xylitol actually slows down acid production and increases salivary flow, which greatly benefits oral health.
Rashti also recommends regular visits to the dentist as early detection can and prevention is much less expensive and painful than waiting for a problem to develop.
Mahnaz Rashti, D.D.S. has maintained a practice in the center of Beverly Hills since 1994. She is a graduate of the College of Dentistry of New York University and completed her 5-year residency at the VA Hospital in Los Angeles, where she treated medically compromised patients suffering from cancer, smoking-related illnesses and other life-threatening conditions. This led her to become a full-mouth reconstruction specialist where she conducted the most intense and life-changing work of her career involving patients who lost parts of their faces in combat. She also established her own nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans in need, children being bullied, survivors of domestic abuse and others who don’t have the finances for dental work. Her practice is a family affair with her husband, Fred, who manages the business operations for the practice and their son Benjamin and daughter Rebecca who help with social media and other day to day duties. It is located at 9735 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 307, Beverly Hills. Contact 310-623-3330 or visit DrRashti.com for more information.
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