Fun facts with Dr. Partovy!

We hope you enjoyed last week's video! More fun stuff this week! Dr. Partovy and our staff know everyone loves trivia. Fun, fun, fun! Enjoy!

• If you're right handed, you will chew your food on your right side. If you're left handed, you will tend to chew your food on your left side.
Your set of teeth is as unique as your fingerprint. No two people have the same set of teeth. It is as unique as your fingerprint and even identical twins are different.

• Approximately 200,000 athletes annually avoid dental tragedy by wearing mouth guards.

• The average human produces 25,000 quarts of saliva (spit) in a lifetime. That's enough saliva to fill two swimming pools!

• 100 years ago, one half of all adult North Americans were toothless - today less than 10% of adults over 65 have lost their teeth!

• Most tooth loss in people under 35 years of age is caused by athletic trauma, fights, or accidents. The cause of most tooth loss in people over 35 is periodontal disease. Remember to brush and floss!

• The average woman SMILES about 62 times a day! A man? Only 8. Kids laugh around 400 times a day, Grown-ups, however, just 15.

Dr. Partovy presents: Mr. Bean goes to the dentist

Dear patients and readers: How about a treat today? Dr. Partovy and staff thought we'd pass along a little classic dental humor for you to enjoy, from the bumbling yet lovable British spy, Mr. Bean. We loved it, and know you'll get a laugh out of the clip as well. Enjoy "Mr. Bean Goes to the Dentist”!

If you have any other suggestions you think we should share with other patients, please let us know!

Ask Dr. Partovy: What issues should I be aware of during pregnancy?

Our staff at Ray Partovy DDS will tell you that maintaining your oral health is an important part of keeping your entire body well, but never more so than when you're expecting. If you're pregnant or considering pregnancy, schedule an appointment with us, and remember to raise the issue of your oral health at prenatal appointments with Drs. Partovy and Baum.

If pregnant, Dr. Partovy wants you to be aware of the following issues:

• Tooth Decay
Excessive morning sickness can also contribute to tooth decay, as the stomach acids introduced to the mouth during vomiting wear away the protective enamel coating on the teeth.

• Gingivitis & Gum Disease
The primary issue to avoid during pregnancy is gum disease, due to its link to premature birth. The precursor to gum disease is gingivitis, a condition in which plaque buildup on teeth irritates the gums, making them red, swollen, and sensitive. The high levels of hormones in the bloodstream brought on by pregnancy exaggerate your gums’ reaction to irritation from plaque.

• Loose Teeth
Another risk faced during pregnancy is loosening teeth. The large amounts of hormones in your bloodstream can have an adverse affect on the bones and ligaments that create the foundation of your teeth, weakening them to the point that teeth may loosen.

The ideal time to schedule an appointment at Ray Partovy DDS is before becoming pregnant. Dr. Partovy will perform a check-up to determine the state of your oral health and how pregnancy might affect you.

Give us a call today!

Smile wider, live longer, from Dr. Ray Partovy

Dr. Partovy has some good news to report! People with big, happy smiles may actually out-live those who don’t, according to a new study conducted at Wayne State University in Michigan.

Drs. Partovy and Baum knew that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they used information from the Baseball Register to look at photos of 230 players who began their baseball careers prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (wide smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were then compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through last year.

The researchers then took into account other factors associated with longevity, such as body mass index, or BMI, career length and college attendance. They found that players who weren't smiling died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old!

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you tried perfecting your smile by visiting Ray Partovy DDS lately? If not, give us a call today!

Wishing you a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day, from our team at Ray Partovy DDS

Dr. Partovy wants to know: Did you remember to wear green when you stepped out the door this morning? Whether Irish or not, millions of people in the U.S. and around the world celebrate St. Patrick's Day with toasts, parades and "the wearing of the green." Here are some fun facts about St. Patty’s Day Drs. Partovy and Baum know you will enjoy:

• St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17th because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history.

• The name “leprechaun” has several origins. It could be from the Irish Gaelic word “leipreachan,” which means “a kind of aqueous sprite.” Or, it could be from “leath bhrogan,” which simply means “shoemaker.”

• Some American towns have Irish names. They include: Shamrock Lakes, Indiana; Shamrock, Oklahoma; Shamrock, Texas; Dublin, California and Dublin, Ohio and Mount Gay-Shamrock, West Virginia.

• Despite what you may have heard, St. Patrick never banished snakes from Ireland. In fact, no snakes exist or ever existed in Ireland. Ireland is surrounded by icy ocean waters, much too cold to allow snakes to migrate from Britain or anywhere else.

• St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in Boston, in 1737. Approximately 34 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. That’s almost nine times the population of Ireland, which has 4.1 million people.

5 tips to avoid plaque, from Dr. Partovy

Dr. Ray Partovy knows nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth, much less hearing the word 'plaque.' Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth, courtesy of our friends at WebMD.

Let’s start with not brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

Next on the list is not flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.

Also, avoiding a trip to visit Dr. Partovy's office is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily. You’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting your dentist at least twice a year, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your teeth.

You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you have braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.

Finally, before you pick that candy up, remember to not give in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be. If you have any questions, please give us a call or schedule an appointment!

March is National Nutrition Month! From Dr. Partovy

Remember February, which was also known as American Heart Month? Well, March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it's National Nutrition Month®. Every March, Dr. Ray Partovy and thousands of dentists and hygienists celebrate National Nutrition Month. This March, Dr. Partovy and our team want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.

Small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet:

• Focus on fruits and veggies: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Look locally: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods in your area.

• Make calories count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.

• Test your taste buds: Expand your horizons. Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new health favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

• Trick yourself with treats: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you want a snack in the afternoon, have some trail mix or nuts.

We hope this helps! Give Dr. Partovy a call if you have any questions!

Dr. Ray Partovy, supporting American Heart Month

Since February is Heart Month, Dr. Partovy wanted to let you know about the importance of oral health and its connection to your heart's health! Cardiovascular disease remains American's number one killer, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Visiting the office of Dr. Ray Partovy on a regular basis can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. And because people with dental insurance are more likely to visit their dentist when they should, a healthy mouth begins with a visit to our office. In observance of Heart Month, Dr. Partovy says it’s also important to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25). If you have any questions about heart health, or about your treatment with Dr. Partovy, please give us a call today.

Dr. Partovy wants to know: What do you love about our community?

The office of Ray Partovy, located in Marina Del Rey and Tarzana and serving surrounding communities, is situated around some pretty special neighborhoods here in L.A. County. Each is unique with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our valued patients) living within.

Today, Dr. Partovy and our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about our community and southern California? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps a favorite California getaway? Do you love the relatively nice weather we get year-round?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs in Marine Del Rey and Tarzana, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods.” And, who knows, Dr. Partovy and team just might post your response on our social networks!

Dr. Partovy wants to know: What are you up to in January?

BRRRR! It may still be chilly (and rainy!) here in southern California, but can you believe we’re only a couple of months away from spring? Dr. Partovy wants to know: What are you doing in January? What have you accomplished this year? Are you keeping up with your New Year’s Resolution? Any big mid-winter break plans? Anything exciting going on in your life?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or call our office and ask how! Have a great weekend!

Dr. Partovy and 5 Steps to a Healthier Mouth—And a Healthier You

Drs. Partovy and Vanshel Baum would like to point you to an interesting article that talks about the steps you need to take to accomplish better oral health. The article, titled, "5 Steps to a Healthy Mouth," discusses the importance of washing your hands and massaging your gums with your fingertips, having your teeth and gums cleaned by Dr. Partovy twice a year and using dental floss and goldenseal mouth rinse to keep your mouth—and smile—healthy.

If you have any questions on good oral hygiene or your treatment with Dr. Partovy, give us a call! Have a great rest of the week.

Dr. Partovy wants to know: What puts you at ease in our office?

Dr. Partovy understands not everyone is thrilled to see their dentist. But he wants you to know his team strives to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about our office that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our friendly staff? Dr. Partovy himself?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!

Dr. Ray Partovy, Marina Del Rey's Premier Invisalign® Provider

Dr. Partovy, Marina Del Ray's premier Invisalign provider in 2009, has been successful in giving amazing smiles to both teens and adults. Dr. Partovy and his team will create your individual treatment plan using Invisalign's clear, custom-molded aligners to solve a range of issues, without disruption to your daily life! These services include:

* Overly crowded teeth
* Widely spaced teeth
* Overbites
* Underbites
* Crossbites

Now, thanks to Dr. Partovy, nothing comes between your lifestyle and having an incredible smile. With Invisalign, you can be as active as you like because Invisalign won't hold you back, remove your aligners for special events, eating and brushing and feel more confident everywhere you go. Invisalign is clear and practically invisible, so nothing gets in the way of your new smile. No wonder Invisalign is the choice of over half a million people!

It's easy to see if you're a candidate for Invisalign treatment. Give Dr. Partovy a call to set up a consultation. Happy New Year!

A couple of recommendations for our doctors...

We love our patients, and we enjoy getting their feedback about our service. Here are a couple patient testimonials that made us smile. If you'd like to write a review about our doctors or staff, you may do so here on the blog or on our Google listing.

"Dear Dr. Partovy,
You were so patient and understanding when I came to see you last week. I had a very comforting first visit with you. I realize you have made the filling look great and appreciate what you have done for me."
- Deone J.

"Dear Dr. Baum,
I want to thank you for the excellent care and dental work I recieved from you last week. Both you and your entire staff deserve recognition for the high level of service you provided me.

In addition to my satisfaction with the cleaning and filling I received, I want to share with you and others that I am amazed at how well the in-office teeth whitening worked. I highly recommend it to anyone that would like to feel proud about their smile.

Thank you again, and I look forward to referring all of my friends to your dental group."
- Michael Wagner

What did you do in November? We'd love to know!

Believe it or not, we’re almost in December – and in full holiday mode! But before you go celebrating, Dr. Partovy and his team want to know: Did you do anything exciting this month? Do you have plans for Thanksgiving? If so, we'd love to hear all about it!

You may share your stories with us here, on our social networks or by giving us a call!

--Happy Thanksgiving, from Dr. Partovy and team

Getting you through flu season, from Dr. Partovy and team

Traditionally cold and flu season starts in Fall, but this year it seems to have started much earlier and with the number of patients canceling appointments because of flu and H1N1 symptoms our practice is taking additional precautions to help prevent the spread of germs.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, we give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients and our staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

Maintaining and protecting oral hygiene equipment is also important this flu season. To protect your toothbrush from bacteria follow these steps:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when bristles appear worn

Hope this helps and give us a call if you have any questions! Stay healthy!

--Dr. Partovy and staff

Dr. Partovy wants to know: What are you up to in November?

October has come and gone, and—believe it or not—we’re almost in full holiday mode! But before we forget about the spooky month that just wrapped up, we’d like to know how you celebrated Halloween! What did you wear? How much candy did you get? Did you have fun?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way! We hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween! Also, what are you up to this month? Anything exciting happening in your life? If so, Dr. Partovy and staff would love to hear all about it.

Write a Review of Dr. Partovy or Dr. Baum!

Whether you have visited Dr. Partovy or Dr. Baum for a week or for years, we'd love to hear your feedback about your experience with us! Now with the Internet, it’s even easier to write your thoughts and share them with the world. We'd want to encourage you to write a review of us. It only takes a moment!

You may write a review here or here.

Thank you!

--Drs. Partovy and Baum and staff

Invisalign Day with Dr. Partovy

Dr. Ray Partovy will be providing Invisalign treatment consultations on Tuesday, August 25th starting at 9:00am to answer your questions about Invisalign treatment, the clear way to straighten teeth. If you have wondered if Invisalign is right for you, ask the scheduling coordinator to schedule you for an appointment for this special event.

Dr. Partovy is your Invisalign premier provider for th e Marina Del Rey area, and space is limited, so call us today!

Bottled Water May Be Behind Tooth Troubles

Dr. Partovy wants you to know that as more families turn to bottled water and away from the tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride!

As of 2005, bottled water is second only to soft drinks as the most popular drink in the United States, beating out milk, juice, and – more significantly – tap water. Between 2001 and 2006, the amount of bottled water sold in the U.S. rose an average of 10% per year. And many dental health specialists point to bottled water’s increased popularity as the culprit behind rising rates of cavities.

Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. The benefits of fluoride were noticed in the early part of the twentieth century, when researchers found communities with low levels of tooth decay. It turned out that these towns had measurable levels (around 1 part per million) of fluoride in their drinking water.

Beginning in the 1940s, communities have fluoridated their water supplies, and dentists have seen a significant decline in cavities ever since. The American Dental Association endorses both community water fluoridation and the use of fluoride-containing products as a safe means of preventing tooth decay. Between tap water and toothpaste, most of us get sufficient amounts of fluoride.

But if your family avoids fluoridated tap water in favor of ever-more-popular bottled water, you could be missing out on the levels of fluoride necessary to make a difference in your oral health.

If bottled water is your water of choice, check the label to make sure that your brand contains fluoride. As of a 2006 decision, the FDA allows bottled water containing .6 to 1.0 milligrams per liter of fluoride to carry a label stating that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay. The ADA has backed this decision.

Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your choppers in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake and visiting Dr. Partovy regularly.