Sandra shares her Invisalign experience with Dr. Partovy

Recently, Sandra, a patient of Dr. Partovy's, recorded a patient testimonial here in our office. Watch as Sandra describes her Invisalign treatment experience at Maxella Dental. We are glad to have helped Sandra obtain a better-looking smile!

Our offices are conveniently located in Marina Del Rey and Tarzana, California, and provide comprehensive dental treatment for the whole family.

Visit our web site or give us a call for a consultation to determine if Invisalign treatment is right for you!

Dr. Partovy wants to know: Could you be a teeth whitening addict?

In a day and age when looks matter as much as anything in life, more and more folks want to look and feel great - and that means more and more people are compulsively trying whitening their teeth. But dentists across the country are concerned that more and more people are obsessively - and ineffectively.

There really can be too much of a good thing when it comes to teeth whitening, and at the office of Dr. Ray Partovy, we offer professional teeth whitening, an at-home whitening system and whitening toothpaste that provide special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. We're confident all these services will help you restore your gleaming, bright white smile.

Teeth whitening can have minor side-effects and you should speak with Dr. Partovy if these become bothersome. For example, teeth can become sensitive during the period when you are using the bleaching solution. In most cases, this sensitivity is temporary and should lessen once the treatment is finished. Some people also experience soft tissue irritation, either from a tray that doesn't fit properly or from solution that may come in contact with the tissues. If you have concerns about such side effects, you should discuss them with Dr. Partovy.

Lastly, if you suspect you may have a teeth whitening addiction, we encourage you to check out this helpful article from our friends at WebMD.

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!

Dr. Partovy, your Marina Del Rey and Tarzana Lumineers provider

Are your teeth chipped or stained? Would you like to improve your smile permanently, without any painful processes? Dr. Ray Partovy is pleased to offer Lumineers as an alternative to traditional porcelain veneers.

Lumineers are available through experienced cosmetic dentist Dr. Partovy, who has been creating beautiful natural looking smiles for patients in Marina Del Rey, Tarzana and surrounding communities for years. Veneers provide a way to conceal stains, chips, discoloration and misaligned teeth, by covering your actual teeth with a permanent layer of tooth-colored material. Because Lumineers are as thin as contact lenses, their application requires little to no tooth reduction, and no anesthetic is necessary.

Lumineers are bonded to your teeth and set in place by Dr. Partovy with a curing light. Because the process is less invasive than with traditional veneers, Lumineers patients under Dr. Partovy's care find that they immediately enjoy their new smiles without any post-procedure discomfort or sensitivity.

Take control of your smile and give us a call to ask whether Lumineers are a good choice for you.

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 featured in Invisalign video!

Check out this cool and interesting video about Invisalign and what patients can expect from the treatment. Notice anyone in particular? That's right! Dr. Partovy himself!

Did you know Dr. Partovy was Marina Del Rey's premier Invisalign provider in 2009? If you have been thinking about Invisalign treatment, please give us a call!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

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!

Zoom!® your way to a brighter smile at Ray Partovy, DDS

We've blogged about the advantage of Zoom Whitening with Dr. Partovy, and today thought we'd talk a little more about Zoom, the great way to enhance the appearance of your smile. Zoom is a professional teeth whitening treatment that gets your teeth an average of eight shades whiter — in just one hour! With Dr. Partovy, the treatment is safe, simple and relaxing! Plus, Zoom is championed by dentists and patients as a pain-free process.

To prepare for Zoom! whitening, Dr. Partovy will examine your teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy. Your lips and gums will be covered with an isolation material to protect them during the treatment. Then, we apply the Zoom! whitening gel, which is activated by the Zoom! light source. The gel and light work together to gently break up the stains on your teeth. After three 15-minute applications within one hour, you rinse and the treatment is complete — leaving you with a brighter, whiter smile.

Give us a call to schedule an appointment for Zoom whitening! Enjoy your weekend!

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!