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!

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!

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!

Beware of those Christmas goodies!

Dr. Partovy knows maintaining a healthy diet over the holiday season can prove a difficult task. After all, who can resist the tasty treats of Christmas? With grandma and everybody else offering you candy, chocolate logs or Christmas pudding, you just can’t say “I’ll pass” each time. But trouble lurks: every time you chow down on that chocolate or candy, the bacteria in your mouth have a feast on the sugar—at your expense. The sugar turns into acid, and the acid eats away at the enamel on your teeth. Then, you start getting cavities.

Instead, our friends at the American Dental Association, or AAO, recommend nuts or dried fruit, which are a nice alternative to sugars and have a greater nutritional value—and can satisfy your sweet tooth! Both nuts and fruit are a great source of fiber and act as an appetite suppressant. In addition, nuts are a great source of Vitamin E, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B9, nutrients that contribute to a healthy immune system. Nuts are also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked with reducing heart disease and lower blood pressure. If you must indulge in chocolaty goodness this Christmas or holiday season, remember to brush your teeth after eating sugary treats.

Call us if you have any questions! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

A great article about changes in dentistry, from Dr. Partovy

The world around us is always changing and evolving, whether it’s the latest gadget you ordered online or the high-tech braces on your teeth! Recently, Dr. Partovy and his team read an article in the New York Times about dental implants, and how they are becoming increasingly favored over bridges to replace lost teeth. One thing to remember about dental implants is that they need to be cared for just like your regular teeth; daily brushing and flossing are a must!

Call us today to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation with Drs. Partovy or Baum to discuss your implant options.

Happy Friday!

Dr. Partovy and team want to know: What do you love about the holidays?

The holiday season is upon us, and as the team at Ray Partovy, D.D.S. reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask: What’s your favorite part about the holidays? Being with your loved ones? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

--Dr. Partovy and team

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.

Getting Married This Fall? Let Dr. Partovy Give You a Brighter Smile!

It’s Fall. Leaves are turning shades of orange and red, the wind is picking up and getting cooler, and pumpkin patches are full of bright orange pumpkins. Families gather together, kids head out trick-or-treating, and as always, wedding bells are ringing. That's right, Fall is one of the best times of year to tie the knot! If you are gearing up for a wedding this Fall, consider matching that white dress to a perfectly white smile!

Dr. Partovy offers in-office tooth whitening for the bride, the groom, or the entire wedding party! You get the girls together to get their nails done, and now you can get them together to get their teeth done!

In-office whitening is the quickest, most effective way to achieve whiter teeth. Because we are dental professionals, we have the expertise to use higher percentages of whitening agents than the at-home systems allow. So you can get a brighter white, usually in just one visit!

Give us a call and let Dr. Partovy add some extra sparkle to your “I do”!

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

Ghosts, Goblins and National Orthodontic Health Month!

Trick-Or-Treat! In honor of Halloween, the American Association of Orthodontists has provided trick-or-treaters with some tips and treats for a ghoulishly good time!

BOO! Dr. Patovy's Spooky recipes for a “braces friendly” Halloween


Frightfully Fabulous Cupcake Sandwiches

Ingredients:
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 cup warm water
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup superfine sugar
2 cups cake flour, sifted
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 can of chocolate frosting or store-bought chocolate mousse
1 container of whipped topping

Assorted “braces-friendly” candy pieces such as chopped peanut butter cups, chocolate bars and melt-in-your-mouth candies.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Fill a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners and set aside.

Combine cocoa powder, water, and mix until smooth. Fold in mayonnaise. (Make sure cocoa mixture is not to hot to prevent breaking of mayonnaise). Add vanilla and whisk until smooth.

In mixer, combine sugar, cake flour, baking soda and salt and mix slowly until well incorporated. Add wet cocoa mixture, mix on medium-high until well blended. Scrape down the sides and blend for 30 seconds.

Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 way full of batter. Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool on rack.

Slice each cupcake in half, horizontally, and serve the halves with chocolate mousse or frosting, whipped topping, and assorted candy pieces. Kids build the sandwiches by spreading one-half of a cupcake with mousse/frosting or whipped topping, sprinkling on candy pieces and placing the other half of cupcake on top.


Halloween Safety Tips

•Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
•Carry a flashlight
•Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
•Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
•Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in


Be sure to visit our web site, and have a great rest of Happy National Orthodontic Health Month!