President’s Day Fun Facts!

Yesterday was Presidents’ Day, a day known for celebrating of both George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s combined Birthdays. Presidents’ Day was created in 1971, when President Richard Nixon combined the birthdays of two of our most well-known presidents into one single federal holiday. Presidents’ Day also marks a hard-earned day off from work and school for a lot of our patients at Rayhan and Marvizi DDS.

Here are a few fun facts about our nation’s presidents:

*Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, carried letters, bills and notes in his tall stovepipe hat.

*George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.

*Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, broke the so-called “20-year curse,” in which every president elected in a year ending in zero died in office.

*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents, measuring 6’ 4” tall.

*Virginia is the birthplace of more United States presidents than any other state, followed by Ohio and Massachusetts.

*Harry S. Truman was the first president to have his Inauguration and speeches televised.

Valentine’s Day and your teeth, from Rayhan and Marvizi DDS

Valentine’s Day is here and there is a lot of candy making the rounds this week. It’s once again time to remind all our patients to be extra careful when choosing those candies and treats!

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces if you’re wearing them! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which is known to ruin enamel.

We recommend softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Those who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, as well as at the gum line.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Rayhan and Marvizi DDS!

American Heart Month & your cardiovascular health, from Drs. Marvizi and Rayhan

You may remember our post from last week, when we discussed February being National Dental Health Month. But did you know February also marks American Heart Month at Marvizi Cosmetic Dentistry?

It’s a great time of the year to take notice of the health of your heart – cardiovascular disease remains American’s number one killer, claiming more lives than the rest of major causes of death, 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 our Los Angeles, Long Beach or Bakersfield office regularly can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages – a healthy mouth begins with a visit to Rayhan & Marvizi DDS. In observance of Heart Month, 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 ongoing treatment at our office, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Or, you may ask us on Facebook!

Share your winter break plans with us!

Drs. Rosita M. Rayhan, Joseph M. Marvizi, Jason Lahmani and our team at Rayhan and Marvizi DDS want to know: what do your winter plans look like? Do you have any plans for an exciting family vacation? Are you hanging out around town? Catching up on sleep? Spending time with friends? Let us know! Please feel free to share your exciting winter plans and experiences with us here or on our Facebook page! We would like to wish all of our patients and their families a safe and fun holiday season!

Do we have your current contact info?

Happy holidays from all of us at Rayhan and Marvizi DDS! As you probably know, you can always connect with  Drs. Rosita M. Rayhan, Joseph M. Marvizi and Jason Lahmani and our team on our Facebook page, but we also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

Please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you. Thank you!

-          The team at Rayhan and Marvizi DDS

Good Breath Gone Bad! From Dr. Marvizi

At Marvizi & Rayhan DDS, we know bad breath can be a real downer, especially when you are out on a date you’ve had a crush on for months! However, bad breath can be prevented!

Bad breath, or as your doctor may call it “halitosis,” is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grows in your mouth. This bacteria gathers on bits of food in your mouth and between your teeth and release sulfur compounds making your breath smell. Some foods, like garlic and onions, may contribute more to bad breath because of oils the food the food releases, and smoking is also a major cause of bad breath.

There are several myths around bad breath. Here are some common myths and the truth behind it all:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make my breath smell better

Mouthwash will make your breath smell better, but it is only a temporary fix. If you use mouthwash, just know that you will still need to brush and floss when you get the chance as mouthwash alone will not kill all of the bacteria producing germs in your mouth. When choosing a mouthwash, pick an antiseptic with plaque-reducing compounds. Also make sure any dental products you choose comes with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval!

Myth #2: I brush my teeth; I will never have bad breath

Brushing your teeth will save you from having breath, but the truth is most people only brush their teeth for about 30-45 seconds! You need to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day to give your teeth a thorough cleansing. It’s also important to brush your tongue, which is where a majority of odor causing bacteria like to hang out. Lastly, flossing to remove food and plaque between the teeth will also help reduce your chances of having bad breath!

Myth #3: If I don’t smell it, then my breath is fresh

This is a false assumption in every sense of the word! The truth is that the breath you breathe out is not the same breath coming out when you talk to someone. When you breathe you are not using your throat as you do when you are talking; and when you talk more breath moves over the back of your mouth where bacteria is causing bad breath.

#1 TRUTH: Brush your teeth twice a day (for at least 2 minutes), floss at least once and visit your dentist every six months…this way your breath will always be fresh!

Not letting your nerves get the best of you on your date? That’s up to you!

Smile! June is National Smile Month!

Can you believe it’s already June? Today, Dr. Marvizi and our team at Rayhan and Marvizi DDS thought we’d tell you June is National Smile Month, and a good time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to our Long Beach or L.A. offices!

Below are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks
* Visit us regularly (every 6 months or as recommended by Drs. Marvizi, Rayhan or Lahmani)!

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call, ask our team during your next visit or ask us on Facebook!

We support Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Visiting Rayhan and Marvizi DDS on a regular basis will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy as well. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

As your dentists, Drs. Marvizi, Rayhan and Lahmani are specialists who work to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next appointment. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

Love your smile? Tell the world about it!

Has your experience at Rayhan & Marvizi DDS been GREAT?

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Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience! We really appreciate it!

How important is your smile? From Drs. Marvizi & Rayhan

At Rayhan and Marvizi DDS, our practice strives to provide a positive experience for you at every visit. From our comfortable and open welcome room to our various choices in sedation, we want each patient to feel relaxed and at home. We also want you to have a great, dazzling smile.

And speaking of smiling, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Come in to meet us! We offer complimentary consultations for you and your family. We’ll give you a tour of our facilities and speak to you about various options that can help enhance your oral health. Contact one of our two offices located in Los Angeles or Long Beach to schedule an appointment. We offer convenient hours Monday through Friday.