Blog - The Artistic Center For Dentistry - Santa Monica, California

Beam Toothbrush Includes Bluetooth and App

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Dr. Shir in Blog, Technology

A technology website called The Verge recently wrote about a Bluetooth-ready toothbrush called Beam.

The Bluetooth-enabled toothbrush — which will retail for $50 with $3 replaceable heads — transmits brushing data to a free mobile app that includes everything from a history of your brushing habits to a timer to keep you scrubbing for the recommended two minutes.

The app also features brushing goals and lets you listen to music while cleaning your teeth.

It seems technology won’t be staying out of our mouths for much longer.

While this may seem an unnecessary addition to a toothbrush, I can see applications with parents who want to keep their kids on track with their brushing schedules.

Using the app together might make it more fun to brush for two minutes than simply being told to do so.

More info on the Beam brush can be found on the company’s site

Five Pieces of Dental Trivia You Might Not Believe

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Dr. Shir in Blog, Misc.

I was emailed a list of fun/interesting dental facts by a colleague and thought I would share a few here that stuck out to me.

The reason being, I passed these along to some non-dental friends, and they found them far more surprising that I did.

One friend even thought I was making them up. I don’t think any are that unbelievable, but definitely worth sharing.

The average human produces 25,000 quarts of saliva (spit) in a lifetime. That is enough saliva to fill 2 swimming pools!

Over three million miles of dental floss is purchased in North America each year

Regular dental cleanings can help prevent heart attacks.

Tooth Decay is the 2nd most common disease in the U.S. after the common cold.

One in every 2,000 babies is born with a tooth.

Of particular interest to you Santa Monica readers are numbers 3 and 4 – there are real health issues that stem from poor oral health. Call the office and get your check-ups scheduled!

Gum Health and Memory

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Dr. Shir in Blog, Health

As if general oral health isn’t a big enough reason to take extra good care of your gums, new research suggests that the care of your gums may have an affect on memory strength.

A recent report in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry said that adults with gingivitis (this means swollen, bleeding gums) had a worse performance on memory-based tests than those with a healthier mouth. (Particularly their gums.)

The tests were “delayed verbal recall” and simple subtraction. If this isn’t yet another reason not to skip flossing…

Valentine’s Whitening Special

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Dr. Shir in Blog, Discounts

We’re running a special for Valentine’s Day. There’s a limited availability, so give us a call now. This is open to both new and current patients – feel free to share with friends. This is a tremendous value and the best professional whitening treatment on the market.

santa monica zoom whitening

Call or emmail to set up your appointment!

A Very Dental New Year

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Dr. Shir in Blog

USA Today had an excellent list of health-related resolutions for 2012, and thankfully there was a dental-based one in there.

Noted was the importance of dental health beyond the obvious points of gum disease, decay and appearance.

New research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in November found that people who had their teeth cleaned by a dentist or hygienist had a 24% lower risk of heart attack and 13% lower risk of stroke.

The research keeps providing further support for this cardiovascular health element, which is why I continue to bring it up, both in the office and here online. 24% is a huge number…!

Please make the effort to go see your dentist and keep up with your dental health in 2012 – it means a lot to your whole body, and not just your mouth.

Hair Color and the Dentist’s Office

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Dr. Shir in Blog

There was an interesting read in a recent dental Q&A column that suggested having red hair may make you more likely to fear going to the dentist

I had to read that a few times myself before deciding if I’d found myself at The Onion or another parody news website, but the article itself it fairly specific behind the reasons.

It has to do with a gene receptor that is often found in redheads.

The MC1R receptor gene is also found in the brain pathway that processes pain, anxiety and fear. So basically this gene variation alters how redheads perceive pain.

It’s speculated that having the MC1R gene variation makes redheads more resistant to local anesthetic (Novocain) by slightly neutralizing the numbing effect.

As you can see, there is a solid scientific theory behind this. Follow the link for more details – it’s well worth the read.

Kate Middleton’s Dentist

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Dr. Shir in Blog, Cosmetic, Misc.

The dentist behind new Duchess Kate Middleton’s smile had remained secret up until very recently.

He’s a French doctor, and took a somewhat non-traditional approach to the cosmetic design of celebrity teeth.

“They aren’t absolutely aligned. In the United States they want teeth that are symmetrical, monochromatic, artificial. He did some little micro-rotations on Kate Middleton so that it looks like a natural, healthy smile, but not artificial.”

He goes on to compare the work to the “too perfect” smile of typical American movie stars, including Tom Cruise. This is ironic, being that Tom is infamous for having a centered front tooth, which is extremely noticeable once you know to look for it.

In any case, the theory and technique is interesting and well worth clicking through to read. The doctor avoided dental implants and veneers, instead opting for a serious of tiny rotations, as well as grinding and polishing of each individual tooth.

Free Oral-B Electric Toothbrush

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Dr. Shir in Blog, Specials

There’s nothing we appreciate more than when you’re pleased enough with our care that you refer family and friends.

To show our appreciation, we’re starting a new referral program. For every five people you refer to the office that become patients, we will give you a free Oral-B Smart Series 5000 electric toothbrush.

This is an excellent toothbrush and is not available in stores. The 5000 is exclusive to dental professionals and has a $150 value.

For more information on our referral program, contact us. Thank you again for your business.

The John Lennon Tooth Auction

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Dr. Shir in Blog, History, Misc.

A Canadian dentist recently bought one of John Lennon’s teeth at an auction.

It had been in the family of one of Lennon’s housekeepers for forty years, and one of the woman’s sons decided it was time to part ways with it.

“She was very close with John, and one day whilst chatting in the kitchen, John gave my mother the tooth (he had been to the dentist to have it removed that day) and suggested giving it to my sister as a souvenir, as she was a huge Beatles fan,” Barry Jarlett said. “It has been in the family ever since.”

I’m assuming the tooth has been preserved in some way, and not simply kept in a jar or some other simple storage container.

In any case, it’s a large sum for a celebrity tooth. The dentist is going to display it in his office. I can’t say I would do the same were it to fall into my possession!

Free Massage at Burke Williams

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Dr. Shir in Blog, Discounts, Newsletters

(Below is a reprint of Dr. Shir’s latest email newsletter. If you’re not yet a subscriber, you can do so here.)

Here are three chances to get a free massage from Burke Williams.

1) If you have an unfinished treatment you’ve been waiting to complete, give us a call and schedule your appointment, and we will give you a free massage package.

2) You may be familiar with the frog statue we keep in the office. Next time you are near the office – even if you don’t have an appointment – stop in an take a picture of yourself with it.

Then, simply upload that picture to your Facebook page, and then tag The Artistic Dentistry’s Facebook Page in the picture. We’ll randomly pic one picture as the winner on December 12!

You can also take as many of these as you like – feel free to get creative!

3) This is one to pass on to your friends and family – for new patients, after your first ten cleanings, you’ll be given a free Burke Williams massage, as well!

Thanks again for choosing me as your dentist, and I hope to see you soon!

Dr. Nushin Shir
The Artistic Center For Dentistry

(You have a little time left to take advantage of our dental implant special! Click the link to learn more or call 310-393-2300.)

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The Artistic Center For Dentistry – Santa Monica, California