Dr. Amir H. Pouradib majored in biochemistry and minored in psychology at University of California,San Diego. He continued his education at Case Western Reserve University, where he earned his dental degree in 1995. Dr. Pouradib has been practicing in the area since 1996 and continues his education monthly so that he can provide the best possible care to his patients. Dr. Pouradib strives to help provide patients with beautiful and healthy smiles. Our dentist has advanced training in dental implants and mini implants, Invisalign, and soft tissue laser. Dr. Pouradib is Zoom! whitening certified. Our dentist is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the California Dental Association (CDA), the Delta Sigma Delta Supreme Chapter, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Give Kids a Smile a Day Program.
Samantha was born and raised in Santa Rosa, and she has been with Preferred Dental since early 2017. She graduated from Santa Rosa High School and went to college in Chico, California. Since joining our practice, Samantha enjoys learning more about the dental field and loves seeing the smiles on our patients faces as they leave our office with a more confident smile. Samantha helps our team provide a pleasant experience for every patient from the moment they walk through our door. She is happily married with two beautiful girls. In her free time, Samantha loves spending time with her family while barbequing or hanging out by the pool. She also enjoys gardening and playing the violin with her oldest daughter.
Aimee was born and raised in Santa Rosa. After graduating from Piner High School, she attended Santa Rosa Junior College, earning an Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts and science, as well as an Associate of Science degree in dental hygiene. Aimee and her husband love raising their three children. They also enjoy the outdoors, eating gourmet food, and travelling. Fitness is important to their family and they spend a lot of time exercising and swimming. Aimee really enjoys the patients in our practice and looks forward to helping them have healthy and beautiful smiles.
Marling was born in Baja California, Mexico, and was raised in Sonoma County, California. She has been a valued part of our team for over ten years. Because she has been with the practice for so long, she has created a bond with our patients. When patients walk in and are greeted with a familiar face, it makes them feel at ease. Marling can read, write, and speak Spanish, which is very helpful to our patients. Marling loves being a part of our practice because of the opportunity to work with and help patients who start out unhappy or scared. She gets to see them transform into a new person as they walk away with joy and gratitude when treatment is complete.
Marling is married and has two beautiful girls and two rambunctious boys. In her spare time, Marling loves spending time with family and friends having barbeques. She also enjoys dancing, going for walks, visiting new places and meeting new people, and skydiving.
Monique Dental AssistantMonique became a part of our team in 2015. She is married with three kids. She helps to make our practice a success by assisting Dr. Pouradib; making sure that he has everything he needs to help our patients feel at ease. Monique is married with three children. When she is not in the office, she can be found hiking, or dancing. She is a big sports fan, and she loves to play sports with her kids!
Carla joined our team in November 2018, and has enjoyed her hands-on training. She loves helping our patients feel great about their smile, and helps ensure that our office is stocked with everything we need to provide our patients with quality, comfortable care. Carla has one daughter.
Setareh earned her bachelors degree in business administration and her masters in economics and international relations. She has been a part of the Preferred Dental team for 10 years, doing marketing and bookkeeping. Setareh is fortunate enough to have two amazing boys. In her spare time, Setareh loves to travel and to get away as much as possible. She loves the outdoors, cycling, skiing, and walking. Setareh is passionate about cooking and baking.
Alysia recently joined our practice as an intern. She graduated from Windsor High School and is currently attending Santa Rosa Junior College and majoring in dental hygiene. The best part of being at Preferred Dental for her is learning something new every day and that everyone is so kind and patient with her. Alysia contributes to the practice by helping everyone and learning to do different tasks. She has always loved going to the dentist and had braces for five years, so she spent a lot of time on the chair. She is the oldest of six siblings and owns two cats and a bunny.
Bad breath happens to all of us. It even has a scientific name: halitosis. Bad breath occurs when bacteria breed on the tongue, teeth and in the oral cavity. When bacteria in our mouth break down the proteins in our food it creates a sort of sulfuric type of odor.
But for some people, stinky breath is more than just a periodic nuisance that strikes first thing in the morning or after a garlicky meal. It may be a constant source of embarrassment or distress. In rare cases, it may even signal a brewing health condition.
Having bad breath is kind of like getting toilet paper stuck to the bottom of your foot: usually harmless, but so awkward that nobody will tell you about it. The good news: Its is usually temporary. The bad news: Its often caused by a less-than-stellar brushing and flossing routineas well as a bunch of other foods and habits too. Here are 17 reasons why your breath smells bad.
Yep,morning breathis pretty much a given, but heres why it happens: While youre sleeping peacefully, the bacteria in your mouth are anything but. The bugs take advantage of the fact that yourproduction of salivaslowswaydown during sleepand since your saliva helps clean your mouth, your breath might have a bad odor until you brushyour teeththe next morning. Morning breath is totally normal, but some researchers refer to it as morning halitosis.
Mouth-breathingmay make your saliva evaporate, which can dry out your mouth and reduce your mouths ability to rinse away food particles. Some people breathe through their mouths while they sleep, but many people often do it during exercise as well. Thats not a reason to stop exercising, of course. Just make sure you stay hydrated during a workout and replenish your fluids afterwards.
Garlic and onions are two famous offenders, but other culprits include spices, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and radishes. And even though thepungent scentof those foods might fade away after an hour or two, it can still come back up againin one big garlicy burp. And bad breath from food can occasionally stem from the GI tract, not just your mouth. When you digest food, the chemicals are eventually absorbed into your bloodstream and enter your lungs, where you canexpel them later.
Skipping meals is a surefire way to have bad breath. Thats because when we dont eat, we dont produce as much saliva. Whys that important? Because saliva doesnt just clean up food particles, it also breaks down that food to help it slide down our throats more easily.
Add halitosis to the list of health conditions that can be caused bycigarettes. Unsurprisingly, smoking not only increases the amount ofodor-producing compoundsin a persons mouth and lungs, but the habit can also dry out your mouth, leading tolower saliva production
Certain medslike some antihistamines, diuretics, antipsychotics, and muscle relaxantscan cause side effects that includedry mouth. And that, in turn, can reduce the amount of saliva your mouth produces and how much bacteria will continue to camp out there.
Since you cant do anything about your medication regimen, try cleaning your tongue with either a toothbrush or a tongue scraper. Your tongue harbors most of the bacteria that causesmelly breath, and scraping it off the surface may halt bad breath, at least temporarily.
Themucus in your nosehelps filter all the foreign particles that you breathe in from the environmenta good thing. But what happens when thatmucusstarts building up in the back of your throat because you have terrible pollen allergies or anasty cold? Those foreign particles eventually travel into your mouth, settle on the surface of your tongue, and in turn trigger bad breath. As if asore throatwasnt bad enough.
Your mom has already warned you that a buildup of plaque can erodeyour teeth, leaving you withcavities. And while poor oral hygiene certainly contributes to bad breath, those holes may alsotrigger halitosisindirectly, too : Food can get caught in the cavities, and since cavities can be hard to clean, the remnants of your last meal can linger there for longer-than-usual periods of time, which can then lead tomorebad breath.
Were not just talking about bracesorthodontic appliances like dentures and fixed bridges can be difficult to maintain too. But its important that you clean them every day, as theyre also prime magnets for food particles, which can become lodged in the material.
The overwhelming majority of halitosis cases are caused by the bacteria in a persons mouthbut researchers also suspect that in a minority of people, bad breath is triggered by a GI disorder likegastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD), in which the contents of a persons stomach leak back up into the esophagus.
Mouthwash only gets rid of bad breath temporarily. If you do use mouthwash, look for an antiseptic (kills the germs that cause bad breath) and plaque-reducing one. When youre deciding which dental products to toss into your shopping cart, its always a good idea to ask your dentist for recommendations.
The truth is that most people only brush their teeth for 30 to 45 seconds, which just doesnt cut it. To sufficiently clean all the surfaces of your teeth, you should brush for at least 2 minutes at least twice a day. Remember to brush your tongue, too bacteria love to hang out there. Its equally important to floss because brushing alone wont remove harmful plaque and food particles that become stuck between your teeth and gums.
Wrong! When you breathe, you dont use your throat the same way you do when you talk. When you talk, you tend to bring out the odors from the back of your mouth (where bad breath originates), which simply breathing doesnt do. Also, because we tend to get used to our own smells, its hard for a person to tell if he or she has bad breath.
One way to determine if you have bad breath is to ask someone who you trust to be honest and tell you if you have bad breath. You can also ask your dentist next time you have a check-up.A more private method to determine if you have bad breath is to lick your wrist, wait for the saliva to dry, and then smell the area. Scraping the back of your tongue with a spoon and then smelling the spoon is another method of self-testing for bad breath. You should see a dentist if you have the following signs or symptoms:
A dentist will be able to say whether you have bad breath and might rate its intensity on a scale after smelling the breath from your mouth and from your nose. They may also rate the intensity of odor from a tongue scraping or length of dental floss. Some dentists have detectors that can identify specific chemicals responsible for bad breath.
Because problems inside the mouth are the most common causes of bad breath, a dentist will check your teeth, tongue, and gums and may also take X-rays. If a dentist is unable to find the cause of bad breath inside your mouth, they will suggest that you see your doctor.
To look for other causes of bad breath, a dentist will ask about other symptoms and do a physical examination. They might also do blood tests and examine the inside of your nose, throat, oesophagus, and stomach.
Whether you wake up with dragon breath or sense a stench coming from your mouth several times a day, halitosis can usually be treated quickly and easily by maintaining good oral health. Here are five things you can do to keep bad breath at bay:
Need another reason to floss your teeth at least once a day? Flossing daily helps improve bad breath by effectively removing the food particles and bacteria that contribute to it. That makes flossing one of the easiest ways to prevent and banish bad breath.
Bad breath, also known ashalitosis, is more common than many people realize. You may joke about bad breath, whether its your own or someone elses, but its an important oral health issue. Bad breath can be more than an embarrassing social problemit can be a sign of disease or illness.
Most people expect their wisdom teeth to emerge at some point during the late teens and early adult years. But while many people have one to four wisdom teeth, some people dont have any at all. Wisdom teethare the third set of molars in the back of your mouth. Although its common to get wisdom teeth, they can cause issues.
You can experience pain as the teeth break through thegums. And if there isnt enough space in your mouth for your wisdom teeth, they can become impacted below the gum surface. In either case, you may need to have them removed.
Adental X-raycan reveal whether you have third molars. Not having any wisdom teeth might come as a surprise, and you might think theres something wrong with your oral health. But the reality is, its perfectly okay not to have these molars.
According to researches, its estimated that anywhere from 5 to 37 percent of people are missing one or more of their third molars. The reason is unknown, but lack of these teeth could involve genetics. So if one of your parents doesnt have wisdom teeth, you may not have them either.
Wisdom teeth emerge at different ages. Typically, you can expect your third molars to come in around your late teens or early adult years, between the ages of 17 and 21. However, some people get their wisdom teeth earlier, and some people get them later.
If you need your wisdom teeth removed, its easier to do so when youre younger. Not that you cant schedule surgery later in life, but when youre young, the bones around your gums are softer and the nerve roots in your mouth havent completely formed.
One belief is that wisdom teeth served as replacement teeth for our distant ancestors. Today, we eat foods that are soft or tender, and most people practice good oral hygiene. Both factors help reduce the likelihood of losing teeth.
Of course, theres no rule that says you have to remove a wisdom tooth that emerges especially if you have space in your mouth. Some people choose removal even when their wisdom teeth dont cause problems to avoid complications down the road. And some people dont seek removal until they have pain.
Pain in the back of the mouth is a common sign of emerging wisdom teeth.Tooth paincan start off as mild and intermittent. The gums in the back of your mouth may hurt for a few days, and then the pain subsides. This can happen on and off over several months or years. However, pain can gradually increase to the point where it becomes difficult to chew or talk. Pain is often due to the tooth pressing on the nerves in the mouth.
Food may also get trapped in the gums around third molars, which can cause a cavity on your emerging third molar. Teeth in front of wisdom teeth can also get cavities because there isnt enough space to brush or floss.
Impacted wisdom teeth can result in pain, damage to other teeth and other dental problems. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth may cause no apparent or immediate problems. But because theyre hard to clean, they may be more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum diseasethan other teeth are.
Impacted wisdom teeth dont always cause symptoms. However, when an impacted wisdom tooth becomes infected, damages other teeth or causes other dental problems, you may experience some of these signs or symptoms:
Wisdom teeth usually emerge sometime between the ages of 17 and 25. Some people have wisdom teeth that emerge without any problems and line up with the other teeth behind the second molars. In many cases, however, the mouth is too crowded for third molars to develop normally. These crowded third molars become trapped (impacted).
An impacted wisdom tooth may partially emerge so that some of the crown is visible (partially impacted), or it may never break through the gums (fully impacted). Whether partially or fully impacted, the tooth may:
However, if theres any discomfort or you find it difficult to open your mouth, a wisdom tooth may be impacted under the gums. A dentist can take an x-ray to find out if the impacted wisdom tooth needs to be extracted. Sometimes, all thats needed is a small cut in the gums to help the wisdom tooth come through. A dentist can explain your options and recommend a full treatment plan based on your needs.
If youve been told you need your wisdom teeth removed, you could feel a little concerned. Theres no need to be anxious. Your dentist makes getting your wisdom teeth removed as easy and stress-free as possible. And having your wisdom teeth removed will put an end to the pain and discomfort that you may have been experiencing.
Your dentist or surgeon can explain instructions for recovery and what you can expect based on your procedure and circumstances. Theyll advise you on recovery and possible side effects this should happenbeforeremoval.
Wisdom teeth tend to be large, so you may need stitches after theyre removed. Removal may cause swelling or some bleeding for the first few days, but over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can help alleviate the pain. Your dentist or surgeon will provide instructions; dont hesitate to ask for take-home material like a pamphlet or print-out that explains recovery instructions, or ask for a number you can call if you have questions about your recovery.
Its best to stick to a soft diet such as soup or mashed potato aim for soft dishes that minimize chewing. Your dentist or surgeon will recommend when you can start reincorporating foods from your regular diet; many people often wait about four days before trying to return to harder or chewier foods.
You may find it uncomfortable to brushshortly after having wisdom teeth removed, especially around any wounds. For this reason, your dentist might recommend that you use a mouthwash to help keep the area clean.
Dry socket, the informal name for alveolar osteitis, is when the blood clot helping the wound heal around your tooth socket becomes infected, causing severe pain which is not controlled with medicine. Dry socket requires immediate attention. This usually involves anti-inflammatories to ease the discomfort, a medicated antiseptic dressing to promote healing and possibly a course of antibiotics to control the infection.
There is no reason to believe that the procedure would have any impact on your pregnancy. However, dentists may opt not to use X-rays and you will most likely be put under local, rather than general, anaesthetic. In many cases your dentist is likely to wait and carry out the treatment after the birth, unless it was considered an emergency procedure.
Most people need two or three days off work to recover from the effects of the anaesthetic after they have had wisdom teeth removed. Those with a more physical job may need an extra day or two. If your job involves driving you should be fine to return after 24-48 hours after having had anaesthetic, but you need to use your own judgement and seek advice from your dentist if you are unsure.
Your dentist may recommend that you get your teeth scaled. This procedure is generally conducted along with root planning. In more common terms, these procedures are known as a deep cleaning. Teeth scaling and root planning helps to treat chronicperiodontal disease(otherwise known as gum disease). They are more in-depth than a typical teeth cleaning.
Teeth scaling and root planning often take more than one dental visit and could require a local anesthetic based on the severity of your chronic periodontal disease and if you havereceding gums. Recovery from this outpatient procedure usually only takes a few days but may take longer.
Root planning is the process in which any area of the tooth root that is infected by bacteria is cleaned. The treatment involves removing plaque and tartar and smoothing the root of the tooth where it sits beneath the gum line. Scaling is clearing away the tartar and plaque on surface of the teeth that is above the gum line. Both procedures are vital parts of maintaining good oral and dental health.
Your dentist will recommend teeth scaling and root planning if your mouth has signs of chronic periodontal disease. These procedures can help stop the harmful effects of this condition and keep your mouth healthy.
Chronic periodontal disease occurs when the bacteria in plaque cause your gums to pull away from your teeth. This causes large pockets to grow between your teeth and gums, and more bacteria can grow there that you cannot reach with teeth brushing at home. Thats why its key tofloss regularlyto reach spots that toothbrushes cant.
Root planning actually involves removing small amounts of the tooths cementum and dentin. In addition to removing debris, the curettes also smooth out uneven surfaces on a tooths root to prevent bacteria, biofilm, and calculus from re-accumulating in the future. Root planning is required for the gumline to effectively re-attach to your teeth.
Teeth scaling and root planning are considered to be the gold standard treatment for chronic periodontal disease. A2015 reviewof 72 journal articles on these procedures found that they improved the pocket gap between teeth and gums by .5 millimeters on average.
By reducing the pockets that develop between your teeth and gums through teeth scaling and root planning, you will reduce your risk of experiencing tooth, bone, and tissue loss associated with chronic periodontal disease.
Following Scaling and Root Planning, you can expect to notice less redness, and less bleeding, and less swelling of your gum tissue. Your gum health can be maintained with proper home care and regular professional care.
Discomfort or painshould be acute and should subside in a few days. Discomfort immediately after treatment is usually associated with slight throbbing or aching and occasionally may be uncomfortable. This discomfort usually subsides in about four hours. Any discomfort due to brushing should get better in one to three days.
Diet/EatingIf extensive root planning was performed, chewing hard foods, such as meat or raw vegetables may be uncomfortable; this should last no longer than a few days. A diet of softer consistency would be advised until chewing becomes more comfortable.
If a local anesthetic was used, avoid chewing foods until feeling returns to avoid injury to the tongue or cheeks. Acetaminophen or a non-aspirin analgesic should be taken as needed to reduce discomfort. If tooth sensitivity persists, use a desensitizing dentifrice (toothpaste) containing potassium nitrite. If the sensitivity is severe and prolonged, professional application of a desensitizing agent may be required.
If gum tissues are tender, brush your teeth gently but thoroughly; this may take a little more time than normal. By the third to fourth day, normal oral hygiene techniques can be resumes. Mouth rinsing is recommended with either of the following solutions: (1) an antimicrobial rinse, or (2) a warm saline rinse. Use of these rinsed should be limited to one to two weeks.