Michael Montgomery DDS, MAGD

It’s hard to imagine a time when we didn’t know COVID-19 existed. Now when people say virus, we know what they mean. The impact of COVID-19 on our lives, our work, our activities, and our freedom has affected us all. You’ve kept our company and industry running through one of the most challenging times in our history. The responsibility is ours, as a community, to help stop this virus. Now we have a new, safe, and effective tool to help us do thatCOVID-19 vaccines. It take...s everyone. We all need to step up to beat COVID-19. We ask you to join us in protecting your community by getting vaccinated. Getting vaccinated adds one more layer of protection for you, your coworkers, your family, and your loved ones. Here are some things you should know about COVID-19 vaccination: -All COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are very effective at preventing the disease. -The most common side effects are pain in the arm where you got the shot, feeling tired, headache, body aches, chills, and fever. -Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have availablewearing masks, social distancing, washing hands frequently, and getting vaccinated. We encourage everyone to sign up to get your COVID-19 vaccination

**Grinding Your Teeth** Do you wake up with dull headaches, vise-like pain, or stiff, sore jaw muscles? If so, you may have a habit of grinding or clenching the teeth called bruxism. Many people are unaware they even do this because it often happens while they are sleeping. However, dental professionals can usually detect signs of wear on your teeth. During this year of pandemic stress, the American Dental Association says that dental health is a casualty. An ADA survey foun...d more than 70% of dentists report an increase of patients with teeth grinding and clenching problems conditions often associated with stress. Stress, sleep disorders, an abnormal bite, or crooked or missing teeth may cause bruxism. Teeth grinding can cause pain or loosen teeth. Patients can actually grind away parts of their teeth, leaving them with worn surfaces or fractured enamel. Bruxism can not only wear down your teeth and damage dental work, but can also cause aching muscles. Luckily, treatment for bruxism and any damaged teeth is available. Options include reducing stress, exercises to relax jaw muscles, and using a night guard while sleeping. Worn surfaces or fractured enamels could be repaired with fillings or other dental work. If you think you might be grinding or clenching your teeth, schedule an appointment to talk with us about your symptoms and possible treatment plans at 310-821-0992 or [email protected]. As always, we look forward to providing you with outstanding dental care =)

SIX BAD HABITS Practicing good oral hygiene means more than just preventing cavities and brushing your teeth. It's also about protecting your enamel, caring for your gums, and reducing bacterial build-up. Here are six bad habits that could be damaging your teeth and how to avoid them. 1. Chewing ice...Continue reading

**Sipping and Snacking** As your dental provider, it is my job to remind you not only to practice good oral hygiene, but also to make smart nutrition choices. As you may know, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks, including sports and energy drinks, can damage teeth. But snacking throughout the day or grazing all day long can also lead to tooth decay. Given our current circumstances with this pandemic, chances are a lot of us have picked up on grazing, so let’s go thr...ough a few tips we can practice while we find a balance between nutrition and our oral health. If you have sugary foods and drinks, have them with meals. Limit snacks and sugary drinks between meals. If you chew gum, choose sugarless gum. Drink water. Drinking water with fluoride can help prevent tooth decay. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste two times a day and floss once a day with dental products that have the ADA Seal. Attend your regular dental appointments. When you have sugary foods or drinks many times a day or sip on the same sugary drink for a long time, the acid attacks your tooth enamel again and again. Repeated acid attacks cause tooth decay. Almost all foods have some type of sugar so it cannot be completely removed from your diet. Many of these foods contain important nutrients and we enjoy eating them. But there is a risk for tooth decay from a diet high in sugars so read labels and plan carefully for a balanced, nutritious diet for you and your kids. If you have any questions regarding nutrition and your oral health, feel free to contact us by phone at (310)-821-0992 or email at [email protected] to set up an appointment.

**Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body** An increasing body of scientific evidence indicates that oral health and overall health may be associated. The bacteria and inflammation associated with severe periodontal (gum) disease have been linked to a variety of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In order to avoid developing periodontal disease, make sure you follow these guidelines: Brush your teeth well 2-3 times a day. Use an ADA accepted toothpaste ...with fluoride to help prevent decay. Choose products with the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance. Clean between your teeth daily with floss or another interdental cleaner. Visit our office for regular dental appointments. We understand these are difficult times and would like to reassure you that our office is following all CDC dental guidelines to ensure the safety of our patients, their families, and staff. If in doubt, feel free to give us a call and we will be more than happy to go through these protocols with you. You can reach us at (310) 821-0992 or [email protected]. Michael Montgomery, DDS, MAGD 8055 W. Manchester Ave., Suite 500 Playa Del Rey, CA 90293 www.Gr8Smiles4Life.com See more

My dear friends, Please see below. Stay well. _____________________ Date: February 26, 2020 at 2:35:50 PM EST... Subject: What I am doing for the upcoming COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Dear Colleagues, as some of you may recall, when I was a professor of pathology at the University of California San Diego, I was one of the first molecular virologists in the world to work on coronaviruses (the 1970s). I was the first to demonstrate the number of genes the virus contained. Since then, I have kept up with the coronavirus field and its multiple clinical transfers into the human population (e.g., SARS, MERS), from different animal sources. The current projections for its expansion in the US are only probable, due to continued insufficient worldwide data, but it is most likely to be widespread in the US by mid to late March and April. Here is what I have done and the precautions that I take and will take. These are the same precautions I currently use during our influenza seasons, except for the mask and gloves.: 1) NO HANDSHAKING! Use a fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump, etc. 2) Use ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches. elevator buttons, etc.. Lift the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or use a disposable glove. 3) Open doors with your closed fist or hip - do not grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. Especially important on bathroom and post office/commercial doors. 4) Use disinfectant wipes at the stores when they are available, including wiping the handle and child seat in grocery carts. 5) Wash your hands with soap for 10-20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer whenever you return home from ANY activity that involves locations where other people have been. 6) Keep a bottle of sanitizer available at each of your home's entrances. AND in your car for use after getting gas or touching other contaminated objects when you can't immediately wash your hands. 7) If possible, cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard. Use your elbow only if you have to. The clothing on your elbow will contain infectious virus that can be passed on for up to a week or more! What I have stocked in preparation for the pandemic spread to the US: 1) Latex or nitrile latex disposable gloves for use when going shopping, using the gasoline pump, and all other outside activity when you come in contact with contaminated areas. Note: This virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. This means that the air will not infect you! BUT all the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious for about a week on average - everything that is associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious. The virus is on surfaces and you will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon. This virus only has cell receptors for lung cells (it only infects your lungs) The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth. 2) Stock up now with disposable surgical masks and use them to prevent you from touching your nose and/or mouth (We touch our nose/mouth 90X/day without knowing it!). This is the only way this virus can infect you - it is lung-specific. The mask will not prevent the virus in a direct sneeze from getting into your nose or mouth - it is only to keep you from touching your nose or mouth. 3) Stock up now with hand sanitizers and latex/nitrile gloves (get the appropriate sizes for your family). The hand sanitizers must be alcohol-based and greater than 60% alcohol to be effective. 4) Stock up now with zinc lozenges. These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus (and most other viruses) from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel ANY "cold-like" symptoms beginning. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx. Cold-Eeze lozenges is one brand available, but there are other brands available. I, as many others do, hope that this pandemic will be reasonably contained, BUT I personally do not think it will be. Humans have never seen this snake-associated virus before and have no internal defense against it. Tremendous worldwide efforts are being made to understand the molecular and clinical virology of this virus. Unbelievable molecular knowledge about the genomics, structure, and virulence of this virus has already been achieved. BUT, there will be NO drugs or vaccines available this year to protect us or limit the infection within us. Only symptomatic support is available. I hope these personal thoughts will be helpful during this potentially catastrophic pandemic. You are welcome to share this email. Good luck to all of us! Jim James Robb, MD FCAP https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com//opsdashboa/index.html

Due to COVID-19 in compliance with CDC and CDA we are closing our dental office for two weeks. Dr. Montgomery will still be available for emergency only, We hope you and your family are well during this time. Thank you for your understanding stay Healthy and safe. (310) 821-0992

My dear friends, Please see below. Stay well. _____________________ Date: February 26, 2020 at 2:35:50 PM EST... Subject: What I am doing for the upcoming COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Dear Colleagues, as some of you may recall, when I was a professor of pathology at the University of California San Diego, I was one of the first molecular virologists in the world to work on coronaviruses (the 1970s). I was the first to demonstrate the number of genes the virus contained. Since then, I have kept up with the coronavirus field and its multiple clinical transfers into the human population (e.g., SARS, MERS), from different animal sources. The current projections for its expansion in the US are only probable, due to continued insufficient worldwide data, but it is most likely to be widespread in the US by mid to late March and April. Here is what I have done and the precautions that I take and will take. These are the same precautions I currently use during our influenza seasons, except for the mask and gloves.: 1) NO HANDSHAKING! Use a fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump, etc. 2) Use ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches. elevator buttons, etc.. Lift the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or use a disposable glove. 3) Open doors with your closed fist or hip - do not grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. Especially important on bathroom and post office/commercial doors. 4) Use disinfectant wipes at the stores when they are available, including wiping the handle and child seat in grocery carts. 5) Wash your hands with soap for 10-20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer whenever you return home from ANY activity that involves locations where other people have been. 6) Keep a bottle of sanitizer available at each of your home's entrances. AND in your car for use after getting gas or touching other contaminated objects when you can't immediately wash your hands. 7) If possible, cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard. Use your elbow only if you have to. The clothing on your elbow will contain infectious virus that can be passed on for up to a week or more! What I have stocked in preparation for the pandemic spread to the US: 1) Latex or nitrile latex disposable gloves for use when going shopping, using the gasoline pump, and all other outside activity when you come in contact with contaminated areas. Note: This virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. This means that the air will not infect you! BUT all the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious for about a week on average - everything that is associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious. The virus is on surfaces and you will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon. This virus only has cell receptors for lung cells (it only infects your lungs) The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth. 2) Stock up now with disposable surgical masks and use them to prevent you from touching your nose and/or mouth (We touch our nose/mouth 90X/day without knowing it!). This is the only way this virus can infect you - it is lung-specific. The mask will not prevent the virus in a direct sneeze from getting into your nose or mouth - it is only to keep you from touching your nose or mouth. 3) Stock up now with hand sanitizers and latex/nitrile gloves (get the appropriate sizes for your family). The hand sanitizers must be alcohol-based and greater than 60% alcohol to be effective. 4) Stock up now with zinc lozenges. These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus (and most other viruses) from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel ANY "cold-like" symptoms beginning. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx. Cold-Eeze lozenges is one brand available, but there are other brands available. I, as many others do, hope that this pandemic will be reasonably contained, BUT I personally do not think it will be. Humans have never seen this snake-associated virus before and have no internal defense against it. Tremendous worldwide efforts are being made to understand the molecular and clinical virology of this virus. Unbelievable molecular knowledge about the genomics, structure, and virulence of this virus has already been achieved. BUT, there will be NO drugs or vaccines available this year to protect us or limit the infection within us. Only symptomatic support is available. I hope these personal thoughts will be helpful during this potentially catastrophic pandemic. You are welcome to share this email. Good luck to all of us! Jim James Robb, MD FCAP https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com//opsdashboa/index.html

Good Morning Hope everyone is having an amazing,day please be safe. I wanted to share our office Holiday schedule with everyone. Our office will be closed from... Tuesday December 24th, 2019 through January 5th, 2019 and will reopen on Monday January 6th, 2020. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy New YearMerry Christmas and Happy New Year

Good Morning Hope everyone is having an amazing,day please be safe. I wanted to share our office Holiday schedule with everyone. Our office will be closed from... Tuesday December 24th, 2019 through January 5th, 2019 and will reopen on Monday January 6th, 2020. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Hello Our office will be closed for Thanksgiving Thursday 11/28 -Sunday 11/24. Wednesday 11/27 we open from 8:00 am -1:00 pmHello Our office will be closed for Thanksgiving Thursday 11/28 -Sunday 11/24. Wednesday 11/27 we open from 8:00 am -1:00 pm

Wishing everyone a safe and Blessed Thanksgiving weekend.Wishing everyone a safe and Blessed Thanksgiving weekend.

Hello Our office will be closed for Thanksgiving Thursday 11/28 -Sunday 11/24. Wednesday 11/27 we open from 8:00 am -1:00 pmHello Our office will be closed for Thanksgiving Thursday 11/28 -Sunday 11/24. Wednesday 11/27 we open from 8:00 am -1:00 pm

Hello everyone hope all is well. If you know anyone who has been diagnosed with SLEEP APNEA and they can not wear their CPAP machine. There is an alternative d...ental appliance and your medical insurance may cover for that appliance , please call me if you have any questions at (310) 821-0992 for more information. Irene See more