Is Laser Treatment For You?

Laser treatment is gaining momentum around the world for various medical procedures. Laser eye treatment, laser hair removal and even laser periodontal treatment. Get the facts about laser treatment to determine if this procedure is the right choice for you.

The laser cleans out plaque using wavelengths in order to reach below the gum line. The advantage of this type of treatment is that it takes less time, is not as painful, and can be completed usually within two visits that are generally no more than one hour each. LANAP laser surgery can have you in the chair treating the disease and then quickly on your way back to work the same day.  

“The LANAP laser protocol uses a laser,” says Dr. DenineRice, “with four fiber fine hairs to go below the gum line and clean out the plaque.  By utilizing a laser for surgery instead of more traditional methods you are able to usually return to work the same day. “

“And laser treatment costs are similar to the cost of regular treatment,” according to periodontist, Denine Rice.

LANAP laser surgery has the ability to clean out the bacteria below the gum line and allow your gums to heal to a healthy state. Surgery can reduce the swelling in your gums caused by periodontal disease and can restore your smile to a healthy, beautiful smile.

4 Simple Steps To Improving Your Oral Health

Do your gums bleed when you brush? Are your gums swollen or appear to be pulling away from the teeth? You may have the start of gingivitis or periodontal disease. It is important to make changes to your dental health routine as soon as you notice the problem. Waiting will only compound the issues and cause you the potential of severe bone loss later on. Here are four ways to immediately improve your dental health.

1.     Brush regularly. Periodontal disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on your teeth. As the plaque gets thicker, it can move below the gum line. This causes red, swollen and puffy gums that may bleed. Plaque is usually thick and yellow in color.

2.     Flossing is the only way to remove food from between the teeth. As you enjoy the steak dinner, the meat can become lodged between the teeth. As the food stays on the teeth, it turns to sugar, and then the sugar can eat at the enamel on your teeth.

3.     Avoid or limit high sugar foods and soda. This is not new, but a very necessary step to improve your smile and decrease the chance of dental and periodontal disease.

4.     Take care of periodontal disease. It is easy to want to leave the problem and ignore it. “However, over time,” Dr. Rice says, “periodontal disease left untreated gets worse not better.”

It takes only a few short minutes a day to increase the overall health of your smile. Call today if you are struggling with periodontal disease.

Healthy White Smile

A polished, healthy smile can increase your chances of being hired for that job you've always wanted. O it can create an opportunity to meet your future husband. In fact, your smile has the power to change the world. Why not take care of it? Our teeth work hard all day long, breaking down food, and stimulating bone growth in our jaw. Reward them by brushing, flossing, and taking care of any problems early on. 
Dr. Denine Rice says, "Periodontal disease left untreated enters the bloodstream by going below the gum line." Eventually, as these bad bacteria build up, they can negatively impact the heart, liver and other internal organs. While you are living a busy lifestyle, you may not realize all the damage being done until you are ill. Worse yet, this problem can spread, making it costly to fix the damage that has been done. 
"Dental habits are preventative measures to help keep your smile lasting a lifetime. Your teeth start out strong, and can do the job they are intended for, when you brush twice a day, floss once a day and visit your dental regularly," suggests Dr. Rice. 
A white smile isn't just about cosmetics, it means your mouth is healthy and in the best working condition possible.  

Enjoy The Sun & Protect Your Teeth - 3 Tips To Healthy Summertime Food

When enjoying the sun’s rays this summer, it may seem easier to pack high sugar, sticky items to take to the beach with you. While packing snacks ahead of time is a great way to reduce eating out and means you can choose the right type of snacks, you may want to avoid some of these foods to ensure your smile stays healthy. Here are three easy tips to stay on track this summer from Periodontist, Dr. Denine Rice.

Avoid sticky foods. These types of foods tend to adhere to your teeth, increasing the opportunity for bacteria to attack your teeth. Snacks higher in sugar can linger in your mouth as you stay in the sun. They also can decrease overall saliva production, which is a playground for bacteria to grow in.

Dr. Rice suggests you, "take fresh fruits and vegetables instead." Fruits and vegetables are easy to cut up and put in small snack-sized containers. They are easy to take with you, and do not take up much space in a cooler. And best yet, foods high in water help rinse food from teeth instead of sticking to them.

Follow these tips and enjoy the summer sun and keep your smile bright.

3 Options To Reduce Dental Sensitivity

Sensitivity can be the result of a variety of problems with your teeth. Some tooth sensitivity may mean nothing, for example, if the sensitivity is felt anytime you drink something cold, is felt all over the mouth and stops within a few seconds, it may be nothing more than general sensitivity. If you have this type of sensitivity, you may want to ask your dentist to recommend a different type of toothpaste, perhaps one that is specific for sensitive teeth.

 

Dental sensitivity can also be to hot foods or drinks, such as coffee or soup. If you are enjoying a hot cup of coffee and a tooth is sensitive, you should be seen immediately by your dentist. This type of sensitivity is generally related to nerve damage inside the tooth and will not get better on its own.

At the base of your teeth, you have gum tissue, when this tissue recedes it can then provide an exposed surface for bacteria to attach to. If your gums have receded, depending on how bad, you may need to have gum-grafting surgery to help rebuild the area. This surgery provides a new look to enhance your smile.

Tooth enamel is the hard outer surface that protects your teeth. Damage to the enamel can cause your teeth to be more sensitive. Depending on the reason will greatly depend on the recommended treatment. You may need a thorough cleaning, to change the foods you are consuming, or have laser treatment to reduce the effects of periodontal disease.

For more information on teeth sensitivity and your options talk to Dr. Denine Rice today.

Gum Disease & Your Smile

Improving your smile using cosmetic dentistry is not the only way to improve your smile. There are a variety of other ways to get your healthy, white smile back in order. This summer take care of your dental health with your periodontist and enjoy a smile of a lifetime. Here are three tips to improve your smile.

 

1.     Periodontist, Dr. Denine Rice, one of the Inland Empire’s top-rated dentists, suggests getting a thorough cleaning to get rid of any debris attached to your teeth. And if you have decay or disease that has moved below the gum line it is critical to take care of this problem quickly. “Addressing the issue early on decreases the chance of bone loss or further decay and problems,” advises Dr. Rice. 

2.     Begin a healthy flossing regime after you have had a thorough cleaning. Flossing is the number one way to improve the health of gums and improve the look of your mouth. They should be pink, not swollen and should not bleed when brushing or flossing. 

3.     Stains and calculus can build up over time if you are not brushing and flossing regularly. Periodontist Dr. Rice, suggests, “Once your teeth have been cleaned of debris, use strawberries as a natural whitening agent to keep them looking fresh and clean.”

Periodontist and Cosmetic Dentistry

While you may not think of cosmetic dentistry and a periodontist in the same sentence, both have the ability to save your smile after the negative effects of periodontal disease has impacted it, or to increase the beauty in a natural smile. There are multiple options to support your smile or get it back to normal.

 If your gums have receded due to periodontal disease, placing gum tissue into that area of the gums can help restore your smile to a beautiful radiant look. Many times, gum tissue can be grafted using excess tissue from your other teeth.  If there is not enough tissue, Dr. Rice may be able to use tissue from the roof of the mouth to help even out the gums in the front.

Bone loss can cause a smile you are not proud of. While you may have fixed the periodontal disease, you may now be left with missing teeth and bone loss. , To restore your natural look, a bone grafting procedure may be needed  prior to implant surgery. Once your implant restoration is completed, you’ll once again have the smile you’ve always loved.

Periodontist, Dr. Denine Rice can also help change your smile by completing depigmentation of the gums using a laser. This process can remove the color of the gums or to even out the color. By utilizing a laser, this safe and effective procedure that can give you the look you’ve always wanted.

If you are faced with any of these and are looking to restore your smile, contact Dr. Rice and her team.

Gum Disease & You

Women’s bodies are different at different points throughout their life, and some of these very important points in their life can create different gum problems. For example, young teens going through puberty are more susceptible to gum disease as hormones increase blood to the gums, which increases the gum’s sensitivity.

 

Menstruation can also be another time when your gums are susceptible to problems with gum disease. You may experience red, swollen gums during this time of the month. If you are feeling an increase in sensitivity, and have swollen gums, you may want to brush and floss more often than normal. If you experience sensitivity beyond menstruation then it’s probably time to visit the dentist. There are also mouthwashes that may help with increasing the health of your gums. 

Pregnancy is another joyous occasion where you look forward to the beauty of having a child, but it can come with an increased opportunity for gum disease and gingivitis due to increased hormones.  “If you are a women experiencing problems with your gums during this time make sure to discuss the issue with your dentist,” suggests Dr. Denine Rice.

Menopause and post-menopause cause changes in the body and in the mouth as well. These chances can lead to increased sensitivity in the mouth, bleeding and swollen gums. You may also experience dry mouth, which increases the risk of bacteria staying in the mouth and attacking the teeth.

If you’re experiencing any of these, increased mouth sensitivity or trouble, contact Dr. Rice and her team today.