5 Problems You Face When You Have Gum Disease

Gum disease may be a problem you do not think is important, or anything you need to spend time taking care of. But Dr. Denine Rice and her team feel that your gum health is critical. Gum disease research has shown that it doesn’t just impact your gums, but can potentially impact your entire body. Here are 5 other problems you may face when you have gum disease.

1.     Bleeding and swollen gums. As the gum disease progresses and turns into a more severe case of periodontal disease, your gums can begin to not look as healthy as they were before. They can begin to bleed easily and become painful when consuming foods that you normally enjoy.

2.     Heart disease, can become worse due to the inflammation that is present in your body when you are impacted by periodontal disease.

3.     Increased risk of stroke. Research found that individuals who have periodontal disease are more likely to have a stroke.

4.     Diabetes. Individuals who have diabetes are more likely to be impacted by diabetes.

5.     Other diseases. Inflammation that is left to run through your body and is not taken care of can begin to cause other diseases and break down your immune system.  

For more information on improving the health of your smile contact Dr. Rice and her team today.

5 Habits To a Healthy Smile

Healthy dental habits are not established by accident. They take dedication and practice. By engaging in these 5 dental habits you can have a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.

1.     Brush 2x a day with a favorite toothpaste that has fluoride in it. Fluoride can help to strengthen the enamel in your teeth. This can protect them from chipping, breaking and dental decay.

2.     Floss regularly. There is no other single action that removes food from between the gums and protects against gum disease.

3.     Eating healthy foods. Eight servings of fruits and vegetables can prevent your mouth from drying out. Eating foods with reduced sugar can help to decrease the risk of decay.

4.     When brushing your teeth, use gentle round circles instead of vigorous brushing strokes. It can cause your gums to recede if you brush too hard.

5.     Visit the periodontist and have the pockets of your gums measured. Gum disease needs to be taken care of as soon as problems arise. By visiting the periodontist on a regular basis it will let you know if there are problems.

For more information on healthy dental habits, contact Dr. Rice and her team.

5 Things To Expect When You Visit The Periodontist

It can be a bit scary and overwhelming when you have been referred to a periodontist. Your gums may be bleeding or you may have lost a tooth or two. A referral is usually made when your dentist is recommending you receive a laser periodontal evaluation or  perio therapy in order to get the periodontal disease under control. But there is no reason to be nervous, here are five things to expect from your visit.

The periodontist will review your health history. This is easy enough. They want to make sure you have not had any hospitalizations or are taking any medications they are not aware of. They may spend some time going over your medical history with you if there is anything you have marked.

Dr. Denine Rice and her team will review the x-rays that were sent over from your dentist. By evaluating the x-rays that already have been taken it will allow them to evaluate what your current needs are.

After this is done there will be an exam. An exam is simply a look at your gums in order for the periodontist to get a really good idea of what type of treatment you are going to need and whether you really need to have laser surgery or whether something else can be done instead.

Once your exam is over, there will be time for a consultation. During this time, the doctor will outline the plan for you. You’ll talk about whether you’re a candidate for laser surgery, what to expect if you have laser surgery and healing time after the procedure.

Finally, you’ll get an estimate of the cost and schedule your next appointment. Then you will be on your way and ready to get the healthy gums you deserve. For more information on laser periodontal procedures, contact Dr. Denine Rice and her team today.

Being Healthy Is Awesome

Bacteria in periodontal disease can impact your smile and your health. You could wake up every day, brush, floss, visit the dentist, eat healthy and exercise, but if you do not floss and take care of your gums some of these efforts will be wasted energy. Being healthy and having healthy gums is the new sexy. Get your sexy on today by loving your gums.

You spend time completing all kinds of activities throughout your day. Make sure you are completing the right ones. "Once you have periodontal disease," says Dr. Rice, "you, unfortunately, are never able to get rid of it.” Laser treatment can help manage the health of your gums and drastically decrease your symptoms of bleeding, swollen gums and other problems you may encounter.

          Controlling inflammation in the mouth is the key to decreasing the negative impact of

periodontal disease. Do this by having laser procedure and you can reclaim your

healthy smile. Stroke, heart disease and diabetes are a few diseases that are higher in individuals who are impacted by periodontal disease.

For more information on how to, “Love your Gums,” contact Dr. Rice and here team

today!

Five Fruits That Are Best for Your Gums

With hundreds of fruits to pick from in order to improve your gums and increase saliva it can be a daunting task to determine which ones are the best for your gums. Dr. Denine Rice states that, “You could spend time eating fruit and never really getting the full benefit.”

 Here is a list of 10 fruits that are best for your gums.

1.     Oranges are not only great for your gums because of the Vitamin C content, they also help to increase the overall saliva in your mouth.

2.     Kiwis are another great source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps reduce inflammation throughout the body including your gums. Vitamin C also helps to produce collagen, which can help you fight periodontal disease.

3.     Strawberries are a fantastic fruit that help create a barrier in protecting your gums. Without Vitamin C you are more susceptible to the bacteria that cause gum disease.  

4.     Apples surpass other fruit by a long shot in keeping your gums healthy. They have the water you need to produce saliva and to keep the bacteria that causes periodontal disease under control. 

5.     Berries are a rich source of antioxidants. Not only do they help protect against cell damage they also protect against bacterial infections.

If these fruits are not a part of your daily consumption, Dr. Rice and her team recommend you eat at least eat 4 servings of fruit a day and include at least one of these 1x a day.

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Big 5

There are plenty of things we do that can cause damage to the health of our gums and teeth. Here is a list of the big five items you want to avoid to protect your smile for a lifetime. When you brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly, you are more likely, says Dr. Denine Rice,  to keep all of your teeth for a lifetime. 

1. Avoid Tobacco in any form. Smokeless tobacco posses some of the same risks as cigarettes. It not only causes staining on the teeth, but also increases your risk for gum disease, periodontal disease and tooth loss.
2. No surprise that sugar is a major problem for your mouth. The longer sugar stays on the teeth the more likely it is to mix with bacteria in the mouth and turn to plaque, which leads to decay.
3. Vigorous brushing. While you may think brushing industriously helps to remove food from the surface of your teeth, you can, in fact, can be doing more damage then good. Brushing diligently at the gum line of your teeth can cause your gums to recede leaving more of your tooth exposed and causing your teeth to become loose.
4. Dentures. Unfortunately, dentures sit on top of the gums, not in the bone. Dentures will replace teeth, but do not replace the roots, and the other structures of your teeth. Without the root structures, eventually you can be impacted by your face sagging causing you to look older than you are.
5. Not flossing. One third of Americans admit they do not floss. This has the largest impact on the overall health of your gums. Without flossing properly food sits between the teeth and cause decay and periodontal disease.

For more information on your gum health, contact Dr. Rice & her team today.  

Holiday Restorative Procedures To Cosmetically Improve Your Smile

People think of the holidays as a time to take care of other people. To give loved ones a gift they have been wanting or to enjoy a meal with family. This year, give yourself the gift of restoring your smile back to its natural and beautiful self. While the holidays are happening it is a great time to take a little time away from it all and ensure your smile is holiday photo ready. Some cosmetic procedures that restore your smile can drastically change the look of your smile in a day.

“Periodontal laser surgery helps to decrease the visible signs of gum disease by eliminating the bacteria that may be causing your gums to be swollen and bleed,” says Dr. Denine Rice.  The fine laser goes beneath the gum line but does not require the gums be cut away from the teeth, as with traditional periodontal surgery. Most patients are in and back to their lives in a day.

When you smile if gums cover your teeth causing them to look short and uneven, a procedure can be completed that helps even out the length of your gums. This procedure may take a little more time to heal, but Dr. Rice, says it’s a great way to improve the cosmetic look of your smile, and to restore your self-confidence.

     For more information on how to improve your smile contact Dr. Rice & her team today.

Is Laser Surgery Safe For Women Who Are Pregnant?

Periodontal disease is an infection that is prevalent in the body. Research suggests that women who are pregnant and have periodontal disease are more likely to have smaller babies and babies who are premature. Dr. Rice states, "anyone who is expecting and has an infection should have a checkup by a periodontist in order to create a plan on how to best support gum health during pregnancy." The great news is, that if you are a candidate for laser surgery, it is safe for women who are pregnant. 

Some individuals may not recommend periodontal surgery for women who are pregnant due to the necessity of local anesthetic. There is good news; most of the time laser periodontal surgery can be done without the need for any anesthetic. 

The laser goes below the gum line, in order to remove bacteria that is below the gum line and causing periodontal disease. This means it can be done without having to cut the gums away from the teeth. This revolutionary breakthrough provides patients with an opportunity to have less pain, less healing time and less of a need for pain medication afterwards. 

Prior to getting laser surgery, talk to your doctor and Dr. Denine Rice to determine if you are a candidate for laser periodontal surgery prior to delivering your baby.  

Laser Surgery Can Restore Your Smile

Laser surgery is an amazing addition to restoring your smile. Not only does the laser beams go below the gum line to clean out bacteria, it can reduce pocket size, and decrease the effects of periodontal disease.  Each laser has different wavelengths and power based on the level of treatment you need. Dr. Denine Rice uses lasers not only for periodontal disease but to also enhance the color of your gums if desired.

During laser periodontal procedures, the laser is used to clean out bacteria that is below the gum line which, will allow for a reduction in the pocket depth. Utilizing a laser decreases down time and increases success rates. Another benefit to using a laser for periodontal surgery is the amount of time it takes to heal. While traditional periodontal surgery usually required at least a few days of down time to heal, laser surgery can have you back up on your feet in just minutes.

Cosmetic dentistry is a great way to get your smile back in the shape you want. If you are unhappy with the color of your gums, she can reduce the pigment in order to even out the look of your smile.   This procedure can be completed in a short amount of time and does not require days for healing.

Lasers have opened up the door to the periodontal field and allows Dr. Denine Rice and her team to complete treatments that couldn’t be done prior.

4 Warning Signs Of Gum Disease

You don’t wake up one day and all of a sudden be plagued with periodontal disease.  There are multiple warning signs that lead up to the problem. The first sign you may run in to is in your bathroom. There is no floss anywhere in it. Dr. Rice suggests, “If you do not have dental floss in your home, you will eventually develop periodontal disease.”  It is impossible to maintain a healthy smile if you are not reaching for the floss at least one time a day.

Redness is caused when food stays below the gum line and begins to irritate it. Your gum’s natural healthy color should be pink.

Swollen gums are a warning sign you have gingivitis. Gingivitis is the beginning stages of periodontal disease. If your gums are swollen, begin to floss at least one time a day on a regular basis and your gums should quickly return to a healthy state. If they do not and the problem persists you will want to schedule an appointment with your dentist to ensure the problem is not more severe than you originally thought.

Do your gums bleed when you brush and floss? You may believe if you only see a little bit of blood that you do not have a problem. Healthy gums do not bleed at all when brushing or flossing.

Gingivitis does not usually coincide with pain in the mouth. You may believe you do not have a serious problem until it is too late. If you develop any of the signs above, visiting your general dentist, beginning a regular floss problem and brushing regularly can get your smile back to a healthy state.

How Periodontal Disease Impacts Your Perfect Smile

  

            An unhealthy smile can negatively impact you in multiple ways. It may take a while for the abuse of not brushing, flossing or visiting the dentist to catch up, but eventually it will and the effects to your smile can be damaging and costly. "Here are 3 negative factors to consider," says Periodontist Dr. Denine Rice. 

1. Crimson gum tissue is not healthy and attracts too much attention

a. When you smile or have your photo taken, crimson gums can attract the negative attention you are not looking for. The red color is indicative of infection and will immediately draw someone’s eye when you are communicating with them. This will detract from what you are saying - definitely a negative when talking to a business associate or client. 

 2. The disease loosens teeth

a. Your gums should be a tight pocket your teeth should fit into. Dr. Rice states, "once you have too much build-up, the gums begin to recede and pull away from the teeth." This leaves teeth loose and could lead to them falling out. 

3. Eventually, you will lose teeth. 

a. Teeth can only stay in a place for so long if they do not have the foundation needed - bone. The more bacteria that build up, the bigger the infection becomes, and you are more likely to have your gums receding even further and suffer from bone loss. This may cause you to have permanent teeth fall out. 

Periodontal disease can be stopped by non-surgical treatment early on, or laser treatment if it is severe. Ask Dr. Denine Rice and her team today for options.   

LANAP-A Step Above The Rest

 

Lasers are used for a multitude of needs these days. For example, you may have had your vision corrected with laser surgery or a tattoo removed. Lasers are used in doctor’s office for a variety of needs. Now periodontist, Dr. Denine Rice is able to use periodontal lasers in order to enhance the health of your mouth.

LANAP uses a thin laser with hairs that can go below the gum-line to remove bacteria. While this procedure may cause some bleeding it results in a lot less than traditional methods of treatment. One of the biggest set backs to getting periodontal disease is that once you have it you always have it. However, patients in Dr. Denine Rice’s office have seen tremendous results and some have been lucky enough to see their gums reattach to the teeth. This means they can have a healthier smile for years to come.

After you have laser surgery your can return to work if you desire. There should be very little bleeding, pain and downtime. Remember, your gums will never be healthy unless the bacteria is removed from the below the gum-line. LANAP allows for this option no matter what your gums looked like before. Then all you have to remember is to be gentle when you are brushing your gums and teeth. Vigorous brushing is never encouraged no matter the health of your gums!

How Does Bone Loss Occur?

Your smile is impacted by bone loss. Bone loss occurs when gums become inflamed with bacteria that is not treated. As the pocket grows in depth and more plaque and bacteria builds up, it begins to attack the bone and your teeth. Your dentist will see that the tissue begins to pull away from the gums.

Without treatment of the periodontal disease the bacteria begins to move deeper into the pocket and will begin to attack the jawbone and the roots of the teeth. Your teeth may feel loose; your gums may bleed and be very swollen.  If you lose your teeth, the jaw is unable to get the stimulus it needs. Your smile may begin to droop as you lose teeth, causing you to look older than you really are.

Bone loss may also occur if you have an infected root. While a root canal will help heal the infection and seal the area, sometimes bacteria and infection can continue to attack the jawbone around the area where the infection is. “It is extremely important,” says Dr. Rice, one of Inland Empire’s Top Periodontist’s, “to schedule your regular visits in order to take care of any reoccurring problems.”

Dr. Denine Rice says,” One of the most common reasons  for bone loss is periodontal disease and it is preventable.” It may take years for bone loss to occur in your mouth. If you have the early stages of periodontal disease you should see your Periodontist for an extensive oral exam. Once bone loss occurs it is difficult to repair the problem and sometimes the damage is too extensive and the only option is more expensive teeth replacement choices. 

Lung infections and periodontal diease

The news is in and the American Academy of Periodontology found that individuals who have periodontal disease have a higher increase in respiratory infections. Yep, that’s right says Dr. Rice and her team at Rice Periodontics and Implant Surgery, “the healthier the gums, the less likely you are to have a lung infection.” If you have periodontal disease you are unfortunately at a higher risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other lung diseases.

COPD, as it is called, effects your airways. You may have trouble breathing, need oxygen and/or have coughing fits where you feel you are unable to catch your breath. When you breathe in, air enters your airway and then when you breath out, it leaves the airway. “When an individual has COPD the lungs are impacted by either the elasticity in the airways with the air sacs being decreased, or when the walls in the air sacs are destroyed. When this happens, the walls of the airways can become thick with mucus,” says Dr. Denine Rice. All of these factors decrease your success of breathing.

The study, conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology, found that patients with lung diseases had a decrease in overall periodontal health. By taking care of your oral health, you also improve your overall health in general. 

See Dr. Rice and her team today for an appointment. 

Gum recession – What Can Be Done?

Gum recession occurs when the tissue surrounding the teeth wears away, or pulls back exposing more of the tooth. This can happen due to hormonal changes, poor brushing techniques, hereditary issues or periodontal disease that has been left untreated.

For many, the process results in teeth that have the appearance of being way too long and an increase in sensitivity. “But your dentist can treat gum recession,” says Dr. Denine Rice, the Periodontist at Rice Periodontics and Implant Surgery in Riverside, California.

For mild gum recession your Periodontal Specialist or dentist may be able to treat the area through non-surgical methods. Rootplaning and scaling is many times the first step in treating this issue. During the process of root planing and scaling, plaque and tartar are removed from below the gumline of the teeth all the way to the roots. This is done under a general anesthetic and can many times result in a favorable outcome.

For those whose recession is more advanced and has led to bone loss, the pockets of tissue surrounding the teeth will be too deep and surgery may be required to repair the area. “When this is the situation, we still have options to help,” adds Dr. Rice. “We can reduce the pocket depth surgically by pulling back the tissue surround the teeth and remove the harmful bacteria or we can use a laser to enter the area and get rid of the bacteria that way.”

When the bone supporting the teeth has been destroyed, a regenerative procedure may be recommended. “We can add back bone and graft tissue,” Dr. Rice says. “Whatever you do, don’t let recession continue to go untreated!”

 

Denine Rice, DDS