Healthy Dental Habits Over The Holidays

The holidays are coming sooner than you think. You may have been so focused on all of the things you need to do prior to the holiday season you are not even focused on your teeth and gums. It is essential to not let your dental habits go just because it is time for good food, family and friends.

 Now is the time to evaluate whether your smile is the smile you want to share in family photos. Now is the time to keep your smile on track by honoring the dental work and habits you have been committed to this year.

Dr. Rice and her team recommend drinking water at every meal instead of high sugar drinks. Drinking water will help rinse any sugar or carbohydrates from your teeth decreasing your risk of periodontal disease. Water also ensures your mouth is not dry, providing a less habitable environment for bacteria to attack the enamel on your teeth.

Avoid the late night sugar and instead enjoy a piece of sugarless gum. It helps to remove any leftover food-stuff to your teeth, reduces risk of dry mouth, and decreases your desire for high fat foods late at night.

For more information on healthy holiday periodontal habits contact Dr. Denine Rice and her team.

4 Myths about Periodontal Disease

There are myths about periodontal disease floating out in the world. These myths can contribute to problems in your mouth that also cause problems for your body. Dr. Denine Rice discusses 4 myths about gum disease that could save your smile for a lifetime.

1. Myth: Brushing and flossing regularly is not needed.

o   Truth: Without regular brushing and flossing plaque builds up on your  teeth, causing periodontal disease, potential tooth loss, and decay.

2.     Myth: Bleeding gums are normal.

o   Even a little amount of bleeding when brushing and flossing is not normal. 

3.     Myth: Flossing causes bleeding gums.

o   Your gums bleed when you have gingivitis or periodontal disease.  Once you have taken care of the periodontal disease with your periodontist then your gums will be healthy and should not bleed.

4.     Myth: Periodontal disease is only caused by poor oral hygiene habits.

o   Hormonal changes and certain medications can also lead to periodontal problems. If your gums are bleeding, swollen, or if you have loose teeth this is a concern, and you should schedule an appointment.

For more information about periodontal disease contact Dr. Rice and her team today.

4 Reasons Why You Don’t Want To Neglect Your Smile

It can be easy to blow off your smile. You may think cosmetic dentistry and taking care of your smile means dealing with a dentist who’s just trying to get your money. But did you know the body and mouth are connected? As the plaque begins to attack the enamel in your teeth, your body begins to fight. 
 
Dr. Rice states, "if you have gingivitis or periodontal disease, your body will begin to think it is sick." In order to kill the infection raging in your mouth, you will feel exhausted even if you get a good night’s sleep.  

While your immune system is kicking into overdrive, unless you take care of the root of the problem, you will continue to feel tired. 
The longer you wait, the bigger the problem you may have. While not brushing and flossing can start off with a little bleeding when you brush, it can quickly turn to a bone loss, inflammation of the gums and decay. 

The loss of a tooth costs more to fix then periodontal laser surgery. "Once a tooth is gone there is no going back, and once you lose one tooth you are more likely to lose more teeth in the upcoming months," states Dr. Denine Rice. As teeth fall out, other teeth will begin to shift into those positions causing you to look older than you are. 
Your smile is the first way to communicate happiness to someone across a room. Less smiling can lead to depression, lack of friends or intimate relationships. Job opportunities can be lost if you have an unhealthy smile. 
 Take time for your smile, call Dr. Rice & her team today for options on how to get your mouth in tip-top shape.  

Periodontal Disease & 4 Ways It Impacts The Body

Most people think that periodontal disease just causes mouth issues – bleeding, swelling, pain, and eventually tooth loss - and that isn’t true. Periodontal disease affects your whole body. How else can it impact your health?

Periodontal disease is inflammation in the gums, but that is not all, it can also cause inflammation that impacts the heart. While a direct link is difficult to establish between heart disease and periodontal disease, research has found that individuals who have periodontal disease are more likely to have heart disease.

Dr. Denine Rice warns patients, “Periodontal disease increases the risk of nutritional deficits.” While the pockets around the teeth begin to deepen, the gums pull away from the teeth. This can cause you to lose teeth or have them break. Once the teeth are gone, it can make it very difficult to consume certain foods, thus decreasing your overall health.

Periodontal disease can increase your risk of having a stroke. A research study conducted by perio.org found that individuals who had strokes were more likely to have had periodontal disease then a control group.

The good news is, that it can be taken care of with laser surgery. The laser that is used is a fine-haired instrument that goes below the gum line and cleans out the bacteria. Dr. Denine Rice says, “Laser surgery helps clear out the bacteria, reducing swelling and bleeding – and best of all there is no cutting, so also no sutures.” Remember, if you leave periodontal disease alone, it can wreak havoc on your entire body, not just your mouth.

If your gums bleed when you brush or floss it is recommended you visit the dentist or periodontist in order to get the problem take care of.

Healthy Smile From The Past

Do you have periodontal disease that has attacked the bone? Have you given up and believe your mouth can never have the healthy, white smile of your past? We have good news for you. Technology, being utilized in periodontal offices, can regenerate bone and  restore your smile. This procedure may sound complicated, but in a few short visits, you can be on your way to a smile where the bone is restored.
 

“In order to determine the best route for you, your periodontist,” says Dr. DenineRice, “will need to evaluate your periodontal health.” Depending on how much damage has been done, and where there is bone loss, will determine which procedure and where the bone is placed.  

The bone is usually artificially created and then implanted into the jawbone once bacteria have been removed. It is important for the bad bacteria to be removed from the gum tissue and for any periodontal disease to be under control prior to this procedure being conducted, otherwise, it will be difficult for healthy bacteria to grow.  

 Once the procedure is completed it is important to give your mouth the time to heal. You'll want to adjust some of the foods you eat. "Double check with your periodontist after the procedure is completed for any post-surgery requirements," suggests Periodontist Dr. Rice.  

3 Ways A Periodontist Can Improve The Cosmetic Look Of Your Smile

Some individuals may think the only person that can help improve the look of their smile is a cosmetic dentist. That is not true. Denine Rice, a periodontist in Riverside can provide treatment that can enhance your smile too! 

1. Improve the smile line

Your gums usually reveal the same amount of tooth. After time, you might have experienced your gums receding. As they pull away from your teeth, more surfaces are exposed. This look can make your teeth look bigger than they are. You periodontist can help by providing gum grafting surgery to replace the missing tissue. 

2. Replace missing teeth with implants

Missing teeth not only decrease the beauty of your smile, it overall impacts the health of your smile. When your teeth chew food, it causes bone to be stimulated. Without a tooth being located in that spot on the jawbone, you can negatively impact the strength of your jaw. Over time other teeth may move toward the spot where teeth are missing, or worse yet the jaw can errode causing an increase in wrinkles that means premature aging. 

3. Reduce gum inflammation 

Gum inflammation is never a sexy look. Red, swollen gums reduce the overall health of your smile. Dr. Rice suggests, "By visiting your periodontist you can be provided with options to reduce the swelling." An in depth cleaning may be all you need to get you back to a vibrant white smile that wows them.  

 

6 Ways To Improve Gum Health

Your gum health is critical to the health of your mouth and your body. Both can spiral out of control if you do not get help with your periodontal disease. Don’t wait to improve the health of your smile. 

1. Brush and floss daily. Brushing helps remove the plaque that sticks to your teeth after you have consumed something. The longer bacteria stays on your teeth, the more opportunity there is for the damage to occur. Flossing helps remove any food between the teeth.
2. Visit your dentist regularly and your periodontist if you have periodontal disease. Regular dental cleanings help remove the plaque that sticks to the teeth that routine brushing and flossing are not able to get. Your dentist can also take routine x-rays in order to identify any problems that may be brewing.
3. Fix broken or missing teeth as soon as possible. The jawbone is stimulated by the grinding motion made when eating foods. If you have teeth that are missing, the bone is not regenerated and eventually your jawbone can begin to weaken. This can cause more problems for your smile.
4. Eat healthy foods that improve the look of your smile. The more water a food has in it, the better for your smile.
5. Drink water. Without water to rinse,  bacteria can grow. Bacteria impact the gums and then can cause them to recede.
6. Use mouthwash. Mouthwash can improve not only your breath, but also it can help to rinse away any bacteria that you have on your teeth. And some mouthwash contains products specifically to help with gingivitis, if this is something impacting you. 

Get going today and improve your gum health.

Missing teeth and the consequences

Missing teeth

Teeth and health connection

“While you may think that losing a tooth to periodontal disease is cheaper than periodontal laser surgery, there is a health component to missing teeth that many patients do not consider,” says one of Inland Empire’s top periodontists, Dr. Denine Rice.  Teeth are used to stimulate the jawbone. In order for bone to maintain its density it requires stimulation, which is provided when you eat. The jawbone acts similar to a muscle. Muscles need exercise just like the arm or leg muscle.

         The stresses of bone being stimulated throughout the day allow the bone to regenerate.  However, when teeth are missing the jawbone no longer gets the stimulation necessary.  The bone width will continue to decrease over time. As the width decreases the lower third of the face will begin to drop.

         Individuals as their jaw and chin begin to drop will appear older in appearance. The older you look the older you may begin to feel. Your self-confidence may begin to be negatively impacted by this change in your appearance. With an increase in bone loss the lips may appear to sag and you may look like you are never smiling.

         Dr. Rice informs patients, that as time goes on, your teeth may begin to shift into positions where other teeth are missing. As they shift you might develop TMJ or jaw bone pain.”  Developing jaw pain can cause problems for you when eating certain hard fruits and vegetables. While you struggle to eat a balanced diet your over health can continue to decrease, causing you to lose more teeth.