Cooler Weather

With the cooler weather moving in, it can be a time for people to dig out the warm food, high carb recipes. While these dishes can keep you warm and bring out the family, be careful of recipes with too many carbohydrates and not enough healthy vegetables. For years, dieticians and doctors have explained the importance of eating 8 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. But the health of your smile is dependent on this choice as well.

Potato soups, chili and cornbread, and lasagna may make your house smell delicious, but the pasta, starches and breads can stick to the teeth and gums. The longer food stays stuck to the surface of your teeth or gums the more chance that bacteria have to grow and cause decay and other problems. Brushing immediately after consuming carbs is the best way to keep your smile healthy. But if you cannot do that, eating a green pepper or other vegetable with a high water concentration can restore your smile to a healthy place. You can also pop in a piece of sugar free gum in between brushing to help remove any extra food from your teeth.

For more information on the importance of consuming vegetables contact Dr. Rice and her team today.

5 Treatments Your Periodontist Can Provide

            You may think your periodontist only does deep cleanings, implants or fixes periodontal disease. However, Periodontist Dr. Denine Rice says, "you might be surprise to find your periodontist has a host of periodontal skills they can provide to keep your smile in tip-top shape."

1. Gum Grafting, if your gums have receded due to periodontal disease or trauma Dr. Denine Rice, can help restore your gums in order to provide the look you want.

2. Depigmentation can be provided with the laser used for periodontal disease. If you have an amalgam tattoo or want to change the pigmentation of your gums, she can use a laser to treat the area.

3. Smoking cessation programs-Dr. Rice is committed to helping her patients live a healthier life. She can provide suggestions and support to get you on the right track to being smoke free.

4. Tissue Recontouring can reshape the tissue around your teeth. Think of your tissue as the frame for your teeth, some gentle and minute changes can in fact make your smile look like a million.

5. Bone grafting is a surgery conducted where artificial or real bone is placed on the jawbone in order to build up the area and help stimulate growth. Bone loss can occur for multiple reasons and may need to be corrected before other procedures can be done to correct missing or broken teeth.

The Dangerous Consequences

Of Smokeless Tobacco

A multitude of research studies have shared the dangers of tobacco on the body and your oral health. However, studies have also found that even smokeless tobacco negatively influences the oral health of the individuals that use it.

There are multiple types of smokeless tobacco including snuff, dip and chew. None are healthier than the other. Usually an individual pinches off an amount and places it between the lip and the check or the front lip. The tobacco enters the body through the mouth and down the throat, even though it is not swallowed.

"Smokeless tobacco has been linked to oral cancer and esophagus cancer," says Dr. Denine Rice one of Inland Empire's top periodontists. However, it can also impact the gums and roots of the teeth.  If you already are impacted with negative oral health habits and the roots of your teeth are exposed due to extreme periodontal disease the negative possibilities are even greater.

Ingredients in snuff can vary according to the manufacture. While tobacco growers in other countries are required to list all of their ingredients, the United States does not have this requirement.  There can be varying amounts of TSNA’s, Tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines.  “TSNA’s are known to be some of the most potent carcinogens present in smokeless tobacco, snuff and tobacco smoke,” (About Health.)

If you notice white lesions in the mouth, you will want to visit your Riverside, California periodontist, Dr. Rice and her team.  It is not a good idea to assume that these lesions are noncancerous.

What To Expect After Flap Surgery:

Flap surgery is recommended when your periodontal disease is severe and root scaling and planing is no longer an option.  Once gum recession has begun the tissue does not grow back. More aggressive surgeries may be necessary to cleanup the infection. After Flap surgery is completed you may feel some discomfort because your periodontist has to cut and pull away the gum in order to scrape the bacteria away from the roots.

Once flap surgery alone may not be enough to treat your disease. Other procedures may be necessary to restore your dental health. For example, you may need a procedure called bone grafting. Bone grafting is when bone is removed from one part of your body, sometimes the hip, and placed in the jawbone. When this procedure is completed it allows for a more stable jawbone in order for implants to be fully supported.  While bone grafting is considered a fairly simple procedure it does require a local anesthetic and bone needs to be harvested prior to the appointment.  

If you are missing teeth due to periodontal disease implants maybe the best way to restore full functionality. However, this procedure cannot be completed unless there is enough stable bone. 

After flap and bone graft surgery you may experience some discomfort, swelling and bleeding. It may also take awhile for the bone graft begins to grow. If you experience excessive discomfort or bleeding you should contact Dr. Rice’s office immediately.

Periodontal Disease & Pregnancy

Unfortunately, periodontal disease and gingivitis impact over 38.4 percent of women according to a study completed by the center for disease control.  Further studies have found that women who are pregnant are more susceptible to the disease due to other hormone changes in the body. Periodontal disease or build-up of bacteria in the body can get into the blood stream and close off arteries and may be responsible for some heart attack related deaths.

Due to an increase in bacteria in the mouth you may also experience large lumps in the gums due to an increase in bacteria. These are called pregnancy lumps and are usually not painful or cancerous, however they may require a visit to the periodontist in order to get them taken care of.

Women who are pregnant and have periodontal disease may have higher levels of CRP. CRP is a C-reactive protein that is produced in the liver. CRP tests can detect whether there is inflammation in the body. High levels of C-reactive protein has been linked to pre-eclampsia in women who are pregnant.  Pre-eclampsia causes high levels of protein in a mother’s urine and high blood pressure. Pre-eclampsia can be mild or it can lead to more severe life-threatening situations where the only choice is to deliver the baby.

While pregnancy and the birth of your baby should be an exciting time in your life, it is very important to take care of periodontal disease or gingivitis very quickly, leaving the disease untreated can cause problems for you and your baby. If your gums bleed when you are brushing and flossing and you are pregnant schedule an appointment today with one of Inland Empire’s top periodontists, Dr. Denine Rice.

If LANAP is so great, why isn’t everyone using it?

“While the results of LANAP’s success continues to improve patient oral care significantly,” says, Dr. Denine Rice of Riverside Periodontics and Implant Surgery, there are still periodontists that hold onto the old way of doing dentistry. Also some  patients may be hesitant to try new procedures.  The cost of LANAP, while it may seem high at first, requires usually one surgery session.  While traditional periodontal surgery may require multiple visits.

Not everyone is qualified to provide LANAP surgery. Like any new dental technique individuals and dentists need to be trained on how to correctly use the lasers. Not all periodontists are willing to pay for the training that is required for staff and themselves to become experts in this area.

           

Equipment for the surgery is an investment. The LANAP system uses a tiny fiber that is about three hairs thick. This fiber is inserted between the gum and the tooth in order to clean out the infection. This has to be replaced with each patient as it is inserted below the gum line. While other periodontists in the field already have the required instruments for traditional surgery and those. Tools used in the traditional procedure are able to go in the autoclave to be cleaned.

Years of success have contributed to periodontists suggesting there is no reason to change. While periodontists have been using traditional methods for years, Dr. Rice and her team feel in order for patient’s needs to come first, new technology that enters the scene must be evaluated and when change is an improvement, change must occur. The FDA has approved the LANAP Laser Protocol and while Dr. Rice agrees the traditional method of surgery was the best system available, she believes that LANAP laser surgery offers higher success rates, less pain and shorter recovery time. Dr. DenineRice feels patient’s needs should always come first and the method with the higher success rate is the one Rice Periodontics and Implant surgery will be offering.

Why should I see a Periodontist?

      

       

A periodontist is a dentist who has specialized training in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease. They also specialize in implants and gum inflammation. While a general dentist focuses on the whole mouth, cavities and ongoing treatment of your oral health care.  Periodontal disease affects eighty percent of Americans. Although, fluoride in the water has helped, individuals not brushing and flossing along with high sugar and high processed diets continue to contribute to this epidemic.

"Your general dentist may refer you to a periodontist says," Dr. Denine Rice, "if you have gum disease or bone loss."  Periodontist are equipped to handle more severe cases of gum disease. They also have more options for treatments based on your needs. For example, Denine Rice, D.D.S. suggests using LANAP in order to support patient needs. Patients who have received the LANAP laser treatment have seen fantastic results.

You may need implants due to bone loss if your periodontal disease is severe and has caused your teeth to become loose. Bacteria attacks the root of the teeth as the disease increases in severity and as the space in between your gums and teeth increase allowing more food particles to attack the bone. It is best to see someone who understands how to place, design and fit implants for the best look and feel. Although, research suggests that more and more general dentists are performing implant surgery you want to find someone that has the most experience with this type of surgery.  

Contact Dr. Rice and her team for an appointment today!

                 

Dental Insurance and Your Second Opinion

Many patients feel the need to get a second opinion and that is good. Here are some things for you to know before you head to your 2^nd opinion.

1.     Dental Insurance Providers: If you are seeing a dentist who is contracted with your insurance, the insurance company determines the fee that can be charged for each procedure. “That means that the fees will only be different if materials or procedures recommended are changed,” says Dr.Denine Rice from her Riverside California Periodontal practice. “If the treatment and products are identical, there should be no difference in the fees.”

2.     According to most dental insurance contracts with dentists, the dentist is not supposed to waive a patient’s copay. This could be considered insurance fraud and while it may seem nice, if the dentist is investigated, the patient with knowledge of what was done, could also be charged.

3.     Your dental office is considered a third party. The contract you have with your insurance company is between you and your insurance. While your dentist will assist you by filing claims and calling to check eligibility, they have limited access to information. “If we are contracted with an insurance, they will give us a fee schedule to use and ask that we submit claims for patients, but they do not guarantee any benefits,” adds Lydia, the insurance coordinator at Rice Periodontics. “That’s why, as a patient, it is in your best interest to contact your insurance company to learn more about your dental benefits.”

All on Four

“All on Four” is the name for a procedure where a denture is placed on four implants. This procedure not only provides stability for a denture, but allows a patient to be effectively restored to full dentition in a short amount of time.

“Many patients report that wearing dentures is not at all as they expected,” says Dr. Denine Rice from her Riverside Periodontal and Implant Surgery practice. “They suffer from loose fitting dentures that move about creating embarrassing situations and/or speech difficulties.”

If you are someone who can identify with that statement, perhaps you are a candidate for “All on Four” implant supported dentures.

The first step in the process is sitting down with your dentist and/or periodontist to discuss treatment plan options.  Your dentist working in conjunction with a periodontist will put together a plan designed specifically for you. While most times four implants can be used to effectively support your new denture, your dentist will determine if that’s the case for you, then a denture will be created to fit to your newly placed implants.

 Rice Periodontics and Implant Surgery

The Everyday Battle in Your Mouth

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in many foods and water. According to WEBMD,  every day, minerals are added to and lost from your tooth’s enamel layer. This happens through two processes – demineralization and remineralization. 

“Demineralization occurs when you eat and drink foods that are acidic,” says Dr. Denine Rice from her Riverside Periodontal andImplant Surgery Practice, “The foods and drink responsible are anything from blueberries, which have a health benefit to soft drinks or colas.”

Remineralization occurs when fluoride, calcium and phosphate are redeposited to the enamel layer. This also happens when eating and drinking. “The challenge today is that many patients are drinking bottled water and so more demineralization is occurring and less remineralization,” adds Dr. Rice. This is when tooth decay is found.

While fluoride is naturally occurring in foods and water, it can also be directly applied to the teeth when using fluoridated toothpaste or by using a mouth rinse. Your dentist can also apply fluoride directly to the teeth in the office using a gel, foam or varnish. The fluoride you can get from your dentist is a stronger concentration and it’s not just for kids.

Adults with certain conditions can also benefit from additional fluoride. Those with dry mouth, (also called xerostomia) from taking allergy medications, antihistamines, or antianxiety drugs are a great example. Also, adults with periodontal disease – when more of a tooth’s roots are exposed it creates a greater risk - and patients who have had significant previous dental treatment – crown and bridge work.

Ask your dentist if you could benefit from the additional protection fluoride provides.

Dr. Denine Rice, DDS

Periotest

 Implant surgery has become more and more common. 

Two reasons: 1.) Many times placing an implant means that other teeth do not have to be involved. 2.) The cost of dental implants has become very affordable.

Replacing missing teeth with an implant is a great way of correcting bite issues, but it also maintains bone that shapes the face. When bone erodes, over time, it changes the shape of our jaw and cheekbones. Keeping bone means keeping a more youthful appearance, too. 

“Many patients who come to my Riverside Periodontal practice are worried over tooth loss,” Dr. Rice says. “They know losing a tooth means a possible change in appearance, change in the ability to eat the foods they like and overall function.” While implants are not always the answer, many times they are. “Patients generally have the same questions about implants.  Can I eat anything I want with it? The answer is yes as long as you are talking about foods. Once integrated into the bone and restored, an implant will need to be brushed and flossed and will function as well as the tooth it replaced. Will it look natural? The answer again is yes. Implants and restorations done well look like natural teeth. Will the surgery hurt? No. In my office, we place implants under a local anesthetic. After the surgery there is generally little if any discomfort or bruising and many return right away to work,” Dr. Rice says.

Then the waiting begins. “We wait to make sure that the implant integrates into the bone. When we think the time is right, I use Periotest to determine if the implant is ready. This ensures a great outcome. It’s one of the reasons I can stand behind my implants,” Dr. Rice says.