10 Questions You Have Always Wanted To Ask

You may not have visited a periodontist lately but there may be burning questions you want to know the answers to. Here are 10 of the most common questions that Dr. Rice and her team get asked.

1.     Why is flossing important?

Flossing is critical in order to remove food particles from between the teeth. Without it, food builds up between the teeth, goes below the gum line, and can cause decay and periodontal disease.

2.     Are bleeding gums normal?

No, this is never normal and it can be an early sign of periodontal disease.

3.     Does Periodontal disease really cause heart disease?

Research shows there is a correlation between heart disease and periodontal disease.

4.     Do I really need to floss 2x a day?

                       

                       Flossing after consuming foods, especially carbohydrates, is important to keep your smile      

                       healthy. Flossing at least 1x a day can keep problems from arising, but more is better.

5.     Does a laser periodontal procedure hurt?

No, the laser goes below the gum line to clean out bacteria. There is no cutting or sutures for periodontal laser surgery or for laser curettage.

6.     Is a laser periodontal procedure safe?

Yes, it is very safe. The laser is a high precision laser that works to remove bacteria but does not damage healthy gum tissue.

For more information contact, Dr. Rice & her team!

Periodontal Disease Is The Silent Gum Killer

Do you have healthy gums? Or do your gums bleed when you floss? The unfortunate part about gum disease is that people often do not know when they have periodontal disease until the disease has set in and your gums are swollen and bleeding. At this stage it may require more expensive treatment, you may lose a tooth, or it may take several treatments in order to get your smile back on track.

While you may have plaque underneath your gum tissue that is causing inflammation and other problems, you may not know it until it is too late. Dr. Denine Rice recommends these 5 steps to keep your gums healthy and to stop periodontal disease in its tracks.

1. Brush and floss everyday. This is a no brainer and there is no other activity that can remove food from between the teeth the same way. Yet, millions of Americans skip this important step everyday.

2. Eat healthy food. Food that is high in water concentration and low in carbohydrates helps remove food from between the teeth in between brushing and flossing. The longer that food stays on your teeth the more problems that can occur.

3. Visit your periodontist on a regular basis. If your gums are bleeding or swollen visit the periodontist in order to get a good read on what is going on with your gums. Don’t wait until your teeth are loose and your gums are sensitive. Visit your dentist every six months to keep your gums healthy.

4. Drink water and avoid soda. The sugar content in soda can add to the problems that cause periodontal disease. Drinking water can help remove food from the teeth, decreasing your risk of periodontal disease.

5. Use a Waterpik plus flossing. A Waterpik can help to remove any remaining food that is deep below the gum line that flossing is not able to reach. Once you have flossed, use your Waterpik and ensure your gums are getting the treatment they deserve.

Your gums can last a lifetime. You just have to spend time taking care of them. For more tips on how to keep your gums healthy, contact Dr. Rice and her team today.

3 Myths About Periodontal Disease

There are tons of information floating out there on the web about periodontal disease and the dangers of it. It can be overwhelming and difficult to distinguish between the facts and the myths. Dr. Denine Rice recommends everyone should be well informed about periodontal disease in order to combat the negative impact of the disease. Here are 3 myths about periodontal disease and what you can do to save your gums for a lifetime. 

1.     Bleeding gums are not a big deal.

a.     Your gums may have bled since before you can remember. This does not mean they are healthy and it is a big deal. If your gums bleed even a little bit it is the number one sign there is a concern with your dental health. 

2.     Visiting the periodontist is unnecessary and scary.

a.     Visiting a periodontist is similar to visiting your regular dentist. They will consult with you, evaluate your x-rays, and complete a check-up to see the health of your gums. Then they will let you know on a course of treatment. Nothing scary about it. But it is necessary and can be the difference between paying more for dental problems later on since periodontal disease strikes at the foundation of your teeth.

3.     You don’t need to floss.

a.     Flossing is critical to the success of your gums. There is only one way to keep your gums in shape and that requires flossing.

For more information on periodontal disease, contact Dr. Rice and her team today!

4 Habits That Are Bad For Your Gums

Your gums can impact the way your teeth fit in your mouth. The gums are a pocket that your teeth fit into. Without proper care your gums can pay the price. Take time to distinguish these bad habits and improve your gum health.  Don’t take risks with the health of your gums. Treat them well and they can last a lifetime.

1.     Not Flossing on a regular basis can be the downfall of your smile. Flossing is the only way to remove food from between the teeth. Without flossing, food stays under the gums and turns into plaque which then can cause more significant problems.

2.     Eating foods heavy in carbs. The longer food stays on your teeth and in between your teeth the more opportunity plaque has to mix with sugar that then turns into cavities.

3.     Not drinking water. Water can remove food from the surface of the teeth in between brushing and flossing.

4.     Using your teeth as tools. As you use your teeth to open bottles or other items it can cut your gums causing a cut where bacteria can enter through your gums and into your blood stream.

For more information on how to keep your gums healthy, contact Dr. Rice and her team today.

5 Myths About Flossing

Waking up in the morning, flossing may or may not be a part of your routine. But Dr. Denine Rice says, “It’s the number one habit you have that can save your smile for a lifetime.” Here are 7 myths about flossing that you need to know.

1.     Bleeding gums is a bad sign & you should not floss.

a.     Your gums bleed because bacteria below the gum line is impacting their health. Flossing can ensure that your gums stay healthy.

2.     I don’t have food in my teeth, I shouldn’t floss.

a.     In fact, floss helps to remove plague built up between teeth, not just remove food from between the teeth.

3.     Flossing is only for older individuals.

a.     Flossing can begin as soon as your child as their first tooth. The earlier you start the habit, the more likely they are to continue the habit into adulthood.

4.     Flossing can damage your gums.

a.     Flossing helps to save your gums not damage them. You do need to be careful when flossing to make sure you are gently pulling the floss between the teeth. Do not dig the floss in the gum.

5.     You cannot floss because your teeth overlap.

a.     “While this can make it more difficult to floss,” says, Dr. Rice, “it is not an excuse to stop.” It is recommended that you utilize a waxed floss to help with this. 

For more myths about floss, contact Dr. Rice & her team today!

Is Periodontal Disease Contagious?

While there has been some research on saliva and on whether kissing your partner with periodontal disease may impact your smile, here’s what Dr. Denine Rice and her team recommend: if your partner has periodontal disease, have them follow through with periodontal procedures that can help get their smile and health back on track. Then it is time for you to also be evaluated. The unfortunate part is that bacteria that cause inflammatory reactions can be spread through your romantic kiss.

The best thing to do is avoid sharing utensils and other oral supplies with your partner until they can get the treatment they need. Periodontal disease that is left untreated can cause heart disease, missing teeth, receding gums, and ultimately cause you to look older than you are. If you begin to lose teeth because your gums are not healthy enough to hold them in the pocket and protect them your smile will suffer. If your loved one shows signs of periodontal disease including bleeding gums, pain with flossing, or missing or cracked teeth, know that there are . options. But doing nothing will cause more problems.

                            

Don’t waste time or put yourself at risk for periodontal disease, contact Dr. Rice & her team today.

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.

3 Reasons Why You Should Have A CPE!

A comprehensive periodontal evaluation helps the periodontist determine how healthy your gums and smile are. There is more to the health of your mouth then just whether your gums bleed or not. This comprehensive exam provides your periodontist with a way to see the entire mouth and evaluate how to best provide for your treatment. This exam will consist of looking at six different areas. Prior to your insurance benefits running out, it is important to look at how healthy your mouth really is.

A comprehensive periodontal exam can let the periodontist know exactly what type of treatment you need in order to improve your smile. You may have gingivitis, periodontal disease or plaque that has built up. This exam will help determine the best course of action and what you need in order to get your smile back on track.

Bone can impact the way your smile works as well as the ability to hold teeth. It is important to keep this in mind, especially if you have missing teeth due to periodontal disease. Dr. Rice and her team recommend a comprehensive exam to help evaluate the bone structure and whether you are a candidate for an implant. 

Contact Periodontist Dr. Rice and her team today in order to set up your comprehensive periodontal exam to

Laser Surgery Can Do More Than Save Your Gums

Have you been looking in the mirror and wondering if a laser can change your smile? Are you unhappy with the color of your gums? Or want to improve the overall health of your gums back to their natural, healthy pink color? Laser surgery can improve the overall look and health of your smile.

Periodontal disease used to have to be controlled using in a painful process of scrapping and cutting the gums in order to get deep below the gum line. This procedure allowed bacteria that caused periodontal disease to be taken care of and to get your gum health back on track. Now there is no reason to go through this process because lasers can do the job and without the need to cut or sew.

The tiny lasers on the LANAP laser are also able to impact the color of the gums. If you are unhappy for any reason with the pigment color, in a few short sessions, Periodontist Dr. Rice, can help you achieve the result you are happy with. Ensuring confidence and pride in your smile.

Periodontal disease, trauma or smoking can cause damage to the gums. They may bleed, be swollen or change color, and laser surgery, can help remove the bacteria below the gum line. Once the bacteria are gone, your gums can begin the process of healing and reattaching correctly to the teeth. Healthy, pink gums help hold your teeth in the right place and ensure your smile is the smile you want to enjoy for a lifetime.

For more information, contact Dr. Denine Rice & her team toda

Recommit To Change Your Smile Today!

Your smile is your finest asset or your greatest liability. With a positive, white smile you can share with the world, opportunities may pop up that you didn’t believe you had a chance at. Promotions may be possible when you are able to smile and enjoy life. While it may seem impossible to get your smile back to a healthy state, you can achieve it by implementing these three easy steps. 
 
Visit the periodontist if you have bleeding, swollen gums or have missing teeth due to periodontal disease. This will be the best decision you make. When you have periodontal disease, while brushing and flossing is critical, you’ll need to first get the periodontal disease under control. Once you have visited the periodontist the two of you can come up with a game plan for not only treating the disease, but also how you may be able to cosmetically enhance your smile. 
 Brush 2x a day. This is not a negotiable. Brushing is the critical step to removing food from your teeth. Periodontist, Dr. Rice states, “The longer food is on the surface of your teeth the more opportunity there is for the food to turn into bacteria that begins to damage the enamel of your teeth.”  
As the enamel is worn down, this can lead to cavities, decay and a need for more expensive dental procedures to fix. The bacteria then have the opportunity to go below the gum tissue creating havoc on the bone supporting your teeth.
Floss at least one time a day. Flossing removes the food from between the teeth and below the gum-line. Periodontal disease occurs when you do not floss. Bleeding, swollen and red gums are signs of gum disease. “If you have gingivitis,” Dr. Denine Rice says, “it can be taken care of by regular flossing.”   

I changed it to three as I only found three steps.