Fall Is Around The Corner

Fall is right around the corner and it is time for baking, sweet treats and family time. This can also be a time where you throw your gum health out the window. But Dr. Rice and her team encourage you to make a conscious effort to support your gum health through this holiday season and enjoy the beautiful photos that you will be rewarded with. Here are 4 tips and tricks to get you through the holiday season.

1.     Limit the sweet treats when you are not able to brush your teeth, or chew sugar free gum. The gum can help to remove the carbohydrates and the sugar from sticking to your teeth which can decrease your risk of decay.

2.     Brush and floss at a regular time. This can be tricky when schedules begin to get hectic, but doing something every day at the same time helps to build a habit you won’t easily forget.

3.     Drink water and decrease soda and other acidic drinks. The water helps to keep food from sticking to the surface of your teeth and ensures that the bacteria in your mouth stays at a reasonable level.

4.     Visit your periodontist. When schedules get hectic it can be a challenge to keep appointments but sticking to your periodontal appointment will decrease the chance of any problems occurring with your gum health.

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

What Would You Rather Do?

Periodontal research found that more than a third of Americans would rather do a chore they hate, than brush their teeth, (Perio.org).  But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are 3 Tips from Dr. Rice on how to increase the fun of flossing and decrease your risk of periodontal problems.

1.     Floss with vigor and pizazz.  Don’t just let your floss do the work, have fun with it. Put on music and dance while you floss or put your favorite movie on. Do whatever you have to do to lighten up the mood and remove the stress you feel surrounding flossing.

2.     Floss everyday at the same time. “If you floss at the same time says,” Dr. Denine Rice, “it will help it become less of a problem and more of a routine.” The more routine the more likely you are to miss the opportunity to floss your teeth and keep your smile healthy.

3.     Change your mantra. We love to do things we find fun and that we love. But if you begin the negative talk as soon as you pick up the floss, it can make two minutes of flossing seem like forever.

For more information on flossing techniques contact Dr. Rice & her team today.

Hypertension & The Link To Poor Oral Hygiene

A research study out of Korea, perio.org, has recently found a link between poor oral hygiene and high blood pressure. The study focused on people who reportedly did not brush or floss their teeth on a regular basis as well as their use of mouthwash.  Periodontal disease is linked to inflammation, which enters the blood stream. The article suggests that further research needs to be conducted in order determine a direct link, but for now they have found that individuals who have excellent oral hygiene habits and do not have periodontal disease are less likely to have high blood pressure than not.

 

To prevent periodontal disease brushing two times a day is critical to keep your gums healthy. Brushing help removes food from the teeth that will decrease the risk of dental decay and cavities. It also helps to decrease the buildup of plaque on the surface of the teeth.

Flossing one time a day is the single most important oral hygiene habit in order to remove food from between the teeth. There is not other single activity that can improve the strength of the gums and decrease the risk of periodontal disease. It also is the only way to remove food from being stuck between the teeth. The longer food is on the gums,” says Dr. DenineRice, “the more likely the risk of periodontal disease.”

While there may not be a current direct link of high blood pressure and periodontal disease, it is critical to keep your mouth and smile healthy by brushing & flossing. “Why take the risk of high blood pressure when you can prevent it,” says Dr. Rice.

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.