Oral Cancer & What It Means For You

A periodontist not only completes root scaling and planning, or other surgeries to decrease dental gum disease, Dr. Denine Rice suggests that when you visit to have an oral health care screening done. While the health of your mouth is important and the team at Rice Periodontics and Implant Surgery wants to decrease your overall negative results of periodontal disease they also want to make sure that you do not have any potential signs of cancer

An oral health screening can be completed in the office and takes just a few minutes. An evaluation will be completed looking for any lesions in the mouth or white spots. Any spots that have changed color or grown in size may be suspicious. This procedure takes just a few extra minutes and the earlier that oral cancer is diagnosed the earlier treatment can begin.

An individual that smokes or uses smokeless tobacco is at a greater risk of cancer.  Although, any lesions today may be noncancerous, continuing to smoke and chew increases your risk everyday.

If Dr. Rice finds cancer after your screening she will contact you for options. In some cases she may suggest a follow-up screening to determine if the lesions have changed at all or she may recommend completing a biopsy to determine the right course of action.

Dr. Rice & her team work to provide excellent oral care for all patients which is why she is named one of Inland Empire’s Top Dentists.

                                                                        

DentalVibe & You

Dr. Denine Rice is not just a periodontist she’s one of Inland Empire’s top rated dentists. A periodontist supports patients who have severe gum disease, and she is an expert in oral inflammation and placement of dental implants. However, that is not all. Dr. Denine Rice works to provide the best care for patients using the latest dental technology in order to provide you with exceptional care. 

  

One of the technologies that Dr. Rice and her team use is called DentalVibe. This miraculous tool allows patients a better dental visit by providing little impulses to an injection site before the shot is given. Patients report that DentalVibe creates a less painful injection.

DentalVibe takes visiting the periodontist to a whole new level. You can leave that anxiety about shots at the door and enter a world where you’re being provided a better dental experience.  This specially designed tool has been reviewed across multiple dental offices and with hundreds of thousands of patients. Dr. Denine Rice believes in only using the best tools for her patients. 

Now the deal is even sweeter because when you use DentalVibe at Dr. Rice’s office you can review your experience online and be entered to win an IPAD mini and a final grand prize.  Ask Dr. Rice and her team today for details and enjoy your next visit with painless shots.

Brushing Your Tongue

While you chew food particles build up on the surface of your teeth. "You may remember to brush twice a day, but if you are not brushing your tongue you’re doing an injustice to your mouth and potentially risking your overall health,"says Dr. Denine Rice.

Food particles, and other bacteria from the air can stick to the tongue causing your breath to smell, and plaque to build-up. Plaque is a soft sticky substance that accumulates on your teeth and tongue. Plaque is dangerous because it contains millions of bacteria. The bacteria turn into acid and acid attacks the enamel on your teeth.

A more complicated affect of not properly brushing your tongue happens over time. Continual build-up of bacteria on the tongue can cause you to loose taste buds. "You can also end up with tongue related sores that can make it difficult to eat or talk," suggests periodontist Dr. Rice.  

Build-up on your tongue is the leading cause of bad breath.  Bacteria that stays stale in one place it can cause your breath to repel those around you even if you are taking the time to brush and floss everyday.

Good oral hygiene can prevent bacteria causing gingivitis and periodontal disease too. Another good reason to remember your routine and practice it daily.  

The Proper Way To Brush

Prevention is the key to success with your gums.  Tooth decay is caused when acid stays on the teeth and begins to attack the enamel. "While you may feel that you can just stick your toothbrush in your mouth and move it back in forth, that is actually not the case," says periodontist Dr. Denine Rice. It is important to use proper brushing techniques to ensure a long lasting smile.

                                                                                                                      

Your toothbrush should have a smaller head with soft bristles.   The bristles of the toothbrush should not be too stiff. The toothbrush should enter your mouth at a forty-five degree angle.   If you open your mouth and your toothbrush head hits the roof of your mouth or the fit is uncomfortable, you may want to get a toothbrush with a smaller head.

Move your toothbrush around in small circles around your teeth.  Dr.Rice suggests, “Brush the gum line as well as the surface of your teeth.” 

There are four quadrants of the mouth, and three different surfaces on each tooth that need to be brushed. It is easy for food to get stuck on the top surface of the molars, make sure to gently brush this area in a back and forth motion in order to get all of the food off of the chewing surface. 

When you’re finished with all of your teeth, don’t forget your tongue. Bacteria can build up on the tongue and lead to decay on your teeth.

End of Year

The end of the insurance year is fast approaching, so Dr. DenineRice suggests taking advantage. Has Dr. Rice recommended a treatment that you haven't taken care of yet? Or have you been dragging your feet on laser periodontal surgery? Now is the perfect time to get these things done, now before your dental insurance benefits are lost.

 

Insurance companies award you a certain amount of money each year. If you do not use the money you loose the amount.  Once the year is over any money not used for dental treatment goes back to the insurance company. However, you already paid for this money by paying your monthly premium.  And while you may believe that your dental insurance will cover you when you get around to that appointment, putting treatment off not only decreases the overall health of your smile, but you may be lose money and options if your dental insurance benefits change the following year for some reason out of your control.

Waiting to complete recommended procedures can cause more damage. If you have a periodontal infection the only way to treat is to remove the bacteria in the mouth. Otherwise, the infection can spread not only to other teeth but around your body, causing damage to other body parts.  In the end,  waiting for a treatment can end up costing you a significant amount of money, time and your overall health.

Every month you and perhaps your employer pay for these benefits. Dr. Rice suggests you take advantage of this special opportunity to increase the health of your gums. 

Halloween Warning

While your kids are running around the neighborhood you maybe trailing behind, waiting for the moment where you can steal your favorite piece or two. You may want to stop yourself. In a fun size package of M & M’s there are ninety-three calories and ten grams of sugar. “While you’re savoring the chocolate yumminess, your teeth are holding on to the sugar, and your hips, the calories,” says Dr. Denine Rice.  If you think you’re going to eat just one, you may be lying to yourself because on average, adults will consume around 24 pounds of candy during Halloween.  

One or two pieces of candy are not going to cause harm. However, if you do not brush your teeth right away the sugar will begin to turn into bacteria and acid that eats at the enamel of your teeth.   Some recent research suggests that you should wait at least thirty minutes before brushing after eating. However, waiting until late into the evening or not brushing at all gives the acid in food the fuel it needs to attack the enamel.

To help protect your teeth from sugar brush your teeth before you plan to eat. This will remove any bacteria that are currently on your teeth and brush soon after you consume sugar to remove the acid from your teeth. While keeping candy in a large bag may seem easier, if you are prone to grabbing one or two pieces of candy each time you enter the kitchen, place a few pieces in different locations. For example, place some in the refrigerator, a small amount in the freezer and some in the cupboard. 

Types of Oral Pathology Problems

 

Our mouths are constantly changing and while brushing your teeth you may have noticed something different. These changes should not be ignored and you should visit your regular provider if you see changes in the pathology of your mouth.

Types of pathologies could be white lesions in the mouth. If you are a smoker or chew smokeless tobacco you are at a higher risk for oral cancer. The earlier this is treated, the higher rate of success.  These white lesions are usually in a small patch on the cheek or inner lip. There are multiple types of tobacco cessation programs that Periodontist, Dr. Rice can recommend.  

A fluid filled sac on your tongue is called a Median Palatal Cyst. It usually is in the middle of your tongue and can be very sensitive.  If cysts are found it may be recommended to remove them. By removing them, it can reduce pain, breathing trouble and improve your overall speech.

 

Hairy tongue is a condition where there is abnormal hair growth on your tongue. More serious conditions of this are generally caused by drug use or HIV, however, individuals that are on antibiotics for a long time, have poor oral health care, or are undergoing radiation treatment can also experience this.  The tongue may appear black in color. The recommended treatment for this is very dependent upon the cause.

These types of pathologies should never be taken lightly. If you notice any of these oral concerns contact Dr. Denine Rice and her team for an extensive exam.