Gum Disease/Periodontal Disease

Some form of gum and bone disease is present in most adult mouths.

Periodontal disease is unrecognized because the condition is generally painless and slow in progression. Symptoms include red, inflamed gums, which bleed easily with brushing and flossing, bad breath and teeth becoming loose as condition worsens.

The supporting structures of the teeth including the gums and bone are termed Periodontium.

Gum and bone breakdown begins at the gum line with gingivitis and progresses to the more severe periodontitis. When oral hygiene is neglected and poor over all health is encountered, gum disease begins.

Gingivitis is a mild inflammation of the gum tissue when food deposits, dental plaque or the more calcified calculus are allowed to remain on the teeth.

Periodontitis is when food deposits, plaque and calculus continue to remain on the teeth, over time the bone begins to degenerate. This condition is termed Periodontitis.

As bone surrounding the root degenerates, teeth loosen, drift, migrate eventually leading to the loss of tooth. Proper treatment can still save most teeth.

Gum Disease Treatment Alternatives:

The success of conservative gum disease treatments rests on significant coordination and cooperation between the patient and the dental professional. Periodontal health can be stabilized with conservative treatment alone but in some cases the more invasive conventional therapy is required.

Conventional Periodontal Therapy is usually surgical. It involves gently lifting away the gum tissue from the affected teeth, removing and root planing the calcified calculus, re contouring the irregularities on the root and bone surfaces and carefully placing back and securing the reflected tissue. After a healing period and maintenance of good oral hygiene, the periodontal condition can be improved or stabilized.

Prevention of gingival and periodontal disease only requires optimal oral hygiene practices, healthy diet and a restriction on tobacco and alcohol use.

Maintenance of periodontal health may require more frequent dental hygiene visits and adherence to individual hygiene recommendations made to you by the dental professional.

Oral Health is Important to Overall Health Maintenance. Let Smile Artistry, a trusted dentist in Chino, help you achieve your best smile yet!

Visit wwwsmileartistrychino.com for additional information

Preventing Bad Breath

Preventing and battling bad breath is essential to self -esteem. Halitosis or bad breath is an unpleasant condition that's a cause for embarrassment. Some individuals with bad breath are not even aware of the problem and interestingly, some who don't have bad breath are convinced that they do( a condition called halito-phobia).

Bacteria that reside in the mouth, especially on the back part of the tongue are primarily responsible for bad breath Teeth and dentures not cleaned properly harbor odor causing bacteria and produce the foul smelling compounds.

Certain foods like garlic and onions contribute to objectionable breath because they contain odor causing compounds that directly enter the blood stream and then transferred t the lungs where they are exhaled. Until the body eliminates these compounds, oral hygiene will only temporarily mask the odor.

Bad breath is also induced by tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco.  These products also increase the risk for oral and lung cancer.

Dieters can experience bad breath a a result of the breakdown of reserve fat and protein for energy, releasing ketones (organic compounds) in the breath.

Dental and systemic disease are also causes of bad breath. Persistent bad breath and bad taste are warning signs for periodontal disease and may signal other medical disorders like chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, GERD ( frequent reflux of stomach contents), oral and pharyngeal cancer, liver and kidney disease.

Dry mouth is another condition associated with bad breath. Normal salivary flow cleanses the mouth and removes odor causing particles. Dry mouth occurs when salivary flow is reduced as a side effect of medications, salivary gland problems , auto immune conditions  and from mouth breathing.

TIPS for Preventing Bad Breath:

Avoid constant use of breath mints and other hard candies that temporarily mask malodor and lead to decay.

Discuss your medications with a pharmacist, physician and dentist to reduce dosage or substitute medications that cause drying of the mouth.

Adhere to dental hygiene recommendations made by dentist and hygienist.

Time to De-Stress

 Stress has become a common concern as more of us encounter stress in our daily lives. We do know of its negative effects on the body and mind. Our mouths too are just as likely to be affected by stressful situations as our bodies and mind.

Dental conditions associated with stress include-

Bruxism or night grinding: Teeth significantly wear and/or fracture due to heavy biting during sleep as  a result of internalizing stress.  Long term bruxism eventually can lead to facial and tempero-mandibular pain which is often debilitating.  A nightguard is recommended to protect the jaw and teeth.

Canker sores- Although the causes of these sores are still unknown, they are often brought on by stress. They are quite painful  and treatment is often symptomatic. Medications and laser treatment can  reduce the severity and duration of the sores.

Dry Mouth is often caused by stress reducing the salivary function  as well as with the use of anti depressants and other medications. Chronic dry mouth leads to a host of dental issues including increase in cavities, periodontal and gum disease, soft tissue conditions.  Improved oral hygiene and regular visits significantly reduce the potential for  loss of bone or teeth. 

Lichen Planus in the mouth is characterized by white lacy patterns, sores and ulcers. This condition is believed to be a reaction to viral infections caused by stress.

Gum disease- Long term stress suppresses the immune system  which in turn increases the susceptibility to infections including periodontal disease.

If you are feeling stressed, take proper measures to reduce the stress in your life such as eating well, exercising, getting plenty of sleep.  If you suffer from extreme anxiety or depression, seek timely professional help.

If you are concerned with stress affecting your mouth or teeth, our office can address your concerns and treat as necessary.

 Call  909 627 6699 or Visit www.mydentistchino.com to reach us.

First Aid for Dental Emergencies- Part I

Any dental emergency like an injury to the teeth, gums or a dental infection can be potentially serious. A visit to the dentist is strongly recommended. Ignoring  the emergency can increase the risk of permanent damage as well as the need for more extensive and expensive dental treatment.

However, the following immediate remedies can help.

• Toothaches First, thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to remove any lodged food. If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue.

• Chipped or broken teeth. Save any pieces. Rinse the mouth using warm water; rinse any broken pieces. If there's bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth, cheek, or lip near the broken/chipped tooth to keep any swelling down and relieve pain.

• Knocked-out tooth. Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown (the part that is usually exposed in the mouth), and rinse off the tooth root with water if it's dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, try to put the tooth back in place. Make sure it's facing the right way. Never force it into the socket. If it's not possible to reinsert the tooth in the socket, put the tooth in a small container of milk (or cup of water that contains a pinch of table salt, if milk is not available)  In all cases, call the dental office as soon as possible.  Knocked out teeth with the highest chances of being saved are those seen by the dentist and returned to their socket within 1 hour of being knocked out.
• Extruded (partially dislodged) tooth. See your dentist right away. Until you reach your dentist's office, to relieve pain, apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever (such as Tylenol or Advil) if needed.
• Objects caught between teeth. First, try using dental floss to very gently and carefully remove the object. If you can't get the object out, call the dental office.. Never use a pin or other sharp object to poke at the stuck object. These instruments can cut your gums or scratch your tooth surface
• I hope these tips are useful and we will have more tips on the next blog- Dr. Cherukuri

Treatment for Mouth Ulcers

Most mouth ulcers are harmless and resolve by themselves in a few days. Other types of mouth ulcers, such as the apthous variety or those caused by herpes simplex infection, need medical treatment. There is no cure in the treatment of ulcers but the symptoms can be managed and the risk of complications reduced.

The range of treatment options includes:

• Avoid spicy and sour foods until the ulcers heal.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Regularly rinse your mouth out with warm, slightly salted water.
• Keep your mouth clean.
• Take pain-killing medication
• Apply antiseptic gel to the ulcers.
• Use a medicated mouthwash.
• Use steroid gels or tablets where indicated especially in an auto immune condition
• Treat apthous ulcers with anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Treat ulcers caused by the herpes simplex virus with anti-viral drugs.
• Treat oral thrush with anti-fungal drugs.
• Immunosuppressant drugs are sometimes required.

Use of lasers in the treatment of mouth sores is emerging but the science behind this modality is yet to be substantiated says Dr. Cherukuri from her Chino, California dental practice.

Dental Care for Special People

The oral needs of people with special conditions like stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, mental retardation, Down syndrome, genetic disorders, Alzheimer's disease or Arthritis are just as critical, if not more; to maintain Healthy Mouths and Healthy Lives says Dr. Cherukuri.

A healthy mouth is an important part of total health. Healthy, strong teeth allow us to eat and chew, to speak clearly and to feel good about ourselves.

Prevention is Key to a Healthy Mouth-

Daily toothbrushing and flossing remove plaque and food particles
Flouride strengthens teeth against decay.
Sealants to protect chewing surfaces of back teeth
A Healthy, Balanced diet
Regular Dental Visits to detect early signs of disease

When assisting a child or a loved one with oral hygeine, choose a well lit location that's convenient for you.

If  the person is uncooperative or uncontrollable, try to calm him by explaining what you are about to do or schedule the task at a time of day when the person is well rested or receptive.

Some people are sensitive to having their mouth and head touched.  Try to move in a calm, slow, reassuring manner so as not to startle the person.  In addition, give verbal praise, reinforce independent attempts and take the opportunity for one on one interraction.

Consult with the dentist and physician to determine the best position to use. Not all positions are safe for all people and conditions.   Whatever position you find works best, remember to support the person's head.  Take special care to prevent them from choking or gagging when the head is tilted back.  If a person is unable or unwilling to keep their mouth open, a mouth prop will be helpful.

All denture wearers should continue regular dental visits.  Besides checking the dentures, the dentist will check for signs of oral cancer and examine the gum ridges, tongue and jaw joints.

Conditions that require use of long term medications can cause different problems like dry mouth, enlarged and bleeding gums that requires ongoing dental oversight.

For more information, visit www.chinosmiles.com

Dental Emergencies

Accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Here are some common dental emergencies and how to deal with them. For all dental emergencies, it’s important to visit your dentist as soon as possible. Most dentists reserve time in their daily schedules for emergency patients so be sure to call your dentist and provide as much detail as you can about your condition. If the accident occurs when your dental office is not open, visit your local emergency room.
Question: What do I do if I knock out my tooth?
Answer: For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, or in milk. Get to your dentist’s office right away.
Q: What if I crack my tooth?
A: For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. See your dentist as soon as possible.
Q: If I bite my tongue or lip, how do I treat it?
A: If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress. See your dentist or go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Q: How do I treat a toothache?
A: For toothaches, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between your teeth. Do not put aspirin on your aching tooth or gums; it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact your dentist.
Q: What if I think my jaw is broken?
A: If you think your jaw is broken apply cold compresses to control the swelling. Go to your dentist or a hospital emergency department immediately.
Q: How do I remove an object that’s stuck in my mouth or teeth?
A: For objects stuck in the mouth, try to gently remove with floss but do not try to remove it with a sharp or pointed instrument. See your dentist or go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Q: How can I avoid a dental emergency?
A: There are a number of simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to the teeth:

• Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities.
• Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth.
• Use scissors, NEVER your teeth, to cut things.

Visit our website www.chinosmiles.com or call 909 627 6699 for more information.