How Periodontal Disease Begins and Ends

Periodontal disease is the term given to an oral infection that occurs when bacteria in the mouth propagate and cause bone loss.

Every one of us has oral bacteria, some good and used for digestion and some bad that may be introduced in the foods we eat. Plaque is formed in the mouth when we eat. If this plaque is brushed and flossed away on a regular basis, many times we can keep the bacteria in check. Sometimes this doesn’t happen due to poor hygiene and sometimes due to health issues that encourage increased formation of bacteria and the creation of tartar and calculus. “Bacteria hide in the irregularities formed by tartar and calculus, providing a place for bacteria to thrive. This is why it is so important to see your dentist on a regular basis,” says Dr. Judith Ko, your Hemet Valley, CA cosmetic dentist and Inland Empire Top Dentist. “You want to remove the hiding places.”

When bacteria flourish unchecked, it often results in pockets of infection being formed around the teeth. These pockets of infection cause the bone that supports the teeth to be lost. “Bone is what supports the teeth in their proper position,” adds Dr. Ko. “When bone is lost, many times patients will notice their teeth begin to shift position and become looser.”

If periodontal disease is left unchecked, the eventual outcome will be the loss of natural teeth and the reduction of bone that can help support a denture. “So even if you have decided to have your teeth removed and wear a denture, maintaining the maximum amount of bone is in your best interest.”

If you have not seen your dentist lately, call today!

Dental Implants – You & Your Surgeon. Why That’s Best.

For some dental patients the idea of a ‘one stop shop’ might seem appealing, but before you make that decision, here are some things to think about:

1. “Specialists have a place in the dental community,” says Dr. Judith Ko, your Hemet Valley, CA Top Dentist in the Inland Empire. “While general dentists see a few patients a week or month needing specialized care, your dental specialist sees that type of patient every day and all day. Consequently, they are much better at handling the challenges that may arise.”

2. Implants are an amazing service provided to a patient to replace missing teeth. Generally speaking finding the right surgeon to work with your general dentist is the best option for you as a patient – it allows you to benefit from the surgeon who has significant experience placing implants and the general dentist who is the most appropriate to restore the implant. Also having two dentists discuss placement and agree on treatment is always in a patient’s best interest for a final outcome.

3. While many times the placement of an implant seems easy and straight forward, there is more to it than that. “Implants are often recommended to replace missing teeth that may have been lost due to damage or decay,” adds Dr. Ko. This means the implant site might have reduced bone due to infection. This presents a special challenge. When bone is lost, tissue may also be affected and so the need for bone and tissue grafting may become part of the treatment. Using a specialist who frequently handles tissue, means that they understand the desired outcome of a healthy smile and they know how to make that happen.

If you are considering an implant, call us today for a consultation and let us help you repair the smile you love.

Good Bone. Why is it so Important to My Mouth?

You have a lovely smile, your teeth are straight and perfectly shaped. You are good – right? “Maybe,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley Cosmetic Dental Practice, “but straight and nicely shaped teeth are only part of the picture.”

Your teeth are supported by gum tissue and bone, and it’s those two things that will determine whether you will keep your smile long-term.

Periodontal disease affects somewhere between 80-90% of the adult population. The disease is caused by bacteria that settles in the pockets surrounding the teeth. The bacteria damages the bone if it is left too long undisturbed. “That is why we work to make sure you are seen on a regular basis by your dentist,” adds Dr. Ko.  “Once the disease process has begun, only a visit to your hygienist can maintain your health.”

The bacteria that enters the pockets also eats away at the bone that supports your teeth. This bone will eventually erode and the teeth will become unstable, loose and eventually fall out.

“Keeping a healthy bone level for life is important, that’s why when an extraction of a tooth is done, it’s best for bone to be placed in the socket site,” says Dr. Ko, voted one of Hemet’s Best Dentists by the Inland Empire Magazine and her patients. “Whether you decide to replace the tooth with an implant or not, keeping bone levels high will help you maintain a healthier smile longer.”

Schedule your appointment with Dr. Ko today to get an evaluation of your bone, tissue and tooth health.

Where Does Dental Bacteria Come From?

In a normal healthy mouth there are still thousands of bacteria living on each tooth surface, and each day that number may grow.

“Most of the time we are more concerned with the mouth where regular brushing, flossing and visits to the dentist are not occurring,” says Dr. Judith Ko, voted Best Dentist by Inland Empire Magazine by her patients. “In those mouths the number of bacteria can number more than 100 million.”

Saliva and bacteria are a normal part of the oral environment and when they are both in balance a healthy condition is maintained, but too often things may go wrong.

“In a person who is taking medication with a side effect of dry mouth, they may find that saliva is difficult to maintain. This means that more bacteria can colonize,” adds Dr. Ko from her Hemet Valley Dental Practice. “Which is why we see more than 80% of the adult population has periodontal disease.”

Periodontal disease develops when the bacteria begins to create pockets around the teeth. These pockets are generally too deep for normal brushing and flossing to disturb the bacteria in them. This means that once bacteria gets embedded below the gum line only your dental professional can disperse them. “Which is why it is so critical to see your dentist at the frequency they have determined is best for you. Most patients who have periodontal disease will benefit from a schedule of being seen every three months as that is the amount of time it takes for the bacteria to regrow.”

Call today and schedule your appointment. Don’t let periodontal disease destroy your smile.

Brighten Your Smile With Veneers!

For many the idea of a bright smile includes dental veneers. Dental veneers are a thin slice of porcelain that is affixed to the front surface of a tooth. “Veneers can be used to change the color, shape and sometimes the alignment of teeth,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley Cosmetic Dental Practice.

Porcelain is a great material as it is generally well tolerated by the gum tissue and also because it allows your dentist to get a natural appearing result. For some patients, if the desire is to replace existing fillings on front teeth, a porcelain crown may be a better alternative, but for patients who just want to brighten an existing smile, veneers might be the best bet.

“Dental veneers are a very conservative option when whitening does not quite provide you with your desired color shade, or if you have some oddly shaped or misaligned teeth,” adds Dr. Ko.

The process begins with the dentist carefully shaving off a very thin amount of tooth structure from the front surface of your teeth. An impression will be taken and a lab will create your porcelain veneers, which are then bonded to your teeth. In general, dental veneers last between five and ten years and you can expect to pay somewhere between $900-1200 a tooth depending upon where you live. When considering dental veneers, or any other cosmetic procedure, it is in your best interest to ask your dentist to show you photos of other patients who have benefited from the treatment to get an idea of what to expect as an end result.

Veneers are a great way to conservatively brighten your day and your smile. 

Love Your Teeth? Eat Chocolate!

Finally good news!  You can eat chocolate. The studies show that chocolate can help prevent tooth decay. Okay, maybe not all chocolate is the greatest, but it is still wonderful for those of us with a sweet tooth.

“Cocoa beans contain antioxidants that benefit teeth and gums,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her HemetValley Dental Practice. Tannins, polyphenols and flavonoids, all contained in chocolate, have been shown in studies to inhibit bacteria from sticking to teeth and to prevent gum infection as well.

While chocolate is good, the best chocolate is that which is closest to the natural form – which is the cocoa bean. This means that dark chocolate provides you with the most tooth protection. Look for dark chocolate that is 70 percent or more cocoa. Typically this is also the chocolate that contains a bit less sugar – another great reason to sweeten your day. 

What Makes A Great Smile?

When you smile, the world smiles with you, is so true. Most of us have had the experience of smiling at a stranger and receiving one back. “Your smile is part of what creates that first impression that is so important,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley Dental Practice. So what creates a beautiful smile?

“We are generally attracted to smiles with teeth that are white, straight, well framed and go all the way to your eyes,” adds Dr. Ko.

To get whiter teeth may be as easy as brushing and flossing daily and seeing your dentist on a regular basis. For some, though, the process might include needing a little extra help. Bleaching or whitening your teeth can boost the brightness of your teeth. There are three main types of whitening:

     1.     Whitening at home with an over the counter product

     2.     Whitening at home with a product that your dentist can prescribe

     3.     Whitening at your dental office

For straighter teeth there are two options:

     1.     See an orthodontist. An orthodontist specializes in straightening teeth and correcting alignment issues that may cause jaw pain or headaches.                           

     2.     If you are looking for a quicker option, perhaps you may wish to consider veneers. “Veneers can not only straighten your teeth, they can also change the shape of your teeth if you so desire,” says Dr. Ko.   

Your gum tissue is what frames your teeth. “If you tend to have a gummy smile, you may wish to consider cosmetically contouring it.” The process can easily be done surgically or by using a laser.

Finally, smile all the way to your eyes as this shows confidence. Now, go out and use that smile to brighten someone else's day.

Dental Infection

Infections in the mouth can be so difficult. “Not only do infections cause pain, there is the fear of what it means that goes along with it,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley, California dental practice.

Oral infections are currently generating more hospitalizations in the United States than ever before, ()

And many times a trip to see your dentist is a better option. Generally speaking there are two types of dental infections: infections of the gum tissue and infections of the teeth.

A patient who is experiencing an infection of the gum tissue may notice bleeding, swelling, pus and in some instances acute pain. This type of infection is caused from bacteria in the mouth. “Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an infection that can be treated by your dentist,” adds Dr. Ko. “Several visits may be necessary to remove the calculus and other debris from the pockets that form around the teeth, but if treated early and maintained, the prognosis can be quite good.” Which means that tooth loss can many times be prevented.

An abscessed tooth is also caused by an infection. It affects the root of the tooth and the result is pain and swelling. “The key is to catch things before they progress if at all possible. When a tooth is sensitive to hot beverages and foods like tea, coffee or soup it may be a sign that the nerve is damaged,” says Dr. Ko. “Call your dentist immediately as the sooner the problem is identified the more likely it can be treated relatively easily.”

Infections of the oral cavity should not be ignored. While not often, they have been known to cause death. “Your dental provider wants to help keep you healthy,” Dr. Ko adds. “See them on a regular basis.”

The Ins and Outs of Dental Floss

We are told to brush and floss daily, but then we get to the market or pharmacy and we are met with an aisle of different flosses to choose from. Which one is best?

First of all let’s discuss why floss.  When you floss you run a fibrous string between your teeth that cleans away the plaque your toothbrush misses. “It’s a critical component to your daily homecare regimen,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley California Dental Practice. So flossing daily is important.

While there are numerous floss choices available, the best one is probably based more on personal preference than any other reason. In other words, you may find some flosses are more comfortable or taste better than others.

There are generally two types of flosses available: 1) Multifilament floss (ex: nylon or silk), and 2) Monofilament floss (ex: rubber, plastic or polytetrafluoroethylene).

Nylon floss is the most common floss used – it’s been used around for a long time and tends to be the least costly. This nylon floss can be waxed or un-waxed. The choice between waxed and un-waxed is again about personal preference. Some patients have reported liking the feel of the waxed, while others prefer un-waxed. Dental tape is also made of nylon and is basically a wide, flat ribbon of floss. Many people find, because the ribbon is thinner, that dental tape is easier to use and it is often recommended as a “starter floss.”

Other people like to use the monofilament floss as it seems to glide more easily between teeth. (Often the word glide is used in the name of this floss.) It is a new type of floss and, unlike nylon, doesn’t rip or tear. Monofilament flosses don’t need wax.

Both types of floss come in a variety of flavors as well as thicknesses. The flavor is again about personal preference, but the thickness matters. “Use a floss that goes easily between your teeth and doesn’t snap against the tissue when it goes through,” says Dr. Ko. “Dentists routinely get asked about dental floss,” adds Dr. Ko. “Most patients want to know which one is the best to use. My answer is pretty standard – the one you WILL use daily.” The American Dental Association agrees: “It’s not what type of floss you use, but how and when you use it.” 

So brush, floss and smile!

One More Reason to See Your Dentist

For years the recommendation has been to see your dentist “twice a year.” While dental practitioners have adapted that to “see your dentist at the recommended intervals,” it seems many patients are slow to agree to the more frequent visits.

But here is one more reason. A small study has potentially linked Periodontal Disease, which affects about 64% of adults over 65, with Alzheimer’s Disease. “Links between other systemic diseases have been well reported,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley Dental Practice. She is referring to links between diabetes, low birth weight babies, respiratory problems, heart disease and pancreatic cancer. “This new information gives patients one more reason to listen to their dentist’s recommendations.”

The study, recently published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, discussed the findings of researchers who analyzed the brains of ten people with Alzheimer’s and ten without. In 40% of the diseased brain samples, oral bacteria related to gum-disease were found.

“Periodontal Disease can be controlled,” says Dr. Ko, “and it’s not just because you want to keep your teeth. Controlling your disease can also mean keeping your body and mind healthy.” So don’t skip a visit to your dentist.