Trust Your Dentist?

Many patients report how difficult it is to find a new dentist after moving to a new community. Trust is built over time and finding a new dentist can be a bit daunting. Not only that, but dentists vary in skill and personality as well as in the treatment they recommend. So what should you expect from your first visit to Hemet Valley Dental Care?

“A unique experience,” says Dr. Judith Ko of Hemet, CA. “One of the things we are most proud of is our ability to really listen to our patients.” Patients often confide they do not feel listened to when they see a dentist. “We listen to your story and then we help and guide you to a treatment plan that will allow you to keep or create the smile of your dreams.”

A first visit to Hemet Valley Dental Care begins by with a review of your overall health.  “The mouth is the window into the body,” adds Dr. Ko, one of your Inland Empire’s Top Dentists. “So we want to know everything that is going on with your health.” Radiographs (x-rays) are taken to see between the teeth and all the way to the roots. “Without necessary x-rays we are left guessing at the health of a tooth,” says Dr. Ko.

Periodontal disease affects more than 80% of the adult population. This means that Dr. Ko and her team will also be evaluating the health of your gum tissue. “Bone loss is a factor when determining future treatment, just like you wouldn’t build a house on a faulty foundation, we do not want to build fillings, crowns or bridges on teeth that have been negatively impacted by disease. However, once periodontal disease is controlled, teeth can be effectively restored.”

Dr. Ko will also be checking your bite. “How your teeth work together is also very important,” Dr. Ko says.

Finding a new dentist can be challenging, but a visit to Hemet Valley Dental Care will leave you feeling cared for. Call for an appointment today!

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!

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.

Is Periodontal Disease Contagious?

Is periodontal disease contagious?

“Not really, but it is infectious,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley Cosmetic and General dental practice. “Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth, and yes this bacteria can be spread person to person through kissing or the sharing of a toothbrush. While these are some ways in which you could be infected, there are other things that could cause the disease.”

Diabetics or those with other chronic systemic diseases have difficulty in general fighting infections and so they are more prone to periodontal disease.

People who use tobacco also have a greater chance of having the disease. Smoking inhibits the ability to fight the disease and increases inflammation.

Genetics can play a role, especially when we see the disease in younger adults.

“Another factor is oral hygiene or home care,” adds Dr. Ko, voted one of Hemet’s and the Inland Empire’s Top Dentists by her patients and peers. The bacteria establishes in the mouth and these colonies need to be disturbed frequently so as not to increase in numbers and do significant damage to the tissue and bones of the mouth. This can be done with regular brushing and flossing.

Finally, irregular or non-existent visits to your dentist could cause you to have the disease. No matter how well you brush and floss, being seen by a professional is important to controlling the oral bacteria.

Periodontal disease is thought to affect between 80-90% of the adult population. If you have not been evaluated for periodontal disease, set your mind at ease and call today for an appointment.

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.”

My Gums Are Bleeding!

“Almost on a daily basis we are asked about bleeding gums,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley Cosmetic and General Dental Practice.

Bleeding of the gum tissue, and the swelling that is sometimes associated, is the first sign of periodontal disease. While not all bleeding is caused by disease, you should see a dental professional immediately when you notice signs of bleeding when brushing or flossing.

Bleeding and swelling can indicate infection and this is not normal. If caught early on, the prognosis can be great, but even allowing a little time to pass can mean that bone loss will occur. “When bone is lost, it makes it that much harder to not only keep the teeth, but to also get a good result long-term from the disease,” adds Dr. Ko.

More than 75% of adult Americans over 35 have some signs of periodontal disease. This can range from gingivitis to the more severe periodontitis. And periodontal disease has been linked to other systemic health conditions.

So what can be done?

At the first signs of bleeding, call your dentist. Getting in and being evaluated is the first step.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a circular motion and a soft bristled brush.

Floss daily using whatever floss is most comfortable to you.

Eat a well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water.

Reduce your stress. Increased amounts of the hormone cortisol, raises the risk of inflammation.

Avoid tobacco products.

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.

Are YOU spreading Gum Disease?

 Is periodontal disease contagious? Can it be passed on from one person to another like the flu? Can you get periodontal disease by kissing someone who has it? Can your children inherit periodontal disease? The answer to all these questions is YES.

Studies show that periodontal disease has a genetic component, it is recommended that if one family member has periodontal disease, all family members see a dental care professional for a periodontal screening. Parents need to know that periodontal disease is not just an adult health problem and that children also can be affected.

 Periodontal bacteria can be transferred through saliva. If you or your partner are diagnosed as having periodontal disease, you need to be aware that intimate contact through saliva could result in periodontal disease transmission.

Here are some things you can do to prevent periodontal diseases and or maintain periodontal health:

• Brush your teeth twice a day (with a fluoride toothpaste)
• Floss every day
• Visit the dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning
• Eat a well balanced diet
• Don't use tobacco products

Schedule a periodontal exam today with Dr. Ko!