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As we support October for the awareness of breast cancer, I thought it would also be important to discuss the oral complications that can arise in patients with cancer.  Oncologists these days typically require a full oral exam prior to any type of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.  That being said, my Inland Empire Biological Dental Wellness office works closely with oncologists to ensure the stability of the oral environment.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy not only destroy cancer cells, both therapies also cause major damage to normal tissue cells.  Here is a list of the complications that can arise in the mouth when undergoing cancer treatment:

• Dry Mouth
• Bone Loss
• Mouth Sores
• Tooth Decay
• Jaw Pain
• Taste Changes
• Increased Bleeding
• Fungal Infections
• Viral Infections
• Bacterial Infections

The best way to prevent these oral complications is to have routine dental hygiene cleanings as well as meticulous oral hygiene at home.  Here are a few guidelines for protecting your oral tissues and teeth during and after cancer therapies.

• Visit your dental hygienist every 3 months for routine cleanings and examinations
• Brush teeth and gums with an extra soft toothbrush or electric toothbrush every 4-6 hours for 2-3 minutes
• Use a Xylitol-based toothpaste to decrease tissue irritation along with warm water
• Use an antibacterial rinse when possible; Avoid mouth rinses containing alcohol
• Floss 2 times/day
• If dry mouth occurs use Xylitol-based mouth rinses, chewing gum, and mints throughout the day and drink plenty of water
• Avoid acidic foods and drinks especially those containing citric acid and high fructose corn syrup

If you are looking for a compassionate dental team to assist your dental needs please contact my Inland Empire Biological Dental Wellness office at (951)686-3666.

Inflammation of the body has in recent years gained a lot of attention as being the main cause of many of the diseases that we as Americans deal with on a daily basis. Our body is a complex system which when in a state of balance will function without disease. However, for the majority of the population our bodies are in a constant battle of finding balance. Whether an imbalance from stress, disease, illness, toxins, or an acidic environment our complex system is continuously striving for balance. As a dentist who believes in a natural and preventative approach to medicine, my belief is that reducing inflammation in gums will decrease inflammation in the body.

Recent research has shown that inflammation of the gums (periodontal disease) is associated with dementia and alzheimer’s disease. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory infection which when left untreated causes inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation of the gums over time creates inflammation of the tissues in the central nervous system and causes damage to the nerve cells. In studies by the U.S. National Health and Examination Surveys, patients with increased gingival pocketing, gum infection and bone loss, and tooth loss tested significantly lower in cognition than those without. The cognition testing consisted of measuring memory, response speed, attention, and coordination. Thus, healthy gums decrease one’s inflammation in the body and the risk of dementia and alzheimer’s disease.

To ensure that your gums are healthy, please contact my Biological and Dental Wellness office located off of the 91 freeway in Riverside, California (951)686-3666.

Inland Empire Dentist donating 10% of Teeth Whitening Procedures to Breast Cancer Research

Every 30 seconds a woman is diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  A loved-one or friend who have been diagnosed with cancer has touched us all.  October is Breast Cancer awareness month.

Purchase your teeth whitening trays or in-office bleach procedure at my Inland Empire Biological Dental Office to support Breast Cancer research.   All purchases and teeth whitening procedures must be paid in full and completed within the month of October 2010.

Please contact one of my lovely team members to schedule your appointment at my Biological Dental Office located in Riverside, California (951) 686-3666.

My previous blog regarding bioesthetic dentistry in the Inland Empire gave an overview on the principles of why I am an OBI trained dentist. Diagnosing balance or imbalance in the chewing system is critical for preventing excessive tooth wear, muscle pain, and tempromandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). In this particular blog I am going to discuss how I create stability and harmony in the chewing system with my knowledge from OBI.

The first step in determining whether or not your chewing system is functional is to perform a complete analysis of the current function of your chewing system. The chewing system consists of the teeth, jaw joints, bones, muscles, lips, nerves, tongue, mouth, and face. All of these combine with one another to provide balance in the chewing system.  Thus creating a natural- looking smile, healthy chewing system, and even bite.

The chewing system analysis (occlusal analysis) consists of taking dental impressions to make a device called a “MAGO.”  This device is used temporarily to balance the bite, relax the facial muscles, and to stabilize the tempromandibular joint (TMJ).  This removable appliance helps to prevent further destruction that current clenching/grinding may be causing, as well as, alleviating TMJ discomfort and headaches.

The second step in the analysis is taking another set of dental impressions as study models.  This special mold of the chewing system allows me to measure and record the TMJ jaw joint position along with its rotation in a natural state. I also measure how the upper and lower teeth fit together when the jaw joint (TMJ) is in its proper location.  When mounted on a special jaw simulator device, I can determine what part or parts of the chewing system are imbalanced, thus allowing me to determine how I can correct the problem.

Please contact my Inland Empire Biological and Dental Wellness office located in Riverside, Ca. for a free consultation to determine if bite is imbalanced at (951)686-3666.

As our children seem to grow ever so fast, I thought it would be great to discuss the normal eruption and loss of their baby teeth.  Typically, your child’s first teeth will erupt around 6 months old which is why we recommend that his or her first dental visit be around their first birthday.  Here at our Inland Empire biological and family dental office we strive to make your child’s first dental visit a positive experience.  Thus, we follow your child’s lead when it comes to their comfort level in the dental office.  Some children prefer to be independent and sit in the chair themselves where others prefer mom or dad to sit with them.  Most children once comfortable and trusting will allow us to polish and examine their teeth.  If your child is still unsure about the noise the polisher makes or the instruments we use, no worries we will try again in 6 months.  It is extremely important to build good rapport at a young age as to set the stage for preventative dental care in the future.  Please contact our children friendly dental office to schedule an appointment (951)686-3666.