Various forms of body piercing have been practiced in almost every society going back 5,000 years. Anthropologists consider it as a way for a person to identify with a group, denote status or beautify the body. Tongue bolts, cheek studs and lip rings seem to be in vogue for young people who may not be […]

We are pleased to announce Dr. Harris has now been named as the first dentist in Riverside as a “Qualified Dentist” by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine to treat patients for snoring and sleep apnea. Dr. Harris plans to continue on and sit for the Board exam in 2018 to become Board Certified. […]

Once a year your Registered Dental Hygienist pokes around your teeth to check your gum health. They don’t do this to be mean but to identify periodontal infection in the earlier stages. This is done with a measurement device called a periodontal probe. Your hygienist will check 6 measurements per tooth. When your gums are […]
A friend told me this joke one time and it stuck with me. One of my other favorites was “Smoking is the easiest habit in the world to quit. I have done it 27 times.” Smoking is a serious public health issue and the challenges to quit are immense. As a dentist I feel we […]
In a recent poll from The National Sleep Foundation they found 83% of people who exercised regularly slept well compared to only 56% of those who do not exercise. One of the keys here is to make sure you exercise well before bedtime. Generally you should try to avoid strenuous exercise for 3 hours prior […]

No Oxygen at Night is No Good! Why is sleep important? Allows for refreshment and consolidation in the brain (memory, emotion, regulation of appetite). Protection against infections. Hormone regulation and resetting them daily. What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing during sleep. When you stop breathing, the body goes into […]
What is Vicodin? Vicodin is the most prescribed medication by far over the past decade. In California alone, 1 billion dosage units of hydrocodone combination products were dispensed in 2013. Vicodin is a combination of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and hydrocodone (narcotic opioid). In 2014 the FDA placed Vicodin in a more restrictive drug schedule to limit […]
Oral Cancer facts: Strikes 3 times as many victims as Cervical Cancer Just as common as Leukemia Claims more lives than Melanoma (skin cancer) Has been linked to HPV (human papilloma virus) 2/3 of the time detection is too late with only a 22% 5 year survival rate Detected early, the survival rate increases to […]
Our office is dedicated to helping you keep your teeth for life! Your daily diet routine can help protect not only your body but your oral health as well. Two infectious oral diseases that are directly influenced by diet and nutrition include periodontal or gum disease and tooth decay or cavities. Nutrient deficiencies such as […]
What risks are associated with Diabetes? Greater risks for developing oral health problems with more complications Increases risk of developing bone infections, which ultimately lead to loss of teeth Decreased resistance to infection and more prone to developing oral infections Infections and dental surgeries take longer to heal Compromised immune systems may be prone to […]