Talking gum disease with Dr. McDonald

Periodontal disease (gum disease) is one of the most silent diseases known to mankind. Left alone, the virulent bacteria will eat away at your jaw bone and the gums will eventually follow the bone, hence the term gum disease.

Periodontal disease has been directly correlated to many systemic diseases. Numerous studies have shown the bacteria from gum pockets found in and around arteries and other organs of the body. It has been proven that pregnant women with periodontal disease have a much higher rate of low birth weight as well as premature babies. Diabetics are more susceptible to gum pathogens and it has been found that diabetics with the presence of gum disease have a less desirable outcome with their sugar control. The oral bacteria have also been shown to pass through saliva to other people. These are just a few facts. To learn more about the link between your gums and your health, you can visit this helpful site.

Regular dental care will aid in diagnosis of gum disease. At your check up appointments we evaluate your gum pockets. This periodontal exam in combination with x-rays can aid the proper diagnosis and treatment.

In the past the only available tools were deep scaling and root planning, gum surgery and antibiotic treatment. However, thanks to the advances in treatment of gum disease we now have some other options.

Laser Gum Treatment: The laser light will kill the bacteria and promote better gum tissue regeneration. This procedure is used in conjunction with scaling to clean the roots and promote healing. It is painless and quick and you should not need anything stronger than what you take for a headache for the first day or two.

Oral DNA testing: A saliva test that detects which bacteria are contributing to the presence of your gum disease and which antibiotic to use to target those specific bacteria.


Your mouth is the gateway into your body. Protect yourself and schedule for a dental exam.

To your health,

Dr. Rabee McDonald

What to do if your child's tooth gets knocked out, from Dr. McDonald

I hardly get called for emergencies but when I do most of the time it is over the weekend. The reason for the call is usually not a toothache but a knocked out or severely damaged front tooth from a sport accident. The results are usually devastating, despite our best efforts to save the tooth. Over time the tooth is usually lost with a resulting space that forces your young child to wear a retainer with a tooth in it until they are 16-18 years old at which point we have to place an implant and a crown. Not only is this just horrible for a young child to wear a fake tooth for a long time but the cost is devastating to parents.

All of this can be avoided by wearing a sport guard. I am not talking about a sports authority sport guard but one that is custom made for your child's mouth and for the particular sport to withstand the forces should an accident come your way. I hope this never happens to anyone but if it does I hope you have listened to me and protected your child's smile.

What to do If your child's tooth gets knocked out:

You have to find the tooth immediately and handle it from the tooth portion and not the root portion. Do not touch the root as most of the tissue is hopefully still alive.

Attempt to line up the tooth and put it back into the socket the best that you can after placing the tooth in your child's cheek to clean it. Please do not run the tooth under hot water. If you have saline you can place it in the solution for a minute and then replant the tooth.

If you don't have the stomach to place the tooth in the socket, keep it in your child's cheek and call us immediately. Please do not wrap the tooth in a tissue. If your child is traumatized and will not keep it in their cheek place it in milk or saline solution till you get to our office. There is only a 45 minute window to place the tooth back in the socket. After this time line the chances of success decrease tremendously.

Wouldn't it be better to just wear a professionally made mouth guard?

Dr. McDonald

When Was Your Last Dental Cleaning? From Dr. McDonald

You water the garden three times a week, you change your car's oil every three months, and you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors once a year. Your teeth need to see your dentist on a regular schedule, too.

While daily oral hygiene habits are essential to good oral health, professional dental cleanings at our Escondido dental office ensure your teeth are treated to a deeper level of cleaning. We recommend for most of our patients to have a checkup at least every six months. In addition to a thorough cleaning and polishing of your teeth, these regular visits help Dr. McDonald and our team at Lifetime Smiles detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. During your visit, we’ll check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. We’ll also check old fillings and restorations, as these can wear away over time from constant chewing, grinding, or clenching.

If you are predisposed to oral diseases, you may need to visit our office more often than every six months. Factors at play in these diseases include age, pregnancy, tobacco use, medical conditions (such as diabetes, dry mouth, or HIV infection), along with how well you take care of your teeth on a daily basis.

Make sure your teeth get the professional attention they deserve – If you’re overdue for your next cleaning, check with our office to schedule an appointment!

Bad Breath is No Good

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. You may not even be aware of your own bad breath, so if you’re concerned you may be suffering from it, talk to LifetimeSmiles and team. We can help identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a treatment plan to treat it.

There are many reasons for bad breath:

• What you eat can also affect the way your breath smells. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, can have a very strong and lasting odor.
• If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath, not to mention tooth decay and gingivitis.
• Bad breath can be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor.
• Tobacco products cause bad breath. If you use tobacco, ask us for tips on kicking the habit.
• Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If this is the case, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause.

The good news is there are many ways to help eliminate bad breath from your life. Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath, so schedule regular dental visits with LifetimeSmiles for a professional cleaning and checkup. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque, and don’t forget to brush your tongue, too!

Love your or your child's smile? Tell us about it!

Caring. Comfortable. A gentle touch. Pain-free. Exceptional service. Those words aren't usually associated with dental care, are they? Well, at LifetimeSmiles, our patients use those words frequently to describe their dental experience with us.

At LifetimeSmiles, we look at every patient as a whole to ensure you get all the personalized attention you deserve. Drs. Rabee McDonald and Jeff Prais provide comprehensive care for your overall health.

Whether you’ve just come in for a single appointment or your family has been visiting our convenient Escondido, CA dental office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review on our Facebook page or on our Google Places page!

We look forward to reading your reviews!

Ask Dr. McDonald: "My Teeth Feel Fine. Do I still need to see a dentist?"

Thanks for the question. Simply put, yes! Visiting the dentist on a regular basis is essential to keeping your smile in tip-top shape. At Lifetime Smiles, we offer a number of preventive services to ensure the health of your mouth and the beauty of your teeth. We’d like to think that your smile is just as important to us as it is to you!

Another good reason to visit Lifetime Smiles every six months is to check for “hidden” problems you may not even realize you have. Tiny cavities can form in the hard-to-reach areas of your teeth and may only be found through a professional exam. If left untreated, these cavities can get worse, needing more extensive treatment, and costing you even more time and money. During your routine exam, one of our hygienists will also check to make sure your fillings or other dental restorations are in good shape.

It’s important to prevent problems before they start. If it has been more than six months six your last visit, please contact our Escondido dental office to schedule your routine checkup! See you soon!

Dr. McDonald and team, celebrating National Dental Health Month

Did you know February is National Dental Health Month? It's a great time of the year to renew those resolutions about continuing to practice great dental hygiene at home and by visiting Lifetime Smiles. Today, we thought we'd discuss the importance of preventative oral care. While most people are familiar with traditional heart-saving practices such as eating healthy and exercising regularly, lesser-known are the benefits that great oral hygiene provides to one’s cardiovascular health.

Here are a few tips to help you continue those New Year's resolutions:

*Remember that poor oral hygiene is linked to serious common diseases such as cardiovascular disease, bacterial pneumonia and osteoporosis.

*Brush and floss every day to remove the plaque that can lead to cavities. Flossing daily removes food debris that your toothbrush cannot reach after meals.

*Replace your toothbrush on a regular basis. You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months or after a cold or illness to prevent re-infection. Remember to use a soft toothbrush so you won’t wear off the enamel of your teeth.

*Visit our Escondido office regularly. The American Dental Association recommends you visit Drs. McDonald and Prais every six months for regular checkups and cleanings. Fluoride treatments twice a year will help prevent tooth decay.

Each February (and all year long), our team at Lifetime Smiles focus on the preventive oral care of our patients. Have you visited our office the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Ask Dr. McDonald: If I have braces, do I still need a dental checkup every 6 months?

Thanks for the question! Yes! In fact, it's even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit our office regularly. When you're wearing braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush normally can't reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care. Our staff at Lifetime Smiles will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while you're undergoing orthodontic treatment.

If it has been more than six months since your last visit to our Escondido office, please give us a call!

Dreaming of a dazzling smile? We can help!

The fact is, most of us aren’t born with a red carpet smile. And that’s where Dr. Rabee McDonald and our team at Lifetime Smiles can help. Of course, orthodontic treatment help make your teeth stay strong, healthy and become perfectly-aligned. But did you know you can get the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted — without braces?

Our team at Lifetime Smiles are proud to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time at our office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you in for a visit at our Escondido office. Please give us a call to set one up! A consultation with Dr. McDonald and Dr. Prais can determine if Invisalign is right for you. See you soon!

Your dental & cardiovascular health, from Lifetime Smiles

Happy Monday!

Don’t put off your next visit to LifetimeSmiles any longer! As we’ve shared in previous blog posts, oral health issues have been increasingly linked to other health concerns, such as heart disease. Cardiovascular disease remains American’s number one killer, claiming more lives than the rest of major causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Studies are also beginning to suggest that patients, especially those with periodontal disease, are believed to have an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke. Since most patients are not regularly visiting a heart specialist, their regular visits to the office of Dr. Rabee McDonald can help detect early warning signs of heart issues, prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. We’d also like you to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25).

Additionally, if it’s been more than six months since your last visit to our Escondido dental office, please give us a call!

January featured patient testimonials!

Here they are, our January featured testimonials! Thanks again to everyone who wrote in - happy new year from Dr. Rabee McDonald all of us at Lifetime Smiles!

"For me, a trip to LS is much more than an "appointment" or "office visit". I honestly feel I am simply visiting friends. I love the casual and "humorous" atmosphere. I always tease them about my "special discount", but the services are exceptional and an incredible value for the attention and care I receive." - Ernie N.

"Kelly was great. I miss my Stacy but it was fun being asked what toothbrush I used and how often I flossed. Kari Witman PS- I was getting the bidding up on the toothbrush you donated and ended up being the last bidder. The YMCA thanks you and this sonic care is Much easier to clean. Thanks again." - Keri W.

"That was the fastest crown I have ever received! Great and no pain!" - Becky S.

"The coffee was good, the conversation stimulating, and the people gracious. It didn't hurt a bit. (Of course, it was my wife who sat in the dentist chair!)" - Allen H.

Love your new smile? Tell the world about it!

Caring. Comfortable. A gentle touch. Pain-free. Exceptional service. Those words aren't usually associated with dental care, are they? Well, at LifetimeSmiles, our patients use those words frequently to describe their dental experience with us.

At LifetimeSmiles, we look at every patient as a whole to ensure you get all the personalized attention you deserve. Drs. Rabee McDonald and Jeff Prais provide comprehensive care for your overall health.

Whether you’ve just come in for a single appointment or your family has been visiting our convenient Escondido, CA dental office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review on our Facebook page or on our Google Places page!

We look forward to reading your reviews!

Don’t throw those insurance benefits away!

Today, Dr. Rabee McDonald and our team thought we would like to give those patients with flex spend, health savings, or insurance benefits a friendly end of the year reminder that it’s high time to schedule your final 2011 dental visit so you optimize your benefits.

Now is the time to reserve you appointment with us – space is limited and we tend to get very busy around the holidays, so don’t wait to give us a call!

See you soon!

"I'm having constant migraines. How can Lifetime Smiles help?"

Dentists aren’t generally the first professionals people think about when experiencing facial pain, but Dr. Rabee McDonald and our team at Lifetime Smiles are here to help. If you are experiencing migraines, we are happy to provide NTI devices, which promote relaxation of the jaw muscles and work best for people who are chronic and severe clenchers and grinders. They can be worn day and/or night, depending on the severity and type of condition being treated.

The NTI is a small, clear plastic device that is worn over the two front teeth (either top or bottom) at night to prevent contact of the back teeth. It is used to reduce tension headaches, as well as migraines.

The Importance of Oral Cancer Screenings, from Lifetime Smiles

We hope you all had a great Halloween weekend! Visiting Drs. McDonald and Prais and our team at LifetimeSmiles on a regular basis will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy as well. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Today, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

In our continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest quality care available to our patients, we screen our patients for oral cancer. Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life. In less than five minutes, we will conduct a thorough oral cancer screening exam, using the FDA-approved ViziLite Plus technology to help detect oral cancer and pre-malignant abnormalities.

As your dentists, Drs. McDonald and Prais are specialists who work to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next appointment at our convenient Escondido office. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

Halloween TIPS from the American Dental Association

It’s almost that spooky time of year again! Whether you are going door-to-door trick or treating, attending a party dressed in a clever, silly or scary costume, or simply getting together with friends and family to watch scary movies, Drs. Rabee McDonald, Jeff Prais and our team want you to keep in mind the following tips from our friends at the American Dental Association to help reduce tooth-decay.

•Eat treats with meals. Saliva production increases during meals washing out food particles and helping to neutralize cavity causing plaque acid.

•Consider chewing ADA-accepted sugarless gum after meals. Certain sugarless gums have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance for scientifically proving that chewing the gum for 20 minutes after meals helped prevent tooth decay.

•Follow the 1-2-3s of good daily oral hygiene: Floss once a day, brush twice a day and eat three balanced meals a day.

•Visit Drs. Rabee McDonald, Jeff Prais for regular checkups.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from your friends at Lifetime Smiles!

Cold season is here, from Lifetime Smiles

Cold and flu season is here - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that a common cold usually includes sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and coughing. Symptoms can last for up to two weeks.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, Drs. Rabee McDonald, Jeff Prais and our entire staff give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our Escondido office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces. For the protection of other patients and our staff at Lifetime Smiles, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

And remember to constantly wash your hands and avoid contact with those who are ill! Stay Healthy!

September is National Gum Care Month!

At Lifetime Smiles, we know that gingivitis, which is the early stage of periodontal disease, can be difficult to recognize if you're not a trained dentist. Many people don't recognize the warning signs - bleeding and swollen gums - as a precursor to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. This month, a national campaign is under way to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we wanted to help do our part to spread the word!

Dr. Rabee McDonald and Dr. Jeff Prais will tell you early recognition and action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body, too! Studies are published every year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as your heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for gum disease.

Drs. McDonald and Prais know these can include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you happen to notice any of these signs, please schedule an appointment at our convenient Escondido office by calling (760) 747-1811 as soon as possible. Our doctors can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, while showing you how to improve gum care in your daily oral hygiene habits. We hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!!

September featured patient testimonials!

Check out what patients are saying about Dr. Rabee McDonald & our team at Lifetime Smiles! Thanks to everyone who wrote in!

“Treatment at Lifetime Smiles is consistently excellent. The caring, professional competence of Dr. McDonald and her staff, as well as their understanding of patient sensivities, provide nervous patients such as myself the courage and confidence to regularly visit. On behalf of myself and other patients, thank you for your efforts.” - Rosemary T.

"Like always everyone at Life Time Smiles was wonderful. However, I wasn't thrilled that I needed another crown. Your staff even made that feel better. I always enjoy my visits." - Sue P.

"Between the professionalism, friendliness and overall office ambiance, it's always a pleasant experience (even for things you'd rather not have done to you). They make it as nice as they can." - Mike C.

"It never ceases to amaze me of how pleasant it is for all my visits to Dr McDonald`s office. From the staff`s professionalism to the true caring of Dr. McDonald. It is a blessing to be so comfortable for my dental visits. Thank you Dr.McDonald." - Mike K.

"The office is great! The staff is so nice. 3 out of 4 in my family went on the same day. Very comforting and relaxing..." - Jennifer L.

Caring. Comfortable. A gentle touch. Pain-free. Exceptional service. Those words aren't usually associated with dental care, are they? Well, at LifetimeSmiles, our patients use those words frequently to describe their dental experience at our Escondido office.

Ask Dr. McDonald: What’s the deal with coffee and tea?

At the office of Dr. Rabee McDonald we know most folks enjoy a hot-brewed coffee or tea in the morning, followed by a cola (or more coffee) in the afternoon. But what many don’t know is that both coffee and tea are especially tough on your teeth, because tannic acid (the substance that makes the dark color) etches into the pits and grooves of tooth enamel, and can stain your pearly whites brown.

So, if you can’t give up that morning cup o’joe, what can you do? Dr. McDonald and team suggest rinsing with a glass of water after every cup. If you enjoy iced coffee or tea, drink your beverage with a straw so that tannins don’t make contact with your front upper and lower teeth. Even if you’re not a big coffee drinker, we encourage you to swish and swallow some water at the end of each meal. Water, after all, helps neutralize acids left in your mouth after eating and also reduces cavity-causing bacteria.

Dr. McDonald and our staff also invite you to visit our convenient Escondido office for whitening options. We can help bleach your teeth with proven and professional products. To learn more about whitening options at our office, please visit our website, ask us on Facebook or give us a call!