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SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Dentistry
Doctor Q&A
76 Answers
54 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 34-year-old female asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Yes.: It may be a sign of diabetes. Please check with your physician.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Not full caps: Have your dentist check the extent of the cap. Sometimes, if it is a veneer, or covers just the front you can get some mild whitening by bleaching the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your dentist: A dentist can help you with the pain and can help speed healing time if. It is a canker sore. A visual exam will confirm the problem and get you on y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Possibly: The general formula for' magic mouthwash ' is half liquid Benadryl (diphenhydramine) with half milk of magnesia. The Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See a dentist: See your dentist for an examination. Lesions on the borders of the tongue can be cancer and should be looked at by a professional and biopsied if nee... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
see your dentist: You should see your dentist to make sure it is not a vascular lesion. If it is a simple blister from trauma it generally resolves in 7-10 days. Many o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your physician: Consider an exam with your physician or a referral to a neurologist to rule out other sources of her chronic pain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See a dentist: You need to get an x ray and exam to rule out an abscess.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your dentist: Pain radiating in the teeth and ear can stem from a tooth problem and a dental x ray can help properly diagnose the problem. A proper examination wil... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See the dentist: Generally a 1 week post operative appointment is scheduled to check progress of healing and/or complications.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your doctor: Your physician can diagnose the problem and give you the proper treatment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 60-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
No: Loosing teeth is not a normal aging phenomenon. Diabetes puts people at greater risk for periodontal disease but seeing a dentist or periodontal spe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
oral pathologist: Oral pathologists usually associated with teaching facilities or dental schools are a great source for diagnosis of pathology of oral structures inclu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See an oral surgeon!: Please see and oral surgeon for an evaluation. Ulcers under the tongue are of high suspicion. It needs to be looked at and likely biopsied to see if... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Depends: Adult teeth can continue to move through out your life. They usually stop vertical movement when they hit the opposite tooth of functioning partner. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See a dentist: A dentist can properly diagnose the problem and give you treatment recommendations that are natural/palliative or conventional treatments based on you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your dentist: Make sure this is thrush versus another infection. Oral thrush is usually white and is due to a fungus called candida and is treated with antifungal ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Decrease: Decrease stains between teeth by leaving toothpaste there while flossing to help polish them away.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your MD: See your md. You may need to be evaluated with some sleep studies. If your sleep is interrupted by grinding or shortness of breath a dentist might pre... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Prilocaine : Prilocaine is a s local anesthestic that doesn't have Epinephrine with an on set of about 2 minutes and duration of about 2 hrs. It will relieve the p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Check w your dentist: Check with your dentist. It may be a sign of a TMJ problem. A proper exam will allow for you to get proper diagnosis and treatment options.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your dentist: A proper exam will help with a diagnosis that will give you options for treatment of your lip and parotid duct issue. If there is a blockage it needs... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your physician: A sinus congestion or infection can make your face feel numb just from the pressure. A proper exam will help you with a diagnosis and treatment optio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your dentist : Your may be suffering from post nasal drip which can cause a thick white coating on your tongue especially notable when you wake in the morning. Bacte... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Seek medical help: A dentist or md can help check for a broken blood vessel depending on the severity of the trauma. They can give you the proper advice after seeing the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your dentist: Have an evaluation with your dentist. They will be able to assess what the issue is or if it is a normal.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Good oral hygiene: Brush, floss and get regular dental cleanings every 4-6 months depending on the build up rate. Talk to your dentist about safe whitening products to h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your dentist: You need to see dentist. Any lesion that persists or recurs needs to be looked at. If you initially traumatized the area or ate something that can ca... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Dictated by comfort: Your can use your tongue scraper as far back as you are comfortable and don't cause yourself to gag. Mucous can collect from post nasal drip and caus... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
+lymphnode=pathology: Usually infections spread from a source to the lymphnode. Lymphnodes are like the hazardous waste system for your body. They hold bacteria, viruses a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Check w your dentist: A dentist can check the white bumps and give you a proper diagnosis and give you treatment options to relive your symptoms.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
yes: The tongue has taste buds or papillae that are used to sense sweet, sour, salt bitter and umami. The ones in the back or base of the tongue are calle... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your dentist: Have your dentist do a proper examination including necessary radiographs. It can be your wisdom tooth but there may be other underlying causes like ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your doctor: You should see and md if he pain radiates on the left side of the jaw. It could be a sign of cardiac problems. Otherwise, a visit with the dentist to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your dentist: An examination will help determine if there is something going on or if it s a normal variant for you.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your dentist: You may be mouth breathing at night. See your dentist for other signs of this and they may recommend an evaluation by an ENT to see why you may not be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Call your dentist: If there is no active bleeding there should be no problem . But ask your dentist to be sure there is no active bleeding.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Yes.: Biotene spray will help with dry mouth during speaking presentations. Glycerin swabs before hand also helps to keep your teeth from sticking to your ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See a dentist: You need to have an examination to see if this trauma from bruxism or another problem. Only after an exam can a diagnosis be made and decisions on tr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Yes!: You should see a physician to see why you blacked out in the first place and also to check the extend of injury to your tongue. You may need treatment... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See your dentist: Check with your dentist about the jaw pain to rule out a dental or TMJ disorder. It may be separate from the chest pain issue, .
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Follow through: Periodontal surgery is to help you keep your teeth and the attachment that holds your teeth to the jaw bone. Proper flossing and home care will help y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Yes.: An onlay will give support to an otherwise unstable tooth that doesn't have enough tooth structure to support your bite.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Yes.: Normally the upper teeth are in front of the lower teeth by about one millimeter and overlap by 1.5-2 mm in a class 1 occlusal scheme. This allows fo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See a dentist: You need to see a dentist for a proper diagnosis. It could be a number of things ranging from irritation from eating something different than usual o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Waterpik= great tool: You can add Fluoride to the mixture to give yourself a Fluoride treatment between your teeth where cavities are the most frequent. Also a whitening m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
It needs evaluation: If your mouthguard was clear and it has turned yellow it may need evaluation by your dentist. Take it in with you to your prophylaxis appointment so i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
Advil (ibuprofen) - temp relief: You can always look for low cost dental services in your area. Dental schools are a great source as well as the local county hospital emergent care d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
See an oral surgeon: An oral surgeon needs to evaluate the situation since is appear you have an extended and complicated course of treatment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:

Dr. Kari Sakuraianswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
see your dentist: It is likely that you are clenching or grinding your teeth at night and the inside of your cheek gets caught and/or irritated. It is a condition call... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
88
Thank you notes
Mar 31, 2015
Great doctor. Consistently gives thoughtful, insightful and expert advice.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Sakurai is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Sakurai is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
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Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
UCLA
Graduated 1989MD
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