Tag: dental checkup reno

Oral Cancer Screening in Reno

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

Taking care of your oral health is about more than cavities and gingivitis. At every dental checkup with our Reno dentists, you can expect that we take preventive dentistry seriously. Not only will our dentists, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans scour your mouth for signs of tooth decay and gum disease, but also symptoms of a much deadlier oral health condition, oral cancer.

Checking for Signs of Oral Cancer

During your oral cancer screening, our Reno dentist will be looking for signs like lumps in your throat, unusual lesions that appear white or splotchy, persistent ulcers, and other suspicious symptoms. Since oral cancer affects your appetite, tell Dr. Wager or Dr. Evans if you have experienced unexplained dramatic weight loss. You should also mention any changes in the way your teeth fit together, or changes in your voice.

Risk Factors of Mouth Cancer

With these risk factors for oral cancer, tell our Reno dentist if you smoke, use smokeless tobacco, drink large quantities of alcohol, use tanning beds, or have excessive sun exposure. Other risk factors include your age—patients over 40 are more likely to have mouth cancer—and if you have a family history of oral cancer.

Oral Cancer Screenings Save Lives

The best step you can take for your oral health and your total wellbeing is to schedule regular dental checkups for oral cancer screenings. With about 8,000 mouth cancer fatalities predicted by the Oral Cancer Foundation for this year alone, it is not worth the risk. With early detection and treatment of oral cancer, patients have an increased chance at a good prognosis. Continue reading “Oral Cancer Screening in Reno” →

What is the Importance of Fluoride?

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

You have probably heard throughout your life that fluoride is good for your teeth but you may not know why.  There are proven benefits to using fluoride in dentistry and daily oral care. Dr. William Wager and our staff at Wager Evans Dental have composed answers to some frequently asked questions below about fluoride.

What Does Fluoride do for My Teeth?

Essentially, fluoride strengthens your enamel. Did you know that enamel is not a living tissue like the rest of your teeth? Therefore, when you damage your enamel, it’s permanently damaged. Fluoride protects the precious enamel barrier around your teeth from tooth decay and cavities. In addition to its ability to strengthen your enamel, fluoride also reduces the levels of acidic bacteria and plaque in your mouth. The presence of plaque and bacteria can lead to infection and inflammation of your gum tissues and tooth decay. Continue reading “What is the Importance of Fluoride?” →

Healthy Teeth for Kids

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

Our team at Wager Evans Dental wants to help you establish healthy dental habits with your children. Dr. William Wager likes to pay special attention to his younger patients and keep them on the right track for a lifetime of healthy smiles! Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about childhood dental health.

Q: How should I clean my infant’s mouth?

A: After your baby’s first tooth becomes visible, begin cleaning his or her gums with a slightly wet, clean washcloth. Continue reading “Healthy Teeth for Kids” →

What Holiday Comes After Thanksgiving?

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

Yes, this is a trick question. The day after Thanksgiving is National Flossing Day, and Drs. Wager and Evans encourage you to participate. It’s perfect planning, actually. What better day to schedule a national flossing event than Black Friday? Here are five prime reasons you need to floss on National Flossing Day.

  1. You eat and eat and eat… and eat and eat and eat… then watch football… then eat and eat and eat on Thanksgiving. You’re going to have some food stuck between your teeth.
  2. Whether you shop or hang out with the family, people are going to smell your breath the day after Thanksgiving.
  3. With everything else you have scheduled between now and the end of the year, you probably don’t have time for a dental cleaning.
  4. Santa is watching.
  5. It’s cool to floss.

 

Is It Really Cool to Floss?

  • Only if you want to be a trendsetter. Studies show, 10-40% of Americans report flossing every day – and remember, people lie. The real percentage is probably closer to 10%. Another report states, 73% of Americans prefer going to the grocery store over flossing their teeth.
  • Only if you want to live longer. One study claims, daily flossing can increase your lifespan by 6.4 years. The CDC says, people with gum disease have a mortality rate that’s 23-46 higher than those who don’t.
  • Only if you want to avoid gum disease and increased risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes, problem pregnancies, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, osteoporosis, and potentially, certain cancers. Studies link all of these conditions to gum disease, and gum disease usually stems from improper oral health.
  • Only if you want to keep your teeth (don’t want to wear dentures). Gum disease is also the primary cause of adult tooth loss in our nation. Continue reading “What Holiday Comes After Thanksgiving?” →

Athletic Mouthguards

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

The Super Bowl is over. That means an end to football season, right? Wrong.  Many high schools and colleges start spring training to prepare for the fall season.  While the athletes may not be in full dress, they are wearing protective gear, including their mouthguards.

I am a proponent of the athletic mouthguard. Athletes should wear mouthguards because collisions are unavoidable in some sports, and accidents happen in all sports.  There are several types of athletic mouthguards and with that, different degrees of protection.

The stock mouthguard: These can be purchased at sporting goods stores, are limited in size, and are the least protective. They stay in place by the athlete biting down on it. They are bulky, uncomfortable, interfere with speech and breathing, but offer some protection.

Boil-and-bite mouthguard: This is one of the most common mouthguards on the market.  They, too, are limited in size and may not cover the back teeth. This mouthguard is softened in hot water, placed between the teeth, and molded to fit your bite when pressure is applied. While some people like boil-and-bite mouthguards, others find them ill-fitting and bulky.  Athletes often bite through this mouthguard during the forming and fitting, thus increasing their chance of injury.

Custom-made mouthguard: This is the best choice of mouthguard, because it is specially made for the athlete’s mouth.  When creating a custom mouthguard, I take an impression first, then fabricated the appliance to fit the athlete’s bite and mouth shape.  The thickness is uniform, which increases comfort and protection.  Custom-made mouthguards also offer more protection against concussions, jaw fractures, and neck injuries.

I’m Dr. Brian Evans of Wager Evans Dental. If you are interested in a custom fitted mouthguard, please contact my Reno office at (775)829-7700.  These necessary parts of your athletic equipment are reasonably priced and should be worn for all sports. Bottom line is, with a comfortable mouthguard, you’ll be better protected and more likely to wear the appliance.

Going to the dentist is fun!

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

A fear of the dentist is one of the most common fears among Americans. It is also the number 1 reason why people don’t have their teeth checked and cleaned regularly. This can be detrimental to your oral health, as well as your overall health.

We know you don’t want your child to be one of these people. We’re Dr. Brian Evans and Dr. William Wager, and as family dentists, we take the health of your kid’s smile as seriously as you do.

We begin checking your child’s teeth when they are around one year of age. Although regular dental cleanings don’t begin until around age three, it is important for us to check your child’s dental development prior to that, just to make sure they are on the right track to getting a great, healthy grin.

These checkups should be easy, but they can turn into a struggle when your child is afraid. While we see patients with dental fear every day, it is important that your child be relaxed and comfortable in our office. Continue reading “Going to the dentist is fun!” →