Are you a born trendsetter? Do you take great pride in figuring out ways to express yourself with fashion statements? Some physical manifestations of fashion can even involve teeth. One example would be someone having their teeth reshaped to appear outrageously different. Some dentists have even fielded requests to contour canine teeth into true vampire fangs. This type of procedure is permanent, however, so filing teeth is likely to damage your enamel and weaken your smile’s natural structure. Oral health fads might not be the wisest choices if you want a healthy smile for many years to come.
Bejeweling Teeth surfaces
Temporary jewels bonded to teeth with adhesive may sound simple and harmless enough. Why not grin a bit flashier now and again? If you are quite certain that your jewels are being adhered with FDA-approved dental glue placed by a trusted dental professional who offers good removal instructions, you may make it through temporarily bejeweling your smile without long term damage. Do-it-yourself kits are out there, however, but they are never a good idea. Sticking any foreign object or ornament to your tooth can result in enamel damage.Tooth ornaments can also harbor food debris, bacteria, and saliva, leading to plaque and tartar buildup which could create acid erosion underneath the jewel. Continue reading “The Dangers of Certain Dental Trends”→
Tooth sensitivity may not seem like a big deal, until you have dental issues because of it. The shooting pain that comes when you bite into an ice cream cone or take a sip of hot coffee is the result of sensitive teeth which are not properly protected by strong tooth enamel. If you have severe tooth sensitivity, even an icy cold wind can leave you cringing. What causes tooth sensitivity and cavities? Enamel erosion might be to blame.
Understanding Enamel Erosion
To understand what enamel erosion is, you first need to understand what tooth enamel is. Enamel is the hard, white coating that covers your teeth. This coating is your teeth’s natural defense system, and nature knew what it was doing when it designed the human body because tooth enamel is the second hardest naturally occurring substance in the universe, second only to diamonds! This means that it can protect your teeth from the extreme pressures, temperatures, and elements your teeth come in contact with on a daily basis.
Dangers to Enamel
Still, however, your enamel isn’t indestructible. While it’s unlikely that your dental enamel can chip off, it’s very likely that it can wear away, and this can happen for several reasons. In most cases of enamel erosion, acid is to blame. Every time we eat or drink, acids form in our mouths and, if not removed by proper brushing, flossing, and rinsing, can begin to eat away at our tooth enamel. Enamel erosion is often present in people with acid reflux disease and GERD because of the high levels of acid that come up from the stomach to the mouth. Frequent vomiting and consuming foods and drinks that are high in sugar and carbohydrates expose your teeth to even more acidity.
You already know that taking care of your oral health is important. Scientific research even shows that keeping your mouth healthy benefits your overall physical health, as well. Can you describe the different kinds of teeth which inhabit your mouth and what purpose they each serve? Try this fun quiz to improve your dental knowledge.Continue reading “A Quiz on Types of Teeth”→
Did you enjoy plenty of beach time this summer? If so, it’s possible you’ve dealt with your fair share of seaweed. Sometimes, stepping on seaweed can be an unpleasant irritation with the slimy, squishy sensation on the bottoms of your feet and between your toes. If you knew that seaweed had an enzyme called Bacillus licheniformis which could be good for your teeth, would you feel a bit differently about the compound? Researchers have begun to isolate this enzyme with the intent of using it as a cleaner for ship hulls, to surprising results. Newcastle University Continue reading “Could Seaweed Hold a key to Better Dental Health?”→
When you reach for a cold, fizzy, flavored, carbonated drink, what do you call it? A cola? A Coke? A soda? A pop? A drink by any of these names will taste sweet, bubbly and refreshing. Unfortunately, just like many tasty treats, drinking soda on a regular basis comes with a price, especially in terms of your dental health. Reno dentists, Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans, will fill you in on the dangers of soft drinks. Continue reading “Soda and Your Smile”→
If you’re regular with your dental checkups, you have been told that plaque is bad. The basic oral hygiene rules include brushing teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and being diligent with six-month checkups and cleanings. This keeps dental plaque at a minimum so you don’t end up with infected teeth and gums. While you know that plaque can wreak havoc on oral health, do you know what makes plaque? Continue reading “That’s What Dental Plaque is Made Of”→
Though your kids may not have started back to school yet, many children across America have been at it for a couple of weeks already. School seems to make schedules a bit less loose, which can be a good thing after a lackadaisical summer. Do you have a semi-annual dental checkup on the calendar for your children? Reno dentists, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans are available to evaluate your little one’s dental health and development, and make sure their pearly whites remain clean and healthy.
Dental Checkups
Children age four and older should visit the dentist for a complete dental checkup and cleaning twice a year (every six months). At this appointment, our kid-friendly dental team will help your children learn important techniques for effective brushing and flossing. We are happy to discuss healthy eating, alternatives to sports and energy drinks, and whether or not braces might be needed. Dr. Wager or Dr. Evans will evaluate x-rays to identify development concerns or cavities below the gumline and between teeth. After a checkup, if periodonatal disease and tooth decay are ruled out, your child will undergo a cleaning with one of our hygienists. This will involve removing built up plaque and tartar from the surfaces of teeth. A professional cleaning will reduce the risk for future cavities and gingivitis. The dental hygienist can recommend dental products which are best suited for your child, as well. Continue reading “Back to School Dental Health Maintenance”→
As a busy parent, you’ve probably that twinge of guilt or self-doubt just before your child’s dental appointment. A clean bill of oral health reflects well on you, just as every cavity underscores a flaw in your parental vigilance. Ultimately, the health of your child’s smile depends on him or her, but you have a responsibility to guide them toward healthier habits. You have the power to change your family’s oral health for the better by following these two simple steps: Continue reading “The Secret to Healthier Smiles At Home”→
Although they’re the most wide-spread chronic disease among children and adults alike, cavities are surrounded by myths and misconceptions that can mislead patients about the nature of their condition. Tooth decay describes a bacterial infection in your tooth’s main structure, and as it spreads, the infection eats away at the tooth, causing holes (cavities) to form. Reno dentists, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans, believe accurate knowledge is vital to good dental health care, and expose some of the myths about cavities to help you understand how it develops and how to defeat it. Continue reading “What You Should Know About Cavities”→
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