Category: General Dentistry

Amalgam vs Composite Resin Fillings

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

Fillings are used to restore teeth that have been damaged by tooth decay.

In the past, fillings were made primarily out of amalgam. This alloy, contains mercury, silver, tin, copper, and traces of other metals. Amalgam fillings have been used for 150 years. However, disadvantages of amalgam have prompted the use of composite resin, a tooth-colored, plastic alternative.

Disadvantages to Amalgam Fillings

  • They don’t blend with your surrounding teeth because they are dark metallic
  • They can corrode and leak over time
  • They expand and contract due to variations in temperature, and this causes potential fracturing of your tooth
  • They expose your body to the heavy metal mercury, which can lead to health issues depending on the amount of exposure and your level of sensitivity

Appreciating the disadvantages to metal fillings, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans prefer using the metal-free alternative, composite resin fillings.

Composite resin fillings are made from glass or quartz filler that is added to a resin medium, making the end product natural-looking. A composite resin filling is custom tinted to match the color of the tooth in which it will reside, and it’s permanently bonded in place.

Advantages to Composite Resin Fillings

  • They look completely natural
  • They are metal-free and mercury-free
  • They are durable and can last for years

If you are interested in learning more about composite resin or amalgam fillings, or you want to schedule your dental appointment, call Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans in Reno, Nevada today by calling  775-829-7700, or visit our website at www.wagerevans.com.

The Inside Scoop About Enamel Erosion

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

Tooth sensitivity may not seem like a big deal…that is, until you have it. The shooting pain that comes when you bite into an ice cream cone or take a sip of hot coffee is just unbearable. If you have severe tooth sensitivity, even an icy cold wind can leave your teeth in pain.

What causes tooth sensitivity? Enamel erosion might be to blame, and the same goes for tooth decay.

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.

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. Continue reading “The Inside Scoop About Enamel Erosion” →

Your Teeth Are Not Tools

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

Everyone knows that you need to brush, floss, and go to the dentist regularly to maintain a healthy smile. Avoiding staining foods and drinks and limiting your sugar intake also contribute to a healthy and attractive smile.

What you may not know, however, is that how you use your teeth greatly impacts the health and appearance of your smile.

Do you crunch on ice? Cool it!

Anytime you crunch on a hard, solid object (whether it is food or something else), you run the risk of cracking, chipping, or otherwise damaging a tooth or several teeth, your tooth enamel, or existing dental work. Ice cubes, due partially to their cold temperature, increase this risk.

Also, because of its temperature, ice can potentially shock a nerve in your tooth, causing the need for root canal therapy.

Your Teeth Are Not Tools

Do you use your teeth to rip tags off of clothing, open wrappers, open bottles, and hold things when your hands are full? If so, you’re putting yourself at risk for severe dental damage and infection. Our teeth are meant to bite, chew, help us speak properly, and help us smile- that’s it. They’re not pliers, scissors, or spare hands.

They’re also not nail clippers. Biting your nails is one on the worst things you can do for your teeth. The pressure from pulling your fingers away from your teeth can cause misalignment, cracking, chipping, and damage to existing dental work. Also, your sharp nails (which are covered in bacteria, by the way) can scratch and cut your gums, causing an open sore in your mouth for bacteria to infect. Continue reading “Your Teeth Are Not Tools” →

Shoud You Use Mouthwash?

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

Is using mouthwash part of your everyday dental hygiene routine? For some people, swishing with mouthwash goes hand in hand with brushing and flossing. For others, mouthwash is only used occasionally, before a special occasion, or not at all.

Dental professionals tend to view mouthwash as an added positive habit to help maintain oral health and hygiene for the following reasons:

  • A mouthwash with fluoride can help reduce your risk of cavities and periodontal disease.
  • Mouthwash can make your mouth feel fresh and your breath smell better. When asked, most people attribute this advantage as their reason for using mouthwash in the first place.
  • Because it can reduce the strength and amount of dental plaque and bacteria in your mouth, the use of mouthwash helps to promote overall oral health.

Overall, mouthwash helps to ensure the health of your smile, but it is crucial to know that mouthwash alone is not enough to keep your teeth, gums, and tongue healthy. Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans suggest using a mouthwash or oral rinse as the final step in the dental hygiene process. After fully cleaning your mouth (that means brushing and flossing), swish with a mouthwash or oral rinse, spit it out, and go to bed or leave the house for the day.

There are many types of mouthwash available, and certain kinds are available for patients with special needs. At your next dental checkup and cleaning, talk to a member of the Wager Evans Dental team about which mouthwash or oral rinse is right for you. To reserve an appointment, call our Reno, Nevada dental office at (775) 800-4845.

What’s in Dental Plaque?

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

All of your life, you’ve been told that plaque is bad. The rules are: brush twice a day, floss once a day, and go to six-month checkups and cleanings so that you can keep plaque from destroying your teeth and gums. While you know that plaque can wreak havoc on oral health, do you know what’s in plaque? Do you know why it’s bad?

In every milligram of dental plaque, there are about ten billion bacteria of approximately 400 types. The matrix of plaque is made from saliva and bacteria, and it includes proteins, lipids (fats), polysaccharides (sugars, calcium, and phosphorus).

Plaque is the yellowish buildup that makes your teeth feel fuzzy or rough. It naturally accumulates on our teeth every day. Many people don’t know that and plaque plays a role in building up our immune system. Teeth don’t shed an outer layer like skin does, so we have to purposefully remove dental plaque to ensure bacteria do not get out of control. Continue reading “What’s in Dental Plaque?” →

Do You Know the Signs of Oral Cancer?

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

Michael Douglas recently battled oral cancer, but thankfully, he seems to have recovered quite well. Until hearing about his situation, many Americans hadn’t thought much about oral cancer. You might find these statistics quite startling:

  • Oral cancer claims more than 8,000 Americans, that’s one person every hour of every day, each year.
  • This year, approximately 37,000 Americans will receive a diagnosis of oral or pharyngeal cancer. Half will live more than 5 years.
  • Risk factors include smoking and drinking alcohol, but anyone can develop the condition.
  • The dentist screens for oral cancer at checkups and could be your first line of defense against oral cancer.

The best defense against oral cancer is early detection and treatment.   Continue reading “Do You Know the Signs of Oral Cancer?” →

Only You Can Prevent Gum Disease

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

Did you know that 80 percent of adults in the United States have gum disease, and the condition can cause major oral and systemic health issues? Luckily, gum disease is preventable. Together, you and the dentists at Wager Evans Dental can guard your health against gum disease.

Five Easy Steps to Gum Disease Prevention

 

    1. Brush your teeth twice daily. Brush for at least two minutes at a time. Be sure to gently clean and massage teeth and gums. This removes plaque and bacteria, both of which can cause gum disease.
    2. Floss at least once daily. This removes food debris, plaque, and bacteria from between teeth.
    3. Eat a balanced diet. Cut down on refined sugars, sodium, and saturated fats and eat plenty of vegetables and fruit (especially apples, carrots, and celery, which clean your teeth).

Continue reading “Only You Can Prevent Gum Disease” →

Men: Take Better Care of Your Health!

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

June is Men’s Health Month, and in past blog posts we’ve discussed the importance of regular dental checkups as well as the ties between gum disease and stroke. Dental health is an important part of your overall health, but you should focus on other aspects of your lifestyle as well. Drs. William Wager and Brian Evans, and the entire staff at Wager Evans Dental, want you to take care of yourself. Today, we will give you the information you need to keep your life on a healthy track.

Why You Should Care for Your Health

In general, men are more likely to neglect their health more than women. Men also die an average of five years earlier than women, and they have higher fatality rates for some of the biggest causes of death: heart disease, lung cancer, and colon cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), women in the United States are twice as likely as men to visit a health care professional for non-illness issues, such as medical screenings, education, and regular checkups. Though it’s not certain why men seek healthcare less often than women, it’s clear that men need to take better care of their health. Continue reading “Men: Take Better Care of Your Health!” →

The Connection Between Gum Disease and Stroke

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

At Wager Evans Dental, we believe in a strong connection between your oral health and your overall health. It’s clear that maintaining oral health is essential to optimal wellness, and this month is the perfect time to bring attention to one of the reasons this connection is so important.

The month of May is National Stroke Awareness Month. While you may wonder what stroke awareness is doing on a dental blog, it’s important to know that strokes are much more closely related to your oral health than you may have thought.

In addition to being linked to health issues like tooth loss, osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s, gum disease is a leading risk factor for strokes.

Researchers have been trying to prove this connection for years, and, last month, the Seoul National University College of Dentistry in Seoul, North Korea, found that gum disease is twice as likely to cause strokes than it is to cause diabetes. Also, gum disease is equally as likely to cause strokes as it is to cause high blood pressure.

So, where does this connection come from? A stroke occurs when a ruptured blood vessel or impaired blood flow causes brain hemorrhaging (bleeding) or when a clot blocks a blood vessel. Dr. Wu, a stroke expert from the State University of New York at Buffalo, says that bacteria are to blame. Harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream from the mouth, stimulating blood clotting, damaging the lining of blood vessels, and increasing the risk of stroke.

The bottom line: take care of your dental health to reduce your risk of gum disease and stroke.  The best way to protect yourself is by having regular dental exams and cleanings every six months and brushing and flossing daily at home.

We’re Dr. Brian Evans and Dr. William Wager, and the health and wellbeing of our patients is our top priority. We want to help you maintain optimal oral health and a high quality of life. For more information about gum disease, oral hygiene, or to schedule an appointment, call our dental office in Reno, Nevada, at (775) 800-4845.

Order CloSYS and have improved oral health with the click of a button!

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

At Wager Evans Dental, we make your oral health our top priority. That’s why we recommend the CloSYS oral health care system to our patients.

CloSYS products are designed to work together to kill germs at the source, while making your mouth cleaner and healthier. Brushing with CloSYS toothpaste, rinsing with CloSYS oral rinse instead of water, and using CloSYS oral spray between brushings is the optimal system for oral health.

We specifically believe in the power Cloristan, the CloSYS oral rinse product. This powerful, patented ingredient kills 99.9% of harmful bacteria in 10 seconds. Cloristan is completely safe, as it is made from stabilized chlorine dioxide, an effective antibacterial agent that is considered to be one of the safest ingredients used in the health care industry.

You do not need a prescription to use CloSYS. In fact, you can order the products by clicking on the link at the bottom of the Wager Evans Dental website.

We invite you to call our dental office in Reno, Nevada at (775) 800-4845 if you have any questions about the CloSYS system or your oral hygiene in general. We look forward to hearing from you!