New mothers undoubtedly have a lot on their minds. One thing many of them probably don’t think about, at least until teething begins, is their children’s oral health. A child’s oral care is important, even before a baby is born. Your Reno dentists, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans, explain why oral heath in early childhood is so important.
Many people are living into their100s these days. In spite of impressive technological and medical advances, certain parts of our body will gradually decline as we age. Linking our oral health to our overall well-being is called oral-systemic health. Multiple research studies have highlighted a connection between tooth retention and cognitive function. Researchers from Bayor College of Medicine studied gum chewing in college students, for example. Standardized math scores were higher in those that chewed gum on a regular basis. Your Reno dentists, Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans, explain a recent Swedish study that focuses solely on chewing as a means for lower rates of dementia in the elderly.
We all need to eat, and so we all have to chew. Chewing comes naturally, but its importance is often overlooked. If we don’t chew our food, we are at risk for choking, but there are other compelling reasons to be mindful of your mastication habits. Your Reno dentists explain some of the reasons you should think about what you chew, and how long you chew.
Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
Taking bites of food that are too big for your mouth can actually damage your jaw. This advice is particularly timely in a culture that has offered food in increasingly larger portions over the years. Hamburgers, sandwiches, and burritos, for example, are sometimes so large that they require the eater to open their mouth wider than is healthy for them. People who suffer from TMD are at particular risk, since their jaw joints are already sensitive. If an item of food forces you to open your mouth so wide that it causes discomfort, it is best to cut the food in smaller bites before eating.
Fitness is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In fact, a recent study found that weight loss helps defend against gum disease. That’s good news for our patients who love sports and athletic training. While running, cycling, and other forms of exercise can improve your oral health, the foods you may consume while participating in these activities can potentially hurt your teeth.
Harmful bacteria that attach to food lodged between your teeth weaken tooth enamel and leave you at risk for developing cavities. Sugary foods and drinks are well-known culprits of tooth decay. Many of the energy bars and drinks on the market today are high in sugar. What you may not realize is that even the brands with less sugar and more nutritious ingredients could harm your teeth. Continue reading “Sports Bars, Energy Drinks, and Your Teeth”→
When discussing dentistry, teeth and gums almost always dominate the conversation. But what about the tongue? It plays a vital role in digestion, the sense of taste, and oral health – so your tongue deserves the same respect as your teeth and gums.
Your Reno dentists, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans, challenge you to the following tongue trivia.
1. How long is the average human tongue?
a. Three inches
b. Four inches
c. Five inches
The answer is b: four inches. That’s much more manageable than the average giraffe tongue, which usually measures a whopping 21 inches!
2. What are the bumps on the tongue called that contain the taste buds?
a. Papillae
b. Alveoli
c. Flagella
The answer is a: papillae. There are approximately 10,000 taste buds on the human tongue. Five basic tastes that the tongue can detect include salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami. The last one, umami, is from the Japanese word meaning “pleasant savory taste.” Continue reading “Tongue Trivia from Your Reno Family Dentists”→
If you have ever held a conversation with someone who stutters, you know that it involves repetitions, pauses, and drawn out syllables in the speech pattern, which are extremely difficult for that individual to control. Often, people with a stuttering problem feel uncomfortable in social situations, especially children. A speech impediment should never be a reason for children to prevent themselves from reaching their full potential. That is why, in honor of National Stuttering Awareness Week, Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans would like to join in raising awareness on the relationship between a child’s dental and mental development.
What is the Relationship Between a Child’s Dental and Mental Development?
A child’s dental and psychological health go hand in hand, and not just in regard to stuttering. If a child is experiencing poor dental health, eating could be very uncomfortable, thus causing malnourishment, which can negatively affect a child’s cognitive abilities. In addition, if a child has unsightly teeth, whether they are yellow or badly crooked, it will be embarrassing for them to smile, let alone work up the courage to speak aloud. Continue reading “National Stuttering Awareness Week: Children’s Dental and Mental Development”→
Do you chew on pen caps or bite your nails? Did you know that these habits can be harmful to your teeth and oral health? You might be surprised how a seemingly innocent habit such as chewing on a pen cap can do damage to your oral health. Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans explain how common habits harm your oral health and damage your teeth.
Biting Your Fingernails
So you break a nail and can’t find nail clippers, what do you do? Many people might alleviate this problem by biting their nails. And for others, biting fingernails is just a nervous habit. Now imagine how many things your hands touch in a day’s time. Door knobs, elevator buttons, and sink faucets are riddled with bacteria that we encounter on a daily basis. Bacteria tend to collect on nail beds and underneath fingernails. When you chew your fingernails, you can potentially transfer the bacteria on your hands into your mouth. Continue reading “Are You Harming Your Teeth with Common Habits? Your Reno Family Dentists Explain”→
At Wager Evans Dental, Reno dentists Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans strive to help our patients achieve optimal oral health and, often, that requires treatment for periodontal (gum) disease. In addition to traditional dental cleanings, we offer Perio Protect and deep cleanings, as well as other treatments to help our patients overcome this serious oral health problem.
As general and cosmetic dentists, Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans promote a family-friendly dentist office in Reno. In fact, our entire staff at Wager Evans Dental loves to see our younger patients. Children without access to dental care often suffer with tooth decay. Untreated cavities cause pain and discomfort and may affect your child’s ability to speak or eat properly. Furthermore, oral health problems may distract your children from learning in school, too. At Wager Evans Dental, we take preventive measures to combat childhood tooth decay and keep children’s mouths healthy.
Fluoride Treatments
Teeth are surrounded by tooth enamel. This protective layer is composed of minerals. As the strongest substance in the human body, tooth enamel prevents bacteria from eating away at your child’s teeth. However, strong acid can weaken enamel. When enamel is damaged, bacteria attack the exposed part of the tooth. When our younger patients experience enamel loss or erosion, we prescribe fluoride treatments. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps replenish tooth enamel. We may apply topical fluoride in a great tasting flavor directly to your child’s teeth after a dental cleaning. We also recommend that you purchase fluoridated toothpastes with the American Dental Association’s seal of approval. Continue reading “Children’s Dental Care from Your Reno Family Dentist”→
At Wager Evans Dental, we have a dedication to excellence when it comes to providing our patients with comprehensive dental care. That’s why Reno dentists Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans offer one of Dentistry Today’s Top 100 Products: Perio Protect.
What is Perio Protect?
For the past six years, Perio Protect has been a leading product that offers patients a gentle, yet effective way to fight the bacteria that cause gum disease. Targeting biofilms, communities of bacteria that colonize in pockets between the teeth and gum tissue (periodontal pockets), the overall goal of Perio Protect is to manage gum disease treatment in a minimally invasive manner. Continue reading “Treating Gum Disease Effectively and Conservatively”→
Phone: 
