If you practice moderation in your diet, and follow that up with good oral hygiene, occasional dessert indulgences aren’t likely to cause a big problem with tooth decay. Sometimes it’s hidden sugar, and hidden acid, that can be a real issue for your pearly whites. Even health conscious patients can hear the words “you have a cavity” when they go to the dentist. Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans, your Reno dentists, reveal some hidden culprits that can wreak havoc on your teeth.

How Does Acid Get Into Our Mouths

We are not born with Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Generally, babies pick up the bacteria from their parents and loved ones through kissing and sharing food. Once the bacteria are present in our mouths, they need to eat to survive. Their fuel of choice is sugar. Many people think that sugar directly causes cavities. In fact, S. mutans consume the sugar you eat, and then produce metabolic waste in the form of lactic acid. Continue reading “All About Acid from Your Reno Dentists” →

In our previous blogs, we discussed how preventive dentistry can help save your life with frequent oral cancer screenings, meaning these twice yearly checkups can save your life. This week, our Reno dentists, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans, will explain how dental cleanings every six months can help protect your quality of life by preventing gum disease.

The Importance of Periodontal Disease Prevention

Gum disease prevention is one of the most important measures you can take for your oral health. While gum disease is highly treatable in the early stages, there is no cure. Periodontal disease can ravage your oral health by destroying the connective tissues between your teeth and gums. In the later stages, periodontitis can also infect your jawbone, causing your teeth to become loose and fall out. By scheduling regular dental cleanings, you can avoid this devastating effect of gum disease.

Dental Cleanings in Reno

At a dental cleaning, our Reno dentists will assess your gum health by looking for signs of gingival infection. Some symptoms of gum disease include red or swollen gum tissue, gingival bleeding, foul breath, or loose teeth.

Scaling and root planing, will remove the plaque buildup causing periodontal infection. This method is called deep cleaning because scaling goes beneath the gum line to clean around the tooth root and gums. Root planing smoothes the tooth roots to prevent further bacteria from latching on to a rough surface and to encourage reattachment of the periodontal tissue.

At these dental cleanings, our Reno dentists can also give you tips for better at-home oral hygiene to prevent gum disease from worsening. We can assess your risk factors and make suggestions for contributing to a healthier mouth. Continue reading “How Dental Cleanings Help You Prevent Gum Disease” →