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Category: Healthy Living
Oral Cancer Symptoms: Are you Familiar?
July 2014 Foodie-Friendly Classes and Events In Reno
You Can’t Use a Pore Strip on Your Teeth, But . . .
Nose strips and whitening strips–there’s quite a big difference there. Even so, it turns out that your skin may actually have more in common with your teeth than you might have known. Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans discuss the similarities and what you can do to avoid stained, sensitive teeth.
Anatomy 101: Skin and Teeth
Like your skin, the enamel of your teeth is covered with tiny pores. The pores in your skin become irritated when blocked, and the enlargement and exposure of pores in your teeth make the tooth enamel more prone to staining. If the tooth enamel erodes badly enough to expose the underlying layer of dentin, problems arise. For example, your teeth may develop sensitivity to heat and cold. Teeth that have been badly damaged by years of erosion are more likely to develop tooth decay and cracks.
Preventing Problematic Pores
The pores in your teeth are generally exposed in one of two ways, either by brushing too aggressively, or exposing your teeth to acidic substances. Dr. Wager notes that the American Dental Association states that you should brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes each session. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, as medium or stiff bristles can cause further damage to your teeth, as well as irritating your gums. If the bristles of your toothbrush appear frayed and bent after less than three months, this is a sign of over-aggressive brushing.
Dr. Evans adds that your favorite foods and beverages can also damage your enamel. Acidic foods include citrus fruit, pickles, and yogurt. Among the more acidic beverages are fruit juices–especially those made with citrus fruit–alcohol of any kind, sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks. Rather than reach for your toothbrush immediately after consuming an acidic substance, it’s best to wait 30 minutes. Instead, your Reno, NV general dentists recommend rinsing your mouth with plain water.
These threats are similar to those faced by your skin, which is prone to irritation if washed too frequently or exposed to strong skin care products. With teeth, however, tooth whitening products are a likely culprit.
Clean Skin, Clean Teeth
Like your skin, your teeth are easier to maintain when properly cared for. After months or even years of neglect, both are more difficult to keep clean and may require professional intervention. Of course, we’ll leave your skin care to your dermatologist, but our Reno dentist office provides routine teeth cleaning, dental exams, and screening for periodontal disease and oral cancer.
Are your pores causing problems? To learn more about preventive and cosmetic dental care in Reno, NV, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Wager or Dr. Evans, contact us at 775-829-7700. We welcome patients living in Reno, Sparks, Spanish Springs, Dayton, and the surrounding areas.
The Secret to Healthier Smiles At Home
Reno Dentists Challenge You to a Dental Quiz
Reno Dentists on Surprising Uses for Oral Care Products
The Cleaning Power of Toothpaste
Non-gel toothpaste can be used to clean more than just your teeth. It can also clean:
- Shoes—toothpaste can remove scuff marks from leather shoes. It can also whiten the rubber parts of athletic shoes.
- Diamond rings—toothpaste and a damp cloth can make diamonds shine.
- Crayon on walls—the slight abrasives of toothpaste will lift crayon stains right off with a little scrubbing.
- Bathroom sinks—use with a sponge and watch your sink get clean.
In addition, toothpaste can also prevent your bathroom mirrors from fogging up, if you apply it before a shower. It can also stop goggles from fogging up as well. Scrubbing baby bottles with toothpaste will remove the odor, and it will also take off any foul smell from your hands if you use it with water.
Extraordinary Mouthwash
Mouthwash also has incredible powers you may not realize. Some of mouthwash’s many other uses:
- Helps with athlete’s foot—swab the itchy areas with a cotton ball several times a day, and mild cases should soon clear up. Make sure the mouthwash you use is an antiseptic brand.
- Battles dandruff—rinse out shampoo in your hair with an alcohol-based mouthwash. Doing that should help knock out the dandruff.
- Clean cuts—alcohol-based mouthwashes are terrific for cleaning and disinfecting small cuts.
- Clean toilets—a quarter-cup of mouthwash, added to the toilet bowl and allowed to sit for half an hour, will help lift off stubborn stains
- Clean clothes—alcohol-based mouthwash will kill fungi and bacteria in clothes that normal detergents might not be able to, so pour a cup in with your washload.
Your Reno Dentists Can Clean Your Teeth
Of course, when you’re using your toothpaste and mouthwash to clean your house, don’t forget that their primary purpose is to clean your teeth. If it is time for your professional checkup and cleaning, contact our Reno dentist office at 775-829-7700. We are proud to provide comprehensive dentistry to patients in the 89502 zip code, and surrounding communities.
Reno Dentists on Holiday Treats and Your Teeth
Every year, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, Americans consume a lot of food. Just two weeks ago, on Thanksgiving, for example, we collectively ate nearly 700 pounds of turkey. The overeating will continue through holiday parties, Christmas and Hannakah dinners, and New Year football snacking. While it’s important to remember what all those extra calories are doing to your waistline, it’s equally important to remember what all that extra sugar and starch is doing to your teeth. Your Reno dentists discuss what you should do to ensure having a healthy mouth into 2013.
Continue reading “Reno Dentists on Holiday Treats and Your Teeth”
Sports Bars, Energy Drinks, and 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”
Are You Harming Your Teeth with Common Habits? Your Reno Family Dentists Explain
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”
