Category: Oral Health

Does Laughing Gas Really Make You Laugh? 

Posted on by Dr. Brian Evans

Hollywood has done a great job showing characters cracking up after getting laughing gas. But is that true? Does laughing gas really make you laugh? If so, how can this be beneficial for patients visiting their dentist in Reno? In reality, laughing gas, also known as nitrous oxide, can make you laugh, but there are plenty of other benefits besides the mood boost. 

How Laughing Gas Works

Many dentists use laughing gas, which is just a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen, to help reduce anxiety and make patients more comfortable. Nitrous oxide can help minimize any pain associated with dental treatment. Even though this is a form of sedation dentistry, patients will remain conscious throughout their appointment. 

Is It Safe? 

Nitrous oxide is deemed safe by the American Dental Association. However, one reason that it’s safe to use in dentistry is that the patient, as well as the dosage, is monitored the entire time. 

Side Effects

Another great thing about nitrous oxide is that there are few side effects, and the medication wears off quickly. Most patients can return to their normal day after treatment. Keep in mind that we may still recommend that someone drive you after your appointment. 

Patients may also get giggly, hence the name laughing gas. This happens because of the way nitrous oxide interacts with the brain. Patients may also feel relaxed, euphoric, and tingling in the extremities. 

Some other common, yet temporary, side effects of laughing gas that can be felt during or after administration include: 

  • Dizziness
  • Sweating
  • Shivering
  • Nausea

Patients are advised to eat only a small meal or snack before sedation dentistry appointments to help reduce the likelihood of nausea.

Who Should Get Laughing Gas? 

Laughing gas isn’t for everyone, so make sure to talk with your dentist in Reno to see if it’s a good option for you. Some people that may benefit from laughing gas or another form of sedation dentistry include those who: 

  • Will be having a longer procedure
  • Have trouble sitting still 
  • Have a strong gag reflex
  • Experience dental fear

How Is Laughing Gas Administered? 

Laughing gas is easy to administer. Your dentist in Reno will place a small mask over your nose and ask you to breathe normally. With each breath, you’ll inhale a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. When treatment is finished, you’ll breathe pure oxygen to help flush out any leftover nitrous particles. 

Dental fear or any apprehension about upcoming dental appointments shouldn’t stop you from getting the care you need and deserve. Always talk to your dentist about your concerns and if nitrous oxide or sedation dentistry is right for you. 

Don’t Try These 4 Social Media Tooth Trends At Home

Posted on by Dr. Brian Evans

There’s an appropriate time and place for do-it-yourself, at-home projects, and improvements. But your dentist in Reno wants you to know that any social media trend involving your oral health isn’t one of them. While you should take great care of your teeth at home by regularly brushing and flossing, you shouldn’t try these four social media dental trends under any circumstances. 

  • Office Supplies Orthodontics

If straightening your teeth or tightening up small gaps is your goal, there’s a right way to go about achieving a super straight smile, and that’s by talking with your dentist in Reno. Moving teeth is a science and an art, and if done incorrectly, can cause some serious problems. One trend popular on social media is using typical office supplies to shift teeth around. This is incredibly dangerous and can cause permanent damage to your teeth. It can also lead to jaw problems or even make teeth fall out. 

  • “Veneers Check” Trend

A highly disturbing trend circulating on social media platforms is something called the “veneers check” where users file down their own teeth into small stubs or just in an attempt to even out some ridges. The result is the appearance of “shark teeth.” Many users are showing these filed-down teeth as a before picture prior to getting veneers. The problem is dental veneers don’t require that type of preparation. But there’s more. Filing down your teeth can be painful, lead to permanent damage, and may require additional treatment from a dentist in Reno such as dentures. 

  • Whitening Experiments

While there are ways to whiten teeth at home, this should be done only if given approval by your dentist and only by using appropriate whitening solutions. Never dig for smile-whitening ingredients in your pantry or cleaning products and mix up a social media concoction that claims to whiten teeth quickly. Many of the ingredients used are highly acidic and when applied directly to the teeth can quickly weaken the enamel. Not to mention, cleaning products can be very harmful to overall health. 

  • Artfully Crafted Teeth

Even other trends involve using art supplies to craft individual teeth. This could be in the form of a crown, partial dentures, or even just filling in a tiny crack. Either way, the materials are often not approved as safe to use in the mouth and there’s a good chance you may be covering up a bigger problem that should be properly addressed by your dentist. The longer dental concerns go undiagnosed and untreated, the bigger issue they can become. 

When it comes to improving the appearance of your smile, never take the DIY approach. Always start by talking with your dentist about your cosmetic dentistry options so you can get the smile you desire safely. 

How Often Should You See a Dentist if You Have Dentures? 

Posted on by Dr. Brian Evans

Just because you may have replaced your natural teeth with a denture doesn’t mean you should stop seeing your dentist in Reno. In fact, it may be even more important for denture-wearers to keep their regularly scheduled dental appointments in order to protect overall oral health. After all, dental health also includes your gums, tongue, and entire mouth, not just teeth. 

Every Six Months Is Key

Everyone can benefit from seeing their dentist in Reno at least every six months. These regular checkups and cleanings help prevent problems and can even catch small issues before they become big. They can also help denture-wearers in the following ways. 

Oral Health

Despite the fact that dentures have replaced all of the natural teeth, there are other areas of oral health that need to be protected. Dental care goes beyond caring for the teeth as the gums, tongue, and jaw bones also need regular care. Denture-wearers, in particular, should see their dentist at least twice a year to monitor overall oral health. In fact, dentures may increase the likelihood of developing gum disease, as well as affect jaw bone density. Plus, the size and shape of the mouth change over time, which means the fit of a denture also changes. Dentures often need regular adjustments to remain comfortable. 

Overall Health

Believe it or not, regular dental care can not only protect your oral health but also your overall health. Gum disease, for example, is more common in denture-wearers and should be caught as early as possible. Advanced gum disease can’t be cured and can even lead to whole-body problems such as heart disease and diabetes. Additionally, your dentist in Reno is always on the lookout for oral cancer and looks for signs of this serious disease at every appointment. Oral cancer can be treated successfully with early intervention, which makes regular dental appointments even more important. 

Denture Health 

Dentures are not a permanent solution to missing teeth. But they can last over 7 years with proper at-home care and regular dental appointments. Dentures can sustain regular wear and tear, and sometimes the patient doesn’t know that micro-damage has occurred. Having your denture checked at regular dental appointments can catch and fix any minor problems. 

Essentially, everyone should see their dentist every six months, no matter how many teeth they have. These preventive appointments help protect your health and can prolong the life of your denture. 

What Are Examples of Cosmetic Dentistry? 

Posted on by Dr. Brian Evans

Cosmetic dentistry can transform any smile and make it brighter, whiter, straighter, or more even. There are tons of cosmetic dentistry treatments to choose from, and finding the best cosmetic dentistry procedure for you depends on what you’re trying to achieve. Use this guide of examples of cosmetic dentistry from your dentist in Reno to get started. 

Teeth Whitening

Perhaps the most popular form of cosmetic dentistry is teeth whitening. This treatment can whiten teeth by several shades, although it does depend on the product used. From whitening strips to trays and even a professional in-office whitening treatment with your dentist, the options are endless. While you can venture out on your own and buy an over-the-counter whitening treatment, we always recommend starting by talking with your dentist in Reno about the best way to whiten teeth. The truth is, that some types of tooth staining won’t be touched by some whitening products, so before you spend your money on a product that may not work for you, schedule an appointment with your dentist. 

Dental Veneers

Another type of cosmetic dentistry that’s very popular is veneers. Dental veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are placed on the front of your teeth. They’re custom-designed and custom-colored to create a natural, yet very appealing, appearance. Veneers are so popular because they can help fix a variety of concerns including covering up stains and changing the size, shape, or length of individual teeth. 

Bonding

One of the fastest cosmetic dentistry procedures is dental bonding. The whole process can usually be completed in 30-60 minutes, and it’s usually pretty affordable, depending on the case. Your dentist in Reno will apply a tooth-colored resin and mold it into the desired shape. The resin is then hardened, or bonded to the tooth, with ultraviolet light. Dental bonding may be the best way to repair decay or chipped, cracked, or misshapen teeth. 

Dental Crown

While this cosmetic dentistry procedure can also be considered a form of restorative dentistry, it can be used to enhance the appearance of specific teeth, making it fall into the cosmetic category. A dental crown is often referred to as a cap as that’s essentially what it does – it caps a tooth. Crowns are custom-created so they blend seamlessly into a smile. You may be a candidate for a dental crown if you need to restore the size, shape, or strength of a tooth. Dental crowns are also typically used following a root canal to strengthen the treated tooth. 

No matter what your wants or needs may be, know that your dentist in Reno has plenty of cosmetic dentistry treatments available to help. The best place to start is by scheduling a cosmetic dentistry consultation today. 

What Does It Mean When You Have Too Many Teeth? 

Posted on by Dr. Brian Evans

Most people are more concerned about losing their teeth and having fewer teeth than they are about having too many teeth. But the truth is, it can happen. When someone has more than the usual 20 baby teeth and 32 adult teeth, it’s known as hyperdontia. Luckily, this condition doesn’t typically need treatment, but you should still see your dentist in Reno. 

What Exactly Is Hyperdontia?

Hyperdontia is a condition when too many teeth grow in the mouth. These extra teeth are called supernumerary and can grow in various places in the mouth and also be of different shapes. Usually, the additional teeth appear in the arches or the areas where teeth attach to the jaw. Hyperdontia can happen with both baby teeth and adult teeth, but it’s more common to see the condition in kids. 

Recognizing Hyperdontia

You think it’d be pretty obvious if you developed extra teeth, and it usually is. Supernumerary teeth typically pop up directly behind the already erupted teeth, so it’s pretty easy to spot. However, your dentist in Reno can also tell if there are more teeth under the gum line that have yet to show themselves by looking at images obtained from dental x-rays. This condition usually doesn’t cause pain, but a slight discomfort can happen. 

Teeth Shapes & Positioning

Supernumerary teeth, just like regular teeth, show up in different places in the mouth. The most common place where these extra teeth tend to erupt is behind the four front teeth, but they can pop up in other areas. 

  • Paramolar – extra teeth in the back by the molars
  • Distomolar – additional teeth that grow in line with the molars rather than behind 
  • Mesiodens – show up behind the front teeth

 Additional teeth can also vary in shape. 

  • Supplemental – looks like the tooth right next door
  • Tuberculate – looks like a tube
  • Compound odontoma – looks like it’s made from several growths close together
  • Complex odontoma – looks like a random grouping of tooth-like tissues
  • Conical – looks like a peg that’s wide at the bottom and pointy on top

Hyperdontia Causes

Unfortunately, hyperdontia is one of those conditions that we don’t quite know the cause of. But it has been tied to other heredity conditions, including: 

  • Cleft palate or lip
  • Gardner’s syndrome
  • Ehler-Danlos syndrome 
  • Fabry disease
  • Cleidocranial dysplasia

Treatment & Potential Complications

As we’ve mentioned before, many times cases of hyperdontia won’t need treatment. But there are times when intervention from your dentist in Reno is recommended. Occasionally, extra teeth can cause discomfort in the jaw or gums. Other times a patient is unhappy with the appearance of their smile due to their extra teeth. Most commonly, too many teeth cause problems with proper brushing and flossing and can lead to decay, gum disease, and other concerns. If any of these things are apparent, you may want to consider treatment. 

Treating hyperdontia can be as simple as removing the extra teeth. Sometimes, your dentist may recommend some other forms of cosmetic dentistry afterward to give you a smile you’re proud of. 

What’s It Mean If You Have An Impacted Tooth? 

Posted on by Dr. Brian Evans

So your dentist in Reno has diagnosed you or your child with an impacted tooth. What exactly does that mean, and how concerning is it? Not to worry, impacted teeth are pretty common, especially in children and teens. While an impacted tooth is most often associated with wisdom teeth, in reality, any tooth can become impacted and needs to be treated by your dentist sooner rather than later. 

What Is An Impacted Tooth? 

In short, an impacted tooth occurs when a tooth does not erupt through the gums as it’s supposed to. Baby teeth will probably start to emerge when your child is only a few months old, fall out a few years later, and be replaced with adult teeth. Then, in teenage years or young adult years, wisdom teeth will begin to erupt. However, this process doesn’t always happen smoothly, and a tooth can not erupt at all or only erupt a little bit, thus becoming impacted. 

Why Does This Happen?

An impacted tooth can happen for any number of reasons, and the cause varies from person to person. Your dentist in Reno can help identify why or even catch it early. Some of the most common causes of an impacted tooth are: 

  • Overcrowding of teeth 
  • The jaw is too small to allow for more teeth to erupt
  • Teeth coming in crooked or sideways

Symptoms of an Impacted Tooth

It’s important to know that not every case of an impacted tooth will have symptoms. This is pretty common with a tooth that’s fully impacted. However, there are some key signs that may indicate a partial impaction or perhaps a full impaction. 

  • Pain in the gums or jaw
  • Swelling of the gums in one area around the tooth
  • Bad breath
  • Bad taste in the mouth when force is applied to the area
  • Headaches
  • Noticeable gap where the tooth did not erupt

If you notice any of the above, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Reno as soon as you can. 

How to Treat an Impacted Tooth

Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the impaction, symptoms, cause, and if there’s a risk to other parts of the mouth. Sometimes your dentist will recommend simply leaving the tooth alone, however, most times, especially with wisdom teeth, the impacted tooth will need to be removed. If the impacted tooth isn’t a wisdom tooth, oftentimes orthodontics will be used to create room and pull the tooth into its proper place. 

Complications

Making sure that your entire family sees your dentist twice a year is important for many reasons. Monitoring tooth erupting is one of them. Regular exams and x-rays will help your dentist identify any impacted teeth early and make recommendations for proper treatment before problems can arise. If impacted teeth are not caught early and they do need treatment, several complications can occur, such as: 

  • Abscess or infection
  • Nerve damage
  • A poor bite (malocclusion)
  • Difficulty thoroughly cleaning teeth
  • Speech problems
  • Bone loss

Even though an impacted tooth may be scary at first, know that your dentist is here to help ensure you get the right treatment at the right time to avoid problems in the future. 

Damaged or Bad Teeth? You Have Options.

Posted on by Dr. Brian Evans

Time can take a toll on your teeth, and everything from trauma, diet, habits, and even medications can affect your smile. When this happens, patients may be hesitant to smile as much as they used to, and they may even find it difficult to eat all the foods they enjoy. But there’s good news. Your dentist in Reno has several options to help restore a smile, no matter how damaged teeth may be. 

Dental Fillings

Perhaps the most common type of dental treatment completed today is dental fillings. This routine dental procedure is one of the best ways to stop decay in its tracks and keep your natural tooth healthy. Keeping up with your dental appointments every six months can help identify cavities early when they can still be easily treated with a filling.

Bonding

Another way to fix a bad tooth is with dental bonding. Typically used to fill in teeth that are chipped, cracked, or broken, dental bonding can custom-match the other teeth for a seamless restoration. This treatment is usually fast and more affordable than other options. 

Dental Crowns

Also known as a cap, dental crowns are used to cover up an entire tooth. They too are also custom-made to match the size, shape, and color of other teeth, so nobody will even know it’s there. Crowns are more appropriate for larger cavities and are often used following a root canal to further protect the treated tooth. 

Tooth Whitening 

Like fillings, smile whitening is an incredibly common dental procedure used to brighten the appearance of teeth. Even though many products are available without the recommendation of a dentist, we always recommend discussing smile whitening with your dentist in Reno before starting any product. Some products may not work well for your specific concerns and sometimes whitening products can do more harm than good. 

Dental Veneers

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are placed on the front surface of teeth and can help with many dental concerns. For example, if you have tooth staining that can’t be fixed through smile whitening, you can cover up the stains with veneers. Veneers can also help: 

  • Repair minor chips or cracks
  • Change the size and shape of teeth
  • Close gaps in between teeth
  • Make teeth appear straighter 

Dental Implants

If you’re missing a tooth or even several teeth, there are still solutions available to restore your smile and regain your confidence. The best way to replace a missing tooth or several missing teeth is with dental implants. This restorative dentistry treatment is a permanent solution to missing teeth and can help you smile, eat, and speak without worrying about dentures slipping. To find out if you’re a candidate for dental implants, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Reno. 

No matter what your dental needs are and no matter how bad you feel your teeth are, there are ways to help. Don’t give up hope on getting a smile you’re proud of. Schedule an appointment with your dentist and start the conversation today. 

Why Does Food Always Get Stuck in Between My Teeth?

Posted on by Dr. Brian Evans

We’ve all experienced getting a piece of food stuck in between our teeth at some point, and this is common with several types of food. However, if you find yourself getting food stuck in the same places almost every time you eat, you may have something called a food trap. While this may sound like a minor inconvenience, your dentist in Reno wants you to know that a food trap could cause problems. 

What Causes a Food Trap? 

A food trap can be caused by a number of things, some of which should be diagnosed and treated by your dentist in Reno . The most common causes of a food trap include: 

  • Gaps

Larger gaps in between teeth provide a great place for pieces of food to hide. Even if you had braces when you were younger, teeth can shift over time and cause gaps. Your dentist may suggest some additional type of orthodontic solution such as clear aligners, traditional braces, or certain types of cosmetic dentistry. 

  • Cavities

Cavities cause tiny holes in teeth where both bacteria and food can get stuck. The longer a cavity goes untreated, the bigger it can get and the more problems it can cause. However, getting a cavity filled is often an easy treatment that you shouldn’t put off.  

  • Gum Disease

Gum disease occurs when there’s an infection in the gum tissue. This can create pockets between your teeth and up into your gums. Again, these small spaces give food a nice place to get stuck. Gum disease can be serious and can lead to other problems, including tooth loss, so it’s important to catch it early while treatment is still often successful. 

It’s important to talk with your dentist about any dental problems you may have, including if food gets stuck in your teeth, so they can take a closer look and help prevent problems. 

Food Traps Can Be Dangerous

Even if you brush your teeth twice a day, if food particles are lingering around in between your teeth all day long, they can feed mouth bacteria and increase the risk of tooth decay and other problems. This is why it’s so important to brush your teeth and floss regularly. If you do feel a piece of food stuck in your teeth, try to remove it as soon as possible. 

How to Remove Food From in Between Teeth

When you’re dealing with a pesky piece of food wedged in between your teeth, you’ll use almost anything to get it out. However, your dentist in Reno  recommends that you only use dental floss or a toothbrush. These tools are designed to be gentle, yet effective, and reduce the risk of damage. If you have something that’s really stuck, call your dentist to schedule a quick visit. 

We always recommend that our patients brush their teeth twice a day and floss at least once daily to remove bacteria, plaque, and leftover food particles that have accumulated throughout the day. Practicing good oral hygiene habits can help prevent food traps and keep your teeth protected. 

How Do You Fix Dentures That Don’t Fit?

Posted on by Dr. Brian Evans

Dentures are an excellent choice to replace missing teeth. They can not only help restore a smile and allow people to eat more foods, but they can also provide an often needed boost in self-confidence. These transformative dental devices are often the chosen solution as they’re comfortable and affordable. However, over time, changes in the mouth can affect the way dentures fit, and they can start to slip or cause discomfort. If this happens, your dentist in Reno can help. 

How Are Dentures Made?

First, let’s take a look at how dentures are initially made. Your dentist will take impressions and send them off to a lab to create a custom denture based on the specific size and shape of your mouth. Usually, the end result will be a comfortable, secure-fitting denture. Of course, there may be an adjustment period while you’re getting used to your denture, but it shouldn’t slip or cause sores in your mouth. However, over time, changes to the jaw bone and other changes in the mouth can make a denture no longer fit properly. 

Denture Relines

If your denture no longer fits the way it once did, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist in Reno. Make sure to bring your denture to this appointment so your dentist can take a close look at the device itself as well as check out the fit of it in your mouth. If it no longer fits correctly, they may recommend a reline. 

Denture relines can take the fit of your existing denture and use it to make adjustments. There are two types of denture relines – soft relines and hard relines. Soft relines can be done quickly and easily while you’re sitting with your dentist while hard relines will be sent to a lab to be recreated. Dentures with hard relines tend to last longer than those with soft relines. 

What Causes Dentures to No Longer Fit? 

As with many things, our mouths change over time. These changes can make a once-comfortable denture no longer fit correctly. For example, changes in the jaw bone can change the shape and size of your mouth and could require a new denture or reline. Additionally, damage to dentures can happen, and if there’s a crack or other damage, it can make a denture fit uncomfortably.  It’s important to know that dentures do have a lifespan and properly won’t last forever without at least a reline. 

Denture Alternatives

If your denture is no longer the right choice for you, talk with your dentist in Reno about dental implants. Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option that replaces the tooth root as well as the crown. No soaking is required and since implants are anchored into the jaw bone, there’s also no shifting. Dental implants can replace one or many teeth, and there are even options where a custom denture can be permanently affixed on top of a few implant posts for a brand new permanent smile. 

Your denture shouldn’t be uncomfortable, it should be secure and allow you to smile and eat with confidence. If your denture is starting to slip or cause sores, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Reno as soon as possible. 

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

Posted on by Dr. Brian Evans

Are you struggling with a painful tooth? Are you at your wit’s end trying to get it to go away, but there’s always discomfort no matter what you do? Maybe it’s time you talked to your dentist in Reno about having a root canal. We know those two little words can cause big anxiety for some patients, but if you leave your troublesome tooth untreated, things could get a whole lot worse. 

Why Root Canals Are Necessary (and a Good Thing)

We might recommend root canal treatment when you have a tooth where the pulp or soft tissue inside the root canals becomes inflamed or infected. We’ll do a root canal as a last resort when we cannot restore your tooth. Here are some common symptoms that a root canal could help to soothe:

  • Constant toothache
  • Lingering sensitivity
  • Discharge
  • Pain in your jaw bone
  • Discomfort when chewing
  • Swelling in your gums

If any of these sound familiar, it’s essential that you schedule an appointment with your dentist in Reno as soon as possible so we can do a thorough checkup.

How Long Will it Take to Complete Root Canal Treatment?

When you need a root canal to help heal your smile, how your treatment progresses will be personal to your needs and schedule. Generally speaking, root canals can take up to two appointments, ranging in length from 30 to 90 minutes. What determines how long your procedure will take is the severity of your individual case. The initial appointment is when we do the actual root canal, where all of the infected pulp is safely and effectively removed from your tooth. The second appointment is when your tooth is permanently or completely crowned for a brand new, healthy tooth. 

Root Canals Are More Common Than You Think

In honor of Root Canal Awareness Week, which occurs each May, let’s praise this common dental procedure that happens over 41,000 times a day, according to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE). The AAE also says more than 15 million root canals are performed each year in the United States. 

We hope you’re feeling a little bit better about the not-so-dreadful root canal procedure. If you want to avoid having root canals or worrying about them in the future, it’s always best to take good care of your oral health today. Always remember to brush your teeth at least twice every day and floss them once. Be sure to limit how much sugar and refined carbohydrates you take in too. They can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and the need for root canals. 

Are you experiencing dental issues? Are you nervous about seeing your dentist in Reno? Relax, and call us. We’re here to help and make sure you’re comfortable every step of the way.