When you reach for a cold, fizzy, flavored, carbonated drink, what do you call it? A cola? A Coke? A soda? A pop? A drink by any of these names will taste sweet, bubbly and refreshing. Unfortunately, just like many tasty treats, drinking soda on a regular basis comes with a price, especially in terms of your dental health. Reno dentists, Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans, will fill you in on the dangers of soft drinks. Continue reading “Soda and Your Smile”→
As a busy parent, you’ve probably that twinge of guilt or self-doubt just before your child’s dental appointment. A clean bill of oral health reflects well on you, just as every cavity underscores a flaw in your parental vigilance. Ultimately, the health of your child’s smile depends on him or her, but you have a responsibility to guide them toward healthier habits. You have the power to change your family’s oral health for the better by following these two simple steps: Continue reading “The Secret to Healthier Smiles At Home”→
As the days continue getting hotter, you may be thinking more and more about splashing in the refreshingly cool water of your backyard pool. But did you know that your pool could impact your teeth? Read below as your Reno dentists, Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans, tell you what you should know before jumping in your privately owned swimming pool. Continue reading “Reno Family Dentists: What You Should Know Before Jumping in Your Pool”→
It’s lurking underneath classroom desks, hiding under the bus seats, and strewn about parking lots, waiting silently for its victims. Whether or not it is inside your mouth, chewing gum has a bad reputation. That’s why you may be surprised to find that your Reno dentists, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans actually encourage chewing gum—under special conditions, of course.
How to Chew Gum and Improve Your Oral Health
The first caveat for chewing gum responsibly is that it must be sugarless. Chewing gum with sugar is actually, one of the worst things you can do for your teeth since it constantly reintroduces acid and sugar into your mouth, eroding tooth enamel. Sugar-free gum, however, may have the opposite effect. Sugarless gum can help remove trapped food particles in between teeth and encourage saliva production. Your saliva washes away harmful bacteria and neutralizes acids. Therefore, increased saliva translates to a less acidic and less hostile environment for your tooth enamel.
Sugar Alternatives that Fight Cavities
Some sugar-free gum manufacturers have taken smile protection a step further by using sugar alternatives like xylitol. This natural sweetener actually attracts and traps harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay and starve them. You can read the nutrition facts on the back of your gum to make sure xylitol is an active ingredient.
Avoid Contributing to TMJ Disorder
The second requirement for healthy gum chewing is to spit it out. Once you pop a piece of gum in your mouth, pay attention to the time. Make sure that you do not chew gum for more than 15 minutes at a time. Chewing gum for any longer can actually put stress on your jaw muscles. Excessive jaw muscle tension leads to dental health conditions such as TMJ disorder and teeth grinding. Continue reading “Is Chewing Gum Good For Your Teeth?”→
At Wager Evans Dental we believe patient comfort should be a top priority with dental care. After all, if you feel welcomed and relaxed at your dental appointment you will be more likely to return for regular dental cleanings, maintaining optimal oral health. Our Reno dentists, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans offer dental care focused on quality services and patient satisfaction.
Comfortable Dental Services in Reno
Whether you have an appointment with our Reno dental office for a routine dental checkup or dental implant placement, you can expect our dental team to take extra steps to help you feel relaxed. Just let us know what we can do to make your appointment more pleasant.
Sedation Dentistry in Reno
If you hesitate to address a dental issue because of fear or embarrassment, Drs. Wager and Evans can help you reclaim your oral health and calm your nerves. For patients with dental anxieties, we offer sedation dentistry. Nitrous oxide is an example of mild sedation dentistry that can allow you to get the dental treatment you need.
How Nitrous Oxide Helps Patients with Dental Fears
Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, is a gas you breathe through a mask over your mouth and nose. The mild sedative allows you to stay fully conscious while feeling completely relaxed. Many patients describe this experience to feel like the moments before sleep. Nitrous oxide is beneficial because the effects wear off quickly after the gas is no longer administered, meaning patients can safely operate on their own after their procedure. Continue reading “Helping Patients Feel at Ease with Comfortable Dentistry in Reno”→
You have probably heard throughout your life that fluoride is good for your teeth but you may not know why. There are proven benefits to using fluoride in dentistry and daily oral care. Dr. William Wager and our staff at Wager Evans Dental have composed answers to some frequently asked questions below about fluoride.
What Does Fluoride do for My Teeth?
Essentially, fluoride strengthens your enamel. Did you know that enamel is not a living tissue like the rest of your teeth? Therefore, when you damage your enamel, it’s permanently damaged. Fluoride protects the precious enamel barrier around your teeth from tooth decay and cavities. In addition to its ability to strengthen your enamel, fluoride also reduces the levels of acidic bacteria and plaque in your mouth. The presence of plaque and bacteria can lead to infection and inflammation of your gum tissues and tooth decay. Continue reading “What is the Importance of Fluoride?”→
Our team at Wager Evans Dental wants to help you establish healthy dental habits with your children. Dr. William Wager likes to pay special attention to his younger patients and keep them on the right track for a lifetime of healthy smiles! Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about childhood dental health.
Oral health can be a breeze if you keep up good practices and visit Drs. Wager and Evans every six months. Make sure to brush 2-3 times every day and floss once. Like any habit, if you brush as often as you should, you may become complacent. Don’t get sloppy with your oral health; experts agree that a healthy mouth can keep your body healthy, too.
Use Proper Brushing Technique
If you don’t use proper technique when you take care of your teeth, you might be hurting more than you’re helping. To brush effectively, hold your brush at a 45-degree angle at your gum line. This angle can help you avoid gum abrasion. Don’t brush across your teeth; instead, move your brush up and down, softly stroking your teeth. A lot of people forget about the back surfaces completely. The back of your teeth is a crucial place to scrub because your tongue, which is usually caked with bacteria, presses against these surfaces all day long. Continue reading “Make Sure You Brush Correctly”→
The whitening kits that you find at big box stores and grocery stores can whiten teeth but may not be potent enough to make a dramatic difference in the color of your teeth. Professional whitening solutions are safe and reliable and can whiten teeth 8-10 shades in some cases. As the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure, teeth whitening can make a person appear younger and more attractive. Drs. Wager and Evans offer in-office and take-home whitening options in Reno.
What Causes Teeth to Yellow?
Tooth enamel is porous, so it can soak up stains. Various agents and factors contribute to the external discoloration of teeth, called extrensic stains. Using tobacco and consuming of pigmented foods and drinks, like tea, cola, coffee, and red wine, are prominent causes of yellowing. Age, too, causes teeth to discolor. From inside teeth, tetracycline medications (some antibiotics) can cause a brown or blue staining, and swallowing fluoride as a child can cause horizontal white lines called fluorosis. These are called intrinsic stains. Continue reading “Teeth Whitening Solutions for the Holidays”→
A pilot study conducted in November 2011 looked at how excess weight affects the body’s natural ability to fight gum disease. Researchers compared two groups of obese people with periodontal disease to assess and compare their body’s ability to fight back using natural, non-surgical methods of periodontal treatment. One group shed significant amounts of weight during the treatment and the other group maintained their initial weight. The group that lost weight fought periodontal disease with natural, non-surgical methods much better than the group that maintained their weight. Drs. Wager and Evans and our team are equipped to identify any gum disease during regular cleanings and checkups. Continue reading “Gum Disease Beyond Your Mouth”→
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