You Can’t Use a Pore Strip on Your Teeth, But . . .

dental-cleaning-reno-nv

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.

Reno, NV Dentists Explain How You Can Whiten Teeth in One Visit

Brighter Smile What is the quickest way to enhance your smile? The answer is simple: teeth whitening. Whiter, brighter teeth not only improve your smile and overall appearance, but can affect you socially and professionally. A dazzling smile helps make a great first impression during job interviews, and with white teeth come a burst of confidence that will help you seem more approachable and self-assured in social situations. Your Reno dentists, Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans offer several teeth whitening procedures in their office, including Sinsational Smile and Sapphire by Rembrandt.

Continue reading “Reno, NV Dentists Explain How You Can Whiten Teeth in One Visit”

Your Dayton, NV General Dentist Discusses the Importance of Preventive Care

cleaning

Due to an increase in oral health awareness, most people take good care of their teeth at home by brushing and flossing regularly. However, more serious problems, like gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay, are not easily detected from home. For this reason, it is important to schedule regular visits with your dentist for routine check-ups and cleaning. Often, oral health problems do not become visible or cause pain until the advanced stages. Scheduling an appointment with your Dayton dentists, Dr. William Wager or Dr. Brian Evans, will allow either of them to identify early signs of disease and help you take preventative measures.

Continue reading “Your Dayton, NV General Dentist Discusses the Importance of Preventive Care”

Reno Dentists Answer FAQs About One Visit Teeth Whitening

smiling

When you smile, do you feel self-conscious due to dental discoloration? Teeth stains often hinder the appearance of our smiles. Fortunately, at Wager Evans Dental, we offer the latest in professional teeth whitening. In fact, our in-office procedures can typically remove stains in just one visit. In today’s blog, your Reno dentists, Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans, answer questions about our one visit whitening systems.

Continue reading “Reno Dentists Answer FAQs About One Visit Teeth Whitening”

Make Sure You Brush Correctly

Brushing Keeps You Healthy

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”

Teeth Whitening Solutions for the Holidays

Over-The-Counter Whitening

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”

Teeth Whitening Can Give You a Dazzling New Smile

Teeth whitening is a non-invasive, efficient cosmetic dental procedure that can improve the color and brightness of your teeth. Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans offer in-office and at-home professional teeth whitening in their Reno, NV, dental practice.

The Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

While over-the-counter whitening kits, strips, and toothpastes can be effective to an extent, those products lack the potency to produce dramatic whitening results. The professional whitening options that Drs. Wager and Evans offer are safe and can make your teeth between eight and 10 shades lighter.

In-Office Whitening from Wager Evans Dental

If you are looking for immediate results, in-office whitening can brighten your teeth in one visit. The whitening gel will be applied to your teeth, then the Sapphire whitening lamp will activate the gel to remove stains and brighten your smile in about an hour. Though the in-office whitening system is powerful, it will not irritating your gums or harm the structure of your teeth. Continue reading “Teeth Whitening Can Give You a Dazzling New Smile”