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Call Teeth What You Will, Just Keep Them Healthy, Sparks

Posted on July 22, 2015August 1, 2016

Chompers. Pearly Whites. Dents. Gnashers. Grill. Here in Reno, Nevada we have a lot of fun ways to refer to our teeth. And while you can switch up what you call them, you should never switch up a well-ingrained oral health routine.

Making time in your busy day to brush and floss is a habit that will pay off throughout your life. You’ll prevent tooth decay, plaque, and gum disease, not to mention bad breath (something friends, family, and coworkers will also appreciate).

Speaking of pearly whites, following basic dental health advice from your Sparks area dentist will help keep your teeth looking their best as well. If you’re interested in a smile makeover, your dentist can tell you about procedures such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, cosmetic bonding, and dental implants.

Hi, I’m Dr. Shane Sykes, a dentist serving the greater Reno area. I am passionate about helping my patients have the healthiest, most beautiful smiles possible. Here at The Reno Dentist our services include:

Root canals
Wisdom teeth extraction
Dentures
Porcelain veneers
Invisalign

If you are in the Spanish Springs, Virginia City, or Carson City area and are looking for an exceptional dentist, give us a call here at 775-323-0700. A member of our knowledgeable staff can help you schedule an appointment for a cleaning and check-up and also answer questions you may have about teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Contact us today!

The Tea And Teeth Question

Posted on June 26, 2015July 1, 2015

What do you call a dentist who doesn’t like tea?
Why, Denis, of course.

Joking aside, a common concern for Carson City patients can be stained teeth. I’m Dr. Shane Sykes of The Reno Dentist. Today, let’s talk a little bit about a common cause of tooth staining: dark beverages including tea.

Over time, tea can stain the plaque that may eventually turn into tartar. Plaque can be brushed and flossed away. Thorough daily rituals of oral cleaning are valuable for this. Tartar (which forms if the plaque remains on the teeth for over 24 hours), on the other hand, will need to be removed in-office during a teeth cleaning appointment. Either way, between cleanings a wise method for avoiding tea staining is to rinse with water after drinking tea or to eat something and then to be sure to brush and floss all surfaces of the teeth at the end of the day.

If the color of your teeth is still unsatisfactory after a professional cleaning, there is always teeth whitening as an option. Our other services include:

Dentures and partial dentures
Invisalign
Root canals
Porcelain veneers
Wisdom teeth extraction

The cost of living is going up in Carson City, Spanish Springs, and Virginia City. Come on in, Sparks, and let us share our competitive pricing, financial options and superb service with you. Cosmetic dentistry may be less costly than you think.

Our specialty is cosmetic dentistry. A popular service in our office is dental implants. We would love to do restorative dentistry if that appeals to you.

Now you know that tea doesn’t have to stain teeth permanently. What’s your next question?

Shane Sykes, DMD

Shane Sykes
The Reno Dentist
855 W Seventh St Ste 200

Fighting Bad Breath and Removing Tooth Stains

Posted on April 24, 2015April 24, 2015

Did you know that brushing and flossing fights bad breath and removes stains?

If you have persistent stains that brushing can’t remove, get your teeth bleached at The Reno Dentist for a dazzling, stain free smile.

The American Dental Association recommends two minutes as a minimum time for brushing. Most folks think they brush that long but would be surprised if they actually set a timer. Most of us only brush for about a minute, if that.

I am Dr. Shane Sykes of The Reno Dentist. In my office, we practice preventative dentistry by working with our patients to establish essential oral hygiene habits.

If you are looking for a a family dentist in Reno, I invite you to come meet my knowledgeable team.

Our address is 855 W Seventh St Ste 200, Reno, Nevada. We offer general and restorative dentistry, including TMD treatment and dental implants.

And here’s a quick cold-fighting tip for my Reno clients: get a new toothbrush when you catch a cold. A toothbrush teeming with germs can re-infect you!

Give us a call at 775-323-0700.

Filtered Water and Oral Health

Posted on April 17, 2015April 15, 2015

A simple way for Sparks residents to choose beverages that won’t harm their teeth is to keep it simple and make water their go-to drink. However, for safety, thrift, and convenience, many dental patients choose to drink bottled water or filter it themselves at home.

Filtered water can be detrimental to oral health if it doesn’t contain fluoride, which is a great tooth decay preventer.

If you choose bottled water and are wondering if any naturally occurring fluoride has been removed, you can check the label. If you prefer to filter your own tap water, look to see if the American Dental Association has given the filter its seal of approval.

Water filters that carry the ADA seal don’t remove fluoride, so you can be sure that the fluoride is still in your water and benefitting your teeth.

I’m Dr. Shane Sykes, an experienced Reno dentist serving the Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City areas. I am passionate about helping my patients have healthy mouths and beautiful smiles. Contact us today at 775-323-0700 and we can answer any questions you have about dental health, cosmetic dentistry, or smile makeovers.

We have been serving the Reno area since 2011, and we would love to make you another one of our satisfied patients. If you’re wondering about fluoride and tooth decay, or dental veneers and teeth whitening in Reno, we’d be happy to schedule a consultation for you. Call now!

Dr. Shane Sykes
The Reno Dentist
855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno Nevada
775-323-0700

Get Your Teeth In Shape, Sparks!

Posted on April 3, 2015April 6, 2015

These days Sparks residents are more conscious of their health than ever. Many of us are trying to stay active, eat a balanced diet, and better manage stress. When you feel healthy, attractive, and happy, you smile more often. You want your smile to complement and enhance your physical and mental condition. Here at The Reno Dentist, we want to make sure that those in the Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City area have healthy, attractive teeth.

Eating right is a great step toward optimal oral health in the Reno area. A balanced diet that is low in sugar and high in nutrients will support dental health at every age. And, of course, water is always the beverage of choice for those who want healthy teeth.

Daily brushing and flossing are essential healthy habits for your mouth. Also, regular check-ups and cleanings with your Sparks dentist are a must.

Another way to get those teeth looking beautiful is by undergoing some routine cosmetic dentistry procedures. If you want to close spaces between the teeth, improve your gumline, or repair chips or cracks in the teeth; then dental bonding, gum recontouring, crowns, or porcelain veneers might be what you’re looking for.

I’m Dr. Shane Sykes, a knowledgeable Reno dentist. Along with my experienced and skilled team, I provide excellent dental care for Sparks area smiles. Come on in and see what we can do for the health and beauty of your smile.

Dr. Shane Sykes
The Reno Dentist
855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno Nevada
775-323-0700

Oral Rinses: An Extra Measure of Tooth Protection for Kids

Posted on March 20, 2015March 12, 2015

Hello, I’m Shane Sykes of The Reno Dentist. Carson City parents usually know the basics on children’s oral health: limit sugar, make sure they brush and floss regularly, take them to the dentist for twice-yearly exams and cleanings, discourage between-meal snacking, see that they get enough calcium and Vitamin D, etc. Many Nevada parents also give their kids fluoride supplements if their municipal water supply has an inadequate level of fluoride.

Is there anything else a concerned Carson City parent can do to promote children’s oral health? Yes! Have children use an oral rinse that contains fluoride.

Fluoride supplements help strengthen teeth that are still forming, but fluoride rinses help teeth that have already come in. A fluoride rinse is an added measure of protection.

I recommend Nevada children use an oral rinse after they brush and floss. They should swish it around in their mouth for thirty seconds or so, and then spit it out. (Make sure your child doesn’t swallow it!) This should be the last substance in their mouth before they go to bed. The fluoride will remain on the teeth and help prevent new cavities from forming. It can also help stop any demineralization that has already begun by accumulating in the tiny fissures and fortifying the enamel.

At The Reno Dentist, we focus on preventative dentistry for Sparks families. We believe that today’s Nevada children can enjoy healthy teeth for life.

In addition to all general dentistry procedures, we also offer complete smile makeovers. If you are interested in transforming your entire smile with precision cosmetic dentistry, call us at 775-323-0700 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Shane Sykes
The Reno Dentist
855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno Nevada
775-323-0700

What Is Lurking Under Your Gumline?

Posted on February 20, 2015February 24, 2015

Hello Reno residents! Your overall oral health depends not only on healthy teeth but also healthy gums. Proper oral hygiene helps keep both your teeth and gums in good shape.

When brushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle with the bristle tips aimed at the line where the tooth and gum meet. The bristles of a soft toothbrush can clean the food particles in the pockets in front and in back of the tooth, but you need floss to clean between the teeth. Make sure you get the floss into the pocket between the teeth and scrape food particles up and out of the pocket.

Back to toothbrushing: if the toothbrush is not held at the correct angle, the bristles can’t get in the pockets to clean out the bacteria before it turns into enamel-damaging plaque. If plaque multiplies in the pockets around the teeth, the gum will start pulling away. Eventually, the pockets will become too deep for your toothbrush bristles to reach. Unfortunately, the tooth structure below the gumline is more susceptible to decay than the enamel above the gumline.

There is more than one way to damage your teeth – even if the visible parts of your teeth are cavity-free, gum disease can cause problems with the parts you can’t see.

I am Dr. Shane Sykes of The Reno Dentist. My staff and I promote preventative dentistry by working with our patients of all ages to establish essential oral hygiene habits.

If you haven’t had a check-up in a while, or are experiencing gum soreness or recession, call The Reno Dentist today at 775-323-0700 to schedule a thorough tooth and gum examination in Reno. During your exam, Sykes Shane will measure the depth of the pockets around each tooth. If you already have gum disease, we will help you restore gum health.

At The Reno Dentist in Reno, we provide full general and cosmetic dental services including root canal therapy, porcelain veneers, and wisdom teeth extraction. If you have healthy teeth and gums but want to brighten your smile, ask us about teeth bleaching in Reno.

The Reno Dentist
855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno, Nevada 89503
https://therenodentist.com/services/

Is Mouthwash A Must In Sparks?

Posted on November 28, 2014November 25, 2014

Many folks in the Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City area wonder if daily mouthwash should be part of their dental routine. Brushing and flossing are the two habits that have the greatest impact on dental health, so if you’re doing these two things, is mouthwash necessary?

If you’ve ever walked the aisles of any Reno, Nevada drugstore, you know that there are many different types of mouthwash. Some tout their germ-killing abilities, others brag of fluoride content, and some claim to whiten teeth while freshening the breath. These are all great benefits, but will they make or break your dental health?

I’m Dr. Shane Sykes of The Reno Dentist in Reno. When my dental patients ask about mouthwash, I usually tell them that as long as they follow the directions on the bottle, mouthwash can only benefit dental health, even if it doesn’t live up to every promise as advertised.

For people suffering from bad breath (and the friends, family, and co-workers who are suffering with them) mouthwash can be a very effective breath freshener and can bring relief to everyone in their social circle.

Thank you for visiting the Reno Dental Health Blog. We like to tackle important issues such as dental products, cosmetic dentistry procedures, over-the-counter teeth whitening, sedation dentistry, invisible braces, pediatric dentistry, oral care habits, and more!

My practice, The Reno Dentist, is currently accepting new patients. If you are interested in making an appointment, please call us at 775-323-0700. A knowledgeable member of our staff can also answer any questions you have about dental implants, veneers, gum contouring, or smile makeovers.

Call today!

Dr. Shane Sykes
The Reno Dentist
855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno, Nevada
775-323-0700

OUR OFFICE

A New Reason To Eat More Fish In Reno

Posted on November 7, 2014November 6, 2014

Hello Reno dental blog visitors, welcome to the The Reno Dentist blog. I am Dr. Shane Sykes.

I came across an interesting dental article on the Web MD Health News site the other day. The article is entitled ‘Fatty Fish, Nuts May Prevent Gum Disease.’ Author Jennifer Warner explains that a recent study links diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) with a lower risk of periodontitis.

Gum disease is a common dental issue for many Virginia City residents. When gum tissue pulls away from a tooth, it forms a pocket. This pocket is a warm, moist place for bacteria to flourish. (You know what they say about Nature abhorring a vacuum.)

If gum disease (periodontitis) goes untreated, the tooth and jaw bone are at risk. During dental examinations, I carefully measure gumline pockets and examine all teeth for gum disease.

“Researchers found that people whose diets were rich in PUFAs were as much as 30 percent less likely to have gum disease than those who ate little or none of this type of fat.”

Foods high in PUFAs include salmon, tuna, trout, mackerel, sardines, and herring. Oils high in PUFAs include safflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, and margarines made with the previously mentioned oils. Almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, pecans, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds are high PUFA nuts/seeds.

I don’t know many families in Virginia City that regularly eat mackerel and herring. Maybe some of us could benefit from becoming more adventurous when it comes to seafood.

The possible prevention of gum disease is not the only reason to eat high PUFA foods. These foods pack a nutritional punch and have myriad health benefits. The next time you are stocking up at your Sparks grocery store, you may want to add some salmon and walnuts to your list.

It is important to understand that diet alone will not treat or prevent gum disease; however, it may be an additional tool for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

If you have not been to your Virginia City family dentist in a while, I urge you to schedule an examination and cleaning today. We are currently taking new Virginia City dental patients at The Reno Dentist.

If you are interested in teeth whitening, smile makeovers, tooth-colored fillings, or invisible braces, call us today to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Shane Sykes
The Reno Dentist
855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno Nevada, 89503
775-323-0700
https://therenodentist.com/about/our-office/
Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society

Beware Of An Acidic Diet In Sparks

Posted on October 24, 2014October 23, 2014

Most Sparks residents don’t often think of a tooth as a body part that fluctuates in strength. Our teeth seem to have a steady hardness and dependably grind food whenever we need them. However, teeth are dynamic organisms with chemical processes that occur continually.

The protective enamel that covers the softer interior is made of minerals. Enamel demineralizes (loses some of its density) when coming in contact with acids. Saliva can dilute and neutralize acid so the tooth can remineralize (re-harden). This process isn’t instantaneous, however. While the enamel is soft, the tooth is vulnerable to losing a microscopic outer layer of enamel. If the erosion continues, the much softer dentin is exposed. Eventually, the tooth may need to be extracted.

At The Reno Dentist, we are noticing an increase in cases of serious acid erosion. It is apparent that the typical Sparks diet is becoming more acidic.

The list of acidic foods may surprise you. They include eggs, gravy, asparagus, chicken, cottage cheese, honey, fish, ham, butter, sour cream, aged cheese, and yogurt with active cultures. Generally, food with a high sugar or artificial sweetener content are highly acidic.

Now let’s talk about drinks. You probably already know that soda pop and wine are not good for your teeth. Sparks teens that sip soda all day can have acid erosion while their young teeth should be at their strongest. In addition to soda, energy drinks are very popular in Nevada, and Sparks cosmetic dentists are noticing the effects on their dental patients’ tooth enamel.

If you drink soda or energy drinks often, you may want to drink water or chew sugarless gum after downing a can. Stimulating saliva production can speed up the remineralization process.

If your teeth have become more sensitive in general, or in response to hot or cold foods or beverages, you may have acid erosion. To schedule an examination with Shane Sykes at The Reno Dentist, call 775-323-0700 today.

We are a full-service dental office with hundreds of satisfied patients in Reno, Spanish Springs, and Virginia City We are located at 855 W Seventh St Ste 200 in Reno. We are working to raise awareness of the oral health dangers of acid erosion. We hope you have benefited from this Reno dental blog article and look forward to your visit.

Call: (775) 323-0700

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