General Dentistry

7 Steps For A Healthy Smile

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

Sparks Extreme Smile Makeover

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When Benjamin Franklin said that he meant fire safety. But like all timeless quotes, it applies to many more aspects of modern life. At The Reno Dentist, we apply it  to dental health.

Keeping your smile beautiful and healthy is done most effectively with preventative measures. Some essential guidelines are highlighted here.

  • Make a habit of brushing your teeth. Do it twice a day without fail, for 2 minutes. Be sure to use an ADA approved toothpaste and toothbrush.
  • Don’t forget the floss! Flossing between your teeth daily will do wonders for your teeth and keep your gums healthy too.
  • Wear a protective mouthguard when joining in an activity where your mouth could possibly be damaged.
  • Don’t smoke. As if you needed yet another reason not to!
  • Avoid piercing your lips, tongue, cheek, or any other part of your mouth that someone decided you should shove a metal bar through. Piercings put you at greater risk for chipped teeth, infection and nerve damage.
  • Avoid snacks that have a lot of sugar or starch.
  • Schedule regular dental visits, of course!

At The Reno Dentist we want all our patients to enjoy healthy teeth and gums. People from Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City come to our office for general and family dentistry, restorative dentistry, and much more. Call us to schedule your next cleaning and checkup today!

Contact The Reno Dentist:

775-323-0700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):


855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno, Nevada
89503

 

ArticleID 4625

4 Reason To Look For The ADA Seal

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry

Carson City cosmetic dental and adult bracesHere’s a word of advice from The Reno Dentist: when you go to the store looking for dental products, be sure that what you choose has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.

Here are four ways the ADA seal can help you make good oral care choices for you and your family.

  1. Products with the seal have to be safe and effective, so you won’t waste your dollars on something that won’t work, or worse, can harm you.
  2. The ADA only places its seal on a product after serious scientific testing. This usually means that manufacturers have to meet higher standards than those required by law.
  3. When you purchase products with the ADA seal, it’s practically like shopping with us right by your side! Who wouldn’t want that extra knowledge and information?
  4. The ADA seal is not the organization’s endorsement of one particular product or another, but rather is a verification of the claims made by said product, claims on which savvy consumers can rely.

At The Reno Denteist, we want all our patients to enjoy good dental health, and one of the ways you maintain it is using quality dental care products. People from Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City come to us for our complete general and family dentistry, restorative dentistry, and much more. Call for an appointment today!

Contact The Reno Dentist:

775-323-0700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):


855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno, Nevada
89503

 

ArticleID 4858

Your Mouth Pain Might Be Pulpitis. Call Us ASAP!

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

emergency dental clinic Reno

Some men and women hate going to the dentist.  They only seek treatment when the pain is unbearable. At The Reno Dentist we advise, strongly, regular checkups, which can prevent most issues.

There are many causes of mouth pain. Some are more serious than others. If the pain is caused by pulpitis, you need urgent care treatment immediately.

What is Pulpitis?

The “itis” suffix is a clue. It means “inflammation of.”

Inflammation is an immune response. Your body couldn’t heal infections or lacerations if it didn’t trigger an inflammatory response.

What causes inflammation of the tooth pulp?

The pulp of the tooth is comprised of nerves, blood vessels, and the tissues that hold everything together.

  • Tooth decay or trauma can bring about an infection.
  • Repetitive impact, like tooth grinding (bruxism) can cause pulpitis—even though there is no bacterial infection.
  • A cracked or chipped tooth may trigger or aggravate pulpitis.

It usually hurts like crazy.

Serious cases of pulpitis can lead to tooth loss, so take nothing for granted. Come see us at The Reno Dentist. Our services include emergency dentistry. People from Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City also come to us for general and family dentistry, and much more. Call for an appointment today!

Contact The Reno Dentist:

775-323-0700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):


855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno, Nevada
89503

 

ArticleID 8220

How Tooth Grinding Can Damage Your Smile

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry

tooth grinding treatment RenoTeeth grinding is common in people of all ages. Known formally as bruxism, it is when a person involuntarily clenches their jaw or rubs their teeth together. It can happen during the day, or during sleep. No matter the cause, tooth grinding can be painful and damaging to your smile. We can treat it at The Reno Dentist.

The Dangers of Teeth Grinding

  • It can bring about loose teeth
  • It can cause physical pain in the teeth or face
    • Headaches
    • Jaw pain
    • Ear pain
    • Tooth pain
  • It can chip teeth
  • It can wear down enamel
  • It can cause problems with the alignment of the bite

Tips/Ways to Help Stop Grinding Your Teeth

  • Wear a mouthguard to bed
  • Botox (injections of Botox into the jaw muscles can prevent the muscles from contracting in some men and women)
  • Biofeedback
  • Physical therapy
  • Stress relief exercises
  • Avoid caffeine
  • Avoid alcohol

People with bruxism are often unaware of it, but we’ll see the signs during a checkup at The Reno Dentist. We’ve treated people in Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City, who also come to us for general and family dentistry, dental implants, and much more. Call to schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact The Reno Dentist:

775-323-0700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):


855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno, Nevada
89503

 

ArticleID 8365

We Solve Problems To Restore Smiles

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry

solve tough dental problems Reno

Do you fear that your smile is beyond repair due to damage or neglect? Rest assured, that may not be true. At The Reno Dentist we use restorative dentistry to improve smiles every day.

Here are some tough dental problems we routinely solve:

Tough Problem 1: Insufficient Bone for Dental Implant
Solution: Bone Grafting

Dental implant are state-of-the-art in tooth replacement. But before you can get one, you need to have enough healthy bone to support it. Bone grafting is a fairly simply procedure to promote the growth of new bone.

Tough Problem 2: Tooth Damage or Loss
Solution: Restorative Dentistry

We can address multiple issues by restoring your teeth and mouth to a functional, and even an aesthetic state. It might involve filling cavities, restoring or replacing missing teeth, or repairing damage with a crown. Our goal is twofold: restoring your natural smile, and preventing future dental health problems.

At The Reno Dentist there is always hope for your smile! People from Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City come to us for dental implants and other restorative dentistry. Call us to schedule an appointment today!

Contact The Reno Dentist:

775-323-0700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):


855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno, Nevada
89503

 

ArticleID 7516

Can a Toothache Kill You?

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry, Root Canals

can a toothache kill you? Reno

A word of advice from The Reno Dentist in Reno NV: never ignore a toothache. What may seem at first like a minor irritant can turn into an urgent problem.

Can a toothache kill you?

The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Let’s explain.

The cause of a toothache could lead to a dangerous chain of events that could eventually kill you. Just a few hundred years ago, “teeth” were reported as a common cause of death.

Why would that be? A toothache may be associated with an oral infection. An untreated infection can spread to other parts of the body. Your body may develop sepsis trying to resist the infection. Sepsis can kill you.

At The Reno Dentist in Reno NV root canal therapy is the treatment for an infected tooth. Patients from Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City also come to our office for general and family dentistry. Call for an appointment today!

Contact The Reno Dentist:

775-323-0700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):


855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno, Nevada
89503

 

ArticleID 8289

What’s New In Dentistry?

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Categories: Beautiful Smile, Dental Health, General Dentistry

Advanced Dentistry in RenoThe world of dentistry continues to advance at a rapid pace. If you have visited The Reno Dentist in Reno NV lately, you have probably noticed some things that make your visit more comfortable, such as the ability to watch TV or listen to music while receiving treatment.

What may not be as obvious are the advances in techniques, tools and materials. We now use digital computer imaging which is safer than traditional x-rays. Dental technicians can store, retrieve and transmit digital images much easier than was possible with traditional x-ray film.

The use of lasers has also changed the face of dentistry. Laser surgery requires less anesthesia, minimizes swelling, and protects surrounding tissue. Sparks family dentists use lasers for detecting and treating cavities and dental technicians use them for the curing of restorative materials.

At The Reno Dentist in Reno NV we strive for excellence in dentistry every day. Patients from Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City come to our office for general and family dentistry, and complete cosmetic dentistry services. Call to schedule an appointment today!

Contact The Reno Dentist:

775-323-0700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):


855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno, Nevada
89503

 

ArticleID 1270

Not Your Mother’s Jewelry: 5 Reasons Tongue Piercings Are Dangerous

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry

lip piercings Reno

In this post from The Reno Dentist in Reno NV, we’ll get right to the point. While tongue, cheek, and lip piercings are popular and even commonplace, there are lots of reasons to keep piercings where they belong—in your ears. Here are five really good ones:

  1. Excessive drooling—YIKES!
  2. Chipped teeth
  3. Infection (some even in places you wouldn’t think can get infected)
  4. Hypersensitivity to metal
  5. Nerve damage

Drooling

Lip and tongue piercings may make you look cool and edgy. They may express your personality and creativity. But they can cause frequent drooling. That may not be the look you’re going for.

Chipped Teeth

Having any metal in your mouth can chip your teeth. It could  happen while eating, drinking, or sleeping.

Do you already have a tooth that’s weakened? These cracks can then be repaired before further damage or decay occurs.

Infection

Beware of infection. When it comes to oral piercings, you have to really watch the pierced area. Your mouth is teeming with bacteria. Upon piercing anything in your mouth, the bacteria can enter your bloodstream. Neglecting proper brushing habits can lead to infection. So can touching the piercing with dirty hands.

Hypersensitivity or Allergic Reaction to Metal

Many people love body jewelry. But too much of a good thing (like metal) can be bad. Having metal piercings can lead to hypersensitivity to any metal in your mouth, such as silverware. This is problematic for most people.

There is also the risk of an allergic reaction at the piercing site. If you know of a sensitivity to certain metals, you can get your piercing in a metal you aren’t allergic to. But you are still at risk of the other hazards discussed here.

Nerve Damage

Finally, there’s the risk of permanent nerve damage. If the previous dangers don’t convince you, this one should. Experiencing a numb tongue is usually temporary. But in extreme cases, it can be permanent.

At The Reno Dentist in Reno NV, we understand the popularity of oral piercings. But fashions change, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. People from Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City come to our office for general and family dentistry and headache relief. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact The Reno Dentist:

775-323-0700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):


855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno, Nevada
89503

 

ArticleID 8156

It’s Better To Prevent A Cavity Than Fill One

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

how to prevent cavities Reno

We fill a lot of cavities at The Reno Dentist in Reno NV. Tooth decay is a serious problem, with somewhere in the area of nine of every ten American adults having at least one cavity in their teeth.

It doesn’t have to be that way, and we really stress preventative dentistry as the key to good dental health. Here are five tips for maintaining healthy teeth and gums:

  • Brush Your Teeth. This is one is easy and basic, but critical. Brush twice a day for at least two minutes, and use a toothpaste with fluoride.
  • Don’t Forget Your Tongue. This important part of brushing is easy to overlook, but there’s bacteria on the tongue you’ll want to remove.
  • Floss. This goes hand-in-hand with brushing. Flossing lets you get the gunk that builds up between teeth. Before or after you brush? Either one. Just be sure to do it!
  • Eat a Balanced Diet. Food choice is more important than you might think. Teeth need nutrients, just like the rest of your body. Avoid sugar as much as possible, and drink plenty of water.
  • Have Regular Check-Ups. Cleanings and checkups allow us to catch small problems before they get big, and give you peace of mind.

By using these five tips you can avoid serious dental issues down the road.

At The Reno Dentist in Reno NV, we want all our patients to have healthy teeth and gums. Patients from Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City come to our office for general and family dentistry, dental implants, and so much more! Call us to schedule your next checkup today!

Contact The Reno Dentist:

775-323-0700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno, Nevada
89503

 

ArticleID 7076

15 Things You Didn’t Know About Teeth

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Categories: Beautiful Smile, Dental Health, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry

suprising tooth facts Reno

Our teeth are alive, but it’s easy to forget that and take them for granted. At The Reno Dentist in Reno NV we never take teeth for granted – but then, as dental professionals we probably understand better than most just how amazing teeth can be. We’re using this blog post to share some of the more interesting facts about teeth.

Here are fifteen things you might not know about teeth.

  1. Children’s teeth are soft until about age 10.
  2. A tooth with a crown can get a cavity.
  3. Your gum tissue is as vital as your teeth.
  4. Some prescription drugs can increase your risk of tooth decay.
  5. Some home faucet water filters remove fluoride.
  6. 19 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 19 have untreated cavities.
  7. Heartburn can be damaging for teeth.
  8. Allergies can cause tooth grinding.
  9. Dried fruit is just as adverse for teeth as sticky candy.
  10. Tooth enamel cannot repair itself, though dentin and cementum (the substance that surrounds the tooth root) are capable of partial regeneration.
  11. A Harvard-led team used low-powered lasers to activate stem cells and stimulate the growth of teeth in rats and human dental tissue in a lab.
  12. There are about 300 types of bacteria in your mouth.
  13. Chewing sugarless gum after meals can help remove food particles on your teeth. You still need to brush, but if you can’t brush immediately after meals, sugarless gum can help keep your teeth clean.
  14. Cavities often don’t cause pain until they have reached the root and nerve of the tooth. Visit us regularly to prevent cavities or at least to detect them when they are small.
  15. Bone recession can cause tooth loss even if no decay is present.

At The Reno Dentist in Reno NV, we want all of our patients to have clean and healthy teeth, along with beautiful smiles. People come to our practice from Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City for complete general and family dentistry, and for specialties like dental implants. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup with us today!

Contact The Reno Dentist:

775-323-0700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno, Nevada
89503

 

ArticleID 7003