Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Nearly half of Americans over the age of thirty have gum disease in some form. Fortunately, it’s a treatable condition at The Reno Dentist in Reno NV.
What do your gums do?
Gum tissue has an important job. It protects the roots of your teeth and provides a barrier for the connective tissues and ligaments that hold your teeth in their sockets. It also protects the alveolar bone in which your teeth are anchored.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is inflammation and infection of this soft tissue. It starts with inflammation. Gums become swollen and tender. Early stage gum disease is called gingivitis. If it progresses, the gums pull away from the teeth, developing pockets. This more severe condition is called periodontitis or periodontal disease.
Signs of gum disease include:
Swollen gums
Receding gums
A change in the color of gums
Loose or shifting teeth
Pain and tenderness
Changes in your bite
As serious as gum disease is on its own, it also puts you at risk of conditions like heart disease. The good news is that gum disease is 100% preventable with regular brushing and flossing, and dental checkups.
At The Reno Dentist in Reno NV we treat gum disease. Patients from Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City also come to us for complete general and family dentistry. Please call to schedule your next checkup today!
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is inflammation or infection of the gums. For the most part, periodontal disease is preventable. It is also treatable, at The Reno Dentist in Reno NV.
Gum disease is so pervasive in the US that it has been called a health crisis by the American Dental Association.
If left untreated, it can cause irreversible damage such as tooth loss.
Practicing daily dental hygiene and having 6-month dental exams are the best way to prevent periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease can occur without the presence of decay.
Almost half of all 30+ adults in the US have periodontal disease.
In some cases, periodontal disease generates no noticeable symptoms.
Risk factors for periodontal disease include tobacco use, poor oral hygiene (especially failing to floss), genetics, teeth grinding, inflammatory conditions, and poor nutrition.
There may be no better example of prevention being the best medicine. With regular brushing and flossing, and checkups at The Reno Dentist in Reno NV, you can prevent gum disease. Our services include general and family dentistry. Call to schedule a checkup with us today!
Most Reno men and women know that flossing is an important part of oral health. The value of this simple yet important exercise in oral hygiene has been shown time and time again.
Flossing offers a chance to remove bits and pieces that a toothbrush will undoubtedly miss. Being afraid of the ‘cavity bugs,’ ‘mouth germies,’ or the ‘dental bogeyman’ may still not compel Reno folks to floss regularly.
The fear of gingivitis and gum disease or crowns and fillings from cavities work for a week or so after cleaning but may not instill a lasting habit between teeth cleanings.
At The Reno Dentist in Reno, we encourage our dental patients to look at flossing as an opportunity to start fresh. Just as showering and dressing for the day. It’s a way to increase motivation and include flossing into your established routine.
Flossing can be a positive opportunity to remind yourself to smile and feel happy as you approach your day. Flossing could be a time to think about the foods you are putting into your mouth and consider what improvements could be made to your diet.
Living in health-conscious communities such as Spanish Springs, Virginia City, or Carson City can also help motivate you to floss regularly. The fresh air you breathe on a short walk will feel smooth as you run your tongue along the ridges of your teeth near the gums.
It doesn’t have to be about fear! Call us at 775-322-5016 The knowledgeable dental staff at The Reno Dentist knows that flossing can be a concern for their Reno dental patients and a brightened patient is always better than a frightened one. At The Reno Dentist, we offer many ways to enhance your smile and self-confidence. Make a cosmetic dental appointment today to consider whether root canals can lighten your look, wisdom teeth extraction can influence your flair, and Invisalign or porcelain veneers can ease your anxiety. We aim to make it a wonderful experience!
Most Reno parents are concerned about cavities. And rightly so. Tooth decay in children is a serious and widespread health condition.
What about kids’ gum disease? Are children at risk for an oral ailment that is common in the adult population?
Short answer: yes.
Let’s discuss it.
Children and teens are at risk of gum disease and the more advanced form called periodontal disease.
What causes gingivitis and periodontal disease?
Gum disease (gingivitis) and periodontal disease are caused by plaque buildup.
Food particles mixed with saliva generate a sticky film called plaque. Plaque creates bacteria. If it is not removed regularly with brushing and flossing, the bacteria multiply. The plaque builds up on the teeth.
The gums respond to the bacteria by becoming sore and inflamed. Plaque buildup hardens into calculus. Calculus cannot be removed by a toothbrush or dental floss. Calculus can be removed during a professional dental cleaning.
The American Academy of Periodontology recognizes three kinds of gum disease in children and adolescents:
This is the most frequent type of gum disease in children. The gums swell, turn red and may bleed. Gingivitis is usually caused by poor dental hygiene. Proper oral hygiene includes daily brushing and flossing.
Gingivitis can be prevented or reversed with daily oral hygiene and a healthy lifestyle. If the child doesn’t practice proper dental hygiene, however, the condition can become more severe.
Aggressive periodontitis
Aggressive periodontitis results in bone loss. It may affect only the first molars and incisors. It rarely occurs before puberty. Surprisingly, children with this variety of disease may have minimal plaque or calculus.
Generalized aggressive periodontitis
This type, though less typical, is most likely to occur at the onset of puberty. It may be present throughout the entire mouth. It results in severe gum inflammation. There are significant amounts of plaque and calculus.
If left untreated, the bone loss becomes so extreme the teeth become loose. Then the child is at risk of tooth loss.
4 key findings of gum and periodontal disease in children:
Children and teens who are generally healthy can have gum disease.
Hormonal fluctuation that transpires with puberty boosts the risk of periodontal disease. Researchers believe hormonal changes shrink the ability of the immune system to fight the bacteria in dental plaque.
Periodontal disease is more likely to occur in youth ages 12-17 than those younger than 12.
Signs of periodontal disease:
Swollen, tender gums
Gums that bleed easily
Gum recession
Bad breath
Unusually large spaces between teeth
Pus between the gums and teeth
Changes in bite alignment
At The Reno Dentist, we treat all pediatric oral conditions including gingivitis and periodontal disease. Twice-yearly dental cleanings and examinations are important. If you are looking for an experienced, friendly pediatric dentist, we invite you to call us today and schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you and your child!
When you have a toothache, that’s all you can think about. It makes it difficult to handle your everyday tasks.
If the tooth starts hurting after business hours or on the weekend, you may resign yourself to waiting until a traditional dental practice opens.
When others are closed, The Reno Dentist is here for you. We treat walk-in dental emergencies. That means you don’t need to make an appointment.
We will identify the cause of the tooth pain and take care of you.
Is A Toothache A Dental Emergency?
Yes. Here’s why. Tooth pain may be a symptom of a pressing ailment. We are equipped to treat many causes of tooth pain. Your tooth pain may be caused by one of the following:
Decay
Eventually, tooth decay can reach the tooth nerve. Ouch! The earlier the issue is addressed, the better your chances of saving the tooth.
Gum disease
Gum disease (or the more serious periodontitis) may cause pain. It should be treated immediately before teeth loosen. At that point, you risk losing them.
Damaged Tooth Pulp
When the inner nerves down in the root of the tooth become infected, an emergency root canal can allow you to retain the tooth. Plus it ends the pain!
Maybe It’s Not Your Tooth
Everything’s connected, right? Problems with surrounding systems can cause tooth pain along with a multitude of other symptoms. Your tooth pain may be caused by an ear or sinus infection.
Whether it’s a disorder with your tooth, or something else, let’s get it taken care of.
Some Sparks and Reno dental patients who are interested in a full smile makeover might want to consider gum contouring. This cosmetic dentistry procedure is helpful for people who feel that their gums rest too low or too high on their teeth.
If you feel that your gums cover too much of the surface of your teeth, it may seem that your teeth are too small and out of proportion with your mouth. For Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City residents who have teeth that appear too long, gum contouring may help with your appearance, but your Reno dentist may also feel that it is necessary to counteract gum recession, a condition that can lead to periodontal disease.
Talk to your Sparks area dentist about gum contouring. Many periodontists in the Reno area perform this procedure, as well as some general dentists.
I’m Dr. Shane Sykes, and I’ve been practicing dentistry in Reno since 2011. One of the most rewarding things about my job is seeing my Spanish Springs, Virginia City, and Carson City patients gain renewed confidence in themselves after undergoing simple cosmetic dentistry procedures.
We are currently accepting new patients, so if you are looking for quality dental care in the Reno area, call us today at 775-322-5016 for an appointment!
When your child complains of mouth pain, you want to relieve it as soon as possible.
But that’s easier said than done. There are a plethora of possible causes of children’s tooth pain.
Possible Causes of Toddler Oral Pain
Tooth decay
Emerging teeth
Chipped or cracked tooth
Mouth sore or cut
Sinus pain or earache
Large fragment of food between two teeth
Examine Your Child’s Mouth
First, take a look at their mouths. If you see swollen gums, it indicates the general area of the problem. A large red bump near the tooth root could indicate an abscess.
If there is swelling in the gums, take your child to a pediatric dentist immediately.
You may see a piece of food caught between two teeth. Use a string of floss or a floss pick to remove it. The pain may not go away immediately, but if this was the source, it should go away within a couple of hours.
If your son or daughter has a cavity, you may or may not be able to see it. Dr. Sykes at The Reno Dentist can locate small cavities or those hidden between two teeth.
Make an appointment at The Reno Dentist in the unlikely event that your child has a cracked or chipped tooth.
If The Pain Is Caused By Teething
If your youngster has a runny nose and seems unusually irritable, they might be teething. A cold (not frozen) teething ring can help relieve the pain. You can also gently rub their gums with your finger. You can also let your child gnaw on a cold carrot or another hard vegetable. Make sure you monitor closely so they don’t bite off a chunk they can choke on.
Note that teething only causes a low-grade fever. If your son or daughter has a fever over 100°F or diarrhea, take them to a pediatrician right away.
Pediatric Dentist or Pediatrician?
To recap:
If you suspect the pain is caused by a cavity, abscess, or broken tooth, call The Reno Dentist to schedule an appointment.
If you can’t see the source of the pain but your child has a high fever, diarrhea, or swelling in the cheek, take them to your pediatrician right away.
Here is some important information for anyone who cares about their dental health: gum disease, is a primary cause of tooth loss among adults. There is also evidence that it is associated with heart disease. Fortunately, this problem is easy to treat at The Reno Dentist, if it is discovered in the early stages.
What warning signs should you be looking for?
Gums that bleed often
Gums that appear tender, swollen, or very red, or gums that have visible pus in between them when they are pushed
Your bite changes or your teeth suddenly don’t seem to fit together
Gums that are pulling away from the teeth
A bad taste in the mouth or chronic bad breath
We hope you are not experiencing any of these. But if you are not removing plaque between your teeth, your gums are at risk. Brushing alone is not enough—make sure you floss daily.
Regular check-ups with your dentist is another vital weapon in the fight against gum disease.
At The Reno Dentist, we take pride in caring for our patients and want them to have a healthy and attractive smile. We can treat gum disease, as well as headaches, and we provide general and family dentistry. Schedule your next appointment with us today.
Scientists have known for quite some time that people with diabetes have higher rates of gum disease. At The Reno Dentist, we are concerned with the connection between diabetes and oral health.
Our patients with diabetes know that maintaining proper blood glucose levels is the key to minimizing the risk of gum disease and related troubles for those affected.
Additional research is exploring the reverse relationship. In other words, whether poor oral health increases the risk of developing diabetes. Findings from a long-term study suggests that it does.
“We found that over two decades of follow-up, individuals who had periodontal disease were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life when compared to individuals without periodontal disease.” -Ryan T. Demmer, PhD, MPH.[1]
Additional trials are exploring how tooth and gum health jolts the ability of diabetics to manage the disease.
“Not only are people with diabetes more susceptible to serious gum disease, but serious gum disease may have the potential to affect blood glucose control and contribute to the progression of diabetes.” [2]
If you have diabetes, it is essential that you see your dentist regularly, and are committed to daily oral hygiene, proper nutrition, and other critical practices. Furthermore, your success in controlling your blood glucose levels will improve your oral health and vice-versa.
1Angelo Milone, “Does periodontal disease cause type 2 diabetes?,” Endocrine Today, November 2008, http://www.healio.com/endocrinology/diabetes/news/print/endocrine-today/%7Bacdccbd7-a2b2-4a9e-ac08-b29b53116908%7D/does-periodontal-disease-cause-type-2-diabetes, accessed August 12, 2015 2“Diabetes and Oral Health Problems,” American Diabetes Association, September 18, 2012, http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/oral-health-and-hygiene/diabetes-and-oral-health.html#sthash.9IlHJB8l.dpuf, accessed August 12, 2015
Dr. Shane W Sykes and his team provide dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, headache relief and general dentistry services for Washoe County and the Reno - Sparks NV metropolitan area including Spanish Springs, Hidden Valley, North Valleys, Truckee CA, Tahoe City CA, Carson City, Sun Valley, and Fernley along with zip codes 89502, 89503, 89509, 89512 and 89523
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