Do you neglect your oral health? Most people are always on the go, running around living our daily lives. Do you always make it to the dentist every six months for your regular checkup? If you don’t have dental insurance no worries, well luckily today there are many options when it comes to dental coverage contact your dentist and see what they have to offer. No need to neglect your oral health!

According to an article at 2dental.com, “dentist point out the importance of oral health care”

“If there is something you are going to let go, don’t let it be your oral health. Your smile is something to be remembered by, and your internal health can be a direct reflection of the condition of your teeth. So why pass on another dental visit? You might be ignoring a bacterium that is causing infectious disease by not keeping up with your oral health.

You always learn the most when you actually go to your appointments. I like to think that dentists treat each patient as if it is their first time to the office and that they may not be back for years. Yes there is the population that has high respect for their teeth and treats them as an investment. They may have veneers put in, gone through braces, and keep up with tooth whitening and routine visits. But what about the people that can’t afford “fancy” teeth? What about the people that have never seen a dentist? This is why your first visit has such a thorough treatment. You entire oral history is recorded, x-rays of your bones and jaw are taken, you’re checked for oral cancer, they look at your cheeks, gums, and lips, your bite is checked, and MORE. They examine each individual tooth for cavities or decay and bacteria. This is all done prior to a proper tooth cleansing. This is where the dentist will inform patients about the importance of flossing and daily brushing. They will show proper techniques for taking care of your teeth and answer any questions you may have.

Your visits are important for a number of reasons. The status of your teeth can cause pain and affect your capability to chew and enjoy biting into food. A dentist can spot a cavity and help end/avoid tooth decay, losing a tooth, gum disease, TMJ, and bad breath. Having dental problems can affect your speech and self-esteem. Generally people go for visits a suggested every six months. This is not only to help fix and check for the aforementioned conditions, but it is to help prevent them.”

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Dental care should be one of your top priority’s not only for yourself but also you’re family. Have any questions on insurance; or what services we offer. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney’s office located in Reno.

Now days we are so strapped on time with work, kids and commitments, we need all the help we can get. Just because we all have busy lives you don’t want to neglect your oral health care. Below are some great tips to help you out in a time crunch.

According to an article at oralb.com, “products to help maintain oral care on the go”

“These days, it seems like everybody is going non-stop. But just because you’re busy or traveling — whether for work or play; — that’s no excuse for neglecting your daily dental care routine. One of the easiest ways to maintain oral care on the go is to carry a small container of floss with you. If you’re hiking or camping and want to travel light, floss takes up less space than your electric flosser.

A variety of products make oral care easier when you are traveling or time-strapped. Soft flosses, such as Oral-B’s Satin Floss, can be used by anyone. They slide easily between the teeth to make flossing faster and easier. Also, interdental brush cleaners made of nylon bristles and narrow enough to fit between teeth, combine brushing and flossing for surfaces between the teeth.

If you are hiking, camping or traveling where space is at a premium, buy a small travel toothbrush that fold up. The brush will stay clean and it will take up less of your valuable space.

Another point: If you’re going to be traveling for an extended period of time, and especially if you will be traveling overseas or in the wilderness, be sure to schedule a checkup with your dentist before you go. The last thing you want is a dental health problem to erupt when you are far from reliable dental care. Problems can still occur, but you can reduce the risk by being as prepared as you can before you travel.”

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Dr. McElhinney’s dental practice located in Reno, Nevada is an exceptional dentist. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney to set-up an appointment.

Ever had an impacted tooth? Well for those that have had to deal with this condition, it’s no fun! Many young adults may have this issue when their wisdom teeth erupt. So parents this is a great article giving a complete breakdown of what to expect.

According to an article at colgate.com,” what exactly is an impacted tooth?”

“What Is It?

Teeth are impacted when they fail to emerge through the gums, or emerge only partially, at the expected time.

Your wisdom teeth, also called third molars, usually begin to erupt between the ages of 17 and 21. Because they are the last to emerge in the mouth, wisdom teeth are the most common teeth to become impacted. This may happen because a wisdom tooth is turned to the side, tilted or otherwise positioned incorrectly in the jaw. Wisdom teeth also become impacted when there is not enough room in the jaw or the mouth for them to emerge.

An impacted tooth can be painless, and you may not even realize it’s there. However, when an impacted wisdom tooth tries to erupt, the overlying gum may swell and cause pain, which may also be felt in nearby teeth or the ear on that side. A partially erupted tooth can collect food and other debris, which can lead to gum swelling and an infection called pericoronitis. If untreated, this infection can spread toward the throat or into the neck. Impacted teeth also can cause problems if they develop decay or if they push on the neighboring molar, which could lead to tooth movement or decay, as well as changes in the bite (the way the teeth come together). Impacted teeth also can cause cysts and other benign (harmless) jaw tumors. These can lead to bone destruction. However, this is rare.

Symptoms include:

• Swelling of the gum in the back of the mouth or on the side of the jaw
• Difficulty opening the jaw
• Bad breath
• An unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Pain or irritation when you open your mouth
• Pain when chewing or biting

Pain can occur for several days and then disappear for weeks or months before returning.

Diagnosis-Your dentist will examine the area and take X-rays if needed. X-rays can show where your wisdom teeth are and if they are impacted.

Expected Duration-Symptoms caused by a problematic tooth are relieved when the tooth is extracted.

Prevention-There is no way to prevent an impacted tooth, but careful dental hygiene — brushing, flossing or the use of water-jet devices — can reduce the risk of infection.

When To Call a Professional

Because an impacted tooth can damage neighboring teeth or distort the bite, call your dentist if you experience pain in your molar teeth and your wisdom teeth have not yet come in. If you visit your dentist regularly, he or she will keep track of your wisdom teeth and let you know if you need to have them extracted. Because routine X-rays for cavities often don’t show the wisdom teeth, your dentist may take extra X-rays to check these teeth.”

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If you have an impacted tooth or have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. McElhinney located in Reno. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney to set-up an appointment.