When was the last time you went for your dental check-up? Does your dentist use laser dentistry in their dental practice? If your dentist doesn’t offer laser dentistry, you don’t know what you’re missing out on. I may have forgotten to mention drill free….no need to say anymore!

According to an article at dentistrightnow.com, “a superbly precise dental treatment”

“Laser technology has transformed various fields of medication and now it has set to massively change dentistry affording a spread of applications. Yes, lasers have been implemented in dentistry even since 1994 to effectively treat a substantial number of dental issues. Laser dentistry can be a very correct, safe, painless and a good way to perform a good range of dental procedures. Lasers are also used in combination with other dental equipment and instruments.

This kind of dental treatment involves the use of high energy beams to treat soft and hard tissue Problems, tooth rots, gum sicknesses, for biopsy or lesion removal and for teeth lightening processes. The successfulness of laser dentistry is attributed to the skill and competency of the dentist to target the particular area by effectively controlling and regulating the power output and the period of the exposure on the gum or tooth structure. The dentist should take uttermost care to see that it doesn’t impose any damage or injury to the tissue.

This highly sophisticated and advanced technology that incorporates laser beam has caused a drastic change in the dental field because of the fact that it can simply pin down even the minute areas with convincing precision. Lasers are used to perform tooth restorations, for removal of tooth plaque and to reform gums for dental crowns and dentures. This novel technology has made painless dentistry a reality by reducing discomfort of bleeding, blistered diseases and mouth sores.

Laser dentistry has proven to be highly beneficial for removal of overgrown tissues, to perform biopsy procedures, for treating diseases in root canals, to show partly exploded wisdom teeth and to quicken up teeth lightening procedures. Laser dentistry has been attributed as a non-invasive and accurate treatment as it involves extraordinarily minimal time to perform, eliminates discomfort and has hence served as an extraordinary tool in replacing the conventional dental drill.

As there isn’t any need for the dentist to use a drill or administer anesthesia laser dentistry affords the patient a totally, pain-free, relaxed dental experience.

In Reno Nevada J.S. McElhinney III DDS provides a large number of cosmetic dentistry work services starting from routine cleaning and filling to bruxism devices.”

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Dr. McElhinney’s dental practice located in Reno is an expert in laser dentistry. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney’s dental practice for more information on laser dentistry.

Our smile is one of the first things that people notice, and it can leave a lasting impression, which is why we should take great care of our dental health. Have you ever felt embarrassed to smile because you don’t feel so confident? Braces are not only for children anymore, need a smile makeover?

According to an article oralb.com, “need a smile makeover dental braces for kids and adults”

“Many people think of braces as a teenage rite of passage, but more adults are taking advantage of the opportunity to improve their appearance and oral health by getting braces.

Teeth can be moved and straightened at any age, and the benefits go beyond cosmetic. Crooked or crowded teeth or a misaligned bite can make thorough teeth cleaning more difficult, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Also, a misaligned bite can interfere with speaking and can even lead to jaw problems.

Because an adult’s facial bones are no longer growing, the same treatments may take longer in adults than in children. Also, certain types of tooth and jaw corrections may not be possible for adults with braces alone. Other types of orthodontic appliances or procedures may be needed to achieve the desired result.

No matter what your age, you can choose braces that are inconspicuous or obvious. If you want your braces to be subtle, ask your dentist about attaching the brackets to the back of the tooth, rather than the front. Or, if you have brackets attached to the front of each tooth, they are available in clear or tooth-colored versions. But you can make a statement with your braces, too. You can choose brackets in your school colors and brackets are available in different shapes, such as hearts and footballs.

If you play any contact sports that might result in a head or jaw injury, be sure to wear a protective mouth guard. If you aren’t sure what type to buy, ask your dentist for a recommendation.”

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Your smile is very important need more information on how Dr. McElhinney can help straighten your teeth. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney’s office located in Reno or visit our website for more information.

Ok, so this one is especially for parents. Many parents like to give their child sports drinks to replace electrolytes. On the other hand sports drinks may be doing more damage than we think. What’s so wrong with just plain old water?

According to an article at dentist.net, “sports drinks linked to tooth damage”

“Sipping on sports drinks can damage your teeth because of the high levels of acid in them, dentists have warned.

Dental experts placed teeth in sports drinks and in water to compare the effects and found the citric acid in the sports drinks caused corrosion and could result in severe tooth damage if left untreated.

The results of the experiment were presented at the annual meeting of the International Association for Dental Research in Miami.

Researchers at the New York University College of Dentistry cut calves’ teeth in half and immersed each half in either a sports drink or water and compared the results after 75 to 90 minutes.

“This is the first time that the citric acid in sports drinks has been linked to erosive tooth wear,” said Dr. Mark Wolff, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Cardiology and Comprehensive Care at the college, who led the study.

The erosion on the half placed in the sports drink was clearly visible because dozens of tiny holes had appeared while there was no damage on the half which was immersed in water.

Brushing teeth immediately after the drinks would compound the problem, Dr. Wolff said, because the acid in the drink softens tooth enamel leaving it vulnerable to the abrasive brushing with toothpaste.”

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Dr. McElhinney dental practice located in Reno is an expert in children’s dentistry, click here to contact Dr. McElhinney and set-up an appointment.

REMEMBER: A Healthy Mouth is the First Step to a Healthy Body!

Did you hear the great news? Well, due to advances in the dental industry we finally have a bluetooth smart toothbrush. This just sounds like fun but at the same time you get to see brushing length and frequency. This just might come in handy with your children.

According to an article at dental-tribune.com,”the first smart toothbrush with bluetooth.”

“LOUISVILLE, Ky., USA: Beam Technologies, a new enterprise in digital oral healthcare products, has developed the first toothbrush fitted with a Bluetooth interface. The Beam Brush analyzes the user’s oral hygiene habits and reports them to a smartphone application.

The new oral health gadget is a manual brush embedded with sensors that monitor the user’s brushing habits and transmit the data to an interface via Bluetooth. Users need to download the respective app to their Android or iOS device. Once connected with the brush, the app builds up an individual’s profile, according to the recorded brushing length and frequency.

The brush is equipped with a replaceable head. Multiple heads can thus be paired with one smartphone; a function aimed at parents in particular who want to keep track of their children’s brushing habits. In addition, the app alerts the user when it is time to replace the brush head. Extra heads can even be ordered automatically via the phone.

The app offers several features, such as Beam Goals, which allows users to set individual targets. The manufacturer promises an intuitive interface with easy-to-understand functions that can be handled by all ages, from a child to a senior user. Users also have the option to send their brushing information to their dentist.

According to the manufacturer, the average person brushes his teeth for only 46 seconds, but 50 percent are more likely to brush their teeth for a full two minutes by using just a simple timer. The app was thus configured for brushing twice a day for two minutes. The user can even set the app to play any song on the phone while brushing. The estimated battery life of the brush is 90 days.

The brush will be available in summer 2012 at the recommended retail price of $50. The expected price of the replacement heads will be $3. “We will be launching in the U.S. first, but plan to begin European sales before the end of 2012. We will be doing our own sales in part, though we will be looking for distribution partnerships in Europe,” said Alex Frommeyer, CEO of Beam Technologies.

Technologies is a new manufacturer in digital oral health devices, founded in 2012”

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Instead of telling you how healthy you ought to be, Dr. McElhinney will help you understand your choices about dental health care and let you make informed decisions on your oral health. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney to set-up an appointment.

Who doesn’t love that cup of coffee and a doughnut in the morning? Do you know what is happening every time you have that quick-fix so called breakfast? This article discusses the truth behind coffee and doughnuts.

According to an article at knowyourteeth.com, “what a disastrous combination coffee and doughnuts may have on your teeth.”

“You’re late for work, skip breakfast and during the commute, pick up a doughnut and cup of coffee and you’re on your way. This common quick-fix breakfast scenario can lengthen your time spent in the dental chair, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education.

The sugars in doughnuts have been identified as a risk factor for gum inflammation and cavities. The AGD has reported findings that show the sugars in oatmeal cookies amount to only one-fifth of the sugars in plain doughnut particles.

The amount of sugar and cream in your coffee also can have a direct effect on the amount of cavity-causing bacteria. Tannins found in coffee etch into the pits and grooves of the tooth enamel, producing a rough, stained surface.

What can someone do to lessen the sugar bath their teeth receive from this breakfast combination?

“Don’t nurse your coffee or pick at that doughnut throughout the morning,” says AGD spokesperson Paul Bussman, DMD, FAGD. “When you eat your doughnut quickly, it limits the exposure time to the sugar attack.”

“Also, cut back on the amount of cream and sugar for your coffee,” advises Dr. Bussman. “Try picking up fruit or another morning meal substitute.”

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The key is in moderation just like anything else in life!

Need to see a professional and get your 6 month check-up, click here to contact Dr. McElhinney located in Reno to set-up an appointment?