Visit your dentist regularly? Did you know that gum disease is also known as periodontal disease, want to learn more about the stages of the disease? Make sure that you consult your dentist if you any concerns.

According to an article at naturalnews.com, “Periodontal Disease”

“Gum disease is also referred to as periodontal disease and encompasses the various stages of the disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis. Periodontal literally translates to “around the tooth”. Interestingly, as the disease progresses it manages to burrow itself more completely around the affected tooth or teeth.

The beginning stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which occurs when plaque buildup begins to inflame the gums causing them to redden, swell and easily bleed. Typically there is little to no discomfort during this stage. Because of this, gingivitis is generally detected during a regular dentist visit. If diagnosed and treated, gingivitis is completely reversible.

If gingivitis is not treated, it can lead to periodontitis, which occurs when plaque spreads below the gumline. The bacteria associated with plaque produces toxins, which trigger further inflammation. Over time, this heightened inflammatory response will ultimately deteriorate the bones and tissue that support the affected teeth, eventually leading to tooth loss. Once periodontitis sets in, treatment is crucial to manage the inflammation and minimize damage.

It is estimated that 80% of all American adults have some form of gum disease. Smoking, genetics, stress, medications (including oral contraceptives, anti-depressants and certain heart medications), pregnancy, clenching or grinding your teeth, poor nutrition, diabetes and other systemic diseases have all been implicated as risk factors for the disease.

The link between gum disease and systemic disease is at the center of a number of on going studies. What we currently know is that definitive links do exists between gum disease and heart disease, diabetes and pregnancy complications. Currently researchers are examining the possibilities that either inflammation, bacteria or a combination of the two are at the heart of the link between gum disease and other health problems.”

The good news is you can receive treatment for gum disease. Need the best dentist in Reno then Dr. McElhinney is the one? If you have any questions visit renolaserdentistry.com.

Have you heard of a condition called “black hairy tongue”? Well, it’s actually a painless oral health condition which the tongue appears black. Want to learn more about this oral condition?

According to an article at dentist.net, “An Overview of Black Hairy Tongue”

“The name — black hairy tongue — may sound scary, but the condition is actually harmless. Black hairy tongue is caused by bacteria or fungi in the mouth, which make the tongue, appear black and hairy. It’s easily remedied by good old-fashioned oral hygiene.

What causes black hairy tongue?

A black hairy tongue is caused by too much bacteria or yeast growth in the mouth. The bacteria build up on tiny rounded projections called papillae. These lie along the surface of the tongue. Instead of shedding as they normally do, the papillae start to grow and lengthen, creating hair-like projections. They can grow to 15 times their normal length.

Normally, the papillae are pinkish-white. But as they grow, pigments from food, drinks, and possibly the bacteria or yeast themselves get caught in the papillae, dyeing the tongue a color. Most often that color is black, hence the name. But the tongue can also turn brown, yellow, green, or a variety of other colors.

Certain lifestyle habits and conditions can make people more likely to develop black hairy tongue. They include:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Smoking tobacco
• Drinking a lot of coffee or tea
• Using antibiotics (which may disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the mouth)
• Being dehydrated
• Taking medications that contain the chemical bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol for upset stomach)
• Not producing enough saliva
• Regularly using mouthwash that contains peroxide, witch hazel, or menthol
• Getting radiation therapy to the head and neck

Black hairy tongue is more common in men, people who use intravenous drugs, and those who are HIV-positive.

What are the symptoms of hairy tongue?

Other than the appearance of the tongue, most people with black hairy tongue don’t have any symptoms or feel any discomfort. The exception is when there is too much growth of the yeast Candida albicans, which can cause a burning sensation on the tongue. This burning sensation is called glossopyrosis.

Some people complain of a tickling feeling in the back of the roof of the mouth, a nasty metallic taste in their mouth, or nausea. In more severe cases, the condition may lead to a gagging feeling. Sometimes, food getting caught inside the extra-long papillae can cause bad breath.

How can I get rid of black hairy tongue?

Practicing good oral hygiene is the best way to treat black hairy tongue. Gently brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush. Also, brush your tongue. You can use a tongue scraper to make sure you’re thoroughly cleaning the area. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help keep your mouth clean.

Other tips include:

If you smoke, quit.

Add more roughage to your diet. Soft foods won’t clean off the tongue effectively.”

Do you have an oral condition that needs the attention of a dental professional? Dr. McElhinney of Reno Laser Dentistry can be contacted at renolaserdentsitry.com for more information on appointment availability.

Are you a smoker? Worried about the negative effects that smoking has on your oral health? Do you have a need for a healthier lifestyle? How about some tips to help you make healthier decisions about your oral health.

According to an article at ada.org, “Smoking and Oral Health”

“Mark Twain once said, “Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it a thousand times.”

Quitting tobacco is difficult because all forms of it—cigarettes, cigars and spit (chewing) tobacco—contain nicotine and nicotine is the agent in tobacco that’s capable of causing addiction or dependence. However, you can quit once and for all. The reasons for quitting are simple: You’ll lower the chances of having a heart attack, stroke or cancer, including oral cancer. A smoke-free environment is healthier for those around you. If you’re pregnant, you’ll improve your chances of having a healthy baby. And, the money spent on tobacco can be used on other things.

What effects can smoking have on my oral health?

• Oral Cancer
• Periodontal (gum) disease—a leading cause of tooth loss and sensitivity
• Delayed healing after a tooth extraction or other oral surgery
• Few options for some kinds of dental care (smokers can be poor candidates for particular treatments such as implants)
• Bad breath
• Stained teeth and tongue
• Diminished sense of taste and smell

What effects can smokeless tobacco have on my oral health?

Like cigarettes, smokeless tobacco products contain a variety of toxins associated with cancer. At least 28 cancer-causing chemicals have been identified in smokeless tobacco products. Smokeless tobacco is known to cause cancers of the mouth, lip, tongue, and pancreas. Users also may be at risk for cancer of the voice box, esophagus, colon and bladder, because they swallow some of the toxins in the juice created by using smokeless tobacco.

Smokeless tobacco can irritate your gum tissue, causing periodontal (gum) disease. Sugar is often added to enhance the flavor of smokeless tobacco, increasing the risk for tooth decay. Smokeless tobacco also typically contains sand and grit, which can wear down your teeth.”

Need help overcoming the effects of smoking, contact Dr. McElhinney of RenoLaserDentistry.com for more information on how Dr. McElhinney can help.

We all have some imperfections so, what bad habits do you have? Did you suck you’re thumb as a child or maybe nail biting? Do you think these habits lead to dental problems as we age?

According to an article at dental.net, “Bad Oral Habits”

“We all know that dental care is expensive. Although some of what happens to our teeth is out of our control, bad oral habits are one thing we can prevent. As a part of your oral health plan, not biting your nails, smoking or grinding your teeth may save you from dental crowns, dental caps or dental veneers.

A Lifelong Habit:

A majority of our bad habits start when we are children, or sometimes even when we are still infants. For example, many parents put their young children to sleep using a bottle of milk or juice. The sugars in this seemingly innocent bedtime drink can damage a child’s mouth, resulting in the phenomenon known as “bottle mouth.” (If you have started this bad habit with your children, there is an easy solution: gradually add water to the bottle each night, until eventually you are giving the child a bottle of pure water at bedtime.)

Another common bad habit in children is thumb sucking. Over time, this can cause a child’s jaw bones to reshape – pushing their teeth out of alignment. It can also cause the child to hold his or her tongue in the wrong place, which causes the entire mouth to shape itself incorrectly. Many children who were thumb suckers end up wearing dental braces later on. The damage caused by thumb sucking can even lead to overbites and snoring.

Breaking the habit of thumb sucking can be difficult as a child uses their thumb as a form of comfort. Be careful not to use drastic solutions such as putting cayenne pepper on the child’s thumb; this can cause great harm to your children. Instead, contact a pediatrician for gentle and safe alternatives.

Grown-Ups Do It, Too:

It’s important to catch problems when children are young, because bad oral habits often continue well into adulthood. Infants who drink fruit juice before bed may turn into adults who rot their teeth with too many sweets. Children who suck their thumbs may grow up to smoke or chew their pencils.

Some of the most common bad habits in adults include:

Nail biting: This is bad for your nails and hard on your teeth. Of course, it can also contribute to the spread of disease.

Smoking: In addition to the damage it does to the rest of your body, smoking leads to yellow teeth, bad breath, receding gums, bone loss, mouth lesions and oral cancer. Switching to chewing tobacco, pipes or cigars will not reduce the symptoms. The only way to avoid damage from tobacco products is to stop using them.

Biting hard objects: If you chew your pens, pencils, eyeglasses and so on, you could be causing irreparable damage to your teeth. In addition to causing stress fractures on your teeth, you could be irritating your joints and chewing muscles. To help you break this habit, you can chew gum instead, but beware: dental studies have shown that excessive gum-chewing can also cause damage to your chewing muscles. Don’t try to break your habit by chewing ice or hard candy! These are just as damaging as chewing pencils.

Bruxism: This is the technical dental term for clenching or grinding your teeth. If you clench your teeth unconsciously from stress, or if you grind your teeth hard at night, you could be causing irreparable damage to the muscles and joints. This damage is usually far worse than damage caused by chewing pens or pencils. In fact, it can lead to a disease called TMJ, in which the joints of the mouth are in chronic pain.”

Need help in correcting your bad oral habits, Dr. McElhinney of RenoLaserDentistry.com will go over possible treatments that pertain to your situation. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney for more information.

Do you have dental insurance? Are you always paying out-of-pocket dental cost? Want to learn the benefits of dental insurance?

According to an article at health-blog.net, “The Advantages of Dental Insurance”

"The advantages of dental insurance are many. With increasing health care costs, it is a wise move to opt for dental coverage. The write-up will highlight some of the benefits offered by dental insurance which makes it a much sought after insurance option and the factors that you should take into consideration while buying dental coverage. Check them out.

1. It helps you to maintain better dental care

If you have dental insurance, it can help you to avail the regular checkups you require so that you can maintain dental health. It pays for surgeries, treatments that you require from time to time.

2. Improves or takes care of oral health

If you know that your dental insurance will pay for your regular checkups, treatments and surgeries, you will not neglect your oral health since you do not have to pay from your pocket. Regular checkups will ensure that your dental health is good. On the other hand, if an individual doesn’t have dental coverage, he will hesitate to visit a dentist frequently since he has to pay on his own.

3. It doesn’t erode your savings as you pay regular visits to your dentist and if you have a dental coverage, you don’t have to pay money from your pocket. So, you don’t have to erode your savings to treat your gums and teeth. Studies reveal that individuals insured are more likely to visit dentists as compared to people who don’t have dental insurance.

4. Keeps you in good health

If you are able to maintain good dental health, it will impact your overall health in a positive manner.

What are the factors you need to take into account while buying dental insurance?

Your dental insurance should give you optimum coverage even if that means paying a little extra. Remember the money you are spending is worth it. There are several aspects that you need to consider before buying dental insurance. They are as follows –

The plan should give you the liberty to choose your dentist

Your dentist and you should be allowed to take decisions about your treatment and not your dental plan.

Find out to what extent your dental coverage pays for emergency, diagnostic and preventive expenses

In case of major dental care what percentage of the costs has to be borne by you?

It is always said that prevention is better than cure. So, make optimum utilization of your dental insurance coverage which will not only give you your money’s worth but will also keep you in good health.”

Dr. McElhinney of Reno Laser Dentistry understands that prevention is the key. Need more information on what dental insurance Dr. McElhinney‘s dental practice accepts, click here to contact Dr. McElhinney.