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How a Sonic Toothbrush Can Transform Your Oral Health

Sonic vibration toothbrushes have revolutionized oral care, offering a more efficient approach to maintaining a healthy smile than traditional brushing. At South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics, we see the clear advantages of sonic toothbrushes over traditional ones and recommend them to our patients regularly. Sonic toothbrushes break up plaque, stimulate gum tissues, and promote overall oral well-being, making them a superior choice for oral health needs. Here are a few ways a sonic toothbrush can help your smile be healthier than ever.

Breaking Down Plaque

The magic of sonic toothbrushes lies in their ability to break up plaque colonies that may otherwise be hard to reach. When positioned near plaque, the powerful sonic vibrations reach plaque more efficiently, eliminating the need for direct contact. Unlike traditional brushes, sonic bristles harness the force of vibration, providing a thorough and effective clean without aggressive scrubbing.

Stimulating Gum Tissues

Going beyond plaque removal, sonic toothbrushes offer a unique therapeutic benefit by stimulating gum tissues. The gentle yet powerful vibrations enhance blood flow to the gums, promoting healing and reducing swelling and edema. This unique feature sets sonic brushes apart, as they efficiently contribute to optimal gum health in a way that conventional brushes cannot replicate.

No More Scrubbing

One of the distinctive advantages of sonic toothbrushes is the elimination of the need for vigorous scrubbing. The sonic vibrations do the heavy lifting, making accurate positioning and allowing sufficient time for the vibrations to work their magic the key to effective plaque removal. This simplifies the brushing process and ensures a gentle yet thorough clean for your teeth and gums.

The Sonicare Experience

Phillips Sonicare, a pioneer in sonic toothbrushes, is readily available for purchase at our office. This convenience is part of our commitment to providing you with the best in oral care. You can also find Sonicare brushes in pharmacies and discount stores, offering a reliable and convenient solution for those seeking superior oral hygiene.

Sonic Toothbrushes in Reno, NV

In oral care, sonic toothbrushes have emerged as a game-changer, providing a holistic approach to plaque removal and gum stimulation. These innovative brushes offer an efficient, gentle, and effective solution for maintaining a healthy and radiant smile. To learn more or make a purchase, contact our Reno, NV office by calling or filling out our online form.

The Benefits of Ultrasonic Scalers in Adult Dental Cleanings at South Meadows Dental, Reno NV

The Benefits of Ultrasonic Scalers in Adult Dental Cleanings

Ultrasonic scalers significantly enhance adult dental cleanings at South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics. These devices use ultrasonic vibrations to effectively remove plaque and calculus, addressing oral health concerns such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. Integrating ultrasonic scaling can improve your dental hygiene practice and overall oral health, ensuring cleaner teeth and healthier gums. Discover the benefits of Ultrasonic Scaling at South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics.

How Ultrasonic Scalers Enhance Dental Cleaning

Ultrasonic scalers produce high-frequency vibrations that generate microscopic bubbles. These bubbles burst on the surface of the teeth, removing harmful microbes and efficiently eliminating plaque and tartar. The devices are equipped with thin tips, allowing deeper cleaning in periodontal pockets, promoting better gum health, and preventing gum disease. This advanced technology ensures a thorough cleaning in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods.

Top Benefits of Ultrasonic Scaling

Chemical-Free Cleaning

Ultrasonic scaling utilizes only water, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals. This makes the procedure safer and more environmentally friendly, aligning with modern dental care standards.

Precision Cleaning in Difficult Areas

The slim design of the scaler tips ensures effective tartar removal from tight spots that are hard to reach with traditional tools without damaging the tooth enamel. This precise approach helps maintain the structural integrity of teeth and improves overall dental health.

Comfort for Sensitive Teeth

The mild vibrations of ultrasonic scalers make them ideal for patients with sensitive teeth. This comfort is a significant improvement over traditional manual scaling, which can be more invasive and uncomfortable.

Efficient and Quick Cleaning Process

Ultrasonic scaling completes the cleaning process faster than manual methods, reducing patients’ time in the dental chair. This efficiency enhances patient comfort and increases the number of dental cleanings offered in our practice daily.

Improved Oral Health Monitoring

Post-scaling, each tooth is hand-scaled to check for any remaining deposits. This meticulous approach allows for a thorough examination and better oral health maintenance. Teeth are then polished to a shine, leaving them smooth and clean.

Enhanced Patient Experience

Ultrasonic scaling at South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics improves the effectiveness of dental cleanings and enhances the overall patient experience. Patients enjoy quicker, more comfortable visits with less discomfort and anxiety. This technology also allows our hygienists to provide a more focused and personalized care experience during each visit.

Contact Us

At South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics in Reno, NV, we are committed to providing advanced dental care with the latest technology, such as ultrasonic scalers. Schedule your next appointment with our expert hygienists to discuss how ultrasonic scaling can be part of your oral health regimen. Contact us today by filling out our online contact form to learn more and ensure your smile stays bright and healthy.

Discover the Benefits of Digital X-Rays at South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics

When it comes to maintaining your dental health, early detection and prevention of potential issues are key. At South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics, we leverage crucial advancements in dental technology, like digital X-rays, to ensure the best and safest care for our patients. In this blog post, we’ll delve into why digital X-rays are an essential tool for early detection and discuss how our commitment to this technique helps deliver optimal dental care for our valued patients.

Why Digital X-Rays are Indispensable in Dental Care

Dental X-rays have always been a staple in the detection of potential dental issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye. However, digital X-rays have taken this technology a step further, enabling early detection and, consequently, the prevention of complex and costly procedures down the line. Digital X-rays, being vastly superior to traditional radiographs, provide clear, detailed images instantly, allowing for a speedy and accurate diagnosis.

Unveiling the Benefits of Digital X-rays

At South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics, we believe in sharing comprehensive information about the benefits of our services with our patients. Here are some of the key advantages of using digital X-rays:

Early detection

With digital X-rays, concerns such as decay, cysts, or tumors can be detected very early. This allows us to jump into action with preventative care treatments and practices, helping to avoid unnecessary discomfort and expenses.

Reduced radiation exposure

At South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics, safety is our top priority. With that in mind, we offer digital X-rays due to the fact that they emit significantly less radiation (around 80% less) compared to traditional radiographs, making them a safer choice.

Comprehensive problem identification

Digital X-rays give us a detailed view of the teeth, mouth, and jaw, enabling us to spot problems from every angle. With traditional X-rays, we are limited only to the view and angle that the X-ray was taken at, making it easier to miss crucial information.

Enhanced patient communication with Instant Image Availability

The images from digital X-rays are available immediately, meaning less waiting time and quicker treatment. The instant availability and clarity of these digital images facilitate better communication between you and Dr. Struby, as you can visually understand the diagnosis and proposed treatment plan.

Electronic image sharing

When necessary, digital images can be seamlessly shared with other doctors or insurance companies, streamlining your dental care process. Using subtraction radiography, the computer can easily compare past and present X-rays, isolating any changes that may have occurred regarding your teeth, jaw, or mouth.

Our Commitment to Personalized, Patient-Centric Services

At South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics, our aim is to provide an effective, comfortable, and patient-centric oral care experience. We are deeply committed to using digital X-rays to complement our examination protocols. Not only does this method facilitate a thorough and accurate diagnosis, but it also ensures we stay true to our promise of delivering the best, most innovative services, maintaining our patient’s well-being as the center of our focus.

Schedule a Consultation

Leveraging digital X-rays and other advanced dental technologies, the team at South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics is committed to offering personalized, effective solutions. Conveniently located at 825 South Meadows Parkway, Reno, Nevada, we deliver exceptional service that our patients trust and value. Reach out to us via our online contact form to schedule a consultation today.

What to Know About Brushing Routines

Oral hygiene is critical because it keeps your mouth clean and free of disease and bacteria. Brushing and flossing the teeth are essential; however, the details of your dental routine matter, and we are here to help you learn the ins and outs of a refined oral hygiene routine.

Why is Oral Hygiene Important?

Oral hygiene is a preventative practice for halting cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and other issues before they become too problematic. Your oral health is linked to your body’s health and function. When an infection occurs in your mouth, the bloodstream can carry the bacteria to other areas, affecting heart health and potentially causing other severe health conditions. Maintaining proper care of your teeth and gums is essential to long-lasting health.

Morning Routine

In the morning, you must brush your teeth first thing for two minutes. Brushing your teeth before breakfast benefits your tooth enamel and overall health. It removes any plaque that develops overnight. You should brush your teeth with your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, leaning toward the gums to help remove plaque and bacteria accumulating in the gum line. 

It is recommended that you rinse your teeth with a fluoride rinse to strengthen the enamel of the teeth and provide extra protection to the teeth.

Afternoon Routine

In the afternoon, you should use a “pipe-cleaner” bristled toothpick between your dental brackets if you have braces. 

Brushing your teeth after eating lunch with a travel toothbrush is essential. This will help remove bacteria from the teeth before plaque develops.  If you cannot brush your teeth after lunch, you should brush them as soon as you arrive home.

Nighttime Routine

Begin your nightly hygiene routine by rinsing your teeth with a Waterpik device. This will help reduce gingivitis, lower your risk of bleeding, and remove plaque from the teeth. 

Afterward, brush your teeth for two minutes with PreviDent 5000. PreviDent 5000 is a prescription toothpaste designed to prevent cavities from forming while reducing any sensitivity or discomfort that you experience. This is formulated with sodium fluoride to strengthen the teeth and help the teeth resist decay caused by acid and bacteria. You must paint it on your teeth with your toothbrush and spit, and do not rinse your teeth or eat or drink afterward. 

After doing so, you should floss between your teeth with Superfloss or Platypus teeth flossers. Flossing can help remove bacteria and plaque from areas your toothbrush cannot reach. You must also brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper to clear bacteria from the mouth. 

Contact Us

At South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics in Reno, NV, we look forward to educating you on oral health and helping you achieve prime dental hygiene. For more information or to schedule an appointment today, please contact us

What Is Xylitol And How Can It Help Your Teeth?

You likely have been in the grocery store and seen gum or candy that says “contains xylitol.” But what exactly is xylitol? Let’s examine the ingredients, how they can help your teeth, and what other foods you can find them in.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar (or carbohydrate) found in various foods, including fruits, mushrooms, lettuce, and corn. It’s also used as a tabletop sweetener and in baking. It contains around 40% fewer calories per gram than other carbohydrates and has been used in food since around the 1960s. It also has a low glycemic index. 

It’s been used to provide a sweet taste to various foods, including chewing gum, mints, and other candies. They are often labeled as “sugar-free.”

While it’s mainly used for its sweet flavor, it can also have various health benefits for your teeth. 

How Can Xylitol Help Your Teeth?

Despite being a sugar substitute, xylitol has been shown to reduce tooth decay in both high and low-risk patients. It’s nonfermentable, which means the bacteria in the mouth cannot convert it into acid that breaks down enamel and leads to tooth decay. It also reduces the amount of plaque-causing bacteria and makes plaque less sticky. 

Because inflammation is at the root of many chronic diseases, reducing plaque and gum inflammation could also benefit the rest of your body.

For xylitol to have this effect on your teeth, you need at least six grams per day. Foods containing xylitol will list the amount included in the nutritional facts on the label.

While brushing your teeth regularly and flossing are still recommended, eating foods with xylitol can be a great addition to your diet and help improve your overall dental health.

Where Can I Get Xylitol?

Xylitol can be found in many different items at your grocery store. This includes chewing gums, mints, and a large variety of candy. Look for items that say “sugar-free,” but make sure to check the ingredients list as well because not all sugar-free products use xylitol. You can also find toothpaste and mouthwash with xylitol.

As stated above, xylitol is also found in foods like corn on the cob, lettuce, berries, fruits, and mushrooms. Adding these foods to your diet can significantly benefit the health of your teeth and gums. More specifically, it can reduce the risk of cavities in adults and children.

Schedule A Consultation Today!

When you’re looking to improve the health of your teeth, xylitol is a great tool to add to your diet. But beyond that, regular teeth cleanings and dental checkups are vital. At South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics, our team can ensure you have all the tools you need to achieve a healthy and beautiful smile. Schedule a consultation today by calling our Reno, NV office at (775) 413-2976 or using our online contact form.