oral care | Patrick Simone, DDS - Cosmetic Dentistry Henderson NV

October 29, 2017

Let’s Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month | Las Vegas Dentist

It is important to know that our dental health doesn’t just affect our smiles. In fact, our dental health is the first line of defense for many of our illnesses, so keeping our mouths as healthy as possible is important. If our dental hygiene is subpar, it could lead to various health issues down the line. One way you can ensure that you are doing your best to prevent dental health issues is to make sure you are taking care of your teeth properly.

This October, the American Dentist Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company are teaming up during National Dental Hygiene Month for the eighth straight year. Both the ADHA and the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program (WOHP) are motivated to increase public awareness about the important of maintaining good oral health. The focus of this year’s National Dental Hygiene Month is the Daily 4, a program centered on the four components of good oral health maintenance. These four components are made up of:

Brush twice a day, for at least two minutes
Floss every day
Rinse with anti-microbial mouthwash
Chew sugar-free gum

During National Dental Hygiene Month, the ADHA, WOHP and more allied partners will work to help dental hygienists all over the country make a difference in their communities. They will offer valuable resources and product samples to dental hygienist community outreach. Make sure to visit your dentist regularly to make sure you’re in good oral health. Keeping your smile healthy is plenty of reason to smile.

Schedule an appointment today with cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Simone at 702-735-2755. Learn more about his practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricsimonedds.com.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding areas.

September 28, 2017

Can Your Teeth Be Too White? | Las Vegas Dentist

We all know that having a bright white smile is one of the first impressions one can make. Have you ever heard the saying, “Your teeth can never be too white”? Chances are you believe this way of thinking and have taken physical perfection to another level by over doing it on their teeth whitening procedures. And there are quite a few ways to brighten your smile, making it difficult to dispute the saying. In fact, the most widely used oral products today are whitening strips and tray-based over the counter whitening kits. While tooth whitening can be a safe and effective technique, some individuals are going above the recommendations of their dentists. Therein lies the problem…

Individuals who overdo whitening techniques have noticeably “Snow White” teeth that oftentimes look unnatural. Some individuals get to the point where their teeth begin to inhibit transparent figures. Over use of whitening products will cause major tooth sensitivity and leave patients more prone to needing root canal treatments. You may be surprised to know that if you over-whiten your teeth, you are essentially wearing down your enamel and that enamel is naturally tinged in yellow, so you are making your teeth yellow by overdoing the whitening.

Don’t worry – there is hope. If you are looking for a safer, more effective form of teeth whitening, consult your dentist. They will give you an overview of certain procedures and even offer some over the counter techniques that may be used, however only if used correctly.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding areas.

July 31, 2017August 3, 2017

When You Visit Your Dentist More than Twice a Year | Las Vegas Dentist

Most people already know that they should visit the dentist every six months for regular checkups and professional cleaning. However, what a lot people don’t take into consideration is that they may have to visit their dentist every now and then for treatments that go beyond a routine cleaning. This may involve dental restorations, which are different types of dental treatments. This type of dental treatment involves the restoration of either decayed, chipped, cracked, discolored or missing teeth with fillings, crowns, bridges and dental implants.

When it comes to dental restorations, you can essentially sum up the importance of them in two words – prevention and restoration. Not only do dental restorations allow dentists to treat teeth, they also prevent present infections from spreading any further. Another plus about dental restorations is that these procedures also aim to improve the aesthetics of patient’s teeth.

Having your damaged, infected or missing teeth restored or replaced doesn’t mean that you don’t have to worry about dental problems reoccurring. No matter what type of materials are used to restore or replace your teeth, bacteria and plaque will still form around the restoration. The chances of such dental problems happening again is even higher if you don’t take proper care of your teeth. Because, apart from the costs, dental professionals may no longer be able to treat or reverse the effects of certain kinds of dental problems, such as advanced periodontitis. So make sure you take care of those restorations if you want them to take care of you.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding areas.

June 29, 2017

Chipped Tooth? There’s a Fix | Las Vegas Dentist

In general, teeth are extremely durable. After all, we use them to break down food so our bodies can digest it properly. And from time to time, they can chip or break. What do you do? Fortunately, there are many restorative dentistry solutions to repair damaged teeth, depending on the severity of damage. Some of those solutions include the following:

Bonding. If a small portion of your front tooth is chipped, your dentist may bond your tooth. They’ll roughen up the chip with a gel, then apply a solution to bond the material. After bonding material is applied the tooth is shaped and hardened with an ultraviolet light.

Veneers. Veneers may be another option for you if you have chipped or broken tooth in the front area. A veneer is a thin piece of tooth colored porcelain or resin composite material that covers the whole front of the tooth, with a thicker area where the chip is. Similar to the bonding procedure, your dentist will remove very little natural tooth, rough it with a gel, apply a special cement and place your veneer before hardening it with light.

Crowns. If it’s a large piece of tooth, your dentist may have to grind away some of the tooth and use a special cement to place a crown. First visit, molds of the tooth will be taken to create your custom crown. Second visit, the tooth will be cleaned and your custom crown will be placed with a special cement.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding areas.

May 31, 2017June 1, 2017

Dental Emergencies: They Just Happen | Las Vegas Dentist

In the event of accidental dental trauma, where damage is caused to one or more teeth, it’s important to contact your dentist immediately. Sometimes the neighboring teeth can suffer additional, unnoticed injuries that can only be detected by a dental exam. When you happen to have damage to your teeth, here is how your dentist may resolve your dental issue:

Chipped tooth. Most times a chipped or fractured tooth can be repaired by either replacing the broken piece or by bonding a tooth-colored filling. If a large portion of the tooth is broken off then a crown will likely be required. If the pulp is exposed or damaged a root canal treatment may be needed.

Dislodged tooth. A dislodged tooth is when a tooth pushed sideways, out of or into the socket. In these sort of cases, a patient will usually require a root canal and a dentist or endodontist will focus on stabilizing the tooth.

Knocked out tooth. When a tooth is completely knocked out of the socket it may be able to be saved if the patient arrives to the dentist in time, and the tooth is handled properly. Do not touch the root of the tooth, and keep it moist (either in the socket, on the gum against your cheek, or in milk).

While most dental trauma is treatable, there are cases where the tooth is lost due to the nature of the damage. If you have a crack or chip in your tooth, even if you believe its minor, be sure to visit your dentist to ensure that the tooth is healthy.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding areas.

April 28, 2017

Do You Brush Your Teeth in the Garden? | Las Vegas Dentist

Dental hygiene is important. But we all can admit – there have been times we have neglected our teeth because carrying a toothbrush with us isn’t a priority. As we wrap up National Garden Month, it is important to know that even when we don’t have a toothbrush handy, there are natural ways you can keep your teeth clean. Just turn to Mother Nature…

When it comes to foods that are good for us, we all know that fruits and veggies are the obvious choices to keeping us healthy, but they can also clean our teeth at the same time! The crispiness of the apple is strengthening your gums, while the juiciness produces saliva, clearing out the bacteria that gives us cavities. In fact, all crispy handheld fruit works similarly. The vitamin C in citrus fruit is great, and the citric acid also scours your teeth. One fruit that may surprise you as a whitening agent is the strawberry. The berries with the seeds that always get stuck in your teeth are also scrubbing them so eat up!

Vegetables are obviously good for us but an onion as a dental secret? Yes, this colorless veggie won’t stain your teeth and let’s face it, you’re also much more apt to brush your teeth afterwards. Broccoli is basically a natural toothbrush, so munching on these little “brushes” will supply your body with iron while giving a quick scrub. Celery is full of vitamins and water for saliva production and if you think about it, it’s like nature’s floss!

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding areas.

March 28, 2017

Diabetes and Your Dental Health: What You Need to Know | Las Vegas Dentist

If you have diabetes, you know that you need to take additional precautions when it comes to your health in general, but there are additional needs to attend to when it comes to your dental health. Because of the nature of the disease, patients who suffer from diabetes are at higher risk to develop mouth infections, gum disease, dry mouth, and fungal infections like thrush. Not only is it important to monitor the way your body is reacting, but it is also important to prevent anything from getting worse.

Periodontal disease can increase your blood glucose level as well as rot away gums and bones that keep your teeth in place, leading to painful problems chewing or a loss of teeth. Dry mouth occurs when you do not produce enough saliva. If combined with diabetes, which may raise the glucose level of your saliva, thrush could develop. Thrush is characterized by painful white patches inside your mouth.

To keep your teeth and mouth healthy, consider working the following steps into your daily routines:

Control blood glucose
Brush and floss every day
Visit your dental practitioner twice a year for checkups
Quit smoking
Contact your dental professional if your dentures do not fit right or your gums become sore

Paying close attention to your dental health can assist you in keeping a beautiful, healthy smile. If you have diabetes, paying extra attention to the way your mouth feels will benefit you in the end. The best defense against any future dental issues is taking preventative measures. If you have any concerns or questions, ask your dentist.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding ares.

February 28, 2017

Oral Cancer Is Nothing to Mess with | Las Vegas Dentist

Cancer in general is something not to be taken lightly and oral cancer is no different. Because it’s in your mouth it can be very hard to detect, but to the trained eye of your dental professional, it can be found. There are several types of cancers that can develop in several different locations inside our mouths, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, soft and hard palate, sinuses and throat. How is it detected? Well, at routine dental visits your dentist will thoroughly examine your mouth, head and neck for any abnormal lumps, or tissue that looks out of the ordinary. If anything looks suspicious, further examination can be performed in the office or be referred to specialists.

The symptoms of oral cancer can be tricky because they can come and go or may go unnoticed. The most common symptoms are swelling, lumps, bumps, rough spots, or eroding on lips, tongue, or any area in the mouth. There can also be difficulty swallowing, chewing, or moving the jaw or tongue, unexplained bleeding, persistent sores lasting longer than two weeks and severe weight loss.

A good defense to oral cancer is being educated and prepared. Self-checking every month is a good way to be aware. In fact, just being familiar with your own mouth can help you notice if something is suddenly different. Early detection is key for Dr. Patrick Simone and is the main reason why he offers a test that can detect cells that can be precancerous.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding ares.

December 27, 2016

‘Tis the Season: Chocolate Candy Edition | Las Vegas Edition

If you were good this year, chances are you found some chocolate in with your holiday gifts. And December 28 is the perfect day to enjoy those chocolatey treats. It’s National Chocolate Candy Day – an entire day devoted to the yummiest of confections! Yes, I know what you’re thinking…praising chocolate isn’t a dentist’s job. But c’mon – we know that chocolate is amazing. We may even enjoy a candy bar from time to time. This is the difference between a dentist and everyone else: We are all for you enjoying the national day – just remember to take care of your teeth afterwards.

According to the American Dental Association, we should be brushing two times a day for at least two minutes, just barely the appropriate amount of time to sufficiently remove dirt from the front and back ends of the teeth. After brushing, use dental floss to get in between and hard to reach areas. Floss removes any extra food particles left in between teeth. If left untouched, those particles may turn into plaque, resulting in a higher risk for gum disease. Flossing is merely the act of wrapping a piece of string around your teeth, one by one, in order to remove any bacteria and excess material stuck between each tooth. Wrap a piece of floss around your index fingers, pull it taut between your thumb and index finger and guide the floss in between each tooth in a downward zigzag motion, gently scrubbing the spaces between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. Finally, rinse your mouth with an ADA approved mouth wash to seal the cleanliness in and for a trace of fresh breath. Top off your oral hygiene with a quick check-up after the holidays are over to make sure you didn’t develop any chocolatey dental issues.

But before we go, here are a few fun facts to enjoy while you are snacking on your chocolate candy:

Chocolate Facts

In 1828, Dutch chemist Coenraad Van Houten invented the hydraulic press that makes it possible to remove the cocoa butter from the cacao, producing a powder and making way for the first chocolate confections.
In 1847 cocoa butter, cocoa powder and sugar were combined by British chocolate company J.S. Fry & Sons to produce the first edible chocolate bar.
Whitman’s produced the first box of chocolate.
Hershey Chocolate company designed a specific chocolate bar for the U.S. Army. The D ration bar was included in the emergency rations and in the packs of soldiers when the Allied troops stormed the beach of Normandy on D-Day.
Americans consume 12 pounds of chocolate each year.

Schedule an appointment today with Cosmetic and General Dentist Dr. Simone at 702-735-2755. Learn more about his practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created but visiting his website at www.patricsimonedds.com.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding ares.

November 30, 2016December 1, 2016

General Dentistry | Teeth Cleaning are Important! | Henderson, NV

You brush and floss twice a day at home and use mouthwash, so why go to the dentist for teeth cleanings? Teeth cleanings with your dentist are more thorough than the type of cleaning you do at home. Also, they help to prevent many other health problems. The following are the top five reasons to go in for teeth cleanings:

Prevention of gum disease. Gum disease is an infection in your gums that can lead to tooth loss. Routine dental cleanings help to prevent gum disease.
Detection of oral cancer. With every dental cleaning you are screened for oral cancer. Early detection is extremely important.
Maintaining good oral health. Visiting your dentist regularly helps your dentist keep track of your oral health and any problems you have had in the past or are currently experiencing.
Beautiful smile. When your teeth are healthy and clean and white and you have a beautiful smile, you are more confident and happy. Confidence leads to improved social life and career possibilities.
Maintaining overall health. Gum disease is linked to heart disease, stroke and low birth weight.

But what exactly does a thorough tooth cleaning entail? As far as your cleaning goes, your dentist, or dental hygienist will focus on plaque and tartar build up and work hard to remove it before any extra bacteria builds up. They’ll be thoroughly cleaned and sometimes polished, especially if your teeth are worn down from daily use. You will be flossed, and then your dentist will recommend any cleaning techniques that will suit your teeth.

Once your teeth are shiny and bright, your dentist should emphasize the importance of these dental exams and cleanings because they are measures that ensure your teeth remain healthy and strong. After your examination, your dentist will go over what exactly the condition your teeth are in. They will then tell you about any procedures you might have to undergo.

Don’t skip those teeth cleanings, your health depends on it. Schedule an appointment today with Cosmetic and General Dentist Dr. Simone at 702-735-2755. Learn more about his practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created but visiting his website at www.patricsimonedds.com.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding ares.