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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.

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 ares.

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‘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.

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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.

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5 Tips for Preventing Tooth Decay | Henderson, NV

The following are some tips to help you prevent tooth decay. Your teeth are very susceptible to decay if you do not take proper care of them and practice good oral hygiene.

  1. See us first to make sure your mouth, teeth, and gums are healthy before starting and whitening program.
  2. Choose one of our supervised whitening options for safety and the maximum results only we, your dental care team, can provide.
  3. Stick with your maintenance schedule to keep your smile bright. No whitening is permanent and regular professional cleaning is essential to remove stains and the tartar that can cause gum disease.
  4. Keep sweet foods, desserts, and drinks to mealtimes and brush thoroughly afterwards. It’s consumption over extended time periods that heightens the risk of decay.
  5. Acidic food and drinks can be just as harmful to your teeth as sugar. The acid erodes tooth enamel and can make your teeth sensitive, more vulnerable to cavities, and unattractive.

For more information on Preventing Tooth Decay, call Dr. Patrick Simone at (702) 735-2755 to schedule an appointment or visit our website.

Dr. Patrick Simone also proudly serves Las Vegas, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley, and surrounding areas.

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Understanding Oral Cancer – Henderson, NV

Cancer is not to be taken lightly and neither is oral cancer. It can be very hard to detect but to the trained dental professional eye, it can be found. There are several types of cancers and in several different locations including the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, soft and hard palate, sinuses and throat. How can they be found? Well, at routine dental visits Dr. Patrick Simone 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. More likely than not unusual, areas are nothing or benign.

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. If you notice any of these symptoms, it does not always mean “the big C,” but you should always have them examined. It is important to be responsible for your own health as well. Self checking every month is a good way to be aware. Simply, being familiar with your own mouth can help you notice if something is suddenly different.

A good defense to oral cancer is being educated and prepared. 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. This is another great way to offer great care for patients. If you have questions about it, you can always ask Dr. Patrick Simone at your next appointment or call our office at (702)735-2755 and one of our staff members will be glad to assist you.

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Can Diabetes Affect My Dental Health? – Henderson, NV

If you have Diabetes, Dr. Patrick Simone of Henderson, NV advices you to take additional precautions when it comes to your dental health. People who suffer from diabetes are at higher risk to develop mouth infections, periodontal (gum) disease, dry mouth, and fungal infections (thrush). Periodontal disease can increase your blood glucose level as well as rot away gums and bones that keep your teeth in place; this can lead to painful chewing problems or 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, a fungal infection called “thrush” could develop. Thrush is characterized by painful white patches inside your mouth. To keep your teeth and mouth healthy, Dr. Patrick Simone suggest you follow these steps: control blood glucose, brush and floss every day, inform Dr. Patrick Simone if your dentures do not fit right or your gums become sore, and quit smoking since it makes gum disease worse. Paying close attention to your dental health can assist you in keeping a beautiful, healthy smile. If you would like more information about keeping your teeth healthy while dealing with diabetes, call us today at (702)735-2755 and we will be happy to assist you.