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6 Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Mouth This Holiday Season

ThinkstockPhotos-485470868The holidays are time where many of us are filled with joy and excitement for the events we planned ahead. You may be hosting a holiday party or even have special holiday events to attend, and let’s face it these festivities are most likely going to have lots of appetizing food and beverages. It’s hard not to indulge in all of the delicious food and sweet treats, but as you indulge the sugars you consume could be taking a toll on your teeth. Most of us know how detrimental sugar is to teeth but during these times your oral health can slip your mind, don’t let it. While indulging in the delightful food and beverages, keep these six tips in mind so you can maintain a healthy mouth this holiday season:

Healthy Routine- Always brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes. This simple routine can make a huge difference over time.

Avoid Hard Candy- Not only do hard candies promote tooth decay, but the act of chewing on them can lead to a cracked or chipped tooth.

Limit Chewy Candies- During this time of year it’s hard not to munch on chewy candy like caramel, fudge or toffee. Just remember, sticker candies take longer to get washed away by saliva and may increase risk for tooth decay.

Drink Lots of Water- Be sure to drink water in between consuming sugary foods and beverages to rinse away excess sugar to decrease the chances of getting a cavity. If bottled water is a choice, make sure to choose the fluoridated bottled water.

Teeth Aren’t Tools- During the holidays it’s common to give and receive gifts. Some people get caught up in the excitement of opening the items that they’ll use their teeth to rip tags off new items or to bite through string. Avoid using your teeth as tools because this type of wear and tear can cause teeth to crack, chip and even break.

Dentist Visits- For added measures schedule a checkup and cleaning with your dentist once the holidays are over. It’s important to maintain regular preventative oral care during the holidays and throughout the entire year.

Be sure to keep your mouth healthy this holiday season, contact Dr. Patrick Simone in Henderson, NV at 702-735-2755 to schedule an appointment today. For information regarding preventative dentistry visit our website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

Dr. Patrick Simone proudly accepts patients from Henderson, Las Vegas, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley and all surrounding areas.

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5 Mistakes You May Be Making with Your Teeth

Smiling woman with perfect teethBefore you think about running your toothbrush through the dishwasher or putting it in the microwave to disinfect it, know that it isn’t worth the hassle. We’ve all heard those stories about how much nasty bacteria is harbored in our tooth brushes, but did you know that there is no evidence that anyone has ever gotten sick from their own toothbrush. You can just give your toothbrush a good rinse under regular old tap, let it air-dry and store up right where your toothbrush isn’t touching anyone else’s brush. There are many mistakes we make in our oral care routines that we may not even notice. Let’s take a look at a few mistakes you could be making with your teeth:

Multitasking While Brushing- As we rush around in the mornings we tend to multitask, and for some multitasking may include brushing your teeth while showering or while scrolling through your emails. However, if you’re multitasking while brushing your teeth you could be doing yourself doing yourself a disfavor. It’s best to give your full attention while brushing your teeth as to make sure you’re doing a proper job and cleaning your mouth thoroughly.

Ditching Your Retainer- If you’ve had braces, as an adult or as a teen, it’s smart to keep wearing your retainer for as long as your orthodontist recommends. If you stop wearing your retainer regularly your perfect teeth will eventually start to shift, thus leaving you unhappy with your teeth all over again. Be sure to wear your retainer to your teeth in line for good.

Over Cleaning Your Toothbrush- There are many people disinfect their tooth brushes by zapping them in the microwave or by tossing them in the dishwasher, but these tricks actually aren’t needed. I know most of us have heard the horror stories about how much bacteria your tooth brush harbors, but according to the CDC there’s never been any evidence that anyone has ever gotten sick from their own toothbrush. Make sure to give your toothbrush a good rinse with regular old tap water, let air-dry and store standing upright where it’s not touching anything. Taking more drastic cleaning measures can damage your toothbrush, which defeats the purpose.

Storing Your Wet Toothbrush in Travel Case- It’s very important to store your toothbrush somewhere sanitary before you pack it away with any other luggage, and it’s equally as important to unpack it when arriving to your destination. It’s important to set your toothbrush free because bacteria thrives in moist conditions, so make sure to take your toothbrush out of its travel case to allow for it to air dry .

Skipping Dentist Appointments- Some people suffer from dental anxiety which leads them to not going to the dentist. Most times dental anxiety stems from overthinking about all of the work you may need to have done, but by avoiding the dentist altogether you will only create more dental problems in the long run. If you visit your dentist every six months for checkups, you’re less likely to run into dental problems.

If you would like to learn more about your oral health, contact Dr. Patrick Simone in Henderson, NV at 702-735-2755 today or visit our website at www.patricksimonedds.com for additional information.

Dr. Patrick Simone proudly accepts patients from Henderson, Las Vegas, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley and all surrounding areas.

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National Dental Hygiene Month 2015 | Henderson Dentist

general-dentistry-las-vegasThis October the American Dentist Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company are teaming up during National Dental Hygiene Month for the sixth 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 centered on the four components of good oral health maintenance. These four components are made up of:

  1. Brushing Twice A Day
  2. Flossing Every Single Day
  3. Rinsing With Antimicrobial Mouthrinse
  4. Chewing 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 you dentist regularly to make sure you’re in good oral health.

For more information regarding dental hygiene, contact Dr. Patrick Simone in Henderson, NV at 702-735-2755 today or visit our website at www.patricksimonedds.com to learn about the services we offer.

Dr. Patrick Simone proudly accepts patients from Henderson, Las Vegas, Silverado, Ranch, Enterprise, Spring Valley, and all surroundings.

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Top 5 Foods That Damage Your Teeth | Henderson Dentist

ToothacheWe all know that brushing and flossing is vital to the health of our teeth. But did you know there are some foods that can cause enough damage to your teeth that you need an extra cleaning? I’m sure you were told plenty of times as a child that candy will ruin your teeth. Many people all over the U.S. suffer from tooth decay and some of the culprits you’d never guess would affect you teeth. The following list includes the top 5 foods that damage your teeth:

  • Refined Carbohydrates- Food likes white bread, chips, pasta or crackers are processed as processed as sugars when broken down. When these sugars mix with bacteria that’s found in the mouth they create a lactic acid, which is an acid that very hard on your tooth enamel. They also stick to the grooves of your teeth, giving the food more time to build up acid.
  • Sugary Candy- Long lasting and sticky candies are the worst sort of candy for your teeth. When sucking on a hard candy it exposes your teeth to sugar and damaging acids for a longer period of time. However, while eating sticky candy the sugars are more prone to stick to your teeth.
  • Dried Fruit- Not many people would suspect that dried fruit would be hard on their teeth, but dried fruits such as apricots, prunes and pineapple can be just as damaging as candy. The chewy texture makes it easy for the fruit to stick to your teeth, giving it plenty of time to damage them.
  • Citrus- Although citrus foods are healthy and packed with vitamin C, they can also damage your teeth. Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges and grape fruits are high in enamel damaging acids and sugars as well.
  • Carbonated Drink- Not only are drinks like soda and diet soda loaded with sugar, they contain carbonation and phosphorous that wear away tooth enamel. A beverage like Coke or Pepsi has around 10 teaspoons of sugar.

For more information regarding oral health, contact Dr. Patrick Simone in Henderson, NV at 702-735-2755 or visit our website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

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

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The Benefits of an Oral Rinse | Henderson Dentist

 

Who doesn’t love that minty fresh feeling you get after rinsing with mouthwash? Did you know your mouthwash is doing more than just giving your breath a boost? Rinsing daily with certain mouthwashes can improve your oral health. We’re talking whitening your teeth, helping to prevent gum disease and fighting plaque!

So what are the benefits of swishing daily with an oral rinse?

1)     Freshens breath – First and most obviously, mouthwash temporarily reduces bad breath. Mouthwash kills bacteria associated with causing bad breath leaving you with minty fresh breath.

2)     Prevents Plaque build-up – Various mouthwashes help prevent plaque build up on your gums, in-between teeth, and on the surface of your teeth. Although it prevents the build up of plague, it cannot reduce the plaque that already exists on your teeth. So remember to always brush and floss before plaque becomes a problem.

3)     Removes particles – Most people use mouthwash only after brushing. This is a perfectly fine practice, but used before before brushing to rinse out loose particles in your mouth will make the brushing and flossing more effective.

4)     Stop cavities from forming – Regular use of mouthwash before and after you brush and floss, you can reduce the chances of cavities forming. Mouthwashes that contain fluoride can prevent cavities and strengthen your enamel. Remember, not all mouthwashes contain fluoride. Be sure to check the label on your mouthwash before purchasing.

Of course mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing and flossing and should be used in conjunction with good oral health habits. It only takes a moment to rinse but the positive impact on your oral health is much greater. With rinsing daily you can successfully navigate around dental problems.

Make an appointment with Dr. Simone today to ensure your mouth is as healthy as it should be. Contact Dr. Simone at 702-735-2755 or www.patricksimonedds.com.

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

 

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Prevent Tooth Decay with 5 Easy Steps

Tooth decay is one of the common most problems seen among patients. Dr. Patick Simone DDS of Henderson, NV encourages good oral health and regular dental checkups to fight against tooth decay. The following are five tips to help prevent tooth decay.

• Fluoride Therapy: It is the delivery of fluoride to the teeth topically or systemically in order to prevent tooth decay (dental caries) which results in cavities. Fluoride Therapy delivery involves fluoride supplementation using water, salt, tablets or drops which are swallowed. Tablets or drops are rarely used where public water supplies are fluoridated.

• Brushing your teeth: Brushing and flossing properly, along with regular dental checkups, can help prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. Brushing your teeth three times a day makes your teeth stronger.

• Regular checkups with your dentist: It is very important to seek the help of a dentist since they know a lot about it. They know what to do and where to focus on your teeth.

• Dental sealant: It is the dental treatment that consists of plastic material that covers one or more teeth, for preventing of cavities and tooth decay. Dental sealants are applied in a dentist’s office.

• Dietary snacks: It is good to limit sweet snacks as excessive intake of sweets alters’ your blood sugar. If you avoid snacks, you may be depriving your body of nutrition from food. Good snacks should include healthy proteins and fats.

Make an appointment with Dr. Simone today to ensure your mouth is as healthy as it should be. Contact Dr. Simone at 702-735-2755 or www.patricksimonedds.com.

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Smoking Side Effects and How Quitting Stops Them

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 42.1 million people, or 18.1 percent of all adults (aged 18 years or older), smoke cigarettes in the United States. We know smoking causes many types of cancer, heart disease, aneurysms, bronchitis, emphysema and stroke. It can also agitate existing health issues like pneumonia and asthma, cause wounds to take longer to heal, and potentially disrupt the immune system. But numerous smoking side effects can influence your mouth’s health as well. Consider the following in the process of extinguishing this habit for good.

Oral Health Side Effects

Smoking’s effect on oral health includes bad breath, stained teeth and tongue, and a dulled sense of taste and smell, according to the American Dental Association (ADA) Mouth Healthy site. Because the immune system is affected, however, smokers often have weaker defenses against infections like gum disease. They may also experience slower healing times after tooth extraction or other surgical procedures. Oral cancer is another huge consideration, and it can spread to the lips, tongue, mouth and throat as long as tobacco is consumed. Salivary glands and tonsils are common sites of oral cancer.

With respect to common irritation, smokers generally have more oral health problems than non-smokers, including mouth sores and ulcers. Cavities and tooth loss are also more likely to occur, as cigarettes continue to prevent the body from fending off plaque and tarter that can build up on your teeth.

Prevention

Although it may be tempting to quit smoking cold turkey, quitting can be challenging. Because of the addictive ingredients in tobacco products, there are methods to help you stop using tobacco over time, and for good. In addition to a nicotine patch, gum or electronic cigarette, consider cutting back on sugary foods that feed the bacteria cigarettes already make it harder to fight against. Talk with your dentist and physician about treatment plans you can put into effect to help you overcome this habit and keep the smoking side effects from damaging your teeth.

Maintenance

Once you’ve made initial steps toward trying to quit, it is vastly important to improve your oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing. Try using a toothpaste such as Colgate Total® Advanced Whitening to improve your daily removal of plaque and stains. Plus, a whiter smile and mintier breath only makes you more motivated to stay clean.

Alongside a new oral care routine, it is strongly advised for smokers to get a professional cleaning, which follows the removal of plaque and tartar with a thorough polishing that is conducted by the dental hygienist. Without quitting smoking, of course, cleaning and stain removal only has a temporary effect. By quitting smoking, you’re giving your overall health and smile a fresh start.

For more information about Dr. Patrick Simone, call Dr. Simone in Henderson, NV at 702-735-2755 or visit www.patricksimonedds.com.

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

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Henderson Dentist | Healthy Gums

general dentistry

Keeping your gums in a healthy state is a lot more important than you may think.  In addition to brushing and flossing, a healthy diet can also help you maintain healthy gums and helps in the prevention of gum disease.

By eating properly, you are providing vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for your gums and teeth, which can help keep your gums and teeth healthy.  Not everyone knows this, but Fluoride is found naturally in some foods, so by consuming them, you are effortlessly helping contribute to tooth decay prevention.  Fluoride, also found in your water supply (in most areas), can help reduce cavities by up 60%.

While on the topic of food, it is important to point out that certain foods can be very detrimental to the health of your gums and teeth.  Particularly, foods high in sucrose (also known as granulated sugar) are damaging to teeth.  Although very tasty, it is the leading cause of tooth decay.

Here are a few more ways to help keep your gums healthy:

  • Brush often – Whenever you eat, you are leaving behind bacteria in your mouth that, if left alone, can cause plaque.
  • Floss daily – It is best to floss 2-3 times a day.  Flossing is essential to getting rid of all the bacteria that is trapped between your teeth (the areas your tooth brush cannot reach).
  • Use mouthwash – Not only does it leave your mouth feeling fresh and clean, it also helps get rid of bacteria.  If you can, use it after every meal.  It is important to note that mouthwash is not nearly as effective as brushing or flossing.

If you would like more information on keeping your gums healthy and preventing gum disease, please contact Dr. Patrick Simone in Henderson, NV at 702-735-2755 or visit our website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

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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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Are your teeth damaged by decay? Inlays or Onlays might be the solution. | Henderson, NV

 

 

 

Inlays and onlays are frequently used to restore teeth that are severely damaged by decay or wear. They are usually applied to the chewing surfaced of the back teeth. According to Dr. Patrick Simone DDS of Henderson, NV they provide more strength than a filling and are more conservative than a full crown.

A porcelain onlay is fabricated to fit your tooth precisely and is bonded tightly in place to strengthen and protect the damaged tooth. Like a crown, an onlay covers and protects the tooth’s biting surface. Where a crown covers the entire tooth, an onlay fits inside the tooth cusps and covers only the biting surfaces. Because an onlay is fabricated in a dental laboratory, it takes two or more appointments to restore a tooth with a porcelain onlay.

If you have damaged teeth that are ruining your smile and oral health, contact Dr. Simone for an appointment today. Call 702-735-2755 or www.patricksimonedds.com.