Posted on

Teaching Good Halloween Habits | Henderson Dentist

We all know there’s no competing with Santa, but Halloween is the one day of the year that everyone can be anyone or anything they want to be. And above all that, there’s candy. Lots of candy given simply by saying those three magic words: trick or treat. No need to be good in order to dodge the coal in the stocking. In fact, the ‘trick’ in trick or treat almost praises bad kid behavior if candy ISN’T received. And while things have changed and Halloween isn’t quite the same as last year, ask yourself – how can I monitor my child’s oral health during this sugar-infused time of year? Here are some pediatric dental tips to keep in mind when going through your little monsters’ stash:

Tiny humans live for this day. Depriving them of what some would call a major part of the holiday will not only make your child upset but won’t make life at home very peaceful. So, instead of denying them the sweets, have them choose a set number of candies they want the most and let them have them. In addition to the limitation of sweet treats, set up a time of day that your child will be able to eat that candy. Similar to snack time at school, having a time when your little one knows a snack is allowed teaches them that snacking isn’t an all-day event, making them less inclined to crave sweets all day.

When sorting through the Halloween sacks, have your little one choose their favorites and get rid of the rest. You can have your own stash or donate them to others in need. Everyone should have a happy Halloween candy, just in moderation.

Schedule an appointment today 702-735-2755. Learn more about his practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Henderson and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

The ABCs of Dental Fillings | Henderson Dentist

In the past, we only had the traditional metal fillings. They were not only durable, but they were also quite obvious to others. Today, you have more discrete options available. In fact, you have lots of things to consider when choosing which is best for you and vary depending on the patient’s health, where and how the filling is placed, the amount of chewing pressure the tooth will have to bear, components of the filling material and the number of visits needed to prepare and accommodate the tooth. Some of the choices include amalgam, composite and ionomers. Let’s break them all down…

Amalgam fillings are very durable, easy to use, and inexpensive when compared to other materials. Since amalgam fillings can sustain very heavy chewing loads, they are usually used to restore molars. Some of the disadvantages of amalgam fillings are that the silver tone is not as natural looking, possible short-term sensitivity, and more tooth structure is removed to conform the filling.

Composite fillings are made out of a mixture of glass or quartz and resin, this mix produces a tooth colored filling. Composite fillings are durable and provide good resistance against fracture in small to medium restorations where there is moderate chewing pressure. Because less tooth structure is removed when using a composite, a smaller filling can be used than one using amalgam.

Ionomers, on the other hand, are made out of a mixture of acrylic acids and fine glass powders. Ionomers are usually utilized to fill cavities on the root surfaces of teeth or in small fillings that do not require any chewing resistance since they have low protection against fractures.

Schedule an appointment today 702-735-2755. Learn more about his practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Henderson and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Cavities Are Not a Rite of Passage | Henderson Dentist

When dental professionals are asked what they find is the more common problem with their patients’ teeth, tooth decay is generally at the top of the list. Fortunately, if you are very apt to taking care of your teeth, the odds of tooth decay have decreased dramatically. After all, good oral health and regular dental checkups are the keys to fighting against the development of tooth decay. Here are the top five ways you can take a proactive approach to tooth decay prevention:

Fluoride therapy. Once a controversial topic for dental hygiene, the delivery of fluoride to the teeth topically or systemically prevents tooth decay, resulting in cavities. Fluoride therapy involves fluoride supplementation using water, salt, tablets or drops which are swallowed, though are rarely used where public water supplies are fluoridated.

Daily dental hygiene. 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 dental checkups. 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.

Schedule an appointment today 702-735-2755. Learn more about his practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Henderson and all surrounding areas.