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April Is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month | Henderson Dentist

If there’s anything we know, it’s that cancer is not to be taken lightly, so it shouldn’t be a surprise this includes oral cancer. It doesn’t have the most blatant symptoms – in fact, sometimes only a dental professional can correctly diagnose it. And while there are several areas of the body that fall into the “oral cancer” circle (lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, soft and hard palate, sinuses and throat), routine visits to the dentist will allow for an examination of your mouth, head and neck. The sooner you have any abnormal lumps or tissue, the sooner you can catch anything suspicious. But what exactly can you do to be proactive about oral cancer? Make yourself aware of what to look for.

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. More importantly, if you find that you have difficulty swallowing, chewing, or moving the jaw or tongue, unexplained bleeding, persistent sores lasting longer than two weeks and severe weight loss, make an appointment as soon as possible. It may be nothing, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

It is important to be responsible for your own health. 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. Being proactive is your best bet to avoid any oral cancer symptoms from developing into something more.

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.patricksimonedds.com.

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

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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.