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Dental hygiene is a matter that is continually taken for granted. Not a lot of people know that poor oral hygiene can lead to a wide range of other health disorders, making a commitment to maintaining the health of your teeth and gums is a necessary aspect of your health. Through routine dental check-ups and cleanings you are able to stop problems before they can become worse helping to prevent serious issues. Catching gum disease before it can affect a dental implant is a crucial benefit of routine dental cleanings.

Dental implants can be an excellent solution for missing or poorly structured teeth. More and more people turn to dental implants to enhance their look and help compensate for bad teeth. However, to get a dental implant in the first place, you must first ensure that the health of your gums is in good condition. Maintaining your dental implant requires the same thing. One of the primary factors that prevent people from getting a dental implant and one of the main threats to a dental implant is periodontal (gum) disease.

Unfortunately, many people fail to take the necessary measures to ensure that their gums are in good condition. This includes brushing and flossing on a regular basis as well as visiting the dentist at least twice a year for cleaning. You also need to be proactive in seeking out help when you find symptoms of gum disease such as bleeding or pain in the gums. If neglected, this could develop into other advanced conditions that can be difficult to diagnose. In such a situation, placing an implant would be out of the question.

Peri-Implantitis

After you have your dental implant in place, it’s even more important that you maintain your gums in a healthy state. Peri-implantitis is a type of periodontal disease and a condition in which infection and inflammation sets in around your dental implant. Symptoms of peri-implantitis are similar to those of gum disease with bleeding, sore, swollen gums and bleeding from gums when brush teeth. It is typically caused by plaque buildup from a lack of adequate brushing or flossing.

If peri-implantitis or gum disease is not treated in a timely manner, it can cause damage to your dental implant as well as to the underlying gums and bone. This could lead to the implant loosening and even detaching from the bone.

Fortunately, peri-implantitis is both preventable and curable. Through routine dental examinations and cleanings, you can stop gum disease before it can threaten your dental implant. Combined with consistent brushing and flossing, dental cleanings are the most effective way to prevent gum disease from affecting your teeth and implants.

Henderson Periodontal Therapy

At Foutz Family Dentistry, Dr. Barton Foutz and his skilled team provide superior and comprehensive dental services including routine dental cleanings, periodontal therapy and dental implants. Contact Us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929

A significant amount of our population takes personal health for granted with oral hygiene often ending up even lower on the list of priorities. Although, you surely brush your teeth twice a day, rinse with mouthwash and occasionally floss, it does not take away from the importance of routine professional dental cleanings. Many think that the dentist’s recommended 6-month cleaning appointments are not necessary, however professional dental cleanings do, in fact, make a big difference in maintaining the health of your teeth and gums.

By not getting professional dental care checks at least twice a year, you’re putting yourself at risk of losing out on your quality of life, money, and time. By just spending a couple of hours a year, you’re saving a lot! Here’s why professional dental cleanings make a big difference.

Bad Breath Prevention

Halitosis, most commonly known as bad breath, is one of the conditions most effectively treated through routine dental cleanings. Apart from the obvious social inconveniences, the worst thing about bad breath is that you may not even know you have it. Bad breath is an indication of an underlying oral disease or an accumulation of plaque. These issues cannot be resolved by simply brushing your teeth. Regular dental cleanings by experienced dentists and dental hygienists are the most effective way to treat the root cause of your bad breath.

Healthy Gums, Healthy You

Oral hygiene is directly related to your health. A surprisingly large number of people suffer from gum disease. Strong links have been found to exist between gum disease and cardiac disease conditions, making regular dental check ups and cleanings by a professional a priority can prevent more serious conditions.

Detect Problems

In addition to detecting gum disease, periodic dental cleanings are necessary to catch cavities that need to be filled before they can lead to a bigger procedure such as a root canal. Dental cleaning appointments also provide an easy way to perform follow-up work that may need to be done on a cavity that has been filled previously. Through routine cleanings, your dentist is able to more effectively monitor potential issues. In a number of cases, oral cancer has even been detected at an early stage during routine cleaning sessions.

Henderson Family Dentistry

At Foutz Family Dentistry, Dr. Barton Foutz and his team of experienced and professional dental hygienists perform thorough dental cleanings that will make a big difference in the health of your teeth and gums. Call us today at (702) 792-5929  to make an appointment.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929

Countless people find it hard to smile without feeling self conscious or embarrassed. Poor dental health can negatively affect the appearance of a person’s smile with issues such as chipped, crooked, gapped, discolored, stained, decaying or missing teeth. Cosmetic dentistry provides a wide range of aesthetic solutions that will help you to regain a healthy smile that you are proud to display. Cosmetic dentistry is dental work specifically aimed at improving the appearance of a person’s teeth, gums or bite by correcting aesthetic flaws

At Foutz Family Dentistry, we offer an array of safe and effective cosmetic dental procedures. Dr. Foutz has over 30 years of experience after receiving advanced dental training. You can rest assured that your teeth, gums and smile are in good hands.

Common Problems Treated Through Cosmetic Dentistry 

• Chipped or Cracked Teeth
• Cavities
• Discolored or Stained Teeth
• Crooked Teeth
• Misshapen Teeth
• Gapped Teeth
• Decayed Teeth
• Missing Teeth
• Uneven Gum Lines

Benefits Of Cosmetic Dentistry

The benefits of cosmetic dentistry are many and while they do vary by need and procedure, cosmetic dentistry can create positive results that will help you smile once more.

• Improve Appearance: Regardless of the procedure you need or desire, cosmetic dentistry is an effective method for improving the appearance of your smile by correcting the aesthetic flaws that keep you from smiling in the first place. Treating cosmetic dental problems can also help you look younger and rejuvenated.
• Boost Self-Confidence: The most worthwhile benefit of an improved smile created through cosmetic dentistry is the improved self-confidence and self-image that result. Feeling confident and pleased about the appearance of your smile and overall appearance takes away the stress of going out in public and creates freedom to laugh and smile freely.
• Prevent Future Dental Damage: Certain procedures go beyond improving the appearance of your teeth and aid in improving the condition of your teeth helping to strengthen your teeth and avoid potential damage.

Henderson Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures 

At Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS, we offer a variety of procedures to improve the cosmetic appearance of your smile including:

• Cosmetic Bonding – uses tooth-colored composite resin to fill, repair, and make aesthetic improvements to a tooth. Provides simple tooth contouring, minor corrections and straightens edges without removing enamel.
• Gum Contouring – uses Waterlase Dental Laser to sculpt the gum line quickly and painlessly. Creates even gum lines and resolves excessive gum around the teeth
• Onlays–tooth-colored ceramic onlays restore back teeth with large cavities and silver fillings preserving more of your natural tooth while strengthening and maintaining a natural appearance.
• Tooth Straightening – Invisalign is a comfortable treatment that uses clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth while working quicker than braces.
• Tooth Whitening – using either in-office or at home a procedure, Opalescence Boost PF has customized formulas that will whiten teeth by 5 shades on average.
• Veneers – porcelain veneers are strong, durable, permanently bonded and provide natural-looking solutions that correct minor flaws.

Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Foutz to find the ideal cosmetic dentistry procedure for regaining your smile.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929

Straightening your teeth is one of the best investments you can make. Properly aligned teeth enhance your smile improving appearance and self-confidence. The Invisalign Orthodontic System is a unique approach for straightening teeth using clear, removable aligners that straighten teeth without uncomfortable brackets and wires.

What Is Invisalign? 

Invisalign uses a series of computer-customized aligners to gradually straighten teeth. Invisalign aligners are clear, removable and custom-made to incrementally move teeth. 3-D computer imaging creates a treatment plan using a series of aligners. Each aligner is used for about two weeks and is then replaced by the next in the series.

Reasons To Choose Invisalign Over Braces 

Invisalign offers several advantages over the traditional orthodontic approach of braces. 

• Appearance: Conventional braces fill your mouth with unsightly metal brackets and wires that can easily get food trapped in them. Invisalign aligners are clear, invisibly straightening your teeth without unattractive pieces of metal on your teeth. Invisalign aligners are also easier to keep clean as they can easily be removed to clean rather than spending extensive time flossing out food from hard to reach places.
• More Comfortable: Invisalign aligners are smooth and custom-made to fit your teeth comfortably within each step in the series. Each aligner is just slightly adjusted so you may feel some tightness for the first couple days. However, there are no painful metal brackets or wires allowing you to avoid discomfort, irritation and painful adjustments.
• Quicker Treatment Plan: Invisalign typically takes only one to two years to straighten teeth in comparison to the several years it takes through conventional braces.
• No Food Restrictions: With braces, there is a list of foods that should be avoided in order to not damage the brackets or affect the teeth. With Invisalign there are no food restrictions. Aligners are easily removed making it possible to eat whatever you want with worrying about causing damages.
• Previewed Treatment Plan: Invisalign’s technology allows you to preview your treatment plan before you even begin. Through computer imaging, you will be able to see how your teeth will look when you’ve completed your treatment. You will also be able to know what to expect during the entire series.

Henderson Invisalign Treatment 

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS is a preferred practitioner for Invisalign and encourages choosing this method instead of braces for teeth straightening. For more information about invisibly and comfortably straightening your teeth with the Invisalign Orthodontic System, call our office today (702) 792-5929.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums requires a commitment to regular dental checkups. Brushing and flossing on a daily basis do not cancel out the importance of seeing your dentist every six months. During a dental checkup, your dentist and dental hygienist are able to check the overall condition of your teeth and gums, catching potential problems before they become worse.

Poor dental health has been linked with other serious conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, and respiratory infections among others. Bacteria found in your mouth can be breathed in or can enter your bloodstream affecting the overall health of your body. At Foutz Family Dentistry, we are committed to monitoring your oral health to ensure that your teeth and gums remain in the best condition helping to avoid other serious physical conditions.

Dental cleanings and examinations are typically recommended every 6 months, although for some patients a shorter period of time may be recommended. During a routine dental visit, Dr. Foutz and his team of oral hygienists will perform a visual inspection, periodontal probe and take digital x-rays along with a thorough dental cleaning.

Reasons For A Routine Dental Checkup 

• Disease Prevention – Staying consistent with dental visits allows Dr. Foutz to catch diseases or dental problems in the early stages, saving you from costly and more complicated procedures. During a dental examination, your teeth are thoroughly inspected for signs of periodontal, or gum, disease, vitamin deficiencies, oral cancer, cavities, plaque and tartar. Dr. Foutz and his knowledgeable team are highly trained to recognize signs of dental diseases making it possible to catch any

• Encourage Healthy Habits – During a dental cleaning and examination, dentists and hygienists alike are able to identify habits that might be negatively affecting your oral health. Damage to your teeth and gums can be cause by smoking, nail biting, teeth grinding, diet and even brushing habits. A dental checkup also is an ideal time to introduce healthy habits that will better benefit your teeth and gums. Your hygienist will likely recommend methods or habits that will help improve the condition of your teeth. Going to your dentist appointment every six months will help keep you accountable for staying consistent with proper brushing, flossing and avoidance of bad habits.

• Dental Cleaning–No one has perfect dental home care, which makes regular dental cleanings essential for maintaining dental health. Our hygienists at Foutz Family Dentistry will carefully remove plaque and tartar buildup that was not removed with regular brushing or flossing. Removal of plaque and tartar during a cleaning is one of the most effective way to prevent gum disease and improve bad breath.

• Head And Neck Examination – During a routine dental visit, Dr. Foutz also performs an examination of your head and neck checking lymph nodes and jawlines for any abnormalities. Dr. Foutz is able to identify swelling, lumps and other abnormalities that could be signs of a serious health issues allowing you to seek treatment before it can get worse.

Henderson Dental Examinations and Cleanings 

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS strongly encourages patients to remain consistent with dental appointments every six months. Through routine dentist appointments, you will better be able to maintain the condition of your teeth and oral health. Contact our office today to schedule your routine dental examination.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929

Many people think that the best dental care comes from a dentist. This is half true.

To have the healthiest teeth and gums, we have to be a team. I’ll do my part by providing exceptional dental care. But you have do to you part too.

Besides proper brushing and flossing, the best way to take care of your teeth at home is to eat a tooth-healthy diet.

Optimize Your Dental Care with These 3 Healthy Food Tips

To optimize your dental care, consider these three healthy food tips.

1. Limit the Sugar

The bacteria in your mouth break down sugars and create an acid. This acid eats away at the enamel, causing a cavity. Try to avoid candy, cakes, muffins, and breads. And brush right away when you do eat them.

Soda can be worse than candy. As we sip these beverages, our teeth are constantly bathed in sugar. The carbonation is also unhealthy. It weakens enamel, allowing it to breakdown faster.

2. Try to Avoid Chewy Foods

Chewy foods like candy and dried fruit stay on the tooth longer, allowing the bacteria and acid more opportunity to break down enamel. Another downside is that they are a strain on the jaw joints. This causes muscle fatigue and pain.

3. Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods

A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is ideal. They contain many nutrients that your teeth need to stay healthy. And when you have strong teeth they won’t be as susceptible when you have a sweet treat.

Getting Healthy Teeth Starts At Home

My patients and I work together to ensure they continue to have healthy teeth and gums. I do my part by providing quality, in-office dental care, like regular cleanings and exams. My patients do their part with proper homecare and a teeth-healthy diet.

If you want to keep your teeth healthy and strong, try to eat less sugar and more nutrient-dense foods. Doing so will be a key factor in keeping your teeth for a lifetime.

What can you do to protect your teeth? Contact my office to schedule an exam. I’ll explain what it takes to get the healthiest smile ever.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929

According to the Internet, you can find an at-home, DIY solution to just about every problem. People use these remedies for beautiful skin, improved health, and even whiter teeth.

But what many people don’t know is that DIY teeth whitening can actually do more harm than good.

Why You Should Avoid These 3 DIY Teeth Whitening Remedies

These are three of the most popular DIY whitening remedies.

1. Baking Soda and Other Scrubs

Baking soda can actually brighten the teeth up quite a bit. The problem, though, is that it is very abrasive. The abrasive powder scrubs off surface stains. Other scrubs, like activated charcoal, work the same way.

The issue with these scrubs is that the abrasiveness can damage tooth enamel. Over time, the use of these scrubs thins enamel and causes sensitivity.

2. Spices Like Turmeric

Some people use spices – turmeric especially – to whiten their teeth. Though using a spice that stains the skin seems counterintuitive, many people swear by it.

Turmeric is an astringent and abrasive, which is why it can sometimes brighten teeth. However, both the astringent and abrasive qualities can damage the enamel.

3. Over-the-Counter Whitening Products

The over-the-counter whitening industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Every year, people try whitening toothpastes, strips, trays, and paint-on bleach.

The problem with these products is that they often don’t work very well, especially for people who want quick results. Another problem is that many of them burn the gums and make the teeth extremely sensitive.

Professional Teeth Whitening: The Safest Way to Whiten Your Teeth

Learning that at-home treatments aren’t very safe or effective can be discouraging. Thankfully, you can obtain beautiful results from my individualized bleaching treatment plans. When patients see me for bleaching, they can try prescription bleach with custom bleach trays that they use at home. Or, they can opt for in-office bleaching. Whatever choice they make, they can be sure that professional bleaching offers the safest, most effective solution for teeth whitening.

If you’re ready for a safe, fast, and effective way to whiten your teeth, give me a call. We’ll get you scheduled for a consultation to discuss which of my bleaching options are best for you.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929

We all want beautiful, brilliantly-white teeth. They make us look great and feel confident, which is exactly why so many people invest in teeth whitening systems.

According to NBC News, in just one year,consumers spent over $1.4 billion on over-the-counter bleaching systems.

With so many people investing in these products, they must be a good idea, right?

4 Reasons to Avoid Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Systems

There are at least four reasons to avoid store-bought bleaching systems.

1. Gum Sensitivity

Store-bought bleaching systems don’t provide you with a safe way to apply the bleach, like custom-fit bleach trays. With a bulky tray, the bleach nearly always ends up oozing onto the gum tissue. If it’s not removed, the gums can get burned.

2. Tooth Sensitivity

Many people think they can wear the trays for hours at a time, and for many days in a row. The result is often major sensitivity.

3. Increased Chance of Progressive Decay

People often start bleaching without having a dental examination first. If this is the case, they may not be aware of dental issues that they may have, like dental decay. Bleaching while you have decay could lead to increased sensitivity and even causing the decay to progress faster.

4. Oral Infections

Constantly burning the soft tissues of the mouth with dental bleach has the potential to lead to serious infections. You can prevent this by coming into our office for a professional and safe application of the bleach.

When you get your teeth bleached in our office, you will receive:

• Great quality bleach.
• Professional instructions and demonstration.
• Products that can eliminate or reduce sensitivity.

The Safest Whitening Solution: Contact Your Dentist If You Want Whiter Teeth

As dental professionals, we know which teeth whitening products are the best and the safest. These are the products we use in our office. And they’re used only after extensive research and training. If you want a beautiful white smile, don’t try to do it alone. Team up with your professional dental team for a beautiful, healthy smile.

Contact us for more information about our professional teeth whitening system. It’s the safest, most effective way to get a brilliantly white smile.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929

Gum disease is typically a result of not taking proper care of one’s teeth – but as with most conditions of the body, it can be caused by a variety of seemingly irrelevant factors. Obesity, for instance, is in fact a major factor in the development of gum disease.

Research Shows a Worrying Correlation Between Diet and Periodontitis

A study from the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland has shown that gum disease is more common in young adults who are also obese, suggesting a link between the two issues. According to the head researcher of the project, Mohammed Al-Zahrani, the correlation was found in a younger age group than is usually expected.

By analyzing 13,000 adults who had recently been to the dentist, they found that 14% of those suffered with periodontitis, and in the 18-24 age group, those who were obese were significantly more likely to suffer from the condition.

The correlation was so strong that the researchers found that gum disease is 75% higher among young people in that age group, signifying a potential problem with the average diet of young people.

Al-Zahrani says that research surrounding the dietary trends of people between the ages of 11 and 18 shows that young people are consuming less fruit and vegetables, which are necessary sources of vitamin C. There has also been a decrease in calcium consumption, which is essential for healthy teeth and gums.

A poor diet means that the teeth are negatively affected in two ways. First of all, teeth need all the nutrients they can get to stay strong and healthy.

Secondly, when a person consumes a large amount of sugar and generally unhealthy foods, teeth will need further maintenance.

Unhealthy foods like potato chips, which leave small amounts of food stuck between the teeth, can trigger gum disease. For this reason, it’s important to pay attention to your dental health.

For gum disease treatment and a high-quality dentistry experience in Nevada, you can count on Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS. To arrange your appointment today, visit us on Wigwam Parkway, or call today on (702) 792-5929.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929

Many cosmetic dentistry concerns can be easily concealed using porcelain veneers or dental bonding. But which one is best for you? Each option offers an effective and undetectable result for a variety of aesthetic issues. To determine which solution is the most appropriate for your dental care needs, let’s take a look at each treatment. 

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are very thin, tooth-colored shells made from dental ceramic, and they are used in cosmetic dentistry. Designed to resemble your natural teeth, porcelain veneers are seamlessly able to conceal a variety of flaws including:

• Stains and Discoloration
• Chips and Cracks
• Gaps
• Tooth shape

Porcelain Veneers are an effective treatment for major cosmetic concerns. However, if these issues are minor, dental bonding may be a more suitable solution.

Dental Bonding

The process of dental bonding includes the use of a special dental resin that is designed to match the color of your teeth. These resins are applied directly to the teeth, and are able to easily transform many cosmetic issues such as:

• Stains and Discoloration
• Minor Chips and Cracks
• Minor Gaps

While dental bonding is a great solution for patients wishing to conceal minor cosmetic issues, patients with more serious cosmetic concerns may require porcelain veneers. 

Learn More About Our Cosmetic Dentistry Services!

At Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS, we are dedicated to ensuring that every client experiences high-quality and comfortable service. We have a knowledgeable and experienced staff that is eager to assist with all of your cosmetic dentistry needs. Contact us today and schedule an appointment!

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929