Dental Tips | Loveable Smiles Dentistry

Apr 12

The Dangers Of Dry Mouth

Dr. Korenman of Loveable Smiles Explains Dry Mouth: Causes, Associated Problems, and Treatment
Dry mouth is a growing problem in dentistry. On a daily basis, Dr. Korenman and his staff see patients who suffer from dry mouth and the issues associated with dry mouth including tooth decay, gum disease and mouth sores.
Dry mouth—also called xerostomia—results from an inadequate flow of saliva.
It is not a disease, but a symptom of a medical disorder and/or most commonly, a side effect of popular medications including:
• Blood pressure medications
• Anti-depression/Anti-Anxiety
• Diuretics
• Pain killers
• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Even neurological medications for treatment of anti-anxiety and ADHD.

The combination of two or more of these medications dramatically increase dry-mouth effects.

With regular saliva production, your teeth are constantly bathed in a mineral-rich solution that helps keep your teeth strong and resistant to decay.
Dry mouth can lead to extensive tooth decay, gum disease and mouth sores.

Signs You May Have Dry Mouth
• Extreme thirst.
• Waking up in the night needing water.
• Teeth feel rough like sand.
• Cheeks stick to your teeth.
• Lips feel dry.

Other Issues Associated with Dry Mouth
Other health issues can also arise if dry mouth is left untreated.

Common problems linked to dry mouth include:
• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty chewing
• Fungal infections in mouth
• Hoarseness
• Sore gums/throat
• Problems with swallowing food
• Burning sensation in mouth
• Dry nasal passages
• Difficulty wearing dentures
• Overly dry lips

Treating Dry Mouth
While there isn’t any cure for dry mouth, the sooner it gets diagnosed the less damage it does to your teeth. Here are some tips for treating your dry mouth.
• Dr. Korenman highly recommends Effervess Oral Care products, which can help relieve the symptoms of dry mouth caused by medications. (Available at Loveable Smiles and Amazon.) The line includes toothpaste and a whitening gel.
• Swish with water in addition to drinking it.
• Chew sugarless gum.
• Patients with dry mouth should have regular dental checkups with Dr. Korenman and his staff for evaluation and treatment. Please bring up-to-date medication list with you to your appointment at Loveable Smiles.

If you are experiencing a dry mouth as a side effect of your medication, please call Loveable Smiles at 972-231-0585

Jan 06

New Year’s Resolution: Feel Better About Myself

“Smile and the world smiles with you.” The best thing you can wear is a smile. Have you wondered why there are so many quotes about smiles? It’s because few things impact your appearance, self-confidence, and how others perceive you, as much as your smile.
You are happy person. You have many blessings in your life. However, you may feel self conscious about smiling for any number of reasons: stained, cracked, broken, decayed, worn or missing teeth.
A smile is worth a thousand words… but when your teeth are not healthy, it can really affect your self-image.
Start the New Year with a Gorgeous, Age-Defying Smile from Loveable Smiles.

The power of a great-looking smile is immense. Patients tell us all the time that they came to us for a new smile, but what they got was a new life.
We share moments of joy and even shed a few tears with patients who have improved their self-esteem, their career, and personal relationships after a smile makeover.
Defy your age, look 10 years younger and live another 10 years with a SmileLift.
Here at Loveable Smiles, we enjoy practicing all three kinds of dentistry in one place, Cosmetic, General, and Family Dentistry and with the added benefit of a healthy mouth which enhances your overall health.
Truly exquisite dentistry blends artistry and science. Utilizing the latest technology, Loveable Smiles proudly offers a variety of services to assist you in designing the smile of your dreams.
Together we can make 2016 your best year ever!
Loveable Smiles in Richardson. 972-231-0585

Jan 05

Your Easiest New Year’s Resolution

Here is the easiest habit to compliment your goals for a healthy life for 2016:
Make A Dental Appointment at Loveable Smiles! (972-231-0585)
If you want a healthy body, you need a healthy mouth, because you can’t have one without the other.
Dr. Korenman of Loveable Smiles in Richardson practices Total Health Dentistry which is a new era of dentistry connecting the health of your mouth to the health of your other major body systems.
It’s called the “Mouth-Body Connection,” and it means that poor dental health can severely deteriorate your body, especially your lungs and heart, and it can also lead to a host to other conditions including Alzheimer’s disease and even some Cancers.
So, how is your oral health related to your overall health?

The number one cause of death is inflammation.
The number one cause of inflammation is gum disease.
Gum disease not only leads to severe oral health disorders, but can exacerbate overall health conditions, such as diabetes or respiratory disorders.
Unfortunately, 80% of people have Gum Disease and DO NOT KNOW IT! There is usually no pain involved for people until extremely late in the degeneration. Many gum problems will go unnoticed until they are diagnosed by a dentist.

Fortunately, Dr. Korenman and his team are dedicated to educating the public about the dangers of gum disease and they check all their patients for it.
If you are diagnosed with gum disease, Dr. Korenman can design a treatment plan to help you keep it under control.
Dr. Mayo of Mayo Clinic has explained that having a healthy mouth can add 10 years to your life!
Dr. Korenman and his staff are dedicated to improving your overall health through dentistry.
We urge you to call Loveable Smiles for your Total Health Dental Care appointment at 972-231-0585.

Oct 28

How is obesity related to your mouth?

This blog post is the 9th in a series of articles to inform our readers about the connection between your oral health and your overall health.

It’s called the “Mouth-Body Connection,” and it means that poor dental health can severely deteriorate your body, especially your lungs and heart, and it can also lead to a host to other conditions including Alzheimer’s disease and even some Cancers.

What is obesity?

According to www.letsmove.gove, obesity is defined as excess body fat. It accumulates to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to increased health problems and reduced life expectancy.

Typically, Body Mass Index, or BMI, is used as a screening tool for overweight or obesity. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. People with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight. People with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese.

You can calculate your BMI by visiting this chart. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmi_tbl.htm

Here at Loveable Smiles in Richardson, we treat all our patients like family. This blog post is not meant to judge but it is simply meant to inform our readers about the facts between your oral health and your overall health. We believe YOU deserve a Loveable Smile and look forward to helping you achieve Optimal Dental Health.

Obesity Statistics

More than 1/3 of US adults are obese. (35.7%)
Obesity has become one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century.
Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases including heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, sleep apnea, certain types of cancer and osteoarthritis.
The most common type of obesity results from excessive sugar and carbohydrate intake.
Obesity is the leading preventable cause of death, world-wide.

How is obesity related to your dental health?

Various studies have shown that those with excess weight have more oral health problems, including higher tooth decay, more missing teeth, and fewer essential dental fillings than other individuals in general.

Those who carry excess weight and are between the ages of 18 and 34 were found to have a 76% higher rate of gum disease than individuals within a normal weight range.

Before we explore this topic any further, we want to reassure our readers that if it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist, here at Loveable Smiles, we will not judge you. We will be happy to see you. We are dedicated, to helping you achieve a health mouth, which will in turn help you with your overall health.

Tooth Decay

The connection between obesity and tooth decay relies largely on diet. The combination of bacteria and food causes tooth decay. Plaque, a clear, sticky substance that contains bacteria forms on teeth and gums and as the bacteria feeds on the sugars in the foods, they make acid. The acid attack the teeth for 20 minutes or more after eating. Over a period of time, these acids destroy teeth enamel, resulting in tooth decay.

Diabetes, Heart Disease, Sleep Apnea

As mentioned above, obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases including heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes and sleep apnea. We have covered these topics and how they relate to gum disease quite extensively on this blog. (See links here.)

The bottom line is that it’s a problematic “Catch 22.” Obesity can lead to tooth decay, which can lead to gum disease. And gum disease not only leads to severe oral health disorders, but can exacerbate these overall health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disorders.

Your gums are the “foundation of your house” and if the foundation crumbles, the house crumbles with it.

If you want to achieve your health goals, we encourage you to start with your dental health.

Dr. Korenman and his team are dedicated to educating the public about the dangers of gum disease and they check all their patients for it.

If you are diagnosed with gum disease, Dr. Korenman can design a treatment plan to help you keep it under control.

We urge you to call Loveable Smiles for your Total Health Dental Care appointment. 972-231-0585

This is just one of many examples of how we treat people, not just teeth.

Sep 01

How is Diabetes related to your mouth?

This blog post is the second in a series of articles to inform our readers about the connection between your oral health and your overall health.

So, how is Diabetes related to your mouth?

If you have gum disease and your gums bleed, you’re sending bacteria and inflammation by-products through your blood vessels, damaging the vessels and exacerbating your diabetes condition.

Additionally, this is how gum disease affects Diabetics:

Uncontrolled Type II Diabetics are at a higher risk for gum disease.
Severe gum disease can affect blood sugar.
Diabetics have a decreased ability to fight bacteria that invade the gums.
Medication can cause dry mouth which can cause soreness, ulcers, infections and cavities.

Your gums are the “foundation of your house” and if the foundation crumbles, the house crumbles with it.*

The good news is that Dr. Korenman and his team are dedicated to educating the public about the dangers of gum disease and they check all their patients for it. He and his team are also dedicated to educating their patient family about the health of your mouth and the health of your body.

If you are diagnosed with gum disease, Dr. Korenman can design a treatment plan to help you keep it under control.

We urge you to call Loveable Smiles for your Total Health Dental Care appointment at 972-231-0585.

This is just one of many examples of dentistry saves lives.

*Dr. Elias J. Achey Jr., D.M.D. “A cup of coffee with 12 leading dentists in the United States.

Mar 24

Spring Clean Your Teeth

While many people take this time to thoroughly clean their homes of dust and cobwebs, Dr. Larry Korenman of Loveable Smiles sees it as an opportune time to give your teeth a spring cleaning as well.

Creating better oral habits, changing out your old brush head, and even getting your teeth whitened are excellent ways to put the spring back in your smile.

However, we encourage you to add a dental visit to this year’s spring-cleaning list. Just like your home, regular maintenance and cleaning does not reach all the nooks and crannies. A professional cleaning is the only way to remove certain types of plaque and tartar build up, which can prevent gum disease.

Additionally, so much goes on in your professional dental cleaning that can improve your overall health as well:

Reviewing and updating medical history, including heart problems, cancer treatment, pregnancy, diabetes, joint replacement, medications, surgeries or any other major changes in health history
Blood pressure check
Oral cancer examination and screening
Evaluation of gum tissue
Checking biting, chewing and swallowing patterns
X-rays, examination of teeth to detect decay
Early detection of minor issues can be corrected before they become bigger, more painful issues later.

The most expensive thing in dentistry is neglect. So call Loveable Smiles today to schedule your spring cleaning! 972-231-0585

Mar 10

8 Things To Eat To Keep Your Teeth Healthy

March is National Nutrition Month and today’s nutritional approaches to oral health go beyond “don’t eat sugar.”

Ongoing research indicates that antioxidants and other nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts may strengthen immunity and improve the body’s ability to fight bacteria and inflammation, all of which can help protect the teeth and gums.

And some foods and dietary habits even have distinct effects on the mouth’s ability to handle cavity-causing bacteria attacks.

Cheese unleashes a burst of calcium that mixes with plaque and sticks to the teeth, protecting them from the acid that causes decay and helping to rebuild tooth enamel on the spot.
Crisp fruits and raw vegetables, like apples, carrots and celery, help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath.
Antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin C, and other nutrients from fruits and vegetables help protect gums and other tissues from cell damage and bacterial infection.
4. Folic acid promotes a healthy mouth and supports cell growth throughout the entire body. This member of the B vitamin family is found in green leafy vegetables and brewer’s yeast.
Green Tea – Polyphenols have been known to reduce bacteria and toxic products of bacteria in the mouth. Tea also tends to be rich in fluoride, possibly the most well-known tooth strengthener.
Food rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, sardine, shrimp, soybean, flax seed, walnut) Omega-3 fatty acid are excellent choice against inflammation and gum diseases.
Cranberries – Cranberries contain polyphenols (just as tea does), which may keep plaque from sticking to teeth, thus lowering the risk of cavities, according to a study published in the journal Caries Research. A caveat: Because the fruit is so tart, many cranberry products have added sugar, which may affect any potential benefits for teeth, so make eat raw unsweetened cranberries or even blend frozen unsweetened cranberries into a smoothie.
Dark Chocolate – The compound CBH, a white crystalline powder whose chemical makeup is similar to caffeine, helps harden tooth enamel, making users less susceptible to tooth decay. Eating 3-4 oz of chocolate a day is a great way to take advantage of this wonder compound and lower your chance of getting cavities.

Finally, limit added sugars from both foods and beverages. This includes soda, fruit juice, energy drinks, candies, etc. Energy drinks are particularly damaging as they combine a high sugar load with an incredibly acidic pH.

Dr. Korenman of Loveable Smiles in Richardson can provide you with a plan to further help you achieve Optimal Dental Health.

Call 972-231-0585 for your complimentary exam and consultation.

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