Dry Mouth | Loveable Smiles Dentistry

May 17

Having trouble sleeping? Go see your dentist.

Because dentists see into their patient’s mouths more than physicians, they have an important part in identifying sleep related disorders.

What is sleep apnea?

More than 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses is breathing, or instances of abnormally low breathing during sleep.

This can lead to daytime sleeplessness and fatigue, snoring, restless sleep, dry mouth and/or throat and teeth grinding. Sufferers can start and stop breathing up to hundreds of times per night.

So, how is sleep apnea related to your mouth?

While dentists aren’t licensed to formally diagnose sleep apnea in patients, during a common dental exam there are certain indications that could point to a possible sleep disorder. The dentist can then refer the patient to a sleep specialist.

Dental Signs Indicating Sleep Apnea

Enlarged tongue and/or tonsils in addition to teeth indentations along the tongue.

Teeth Grinding

Grinding and clenching of the teeth (Bruxism) is often caused by stress and it can cause teeth to break, cause pain in the jaw and even result in headaches and migraines.

One of the ways Dr. Korenman of Loveable Smiles in Richardson, TX helps patients is by utilizing night-time tooth guards which not only protect the teeth from stress, but also protects the muscles.

In addition to the elimination of teeth grinding, many patients who wear the NTI mouth guard have found an improvement with their headaches and have also found that they sleep better.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth results from open-mouth sleeping, which is common among individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea or OSA.

Saliva contains beneficial phosphates, minerals and calcium that protect tooth enamel from being eroded by bacteria. Without the continuous flow of saliva, the mouth becomes a horrendous breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to extensive tooth decay, gum disease and mouth sores.

Gum disease not only leads to severe oral health disorders, but can exacerbate overall health conditions, such as diabetes or respiratory disorders.

Patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea often benefit from wearing an oral appliance at night. This helps keep the airway open during sleep.

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

Apr 27

Women & Gum Disease – How Your Gums Change in Various Stages of Life

There is an important connection between a woman’s oral health and her overall health.

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

Hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman’s life, including puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, can affect many tissues, including gum tissue.

Throughout her life cycle, women should be aware of these hormonal and oral/overall health connections. It’s very important for women to maintain their dental care appointments so that their dentists can check them for gum disease and other concerning dental issues.

Oral birth control: Inflamed gums are a common side effect of taking the pill. Dr. Korenman and his staff can give you suggestions to protect your gums and teeth.

Pregnancy: There is a link between uncontrolled gum disease (and the mom may not even know she has gum disease) and pregnancy complications such as premature labor and preeclampsia (rise in blood pressure).

Additionally studies have shown that bacteria responsible for tooth decay are passed from the mother to the child in utero. The more frequently you give in to the craving for sugary snacks, the greater the chance of developing tooth decay. Women are encouraged to call their dentist for an appointment as soon as they learn they are pregnant.

Menopause: During menopause, changing hormone levels can cause various mucus membranes to dry out including salivary glands, often leaving menopausal and postmenopausal women with a persistent feeling of dryness in the mouth. Other oral changes that may occur during menopause are red or inflamed gums, mouth sores, bad breath, burning sensations, and altered taste, especially salty, peppery or sour.

The health of your mouth can be a sign of your body’s health. Mouth problems are not just cavities, toothaches, and crooked or stained teeth. Many diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers are linked with oral health problems. Regular dental exams help you maintain good oral health and avoid related health problems.

At Loveable Smiles, we practice Total Health Dentistry and educate our patients on the “Mouth Body Connection.” Additionally, we check all our patients for gum disease.

If you are diagnosed with gum disease, Dr. Korenman will design a treatment plan to help you get it under control and even more importantly, to keep it maintained in a healthy state.

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

Happy Mother’s Day from Loveable Smiles in Richardson!

Jan 19

How are strokes related to your mouth?

This blog post is part of a series of Total Health Dental Care articles to inform our readers about the connection between your oral health and your overall health.

What is a stroke?

An ischemic stroke (the most common type) happens when a blood vessel that feeds the brain gets blocked, usually from a blood clot. When the blood supply to a part of the brain is shut off, brain cells will die. The result is the inability to carry out normal brain functions such as walking or talking.

Strokes & Gum Disease Statistics

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US.
Oral bacteria can affect the heart adversely by entering the blood stream, thereby reaching the heart and contributing to clot formation.
In a recent study, people diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular ischemia (the most common type of stroke) were found more likely to have an oral infection when compared to those in the control group.
Men and women who suffered from bleeding gums had more than twice the risk of stroke compared with those whose gums were healthy.

As you can see, research studies have discovered that oral infection is indeed a risk factor for stroke.

So, how are strokes related to your mouth?

The number one cause of death is inflammation.

The number one cause of inflammation is gum disease.

Shocking Truth About Gum Disease: The Silent Epidemic

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.

Medications for Stokes Cause Dry Mouth

If you take any medication for stroke prevention including blood pressure medications and diuretics, you have probably experienced a common side effect of these popular medications: Dry Mouth.

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

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.

The Good News for Stroke Patients

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.

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

Additionally, if you have suffered from a stroke, a consistent, preventive dental program is essential for survivors. The loss of senses, weakness of facial muscles, and side effects of medications can put you at high risk for dental problems.

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 how we treat people, not just teeth.

Jan 19

How is rheumatoid arthritis related to your mouth?

This blog post is part of a series of Total Health Dental Care articles to inform our readers about the connection between your oral health and your overall health.

Rheumatoid Arthritis & Gum Disease Statistics

People with RA are 8 times more likely to develop gum disease than people without RA.
Studies have shown that when people with a severe form on RA, cleared up their gum disease, their pain and other arthritic symptoms got better.
People with RA sometimes have a hard time maintaining good oral hygiene because the disease can affect the joints in the hands, making brushing and flossing difficult. Electric toothbrushes and the AirFlosser by Sonicare can make dental care easier.
Common Arthritis medications target the immune system, which can weaken the immune system’s ability to fight infections, including gum disease.

So, how is rheumatoid arthritis related to your mouth?

The number one cause of death is inflammation.

The number one cause of inflammation is gum disease.

Inflammation is a protective immune system response to substances like viruses and bacteria. In autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis the immune system mistakenly triggers inflammation, although there are no bacteria or viruses to fight off. The inflammation causes joints to become swollen, painful and stiff.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gum Disease both have inflammation in common, which may explain the connection.

Controlling the inflammation with proactive dental care could play a role in reducing the incidence and severity of RA.

Medications and Dry Mouth

Pain relievers used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis have a very common side effect: Dry Mouth.

Shocking Truth About Gum Disease

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.

If you are diagnosed with gum disease, Dr. Korenman can design a treatment plan to help you keep it under control. He even carries a line of natural oral care products called Effervess, specifically designed to help patients who suffer from dry mouth.

Additionally, if you suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, sometimes shorter appointments scheduled later in the day when joints are less stiff can make you more comfortable. We can also provide a neck or leg pillow for better support in the dental chair.

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 how we treat people, not just teeth.

#arthritis

#drymouth

#medicationsideeffects

Jan 19

How is heart disease related to your mouth?

This blog post is part of a series of Total Health Dental Care 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 of other conditions including Alzheimer’s disease and even some Cancers.

Gum Disease – The Silent Epidemic

The number one cause of death is inflammation.

The number one cause of inflammation is gum disease.

The startling news is that 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.

So, how is heart disease related to your mouth?

Several studies exist to explain the link between gum disease and heart disease.

Oral bacteria can affect the heart via the blood stream and then attaching to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries (heart blood vessels) and contributing to clot formation.
As the body fights the inflammation caused by periodontal (gum) disease, swelling of the arteries can occur which contributes to their deterioration.

Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease.

Medications for Heart Disease and Dry Mouth

If you take any medication for dry mouth including blood pressure medications and diuretics, you have probably experienced a common side effect of these popular medications: Dry Mouth.

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

The Good News for Heart Patients

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.

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

Additionally, if you suffer from Dry Mouth, Dr. Korenman provides the following tips for treating this dangerous condition:

He 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.

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 how we treat people, not just teeth.

Aug 17

Attention Dallas Baby Boomers! Get to the dentist!

Attention all Baby Boomers who want to look good and enjoy their health, please get to the dentist!

You overall health depends on it!

Links Between Oral/Overall Health
The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease increases with age. Research has proven that these diseases often manifest themselves in the mouth.

Your Dentist Is Your Key Health Care Partner

Since your dentist is the only medical professional to check you from the neck up, these connections allow dentists to be a key player in helping you to become aware of any possible systemic imbalances. Loveable Smiles prides itself on being a leader in health for your future. We often refer patients to other medical professionals as we treat people not just teeth.

If you have been avoiding going to the dentist, usually due to unknown fear, your dental appointment needs to be a priority. Don’t worry, if it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist, we will never scold you. We will be thrilled to see you. Call our office for that much needed dental appointment. 972-231-0585

Now is the time to get your wellness check to make sure you are as healthy as you can be.

Your mouth is the gateway to your health.

Jun 21

Complete Health Dentistry in Dallas, TX

There are different phases in dentistry throughout history.

Post WWII – Dentists were able to insert filings and learned how to save a tooth rather than extract it.

70s – Dentists began to understand that a patient’s gums are the foundation of our mouths and the importance of having healthy gums.

Age of Technology – Computers and technology entered the dental office giving dentists the ability to do same day crowns as well as use lasers to help tissues to heal faster and painlessly.

90s – Era of cosmetic dentistry. Veneers and bonding could help transform someone’s smile.

Today – Complete Health Dentistry – There is now enough research to confirm that your mouth talks to your body.

We no longer concentrate on your 28-32 teeth.

We now know there is a very strong communication between your mouth and your body.

Inflammation in your mouth leads to inflammation in your body.

Gum Disease and Heart Disease

We know that active gum disease dumps bacteria and inflammation by-products into your bloodstream and has a detrimental effect on your heart and blood vessels.

You can’t just focus on either your gum disease or your cardio vascular disease. You have to treat them both because your gum disease is making your heart disease worse and vice versa.

Gum Disease and Diabetes

It’s very clear that Diabetes has a very strong relationship to gum disease.

If you have gum disease and your gums bleed, you are sending bacterial and inflammation by-products through your blood vessels damaging those blood vessels and exacerbating your Diabetic condition.

Research has found significant levels of bacteria from the oral cavities embedded in blood vessels all over the body in patients who have active gum disease.

Complete Health Dentistry

This knowledge puts a greater importance on dentistry than ever before.

We are fortunate to be able to be in an industry that is at the forefront of preventative healthcare.

Seeing Loveable Smiles twice a year, ideally, so that we can use our incredible screening aids to check you for gum disease will help you have a happier and healthier life.

We are proud to call ourselves a leader in health for your future.

Please call our office for your Total Health Dental appointment. 972-231-0585

Loveable Smiles, Richardson, TX – visit our website here!

Apr 26

Healthy Mother’s Day Gift Ideas at Loveable Smiles in Richardson

If you want your mom to have a healthy body, her mouth needs to be healthy; because you can’t have one without the other.

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 migraines, Alzheimer’s disease and even some types of Cancer.
Since oral health directly impacts the health of the rest of the body, these gift ideas will help mom’s overall well-being. All of them are available at Loveable Smiles in Richardson, TX. 972-231-0585

Effervess Natural Oral Care Products – If your mom takes any medication for heart conditions, cholesterol, diabetes or depression, chances are she suffers from a common side effect: Dry Mouth. Dry Mouth can lead to extensive tooth decay, gum disease and mouth sores.

Here at Loveable Smiles, we carry the Effervess natural oral care line specifically created to combat the effects of dry mouth with the soothing properties of aloe vera and cavity fighting properties of xylitol.

Sonicare AirFloss – Quickly cleans the entire mouth in just 60 seconds. Watch the Sonicare AirFloss in action in this video.

Sonicare Toothbrush – Philips Sonicare toothbrushes can help remove plaque, whiten teeth and improve gum health, giving you a clean you can feel. Loveable Smiles has Sonicare products cheaper than Walmart, PLUS you get professional instruction on how to get the best results!

Invisalign – The alternative to metal braces
Properly aligned teeth are not only attractive – but also healthier! Straightened teeth contribute directly to your overall health. Teeth that are properly aligned create a more balanced bite, and they are easier to keep clean, leading to healthier teeth and gums. Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear, virtually invisible, customized aligners.

And finally, teeth whitening is a simple process that delivers brilliant results for your mom’s smile. After a simple consultation with Dr. Korenman of Loveable Smiles, he will help your mom determine which teeth whitening system is right for her. We are able to provide gift certificates in any amount.

The best way to help your Mom is to arrange for her to have a comprehensive examination to determine the status of the health of her mouth and to allow us to provide her with a plan to attain what we like to call Optimum Oral Health for her lifetime.

Please stop by Loveable Smiles in Richardson or call us at 972-231-0585.

Apr 18

Women & Gum Disease – How Your Gums Change in Every Stage of Life

smiling-woman-in-dental-chair

The health of a woman’s mouth and gums has an impact on her overall health and self-esteem.

Hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman’s life, including puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, can affect many tissues, including gum tissue.

Throughout her life cycle, women should be aware of these hormonal and oral/overall health connections.

Gum Disease & Puberty

During puberty, an increased level of sex hormones, such as progesterone and possibly estrogen, causes increased blood circulation to the gums. This may cause an increase in the gum’s sensitivity and lead to a greater reaction to any irritation, including food particles and plaque. During this time, the gums may become swollen, turn red and feel tender.

Menstruation: It is not uncommon for gums to swell and bleed prior to menstruation. Some women may also suffer from the formation of canker sores. These symptoms typically disappear once their period arrives.

Oral birth control: Inflamed gums are a common side effect of taking the pill.

Menopause: Typical mouth changes that occur during menopause are red or inflamed gums, oral pain and discomfort, burning sensations, dry mouth and altered taste, especially salty, peppery or sour.

Gum Disease Statistics

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. Most gum problems will go unnoticed until they are diagnosed by a dentist.

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.

If you are diagnosed with gum disease, Dr. Korenman will design a treatment plan to help you get it under control and even more importantly, to keep it maintained in a healthy state.

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

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

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All Posts in Category: Dry mouth

There is an important connection between a woman’s oral health and her overall health.

Throughout her life cycle, women should be aware of these hormonal and oral/overall health connections. It’s very important for women to maintain their dental care appointments so that their dentists can check them for gum disease and other concerning dental issues.

The best way to help your Mom is to arrange for her to have a comprehensive examination to determine the status of the health of her mouth and to allow us to provide her with a plan to attain what we like to call Optimum Oral Health for her lifetime.

Please stop by Loveable Smiles in Richardson or call us at 972-231-0585.

The health of a woman’s mouth and gums has an impact on her overall health and self-esteem.

Throughout her life cycle, women should be aware of these hormonal and oral/overall health connections.

Gum Disease & Puberty