Mar 26

Loveable Smiles Patient Experiences Relief from Dry Mouth Thanks to New Laser Therapy

Linda Terveen used to wake up in the middle of the night with her tongue glued to the top of her mouth and her cheeks stuck to her teeth.
She would wake up in desperate prayer hoping she’d be able to drink some water and relieve her seriously dry mouth.

During the day, Linda would constantly experience unquenchable thirst.

Linda is like so many others who suffer from a common medication side effect: Dry Mouth.

Dry Mouth 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
• Cholesterol Fighters
• Pain killers
• Antihistamines/Decongestants
• Even neurological medications for treatment of ADHD.

Thanks to a new laser treatment at Loveable Smiles in Richardson, TX, Linda now feels more rested because her sleep is no longer interrupted due to extreme dry mouth.
Her saliva glands have been re-stimulated and now function better to create the moisture that is needed for the mouth, teeth and gums.

Dr. Korenman is the first in Dallas/Ft. Worth to offer this breakthrough laser treatment for Dry Mouth.

This is the first treatment that actually deals with the problem of Dry Mouth itself and not just the symptoms.

The treatment is painless, simple and quick.

If you would like to find out more about this phenomenal treatment, please call us and schedule an appointment to see how we may be able to help you. 972-231-0585

Learn more about the dangers of dry mouth here.

May 25

Father’s Day Dental Care Tips for Dads

If you’re the man of the house, you probably think that dental health is the last thing on your priority list. Today’s dads are busy with their careers, kid’s (or grandkid’s) activities and “Honey Do” lists.

However, if you want to be healthy for your family, you must take care of your teeth.

Dr. Mayo of Mayo Clinic has explained, “Having a healthy mouth can add 10 years to your life.”

Medication
Does dad take any kind of heart medication including blood pressure or cholesterol meds?

These medications are notorious for causing dry mouth and inhibiting salivary flow. The flow of saliva is crucial for washing away the germs that cause cavities, so dry mouth is bacteria’s playground!

Dad should have regular checkups to manage his Dry Mouth symptoms, chew sugarless gum and swish with water on a regular basis.

Diabetes
Is dad Diabetic?

The statistics about Diabetes and dental care are startling:

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.
A dry mouth can exacerbate the side effects of diabetes, which will then lead to an increase in glucose levels, wreaking havoc on the body.
Having a dry mouth, especially as a diabetic, can lead to rampant tooth decay, which means blood sugar increases as the body tries, and fails, to fight infection.
Sometimes if the blood glucose levels are higher than they should be, the result is dry mouth.

Once again, it’s important to maintain regular dental care appointments to avoid the inflammation, gum disease and decay that can be caused by Diabetes and medication.

Dental Coward
We know dads have a reputation for being the “tough guy” but even “tough guys” can dread visiting the dentist. Many men have had bad experiences at the dentist and understandably avoid dental exams.

Dr. Korenman and his staff understand dental fear and they are dedicated to reversing the trend of miserable dental experiences. He will never cause his patients pain and he listens to all of their concerns.

If it’s been some time or even a long time since dad’s last appointment, we want him to know that we never will scold him or make him feel guilty because we are just glad to see him.

We are here to serve our patients for a healthy future.

Please schedule Dad’s Total Health Dental Appointment by calling 972-231-0585.

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

Crowded Teeth and Your Overall Health

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. Today we are discussing the connection between malocclusion (poor “bite” or fitting together of the teeth) and your overall health.

Straightening teeth is no longer only for appearance. Straightened teeth contribute directly to your overall health.

What is a Malocclusion?

Malocclusion is often referred to overcrowding or misalignment of your teeth. Specifically, it refers to the relationship between your upper and lower teeth, which should fit together evenly with low force exuded on the jaws and tooth surfaces. If there is a misalignment between the upper and lower teeth, then a number of symptoms can occur:

Premature wearing and breaking of teeth which can lead to tooth loss.
Chronic headaches
Neck and jaw pain
Tooth sensitivity
Pain of facial muscles
Joint noises in the jaw
Difficulties with biting or chewing

Teeth that are crowded or out of alignment are more difficult to keep clean which can contribute to gum disease.

Gum disease not only leads to severe oral health disorders, but can exacerbate overall health conditions, such as diabetes or respiratory disorders. If left untreated, malocclusion can progress to affect bone, jaw, neck, and even head health.

Additionally, the improvements to bite functionality that result from malocclusion treatment can also make regular nutritional intake easier.

More About Gum Disease

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.

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.

Problems with your bite can lead to problems elsewhere in your body. And, at Loveable Smiles, we understand the connection.

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.

Jan 19

How is Pancreatic Cancer 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 to other conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, strokes and even some Cancers.

What is a Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic Cancer occurs when there is out-of-control cell growth in the pancreas. The cells continue dividing and form lumps called tumors, which interfere with the normal functioning of the pancreas.

Pancreatic Cancer/Gum Disease Statistics

Pancreatic Cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer related death in the US.
74% of Pancreatic Cancer patients die after the 1st year.
Unfortunately, treatment options are limited.
Studies have shown positive association between gums disease and bone disease and Pancreatic Cancer.
In one study men with a history of gum disease, had a 63% higher risk of developing Pancreatic Cancer than those with no gum disease.
People with chronic inflammation caused by gum disease harbor higher levels of harmful bacteria and carcinogens in the mouth and gut. Over many years, this can lead to higher amounts cancer-causing nitrosamines.

Chemotherapy & Dental Health

Most chemotherapy agents suppress white blood cells, which protect against infection.

Chemotherapy also effects saliva production, leading to dry mouth, and serious dental implications.

The oral tissues can become very inflamed, cavities can become rampant, and gums may bleed easily.

Additionally, if you are a patient and either about to start or are currently undergoing cancer treatments, here at Loveable Smiles, we will provide you with a complimentary fluoride tray to save your teeth.

Shocking Truth About Gum Disease

The Good News for Cancer Patients & Gum Disease

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 where we will check you for gum disease at 972-231-0585.

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

#gumdisease

#PancreaticCancer

#canceranddentalhealth

Oct 25

The Dangerous Domino Effect of Missing Teeth

A missing tooth has a dangerous domino effect in your mouth.
When natural teeth are lost the damage goes well below the surface of the gums.
• The bone that once supported and surrounded those roots starts to deteriorate painlessly.
• Your other teeth start to shift.
• If you are missing a bottom tooth, the top tooth that chews on it is going to drift down.
• The teeth on either side of a missing tooth will slowly start to lean into that gap.
• When teeth don’t line up right, they don’t have the proper stress distributions, so they are getting overworked and over-stressed.

The bad news is that you don’t feel this domino effect. Unfortunately, over time this misalignment can make it difficult to keep your teeth clean which can contribute to cavities and gum disease as well as breakdown due to the stress imbalances.
Imagine a brick archway.
If you take a brick out of an archway and come back in a year, you won’t be able to put that brick back in its place because everything has settled a bit.
Perhaps the archway hasn’t fallen down, but it’s certainly not going to last as long as the arch with all the bricks in place.
When you have multiple missing teeth, bone resorption occurs even faster, which causes the face to collapse. These changes can become so severe they make the person look many years older than they actually are.
An estimated 30 million American adults live with one or more missing teeth. (That’s one out of every four drivers on the road.)

Dr. Korenman of Loveable Smiles can help with dental implants.

The best way to replace missing teeth permanently is with dental implants.

The advancements in dental implants over the years are life changing. Simply stated, dental implants reconnect people with what they’ve lost. Youth. Self-esteem. Confidence. Function. Happiness. The joy of kissing!
Dental implants look natural, produce a beautiful smile, and allow you to eat, speak and function as you did when your mouth was healthy.
Only 12% of general dentists in the US place implants. 5% of those use the most updated form of technology.

Dr. Korenman has that technology.
He has invested in NewTom VG3 Dental CAT-scan which allows Dr. Korenman to view an anatomically accurate 3D image of your mouth. It provides the most comprehensive and accurate information required to determine your bone quantity and quality for possible dental implants. If teeth have been missing for some time he can see how much bone loss has occurred and determine what type of bone grafting may be needed.
With Dental CT scanning, implant procedures can be planned in detail before any surgery takes place. This means virtually no surprises when Dr. Korenman performs surgery.
With the advances in implant dentistry now available from Loveable Smiles, you can soon be eating what you want, when you want, and where you want. Your facial muscle tone will be restored.

You’ll put 20 years of life back in your smile. You’ll regain the self-confidence and quality of life you lost when you lost your teeth.
For those who may not have adequate bone strength for implants there are other options to replace missing teeth. The first step in learning your options is to have a complete examination.
For more information, please call Loveable Smiles in Richardson at (972) 231-0585 and schedule a complimentary consultation.

#dentalimplants

#richardsondentist

#dallasdentist

#missingteeth

#dentaltechnology

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

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.