Optimal Dental Health | Loveable Smiles Dentistry

Jun 06

Dental Truths and Myths: Baby teeth do not matter since they are going to fall out anyway

Quite often Dr. Korenman hears the following and very common dental myth:

“Baby teeth do not matter since they are going to fall out anyway.”

Here is an alarming statistic:

Tooth decay is still the most common chronic childhood disease and left untreated, it can impair a child’s ability to eat, speak, sleep and learn.

Your child’s teeth need to be strong and healthy to chew, speak, sing, smile with confidence, play a musical instrument and most important, act as “space savers” for adult teeth.

If your child prematurely loses a tooth/teeth, the tooth beside it may drift into the empty space, which then doesn’t allow for the adult teeth to erupt into its proper place.

If your child has a cavity, it’s usually painless at the beginning. If left untreated it will become quite advanced, often with no symptoms at all. The tooth can become abscessed without the child having any noticeable symptoms until it’s too late and it becomes infected and then there IS pain!

Baby teeth may be temporary, but giving them proper care can help you achieve a lifetime of oral health as well as overall health. Simple preventive checkups twice a year can prevent childhood decay and help you and your child learn how to protect their teeth throughout their lifetime as well as helping your child to have a great attitude about having dental care.

All the adults who fear having dental treatment and who hate seeing dentists tell us the horrible problems they had as children. This is extremely sad because it is so simple to prevent those bad experiences if we get to meet early enough.

Caring for Your Baby’s Teeth

Running a damp washcloth over your baby’s gums following feedings can prevent buildup of damaging bacteria.

Once your child has a few teeth showing, you can brush them with a soft child’s toothbrush or rub them with gauze at the end of the day.

The best type of toothbrush to use at first, is a long handled brush with a small head. This design makes it easy to reach all areas of your baby’s mouth.

Your baby’s toothbrush should have rounded, soft filaments. You should replace it every 10-12 weeks, or sooner if the filaments become splayed.

It isn’t absolutely essential to use toothpaste to clean your baby’s teeth – the brushing action itself is actually the most important part of keeping them clean. If you prefer to use toothpaste, then you should choose one that is designed specifically for infants, because they contain very little – if any – fluoride. In fact, the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines suggest that babies under the age of 2 receive NO fluoride at all.

Putting your baby to sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth may be convenient in the short term — but it can harm the baby’s teeth. When the sugars from juice or milk remain on a baby’s teeth for hours, they may eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as bottle mouth.

If your baby is “stubborn” and fusses about having their teeth brushed, gently continue trying every few days. Children who are nearly 2 have a passion to copy everything they see done around them. If a 2-year-old girl sees her parents brush their teeth, she one day grabs one of their brushes and insists on trying it herself. This is a good time to buy her a brush and let her go to it. Naturally, she won’t be very efficient at first, but you can help her tactfully.

During summer vacation, kids are more likely to indulge in sugary snacks like popsicles, ice cream and slushies. Parents, should be helping their child brush their teeth every night until the child is 9 or 10 years old. After that, they should have the dexterity to properly clean their teeth.

The Oral Systemic Connection is the driving force at Loveable Smiles. 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.

If our children have healthy mouths, they are more likely to have healthy bodies and can ward off serious health issues later in life.

May 24

Dental Truths and Myths: Dentures run in my family & It’s just normal aging to lose teeth

Quite often Dr. Korenman hears the following and very common dental myths:

“Dentures run in my family.” & “It’s just normal aging to lose teeth.”

The reality is that your teeth are designed to last a lifetime. They are called “Permanent teeth” for just that reason!

So many patients think it’s just a matter of old age to lose all your teeth. (Dr. K thought this himself until he learned otherwise in dental school; all of his grandparents had dentures!)

Part of the problem with this Myth is that dentists themselves do not appreciate that many people think it is part of the natural aging process and neglect to tell them the facts!

The good news is that Dr. Korenman and his team can help you achieve Optimal Dental Health to help prevent you from ever losing a tooth and/or needing dentures.

What is optimal dental health?

Here at Loveable Smiles, we will find the underlying cause of your dental problem and will eliminate it to prevent future issues. We won’t simple “patch” the problem, but will take the time to solve it so the problem doesn’t keep recurring.

Total Health Dentistry

Charles Mayo of the Mayo clinic was right when he said more than 100 years ago, “You will live another 10 years if your teeth and gums are healthy.”

We pride ourselves on educating our clients about the connection between a healthy mouth and a healthy body. At the start of each dental appointment we take our patients’ blood pressure. Additionally, we check all our patients for gum disease (which is mostly painless and affects 80% of people).

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

Since your dentist is the only physician who checks you from the neck up, if he finds that you have inflammation in your mouth, it’s highly probable you have inflammation in your body and he can recommend that you visit your cardiologist or internist.

So, if you think dentures run in your family and it’s just a normal part of the aging process to lose teeth, we encourage you to call our office for your Total Health Dental Care appointment. 972-231-0585

If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist, we want you to know that we never scold people as we understand the reasons many people stay away. We want to help people and are very happy to be chosen for their dental needs. We simply want to help you avoid more problems in the future and want to help you attain a level of dental health that is so high that the only treatment that should be required for many years is the maintenance of that level of health with properly-scheduled future visits to prevent problems from recurring. We look forward to seeing you! 972-231-0585

Jan 19

Dental Misconception: All Dentists Are Basically the Same

Not true! Every dentist has different training, different knowledge and different skills.

If you have had a bad experience in the past, it does not mean that another dentist cannot help you achieve your goal of a healthy and comfortable mouth and a smile that you can be proud of.

Here are 8 Ways Dr. Korenman of Loveable Smiles Is Not Your “Average Dentist”

1. Fear/Pain – Dr. Korenman’s #1 goal at Loveable Smiles is that you won’t experience any pain. In fact he is dedicated to reversing the trend of miserable dental events.

2. Total Health Dentistry – Dr. Korenman was very fortunate early in his career to have a mentor dentist to educate him about the mouth/body connection. Dr. Korenman will help you achieve Total Health through dentistry which includes examining your for gum disease. An increasing number of researchers are finding that there’s a link between common health conditions—like diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease—and oral health. It’s becoming clear that the body can affect the health of your mouth and vice versa.

3. Laser Technology – One of the most promising aspects of laser dentistry is improved patient comfort, less damage to surrounding tissues, and better healing. Dr. Korenman is a part of the very small percentage of dentists (only 1%) who have invested in laser technology and provides the finest dental lasers in the industry in his Richardson office.

4. Listening Dentist – He has been referred to as the “Listening Dentist” and takes the time getting to know his patients and their dental goals.

5. Evening Calls – Dr. K calls his patients the evening of their procedure to make sure they are OK.

6. Call Him! – He’ll even give you his cell number in case you have any questions about your procedure.

7. Appointment Time – We respect our patients’ time and see our patients as scheduled. We try very hard to s to make sure we time our procedures accurately. We don’t overbook or double-book our schedule.

8. You Are Never Alone – When you are called for your appointment, we walk you to your treatment room and you are never left alone.

Call our office today to schedule an appointment so we can develop a plan to help YOU achieve Total Health through dentistry. Our patients tell us they cannot believe the difference in their comfort, confidence and enjoyment of life!

We look forward to meeting you! 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.

Jan 19

How is Pancreatic Cancer related to your mouth?

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

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.

Shocking Truth About Gum Disease

The number one cause of death is inflammation.

The number one cause of inflammation is 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.

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.

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.

Jan 19

How are strokes related to your mouth?

This blog post is the fifth in a series of 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 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.

Sep 16

Liver Transplant Patient Taken Off List Due To Gum Disease

Meet Vicki, 66, of Dallas who is sharing her “Total Health Dentistry” testimony.

This is a fine example of the “Mouth-Body” connection and how your oral health affects your overall health.

Kidney problems have always run in Vicki’s family. And as a diabetic, Vicki ended up needing a kidney transplant.

After being on the list for 4.5 years she got the call that a kidney was available!

Unfortunately, Vicki had a fear of the dentist and hadn’t seen a dentist in quite some time.

Vicki was not able to receive the available kidney due to a gum infection.

She had heard about Dr. Korenman from his radio show on KAAM and decided to give our office a call.

Vicki received a root canal, fillings, had a couple of teeth pulled and a crown placed as well as a deep cleaning.

Because her mouth is now healthy again, she’s back on the transplant list.

And her fear of dentist? Gone! Dr. Korenman and his staff use the most updated technology to create a pain-free dental experience. Dr. Korenman has been referred to as the “Listening Dentist” and makes his patients feel at ease. If there is ever any discomfort, he and his staff stop the dental work, and make adjustments to ensure the patient’s comfort.

Vicki receives dialysis 3 times a week, 4 hours each session. We wish her well and hope and pray she will be able to receive a new kidney very soon! We will continue to see her at Loveable Smiles to keep her mouth healthy and therefore the rest of her body health as well!

Call Loveable Smiles for your Total Health Dental appointment at 972-231-0585.

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.

Jan 19

How is heart disease related to your mouth?

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

So, how is heart disease related to your mouth?

The number one cause of death is inflammation.

The number one cause of inflammation is gum disease.

Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal (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.
Another possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal (gum) disease increases plaque buildup, which may contribute to swelling of the arteries.

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

The good news is that Dr. Korenman and his team at Loveable Smiles in Richardson 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 at 972-231-0585.

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

May 18

4 Forms of Dental Neglect

Neglect is the most expensive thing in dentistry.

Dr. Korenman of Loveable Smiles in Richardson shares 4 forms of neglect when it comes to your teeth.

You haven’t been to the dentist in a while.
If it’s been a while since you’ve visited the dentist, we want you to know that here at Loveable Smiles, we will not judge you, criticize you or scold you. We will be thrilled to see you.
Your former dentist neglected to inform you of potential future problems.
Larry Korenman provides all of his patients with a dental plan to help them achieve Optimal Dental Health. He doesn’t just practice “Tooth Dentistry” which only fixes one problem at a time. He can save you money and future issues by advising you of potential future problems.
Your former dentist caused you pain and so you haven’t been back.
Here at Loveable Smiles, we will NEVER cause you pain. Dr. Korenman uses the latest in dental technology so that you can have a comfortable and pain-free dental experience.
You were told of problems but never got the treatment.
Once again, if it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist, we won’t scold you. We will be glad you are here, now. We have all kinds of creative financing plans to help our patients receive the dental care they need. Our patient ambassador, Kathy, works with insurance companies all the time to help the patient.

Please call our office for that much needed dental appointment. We’ll be glad to see you!

972-231-0585

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