Total Health Dental Care | Loveable Smiles Dentistry

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.

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.

Shocking Truth 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. 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.

Jul 20

Dental Truths and Myths: Dental X-rays Are Unnecessary

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

“Dental X-Rays are unnecessary and even dangerous.”

There have been more technological advances in the field of dentistry than in any other branch of medicine.

This technology in the dental world is making everything easier to diagnose and to explain that diagnosis to the patient. Additionally, this technology provides patients with the greatest comfort as well as a pain free dental experience.

Today’s Dental CAT scans have the least amount of radiation of any Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

The dose from a single-jaw dental CT scan is about the same as the dose a patient might receive walking to their car on a sunny Texas day.

Technology for those “unseen” spaces

Dental X-Rays are so important because when we look into our mouths, only a small portion of the surface area of our teeth and gums is visible.

The unseen surface area of our teeth and the inside of our gum pockets may actually be greater than the visible surfaces, depending on how bad the pockets are. These pockets, or spaces between the gum and teeth can range from 1/16’’ deep to over ½’’ deep, all the way around the tooth. If we added up the surface area of the unseen germ world, it would be about the size of the palm of our hand. Imagine having an infected area that big for a lifetime and not doing anything about it! Yet most people don’t even realize this hidden germ world exists.

Dr. Korenman of Loveable Smiles has invested in the latest dental technology that allows him and his team to see things that normally go undetected. Using the NewTom VG3 Dental CAT-scan Dr. Korenman is able to obtain limitless, 3D views including between the teeth, under the gums, in the bones and even nerve canals and sinuses can be seen. This allows Dr. K to completely diagnose and provide full treatment options.

Patients are able to clearly see for themselves, visible, existing physical conditions.

We invite you to call Loveable Smiles for your dental CAT scan and Total Health Dental appointment at 972-231-0585

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

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.

Mar 08

4 Ways Dr. Korenman Makes Your Dental Visit Comfortable

Here at Loveable Smiles in Richardson, TX, we treat people, not teeth. We love and care deeply for our patients, our team, and our profession. It is our sincere objective to provide you with the best dental experience you have ever had!
We are the only dental office to have received the North Texas Business Ethics award from the Dallas Business Journal.
Here are 4 ways Dr. Korenman helps his patients have a comfortable dental experience:
1. Sedation – Some patients need sedation. At Loveable Smiles we can arrange for you to use Nitrous oxide, which is a safe and effective mild sedative to help you relax. Ultimately, you will feel calm and comfortable. Other patients may require a stronger sedative as they are extremely anxious and fearful. Whatever your needs are we can accommodate you.
2. Faster Healing with Laser Technology – Dr. Korenman is a part of the very small percentage of dentists (only 1%) who have invested in laser technology. This technology helps you heal faster after your dental procedures by treating dental infections, killing bacteria, regenerating gum tissue and catching cavities before they appear.
3. Massage – We massage your jaws after a dental procedure so that your muscles aren’t sore.
4. Reversing the Anesthesia – We use a “reversal agent” to eliminate the numbing effects of the anesthetic so that you can go about your day, eating and speaking without having a numb mouth.

We invite you to have an enjoyable and painless dental visit at Loveable Smiles in Richardson. Please call 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

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

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All Posts in Category: Total Health Dental Care

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.