Cavities | Loveable Smiles Dentistry

Sep 05

Type 1 Diabetes and Oral Health

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, lifelong disease that is typically diagnosed in children and teenagers. If the blood glucose levels aren’t controlled properly, the risk of developing gum and teeth problems increases for them.

A few oral health problems associated with Type 1 Diabetes are thrush, dry mouth, cavities and gum disease.

How Diabetes affects gum disease:

Uncontrolled Type I 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.
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.

Preventing Dental Complications Linked to Diabetes
The first step is keeping the child’s blood glucose level under control. If blood sugar is high, the sugar can appear in the saliva. Sugar is a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause gum disease and other oral health problems.

According to the American Dental Association, it’s recommended to brush teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste because that helps protect the teeth against tooth decay Flossing at least once a day is recommended as well because it helps remove the plaque and food particles between the teeth. Lastly, make sure to make a trip to the dentist twice a year to ensure there are no problems arising with the teeth and/or gums. Be sure to notify the dentist that your child has diabetes so that they can check the mouth for swollen gums, dry patches, bleeding and more.

If you’re looking for a gentle children’s dentist, contact the team at Loveable Smiles today. 972-231-0585

May 05

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Baby

Quite often Dr. Korenman hears a common “myth” or wives’ tale about cavities and pregnancy.

Women share with him that they had perfect teeth until they got pregnant. That all of their calcium leached out of their teeth and into the baby’s bones causing all their cavities.

The reality is that the calcium does not leach out of teeth.

There are several reasons why many pregnant women and new moms get tooth decay:

Hormones change during pregnancy causing the gums to be more susceptible to infection.
Many women experience nausea during pregnancy not allowing them to eat let alone put a toothbrush in their mouth. So the teeth aren’t getting cleaned.
Many women can only stomach certain foods and often give in to cravings that contain a lot of sugar and/or carbohydrates. These foods can cause tooth decay.

If you are pregnant, one of the most important medical appointments you can make is to call your dentist.

Why? Because the bacteria that cause gum disease may increase a mom’s risk for delivering prematurely.

Gum Disease & Developing Babies

There is a link between uncontrolled gum disease (and the mom may not even know she has gum disease as 80% of people have it) and pregnancy complications such as premature labor and preeclampsia (rise in blood pressure).

A study exploring the possible link between gum disease and preeclampsia found that 50% of the placentas from women with preeclampsia were positive for one or more periodontal pathogens.

Scientists believe these infections cause a rapid increase in certain fluids in the body that, in turn, induce labor. It’s not necessarily the infection itself but the body’s response to the infection that causes the premature birth.

Mom’s Hormones and the Baby’s Teeth

Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increase the risk of developing gum disease, which can affect the health of their babies.

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.

Additionally, pregnant women with acid reflux are also at a greater risk of tooth erosion and

periodontal problems as the acid dissolves away the protective coating of teeth (enamel) leaving them weakened and at a very high risk of needing extensive (and expensive) restorations.

Dr. Korenman recommends that women visit his office as soon as they learn or their pregnancy. Dr. Korenman and his team will test for any dental health problems that might affect your baby.

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

For the health of your unborn baby, 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.

Oct 05

Cancer & Dental Health

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a courtesy to the community, Dr. Larry Korenman of Loveable Smiles in Richardson offers complimentary fluoride trays for anyone going through chemotherapy treatments.

Because chemo can make your mouth more at risk for infection as well as make your gums bleed more easily, fluoride is used to help prevent the formation of cavities.

Please call Loveable Smiles in Richardson. 972-231-0585

Oct 05

How often should you see your hygienist for dental cleanings?

October is National Dental Hygiene Month.

How often should you see your hygienist for dental cleanings? Some people may say that you should go every six months, some people may say every 3-4 months, and others may only visit the dental office when they are experiencing pain.

So, which one is right for you?

The answer is not as black and white as you may think…

Dental cleaning frequency is completely dependent upon the patient and their individual needs.

It is the same concept as when someone goes to physical therapy or rehab and the therapist creates a custom program for each individual in order to get them back to health (there is no blanket solution).

Patients who have seen the dentist regularly and practice good oral home care may only need to have a dental cleaning every six months because they have minimal build up and little to no bleeding in the gums. On the other hand, some patients who have not seen the dentist regularly and/or do not practice good oral home care may need to have their teeth cleaned every 3 to 4 months because they have moderate to severe build up and bleeding in the gums or they have been previously diagnosed with periodontal disease (loss of bone around the teeth).

The goal is to get your teeth cleaned frequently enough to keep the bacterial plaque build up at a minimal level so that either healing can occur or so that the tissues can stay in an optimum state of health.

In order to see what frequency is right for you, you should see your hygienist and discuss what treatment cycle will give your teeth and gums the best outcome.

Call for your dental hygiene appointment! 972-231-0585

Oct 05

Replace Your Silver Fillings at Loveable Smiles in Richardson, TX

Teeth and fillings expand and contract at different rates. Over many years of ingesting hot and then cold food and drink, silver fillings experience expansion and contraction. The contraction creates openings between the tooth and the filling material. The expansion can contribute to the tooth cracking or worse, splitting.

Dr. Korenman has even seen a large part of a tooth break off with the metal filling still completely intact.

Additionally, when you chew and your teeth come together there’s a lot of pressure and force at work, and the metal filling takes the brunt of that pressure…which can also lead to the tooth being fractured much like a log being split.

When the seal between the tooth and the filling breaks down, food particles and decay-causing bacteria work their way between the worn filling and the tooth. These bacteria cannot be removed with a toothbrush or by any other means, and decay may develop along the edge of the filling or underneath it.

The most frustrating part of all this is that it happens painlessly with very few signs of a problem.

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.

He and his team can safely and effectively remove your silver fillings and restore your teeth to their their natural strength, beauty, and function.

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

Dec 29

Childhood Cavity Prevention

Did you know that cavities are one of the most prevalent chronic diseases of childhood? In fact, it is five times more common than asthma among children in the United States. If left untreated, a cavity can lead to a tooth abscess, or even the need to have the tooth removed. One untreated cavity can lead to a whole mouthful of problems, as cavities are most often caused by bacteria that can spread quickly.

The good news is, childhood cavities are preventable! Tips for preventing cavities in childhood include:

Never put juice, soda, or other sweetened drinks in a baby’s bottle. Bottles should only contain breast milk, water, or formula, because when using a bottle the liquid spends more time in contact with gum tissue.
Never put baby to bed with a bottle, unless it only contains water.
Switch children from using a bottle to using a cup by their first birthday.
Do not dip a child’s pacifier in anything to make it more palatable. Also, if the pacifier falls onto the floor, do not put it into your own mouth the “clean” it, as cavity-causing bacteria can then be passed on to the child.
When your child’s first tooth appears, begin a brushing routine twice a day with a small, soft toothbrush and a tiny amount of fluoridated toothpaste.
Begin dental visits early! The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child visit the dentist by age 1, or within 6 months of getting their first tooth.

Childhood cavities are painful and can affect the overall health of your child’s developing mouth. Routine checkups and regular cleanings are the best way to prevent and detect any tooth decay that may be developing. Here at Loveable Smiles, we use the latest technology for early detection and comfortable treatment. We invite you to schedule your child’s Total Health Dental Appointment with our online form or by calling 972-231-0585.

Jun 28

Sip All Day, Get Decay – The Dangerous Dental Effects of Carbonated Drinks

With Texas summer in full force, it’s easy to cool down with sugary, carbonated drinks like sodas, juices and sport drinks.

According to the Pediatric Dental Health website, each American drinks more than 53 gallons of carbonated drinks every year, much of it in the form of soft drinks.

Additionally, some patients who are trying to avoid soda opt for another type of carbonated drink: various types of seltzer water, club soda, sparkling water, and carbonated mineral water.

Let’s start with the sugar.

Everyone knows that sugar is bad for our teeth.

Specifically, sugar in soda combines with bacteria in your mouth to form acid within 30 seconds, which attacks the teeth. Diet or “sugar-free” soda contains its own acid, which also can damage teeth. Each attack lasts about 20 – 30 minutes and starts over with every sip of soda you take.

The reality of carbonated beverages.

The potential for dental erosion from carbonated drinks is due to the phosphoric acid, citric acid or carbonic acid. Any of these can erode tooth enamel. Over time the acid dissolves the calcium in your teeth leaving behind a mushy mess called a cavity.

The calcium in saliva works to remineralize teeth after exposure to small amounts of eroding acid, but with the increased consumption of carbonated beverages, it’s not enough.

Even diet soft drinks contain damaging acids. People often consume many soft drinks over the course of a day, which means tooth enamel is exposed to the acids over several hours.

Unfortunately, sparkling water is also very acidic due to the carbonation which can combine with the water to form carbonic acid.

Additionally, teeth with weakened enamel are also more susceptible to staining.

Tips for drinking carbonated beverages:

Reduce or eliminate the beverage from your diet.
Use a straw to prevent contact between the soda and your teeth.
Thoroughly rinse your mouth with water after drinking soda.
Drink soda within a short period of time and then rinse, instead of sipping slowly over an extended period of time.

Dr. Larry Korenman of Loveable Smiles in Richardson has a refreshing solution to make water a bit less boring and more like a treat. Making your own infused water is practically calorie free and gives you a refreshing way to stay hydrated.

You can infuse water easily with fruit, vegetables, and herbs. This goes beyond the classic ubiquitous lemon slice in water. It’s one of those things where you can get super creative and think outside the bottle. The possibilities are endless! Add the fruit and herbs into a bottle of cool water. Let the water refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to infuse and then enjoy!

Loveable Smiles – 972-231-0585

www.loveablesmiles.com

Jun 14

Dental Truths and Myths: Silver fillings don’t need to be replaced.

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

“Silver fillings don’t need to be replaced.”

One of the most hotly debated issues among dentists these days is whether or not old, silver amalgam fillings in the mouths of so many Americans are safe.

Silver fillings, also known as dental amalgam, are a mixture of liquid (elemental) mercury and a powdered alloy composed of silver, tin and copper. In fact, there is more mercury than any other metal so they should be called “mercury fillings” rather than “silver fillings” but who would allow mercury to be put into their body?

Primary Fears About Mercury

Many people claim mercury leeches out over time from these silver fillings – more if you drink hot liquids and chew gum or grind your teeth and they are concerned about dangerous levels of mercury vapors leading to mercury toxicity.

Some people claim that mercury has been linked to autoimmune diseases, neurological issues, chronic diseases and even mental disorders.

The FDA did a long-term study proving that amalgam is not dangerous when used as a filling in teeth. Science has proved that the mercury in fillings do not cause these diseases; however, amalgam does pose a huge problem in teeth.

The Real Danger with Silver Fillings

Teeth and fillings expand and contract at different rates. Over many years of ingesting hot and then cold food and drink, the fillings experience expansion and contraction. The contraction creates openings between the tooth and the filling material. The expansion can contribute to the tooth cracking or worse, splitting. Dr. Korenman has even seen a large part of a tooth break off with the metal filling still completely intact.

Broken filling.

The most frustrating part of all this is that it happens painlessly with very few signs of a problem. We use high magnification to detect these openings between the filling and the tooth structure and with the intraoral cameras we use, you can see this yourself on the photographs.

Technology for those “unseen” spaces

When we look into our mouths, only a small portion of the surface area of our teeth and gums is visible.

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.

Additionally, Dr. Korenman has invested in CEREC Technology which uses ceramic materials to restore your teeth to their natural strength, beauty, and function. The best thing about CEREC, is that your teeth can be restored in one visit to the dentist. Your crown is designed and milled right here in our office! A few years ago, you had to visit the dentist 3 or 4 or even more times in order to perform teeth restoration. The technology saves a lot of time for our patients.

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 11

Dental Truths and Myths: I know my teeth; I would know if I have a problem

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

“I’d know if my teeth had problems – I know my teeth.”

While there are occasional situations where patients have an immediate oral infection or injury that does hurt, the reality is pain is not a reliable indicator of dental problems.

A cavity can form, sometimes becoming quite advanced, with no symptoms at all. It can grow into an abscessed tooth without the person having any noticeable symptoms until it’s too late and it becomes infected and then there IS pain!

Here’s another startling statistic:

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 and statistically 70% of dentists do not screen their patients on a yearly basis and even they will miss diagnosing this terrible problem.

Dr. Korenman encourages his patients to schedule their Total Health Dental appointment at regular intervals not only to have a healthy mouth, but a healthy body. Many of these unknown oral issues can contribute to inflammation in your body and lead to a host of issues including heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. Learn more about the mouth body connection here. http://loveablesmiles.com/category/total-health-dental-care/

Technology for those “unseen” spaces

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.

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

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“I’d know if my teeth had problems – I know my teeth.”