Children | 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

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

Jan 09

Laser Technology at Loveable Smiles

One thing that sets Loveable Smiles apart from other dental offices is that Dr. Korenman is a part of a very small percentage of dentists (only 1%) who have invested in laser technology and provides the finest dental lasers in the industry: the WaterLase iPlus™ all tissue laser system and the EPIC Diode Laser by Biolase.

One of the most promising aspects of laser dentistry is improved patient comfort, less damage to surrounding tissues, and better healing.

Dr. Korenman uses laser technology in his office for a variety of issues including:

Dry Mouth
Bad Breath
Tongue Tie & Lip Tie in Babies
Canker Sores

Learn more about the dental technology used at Loveable Smiles by clicking here.

May 23

Mouth Restoration Helps Grandson Move Forward In Life Again

It’s been said that a grandchild fills a space in the heart that you never knew was empty.

This is certainly true for one of our patients who has helped her grandson with extensive dental work here at Loveable Smiles. A full mouth restoration for her grandson has been life changing for this young man.

To protect identities, we’ll refer to this precious grandmother as J.P.

It had been such a long time since J.P.’s grandson had been to the dentist, that he was afraid and embarrassed to go.

Additionally, due to his dental situation, he had a hard time eating and was embarrassed by his mouth.

He didn’t smile, he didn’t show his teeth and J.P. says her grandson’s lack of self-confidence was the cause of his struggle to find direction and move forward in life.

J.P. had heard that Dr. Korenman of Loveable Smiles was the one to see if you had a fear of dentists. He’s known for his is dedication to reversing the trend of miserable dental events.

J.P. made an appointment for her grandson and she admits she was nervous about how he would react to the experience.

Once J.P.’s grandson met Dr. Korenman, she says he felt comfortable and felt a connection with not only the dentist, but the entire staff.

J.P. shares, “Everyone at Loveable Smiles was very warm and very compassionate. We both felt comfortable immediately. Dr. Korenman has the technology and the skills – the whole package to help his patients.”

Despite the 3-hour drive, J.P.’s grandson never wavered in his commitment to maintaining the various appointments that were needed to complete his dental work.

J.P. proudly reports that this dental work has been life changing for her grandson. He’s moving forward in life again. He’s making plans, meeting goals and living on his own.

Best of all, his beautiful smile has returned. It’s the same smile J.P. remembers from when her grandson was a young boy of 8.

If you are someone you love has a fear of dentists, Dr. Korenman 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 your last appointment, we want you to know that we never will scold you or make you feel guilty about that because we are just glad to see you.

We are here to serve you for a healthy future.

We invite you to have an enjoyable and painless dental visit at Loveable Smiles in Richardson. Please call 972-231-0585.

May 14

Pregnant in Dallas? Call Your Dentist

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.

If you are pregnant, no doubt you are constantly bombarded with tips, advice and opinions.

Here is a tip to safeguard the health of your baby; please, go see your dentist.

The bacteria that cause gum disease may increase a mom’s risk for delivering prematurely. (Mom, you may not even know you have gum disease. Yes, those hormones can also affect your gums!)

Gum Disease & Developing Babies

There is a link between uncontrolled gum disease (once again, mom may not even know she has gum disease) 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 gum disease 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 & Tooth Decay

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 health problems that might affect your baby.

If you are diagnosed with gum disease, Dr. Korenman can design a safe treatment plan 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.

#pregnancy

#pregnancyhormones

#toothdecay

Apr 30

Healthy Mother’s Day Gift Ideas in Richardson, TX

This Mother’s Day, Pamper Mom With a Little Help from Loveable Smiles!

Give her the gift of a bright smile with a Laser Teeth Whitening Gift Certificate.

Extend Mom’s Life with the gift of a Dental Implant

Charles Mayo of Mayo Clinic said 100 years ago, “You will live an extra 10 years if you keep your mouth healthy.”

Give her the gift of a Straighter Smile With Invisalign for as low as $140 a month!

Call us Today to Order Your Gift Certificates.

(972) 231-0585

Apr 11

7 year old receives Frenectomy for Upper Lip Tie in Richardson, TX Dallas/Ft. Worth

Today my 7 year old daughter Lauren had an upper lip frenectomy at Loveble Smiles in Richardson. She has a gap in her two front teeth and it is our hope that by removing the flap of skin under her upper lip, and as her adult teeth come in, that will help to close the gap. She may still have to have some orthodontic work, but by performing the frenectomy now, that will allow for more “shifting” of her teeth as her permanent teeth grow in.

Dr. Korenman is known as the “Listening Dentist” and I would also say he is the “Gently Explains” dentist.

He took the time to talk about and demonstrate each step of the procedure to put my daughter at ease. He showed her the cool water that comes out of the Biolase laser and the red “laser light.”

I think all of this explanation and Dr. Korenman’s gentle nature helped my daughter to remain calm during the entire procedure.

It was fascinating to watch and I’m thankful Dr. Korenman has invested in the latest dental technology to be able to conduct these types of services painlessly.

Thank you Dr. Korenman for taking great care of my daughter!

Jan 19

Affordable & Successful Laser Frenectomy for Tongue Tie & Lip Tie in Dallas, TX & Richardson, TX

Thanks to laser technology, Dr. Larry Korenman of Loveable Smiles in Richardson, TX has been helping infants who have trouble nursing due to tongue-tie and lip-tie issues.

Here are more photos of babies Dr. Korenman has been able to help recently!

The Laser Frenectomy at Loveable Smiles in Richardson uses cool water during the procedure. There is virtually no bleeding, no pain, no risk of infection and the healing is almost instantaneous for infants. The procedure takes less than 1 minute.

Dr. Korenman was featured on WFAA Channel 8 about the service.

You can watch it here. http://www.wfaa.com/videos/news/health/2015/02/24/simple-solution-helps-nursing-babies/23965539/

To schedule a consultation to check your baby for a lip or tongue tie, please call our office at Loveable Smiles at 972-231-0585.

Pediatric dentist Dallas Ft. Worth

Jan 19

Affordable & Successful Laser Frenectomy for Tongue Tie & Lip Tie in Dallas, TX & Richardson, TX

Thanks to laser technology, Dr. Larry Korenman of Loveable Smiles in Richardson, TX has been helping infants who have trouble nursing due to tongue-tie and lip-tie issues.

Baby Neilah, 7 weeks old, was recently in the office to have a frenectomy for both her lip and tongue ties.

Before her frenectomy, Neilah’s mom, Hillary, shares the following:

She had a lot of discomfort with nursing.
She could hear “clicking” whenever Neilah nursed and a lot of milk would leak out of the corner of her baby’s mouth.
Neilah seemed to be swallowing a lot of air and experienced a lot of gassy, abdominal pain.

During the laser procedure, Hillary was able to swaddle her baby in a blanket and hold her during the entire procedure, which lasted about 1 minute.

Hillary shares that Dr. Korenman and his staff made the procedure very easy. She is grateful that the office hours at Loveable Smiles in Richardson were convenient and Dr. K’s fees were more reasonable that other providers she had researched.

After her laser procedure to fix her lip and tongue ties, Hillary reports that Baby Neilah is doing great! There is no clicking and she’s eating more when she nurses. Baby Neilah hasn’t been as fussy since the procedure and mom thinks this is due to Neilah not swallowing so much air when she nurses.

Dr. Korenman was featured on WFAA Channel 8 about the service.

You can watch it here. http://www.wfaa.com/videos/news/health/2015/02/24/simple-solution-helps-nursing-babies/23965539/

To schedule a consultation to check your baby for a lip or tongue tie, please call our office at Loveable Smiles at 972-231-0585.

Pediatric dentist Dallas Ft. Worth

Jul 06

What To Do In A Dental Emergency in Dallas, TX

Dr. Korenman of Loveable Smiles in Richardson share the following tips if you experience at dental emergency.

If you have an accident and your tooth is still in your mouth:

Straighten it and quickly apply ice.
Call your dentist right away. Loveable Smiles can be reached at 972-231-0585 and we answer our phone 24/7.

If your tooth is knocked out during an accident:

Find the tooth and clean it off.
Place the tooth in a small container of milk. The calcium in the milk helps keep your tooth moisturized.
See your dental professional as soon as possible, preferably within 30 minutes.
Don’t forget to take the tooth with you.

With prompt attention, a permanent tooth may be re-implanted into the tooth socket and saved. The dentist will then monitor it and determine what other treatment may be necessary depending on how it reattaches.

If you can’t get a hold of your dentist, you should go to an emergency room.

At Loveable Smiles in Richardson, TX, Dr. Korenman provides his cell phone number on his business card.

Additionally, we have someone answering our business line 24/7. That number is 972-231-0585

We pride ourselves on being a pain-free dental office.

We will do everything possible to help you stay out of pain.