Category: oral health

Is It An Emergency? Part 2

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Do you think you are having a dental emergency, but you’re not entirely sure? Don’t worry; we are here to help! If you’re not sure if something is severe enough to warrant a dental visit, we are always just a phone call away. But, in the meantime, here are a few situations that definitely warrant a call to our office. This is the second half of a two-part blog on dental emergencies and what to do when you have one!

If you have pain, call us. If you’re experiencing the sudden onset of tooth pain, or it hurts to put pressure on the tooth or if it is continually throbbing, keeping you up all night and you’re getting no relief with pain relievers, you could have an abscessed tooth and need to be seen as soon as possible.

If you have pain in the jaw or jaw dysfunction, call us. Are you having sudden pain in your TMJ joints? (They are the tiny joints located on either side of your jaw, just below your ear). If you’re having unexplained pain in the TMJs, neck, or ear, or your jaw is clicking, popping, and hard to open and close, you need to call us. You could be living with undiagnosed temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). TMJD pain can be chronic or acute (sudden).

If you have lost a filling, crown, or other restoration, call us. While these conditions may not be severe, they can be annoying and painful, and if left untreated, could result in more damage or infection. Damaged restorations can also negatively affect your bite, which leaves you at risk of developing TMJD or additional damage to your teeth.

If you’re experiencing any of these situations, pain, or discomfort, call Millennium Smiles at 972-987-4899 to get an appointment as soon as possible.

Drinking Enough Water?

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Do you drink enough water? No, really. Do you try to get as many ounces per day as you can, or do you drink a little here and there? If you’re not getting enough, you could be dehydrated – which can cause stress on every cell, organ, and system of your body – including your mouth. Dry mouth affects everyone at some point in their life, and the majority of dry mouth cases are because individuals are just not drinking enough. If you’re not getting enough water and have the chronic feeling of cotton mouth, you are at risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease.

What Are the Symptoms of Dry Mouth?

Well, the first symptom of dry mouth is feeling thirsty, a dry, sticky feeling in the mouth, burning or tingling in the mouth or tongue and chapped lips that won’t seem to go away no matter how much you moisturize. Additionally, chronic dry mouth can cause bad breath and even difficulty swallowing, speaking, and chewing.

If dry mouth persists, it can even alter how food tastes.

The Risks of Dry Mouth

Like we mentioned, chronic dry mouth can leave you at risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease because saliva has a critical role in the health of your mouth; it contains the minerals you need to fortify your teeth against enamel erosion and also helps to wash away bacteria and sticky plaque.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Dry Mouth?

The first thing you can do is drink enough water. A good rule of -thumb is to divide your weight in half to get the target number of ounces you should consume each day.

Chew sugar-free gum. Gum helps to keep the production of saliva going. Select a brand with Xylitol instead of sugar.

Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption. These substances cause further dehydration.

Practice good oral hygiene. This will keep your mouth healthy despite dry conditions.

Talk to Dr. Korous. There may be mouth rinses or mouthwashes available to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms.

Do you struggle with chronic dry mouth? Let Dr. Korous know! Call us today at 972-987-4899 to make an appointment to talk about it.

Tired All the Time?

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Do you wake up feeling refreshed and well-rested in the morning? Or, do you wake up feeling like a member of The Walking Dead and that you got no rest at all despite sleeping for several hours? If you are struggling to keep your eyes during the day, you may be living with undiagnosed sleep apnea, a serious, chronic health condition that does not just impact your sleep but can also lead to diabetes, heart disease, and other serious health issues.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

There are a variety of causes, but most commonly, the airway is blocked by the tonsils, adenoids, and/or tongue during sleep.

Here’s how you can tell you may have sleep apnea and how Millennium Smiles can help:

Eight Signs You Could Have Sleep Apnea

1. You snore a lot. Snoring is probably the most well-known symptom of sleep apnea, with pauses throughout the night.

2. Choking or gasping. If you wake up gasping for air or your partner says you stop breathing, you could be living with sleep apnea.

3. Feeling tired despite “getting enough sleep”. If you’re going to bed at a reasonable hour and waking up still tired and sluggish.

4. Unexplained lack of energy. It’s okay to be lazy or relax at times, but if you’re always tired and lack the energy to do things you want to do or need to do, you may be living with undiagnosed sleep apnea.

5. Frequently waking up with a sore throat or dry throat. How does this relate to sleep apnea? When your mouth is open because you cannot breathe, it dries out your throat.

6. Waking up with headaches. Do you wake up with a headache? Around your sinuses or temples? It could be because of sleep apnea-related tooth clenching (another fun side effect of the condition).

7. Lack of focus. Many people with undiagnosed sleep apnea complain about difficulty concentrating on tasks throughout the day. They also often report having difficulty remembering things. Why? Sleep apnea prevents your brain from getting enough oxygen and causes the blood-brain barrier of the brain to degrade, which affects both memory and cognition.

8. Irritability. Are you cranky? Of course, you are – you are exhausted, not getting good sleep, and missing out on critical oxygen! That would make us cranky, too.

So, Millennium Smiles Can Help with Sleep Apnea?

Yes, we can! Using state-of-the-art appliance therapy, we can help to open the airway, which reduces the interruptions in your sleep and allows you to feel rested. Find out why appliance therapy is beneficial compared to conventional treatment methods such as a CPAP machine or surgery. Call us now for more information at 972-987-4899.

Mind Your Mouth

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Have you ever been told to stand up straight?

Stop slouching? Keep your shoulders back and your chin up? What about put your tongue behind your top teeth? Keep your jaw in the correct position? Make sure your teeth do not touch? While some of these phrases you have probably heard as a reminder to mind your posture, we are willing to bet that the last few you have never heard or considered to be related to posture at all. But, did you know that you should mind the position of your mouth, too? While this may sound strange, oral rest posture is a real thing and something to really be concerned about. Find out why you should mind your mouth in this blog from Millennium Smiles.

What is Oral Rest Posture?

Oral rest posture, also known as resting mouth position, is the position of our tongue, lips, and jaw when our mouth is at rest (i.e., not talking, chewing, or swallowing). Ideal oral rest posture means the tongue is all the way against the roof of your mouth without touching the back of your front teeth, the teeth are slightly apart, and the lips can close without stretching.

Why Is Oral Rest Posture Important?

Proper oral rest posture is important because it allows us to breathe easier and through the nose, encourages proper jaw growth, will enable us to speak clearly and contributes to healthy teeth.

Signs of Poor Oral Rest Posture?

Can you have poor oral posture? We know it sounds weird, but yes, you can. Here are physical signs to look for:

  • Mouth is open at rest
  • Breathing through the mouth
  • Tongue tip is pushing against the front teeth
  • Tongue is protruding
  • Lower jaw is hanging forward

Consequences of Poor Oral Rest Position

Just some of the effects of a poor oral rest position include:

  • Malocclusion of the bite (underbite, overbite, protruding front teeth, or crowded teeth)
  • Sleep apnea
  • Mouth breathing
  • Difficulty focusing and behaviors that mimic ADD/ADHD
  • Poor oral hygiene and tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD)
  • Orofacial muscular imbalance
  • Articulation problems or difficulty speaking
  • Tongue thrust swallow

Poor oral rest posture can also contribute to abnormal facial feature and jaw development, such as:

  • protruding jaws
  • deep bite
  • open bite
  • long face syndrome.

When the tongue is not in the proper rest position, it can even affect how the neck, shoulders, and back develop.

What Should You Do About Poor Oral Rest Posture?

Poor oral rest posture can be treated through myofunctional therapy and other oral therapies. Call Dr. Korous at  972-987-4899 to schedule an evaluation for yourself or your child if you believe that you have an improper oral rest posture.

The Power of PRP

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You may have heard of PRP, aka platelet-rich plasma, for facials, hair restoration, and joint repair, but did you know PRP is increasing in popularity in dentistry, too?

It’s true. This powerful substance is full of growth factors, antibodies, and healing power. Millennium Smiles uses PRP in patients after tooth extractions to speed healing and reduce the risk of infection and dry sockets. Learn more about PRP in this blog.

What Exactly Is PRP?

Image of PRP before being during dental extraction.

PRP is the plasma byproduct of blood rich in platelets, the tiny blood cells that play a big role in clotting. PRP has been used for years in a variety of hospital settings, but only recently, has become more mainstream for cosmetic, regenerative medicine, and dental uses.

PRP’s popularity and availability have increased in recent years because new technology allows for the easy harvest of platelets from just a few vials of blood.

Why Is PRP So Beneficial After Extractions?

PRP has some significant benefits. For one, it allows the body to use its natural healing power. It also speeds up healing, because the growth factors and antibodies found in PRP signal the body to send blood, oxygen and other nutrients to the wound site. PRP also tells the stem cells in the area of the wound to wake up and start regenerating into new tissue. In fact, within just 30 minutes after an extraction, blood vessels and cells are growing into a web-like structure in the wound to protect the jaw bone from being exposed.

Another reason that PRP is so beneficial after dental extractions is that PRP also contains BMP or bone morphogenic protein. BMP plays a critical role in forming new bone tissue, which helps to keep the area of the extraction in good health and can potentially mean patients can skip bone grafts if their jaw is healthy enough to accommodate a dental implant.

Other Benefits of PRP

It’s safe. PRP comes directly from the patient’s own blood, and therefore cannot transmit disease or be rejected by the immune system.

It’s convenient. There is no need to go to a laboratory or hospital to have your PRP generated. Dr. Korous has the state-of-the-art technology to take a small amount of your blood and process it into PRP in the office in about 20 minutes.

It’s powerful. PRP can speed up healing time and heal tissues quickly compared to conventional membrane usage in dental extractions.

For more information about PRP and its benefits, call Millennium Smiles at 972-987-4899.

Tongue Talk

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We talk a lot about teeth. It can be expected – we are a dental office, after all. But, do you know that Dr. Korous is also concerned about the health of your tongue, too? The tongue is just as important to your mouth as your teeth and gums, and without it, you would not be able to taste, speak, or swallow. Here are some other facts about your tongue and a few ways to keep it healthy.

Tongue Facts

  • The tongue heals faster than any other part of your body.
  • The tongue is a muscle but functions independently of bones. (This makes it unique in comparison to all of the other muscles in the body.)
  • Not only is the tongue a muscle, but it also contains muscles. Eight muscles help the tongue move, flip, fold, and curl.
  • Although the tongue is a muscle, it contains eight muscles, too. These muscles allow you to curl, flip or fold your tongue.
  • Your tongue helps you swallow by moving food to your throat.
  • The tongue helps clean food out of your teeth after eating involuntarily. (Don’t stop flossing, though!)
  • The average tongue contains 3,000 to 10,000 taste buds, but some individuals can have more than 30,000 taste buds!
  • Ninety percent of taste buds are on the tongue, and ten percent are found on the cheeks and gums.
  • Did you know that your tongue contains half of the bacteria in your mouth? This makes taking care of your tongue all that more important!

Which brings us to another point, how exactly should you take care of your tongue? Here’s what we recommend:

Brush regularly. Yes, brush your teeth, but also brush your tongue, too, to reduce bacteria build up. Some people opt to brush their tongue with a toothbrush, while others choose a tongue scraper as part of their regular oral hygiene routine.

When you brush, be gentle, or else you may damage your taste buds. You can add a layer of toothpaste to your tongue before you brush to make it a more comfortable process.

Rinse. Rinsing after brushing or scraping helps to get rid of bacteria and keep your mouth healthy. You can also add saltwater to your rinsing routine, occasionally, too! Use one cup of water with just half a teaspoon of salt and swish for 30 seconds to a minute.

Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water is critical for your tongue’s health and your health overall. Try to get at least half your body weight in ounces per day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, aim to drink 75 ounces of water per day.

A healthy tongue is pink; if your tongue is discolored or has white or black spots, sores, or lesions, it’s time to schedule a checkup with Dr. Korous by calling 972-987-4899

Why Myofunctional Therapy?

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Struggling with TMJD, sleep apnea, tooth clenching or tooth grinding or other uncomfortable dental condition? You may be a candidate for myofunctional therapy at Millennium Smiles. During myofunctional therapy, we work to retrain the tongue and other muscles that may be impacting your teeth, jaws and the health of your mouth.

Why Choose Myofunctional Therapy?

  • It’s noninvasive. Myofunctional therapy requires exercises and appliances – no surgery!
  • Appliances are removable versus fixed appliances used for orthodontic treatment.
  • It can be combined with other treatments for better results.
  • It is not just cosmetic treatment; it improves how your whole mouth functions for chewing, biting, speaking and swallowing.
  • It helps you breathe through your nose, which helps eliminate the negative consequences of mouth breathing.
  • Speaking of mouth breathing, myofunctional therapy can cure sleep apnea in some cases. How? Myofunctional therapy can retrain your tongue, face, and throat muscles to relax in a way that does not blog your airway.
  • Anyone can do it. While myofunctional therapy works best when patients are younger, it can still work for adults.

Who Does Myofunctional Therapy Help?

  • Individuals living with TMJD
  • Individuals who clench and grind their teeth
  • Individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment
  • Individuals experiencing orthodontic relapses, such as crowding, shifting, open bite, and crossbite
  • Individuals who breathe through their mouth
  • Individuals with tongue ties/tongue restriction and those who have had a frenectomy (tongue tie release surgery)
  • Individuals with bad oral habits such as thumb sucking and nail-biting
  • Individuals living with allergies
  • Individuals living with sleep apnea and other sleep breathing disorders
  • Individuals living with ADD/ADHD

Are you an individual with a condition we mentioned? Do you want to learn more about how myofunctional therapy from Millennium smiles can help you? Call us at 972-987-4899 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Korous today!

Don’t Put Off Seeing the Dentist

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So, the American Dental Association suggests that individuals visit their dentists at least twice per year, but while twice a year is great for some, others may need to make more frequent appointments for things such as periodontal maintenance, extra cleanings, or because they have a condition, such as sleep apnea or TMJD that requires extra attention. But, when else should you visit Millennium Smiles?

If you’re experiencing any of these situations, call today to schedule an appointment:

Pain. Many things can be the source of tooth pain, but all of the reasons mean you need to see a dentist. The most common reasons include cavities, tooth sensitivity, an abscess, or injury, but also pain caused by tooth clenching and tooth grinding. Pain can also be caused by gum disease or heavy-handed brushing. If you’re experiencing tooth pain or discomfort, do not delay. We repeat: do not delay. Call us to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Sensitivity. Are you living with tooth sensitivity? Does it hurt when you drink hot coffee or iced tea? Do you ask for “water without ice” when out to eat? If you’re avoiding your favorite food and drinks because your teeth hurt, you don’t have to live with pain. Call Millennium Smiles today and get seen by Dr. Korous. Sensitive teeth can be caused by tooth decay, enamel loss, gum disease, injury, an exposed tooth root, injury, or heavy-handed brushing. Dr. Korous will be able to help get you out of pain and back to eating ice cream in no time.

Damage. Do you have a tooth or teeth that are chipped, cracked, or fractured? If so, schedule an appointment as soon as possible to get checked. During your appointment, Dr. Korous will be able to assess the damage and see if your tooth can be saved. If your tooth cannot be saved, Millennium Smiles offers a wide range of cosmetic dental solutions to restore your smile.

Dry Mouth. Did you know that chronic dry mouth is a problem? If you are living with long-term dry mouth, no matter how much you drink or rinse, you may have an underlying health condition that can negatively impact your oral health. Call now to set up an appointment to discuss your dry mouth concerns.

Bad Breath. Bad breath happens to everyone at some point, but bad breath that won’t go away no matter how much you brush could mean that you are living with tooth decay or gum disease. Talk to Dr. Korous about what you’re experiencing and get a solution for chronic bad breath.

If you’re experiencing any of these conditions, call us today at 972-987-4899 to get an appointment.

Want Whiter Teeth? Try These Foods!

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Want a bright, white smile? Who doesn’t? If you’re like most people, you want your pearly whites to look, well, pearly. One way to keep your teeth looking great is to brush and floss regularly and to visit Millennium Smiles for regular cleanings. Another way to keep teeth looking bright is to avoid foods that can leave them stained, such as wine, coffee, tea, and some fruits. However, did you know that eating certain foods can help to whiten your teeth, too?

Whiten Teeth with These Foods Teeth – Naturally!

Consider Crunchy Foods. Crunchy and fibrous foods such as carrots, celery, and apples require much chewing, and as a result, their fibrous pulp helps to scrub away sticky dental plaque and polish stains away from your tooth enamel. Broccoli, especially, serves a natural toothbrush and helps to brush away stains.

Don’t Forget About Dairy Products. Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese contain lactic acid which can help whiten your teeth and lighten stains. Do you love cheese? If so, you’ll be happy to know that eating cheese yields an additional benefit for your teeth; cheese can affect the pH balance of the mouth and make it unfriendly for decay-causing bacteria.

Think About Citrus Fruit. Citrus fruit such as oranges and grapefruit can help brighten your teeth because citric acid can neutralize decay-causing bacteria, too. However, a word of caution before you start stocking up on citrus – too much citric acid can cause damage to your tooth enamel.

Stop and Eat Strawberries. Strawberries? Yes, strawberries. Although these favorite-of-many-fruits seem to stain everything else, the malic acid found in strawberries acts a natural whitening agent against stains.

Choose Chocolate. Yep, chocolate. Specifically, dark chocolate. Why dark chocolate? Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that work to neutralize that bacteria that cause tooth decay, and an alkaloid known as theobromine that can help repel stains.

Stay Hydrated. By now, you probably know that staying hydrated can help protect your health and keep your body systems functioning properly. But, did you know that water helps keep your teeth looking great, too? Yes! Water helps by rinsing away foods and drinks that cause staining.

Do you want whiter teeth? Call Millennium Smiles today for more information about tooth whitening and other cosmetic treatments.

Brushing Correctly? Make Sure With These Tips From Dr. Korous!

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Do you think you’re a pro at brushing your teeth? You probably have been doing it many years now, and really, is there a wrong way to do it? It turns out, there actually is. Improper brushing can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Find out how to make sure you take care of your teeth the right way with these teeth brushing tips from Millennium Smiles

1. Check Your Form. Are you holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle when you brush? This is the angle recommended by the American Dental Association to clean your teeth effectively. Why? Because brushing your teeth at a 45-degree angle allows the bristles of your toothbrush to reach all surfaces of your teeth. Brushing with your toothbrush at this angle is especially important when brushing your molars because the curves of these teeth make cleaning them properly critical. While we are talking about brushing, be sure not to put too much force on your teeth because you could wear away enamel. 

2. Check Your Brush. While a manual toothbrush can get your teeth clean, its cleaning capabilities are nothing compared to those of a soft-bristled electric toothbrush. Using an electric toothbrush means a more efficient and thorough cleaning. Dr. Korous offers patients several different electric toothbrush options. Ask her what toothbrush she recommends for you when you are in for your next appointment.

3. Check Your Time. Did you know that it takes two full minutes of brushing to make sure all the surfaces of your teeth are clean? The ADA and Dr. Korous recommend that you brush two full minutes every time you brush to ensure you removing sticky dental plaque. Time yourself next time you brush to see if you’re brushing for a full two minutes.

4. Check Your Tongue. One of the most common mistakes people make when brushing their teeth is that they forget to brush their tongue. The tongue collects the same bacteria as the teeth and gums, so brushing is key to keeping your mouth healthy. It also keeps your breath fresh, too!

5. Take Time to Floss. Did you know that flossing does 40 percent of the work of your toothbrush? Flossing helps to remove food particles that get stuck between your teeth and can’t be removed by your brush. Getting these particles out of your teeth takes the food source away from the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Now that you know how if you’re brushing correctly, it’s time to schedule a cleaning with us! Call Millennium Smiles, your Frisco dental experts, today at 972-987-4899.

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