Tag: general dentistry frisco tx

Is It An Emergency? Part 2

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

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.

Is It An Emergency? Part 1

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

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 first of a two-part blog on dental emergencies and what to do when you have one!

If your face is swollen, call us. Unexplained swelling of the face means that you could have an infection in the tooth, bone infection, or gum infection that requires professional treatment (and likely antibiotics).

If your tooth is knocked, call us. Having a tooth knocked out warrants a call to us immediately. If you’ve lost a tooth and can locate it, pick it up by the crown (the part of the tooth you bite with), put it in a cup of saliva and come on in. Read how to handle if your child knocks out a tooth.

If you have a cracked, broken, or chipped a tooth, call us. If you’ve experienced damage to a tooth such as a crack, chip, or total fracture, you’re going to need a dental crown to hold your tooth -together so you can use it as you usually would.

If your mouth is bleeding, call us. If you have unexplained bleeding from the mouth (as in, you are not injured), we suggest coming in for a checkup. If you see bleeding when brushing or flossing, you could have gingivitis or periodontal disease. If you see blood in your saliva even when not brushing or flossing, you should be checked for oral cancer.

If you have a yellow, red, clear, or a whitish-looking pimple on your gum, call us. This means you could have an abscessed tooth or gum infection. Treatments for this situation could range from root canal to extraction, and most likely antibiotics.

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?

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

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.

Use Your HSA Accumulated Funds Before the End of the Year!

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

Do you have a health savings account? If so, you’re probably thinking of the ways you to use the funds you have built up in your account before the end of the year. Did you know that you can use your HSA dollars for dental procedures? The IRS allows individuals with HSA accounts to use their funds to pay for “the prevention and alleviation of dental disease”. Don’t put off using your HSA, call Millennium Smiles today to make an appointment!

What Does Preventive Treatment Mean?

Preventative treatment includes procedures such as teeth cleaning, X-rays, sealants and fluoride treatments. These procedures are designed to prevent tooth decay and cavities.

What Is the Alleviation of Dental Disease?

These treatments include fillings to treat cavities and tooth decay, and include treatments such as:

Fillings: Fillings are a common dental procedure to replace cavities after Dr. Korous has removed decayed enamel and dentin.
Root canals: Root canals are treatments that remove infected tooth roots to stop the infection from spreading and prevent tooth loss.
Extractions: In some cases, extraction is necessary to remove a tooth severely damaged by tooth decay or injury.
Crowns: Crowns are a permanent dental procedure designed to repair damaged, broken or cracked teeth.
Bonding: Dental bonding is also covered. Bonding uses a resin to repair cracked or chipped teeth. The resin is sealed with ultraviolet light.
Dentures: Dentures are removable, artificial teeth. Both full and partial dentures are covered with HSA funds.

What Treatments Are Exempt from HSA Spending?

Cosmetic dental treatments, such as tooth whitening, are not covered by an HSA but may be covered an FSA (also known as a Flexible Spending Account). We suggest that you consult your plan for details before spending any funds. Another critical point to remember is that expenses are eligible under your HSA as long as they cannot be reimbursed by your insurance or another source.
We also recommend that you save all of your receipts for qualified expenses.

HSA dollars cannot be spent on dental products such as toothbrushes, toothpaste or dental floss.

Do you have questions about HSA spending with Millennium Smiles? Call us today at 972-987-4899 for more information.

Whiter and Brighter Smiles in 2017

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

Are you looking for an effective way to improve your smile and boost your confidence? Professional teeth whitening can take years off of your smile by brightening and whitening your teeth. Frisco cosmetic dentist Dr. Dunia Korous offers customized take home or in-office teeth whitening treatments for your convenience.

Teeth Whitening Frisco, TX

Teeth whitening is an economical, quick and virtually pain-free dental treatment for the cosmetic improvement of your smile. Professional teeth whitening systems offer superior results in comparison to over the counter options. For a cost-effective smile makeover, more patients ask for teeth whitening treatments than any other cosmetic procedure.

Our Frisco dentist office implements only the latest in dental technology and materials so you may enjoy your optimal oral health. Millennium Smiles teeth whitening options use professional grade materials that are custom fit to your smile. Custom-fit trays help to reduce irritation to gums and will help to minimize tooth sensitivity often associated with teeth whitening treatment. Our professional teeth whitening procedures will distribute the bleaching agent to your teeth for an even, bright, white smile.

Maintain Your Smile

Help maintain your new smile by avoiding tooth staining substances. Coffee, wine, tea, and tobacco can all reverse the effects of teeth whitening. Using these substances in moderation can help to keep your teeth whiter for longer.

Whitening your teeth can make your smile appear younger, and help you feel more confident in social and professional settings. Sharing your confident smile more often can help improve your quality of life and may even help you live longer! Some studies show that smiling more often can increase your life by up to seven years.

Schedule Your Appointment

Dr. Korous approaches dentistry with compassionate quality dental care for her patients’ optimal oral health. Each visit to Millennium Smiles begins with an individualized and comprehensive oral health exam in order to address the root of your dental concerns. Dr. Korous will help you build a healthy oral foundation for a life long beautiful and functional smile. Contact our Frisco dental office to find out how Dr. Korous and our compassionate dental care team can help restore your smile.

Fix Crooked Teeth- Without Braces!

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

Crooked teeth are more than a cosmetic dental concern. Did you know that crooked teeth can cause serious dental health concerns? Crooked teeth can lead to dysfunction in the jaw and bite, and can make it difficult to properly clean your teeth. Crooked teeth can be a leading factor in causing tooth decay, gum disease, and TMJ. If the stigma of adult braces is holding you back from straightening your smile, Dr. Korous at Millennium Smiles in Little Elm offers cosmetic alternatives to braces that may be right for you.

Dr. Dunia Korous, a highly trained and experienced cosmetic and restorative dentist, will spend one-on-one time with each patient to build an individualized dental treatment plan. After a comprehensive oral health exam, Dr. Korous can advise you on what treatment options are best for you unique dental health concerns. If your teeth are severely crooked, braces may be your best option. In less severe cases, we may be able to straighten your smile with leading cosmetic dentistry techniques and advanced technology. Dr. Korous will discuss and educate you on all of your options, so you can make the most suitable, well-informed decision.

Cosmetic Dentistry Options

ntal Bonding
Completed in one single visit to our dentist office, Dr. Korous applies a tooth-colored resin directly to your teeth. She then sculpts the biocompatible composite material into the desired tooth shape. With the use of a painless, special light, the form is bonded to the natural tooth. Offering a long-term and natural appearance, dental bonding can offer the appearance of straight teeth.

Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are an aesthetically pleasing and an effective way of straightening teeth without braces. Dr. Korous uses the most advanced materials and technology to give you a natural-looking smile with veneers. An ultrathin clear ceramic material is applied to the front and sides of the teeth creating a permanent and long-lasting solution to crooked teeth.
Invisalign®
Virtually unnoticeable, this removable braces alternative can create a straight smile without the discomfort of traditional metal braces. Dr. Korous will take molds of your teeth to create a series of retainers that will gradually straighten your teeth. Using state of the art Invisalign software Dr. Korous is able to more accurately and precisely straighten your teeth.

Schedule An Appointment

To find the right path to your straightest, healthiest smile, contact Dr. Korous today. Call our Little Elm dental office, or schedule an appointment online.

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Smile?

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

Living with diabetes in Little Elm? Diabetes is quickly becoming one of the most frequently diagnosed systemic diseases for both children and adults. There are a wide range of factors affecting the surge in diabetes, including increased added sugar in the modern American diet, the prevalence of obesity and a more sedentary lifestyle.

Although you may not think of your dental health when considering the affects of diabetes, your Frisco dentist sees the affects that diabetes can have on the teeth and gums and works with diabetic patients to improve both oral and overall health through better oral hygiene.

How Does Diabetes Affect Dental Health?

When someone is diabetic, the body is either unable to produce insulin or is struggling to use insulin properly in order to remain healthy. In both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, patients need to monitor blood sugar daily and alter their lifestyle habits to avoid serious health complications.

What does this mean for your dental health?
Fluctuations in blood sugar affect the health of the teeth and gums, but this can also be a two way street!

Patients with diabetes who do not have their blood sugar in control are more likely to develop periodontal disease. But advanced gum disease can also adversely affect the progression of diabetes. Either way- maintaining good oral health is important for diabetic patients to both control disease and avoid complex dental concerns. Diabetic patients experience tooth loss at a higher rate than the rest of the adult population.

Diabetes affects the integrity of the immune system and put patients at a higher risk for bacterial infections such as advanced gum disease. Routine dental care provides us the opportunity to closely monitor the gum health of diabetic patients and offer individualized oral hygiene advice to help maintain oral health between visits.

In addition to regular dental care, keeping blood sugar stable through diet, exercise and proper medication will provide the best possible quality of life and reduce the risk of stroke, vision problems and other health issues commonly associated with diabetes.

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