Tag: little elm dentist

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.

Mind Your Mouth

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

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 Importance of Seeing the Dentist During Pregnancy

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

Are you pregnant? Congratulations! Having a baby is a very exciting time in your life! It’s also a very busy time for you – scheduling your regular checkups, special tests and bloodwork can all keep you busy. We want to add one more thing to your list while you’re setting up your appointments; we want you to schedule a dental checkup with Dr. Korous, too!

Why Do I Need to See the Dentist During My Pregnancy?

Pregnancy changes everything about your body – including your mouth! Taking the time to see Dr. Korous while you are pregnant will help you keep a healthy mouth and body and also protect the health of your unborn baby. Not to mention, our warm, relaxing environment complete with massage chair and warm towels after every treatment will leave you feeling rested and relaxed. What mom-to-be wouldn’t want that?

Oral Health and Pregnancy

The hormonal fluctuations that occur during pregnancy can wreak havoc on your oral health. These changes can cause the development of a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. Like regular gingivitis, pregnancy gingivitis causes redness, swelling, irritation, and bleeding of the gums. If pregnancy gingivitis is left untreated, you may end up with a more advanced form of periodontal disease. Doesn’t sound like a big deal? Think again. Periodontal disease has been linked to the development of serious heart and lung conditions, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. It has also been shown to cause low-birth-weight babies and preterm labor, too.

What Can You Do to Lower Your Risk of Oral Health Problems During Pregnancy?

As we mentioned, seeing Dr. Korous for regular checkups and cleanings is the first step. In addition, we want you to practice good oral hygiene habits at home, too. Brush your teeth at least twice per day and floss at least once per day.

I’m Pregnant. Can I Have X-rays?

Both the American Dental Association and the American Pregnancy Association say that the amount of radiation you and your unborn child are exposed to during a dental X-ray is minimal and does not cause harm to an unborn baby or pregnant mother.

We do understand that some patients want to delay having dental X-rays until after their first trimester or until after they deliver. Just let us know your preference when you schedule your appointment.

Call Millennium Smiles today at 972-987-4899 to schedule your appointment or to talk about your concerns regarding your dental health and your pregnancy.

Have TMJ? Time for a Joint Vibration Analysis

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

Are you suffering from TMJD, also known as temporomandibular joint disorder? If you are experiencing uncomfortable, painful and loss of use effects of this jaw joint condition, you may benefit from a Joint Vibration Analysis test from Millennium Smiles.

What is a Joint Vibration Analysis?

A Joint Vibration Analysis, or JVA, is a test performed by Dr. Korous to detect vibrations dentist to detect vibrations in your temporomandibular joints. The TMJs are the joints located on either side of your jaw and connect your jaw to your skull. The TMJ therapy in Frisco, TX allow your jaw to move forward and backward, left and right and are what allow you to open and close your mouth.

What Causes Vibration of Your Jaw Joints?

Jaw joint vibration occurs when the cartilage disc that serves as a cushion to your TMJ gets caught between the jawbones when you open and close your mouth. This disc can become damaged as a result of trauma, arthritis, orthodontics, and clenching and teeth grinding.

What Are Signs of a Vibrating TMJ?

Signs of a vibrating TMJ joint include jaw popping, clicking, and the jaw locking into a stuck position when opening or closing your mouth. Some patients experience pain, but pain is not present in all cases.

How is a Joint Vibration Analysis Performed?

A JVA performed by putting a device similar to small headphones on your TMJ joints. This device can pick up any vibration that occurs when you open and close your mouth. It can also rate the severity of the vibration. The test is painless and takes just a few minutes in the office.

I Had a Joint Vibration Analysis, Now What?

If Dr. Korous determines that you have a vibration in your TMJ joints, the next step may be decompression of TMJ with appliance therapy and MLS laser treatment. These treatments can help prevent you from clenching or grinding your teeth and help to relieve stress on your TMJ joints and reduce pain.

You don’t have to live with TMJ pain. Call Millennium Smiles at 972-468-8771 for more information about TMJ treatment and to learn more about the superior technology of a Joint Vibration Analysis can help diagnose your TMJ today.

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