October 2015 - Dr Chauvin

No Ghouling Around with Your Children’s Teeth

October 28, 2015/in Uncategorized/by admin

What is more frightening than all the ghouls, goblins and monsters running amuck on Halloween night? If you are a parent, it’s the cavities that will be handed out freely to your children from your neighbors and local shops in the guise of brightly colored paper that dresses the cavities up as candy.

As a parent, you don’t want to be the big bad wolf on Halloween and take the fun out of the holiday. However, you need to think about the health of your children’s teeth before you consider letting them devour what seems like endless amounts of candy and chocolate.

There is, of course, always, compromise. A new trend has taken place between parents and children over the past few years. Parents have found strategies that still allow Halloween fun and treats that children can enjoy without putting their teeth at risk.

Fun Ways to Explain Good and Bad Bacteria

The important thing to understand about tooth decay is exactly how it happens and how to explain in an age appropriate way the adverse effects that eating too much candy and chocolate can have on their teeth.

The Battle of the Bacteria and your children’s teeth

Most parents know what dangers are lurking at the bottom of their child’s Halloween bag, but many parents are not aware of what is going on inside their child’s mouth. There are hundreds of good and bad bacteria in our mouth. These bacteria occupy every space available in our mouth and are always working against each other to take over and foil the others plan. There are good bacteria that work with the fluoride in our toothpaste and some places drinking water to help keep our mouth healthy and cavity free; while the bad bacteria team up with sugar to form acids that attack and erode our teeth. This explanation sounds easy for children to understand, but you should try something a bit more fun and clever to get their attention.

For instance, children learn things better if it relates to something they know. You could try referring to brushing their teeth as something a superhero would do while working with their partner’s saliva and fluoride to beat the nasty villain called bacteria that works with sugar and acidic foods to cause cavity and tooth decay.

A Good Compromise

The next step is finding alternative ways to compromise with your children so that they can still enjoy the holiday without feeling cheated or set apart from other children they know

Alternative Treats on Halloween

Families are putting more of a spin on traditional holidays these days and making them more personalized. For instance, some parents are taking different snacks, or homemade movie tickets, small toys, and get out of doing chore coupons to their neighbors in advance and asking them to give these to their children instead of candy when they come to the door. Other parents do a candy for cash scheme for every pound of candy the child trades in they get money in return.

Planning a neighborhood, Halloween Trick-or-treat trail that offers alternatives to sweets and chocolate is a good idea. If you decide that you want to celebrate Halloween the old-fashioned way and allow your children to eat the candy they get on Halloween night, that is OK too. Just remember to hand out the sweets over several weeks instead of days and make sure that your child cleans their teeth after they have eaten any candy or chocolate treats.

Reversing Early Signs of Tooth Decay

According to the National Dental and Craniofacial Institute, it is possible to reverse early signs of tooth decay. If you notice tooth decay in its early or moderate stages, then there is a good chance that you can repair your child’s teeth. NIDCR, suggest that you make sure your child brushes with a fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day as well as, and don’t forget to remind them to floss once a day. Ask your dentist about a protective coating to go on your child’s teeth, as usual, monitor your child’s intake of sugar and acidic foods. It is important to remember that sugars are in most things such as fruit juice, packaged drinks, sodas, homemade Southern sweet tea as well as well as, fruits and processed foods. So keep in mind that no matter what your child is eating or drinking they need to brush away the bad bacteria.

Broken, Chipped, Knocked Out Teeth

What should you do if your little one falls and knocks out a tooth while ghouling around on Halloween or breaks or chips a tooth on a piece of that frightful candy?

If your child does break or chip a tooth, you must take them to the dentist straight away, even if the tooth is not a permanent tooth. A chipped or broken tooth is open to infection and bacteria. A dentist should access the tooth to see what steps need to be taken to mend your child’s tooth. If you can find the chipped or broken tooth place it in a glass of milk and take it to the dentist, it is possible that the dentist may be able to put the chipped or broken piece back into your child’s mouth.

If your child knocks out a permanent or baby tooth, you should take the same steps you would with a chipped or broken tooth. Making sure you take your child straight to the dentist. However, make sure you hold the tooth that was knocked out by the base and not the root.

Dental Visits and Toothbrushes

Unless told otherwise by your dentist then you should take your child for a dental checkup every six months. Also, make sure that you change your child’s toothbrush every three months.

Recap

Try to find a fun and child-friendly way to explain the battle between the good and bad bacteria that live in your child’s mouth that causes tooth decay.
Look for alternative treats to give your little goblins on Halloween and try and work with neighbors or other parents to create a Halloween trick- or – a treat that will make both parents and children happy.
Know that your child can have candy and chocolate on Halloween but teach them the importance of moderation while enjoying their treats.
Reversing the early to moderate signs of tooth decay is possible if you limit or stop your child from eating and drinking so many sugary and acidic products and brushing their teeth after every meal is ideal but no less than twice a day.
If your child knocks out, breaks or chips a permanent or baby tooth do not hesitate to take them to the dentist straight away. Make sure you put the tooth in a glass of milk because the dentist might be able to save the child’s tooth.
Don’t forget to take your child to the dentist every six months or twice a year, more visits may be necessary if the dentist requires.

For more information on healthy teeth, tooth decay prevention, or if you would like to schedule a teeth cleaning for your child contact Dr. Chauvin’s office today!

Dr. Chauvin and his wonderful staff hopes you have a happy and frightfully fun Halloween.

3 Things Young Teeth Need in Moderation

October 21, 2015/in Uncategorized/by admin

It can be said that with most things in life – diet, exercise, guilty pleasures – moderation is the key, and this too applies as we talk about your baby’s or children’s teeth.

What do we mean by that?

Specifically, when we look at sugar intake, teeth brushing practices, and toothpaste, we want to be sure we’re making the correct and moderate choices, since these will ensure healthy adult teeth for your children. Damage to baby teeth can cause children to have dental problems later on in their adult lives, so it’s important to start good dental practices early on.

3 Things Young Teeth Need in Moderation

Sugar Intake

Eating sugary foods can cause tooth breakdown and decay over time and gives bacteria ample opportunity to multiply within your child’s mouth. Sugar is the main reason that almost half of children under the age of 11 experience tooth decay, and it’s easy to see why: sugar can creep in through not only obvious food items like soft drinks and ice cream, but also through milk, juice, and dried fruit.

It can be tempting to give in to your child’s demands for sugary snacks and candy, especially with Halloween right around the corner, but try to have healthy alternatives for drinks and snacks on hand. Keep an eye out especially for sticky foods.

Teeth Brushing

Before your baby’s teeth come in, you can gently wipe gums after feedings with a damp, clean washcloth to remove bacteria. Once the first teeth come in, you can still use a washcloth to remove plaque or you can use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush to brush the tooth with a small smear of baby toothpaste.

Be very gentle so you don’t irritate gums and remember that teething is an uncomfortable time, so be careful with your baby’s sensitive gums and mouth. Once your child gets older, you can introduce them to their toothbrush and let them hold it, but stress the importance of thoroughly and patiently brushing their teeth.

Toothpaste

There are varying recommendations as to what age is appropriate to start using fluoridated toothpaste, so check with your dentist on this. Remember to use just a small smear of toothpaste for babies and a pea-sized amount for children as they get older. Too much fluoride is not good for children, so monitor them while brushing to be sure they’re not accidentally swallowing or ingesting fluoridated toothpaste.

Remember to start getting your children used to coming to the dentist’s office at an early age. It’s best your dentist establish a relationship with your child so he or she can track progress, give recommendations, and note any important changes. Your child will also benefit by beginning to view the dentist’s office as a safe and welcoming space instead of something to fear. At Chauvin Dental, we hope to see you and your family soon for your regular check up!

What Not Brushing Before Bed Does to Your Teeth

October 14, 2015/in Uncategorized/by admin

Picture this: it’s late at night, you’ve had a long day, and you stumble up the stairs and toward your bed. You feel as though you’ll barely make it before passing out. As your eyes close, you realize you forgot to brush your teeth, but it’s the last thing you want to worry about doing right now.

You wonder: why is it so hard to remember brushing before bed? We’ve probably all been in this scenario before, but it’s time to face reality: not brushing your teeth before bed is one of the poorest decisions you can make when it comes to proper dental hygiene.

Is brushing before bed not for you?

Let’s break down what actually happens when you don’t brush your teeth before bed. When you eat, food causes the bacteria that’s already in your mouth to multiply in overdrive, especially if there’s a high sugar content. Bacteria love sugar! So you’ve got all of this bacterial waste in your mouth and then you start to feel a layer of plaque accumulate on your teeth. Plaque has to be physically removed from your teeth by brushing or it becomes tartar and causes a world of problems, including gum disease and cavities.

Think of just how funky your mouth can seem when you wake up in the morning. If you skip your nighttime teeth brushing session, that means you’re going roughly twice the amount of time in between brushes that you should be – which means more than twice the germs. Pretty gross, right?

Commit to a nightly routine

The American Dental Association advises that everyone should brush at least twice a day for two minutes a session and floss once a day. Spending those two minutes brushing your teeth twice a day removes plaque and, if you use fluoridated products, strengthens and revitalizes your teeth. In addition, you should still be sure to see your dentist regularly to screen for any potential dental issues before they become serious.

Make sure brushing is a part of your standard bedtime routine. It’s so easy to form bad habits and what seems like an occasional miss when it comes to nighttime brushing can easily turn into a regular thing if left unchecked. If it seems like this is something you struggle with regularly, think of ways to make it easier for yourself. Can you brush your teeth right after dinner? Can you keep a toothbrush by your bed so you at least do a dry brush? Maybe you can even try out a toothpaste that feels like more of a splurge than your usual pick, so you’ll be more inclined to use it.

The bottom line is that brushing your teeth cannot be replaced by mouthwash, chewing gum, or mints, and not brushing before bed can have negative long-term effects on your dental health. Commit to those two minutes twice a day, and rest easy knowing your teeth are healthy and protected.

3 Most Common Dental Emergencies

October 7, 2015/in Uncategorized/by admin

Whenever your teeth are uncomfortable, it can feel like an emergency, but there are a few commonly experienced situations that do warrant pretty immediate attention from your dentist. The three most common dental emergencies are tooth trauma (chipped, broken, or knocked-out tooth), toothaches or tooth pain, and a lost filling or crown.

Tooth Trauma

Have you chipped, broken, or even lost a tooth? If you’ve chipped or broken a tooth, make an appointment to see your dentist and then rinse with warm water. If you’ve got swelling, you can try applying a cold compress to your face to help. Depending on the damage, the treatment will be different: for a small chip, many times your dentist can round out the edges of your tooth or bond a small amount of resin to your tooth to recreate its natural look. Bigger chips may require placement of a crown, veneers, or a root canal procedure. If you knocked your tooth out, save it in a cup of milk (to prevent the tooth drying out) and bring it to your appointment – and hurry! The chances of saving your tooth are best within an hour of your trauma. Don’t scrub your tooth and don’t touch the root. You can also try to put the tooth back in its place and see if it will hold. If you’ve got time before your appointment, you can also rinse with warm water and apply pressure with a piece of gauze to stop any bleeding.

Toothache or Tooth Pain

Toothaches and teeth sensitivity are conditions most people have experienced. Many times, these are symptoms that the tooth’s nerve is inflamed and may indicate you have a cavity or some decay that needs treatment. See your dentist to be sure of what’s going on. Remember the best way to prevent dental problems is to practice proper oral hygiene, including brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. You may be able to temporarily relieve symptoms by rinsing with warm water, using sensitive teeth toothpaste, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, or using a cold compress to help with pain or swelling. Your dentist can recommend specific treatment based on the underlying condition causing your toothache or pain.

Lost Filling or Crown

A filling is what’s used to fill in the space after a cavity is removed, while a crown is what’s placed over your tooth to protect it from further damage or after a procedure like a root canal. It’s possible for these to come loose, for example, if you’ve applied a lot of pressure to a tooth or if there’s decay that needs treatment. If this happens to you, make an appointment with your dentist and, if possible, bring the filling or crown with you. Rinse with warm water immediately after you notice the filling or crown is lost. This is not as urgent as a tooth trauma or toothache, but you should still schedule an appointment ASAP to avoid your tooth becoming further compromised. Your exposed tooth will not be as strong as it was with the filling or crown in place.

Always remember the best thing to do if you ever have any questions or uncertainty regarding your teeth is to make an appointment with your dentist’s office. Although these common dental emergencies require prompt attention, they can typically be successfully and quickly resolved with the help of your dentist.