“Tem-puh-roe-mun-DIB-u-lur”

Say that five times fast.

This tongue twister refers to the pair of joints on the sides of the face that hinge the jaw to the skull, but it’s typically known better by its more manageable acronym: TMJ.

When people talk about TMJ, they’re often referring to pain in the face and jaw caused by temporomandibular disorders (problems with the joint and the facial muscles which control it).

These joint issues have multiple possible sources:

• Grinding of teeth at night
• Clenching of jaw from stress
• Arthritis in the joint
• Injury to the jaw, the joint, or the neck

Any of these causes can lead to a host of symptoms, including:

• Pain when opening mouth wide
• “Stuck” or “locked” jaw in open or closed position
• Clicking or popping noises during opening and closing
• Swelling
• Tired feeling in face

Though TMD can be incredibly uncomfortable for those experiencing it, treatment options are vast and non-invasive. Easing the pain can be as simple as treating the joint as a muscle injury giving the jaw a rest. Try eating softer foods, limiting opening the mouth widely, or wearing a mouthguard at night if you grind your teeth.

If you believe your case of TMD is severe enough to require further treatment, consider visiting Dr. Chauvin to explore your relief options.

Activated charcoal is a most commonly used as a treatment for overdose or poisoning. It’s an oral treatment that binds to toxins and drugs that have been ingested. It will absorb many different things, and can be even used on dogs. Some people use it to treat hangovers, alleviate bloating and gas, filtering water, cleaning mold, and tooth whitening. But charcoal is black!

How does activated charcoal whiten teeth?

Activated charcoal whitens teeth the same way it treats toxins – it’s absorbent! When activated charcoal is applied to the teeth, it absorbs plaque and all of the microscopic stain causing bits. It even alters the pH balance of the mouth, which assists in preventing cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. If you have crowns, veneers, or caps that are porcelain, the charcoal can stain them, so use with caution.

Using activated charcoal to whiten teeth:

If you look anywhere online, you’ll read something like: It’s very easy to do, simply wet a toothbrush, dip it into powdered charcoal, and brush away! After 2-4 minutes, rinse your mouth thoroughly. It’s that easy! Charcoal doesn’t taste great, but to be fair, most tooth whitening options don’t. You don’t have to do it every day, 2 or 3 times a week is sufficient.

Activated charcoal sounds great, but until we know more about it, best to use teeth whitening measures that have been rigorously tested, and approved by dentists. If you do choose to use activated charcoal to whiten your teeth, there are some things you should keep in mind:

• Everyone’s teeth are different. What works for one person may not work for another due to genetics and overall dental health.
• Charcoal may be abrasive. Medical professionals are not yet certain of the effect the charcoal has on teeth, but it could lead to deterioration of the enamel and tooth erosion – which opens the door to decay.
• If use of activated charcoal hurts at all – stop immediately, you may be causing damage to your teeth.
• Dentists don’t know how effective the charcoal is, so it may leave your teeth looking blotchy (especially if it’s not applied evenly).

Teeth are alive. They have soft tissue (called dentin) and roots, that are protected by enamel. And enamel does not grow back. If the enamel becomes too damaged, it can no longer safely protect the dentin inside, and the tooth will need to be covered up with restoration. If you are looking for a whiter smile, discuss safer options with your dentist.

Nobody likes bad breath. Halitosis (bad breath) is typically caused by a dry mouth. When your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva, typically when you aren’t adequately hydrated, the cells on your tongue begin to die. As we all know, the human mouth is home to tons of bacteria. Those dead cells are then broken down by said bacteria, which produces a foul odor – giving us bad breath. It can also be caused by improper dental hygiene, or certain types of food. And while there are a number of things you can do for bad breath, such as drinking more water, brushing better, or using mouthwash, one method of alleviating bad breath is the use of a tongue scraper.

But do tongue scrapers actually work?

Since we know that the most common cause of bad breath is decomposing cells on the tongue, if this is in fact what is causing your bad breath, then yes! Tongue scrapers will help with bad breath. They remove the volatile sulfur compounds that are left behind on your tongue as cells are eaten away. As a matter of fact, this is the most effective method of eliminating bad breath… in the short term.

How to use a tongue scraper:

After you brush and floss, use your tongue scraper, in the morning and at night. If you notice a resurgence of symptoms in the middle of the day, scrape then too. Place it at the back of your tongue and drag it towards the tip. Do this a few times, rinsing the scraper in-between uses. If your tongue becomes irritated or you see cuts or sores developing, you’re scraping too hard, or too often. Allow the tongue to heal before you try again.

Are tongue scrapers a long-term solution?

Not really! While tongue scrapers do remove the offending bacteria, they do not address the underlying cause. They’ll take care of the bad breath as long as you continue to use them regularly, but for a permanent solution, you should try some other things in conjunction with the tongue scraper. Issues that cause bad breath include:

• Dry mouth
• Poor dental hygiene
• Gum disease
• Cavities
• An undiagnosed medical condition

Try drinking more water and brushing better, while still using the tongue scraper. After a while, skip the tongue scraper. If you find you still have bad breath, you will need to pay a visit to your dentist to determine what the cause is.

Have you ever been laying in the dentist’s chair, maybe nervous or bored, and wondered why you aren’t being given nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas)? Short answer, it depends on the patient! Nitrous oxide is a form of sedation called “inhalation sedation.” Although it’s considered an ideal clinical sedative, there are some things to consider.

Who needs nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide is an odorless, colorless gas that eliminates pain and induces euphoria after breathing it in for about five minutes. There may be visual or auditory effects, as well as lightheadedness or “the giggles.” Once the gas is no longer being inhaled, it wears off in three to five minutes. It is often administered in the following cases:

• For long dental procedures to reduce stress, fatigue, and awareness of time
• To calm frightened children
• To ease the nerves of patients
• To control gagging

In these cases, the use of nitrous oxide makes the patient more at ease, which allows their jaw to relax. Know how your jaw tightens when you’re stressed? Imagine feeling that way at the dentist, and having to force your mouth to stay open for an extended period of time. It’s difficult for the patient and the dentist. Some dentists allow laughing gas on request, but keep in mind, if it’s not absolutely necessary, your insurance may not cover it. The cost of sedation will come directly from your own pocket.

Certain factors don’t allow for the use of nitrous oxide.

While nitrous oxide is a relatively safe and effective method of sedation, there are some cases where it should not be used. The gas is administered via a mask that fits over the nose, and the tubes that pump the gas into the nose hang down the sides of the head. If you can’t breathe through your nose (perhaps due to a cold, or you typically breathe through your mouth) then nitrous oxide cannot be administered. Claustrophobia can also prevent the use of nitrous oxide. A claustrophobic person may not be able to have something sitting on their face for an extended period of time. Patients that have obstructive pulmonary disease are also not good candidates for nitrous oxide, as they have a reduced ability to move gases in and out of the lungs. People with emphysema cannot use it either. Other conditions that prevent the use of nitrous oxide include multiple sclerosis, pregnancy, or psychiatric patients.

As with any other dental procedure, ask your dentist if you would like to use nitrous oxide. They can go over the benefits and risks with you, and determine whether you’re a good candidate. Call Dr. Chauvin’s office to set up an appointment today!

You’ve always heard that gum disease and heart health are linked, even though you may not understand exactly how. And, while there definitely seems to be a correlation, some scientists are not 100% on what causes it yet. Here is what we know.

The correlation could simply be overall wellness in general

Robert Bonow, MD and chief of cardiology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine says, “If it’s true that people with poor oral health have more heart attacks, it doesn’t mean the poor oral health leads to them. People with good oral hygiene may just be taking better care of themselves.” In essence, perhaps the link between oral and heart health is simply that people who brush and floss regularly just take better care of themselves. This does not mean that if you have poor oral health that you’re an unhealthy person! There are many factors that contribute to oral health such as genetics, diet, oral hygiene habits, etc.

Bacteria from the mouth can spread to other parts of the body

Our mouth is a gateway to the rest of our body, directly to our internal organs. Gingivitis, which is the beginning of gum disease, happens when the gums become inflamed and bacteria take over the mouth. These bacteria can travel from the mouth to the heart, causing inflammation and damage. This can turn into endocarditis, an infection of the lining of the heart.

Inflammation causes hardening of the arteries

When arteries harden and eventually become blocked, it’s due to a buildup of plaque. It’s not the same type of plaque as dental plaque though:

• Dental plaque is a white film of bacteria that naturally builds up over time in the mouth and is removed with regular brushing up to a certain point. Eventually it hardens, necessitating removal by a dentist.
• Arterial plaque is made of fat, calcium, cholesterol, and scar tissue, and builds up on the artery walls.

And although it’s not the same type of plaque, there is a correlation between the two. In fact, patients with gum disease have almost double the risk of having heart disease.

Warning signs of gum disease include:

• Swollen, sore, and red gums
• Gums that bleed when brushing, flossing, or eating
• Pus or other signs of infection around the gums and teeth
• Receding gums
• Constant bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
• Loose teeth

Delta Dental has confirmed evidence of two links to gum and heart disease. The first, moderate or advanced gum disease presents a greater risk for heart disease. And the second, your oral health can exhibit warning signs for a wide variety of other conditions, including heart disease. If you’re concerned about your oral health, and want to reduce your risk for heart disease, contact Dr. Chauvin’s office to set up an appointment!