nitrous oxide chauvin dental lafayette la

Why is nitrous oxide not offered for all procedures?

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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!

braces chauvin lafayette

Can you whiten your teeth with braces

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Taking proper care of your teeth when you’re wearing braces is tough. And you can be as diligent as an oral hygienist while they’re on, but sometimes, either based on our diet or other habits, our teeth yellow. And you may want to correct it! Can you whiten your teeth with braces? Yes. The real question you need to ask is “Should you whiten your teeth with braces?” And the answer depends on the type of braces you have. Here’s what we mean.

You shouldn’t whiten your teeth with metal bracket braces on the front:

When you have your teeth professionally whitened, you’re not going to affect the area that is directly covered by the braces. After all, they’re stuck to your teeth! Even though they’ll look better in the short term, when the braces come off, you’ll have spots of uneven color where the braces were attached. And the only way to correct this is to have your teeth whitened again. Depending on the severity of the staining, you still may not be able to get the two colors to match – resulting in uneven color. Having your teeth whitened isn’t cheap either – best to wait until the braces come off.

You can whiten your teeth if the brackets are on the back, or you use Invisalign:

If the brackets reside on the backsides of your teeth, getting your teeth whitened is fine, as the backs of your teeth don’t need to be bleached anyway. Invisalign braces can easily be removed, so having your teeth whitened is not a problem. There’s nothing that can get in the way or be potentially damaged since they are removed entirely.

Methods of teeth whitening:

Additionally, you need to take care not to damage the braces in the whitening process. Ask your dentist what method you should use, because they’ll be able to tell you what options are safest for your braces. There are several methods of tooth whitening:

  • In-office bleaching involves a bleaching agent being put on the teeth, and exposure to a special light that will accelerate the effect.
  • At-home bleaching involves strips or trays that are placed on the teeth. If you have metal brackets, you’ll need custom trays for the bleach that allows for the extra room the braces take up.
  • Whitening toothpaste is the simplest and safest method of tooth whitening for all types of braces.

Keep in mind that your gums, teeth and jaws may be more sensitive, or more prone to irritation while you’re wearing braces. Ask your dentist what their recommendation is for whitening your teeth. If you have more questions, call Dr. Chauvin’s office!

gum health chauvin lafayette

The link between gum health and heart health

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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!

electric toothbrushes chauvin dental lafayette la

Are electric toothbrushes better

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We have all been there. Standing in the toothbrush aisle, trying to choose from a very wide variety of toothbrush. Some have tongue scrubbers, others have gum massagers, some are soft bristled, some are not, there are electric and regular ones, and they have multiple size options. It can be overwhelming! The biggest choice you have to make is electric or regular, right? Well electric toothbrushes aren’t just a gadget designed for lazy folks, they actually come with a host of benefits you may not have considered!

They’re fun!

Do you struggle to get your children to brush their teeth every day? If so, you aren’t alone. Some kids absolutely hate it! A possible solution? Electric toothbrushes make it fun for them. It tickles, and is therefore infinitely better than a regular old toothbrush. Additionally, the electric toothbrush will do most of the heavy lifting and get their teeth much cleaner than they would on their own with a normal one. And just like normal toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes for children come with all sorts of fun characters and colors. You’re bound to find one that your child will love.

They’re effective.

If you are a stellar brusher and flosser of teeth, then you probably won’t see a big difference between a regular and electric toothbrush. However, if you are not the best brusher, an electric toothbrush can make a big difference. Up until recently, the two were considered on par with each other. After a series of studies published in 2014, electric toothbrushes actually have the upper hand. Electric toothbrushes also reduced plaque 21% more, and gingivitis 11% more than manual toothbrushes after three months of use.

They’re easier to use.

For some people, the proper brushing technique is difficult to manage. For example, people with arthritis or other manual dexterity problems could have a hard time making the small circles you’re supposed to brush your teeth with. Enter the electric toothbrush, and now the majority of the work falls on the toothbrush.

Should you switch?

Dental professionals that monitored patients using electric toothbrushes reported that a staggering 80% of their patients noted a positive effect on their overall dental health. With those numbers, it’s safe to say that electric toothbrushes are definitely superior to manual toothbrushes. If you would like to switch, but have more questions about the type you should buy, contact Dr. Chauvin’s office. We’ll make sure you make the best choice for your oral health.

burning mouth syndrome chauvin dental lafayette la

What is burning mouth syndrome

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Have you ever experienced a burning, tingling, or scalding pain in your mouth for seemingly no reason? Or perhaps your mouth felt numb, tasted strange, or was overly dry? If so, you may have BMS (burning mouth syndrome).

Symptoms of Burning Mouth Syndrome:

People can have a variety of different symptoms, as BMS affects each person differently. For the most part, you may experience the following:

  • Taste loss
  • Changes in taste
  • Dry mouth accompanied by increased thirst
  • Scalded, burning, or tingling sensation that typically affects the tongue, but can also affect the gums, palate, lips, throat, or entire mouth

Additionally, BMS can initially present itself differently from person to person. Some folks just wake up one morning with a fully fledged case of it, while in others it develops gradually over time. It can also last for months or years, although in rare cases, the symptoms will go away on their own. Eating or drinking can also temporarily alleviate the symptoms.

What causes Burning mouth syndrome?

There are two types of burning mouth syndrome, primary and secondary. If there are no abnormalities that can be identified, a person has primary or idiopathic burning mouth syndrome. There is some research that suggests it’s related to taste and sensory nerve problems.

Secondary burning mouth syndrome is caused by an underlying condition, including:

  • Dry mouth
  • Other oral conditions (thrush, etc)
  • Deficient nutrition
  • Dentures
  • Allergies or other reactions
  • Acid reflux
  • Medications
  • Certain oral habits
  • Endocrine disorders
  • Excessive mouth irritation
  • Psychological factors

If you are a woman, are over the age of 50, or are postmenopausal, your risk for BMS is greater. And complications of BMS include trouble sleeping and eating, depression, and anxiety.

Treating BMS:

If you suspect you have BMS, see your doctor or dentist. They will have to run a variety of different tests to rule out all of the secondary causes. Once they know what’s causing it, when it comes to secondary BMS, the underlying condition will be treated. If no abnormalities are found, you’ll be given a medication to help alleviate the pain, or dry mouth. It’s a complex disorder, so it may take a few different types of treatment before you find one that works.

In the meantime, if you’re experiencing discomfort from BMS, try drinking something cold, sucking on ice chips, or chewing sugarless gum. And avoid spicy and hot foods, tobacco, alcohol, mouthwashes with alcohol, and foods high in acid, like citrus fruits and juices. Do you suspect you have BMS? Set up an appointment with Dr. Chauvin’s office today!

types of dentist chauvin dental lafayette la

How many different types of dentist are there

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Think about how many different types of doctor there are. You’ve got your general practitioners, pediatricians, podiatrists, neurologists, and so on. Each different type of doctor focusing on a different aspect of the body. In a similar fashion, there are many different types of dentist! And the different dentists specialize in different things. For example:

General Dentist:

This is the person you should be seeing at least once a year. Your general dentist takes x-rays, cleans your teeth, fills cavities, and performs all of the preventative services to keep your mouth healthy. Your general dentist is like your general practitioner for your mouth. They see you regularly and have a baseline established for what your healthy mouth looks like. That way, if something is wrong, they can either correct the issue, or refer you to someone that can.

Endodontist:

The endodontist is primarily concerned with the pulp and nerves of your teeth. They are “concerned with the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases or injuries” to those parts of the tooth. They handle root canals and other root procedures that involve surgery.

Oral Pathologist:

These health care providers concern themselves with diseases that affect any oral structures, and in some cases, parts of the face and neck. These are the folks that will examine and diagnose a biopsy or other tissue sample that was sent by another oral health care professional.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon:

Did you have your wisdom teeth removed? Most likely, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon handled the procedure. They take care of many different surgical procedures in the mouth, face, and jaw. In addition to things like wisdom teeth removal and dental implant surgery, they also perform reconstructive surgery on people that have had facial injuries. They can also remove cysts and tumors from the jaw. They do a lot of different procedures.

Orthodontist:

This dental doctor specializes in bite correction. Whether the cause is hereditary, from missing (or extra) teeth, or jaws that are out of alignment, the orthodontist will straighten your bite. They use wires, bands, braces, retainers, and other tools to force teeth to move back through the bone to the correct position.

Pediatric Dentist:

This is the person who you’ll take your children to. Pediatric dentists specialize in children’s teeth, from age one, up through young adulthood.

Periodontist:

A periodontist specializes in soft tissue and supporting structures. So your gums and the bones of your mouth. They treat gingivitis, periodontitis, and can also perform simple and deep pocket cleanings, root planing, crown lengthenings, soft tissue/bone grafts, and a few other procedures.

Prosthodontist:

The prosthodontist handles the repair of teeth and the replacement of missing teeth. They use artificial teeth, crowns (gold or ceramic), or implants. They also work with patients that have deformities by replacing missing parts of the face and jaw.

teething baby chauvin dental lafayette la

Healthy tips for soothing a teething baby

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Anyone who has ever dealt with a teething baby knows that it is miserable. They’re in so much pain, and you feel helpless while they cry, bless their little hearts. The good news is, there are things you can do to help!

Signs of teething:

First thing to determine: is your baby just being extra moody? Or do they have another tooth coming in? It’s hard to tell sometimes, especially if the tooth hasn’t broken the surface yet. There are other signs to look for that mean your baby is teething:

  • Lots of drooling
  • Crankiness or irritability
  • Chewing on hard objects
  • Tender/sore gums

They may also be extra clingy, or have trouble sleeping. And who can blame them? They literally have a new tooth breaking through their gums, that has to hurt!

Soothing a teething baby:

If you suspect your baby is teething, here’s what you can do to help.

Medication – you can give your baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help reduce the pain and swelling. Always make sure you give them the correct amounts! Check with your pediatrician if you aren’t sure about the correct dosage. Avoid homeopathic remedies, as these have been proven recently to pose a health risk to babies.

Cool them down – cold helps with swelling, so you can use a cold washcloth, teething ring, or spoon, and let them chew on it. Avoid frozen teething rings, as the extreme cold may do more harm than good.

Rub the gums – take a clean finger or soft, clean rag and gently rub your baby’s gums. The pressure does help. If your baby does have other teeth, be careful! When their teeth hurt, they will bite down hard.

Hard food – if your baby has begun to eat solid food, you can give them a carrot, cucumber, or apple slice to gnaw on. Watch them carefully, in case they bite off a piece – as that poses a choking hazard. We recommend the mesh nets that are attached to a teething ring. You can put anything in it, and they can chew safely, without the risk of choking.

Dry their faces – if your child is drooling a lot, try to keep them dry. Wipe their face with a soft clean cloth frequently. Their skin can get irritated from all the drool. You can also use a moisturizer to protect their skin. Just make sure you use one that’s safe for babies!

 

vitamins and minerals for teeth dr chauvin lafayette la dentist

The best vitamins and minerals for your teeth

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At this point, we should all know the basics for taking proper care of our teeth from an oral hygiene standpoint. (If you don’t, click here.) Brushing and flossing properly aside, there are dietary factors to taking care of our teeth as well. In addition to avoiding refined carbohydrates, excess sugar, and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, there are some essential vitamins and minerals that your teeth need in order to stay healthy.

Calcium

Of course we need calcium! It’s one of the primary components of our bones and our teeth. The good news is, it’s in a lot of stuff, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, beans, and oysters, to name a few. Low calcium levels could lead to tooth decay and gum disease, so make sure you get enough!

Vitamin A

This vitamin helps inflamed gums to heal, as it maintains mucous membranes and soft tissues in the body. You are also more susceptible to infections when low on vitamin A. Good sources of it include: beef, liver, milk, cheese, and eggs.

Vitamin B2, B3, and B12

Vitamin B also contributes to the health of the mucous membranes, and a deficiency could result in mouth sores and bad breath. When it comes to vitamin B3 and B12, you can kill two birds with one stone, as they’re both found in chicken and fish. B12 is also found in red meat, pork, and dairy products. B2 can be found in spinach, almonds, pasta, and bagels.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is very important when it comes to dental health, as too little can cause bleeding gums and loose teeth. Ever heard of scurvy? It was caused by a lack of vitamin C. If you need to up your intake, citrus fruits are rich in the vitamin, but use caution. They are acidic, which can erode the enamel of your teeth. You can also eat sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, strawberries, and broccoli.

Vitamin D

This vitamin is especially important. It helps the body absorb calcium. It also helps prevent gum inflation. A vitamin D deficiency may result in burning mouth syndrome – which gives the mouth a burning sensation, a dry mouth, or a bitter/metallic taste. The best way to get vitamin D? Go outside. We get it from the sun! You can also eat milk, eggs, and fish.

Taking good care of your teeth doesn’t end at the toothbrush. You have to eat right too. You can also take vitamin supplements, but make sure you read the directions carefully. Some need to be taken with food, others require you to avoid certain foods. If you are concerned that a vitamin or mineral deficiency is affecting your teeth, contact Dr. Chauvin’s office and we can take a look!

jaw-shrinking-dr-chauvin-lafayette-la-dentist

Past Procedure Care

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Having dental work done is an investment! After all, you only get one set of adult teeth, so you want to take care of them. That’s why proper dental hygiene, as well as regular dental checkups, are so important. If you have had dental work done, you need to make sure you follow the instructions your dentist gave you to ensure your full recovery. Properly caring for past procedures will greatly increase the lifespan of your dental repairs.

Braces

The most important thing you can do after braces is wear your retainer. Your bones will want to try to put things back to the way they were. Wearing your retainer at night prevents your teeth from wandering back into their old positions. Beyond that, normal dental hygiene will keep your teeth looking beautiful and straight!

Dental implants

Dental implants involve surgery, and require very special care immediately after the procedure. You have to take antibiotics, use a special mouth rinse, drink lots of fluid, and eat soft food for a day or two. Physical activity should be avoided as well until everything has healed. Once it’s all healed up, you treat your dental implant as if it were a normal tooth. Proper dental care will ensure that your implant lasts a long time.

Root canals

After a root canal, it’s important to not eat anything until the numbness has worn off (lest you bite your cheek or tongue). Your new crown can be treated like an ordinary tooth once it’s all done. So brush and floss your teeth like usual after a root canal. You may experience sensitivity to pressure or extreme temperature at first, but that will fade as time goes on.

Cavity fills

Cavity fillings have the easiest post procedure care – treat it like a normal tooth. Like the root canal, you may have some pressure or temperature sensitivity immediately afterwards, but this will go away with time. Make sure you brush and floss to prevent more cavities from forming, and let your dentist know immediately if the filling falls out!

In many cases, dental procedures leave you with tooth repairs or replacements that can be treated just like normal teeth once the procedure is complete. Then you just have to take good care of your teeth! Your dental repairs should last for years under the right circumstances. Not sure what the post procedure care is for something not listed here? Give Dr. Chauvin’s office a call. We’ll tell you what you need to do.

dental implant dr chauvin lafayette la

Can my body reject my dental implant

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When you lose a tooth as an adult, there are several options available to you for tooth replacement; removable dentures, fixed bridges, and dental implants. Dental implants are the best option, as they’re a permanent solution that’s fully functional. They have a very high success rate, as they are made with titanium – the most biologically compatible of all metals. Can your body reject your dental implant? Yes, although it’s far more likely that your implant failure is due to one of the following.

Failed Osseointegration

This means that your jaw did not take to the implant. Osseointegration is a term that describes the development of a connection between an artificial implant and the bone. Broken into its root Greek, the word literally means bone integration. This is determined by the implant either falling out, being excessively loose, or has shifted more than 1 mm after a year. Dental implants must be placed into a healthy jaw. There should be enough bone density and volume in order for the implant to fully osseointegrate. In some cases, a bone graft or a sinus lift is necessary for a dental implant, in order to create more bone mass.

Infection (Peri-Implantitis)

As you know, the human mouth is loaded with bacteria, and not all of it is good. With any surgery, and having a dental implant installed is a surgery, there is a risk of infection. The bone and gums around your implant can also be infected by improper dental hygiene, or if any dental cement from the implant gets caught in the gums. In rare cases, the infection can be treated and the implant left alone. However, if infection occurs, it’s most likely that the implant will have to be removed.

Teeth grinding

Grinding your teeth, normally very harmful anyway, can be devastating to dental implants (especially new ones). It takes a long time for bone to heal, as anyone who has ever broken a limb can tell you. Since dental implants are drilled into the bone, the jaw has to recover, and create new bone mass around the implant to hold it in place. Grinding your teeth can shift the implant, or wear it down. If you are a habitual teeth grinder, it would be wise to wear a mouthpiece at night in order to protect your dental implant.

These are just a few of the ways a dental implant can fail. In most cases, your body doesn’t reject the implant. There are other factors that have caused your implant to fail. Have more questions? Contact Dr. Chauvin’s office!