dr chauvin laffayette dentist Dental complications from nail biting

Dental and health complications from nail biting

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Onychophagia, or nail biting, is a relatively common habit. It is estimated that 30% of children, 45% of teenagers, 25% of young adults, and 5% of older adults bite their nails. Like many habits, it is a hard one to break! However, it is definitely a habit that needs to be broken, as there are many other side effects besides chewed up nails.

Dental problems associated with nail biting

It’s estimated that frequent nail biters will cost themselves an additional $4,000 in dental bills over the course of their lives. That constant chewing is not good for your teeth! Nail biting can cause a number of different dental problems, such as:

  • Bruxism
  • Tooth loss
  • Teeth chipping or cracking
  • Dental occlusion issues (the way your teeth fit together when your mouth is closed)
  • Teeth shifting position
  • Premature wearing down of teeth
  • Sore or damaged gums

There are mouth guards you can wear that protect your teeth, as well as help to deter nail biting. Your dentist can also teach you some therapy techniques that will help you resist biting your nails.

Nail biting opens the door to several other health risks

Another risk nail biters face is illness. We use our hands for everything! As a result, we have all sorts of bacteria living on our skin and under our nails. And under our nails is a prime location for bacteria to live, including E. coli and Salmonella. When you bite your nails, you’re transferring those bacteria to your mouth. Think about how you wash your hands. Do you use a nail brush to scrub under them every time? Probably not! A standard hand washing isn’t going to remove those bacteria, so there could be all manner of pathogens under your nails.

Additionally, your mouth is full of bacteria as well! So not only are you putting more bacteria in your mouth, different bacteria is getting under your nails and on your fingers. When you chew on your nails, tiny tears, cuts, or abrasions can form. These breaks in the skin are where bacteria will enter the bloodstream. Most often resulting in the infection paronychia – a skin infection that occurs around the nail. This infection causes redness, swelling, and pus around the nail. Depending on the severity of the infection, it may have to be drained surgically! This infection is also one of the most common nail problems. And if you have the form of HPV that causes warts on your hands and are a nail biter, you can actually transfer those warts from your fingers to your mouth and lips.

If nail biting is a problem for you, contact Dr. Chauvin’s office so we can make sure your teeth are okay, and help you learn how to quit.

dr tim chauvin lafayette la dentist Seasonal Allergies and Toothaches

Seasonal allergies and toothaches

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Flowers are blooming, crops are growing and being harvested, grass is being cut… Which means it’s everyone’s favorite time of year again, allergy season! In addition to the scratchy throats, runny noses, itchy eyes, and other assorted discomforts that plague those with allergies, some of you may be experiencing what appears to be a random toothache. Unfortunately, it isn’t random. Your allergies can actually cause toothaches.

Why do allergies sometimes cause toothaches?

There are four pairs of sinus cavities in our face, the frontal, maxillary, sphenoid, and ethmoid sinuses. Allergies can affect all of these. If your toothache is allergy-related, it will most likely be an upper molar. The most common culprit is pressure. Our facial sinuses have to drain upward. Then that drainage will run down the back of the throat. This is called a post-nasal drip, and is why your throat gets scratchy. When your sinuses become blocked, you get congested. That congestion creates sinus pressure, which builds up and inflames your upper molars. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

  • Aching teeth
  • Increased sensitivity to heat
  • Increased sensitivity to cold
  • Difficulty chewing

It’s important to see a dentist as a precaution any time you have a toothache. If no other issues are found and allergies are determined to be the cause of your tooth pain, then it’s often easily taken care of. An over-the-counter decongestant or antihistamine (in pill or nasal spray form) should alleviate your symptoms. Talk to your pharmacist about your symptoms and they’ll recommend the appropriate medication, especially if you’ve tried several different drugs that haven’t worked.

I treated my allergies but my tooth still hurts

So you took an antihistamine or decongestant to take care of the sinus pressure, but you’re still experiencing some oral discomfort? Most likely, you’re now experiencing one of the most common side-effects of allergy medication – mouth dryness. Saliva is very important to our oral health. It’s full of enzymes that are antibacterial. These enzymes protect our teeth from decay, and prevent bad breath. Saliva also helps to get rid of food particles that are left within our mouth after eating. A dry mouth creates the perfect environment for cavity-causing bacteria to thrive. The solution for this is to simply stay hydrated. Drink lots of water to refresh your mouth and wash out any lingering food particles or bacteria.

If you have a toothache and aren’t sure whether it’s simply allergies or another problem, set up an appointment with Dr. Chauvin’s office today!

Flossing chauvin dental lafayette la

Why you should continue flossing

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The first week of August, the news was inundated with a story about flossing. In case you missed it, the article stated that the medical benefits of flossing had been unproven. As a result, flossing was removed from the government’s latest dietary guidelines. Many different studies were cited, and the results can be boiled down to the following: “The majority of available studies fail to demonstrate that flossing is generally effective in plaque removal.” We respectfully disagree. Flossing is a very important component of proper oral hygiene! Here’s why you need to keep flossing.

Flossing affects longevity

Flossing can actually help you live longer! We all know that oral and heart disease are closely linked: an unhealthy mouth is going to negatively affect cardiovascular health. Flossing is actually recommended by the geriatrician who created the Living to 100 Life Expectancy calculator.

The Leisure World Cohort Study also determined that flossing affected longevity. After following over 5,600 older adults for a decade, they found that adults who didn’t floss had a 25% – 29% higher risk of death than those that did floss.

Flossing helps with bad breath

Every time we eat, food particles get stuck between our teeth. And the best brushing in the world will never remove it all. If the food isn’t removed, it begins to decay. There are thousands of bacteria in our mouths, and when we leave food between our teeth, we’re just leaving them lunch! When certain bacteria eat, they also produce noxious gases. Between the two, a person’s breath could get pretty nasty.

The original story is misleading

The story doesn’t say that flossing has no benefits, merely that the evidence supporting those benefits is based on poor-quality studies. The argument being that basically, because the studies that support flossing were not “high quality”, their results can be ignored. The Cochrane review (a source that reviewed the studies) actually recommends flossing, and states: “There is some evidence from 12 studies that flossing in addition to toothbrushing reduces gingivitis compared to toothbrushing alone.”

Flossing is still very important. You can use traditional floss, a water flosser, an interdental brush, or a floss pick, as long as you’re flossing! Although we recommend regular floss, anything is better than nothing at all. Only using mouthwash isn’t going to cut it. If you don’t know how to floss properly, or have more questions, call Dr. Chauvin’s office! We’ll be happy to show you the right way to floss!

lafayette dentist dr chauvin 5 reasons you cant get numb at the dentist

5 reasons you cant get numb at the dentist

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Imagine going to the dentist to have some work done, and no matter how many times they try, they can’t get you numb. Unfortunately that’s a reality for many people. There is an estimated 5 to 15% failure rate of dental injections. And when over four million are given annually, that’s between 200,000 and 600,000 failures! There are a number of reasons this could happen:

  • Errors made by the dentist
  • Nervous patients
  • Anatomic variations
  • Infection or inflammation
  • Red hair

Dentist errors:

There are a series of steps required for numbing to work properly. If your dentist doesn’t follow them, you won’t be properly numbed! The placement of the anesthetic is very important. If done incorrectly, the wrong part of your mouth could be numbed. This is usually corrected by another dosage of anesthetic in the correct place. And there are other factors that could cause the anesthetic to be misplaced, but we’ll get to that in a moment. Once the local has been given, it needs time to work. The injection doesn’t work right away, so it’s important to give the medicine enough time to soak in properly. The choice of anesthetic is also a factor, as some medical conditions can reduce the effectiveness of certain drugs.

Nervous patients:

Some people are afraid of the dentist, others are afraid of needles. Combine the two and you have the perfect recipe for improper placement of the anesthetic. Our nerves are a spiderweb, networked throughout our entire bodies. So when giving any sort of numbing injection, proper placement is very important. If a person jumps or twitches, because they’re nervous, from the sting of the needle, or whatever reason – they may cause the dosage to be displaced.

Anatomic variations:

While everyone is built the same, for the most part, there are slight variations that may cause an anesthetic not to work properly. For example, if a person has a wider jaw, it may be more difficult to determine exactly where a nerve should be.

Infection or inflammation:

An infection can hinder the effectiveness of any numbing medication. Most active infections involve pus, which is acidic. Acidic enough to counteract the effects of any anesthetic. In many cases, depending on the type and severity of infection, your dentist will prescribe antibiotics, and have you return for your dental work when the infection has cleared up.

Red hair:

It has to do with genetics, but for some strange reason, people with natural red hair have a built-in resistance to anesthetics! Redheads are also more likely to be afraid of the dentist!

If you’ve had trouble getting numb in the past, make sure you alert your dentist so they can try their best to make sure you are comfortable.

dr chauvin lafayette la dentist keep teeth straight after braces

How to Keep Your Teeth Straight After Braces

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dr chauvin lafayette la dentist keep teeth straight after bracesAfter months (or years) of painful visits to the orthodontist, meticulous dental care, and not being able to eat certain foods, it’s finally time for the braces to come off! An exciting time to be sure, but what if your teeth start to revert to their old position as soon as the braces are gone? Unfortunately, braces are not the final step of your orthodontic care. The good news is; the solution is an easy one!

Braces use an extraordinary amount of pressure to force your teeth to move into new positions.  After all, you’re remodeling your bone structure! And the process that started when you had your braces put on doesn’t stop once they come off. Your teeth are still moving, and it will take time for them to settle into their new position. Imagine a thin, springy bar of metal. As long as you hold it in a bent position, it will stay there. As soon as you let it go, it snaps back to its original straightness. Now your teeth won’t instantly move out of their new positions, but over time, they’ll begin to drift back to their original place. Enter – the retainer.

There are three different types of retainer that your orthodontist will choose, and you’ll need to wear it all day, every day, for a minimum of six months.

  •         A fixed retainer – this is a wire that’s cemented in place behind your back teeth, and can either go around the front of your teeth, or on the backside.
  •         A Hawley retainer – this retainer is made from a metal guide wire and acrylic that is fitted to your mouth. This is the most common type of retainer.
  •         Clear retainer – these are clear trays that are custom fitted to your mouth and simply slide over your teeth.

The amount of time you need to wear the retainer during the day will depend on your orthodontist’s discretion, and after that, you’ll need to wear the retainer every night for the rest of your life. Your teeth will always want to revert to their original position and for the most part, a retainer will prevent them from doing so. Most adults that need braces are patients who didn’t wear their retainer as they should have, and have their teeth have begun to retreat to their original position.

You must also continue to take excellent care of your teeth, and to watch carefully for teeth shifting. It’s far easier to correct a small problem, than to let a small problem snowball into a much larger one. If you’re concerned that your teeth have begun to shift, call Dr. Chauvin’s office to set up an appointment.

 

Famous Dentists in History

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Famous Dentists in History dr chauvin lafayette la dentistDentistry – the healing art and science of promoting and maintaining oral health. Perhaps dentistry doesn’t sound like the most exciting profession on the books, but it’s a noble and necessary one, indeed, and you probably didn’t know that there are some pretty famous people throughout history who were also dentists. So, next time you go for that cleaning, or to get that cavity filled, keep these famous dentists in mind:

 

  • “Doc” Holliday – He was better known as a gunfighter, gambler, and good friend of frontiersman Wyatt Earp. Did you know that he was also a dentist? Doc Holliday got his dental training in Pennsylvania, then had a dental practice in Atlanta. His days in dentistry ended when he contracted tuberculosis and moved out West, to the Wild, Wild West that is.
  • Edgar Buchanan – He spent 35 years as a Hollywood actor, with roles in The Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, and The Beverly Hillbillies. Before Edgar Buchanan appeared in more than 100 films, he got a degree in dentistry from North Pacific College of Dentistry. That’s where he met his wife. But once he got a taste of acting, there was no turning back.
  • Thomas Welch – This former dentist is the founder of Welch’s, as in Welch’s juice, in 1869. Welch invented a process that prevented grape juice from fermenting. But before he started a company that would eventually provide sugary juices to the masses, he was a very successful dentist. He even continued to practice dentistry for 11 years after founding Welch Company.
  • Paul Revere – His claim to fame was a quote that might not even be his own (“The British are coming!), but in his free time, Paul Revere also worked as an amateur dentist. Although he was a silversmith by trade, he used his craft skills to create dentures made out of walrus ivory or animal teeth. He then wired them into his patients’ mouths. Another couple of fun facts about Paul Revere: he also led a spy ring and made a lot of art.
  • Mark Spitz – Olympian Mark Spitz won seven gold medals in competitive swimming during the 1972 Olympic games, but for four years before setting records, he was a pre-dental student at Indiana University. After making a name for himself in swimming, he chose to earn millions with endorsements and later real estate instead of pursuing dentistry.

What happens if my cavity is in a hard to reach place

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More than 3 million people each year have to have cavities treated. They’re very common, and are relatively easy to treat when they’re caught in time. Generally, the decay is removed with a drill, and a filling replaces the missing tooth material. However, cavities can form on any surface of the tooth. So if you have a smaller mouth, or the cavity is at the very back of the mouth, this can make the traditional treatment a bit more difficult.

Treating a cavity that’s hard to reach

There are a couple of different ways to treat a cavity:

  • Fluoride treatments
  • Fillings
  • Extractions
  • Crowns
  • Root canals

If the cavity is caught very early, fluoride treatments can help restore your tooth’s enamel. You’ll be given a liquid, gel, or foam that is either brushed onto your teeth, or placed in trays that sit on your teeth. It’s left on for a few moments each day, and that’s all there is to it, no matter where the tooth is located.

The typical cavity treatment, a filling, may be impossible depending on the cavity’s location; for instance, if the cavity is located on the backside of your 2nd molar (the last one if you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed). The most common filling nowadays, a white composite resin, requires exposure to a dental curing light to finish hardening. So if your cavity is at the very back of your mouth, it’s going to be difficult to get that light back there!

If the cavity proves to be impossible to traditionally fill, you can have a crown put on the tooth. Crowns are typically reserved for when the tooth is extensively decayed or weakened, but they can be used in other instances. Your dentist will take a mold of your bite, then remove all of the decay, as well as some of the healthy tooth, in order to ensure that the crown will fit properly. You’ll be given a temporary crown until your custom one is finished. Then the temporary crown is removed and you’re fitted with the permanent one!

The bad news: crowns are a lot more expensive than fillings. So if budget is a factor (or you just don’t want to have a crown put on), you can choose to have the tooth removed. Keep in mind, when a tooth is removed, other teeth may shift and cause additional problems. A bridge or a dental implant will prevent other teeth from moving.

This is why it’s so critical to maintain proper dental hygiene and regular dental checkups. The sooner a problem is caught, the less involved the treatment will be. Call Dr. Chauvin to schedule an appointment!

Why does my child need a tooth extraction- dr chauvin lafayette la dentist

Why does my child need a tooth extraction

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Why does my child need a tooth extraction- dr chauvin lafayette la dentistIt may not happen at the same time for every child, but at some point, their primary teeth are going to fall out and the permanent teeth are going to erupt. In many cases, a child will lose their teeth at the right time, and their adult teeth will come in with no dental interventions. While that scenario is ideal, sometimes a primary tooth may need to be removed in the office.

There are a couple of different reasons why your child need a tooth extraction:

  • The tooth won’t fall out on its own

If your child has an adult tooth in place that’s about to erupt, and the primary tooth shows no signs of loosening, the primary tooth may have to be removed. If left on its own the adult tooth may come in crooked, or it may damage the primary tooth on its way out, causing further issues. It’s very important that the adult teeth come in correctly. If they don’t, corrective orthodontic action will be needed further down the line. Far better to nip a dental problem in the bud than wait for it to develop into a bigger issue.

  • Overcrowding

Adult teeth are much larger than primary teeth. It normally isn’t a problem, as the adult teeth come in slowly over time ; the child grows, their mouth gets bigger, there’s more room for adult teeth! If the child has an adult tooth ready to erupt and the tooth it is replacing is already gone, but there still isn’t enough room for the adult tooth, a neighboring tooth may need to be removed to insure that the adult tooth comes in correctly.

  • Tooth decay/Trauma

When it comes to primary teeth, depending on the age of the child, and the severity of the decay, sometimes a tooth extraction is easier than filling a cavity. If it’s a very young child whose adult teeth are a long way off, more than likely they’ll need a filling. A child with a fully formed adult tooth ready to erupt? Extracting the damaged tooth makes more sense than repairing a tooth they’re about to lose. This is also the case for trauma. If a child sustains a dental injury (for example, cracking a tooth during a sports event) they will need an extraction.

If you have questions or concerns about your child needing a tooth extraction, call Dr. Chauvin’s office. We will get you scheduled and see if an extraction is the best course of action for your child!

 

metallic taste in your mouth lafayette la dentist dr chauvin

Whats that metallic taste in your mouth?

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metallic taste in your mouth lafayette la dentist dr chauvinHave you ever had a strange taste in your mouth for no reason? Maybe a metallic or coppery flavor that just comes and goes? If you have, then you’ve experienced something called parageusia. It’s a taste disorder that makes it seem like you’ve been sucking on a penny. It’s fairly common, and has a wide variety of causes. They can range from harmless to very serious.

What can cause parageusia?

In rare cases, parageusia can be a sign of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Generally, the metallic taste in your mouth can be linked to a number of other factors, including:

  • Pregnancy
  • Sinus issues caused by:
    • Allergies
    • A cold
    • Sinus infections
    • Upper respiratory infections
      • Your sense of taste and smell are very closely linked, so when you can no longer smell properly, you may experience odd tastes.
  • Middle ear surgery
  • Certain prescription medications
    • Such as antibiotics (clarithromycin/Biaxin or metronidazole/Flagyl or tetracycline), blood pressure medication (captopril/Capoten), glaucoma medication (methazolamide/Neptazane), gout medication (allopurinol), or osteoporosis medication
  • Food allergies
  • Central nervous system (CNS) disorders like:
    • Stroke
    • Bell’s palsy
  • Chemotherapy and radiation
  • Over-the-counter vitamins or medicines
    • These often contain heavy metals like copper, zinc, or chromium, and can affect your sense of taste. As your body processes the vitamins, the taste should dissipate. Just double check to make sure you’re taking the correct dosage!
  • Poor oral health
    • Not brushing and flossing correctly opens the door to problems like gingivitis, periodontitis, and other tooth infections. These can all produce a metallic taste.
  • Chemical exposure
    • Inhaling certain chemicals (especially mercury or lead) in large quantities can cause a metallic taste.

The good news is, if you’re healthy, then whatever is causing you to have that metallic tang is usually benign.

How do I get rid of the metallic taste?

Most of the time, once the underlying cause is taken care of, the metallic taste will go away. It may do so on it’s own, and be little more than a random occasional nuisance. If it doesn’t, you will want to see a doctor to rule out more serious problems, as it can also be indicative of undiagnosed diabetes, liver, or kidney disease. Parageusia isn’t usually the only symptom of these diseases, so if you aren’t having any other symptoms, they probably aren’t the culprit.

If a metallic taste in your mouth is a continual problem, come see us at our office and we’ll see if the cause is a dental issue!

what is hyperdontia dr chauvin lafayette dentist

What is hyperdontia

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what is hyperdontia dr chauvin lafayette dentistDid you know that it’s possible to have extra teeth? It’s called hyperdontia, and affects a very small number of the population (between 1 and 4%).  The extra teeth, or supernumerary teeth, can grow anywhere in the dental arch. The most common supernumerary teeth are either the anterior incisors or the fourth molars. The fourth molars often appear as extra, impacted wisdom teeth.

What causes hyperdontia?

Although researchers haven’t been able to pin down a definite cause, many feel that environmental causes and family genetics are to blame. However, they are not sure what elements of the environment are responsible for hyperdontia. It can happen to anyone, but people with Gardner’s syndrome, cleft lip, or down syndrome seem to be more prone to it. And of the affected population, males are affected more than females at a ratio of two to one. In most cases, there is a single extra tooth.

Researchers do know how it happens though. During the first stages of development, a tooth bud can split, essentially creating a copy of itself. Both halves of the tooth bud will mature, resulting in duplicate teeth. Hyperdontia is much more common in permanent teeth than primary teeth.

Complications with hyperdontia

There are 20 primary teeth, and 32 permanent teeth. That’s just how our mouths have evolved. Many people have to have their wisdom teeth removed because they don’t have room for them, or they’re positioned incorrectly. Supernumerary teeth can come in underneath, or in-between permanent teeth. They may also be misshapen, or more prone to decay. And even though the extra teeth may never break the skin, they can still cause a variety of problems:

  • Dental crowding – this can make it difficult to eat normally
  • Keeping permanent teeth from erupting correctly, or at all
  • Fusing with permanent teeth
  • Tumor or cyst formation

Treatment for hyperdontia

It’s important to take your child to their regularly scheduled dental checkups, especially since hyperdontia is easily discovered during a dental exam. Treatment will depend on the location of the tooth, whether it’s primary or permanent, and whether it has erupted or not. In most children, it’s not necessary to surgically remove an extra primary tooth, as it will fall out on it’s own. Permanent teeth will most likely need to be extracted. Your dentist will determine the best course of action, as the extra tooth may need to be cut and removed in pieces. Or an orthodontic method may be required to ensure the surrounding teeth have room to erupt properly.

Are you concerned that your child may have an extra tooth? Call Dr. Chauvin to set up an appointment!