what does it tke to be a dentist dr chauvin lafayette la dentist

What does it take to be a dentist

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what does it tke to be a dentist dr chauvin lafayette la dentistAs with any medical profession, becoming a dentist takes a lot of time and hard work. Good thing that the market is expanding! From 2012 to 2022, the market for dentists is expected to grow 16%! That means there is plenty of room for any aspiring dentists out there. What does it take to become a dentist? Well for starters, after graduating high school…

 

You need a bachelor’s degree

The first thing you need in order to become a dentist is a bachelor’s degree. At some schools, you can take a three pre-dental program instead. The big thing to keep in mind is, although all of the prerequisites fall along the same lines, every school is different. One school may require that you take so many second language courses, another may want you to have three PE classes! Just keep up with your degree requirements when enrolling for courses and you’ll be fine. The most common prerequisites include coursework in:

  • Physics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Statistics

If your school doesn’t have its own dental school, or you were planning on transferring, make sure you look at the dental school you will be attending as far as degree requirements. Then, during your junior year, you’ll have to…

Take the Dental Acceptance Test (DAT)

There are only so many spots that open up each year when it comes to dental schools, so there is always competition for those spots. The DAT is one of the biggest things that schools consider when looking at dental candidates. There are four multiple choice tests that cover: natural sciences, perceptual ability, quantitative reasoning, and reading comprehension. If you aren’t happy with your score, you can retake the test up to three times. You just have to wait 90 days between each test. This is why it’s recommended you start taking it in your junior year – so you have enough time to study and retake it before you graduate. After you make it into dental school…

You must complete your doctorate

At dental school, you’ll typically have two years of classwork in advanced science and lab courses, and then two years of clinicals with additional classroom education. Your clinicals will be supervised, at dental facility. Once you’ve earned your Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, you need to…

Pass state and national licensing exams

The National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) is a test that all dentists must pass in order to practice. There are two parts to the exam: basic science and dental topics. This is only half of the necessary licensing though. Each state has their own licensing test, so make sure you take the test in the state you’re going to be practicing in. While the NBDE is a written test, most state tests involve clinical tests that involve real dental procedures on patients.

From start to finish, on average, it takes 8 years to complete all of your training and become licensed. You may shave off some time if you take a bigger course-load while working on your bachelors, but once you get into dental school, the courses are laid out on a schedule for you and can’t be changed. It’s hard, but we know you can do it!

Three ways to ease dental anxiety

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Are you afraid of going to the dentist? Some people simply schedule their appointment and go get it over with without a second thought! However; if you’re someone who will put off an appointment until the absolute last second, and when you finally do schedule one you dread it for weeks? You may have a dental phobia.

Well you aren’t alone. Up to 75% of people have a slight feeling of fear about dental visits! And more severe, afflicting anywhere from 9-20% of the population, are the people who avoid the dentist unless absolutely necessary.

The good news is, there are some things you can do to help ease your dental anxiety.

Bring someone with you

A familiar face, such as a close friend or relative, in the room can do a lot to ease your troubled nerves. Having someone to talk to will keep you from dwelling on your fears and keep you distracted. Make sure it’s someone who knows how you feel about the dentist, and has no fear of the dentist themselves. You don’t want to bring someone along only to have them say “I’m terrified of the dentist! I can’t stand the drill!” That’s not going to help very much.

Distract yourself in the chair

Most dentists allow you to wear headphones while they’re working on your teeth, so take advantage of it! You can listen to some music, although don’t put anything too familiar on – you may find yourself tuning it out. Comedy albums help a lot as well – not only do they give you something else to focus on, they’ll amuse you! Another good option are audiobooks. Pick something new and just let the novel take you someplace far away from the dentist’s office.

Talk with your dentist

A lot of people’s fear stems from simply not understanding what happens in the chair, or that they feel a lack of control. Take the time to talk with your dentist about their process! Let them know that you have this fear. They can walk you through everything so you know exactly what’s about to happen. You can also ask them to check with you frequently on whether you can continue or if you need to take a break.

The most important thing you can do is be upfront with your dentist about it. Don’t wait until you’re in the chair and on the verge of the panic attack to say something. Be honest! It’s very common, and your dentist should be more than happy to accommodate whatever requests you have to help you through the experience.

What exactly is Tinnitus?

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tinnitus chauvin dental lafayetteDo you suffer from a constant ringing or buzzing in your ears? That is tinnitus. It’s a common misconception that tinnitus is a condition by itself. It’s actually a symptom of something else, like a circulatory problem, or hearing loss due to age. Luckily, it’s just annoying, and often isn’t a sign of a serious issue. It can get worse with time though, so if it becomes unbearable there are things you or your doctor can do to deal with it.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is when you hear phantom sounds, even though there isn’t anything actually making noise, and is characterized by:

  • Ringing
  • Buzzing
  • Hissing
  • Roaring
  • Clicking

The sound’s pitch and volume can be low or high, and can occur in one or both ears. It can also be constant, or come and go. Some people are incredibly bothered by it, and others don’t mind. It all varies from person to person. Regardless of your symptoms, the sound you hear will help your doctor determine the problem.

When should I see a doctor?

If you experience tinnitus after having a respiratory infection, if it comes on with no apparent reason, or if you experience hearing loss or dizziness with the tinnitus, you need to see a doctor to make sure that whatever is causing it isn’t serious.

How is it treated?

To treat, your doctor will first need to determine which kind you have. There are two types of tinnitus: subjective, which only you can hear, and objective, which your doctor can hear. Most people have subjective tinnitus, and it can be caused by problems within your ear, problems with auditory nerves, or problems in the auditory pathways of your brain. Objective tinnitus is rarer, and is caused by muscle contractions, blood vessel problems, or a middle ear bone issue.

Once your doctor determines the root cause of the tinnitus, treatment can begin. If the tinnitus is caused by impacted ears, your doctor will remove the earwax. If it’s caused by a blood vessel condition, you may need medication or surgery to correct the tinnitus. Certain prescriptions can also cause tinnitus, so you may simply need to use a different medication.

If it’s not something that can be treated, there are things your doctor can do to help reduce your symptoms: prescriptions, white noise suppression, masking devices, hearing aids, or tinnitus retraining. These things all help you suppress the sound, and in the case of tinnitus retraining, you learn to ignore it entirely.

If you suspect you have tinnitus, set up an appointment with your doctor just to rule out any serious medical trouble.

Night Guards: Complete cleaning instructions

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night guard chauvin dental lafayette laProtecting your teeth and maintaining proper oral health is paramount to a healthy lifestyle. Dental problems can present themselves as a variety of different issues. Take bruxism, or teeth grinding, for example. If you find yourself waking up with headaches or a sore jaw, you may be grinding your teeth at night and not even realize it. The good news is there are some things you can do to help bruxism, such as use a night guard. If you do use a night guard, here are some instructions on how to clean it properly.

How to clean your night guard

Simply rinsing off an item that stays in your mouth all night, every night, is not sufficient to clean it. There are a couple of different ways you can clean your night guard:

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
    • Use a softer bristle toothbrush and a gentle toothpaste in order to not damage the night guard with any abrasive substances. If the night guard becomes scratched or has pockmarks, bacteria will gather in the grooves and make it more difficult to clean correctly.
  • Soap and water
    • It’s important to not use hot water on your night guard, as it can soften the plastic and cause it to warp. Warm water and a gentle antibacterial soap are best – you can also use a soft bristle toothbrush to gently scrub away any debris.
  • Mouthwash
    • An antibacterial mouthwash is safe to rinse, or even soak your nightguard in. It will kill any lingering bacteria and give the night guard a pleasant taste. Be aware that it may become stained with regular use of a mouthwash – but that won’t affect the functionality.
  • Dental sanitizing devices
    • There are special cases that use antibacterial UV light to disinfect the night guard, however they do not remove any debris so it’s important to still remove that first.

How to store your night guard

Equally as important as cleaning your night guard is proper storage. You may have the most disinfected and spotless night guard in the world, but if it goes into a dirty case, all of that work is wasted. With proper night guard care, you should only need to clean your case once a week. You can use hot water and soap whilst cleaning the case. It’s also important to make sure your night guard is completely dry before going into the case, and that you keep the case in a cool dry place.

If you have concerns about teeth grinding and wish to be fitted for a custom night guard, set up an appointment with Dr. Chauvin!

 

Benefits of dental sealants

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There is no replacement for taking proper care of your teeth. However, it can be difficult to get children to brush and floss as much as they should, which is why they are more susceptible to cavities. Since our adult teeth can come in as early as six years of age, it’s very important to take care of them, as we will have these teeth for the rest of our lives. Fortunately, there is an additional measure of protection parents can choose to put on their children’s teeth: dental sealants.

What is a dental sealant?

A dental sealant is simply an additional layer of protection that can be placed on children’s teeth. It’s made of a very common dental composite that is resin based, bis-GMA (bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate). This is often the same material used for cavity fillings. It bonds micro-mechanically to properly prepared teeth, providing a lasting hold that actually strengthens the teeth it’s attached to. The process is simple:

  1. Teeth are cleaned of all plaque and food deposits
  2. A tooth is dried
  3. Then etched – which creates tiny irregularities that make it easier for the resin to bond to it
  4. It is rinsed and dried again
  5. The sealant is applied
  6. A self-curing light is used for thirty seconds to harden the resin
  7. And the process is repeated until all teeth are finished

When should their teeth be sealed?

Once the final permanent tooth erupts. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says that using a sealant “has shown a reduction of cavities’ incidence [by] 86 percent after one year and 58 percent after four years.” So it’s important to have it done quickly after the child has all of their permanent teeth for maximum protection, typically around age six.

How long does it last?

If the child takes proper care of their teeth, the sealant can last as long as ten years! Chips, wear, and tear will happen as time goes on, but a dentist can repair any chinks in this particular armor. It’s a simple matter of reapplying the sealant to the affected tooth. For this reason, it’s important to maintain your regular dental check-ups, twice a year.

Adults that don’t have decay or fillings in their molars can also have their teeth sealed! It’s a wonderful way to keep your teeth healthy and prevent cavities. If you are interested in having your or your child’s teeth sealed, set up an appointment with Dr. Chauvin!

nitrous oxide chauvin dental lafayette dentist louisiana

How Nitrous Oxide works

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nitrous oxide chauvin dental lafayette dentist louisianaIf you’ve ever had any dental work done, especially as a child, you’re probably familiar with nitrous oxide. On its own, the gas can be fatal. When mixed with oxygen (typically at a ratio of 30% nitrous oxide and 70% oxygen) it becomes N2O-O2, more commonly known as laughing gas.

How does nitrous oxide work?

Nitrous oxide is administered via a small facemask that covers the nose. Sometimes the mask is scented (typically for children) to give the otherwise undetectable gas a pleasant odor. The easiest way to describe the effects of the gas is that it gives the patient a “happy drunk” feeling. After breathing in the gas for around five minutes, you experience a euphoric feeling throughout the body. It can also make you feel light-headed, and make your limbs feel weighed down, but not in an unpleasant way. People often get the giggles, hence the “laughing gas” moniker.

After light-headedness, depending on how much gas is administered, the patient will descend through the following levels of sedation:

  1. Tingling or vibrating sensations in the limbs
  2. Warmth
  3. Euphoria or floating (the patient’s hearing may dissolve into distant throbbing)
  4. Sleepiness and difficulty speaking

If you begin to feel nauseous, you’ve been over-sedated. If at any point do you feel unpleasant sensations, tell your dentist. They can adjust to N2O-O2 dosage and make you feel better, or even remove the mask to dispel some of the effects.

Uses of nitrous oxide:

It is primarily used for partial sedation, but can double as an anaesthetic, as N2O deadens virtually all sensation, including pain! In fact, it’s so effective at minimizing pain that it is often used instead of gumline injected anaesthetics. It also inhibits some emotional response, which is why it can be used to calm down people (and children) who are incredibly afraid at the dentist.

It works quickly, reaching your brain in under thirty seconds. Within five minutes, you’ll be optimally sedated. It is easy to adjust the dosage, so if a patient is somewhat resistant to the effects, or is feeling badly, necessary changes can be made quickly in order to minimize discomfort.

Another reason it’s so popular for dental procedures is there are no aftereffects. Once the gas is turned off, all effects are removed from the body in a matter of minutes. You can even drive after laughing gas!

If you’re in need of any dental work, come see Dr. Chauvin!

Why replace a lost tooth?

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As a child, losing teeth is a very necessary step in growing up. Baby teeth fall out, adult teeth come in. However, losing a tooth (and not replacing it) as an adult, can have very dramatic dental and medical consequences. Our mouths have evolved over the millennia to be what they are today, and when a tooth is missing, it throws off a lot of things.

The first problem is a loss in chewing efficiency. Every lost tooth is a 10% loss in your ability to chew properly. This leads to swallowing food that is not completely chewed, increasing your risk of choking, and leading to digestive problems (because the rest of the digestive system now has to compensate for your teeth not properly doing their jobs).

The primary function of the mouth is to break down food enough for the stomach to be able to digest properly. If food isn’t masticated properly, the stomach may not be able to fully break down the food, so your body won’t be able to properly absorb nutrients from what you eat. Also, large chunks of food that do not digest can become a breeding ground for bacteria, ultimately causing gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, cramping, and abdominal pain. This can also contribute to acid reflux or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).

lost tooth dr chauvin lafayette dentist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another issue from a lost tooth is something called extrusion or supereruption. Essentially, without support on the opposite side of the mouth, the tooth on the opposite jaw will begin to drift down (or up) into the vacant space. The teeth on either side of the gap can drift inward as well, causing additional teeth to be misaligned. This reduces your bite strength, increases wear and tear on your teeth, and makes them harder to clean properly.

You can also experience a collapsed bite. Your arch, the arc between the backs of your back teeth, will degrade over time. This will make your nose begin to point down, making your face shorter. After that, muscle tone in your face will be reduced, causing sunken cheeks and a pinched facial expression. In a nutshell, it makes a person look a lot older due to the loss of bone volume and muscle tone.

It’s very important to replace a lost tooth immediately. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to fix. Once the other teeth start moving around, braces may be required to push them back into place. And as the teeth degrade, getting an accurate bite imprint will be almost impossible. Have a missing tooth you suddenly feel a need to have fixed? Call Dr. Chauvin!

symbol of dentistry chavin dental lafayette la

Do you know the meaning behind the official symbol of dentistry?

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symbol of dentistry chavin dental lafayette laThe symbol of dentistry, a staff with a snake coiled around it, flanked by leaves, inside a triangle, surrounded by (and intertwined with) a circle, and on a purple background. Chosen in 1965, the symbol has been around for over 50 years. It looks cool, but what in the world does it stand for?

As with many things, the symbol has its origins in mythology. Enter Asclepius – one of the earlier gods associated with health. Asclepius was a son of Apollo (who you may recognize as the god who drives the chariot across the sky each day, bringing the sun with him). Apollo was known for healing, among other things.

Asclepius was primarily known for his healing abilities, and his symbol was a staff entwined with a snake. Believed to have taken the form of a serpent, the story goes that Asclepius healed the Greek people that were suffering from a Roman plague.

Although snakes have a negative connotation today, from a mythological standpoint, the snake was a creature of rebirth. They saw the shedding of its skin as  a rejuvenation, a healing. You’ll notice that his symbol is also very similar to the symbol of medicine, the Caduceus; a winged staff with two snakes twirling around it.

Interestingly enough, the serpent has a healing representation in the Old Testament too! Moses made a brass serpent, put it on a pole, and “… if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” (Numbers 21:9) This is also connected to the origins of the Caduceus.

Also appearing on the symbol of dentistry are two branches of leaves with berries on them. This is a very specific reference to the number of teeth people have. There are 32 leaves, for 32 permanent (adult) teeth, and 20 berries, representing primary (children’s) teeth.

The triangle is actually the greek letter Δ, delta, here referring to “dentistry”. The circle is Ο, omicron. Omicron represents “odont” – the greek word for tooth. The two symbols are woven together. The purple color is actually lilac, and was selected as the color of dentistry by the NADF (National Association of Dental Faculties) in 1897.

Symbols and logos are never what they appear to be at face value. Each element is carefully chosen, and with a little digging, you too can discover what they really mean. In the meantime, if you need to see a dentist, give Dr. Chauvin a call!

adult braces dr chauvin lafayette la

What you should know about adult orthodontics

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adult braces dr chauvin lafayette laThese days, braces aren’t just for kids. As people are living longer, and advancements in medical and dental health continue, people are choosing to have their teeth corrected with orthodontics. If a person has good dental health, they can get braces – whether they’re twenty years old, or seventy years old!

 

 

There are multiple benefits to having braces as an adult:

  • Closing gaps between teeth
  • Fixing over/under/cross-bites
  • Improving their smile
  • Correctly aligned teeth are easier to care for via flossing and brushing

The most important thing to bear in mind when considering braces, good dental hygiene must be maintained, or they’ll cause more problems than they fix. Special care must be taken when a person has braces. Brushing after every meal is a must, and flossing properly will take roughly twenty minutes – also after every meal.

Thankfully, due to advancing technology, braces are no longer the gigantic metal bands that were around in the 80s and 90s. There are a number of options to choose from!

 

  • Traditional braces:

 

    • Are much smaller nowadays, which makes them easier to clean and easier for a person’s mouth to adjust to. The orthodontist will tighten the wires every four to six weeks, and adults will typically have these for anywhere from eighteen months to three years.

 

  • Ceramic braces:

 

    • Although more expensive, they’re harder to see, as the ceramic is the same color of the teeth.
      • Another option, if the visibility of the braces is a concern, is to have the metal brackets placed behind the teeth. It is important to note that this method is much more costly, as each bracket has to be custom fitted to the back of each tooth. This location also makes the braces more difficult to clean.
  • Clear alignment braces:
    • These can be removed for eating and teeth cleaning, but they tend to take longer than traditional braces. They’re meant for minor adjustments. If a large tooth gap is an issue, than metal braces are the way to go

 

  • Veneers:

 

    • A veneer is a thin layer of ceramic that cosmetically corrects any chipped or stained teeth, without actually moving anything around. Another thing to consider is the cost, as the dentist may need to shave some of the existing tooth to make the veneers look right.

If a person is considering braces, they should talk to their dentist about the options. They can make a recommendation based on the current state of their teeth, and refer a good orthodontist in the area. Need more information? Call Dr. Chauvin!

 

What is a water flosser?

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water flosserDo you find yourself forgetting to floss some days? You’re not alone. Just half of Americans floss daily, and 18.5% don’t floss at all. Even if we don’t always remember to do it, flossing is an important part of our daily routine. Floss gets to places between your teeth and in the spaces between your teeth and gums your toothbrush can’t reach. But is dental floss your only option?

Water flosser – what is it?

A water flosser, sometimes called a water pick, is an oral irrigator. That means it’s a cleaning device that shoots a thin stream of water, and when aimed between your teeth or at the gumline it can remove food particles and plaque on or between your teeth. The most popular version is made by Waterpik.

Oral irrigation tools are also more effective ways to irrigate pockets ob plaque between the sides of teeth and the inside of the gums, because they flush out bacteria without making the gums bleed.

Who should use a water flosser?

  1. People with gum disease and bleeding gums
    • If you have some hard to clean areas that continue to bleed despite good flossing, water flossers can be a great way to clean these problem areas. Water flossers clean these areas with persistent gum inflammation well enough to see a noticeable reduction in inflammation and bleeding, which is the goal of treatment to address gum disease.
  2. People with braces
    • Water flossers are great for those with braces who tend to get more food particles stuck in their teeth. Not only does that feel gross and irritating, it increases your risk for cavities when you don’t clean them out.
  3. People that always get food stuck in their teeth
    • Some people just get more food stuck in their teeth than others. It probably has more to do with the shape of your teeth. People with small gaps where their teeth and gums meet are more likely to have that problem. It can also happen when you’re teeth aren’t perfectly aligned. That’s usually due to genetics, and those rotated or crowded teeth can create pesky food traps. Food can also get stuck around some dental work like bridges and dental implants, and water flossers can be a big help to clean these harder to reach places.

How to use a water flosser

8 Simple Steps for Using a Water Flosser

  1. Fill the reservoir with lukewarm water and place it on the base, pressing down firmly to ensure full seating.
  2. Select the tip and press firmly into the handle.
  3. If this is the first use, set the pressure control dial to high. Point the tip into the sink and turn on until water flows. Turn unit off.
  4. Adjust the pressure control (start at low pressure)
  5. Lean over the sink and place tip in mouth.
  6. Turn unit on. Close lips to prevent splashing, while allowing water to flow from mouth into sink.
  7. Start with the back teeth and pause briefly between teeth, aiming the tip just above the gumline at a 90 degree angle.
  8. When finished, turn unit off and use the tip eject button to remove the tip.