Tag Archive for: dentists

Learning About Athletic Mouth Guards

/in /by

There are many different types of Athletic mouth guards available in the market today, however ensuring you have one that is custom made to fit your own unique mouth structure is highly recommended. With a properly fitted athletic mouth guard, you will be comfortable when wearing it, and you won’t have to worry about causing any injury to the delicate lining of your inner mouth.

Mouth guards are literally mouth protectors and make up an essential part of an athlete’s equipment. The mouth guard is designed to help cushion any direct impact to the facial area. If there is any direct impact due to contact sport sessions, the mouth guard is supposed to help minimize any injuries sustained to the face, such as broken teeth, and cuts to the lips, jaw and tongue.

Athletes who use the athletic mouth guards in Lafayette, usually have a choice of three different styles:

  •  Custom fitted – these are generally made only for the user and by their personal dentist. Although this version may seem a little more expensive, it does ensure the fit is completely comfortable and highly functional as a protective tool.
  • Available stock – these are usually readily available either online or in stores. Although considered to be quite functional, they don’t fit as perfectly as the custom fitted option.
  • Boil and bite – these are usually very basic mouth protectors and are boiled to soften the texture and then bitten into, to create a sort of mold that will function as an adequate protector.

Ideally, you should try to have the custom version if you want the best protection. If you play contact sports, then you need this very important protection. The athletic mouth guards created by Lafayette Dentist Dr. Chauvin all come with high quality standards and are a popular choice for many people.

Dentists often recommend the use of athletic mouth guards for patients who have had some bridge work done or if they are wearing braces. This is a great way to keep their teeth safe if sporting activities are a part of their routines. The athletic mouth guard will act as a protective barrier between the braces and the inside of your mouth. An impact to the facial area while wearing braces can cause a lot of cuts if the mouth isn’t protected.

Caring for your athletic mouthguard

Caring for any athletic mouth guard is quite simple and hassle free. It only requires a few easy to follow steps:

  • Either rinsing before and after use, or brushing with a toothbrush, should adequately keep the athletic mouth guard clean and safe for reuse
  • Storing it in a sturdy container with adequate holes for ventilation is recommended
  • Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and hot water
  • Replace when there are significant wear and tear signs

Athletic mouth guards are fast gaining popularity in Lafayette as most people now understand their usefulness and importance. Need a custom mouth guard? Give us a call!

Best New Years Resolutions for you and your teeth

/in , /by

“New year, new you!”

You may be considering saving some extra money, getting a better job or losing weight. Many people set new goals about having a healthier lifestyle in the new year.  Why not try adding some New Year resolutions for your teeth into the mix? Setting a goal to improve dental health is easy and it can benefit your overall health too.

Simple New Years Resolutions for you and your teeth

  • Schedule out your two dentist appointments – We all know that professional cleanings should happen twice a year, but most people have a hard time making it into the office for just one of the two appointments. We all have packed and growing schedules. So, make it a point to actually see the dentist twice in 2015, even if that means scheduling the appointments right now. You will be glad you did once you’re walking out with a healthy smile!
  • Diet Change (2 birds 1 stone) – Eating well is important for your dental health. Poor nutrition can affect the entire immune system making you more susceptible to a long list of mouth problems (including gum disease). Luckily, eating crisp fruits and raw vegetables like apples, carrots and celery help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath.  Antioxidants and other nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts improve your body’s ability to fight bacteria and inflammation, helping to protect your teeth and gums.
  • Quit smoking – Smokers experience twice the tooth loss of non-smokers, due to plaque and tartar buildup that encourages dental decay.  Your ability to fight infection throughout the body decreases significantly, including in the mouth and gums.  Lastly smoking causes bad breath (and it’s much more pleasant to kiss a non-smoker!)
  • Finally (possibly the hardest resolution) Pick up that FLOSS! – It’s been in the drawer for months just hoping to get it’s big break – why not make 2015 the year? Flossing is the only way to get between the teeth and all the way down in the gum line. The seemingly never ending list of benefits  might just be the kick you need.

So we’ve got you on the right path and hopefully you will think about your teeth while you plan out your New Year’s resolutions, and you will have a healthier, better-looking smile by the time the next year rolls around!

The first and easiest step is picking up the phone to make your appointments – Dr. Chauvin is waiting for your call!

Happy New Year!

mouth guard

Custom night guard benefits

/in /by

A custom night guard protects people that have problems with bruxism. Bruxism is the compression and gritting of teeth. For some people, it is a mild annoyance. For others, this can become a serious issue that becomes difficult to control and treat at advanced stages.Typically, bruxism happens in your sleep.

The damage caused by bruxism can include:

  • Serrations in the teeth
  • Deterioration of the biting surface area
  • Tooth fractures or breaks
  • Tooth loss
  • Headache
  • Jaw pain
  • Neck pain

As a person grinds their teeth, the incisors and canines move against one another sideways. This causes the degradation of the enamel, which leads to dulled biting edges. Bruxism not only causes problems for the individual suffering for it, but also for those around them. Some people grind their molars loudly while they sleep. If they are sleeping with anyone, that person is going to have a hard time trying to stay asleep.

Teeth grinding leads to serious dental harm, if left untreated. Many people are usually either unaware they have a problem, or aren’t as severely affected as others. That is because only five to ten percent people develop severe symptoms.

Treatment for Bruxism:mouth guard

Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct treatment for bruxism itself. The best way to prevent additional damage is with a custom night guard. While this helps protect a person’s teeth, it doesn’t do much for the head and muscle pain caused by grinding. There are a few things someone can do to try to reduce the severity of their grinding:

  • Reduce caffeine consumption
  • Stay away from alcohol
  • Avoid chewing on things that aren’t food, especially chewing gum
  • Be more observant during the day. If you find yourself clenching, put the tip of your tongue in between your teeth. This forces your jaw to relax.
  • Before bed, place a warm washcloth on your jaw to relax the muscles.

While these won’t necessarily eliminate the problem, they can help reduce the severity of it. Over the counter night guards are available, but if they don’t fit well, they can actually make the problem worse. A custom night guard will be measured to fit your mouth exactly. A dentist will use putty to take a mold of your mouth, and then he’ll send the impression off to be turned into a night guard. The end result is a perfect mold of your mouth that will protect your teeth and help you manage your grinding. Questions? Give us a call!