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Do I really need to floss - dr chauvin lafayette la

Do I really need to floss?

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We’ve all been told to floss. From television ads advertising oral hygiene products to visits to the dentist, we have been exposed to the concept of flossing. 

The problem is, however, that many people don’t actually floss on a regular basis. Perhaps they believe that brushing their teeth is enough. Or, maybe flossing seems very mundane and cumbersome. Whatever your reason for not flossing is, it’s important to know that this act of self-care is very important to safeguarding your oral health. 

Brushing alone is not enough to protect our teeth and gums. This is because a toothbrush and toothpaste can’t reach all the surfaces in our mouth. In fact, thorough and proper brushing can only clean about 70% of the surfaces of teeth. Having 30% of our mouths uncleaned on a regular basis can lead to the development of serious and destructive oral health concerns. 

What does flossing do?

Flossing helps remove debris between teeth and removes the film of bacteria known as “plaque.” Plaque that is not removed can harden into tartar once it is exposed to calculus. Once tartar forms, it can only be removed through a professional cleaning from a dentist or dental hygienist. 

When we forego flossing, tartar will begin to accumulate at the gum line. As tartar builds up, the gums will recede from teeth and become inflamed. Without improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, tartar buildup will lead to the development of a common condition called “gingivitis.” 

When oral hygiene is inadequate, this bacteria-laden tartar and plaque can spread even deeper below the gum line, causing periodontitis—a more progressive form of gingivitis. Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss and can also destroy bone in the jaws. 

Flossing can prevent the accumulation of tartar that leads to gum disease. It also helps control oral bacteria by disrupting its colonization at the gum line. An additional benefit to regular flossing is that it stimulates the gingiva, which has additional protective benefits when it comes to maintaining good oral health. 

When is the best time to floss?

According to the American Dental Association, you can floss either before or after brushing.  

However, if you use dental floss before you brush, the fluoride from the toothpaste has a better chance of reaching between teeth. Unlike brushing, you only need to floss once a day. Although you may choose to do it in the morning or afternoon, many prefer to floss at night to prevent food and debris from remaining in the crevices of the teeth overnight. This could prevent the build-up of plaque too.

What type of floss should I use?

When picking a floss, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with how many brands and varieties there are.  There are other types of interdental cleaners such as handheld flossers, picks, and water irrigators, too. 

When selecting oral hygiene tools and products, we encourage you to buy items with the ADA seal of acceptance. You may want to try a few different types of floss and products to determine what works best for your needs. Some folks find that a combination of products—such as waxed dental floss and a water irrigator—provide the best results.

The main objective is to find products that you will use on a daily basis. Our knowledgeable staff is happy to help you make product selections. Feel free to call with questions or ask for our recommendations at your next appointment. 

A few helpful tips when choosing:

  • Large gaps between teeth? Try dental tape 
  • Not much space between your teeth? Try waxed floss, which glides more easily between crowded surfaces.
  • Want less mess? Look for disposable flossers 
  • Braces or bridges? A spongy floss is a great option.
  • Wear prosthetics like bridges and fixed dentures? Consider investing in a water irrigator.

Schedule a dental cleaning today

Even if you commit to flossing daily, you will still need routine dental cleanings at our practice. Dental cleanings remove surface debris and tartar with specialized instruments. The ADA recommends that patients with good oral health receive two cleanings a year spaced six months apart. Those who have developed gum disease may require more frequent prophylaxis. 

Give our Lafayette dental practice a call at (337) 234-2186 to schedule your next cleaning and checkup with our gentle dentist, Dr. Chavin.

How Often Do I Need a Dental Cleaning - dr chauvin lafayette la

How often do I need to get a teeth cleaning?

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One of the best things a person can do for their dental health is to prioritize practicing good oral hygiene and keeping routine appointments with his or her dentist.  If you have good oral hygiene habits and good oral health, your dentist and dental hygienist will probably suggest professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year.  For patients with gum disease, dental cleanings may be necessary every quarter.

Dental cleanings are necessary for everyone, including those with great oral health. Even if you brush and floss correctly, you still need to have routine cleanings. A dental cleaning provides much more protection from destructive oral conditions than oral hygiene alone. Cleanings remove substances that cannot be cleaned away with brushing and flossing. During dental cleanings, a dentist or hygienist will measure the depth of periodontal pockets (the space just between the base of a tooth and the gingiva). If these pockets are too wide or deep, it could indicate that a patient has gum disease. Having cleanings every six months greatly improves the chances that a patient’s gum disease is detected in its earliest stages. 

Tartar and plaque form in the mouth at different rates and can lead to periodontal disease that can cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) or the bones (periodontitis) that surround and support the teeth. Once these conditions have developed, they can be challenging to treat. The best protection is prevention, with regular teeth cleanings, avoiding smoking, and practicing good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly at home.

What Can I Expect During a Teeth Cleaning?

During a teeth cleaning, a dentist or hygienist will evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene. They will check for any tooth decay, root decay, and gum or bone disease. Any surface stains or deposits of plaque and tartar on your teeth are removed with tools including a tooth polisher and a scaler. Tooth polishers buff teeth and eliminate tiny pieces of plaque. Scalers look a bit like metal hooks and are used to remove calcified plaque (tartar). 

What you can do to prevent gum disease and tooth decay:

There several things you can do to improve your mouth’s health and decrease your chances of dental problems.

  • Scheduling routine checkups and cleanings
  • Brushing 2-3 times a day
  • Flossing once a day
  • Using mouthwash once a day
  • Brushing in soft and gentle circular motions
  • Using the correct type of toothbrush—preferably one with soft bristles that is ADA-approved

Every day, your mouth has to battle oral bacteria and the effects of the foods/beverages you consume. As you eat, food particles are smashed in-between your teeth. Acidic drinks such as fruit juice or soda can wear away enamel over time while sugar serves as a food source for bacteria. As bacteria feed on sugar molecules, they release acids, which soften tooth enamel. 

Since our gums and teeth must contend with a hostile environment, it’s imperative that all patients commit to practicing meticulous oral hygiene and receive dental cleanings twice a year. Keeping appointments with your dentist can help detect oral health concerns in their earliest stages, which is when they are easier and cheaper to treat. 

If it’s time for a checkup or cleaning, give our Lafayette dental office a call at (337) 234-2186 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Chauvin.

What is sedation dentistry ?

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sedation dentistry

What is sedation dentistry

If you’re afraid of the dentist, you’re not alone. But did you know there’s a way of conquering the fears that may have kept you from visiting your dentist for necessary treatment? Using the techniques of sedation dentistry,  your favorite Lafayette Louisiana dentist, Dr. Chauvin can ease your apprehension, and even make the entire experience pain-free. How? By administering a combination of anxiety-relieving and pain-blocking drugs.  

With sleep dentistry the patient can be put in either a conscious sedative sleep state or an unconscious sedative sleep state. With sedation dentistry you can visit your dentist with peace of mind of knowing that it will be a relaxed, pain-free, and anxiety-free visit. If you have long been someone that either fears the pain of dental work or you don’t like having personal space invade then it might be time for you to consider a sleep dentist. 

How does sedation dentistry work?

During your initial consultation, Dr. Chauvin can help you determine which type of sedation medication would work best for you based on your medical background, dental procedure, and current health. Dr. Chauvin offers two types of sedation dentistry in his office – Nitrous Oxide and Oral Sedation. 

 Nitrous Oxide 

  • Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas,  is inhaled by the patient right before and during the procedure. The patient wears a mask that delivers a combination of nitrogen and oxygen, creating a relaxed state of mind.
  • One reason nitrous oxide is a popular form of sedation is because the effects last only as long as the patient is wearing the mask. Within a few minutes of removing the mask, the patient will feel “back to normal.”

Oral Sedation 

  • With oral conscious sedation, the patient takes a medication in pill form in the hours leading up to the appointment, and possibly again immediately before the procedure begins. The medication makes the patient feel very relaxed but does not put the patient completely to sleep. He or she will be able to communicate with the dentist and will remain alert, but will experience relief from anxiousness and nervousness.
  • Unlike nitrous oxide, which fades very quickly, the effects of oral conscious sedation can last several hours after the appointment. Therefore, patients will need a ride home from their appointments if they have undergone oral sedation.

Who should have sedation at the dentist?

Sedation is best for people with a real fear or anxiety that is preventing them from going to the dentist.

Sedation dentistry can apply for people with:

  • have a low pain threshold
  • can’t sit still in the dentist’s chair
  • have very sensitive teeth
  • have a bad gag reflex
  • need a large amount of dental work completed

 

 

Sleep Dentistry is a still relatively new procedure and something that most people do not take advantage of. For most people seeing the dentist is just another part of everyday life but for others sedation dentistry has made a world of difference. These people are no longer forced to visit their dentist in extreme fear or completely avoid getting the oral care they need. 

People of all ages can experience dental anxiety, which is why Dr. Chauvins strives to make your visits with us as comfortable and worry-free as possible. Please share your feelings and concerns with us so we can help you receive the dental treatment you need at a pace that makes you feel comfortable. Every member of our team has a gentle touch, and our treatment rooms are equipped with TVs and massaging dental chairs to keep you comfortable and entertained throughout your visit. Life can be stressful, but going to the dentist doesn’t have to be!

So, contact us today to set up an appointment! Wether its a routine teeth cleaning or a root canal, everyone deserves a beautiful healthy smile.

What Can Soda Do To Your Teeth?

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Soda and teeth are not BFF'sSoda is perhaps everyone’s favorite beverage of all time. Soft drink, cola or pop, no matter what you call it, is a delicious drink that most people love to consume. This type of beverage is made of sweetener, water and flavorings and contains tons of sugar.  Meaning to say, soda can be detrimental to the teeth’s well-being as it contains heaps of sugar and acid.

As a matter of fact, according to research a single can of soda (12oz) contains at least 39 grams of sugar, which is equals to ten cubes of sugar or 140 calorie. This is a lot amount of sugar that is not just bad to teeth but also for the overall health especially obese people. We all know that too much amount of sugar is not good to teeth just like sugary candies do.

Diet Soda and Fruit Juices

One mistake of most people is they tend to drink the diet version of sodas because it does not contain loads of sugar as compared to the regular ones,  but keep in mind that the sugar is just lessened or lowered in diet versions of these drinks. They are still acidic or have a high number or acidity that can cause harm to the teeth.

If you love to drink highly acidic drinks like sodas, colas or soft drinks regularly softens the tooth enamel and it can lead to sensitive, cavity prone and weaker teeth. For some who think that fruit juices are the best alternative as they are not as harmful as sodas you are wrong, it is still contain acids. However, fruits juices are great choice as they are healthier beverages.  Exposure to black coffee also affects the color of the teeth as well.

Water is Still the Best

That is why if you want to have a healthier teeth, it is very ideal to drink pure water more as it can help to have an enhanced oral health. It would be best to drink water as it helps to cleanse the mouth as well especially if there are foods particles that are stuck on between the teeth.

Signs that Soda Already Harmed Your Teeth

You need to remember the warning signs indicating that acid erosion is already happening. The symptoms are tooth aching, tingling, sensitive to hot or cold drinks, pain when brushing and flossing, The continues exposure to cola drinks can also lead to teeth eroding and cracking.

Even if the dentist will recommend their patient to permanently cut acidic drinks from the diet, it is somewhat impossible because fruit juices or coffee are still there. That is why proper care and measures should be followed as well.

Tips to Protect Teeth from Bad Effects of Soda

  • As much as possible reduce the frequency of drinking acidic drink especially cola.
  • Use a straw when drinking acidic drinks to prevent exposure from the liquid.
  • Do not gurgle with acidic drinks.
  • Drink water after drinking acidic beverages
  • It is not ideal to brush teeth right away after drinking acidic drinks.

Finally, soda is a great beverage but it pauses a great threat to oral health especially for the teeth. To assure that soda cannot harm your oral health, a regular visit to Dr. Chauvin is a must thing to do.

What to do if your tooth is knocked out

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Your first reaction if your tooth is knocked out might be to freak out, cry, flail your arms and tell yourself life is over (speaking from experience).

Do not do that – Unless you are a famous hockey player who wears this empty tooth slot like a badge of honor. Everything will be fine.

Modern dentistry has come along way and if you act quickly it will increase the likelihood of saving the tooth.

Dental implantThe upper front permanent teeth are the most common teeth to be completely knocked out. Baby teeth are usually not reimplanted in the mouth after an injury, since they are replaced naturally by permanent teeth later. When a tooth is knocked out, the nerves, blood vessels and supporting tissues are damaged, too. The nerves and blood vessels can’t be repaired. That is why all avulsed teeth will need a root canal. However, the bone can reattach to the root of the tooth once it’s put back into place.

It’s very important to get to the dentist as fast as possible, typically within one hour, to avoid the tooth being damaged any further.  There are several steps to take to assure safe and clean keeping.

Tips to follow to increase chances of saving the tooth:

  • Do not touch the root
  • If the tooth is dirty rinse it with milk. (Milk helps the roots survive) Water will do if you do not have milk.
  • Do not use fabric to clean the tooth
  • The most important thing is to keep the tooth moist.  Drop it in a glass of milk. If you can’t do this, place the tooth in your mouth, between the cheek and gum.
  • Try slipping the tooth back into its socket. If this does not happen easily revert back to the option above.

Teeth cannot always be saved, however.  At that point your dentist will discuss options of porcelain crowns and dental implants.

Once you are at the dentist he/she will rinse the tooth and asses the condition of the mouth and tooth. The dentist may perform a root canal right away, or may wait. It mostly depends on how long the tooth was out of the mouth.  The dentist will splint the avulsed tooth to the teeth on either side with a soft wire material. Usually splints the tooth to the surrounding teeth for 7 to 10 days. If the bone around the tooth also has been fractured, the tooth may have to be splinted for 6 to 10 weeks. Reimplanted teeth eventually need root canal treatment.  This will be used to hold the tooth in place for several days.  Your dentist will decide how long the splint should remain in.

Once the hard part is over your dentist will examine the tooth in three to six months. Unless there are signs of infection, the next visit will occur at your yearly checkup. The dentist will follow up for the next two to three years to ensure that the tooth re-implanted successfully.

Contact Lafayette Dentist Dr. Chauvin immediately if your tooth is broken or knocked and follow the steps above to assure your mouth health stays on track!