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What does it take to be a dentist

June 1, 2016/in Uncategorized/by admin

As 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!

Oil pulling: Benefits and side effects

May 25, 2016/in dental hygiene/by admin

Natural remedies are becoming increasingly popular. People are using essential oils for everything from treating bug bites to freshening up their laundry. You can do a web search for practically any medical issue + essential oils, and find countless solutions. One thing that has taken the internet by storm is something called oil pulling. In a nutshell, you take a plant oil, and swish it around in your mouth for an extended period of time (anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes), then spit it out. The most popular oils to do this with include sunflower, olive or coconut oil. Why are people doing this? It’s an ancient Ayurvedic practice, dating back to 700 B.C., and it has quite a few benefits!

The benefits of oil pulling

Although the American Dental Association holds that due to a lack of evidence, they recommend you do not replace your normal oral hygiene routine with oil pulling, you can still add it to your existing routine and reap the benefits. A 2011 study determined that oil pulling is just as effective as an antimicrobial mouth rinse called chlorhexidine. When done correctly (depending on the oil used), oil pulling can:

Kill the bacterium responsible for tooth decay (streptococcus mutans)
Reduce plaque
Prevent gum disease
Kill other harmful microbes, like viruses or yeasts
Help with bad breath
Whiten teeth
Detoxify the body

If you do choose to start oil pulling, remember that these are still oils. Coconut oil actually solidifies at room temperature! So instead of spitting it down the drain, spit it out into a trash can. That way you avoid clogging any of your drains.

The risks of oil pulling

As beneficial as oil pulling is, there are some risks associated with it. The biggest one lies with replacing brushing with oil pulling. While oil pulling does reduce plaque, it does not eliminate it entirely. You still have to remove plaque and food buildup manually, with a toothbrush. Another factor you should consider is that many of the oils marketed as specific “oil-pulling” oils are not food-grade. Therefore, they may contain harmful additives – since they aren’t up to the rigorous testing standards of actual food-grade oil.

Adding oil pulling to your dental routine, as long as you choose a reputable, food-grade oil, in the very least, will reduce the number of microbes and plaque in your mouth. And it’s never a bad thing to have less bacteria in your mouth! Have additional questions? Give Dr. Chauvin’s office a call.

Can your migraine be linked to dental pain

May 18, 2016/in toothache/by admin

Let’s face it, migraines are just awful. They’re debilitating headaches and can have several different causes, including tooth pain. If you’re plagued by migraines and have ruled out other issues, like sinuses, stress, or a lack of sleep, it may be worth a trip to the dentist to see if you have a tooth causing the trouble. Here are some things you need to know about migraines linked to dental pain.

Possible causes of a dental pain migraine

Our nerves are a connected web that span our entire body. Sometimes, discomfort in one area will cause pain in another, seemingly unrelated area. For example, you could have pain or tingling in your hand caused by a pinched nerve in your shoulder. Toothaches and headaches are both detected by the same, large nerve – the trigeminal nerve. That’s why some headaches are actually toothaches! Because the same nerve is responsible for detecting all of those pain signals, your body sometimes cannot tell the difference.

The pain could be coming from a(n):

Cavity
Missing filling
Abscessed tooth
Cracked or otherwise damaged tooth
Gum disease
Disorder, such as TMJ

Treatment

These headache toothache combos (referred to as extended toothaches) are usually remedied by a visit to the dentist. Your dentist will take x-rays and perform an exam to determine the cause. After that, it’s a simple matter of fixing the problem; whether it’s filling a cavity, or prescribing antibiotics for an abscess. If you’ve tried different things to stop the migraines to no avail, get to your dentist. When it comes to dental problems, the longer you wait, the worse they get. So it’s better to get in as soon as possible. If you let a cavity go too long, you may find yourself in need of a root canal.

However, migraines can also masquerade as dental pain

In some cases, you may find that you’re experiencing the reverse. It is possible to experience severe tooth pain, and nothing be wrong from a dental standpoint. If a visit to the dentist yields a clean bill of dental health, your tooth pain could actually be a facial migraine. These are atypical types of migraine, and difficult to diagnose. The good news is, they’re easily treatable with medication. That’s why it’s so important to visit the dentist at the first sign of tooth pain! That way they can either fix the problem, or rule out dental trouble altogether. If any of this sounds familiar, call Dr. Chauvin’s office for an appointment! We’ll figure it out together.

5 dental health tips for travel

May 11, 2016/in dental hygiene/by admin

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as clocking out for the last time right before a vacation. You rush home, eager to hit the road, and start packing. Ordinarily you take really good care of your teeth! However, there’s only so much room in your bags, so you settle for toothbrush and toothpaste. Or maybe in all the hustle and bustle you simply forgot to grab your floss! Thankfully, there are some things you can do to help keep your mouth healthy when you travel.

Use proper toothbrush storage

One of the worst things you can do, is throw your toothbrush into a plastic bag. There’s no circulation, so any lingering moisture and bacteria that were on your toothbrush now have a veritable playground! You’ll want to make sure you have a toothbrush travel container that has proper ventilation.

Clean your travel case

Make sure to keep your toothbrush case clean as well! Just because it can dry properly doesn’t mean there aren’t any bacteria inside. A survey found that a third of travelers don’t wash their toothbrush cases… Gross, right? It doesn’t take much! Little bit of hot soapy water and you’re good to go. Allow it to dry completely before putting your toothbrush inside.

Avoid sugary snacks – eat healthy ones!

If you’re taking a long car trip somewhere, instead of loading up on chips and gummy bears or chocolate at the gas station, bring along some healthy snacks! Pack up a small cooler with things like broccoli, baby carrots, or grapes. Sodas and other sugary drinks won’t do you any favors either. Drink water instead! If you feel yourself getting tired, try some green tea instead of an energy drink, as it can kill cavity causing bacteria, while still giving you a caffeine boost.

Brush your teeth when you stop for bathroom breaks

Brushing your teeth after meals is a bit difficult when you’re on the road. So take a few extra minutes when you stop to use the restroom to brush your teeth! You can also bring along some of those disposable floss sticks in the event that you’re trying to hurry and don’t have time to floss properly. Although we recommend you always floss the right way, the disposable option is better than nothing!

Clean your teeth thoroughly when you arrive

When you do reach your destination, you’ll undoubtedly be tired. Traveling is exhausting! Before you fall into bed, make sure you do a thorough teeth cleaning. Brushing before bed is an important part of any daily dental routine, so be sure you don’t skip it!

What does it take to become a dental hygienist

May 3, 2016/in dental hygiene/by admin

Ask any child what they want to be when they grow up and you’ll get answers like doctor, fireman, astronaut, dentist, chef, and so on. Kids don’t think about all of the work that goes into obtaining jobs like these, they simply have their dream and that’s all that matters. As adults, we realize that a lot of time, money, and hard work goes into a career. However, many of these career options have other avenues you can pursue. Instead of a medical doctor, you could be a nurse or lab technician. Or you can be a dental hygienist instead of a dentist! Interested? Here’s what it takes to become a dental hygienist.

What skills do I need to become a dental hygienist?

Much like a nurse, there are several things that are absolutely necessary for any aspiring dental hygienist:

Compassion – chances are, if you want to work in the medical field, you’re already a compassionate person. Being able to empathize with your patient is a must.
Communication skills – you’ve got to be able to talk to people, as you’ll be working closely with the patient and the dentist.
Detail-oriented – as a hygienist, you’ll have to memorize the process for multiple procedures, as well as keep an eye out for certain things as you clean a person’s teeth.
Manual dexterity – people’s mouths aren’t very big, so you have to have nimble fingers to get to all of the nooks and crannies
Patience – teeth cleaning takes time, especially if a person hasn’t been to the dentist in awhile!

What kind of education and training are required?

Hygienists receive their education via academic programs at community or technical colleges, dental schools, or universities. The school you choose must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) in order for your degree to be valid in the eyes of the USDE. A dental hygienist program takes at least two years to complete, and at the end of it, you’ll have an associates degree. Depending on the type of school you attend, further education may be required. For example, some university dental programs offer baccalaureate and master’s degrees, both of which take another two (or more) years of classes.

Clinical education will be a large part of your dental education. These are essentially “on-the-job” trainings, where your teacher, or a certified medical professional will be monitoring your progress. You’ll start out with observations, and eventually move on to working with patients on your own. The number of clinical hours you have to complete will depend on your program of choice, and the state you’re learning in.

What happens when my training is complete?

Once you’ve completed your education, you’ll be eligible for any state boards or licensing tests. Each state has their own licensing service, so make sure you take the test in the state that you want to work in! Meaning, you can’t take the test in Louisiana, then move to California and use your previous certification to practice.

As with anything that’s worth doing, becoming a dental hygienist takes a lot of work! Good news is, it’s a rewarding profession, and you’ll never get bored. Everyone’s mouths are different!

Oral health concerns for teens

April 27, 2016/in dental hygiene/by admin

There is a word that begins with a “P” that strikes fear into the heart of every parent… Puberty. A time of rampant mental and physical development, puberty can make a teenager’s life pretty rough! In addition to all of the regular side-effects, there are some oral health concerns that parents of teenagers should be on the lookout for.

Make sure they’re maintaining proper oral hygiene

Teens have a lot going on! Class, homework, friends, extra-curricular activities, and chores can make for a hectic schedule. When they’re exhausted from band or football practice, and have a mountain of homework they had to do the night before? An extra five minutes of sleep seems more valuable than proper daily oral hygiene.

Make sure you talk with your teen about the importance of taking good care of their teeth! They may seem annoyed now, but in the long run, they’ll be glad of it. Continue to take them to their annual or semi-annual dental checkups as well. Even if it’s difficult to work into their busy schedule, it’s still an important preventative measure!

It’s worth noting that if you had your teen’s teeth sealed as a child, the protective layer will have started to wear off by now.

Promote proper dietary habits

What happens when you take poor dental hygiene and add bad dietary habits? Cavities. Did you know that tooth decay has the highest rate among teens? It is four times more common than asthma in people aged 14-17! Frequent snacking on sugary foods and acidic beverages like soda, coupled with a decline in proper vitamins and minerals, equals a trip to the dentist. Encourage your teen to drink more water, and to eat snacks that aren’t laden with sugar and carbs. Or at the very least, have them brush after each meal.

Watch for gingivitis

When there is plaque surrounding the teeth, the gums have an inflammatory response. They become inflamed, red, and bloody when irritated. It’s a fairly common problem. As a matter of fact, gingivitis is more common in teens than it is in prepubescent children or adults. It is suspected that the increase of sex hormones during puberty is the reason. Luckily, it is reversible with proper brushing, flossing, and using an antimicrobial mouth rinse.

By helping your teen prioritize their dental health, you will save them a lot of trouble down the road. And they’ll develop good habits that they will carry with them into adulthood. Call Dr. Chauvin if you need to bring them in!

What should you do if your child has a toothache

April 20, 2016/in toothache/by admin

We all know that toothaches are incredibly unpleasant, ranging from mild discomfort to incredibly painful. Some people will wait until the pain is absolutely unbearable before getting to a dentist, taking over-the-counter medications and trying to ignore it in the meantime.

Other people will get to a dentist at the first sign of any dental distress. Bottom line, adults are going to handle it however they see fit (although you really should be seeing a dentist straightaway). But what do we do when it’s our child with the toothache?

Causes and symptoms of a toothache

The first step to being able to treat a toothache at home is knowing exactly what symptoms your child is experiencing. Typically, toothaches can include the following:

Pain that is dull, sharp, throbbing, constant, or any combination of these
Swelling of the gums around the affected tooth
Headache
Fever
Foul-tasting drainage from infected tooth

These symptoms are often the result of:

Erupting teeth
Tooth decay
Fractured tooth
Food stuck between the teeth or in the gum line
Excessive chewing or tooth grinding
Damaged filling
Infected gums

At home toothache treatment

Once you know what the symptoms are, there are a number of ways you can ease your child’s discomfort until you are able to get him/her to a dentist:

You can mix a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water, and have them swish it around their mouth, then spit it out (if they’re old enough).
An oral anti-inflammatory will help with the pain as well.
- If you can, use a liquid, as a chewable pill may be difficult when a toothache is involved.
A cold compress on the cheek by the sore area will help reduce pressure and swelling.
- Ice cubes have hard edges and may further aggravate the area, so use a malleable, cold gel-style compress. Make sure to protect your child’s skin with a towel as well – you don’t want their skin getting too cold.
Clove oil is another option, as it acts as a topical analgesic.
- If you do use clove oil, be very careful, as essential oils are strong when undiluted. Alternatively, you can pick up an over-the-counter, child-safe, toothache medication that contains clove oil.

Get them to the dentist

While these things may help your child feel some measure of relief, you’ll want to get them to a dentist rather quickly. Does your child have a tooth that is bothering them? Come see Dr. Chauvin!

Three ways to ease dental anxiety

April 13, 2016/in Uncategorized/by admin

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?

March 30, 2016/in Uncategorized/by admin

Do 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

March 23, 2016/in Uncategorized/by admin

Protecting 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!