Osteoporosis and oral health
Osteoporosis — which literally means porous bone — is a disease that lowers the density of bones in the body, drastically increasing risk of fractures, and because it’s a silent progressive disease, you likely won’t know you have osteoporosis until that first painful fracture occurs.
It’s a disease that’s largely caused by the loss of a specific hormone, particularly in post-menopausal women and women over 60.
Not only does this disease impact the bones in your body, it also can negatively affect your oral health.
When osteoporosis hits your jawbone, it weakens it, sometimes triggering gum diseases and tooth loss. Even if you wear dentures, osteoporosis can still impact your mouth by disturbing the body ridges that hold your dentures in place. Ask anyone with dentures: Poor-fitting dentures can cause unbearable pain.
Women are three times as likely than men to suffer from osteoporosis-related oral health problems, and sometimes the very medications that are prescribed to treat osteoporosis have been known to cause issues in your mouth.
Oral signs of osteoporosis:
It’s possible that your dentist will notice the first signs of osteoporosis when looking at your X-rays, combined with your medical history and other lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption, or lack of exercise.
Here are some things your dentist might look for:
- Loose dentures
- Bone loss around the jaw and teeth
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
How do you prevent osteoporosis and the oral health impacts that go with it?
Although hormones play a role in osteoporosis diagnosis, there are some things you can do to help prevent the painful disease or lessen its effects.
These include:
- Regular exercise, focusing on weight-bearing activity, like walking, jogging, dancing or weight-lifting.
- Eat foods that are high in Vitamin D and calcium (i.e. yogurt, cottage cheese, milk, salmon, green vegetables, and more)
- Avoid heavy alcohol use.
- Don’t smoke!
Of course, all of the above should be combined with the steps you take every day to maintain good oral health, including:
- Flossing: You can do it in the morning before breakfast, or at night after dinner, as long as you do it at some point every day.
- Getting regular cleanings and checkups at your dentist: Have you had a visit with Dr. Chauvin’s office lately? Dental X-rays have proven to be an effective way to see early signs of osteoporosis.
- Brushing twice a day.
Have you gotten a dental X-ray from Dr. Chauvin’s office yet this year? If not, it’s time to schedule your visit! Contact his office today.
Can unhealthy gums lead to skin problems?
There are countless reasons why your dentist wants you to have healthy gums: to prevent tooth loss, to prevent painful swelling, the list goes on. But a new study done by doctors at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center suggests that there’s even more to healthy gums: healthy skin.
The doctors asked psoriasis patients about their oral hygiene habits. They found that those with poor gum health — i.e. gingivitis and gum disease — also had more severe cases of psoriasis, a skin disorder that causes skin cells to multiply up to 10 times faster than normal. The result is bumpy red patches, speckled with white scales, that most frequently appear on your scalp, knees, elbows and lower back.
How can you tell if you have unhealthy teeth and gums?
Here’s what to look for:
- Redness, swelling or tenderness in your gums.
- Pain in your mouth.
- Bad breath that just won’t go away.
- Bleeding gums when you brushing, flossing or eating crunchy or hard foods.
- Loose teeth, or teeth that seem to be separating from your gums.
So, what can you do to keep your teeth and gums healthy and avoid potential psoriasis flare-ups?
Tips for healthy oral hygiene:
- Floss: We can’t stress enough how important it is to floss your teeth at least once a day. You can do it in the morning before breakfast, or at night after dinner, as long as you do it at some point every day.
- Get regular cleanings and checkups at your dentist: Have you had a visit with Dr. Chauvin’s office lately? You should be sitting down in that familiar dental office seat at least twice a year for a professional cleaning and regular exam.
- Quit smoking: In addition to the slew of other health problems linked to smoking, it’s a habit that also harms your mouth. Smoking and other forms of tobacco use cause gum disease.
- Brush twice a day: You hear it over and over again. Why? Because it’s important! Brush your teeth twice a day. No exceptions!
- Use mouthwash: A mouthwash approved by the American Dental Association can help to keep your gums healthy. Mouthwash kills bacteria that causes bad breath, and it also breaks up plaque in between your teeth and on the surface.
As you can see, having a healthy mouth is important not only for your gums and teeth, but for your skin and overall health. Contact Dr. Tim Chauvin’s office for your checkup today.
All about the Colgate smart toothbrush
You’ve heard of smart phones, smart TVs, smart watches, the list goes on. But a smart toothbrush? Yes, it’s (almost) here.
Colgate is introducing the Plaqless Pro smart electric toothbrush in 2020. When it’s released, it will be the first toothbrush to detect “biofilm buildup” (or dental plaque) and coach in real time while you brush.
What makes this toothbrush “smart”?
The toothbrush will include the following features:
- Users will be able to see when they need to brush longer in one area of their mouth or, conversely, when all the biofilm buildup has been removed.
- A blue light will tell users when plaque has been found, and then a white light will appear when all is removed and it’s time to move on to other areas of your mouth.
- The Colgate Connect app will connect to the toothbrush through Bluetooth technology, giving users a “precise, personalized brushing experience.”
- Sensors in the toothbrush handle will create a comprehensive map of your mouth.
- Users will be able to turn to the app to see exactly where they brushed their teeth, where they missed a spot, and if an area they just brushed is really clean.
- The app will also provide brushing feedback, coaching, personalized oral health data and tips for good oral health.
“In the dentist’s office, we’re beginning to see a shift toward precision oral care that tailors treatment to each patient’s specific needs,” said Dr. Maria Ryan, Colgate’s Chief Dental Officer. “The Colgate Plaqless Pro smart electric toothbrush is inspired by that shift, and improves brushing efficacy by accounting for an individual’s brushing technique and the biofilm buildup in their mouth. And by immediately alerting the user when an area is clean, Plaqless Pro coaches them to brush better, helping both the patient and the oral care provider to build an even stronger partnership in achieving optimal oral health.”
And while this new toothbrush is sure to bring smiles to a lot of faces, there’s no substitute for your twice-a-year professional cleaning and checkup at your favorite dentist’s office. What are you waiting for? Call Dr. Tim Chauvin’s office today to make an appointment!
How to treat a tongue burn
Did you get a little too excited about your piping hot latte? Did that excitement turn into pain when you sipped it too quickly and burned your tongue?
Ouch!
Burning your tongue or mouth with hot food or liquid is often painful, but it’s also pretty common. If it’s not too serious, you can most likely treat the problem at home.
Here are some things you can do to alleviate the pain:
- Rinse your mouth repeatedly with cool water, especially for the first few minutes after it happens.
- Try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Tylenol will work well for pain, while Advil will work well for inflammation. Don’t take them both.
- If the cool water isn’t helping as much as you’d like, try adding salt to it and rinsing with cool salt water.
- Pour a few sprinkles of sugar or a dab of honey on the spot that’s hurting in your mouth.
- Suck on ice chips, or eat a popsicle.
- Don’t drink anything warm or hot while you’ve got the burn. It will only irritate the spot more.
A typical tongue burn will usually heal itself within about two weeks, though doctors say it could be up to six weeks for more severe burns.
How do you know if you need to see a doctor about your mouth or tongue burn?
If you’ve tried some or all of the above remedies and you’re still in excruciating pain, or you’re showing signs of infection, it’s time to see a doctor.
These symptoms include:
- Fever
- Pus draining from the wound
- Swelling
- Increased pain
Have you heard of Burning Mouth Syndrome?
In some cases, the sensation of a burning tongue doesn’t come from an actual burn. Burning mouth syndrome is a condition that will make your tongue feel like it’s burning, but for no reason.
Pain, numbness and tingling without an identifiable cause are all symptoms of burning mouth syndrome. There’s no known cause for the condition, and it most commonly affects people between 60 and 69 years old.
If you’ve been diagnosed with BMS, here are some things you can do to alleviate the mysterious pain:
- Topical prescription pain meds, like lidocaine.
- Oral prescriptions, including gabapentin, SSRIs or amitriptyline.
- Alpha lipoic acid treatments
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Meditation and relaxation
Do you still have questions about tongue burns? You can ask your favorite dentist when you schedule your cleaning and checkup at Dr. Tim Chauvin’s office. Contact his office today for an appointment!
Why jocks have rotting teeth — even if they brush twice daily
Athletes are known to take extra special care of their bodies. After all, they need them to excel on the field, right?
Although their oral care routines are seemingly no different (94 percent of athletes surveyed said they brushed twice daily and flossed regularly), a study of a few hundred athletes showed their oral health was below average.
In fact, out of 352 Olympic and professional athletes who compete in sports like cycling, swimming, football and rugby, almost half of them had untreated tooth decay, and most of their gums were inflamed.
But why? Researchers believe sugary sports drinks, energy bars and gels are contributing to the alarming numbers.
It’s common knowledge that sugar leads to tooth decay. How does the sugary soda or sports drink — or the too-often candy bar — lead to poor oral health?
Your mouth is full of bacteria, some of them good, some of them bad.
Some of the bad ones, researchers found, produce acid when they come in contact with sugar. Acid erodes the enamel that coats your teeth. Enamel is what protects your teeth from tooth decay. Without it, your teeth are more susceptible to decay and other problems.
Luckily for humans, the minerals found in your saliva, like calcium and phosphate, work to reverse the process of acid eroding enamel. But those minerals can only do so much when they’re constantly under attack from acids caused by sugar.
Over time, the enamel is destroyed, and that’s where cavities start. Cavities are the holes in your teeth that form as a result of tooth decay. When cavities go untreated, it can cause pain and tooth loss.
Advice for athletes: Look for sports recovery drinks that aren’t loaded with sugar.
And most important: Schedule regular checkups at Dr. Tim Chauvin’s office to keep your oral health in check!
7 Common and Surprising Things That Can Ruin Your Teeth
We’ve all heard over and over that sugar is bad for your teeth, but there’s a long list of other things that can harm your oral health – and some of them are surprising.
Here are seven other obvious – and not so obvious – things that can ruin your smile:
- Biting things that aren’t food: Do you ever use your teeth to rip open a plastic bag? Or bite your nails? How about chewing on ice? They may seem harmless because your teeth are quite sharp, especially ice because it’s just frozen water, but they’re not. Biting your nails and other nonfood items can cause gingivitis and tooth loss, because the tips of your teeth that you use to bite are the thinnest and weakest part. They’re more susceptible to chipping and breaking.
- Sticky foods and fruit smoothies: Peanut butter, gummy vitamins and marshmallows are tempting for kids and grownups alike, but dentists recommend limiting your intake of sticky foods and even gummy vitamins. Sticky substances stay on your teeth longer, and then they break down and become acids that can erode your enamel. And fruit smoothies? They’re increasing in popularity as a healthy option, but they’re high in sugar – and high in acid. And as we just mentioned, acid erodes your tooth enamel. If you’re not willing to limit your intake of smoothies, sip them through a straw and drink lots of water after to rinse the acid out of your mouth.
- Too much brushing and flossing: Can too much of a good thing be a bad thing? In the case of brushing and flossing, yes. If you’re using a hard-bristled brush and pushing down hard on your teeth, you’re doing it wrong. You could be wearing down your enamel and maybe even causing your gums to recede. Opt for a soft toothbrush next time you’re at the pharmacy, and be careful not to press down too hard on your gums while flossing.
- Grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw: You may not even know you’re doing it, but do you ever wake up with a sore jaw or face? That’s a sign you’re grinding your teeth at night. It could be from stress or from other conditions, but whatever the cause, it’s obviously not good for your teeth. Consult with a dentist if you’re having this problem. They might recommend a mouthguard or something else.
- Drug abuse: You may have heard of “meth mouth,” or the rapid deterioration of teeth for people addicted to crystal meth, but meth isn’t the only drug that can cause problems for your teeth. Cocaine, ecstasy, heroin – and even marijuana – can harm your oral health.
- Alcohol: Just like caffeine, alcohol lessens the amount of saliva that flows in your mouth. Prolonged abuse of alcohol can lead to tooth decay, and even worse, oral cancers.
- Ignoring tooth pain: It may seem like just a little ache, but if you don’t see a dentist soon after, that toothache could turn into something more serious. What starts as a tiny cavity can quickly evolve into infection, which can cause tooth loss or worse.
Don’t let these habits ruin your beautiful smile. Contact Dr. Tim Chauvin’s office today for a checkup.
5 reasons to schedule your dental appointment in time for the new year
Dentists and oral care experts across America recommend that you see your dentist for a cleaning and checkup twice a year, so why not start your new year off right with a visit to your favorite dentist’s chair? The time to schedule your new year appointment is NOW!
Here are five reasons why a trip to the dentist early in the year is so important:
- Cleaning off all the plaque build-up from the holidays: Even if you brush twice daily and floss every night, plaque still happens to everyone, especially if you’ve been indulging in sweet treats and other not-so-great for you food items from the holidays. Who wouldn’t want to start off the new year with a set of clean and plaque-free teeth?
- Early detection of gum disease: If you don’t want to stroll into the new year with gingivitis or other gum disease, then schedule your checkup sooner than later. Gum disease can be very harmful to your overall oral health. It can lead to tooth loss and other infections. An early trip to the dentist can prevent the fallout from gum disease.
- Cavity prevention and detection: Do you know how cavities are formed? Cavities are the holes in your teeth that form as a result of tooth decay. When cavities go untreated, it can cause pain and tooth loss. Who wants to start the new year with cavities? No one!
- Bruxism: Have you heard of Bruxism? It might sound scarier than it actually is, but it’s still important to be diagnosed and treated if you have it. Bruxism is grinding, gnashing or clenching your teeth unconsciously, either when you’re sleeping or when you’re awake. If it’s a severe case, it can lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and more.
- Early detection of oral cancer: Oral cancer is found more in people who are older than 45, but it can happen to anyone at any age. Did you know that people with poor oral hygiene — i.e. people who don’t take care of their teeth — are at a higher risk for oral cancer? An early dentist appointment can detect oral cancer – and a trip to the dentist can also educate you on how to properly care for your teeth so you’re not at an increased risk for oral cancer.
If you want to stroll into the new year with a healthy smile, call Dr. Tim Chauvin’s office to schedule your appointment today!
Tooth Sensitivity to Cold? To Hot? To Sweets?
Ouch! We’ve all been there. You’re sipping a delicious latte or taking that first scrumptious bite of ice cream, and all of a sudden you feel jarring pain in a tooth or multiple teeth. Or, you’re nibbling on your favorite piece of chocolate when the same kind of pain appears, seemingly out of nowhere. What’s happening?
Not only is tooth sensitivity to hot and cold food, sweets and beverages painful, it’s also a sign of a bigger underlying problem.
What causes your teeth to be sensitive to hot, cold and sometimes sweet things?
There are multiple reasons why you might be experiencing the tooth sensitivity and subsequent pain or discomfort. These include:
- Erosion of your enamel: Your teeth are covered by enamel, which protects your pearly whites from things that are hot, cold, sticky or rough on your teeth. Over time, the enamel on your teeth can begin to wear down, putting you at risk for tooth decay and exposed nerves that make drinking and eating hot and cold things a very unpleasant experience. Enamel erosion is common as you age, but other contributing factors to losing enamel are a diet that’s too high in sugar, a diet that’s too acidic, or acid reflux.
- Cavities: Since a cavity essentially is a hole in your tooth or gums, it makes perfect sense that having one would expose sensitive nerves and cause pain when you eat or drink things that are hot, cold or sweet. Often, tooth sensitivity is one of the first symptoms of a cavity. Fortunately, cavities are easy fixes at your dentist’s office.
- Receding gums: Enamel is your first line of defense, but below that is dentin. Dentin is full of tiny tubes that make you more sensitive to hot and cold sensations. When your gum line is receding, the dentin has a better chance of being exposed, thus amplifying your sensitivity and pain. Receding gums are a sign of gum disease or gingivitis.
How can you alleviate tooth sensitivity?
If your tooth pain is caused by a cavity, the only real solution is to visit a dentist and have it filled. That should solve the problem of a sensitive tooth or teeth. The same goes for receding gums and being treated by your dentist for gingivitis or gum disease.
If enamel erosion is the issue, there are steps you can take on your own to slow the process. These include:
- Choosing your toothbrush wisely: If your teeth are feeling sensitive, opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush instead of a medium or hard bristle.
- Find a toothpaste that will help to restore your enamel and/or decrease tooth sensitivity.
- Don’t brush your teeth too hard! It’s one of the leading causes of tooth decay.
Whatever the reason for your tooth sensitivity, it’s not a good feeling, and you’ll want to get it taken care of. Contact Dr. Tim Chauvin’s office today for help.