We all know that sinus infections can be extremely uncomfortable and painful. They bring a host of unpleasant symptoms and are one of the most common infections a person can develop.

In some cases, they are easy to manage by simple home remedies, but in others, they grow serious and require antibiotic intervention. In any case, a sinus infection can be a serious problem and can flare up due to allergies, weather changes, and toothaches. 

Yes, a toothache can lead to sinus infections. Here’s how. 

What is a sinus infection?

Sinusitis or sinus infection is the inflammation of the sinuses that causes them to become blocked and fill up with fluid. More precisely, there are several different cavities in our skulls. Sinuses are a series of compartments located above and below our eyes and behind the nose. When we breathe in, warm and moist air enters the nasal passage, mucosal glands lining within catch any wayward germs, and for the most part, they keep themselves clean. Occasionally, conditions can change enough to allow the growth of bacteria. This is when we get a sinus infection. 

Symptoms of a sinus infection 

Here are the symptoms of sinus infections.

• Scratchy throat
• Runny nose
• Post-nasal drip
• Cough
• Congestion
• Headache
• Pain in the forehead, around the eyes, in teeth and jaws

So how can a tooth cause a sinus infection?

Our lower sinus, called the Maxillary sinus, sits very close to the upper jaw. So close, in fact, that if there is an abscess in the teeth or gums, it can actually expand into the sinus. An abscess is a pocket of infection caused by a trapped food particle or a dying tooth nerve. If an abscess reaches your sinus cavity, the infection can spread into the sinuses, causing a sinus infection.

What do I do if I have an abscess causing a sinus infection?

Consult your dentist immediately when you notice any symptoms of the problem. They will need to take the necessary steps to treat the abscess. Often, they may prescribe antibiotics to reduce swelling and curb the sinus infections in the abscess. Depending on its location and type, the abscess may need to be drained or removed. If the abscess starts within a tooth, a root canal will be required. If left too long, the entire tooth may need to be removed.

Once you take care of the abscess, you may visit your primary care physician to resolve the sinus infection. Once the doctor removes the source of infection, it alleviates the symptoms of a sinus infection. Also, most experts on oral hygiene experts go over all the aspects of the problems that have occurred due to abscesses. This indirectly resolves your main concern and helps you live a healthy and peaceful life. 

Bottom Line

Tooth problems are one of the common causes of sinus infection. Fortunately, you can resolve the problem by consulting an experienced and qualified dentist. 

Tim Chauvin, DDS & Associates has a team of qualified experts who have helped many patients improve their oral hygiene. Contact us to determine if tooth problems are impacting your sinus health. 

Note that sinus infections can impact your life significantly. You may have trouble sleeping and completing everyday chores without feeling irritated around your nose, or you might suffer from headaches. So, if you notice any symptoms of infection, visit our clinic. Even if your infection is not related to your tooth, our doctors can guide you.

Cosmetic dentistry makes it possible for anyone to transform their appearance. The days of suffering with yellowed, crooked, chipped, and cracked teeth are long gone. Our Lafayette dentist, Dr. Chauvin offers popular cosmetic treatments like Invisalign, professional teeth whitening, and porcelain veneers. 

Invisalign for Straighter Teeth

Invisalign is a revolutionary approach to straightening teeth. Perfect for adults and working professionals, Invisalign allows for discreet and comfortable orthodontic treatment. This teeth-straightening system can close gaps between teeth, upright crooked teeth, and improve a person’s occlusion. Folks with overbites, underbites, and open bites can see an overall improvement in their occlusions. 

Unlike fixed orthodontia that utilizes conspicuous wires and brackets, Invisalign straightens teeth with retainer-like appliances made from clear, smooth plastic. These appliances, called aligners, are custom made to address your unique oral anatomy and the positions of your teeth. 

Since an aligner is clear plastic, it is practically undetectable to others. This means you won’t have to worry about your appearance in photographs or feel like your orthodontic treatment is distracting others as you navigate your professional and social life. 

One major selling point to choosing Invisalign is the fact that your aligners are removable. Since your orthodontic appliances aren’t fixed, you can take them out for meals and to brush and floss your teeth. Another great advantage to Invisalign treatment is the fact that the smooth surfaces of aligners reduce irritation to soft tissue often seen with conventional metal and wire braces.

The best way to determine if this type of orthodontic treatment is right for your needs is to schedule a consultation with a dentist who provides Invisalign. 

Teeth Whitening for a Brighter Smile

Tough dental stains can make you self-conscious of your smile. Since teeth are porous, most people develop discoloration and yellowing of their teeth with time. While proper oral hygiene can address some surface stains, deep discoloration that forms below the enamel surface of teeth requires professional care. 

Our Lafayette cosmetic dentist, Dr. Chauvin offers two safe and effective options to help restore the color of your smile. Our practice provides in-office teeth whitening and take-home whitening kits. Both of these options utilize prescription-strength lightening solutions that can lift away decades of permanent tooth stains. 

In-office whitening is a great option for those who need results fast before an upcoming event or for those with limited time. Take-home whitening is ideal for people who want to touch-up the results of their in-office treatment or for those who prefer to improve their smile in the comfort of their homes. 

Porcelain Veneers for a Total Smile Makeover

Veneers are a great treatment option for producing a complete smile makeover. When patients suffer with a variety of dental imperfections such as tooth wear, chips, cracks, stains, and even orthodontic concerns, our dentist may recommend porcelain veneers. 

A veneer is a wafer-thin cosmetic enhancement that is cemented over the front-facing side of a tooth. Each veneer is handcrafted to very precise specifications to ensure that it complements a person’s oral and facial anatomy. When multiple veneers are placed over teeth, they can produce the illusion of a white, straight, and healthy smile. 

Receiving porcelain veneers is not invasive but it doesn’t require about three office visits. This is because veneers require time to fabricate since they are custom made. 

Achieving the smile of your dreams can be as simple as booking a consultation with our experienced dentist, Dr. Chauvin. Give our practice a call at (337) 234-2186 to reserve your appointment. 

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.

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.