dental hygiene Archives - Page 4 of 5

Learning About Athletic Mouth Guards

May 23, 2018/in dental hygiene/by admin

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!

Lessons from the Tooth Fairy

May 9, 2018/in dental hygiene/by admin

Does your child believe in the Tooth Fairy? I’m sure most of us excitedly tucked our lost teeth under our pillows (or in my case mostly notes because losing them seems to be easier) and woke up to a shiny quarter the next morning. The tooth fairy’s existence is well accepted in America, although these days a quarter doesn’t seem to be the going rate for a tooth anymore. According to the recent 2014 study, the average going rate for a tooth is $5.74, thats a 27% increase from 2013 (geez inflation). Approximately 81% of home got a visit from the tooth fairy last year and nearly all participants professed either neutral or positive perceptions of the tooth fairy, so apparently the practice lives on.

How did the Tooth Fairy come to exist?

In the times of witches, it was thought that if a witch got your tooth it could gain control over them. This made disposal of baby teeth a serious matter. The teeth were typically buried, thrown into a fire, or given to a rodent as quickly as possible. As time went on the fear subsided and a variety of customs emerged. In other parts of the world parents would plant the baby tooth in the garden to encourage growth of the adult teeth. Even the mighty Viking warriors made necklaces out of baby teeth believing this would bring them luck in battle.

To most people an image of a white-winged female comes to mind, illustrations of the Tooth Fairy over the years. The tooth fairy in her present common form only came into being in the 20th century. A three act play for children called “The Tooth Fairy” came out in 1927; the first known written work to use that title was printed in 1947. The legend spread during the 1950’s becoming as commonplace as the Easter Bunny in the United States. Coincident with this was an increase in commercialization, with tooth fairy banks, pillows, and so forth appearing in the marketplace.

In early America, money was left as a reward or compensation for the pain of losing a tooth, although it wasn’t until just before the Great Depression in 1927 that a three act play was written using the name of the Tooth Fairy. Not long after, a story written at the end of the Second World War mentioned the Tooth Fairy. However, she didn’t become popular until about the 1950’s along with the Easter Bunny. When the baby boomers were being born, both myths really began to take hold. Some cynics say it has to do with the commercialization of the time period, but we like to think it was just really great timing.

Using The Tooth Fairy as a Teaching Tool

Here at Dr. Chauvin’s office we encourage parents to talk about the Tooth Fairy’s visits as a way to discuss good oral health even before a child loses their first tooth. After all, there’s nothing that makes the Tooth Fairy happier than healthy teeth! You can alway remind them when they do not want to brush or floss that the Tooth Fairy is only looking for healthy baby teeth, not teeth with cavities. This will help get kids excited about taking care of their teeth. Whether it’s their first, second, or tenth tooth we have a couple of good suggestions to assist in the next tooth fairy visit!

Leave a note reinforcing good habits – A personalized note from the Tooth Fairy could be nearly as exciting for kids as the gift itself. Parents should include tips for important oral health habits that the Tooth Fairy wants kids to practice, such as brushing twice a day, flossing once a day and visiting the dentist twice a year.
Give oral health gifts – Consider opting out of cash and reinforce good oral health habits by providing a new toothbrush with their favorite cartoon character or fun-flavored toothpaste. How about a new book? There are several children’s books about Tooth Fairy adventures that can add to the Tooth Fairy excitement.

The tooth fairy is a great way to divert attention it’s still important to scheduling regular checkups. Dr. Chauvin and his team will help your children maintain good oral health and catch small issues before they cause serious dental problems.

How to Floss the Right way

September 6, 2017/in dental hygiene/by admin

Pretty much everyone knows that brushing your teeth is important. If you don’t make this oral hygiene process part of your routine, close talking might lead to friend loss, but flossing doesn’t seem to carry the same importance for many people.

According to the American Dental Association, only four out of ten Americans floss at least once a day, and two out of ten never floss.

Flossing is vital to your oral health. Using floss helps to remove plaque build-up, food debris, and stimulate gum health. It has an abundance of pros, very few cons (other than being slightly annoying), and those who don’t make it a routine are putting themselves at a higher risk for cavities, halitosis, gum disease, and more.

Let’s say you decide it’s time to make flossing your newest consistent habit. How do you know if you’re even doing it right? In this post, we’ll let you know the dentist-recommended flossing techniques for scaring away all the no good teeth maladies.

Make sure to do the following:

Take about 18 inches of floss, wrap each end around the middle fingers, leaving a little hanging at the end so you can adjust your hold
Using your thumb and index finger, hold the floss until it is taut and place between teeth, moving slowly up and down
Make sure to move the floss along the base of each tooth going beneath the gumline
Do NOT use floss that makes a “snapping” sound when put between the gum and the tooth. This could cause damage.

What Floss is the Best?

This depends on the type of teeth you have and your gum sensitivity. Flosses that are waxed and resemble “tape” are often good for going into tight spaces between your teeth, though some people fare just fine with unwaxed floss.

Others prefer to use flossing tools…

Water flossing tools (like “Waterpik”) – this is a tool that pushes water into the spaces between your teeth at high speeds in order to remove debris. These tools are great for people with braces as they get to those hard to reach crevices that hold food and plaque that cause major problems.
Flossing picks – these little tools are made of a plastic and already have floss attached to the head of the device. The benefit is that those hard to reach molars in the back are easier than ever to get to – without putting your whole fist in your mouth.
Threader Floss – this tool is designed specially for those with braces. Though using the threader isn’t exactly time efficient, it may be necessary to get the thread between the wires and metal.

If the fancy stuff isn’t for you, just go with the old original string floss! There are plenty of coatings and minty flavors to make the whole event a little more enjoyable.

So do yourself a favor and be in that 40 percent of Americans that floss once a day…your gums, dentist, and friends will thank you.

Are dogs’ mouths cleaner than humans’?

July 5, 2017/in dental hygiene/by admin

If you’ve ever witnessed a person enjoying a sloppy, wet dog kiss and recoiled ever so slightly, you’ve probably heard the follow up justification when they see your reaction: “you know, a dog’s mouth really is cleaner than a human’s.”

No matter how much we love our pups, it’s not uncommon for us to hesitate to go nose to nose with the tongue we’ve seen in action. We’re talking trash cans, dirt, dead animals, you get the picture. So why is it that people cling so tightly to this idea that a dog’s mouth is somehow populated by fewer germs than a human’s? Is there any truth to that?

Yes and No…

Our K9 friends unfortunately house just as many germs and colonies of bacteria as we do in our mouths, but theirs are different and sometimes pose less of a threat. According to Colin Harvey who teaches surgery and dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, “it’s like apples and oranges.” The truth of the matter is that dogs have tons and tons of tiny microbes living in their mouths, but they are completely different than the ones in human mouths.

This means that even when we do indulge in a bath of puppy kisses, the risk of the dog transferring some harmful germ to us is lower than if we were to engage in the same behavior with a human. For example, if you had a strep or staph infection, you wouldn’t pose a risk to your dog like you might to your family and friends. This is because many germs and diseases are “species specific” and pose a risk only to those in a specific group. However, that is not to say that dogs can’t transmit any harmful germs to you, they’re just less likely to do so than another human (file that one away somewhere).

So where does the myth come from?

According to Marty Becker, veterinarian and author of “Chicken Soup for the Dog Owner’s Soul,” the misunderstanding most likely comes from years of observing dogs do a very strange thing with fantastic results – licking wounds. As you’ve probably seen before, dogs lick their wounds, and they tend to heal quickly and without issue. Instead of infecting the wound further, the licking motion actually works to remove the dead tissue and clean the wound rather than aggravate it further. The motion additionally stimulates blood flow to the area, further speeding up recovery. It is not because their mouths are as germless or especially hygienic.

So now what?

Turns out that our loyal companions aren’t as squeaky clean as our gullible friends would like to believe, but dog lovers, never fear. You can still get down on the floor and enjoy as many wet kisses as you so choose, but just do so after your furry friend has gotten all necessary vaccinations and parasite controls. And maybe double check that your trash can is safely out of reach.

vitamins and minerals for teeth dr chauvin lafayette la dentist

The best vitamins and minerals for your teeth

February 1, 2017/in dental hygiene/by admin

At this point, we should all know the basics for taking proper care of our teeth from an oral hygiene standpoint. (If you don’t, click here.) Brushing and flossing properly aside, there are dietary factors to taking care of our teeth as well. In addition to avoiding refined carbohydrates, excess sugar, and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, there are some essential vitamins and minerals that your teeth need in order to stay healthy.

Calcium

Of course we need calcium! It’s one of the primary components of our bones and our teeth. The good news is, it’s in a lot of stuff, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, beans, and oysters, to name a few. Low calcium levels could lead to tooth decay and gum disease, so make sure you get enough!

Vitamin A

This vitamin helps inflamed gums to heal, as it maintains mucous membranes and soft tissues in the body. You are also more susceptible to infections when low on vitamin A. Good sources of it include: beef, liver, milk, cheese, and eggs.

Vitamin B2, B3, and B12

Vitamin B also contributes to the health of the mucous membranes, and a deficiency could result in mouth sores and bad breath. When it comes to vitamin B3 and B12, you can kill two birds with one stone, as they’re both found in chicken and fish. B12 is also found in red meat, pork, and dairy products. B2 can be found in spinach, almonds, pasta, and bagels.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is very important when it comes to dental health, as too little can cause bleeding gums and loose teeth. Ever heard of scurvy? It was caused by a lack of vitamin C. If you need to up your intake, citrus fruits are rich in the vitamin, but use caution. They are acidic, which can erode the enamel of your teeth. You can also eat sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, strawberries, and broccoli.

Vitamin D

This vitamin is especially important. It helps the body absorb calcium. It also helps prevent gum inflation. A vitamin D deficiency may result in burning mouth syndrome – which gives the mouth a burning sensation, a dry mouth, or a bitter/metallic taste. The best way to get vitamin D? Go outside. We get it from the sun! You can also eat milk, eggs, and fish.

Taking good care of your teeth doesn’t end at the toothbrush. You have to eat right too. You can also take vitamin supplements, but make sure you read the directions carefully. Some need to be taken with food, others require you to avoid certain foods. If you are concerned that a vitamin or mineral deficiency is affecting your teeth, contact Dr. Chauvin’s office and we can take a look!

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.

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!

Best New Years Resolutions for you and your teeth

January 6, 2016/in dental hygiene, teeth whitening/by admin

“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!