dental hygiene Archives - Page 5 of 5

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!

How to choose the right toothbrush

April 15, 2015/in dental hygiene/by admin

Where ever you shop, it’s safe to say the toothbrush isle is overwhelming and a little out of control. It might be tempting to go for the light up toothbrush, the superhero toothbrush, or 20 pack of tooth brushes (so that you don’t have to go down that isle for a while) but there is actually a lot more to the picking process. We spend over 1000 hours in our lifetime brushing our teeth, so it is important to know what to look out for when purchasing a brush. The most important factor is brushing twice a day and doing it throughly. Dr. Chauvin and his team want to make sure you have all the information to help make your smile bright and happy for years to come.

Types of toothbrush bristles

The most common types are Soft, Medium, and Hard. Most dentists recommend soft-bristled toothbrushes, and extra-soft bristled toothbrushes for anyone who has sensitive teeth or gums, or is recovering from a dental procedure. Some people simply prefer soft bristles. But many people who don’t have sensitive teeth or gums prefer firmer bristles because they believe them to be more effective for removing plaque and stains from the teeth, though that is not the case. Effective toothbrushing can be accomplished with soft and extra-soft bristles.

A hard toothbrush bristles do not necessarily equal cleaner teeth, but they can instead scratch your enamel and irritate your gums. Over time, this can cause gums to recede prematurely. Often people assume with a hard bristles toothbrush they are brushing more of the grim off, when in fact a soft bristled toothbrush does the best job.

Toothbrush sizes

A toothbrush with a small head is better than one with a larger head. No matter how big your mouth is a toothbrush with a small head can access narrow, inaccessible areas of your mouth. Most importantly, your molars. Angular placement of bristles on the head means you can clean teeth from all directions. This can help in prevention of plaque, which can accumulate if not cleaned on time.

Electric or manual toothbrushes

This part of picking the right toothbrush does not come with a wrong answer. If you are brushing the right way, for the right amount of time, and have no complaints with a manual toothbrush – then stick with that. On the other hand, if you have a hard time committing to oral health, have arthritis, or do not trust that you are brushing correctly the electric toothbrush might be for you.

Electric Toothbrush: These come with a ton of technology and features, electric toothbrushes provide the many oral health benefits. Some can even enable you to improve your brushing habits.

Modes specialized for sensitive teeth or gum-massaging action
Pressure sensors that let you know when you’re brushing too hard
Very easy to use, all you need to do is place the toothbrush at a 45° angle and let the toothbrush do all the work.
Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes do a better job of cleaning your mouth and removing plaque and gingivitis.
More fun to use for children
Built in timer that stops the toothbrush once two minutes are up
Reminders to replace your brush head
Rotating bristles

Manual Toothbrush: While ordinary toothbrushes don’t nearly provide the benefits and features of electric toothbrushes, the technology featured in their brush heads, bristles and handle designs can be quite advanced, for example:

Crisscrossed, extra-long or multi-level bristles
Polished or rounded bristle tips
Textured bristles
Easy to travel with
No batteries or charging
Inexpensive and often free whenever you make a trip to your dentist
Cupped-bristle design for whitening benefits
Ergonomically designed handles with special grips
Tapered or angled brush head
Gum stimulators
Tongue cleaner pads

How often should you replace your toothbrush?

The American Dental Association recommends getting a new toothbrush or brush head about every three months. This is more because of the wear on the bristles rather than germs.

Bristle wear is the main reasons for replacing your brush, but they also harbor bacteria. If not cleaned properly, microscopic bacteria can live on your toothbrush. After time and several uses, toothbrushes will lose their effectiveness. Once the bristles begin to wear down, they are not as efficient at cleaning plaque and removing food and other debris from your teeth. It is also suggested that you change your toothbrush after any type of illness, such as a cold, the flu or any type of mouth sores.

You should always rinse your toothbrush after use and let it air dry in an upright position. If you are really worried about germs and bacteria, you can soak your toothbrush in alcohol, or mouthwash as it is also an antiseptic. Another option would be to dip your toothbrush in boiling water for 5 to 10 seconds. Never put your toothbrush in the microwave or the dishwasher, as both these methods will damage your brush.

When in doubt, talk to your dentist!

Your favorite Lafayette Louisiana dentist, Dr. Chauvin serves as a valuable resource for anything pertaining to your oral health. If you want to choose a toothbrush that targets your specific issues, you can ask your dentist for advice the next time you go in for a teeth cleaning.

Custom night guard benefits

December 31, 2014/in dental hygiene/by admin

A custom night guard protects people that have problems with bruxism. Bruxism is the compression and gritting of teeth. For some people, it is a mild annoyance. For others, this can become a serious issue that becomes difficult to control and treat at advanced stages.Typically, bruxism happens in your sleep.

The damage caused by bruxism can include:

Serrations in the teeth
Deterioration of the biting surface area
Tooth fractures or breaks
Tooth loss
Headache
Jaw pain
Neck pain

As a person grinds their teeth, the incisors and canines move against one another sideways. This causes the degradation of the enamel, which leads to dulled biting edges. Bruxism not only causes problems for the individual suffering for it, but also for those around them. Some people grind their molars loudly while they sleep. If they are sleeping with anyone, that person is going to have a hard time trying to stay asleep.

Teeth grinding leads to serious dental harm, if left untreated. Many people are usually either unaware they have a problem, or aren’t as severely affected as others. That is because only five to ten percent people develop severe symptoms.

Treatment for Bruxism:

Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct treatment for bruxism itself. The best way to prevent additional damage is with a custom night guard. While this helps protect a person’s teeth, it doesn’t do much for the head and muscle pain caused by grinding. There are a few things someone can do to try to reduce the severity of their grinding:

Reduce caffeine consumption
Stay away from alcohol
Avoid chewing on things that aren’t food, especially chewing gum
Be more observant during the day. If you find yourself clenching, put the tip of your tongue in between your teeth. This forces your jaw to relax.
Before bed, place a warm washcloth on your jaw to relax the muscles.

While these won’t necessarily eliminate the problem, they can help reduce the severity of it. Over the counter night guards are available, but if they don’t fit well, they can actually make the problem worse. A custom night guard will be measured to fit your mouth exactly. A dentist will use putty to take a mold of your mouth, and then he’ll send the impression off to be turned into a night guard. The end result is a perfect mold of your mouth that will protect your teeth and help you manage your grinding. Questions? Give us a call!