A cross-bite is when your teeth are out of alignment. It is where your lower teeth will be outside of your top row of teeth. Cross-bite can make an individual feel self-conscious about their smile and other facial expressions. Let’s learn more about it.

What is a cross-bite?

In the simplest terms, a cross-bite occurs when your top teeth aren’t aligned with your bottom teeth. The clinical definition mentions tooth arches and jaw positions. No matter the cause, a cross-bite is essentially a misalignment. Cross-bites can occur from trauma, but most often, they are genetic. A cross-bite can specifically occur in children when their adult teeth grow before all of their baby teeth have a chance to fall out. It’s safe to say that if your parents had alignment issues, you might have them as well.

Anterior vs. Posterior

There are two kinds of cross-bites. An anterior cross-bite occurs when the front teeth on your top row fall behind the front teeth on your bottom row. This type of cross-bite is similar to an underbite. The second type of cross-bite is a posterior cross-bite. Posterior cross-bites occur when your top row of teeth falls inside your bottom row of teeth when you bite down. Luckily, both anterior and posterior cross-bites can be treated.

Cross-bite Correction and Treatment Options

Most dental professionals would agree that the best time to correct a cross-bite is as a child or teenager. There are treatments available for adults as well, but the earlier the cross-bite is detected and treated, the better. Most cross-bites are remedied by adjusting the teeth or jaw using orthodontic treatments and appliances.

Some treatment options that are available to correct cross-bites include: 

– Maxillary Expander

– Removable expander

– Braces

– Surgery in extreme cases

Many orthodontic professionals utilize a combined therapy of expanders and braces. The expanders work to create the correct amount of space in between the teeth so that the bites are aligned properly throughout the entire mouth. In adults, sometimes a removable expander can be prescribed that is only worn at night. Each case is different and will require its treatment plan.

The best place to start is by talking to your dentist about cross-bite correction and treatment options available to you or your child. As we’ve mentioned, cross-bites that are left untreated can cause even larger health issues down the road.

How can fixing a cross-bite connection help you? 

Getting your cross-bite connection fixed can help you in many ways. You will feel that your smile is even, and the face structure will be symmetrical. Most importantly, it can help you with chewing your food, and you can enjoy it in a better way. 

Also, you won’t wear down enamel or chip a tooth since your chewing will become even. Moreover, fixing a cross-bite can also have a lasting effect and can help in the correction of your teeth. As a result, you can avoid complications in the future and save a lot of money going towards the dental bills in the future. 

• Improper alignment of the teeth can cause various problems such as: 
• Wearing down teeth unevenly
• Loss of enamel 
• Become looser over time

Therefore, you should choose the best treatment options for cross-bite connection to avoid these complications.

Bottom Line: The Best Cross-bite Correction Treatment

If you are worried about your cross-bite connection, there are various treatment options available for you to choose. With the right dentist by your side, you can go through this process without any hassle.

Chauvin, DDS & Associates in Lafayette La is concerned about your smile! A cross-bite can affect your self-esteem as well as your oral health. We care about it all. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you gain a perfect smile or restore your oral health, give us a call today at (337) 234-2186.

Poor oral health impacts your quality of life, affecting your mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being. 

Research reveals that 53% of people with oral health problems experience self-esteem. Missing teeth, rotting teeth, oral infections, oral pain, and swelling can influence how you: 

• Eat 
• Socialize 
• Talk 

Certain foods can wreak havoc on your mouth and affect your well-being. Give yourself a confidence boost and improve your oral health by limiting the following foods:

• Alcohol and Wine

It’s no surprise that drinking alcohol is unhealthy. But what many people don’t know is that drinking causes your mouth to become dry. 

A dry mouth means less saliva, which equals unhealthy teeth. Why? It is because saliva helps wash away food particles. It’s also essential for repairing potential signs of tooth decay, gum diseases, sticking food, and other oral infections. 

At the same time, white and red wine is rich in erosive acid and tannins. It means that drinking wine can soften your enamels, dry your mouth, and stain your teeth.

To ensure a healthy mouth, avoid getting dehydrated. Try to limit alcohol intake and drink plenty of water. You may even try fluoride rinses.

• Dried Fruits

Most people assume that dried fruits are a healthy snack. Unfortunately, many dried fruits, including figs, raisins, apricots, and figs, are sticky. 

It means that dried fruits get stuck and cling to your teeth and crevices. If you enjoy eating dried fruits, follow these steps:

• Rinse your mouth with water or fluoride solutions 
• Brush your teeth properly
• Floss 

Moreover, try choosing fresh fruits since they contain less sugar content.

• Pasta Sauce

While tomatoes are healthy, tomato sauce is acidic. When you pour an extensive amount of tomato sauce over your pasta, you damage your enamel. 

It is because the acidic tomato sauce starts breaking down your enamel while the pasta’s carbs feed harmful bacteria. 

Keep your teeth’ enamel healthy by replacing tomato sauce with cheese. 

• Popcorn 

Popcorn is an excellent movie snack, but they’re the worst dental offenders. 

It’s unlikely you’ll finish eating popcorn without getting it stuck in your teeth. The thin shell tends to make a home between your teeth and gums. Plus, chewing on un-popped kernels may crack your tooth or cause tooth decay. 

If you’re a fan of popcorn, remember to floss after eating.

• Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is famous for two things: its detoxifying properties and high acidity. It means that drinking apple cider vinegar can erode your tooth enamel. 

If you enjoy apple cider vinegar, add water to it. Ensure that you rinse your mouth and teeth later.

What Foods Should You Eat?

 Here’s a list of delicious food items you can enjoy to improve your oral health:

• Fluoride-rich foods
• Fruits and vegetables rich in fiber 
• Green and black tea
• Cheese, milk, yogurt, and other dairy products 
• Sugarless chewing gum 

Ensure a Healthy and Beautiful Smile 

Reduce the risks of tooth decay and diseases by following the ADA-approved tips listed below:

• Limiting Between-Meal Snacks- If your tummy starts grumbling before dinner, choose something nutritious like a carrot or apple rather than your favorite chips 
• Eating Sugary Foods with Meals- Since our mouth makes more saliva while eating, it’s an excellent idea to consume sugary foods with meals to reduce the effects of acid production 
• Drinking Healthy Amounts of Water- Fluoridated water helps reduce the risks of tooth decay, so choose bottled water that contains fluoride content 
• Following Oral Hygiene- Brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once

 

Set up an appointment with Dr. Chauvin today

 

Speak to Dr. Chauvin from Lafayette Dentist Chauvin to ensure your dental heath. Dr. Chauvin will examine your teeth and gums, review your oral health history, and discuss your dental hygiene goals to offer the best advice. 

At Tim Chauvin, DDS & Associates, we offer high-quality services to patients across Lafayette and surrounding areas. Give us a call at (337) 234-2186 or book an appointment to start your journey towards healthier and beautiful smiles.

Oral health is one crucial component of overall health, and this is even more true when you’re pregnant. 

Did you know that studies have revealed a connection between periodontitis — also known as gum disease — and premature birth? Gum disease also has been linked to low birthweight. That’s why it’s so important for you to take care of your teeth and gums while you’re expecting. 

How does pregnancy affect your dental health?

The changes in your body you experience during pregnancy can have a big impact on your teeth and gums. One of the most obvious signs of pregnancy is bleeding gums. When you’re pregnant, there’s more blood flowing through your veins, a higher level of acid in your mouth, and a drastic rise in hormones. 

All of these changes can cause problems with your oral health. These issues can include: 

• Gingivitis: Do your gums bleed when you brush? Are your gums red, swollen and/or sore? Then you might have gingivitis. Progesterone, a hormone that is heightened during pregnancy, can lead to gingivitis, so it’s a common occurrence in pregnant women. You’ll need to see a dentist to treat the gingivitis before it gets more serious and turns into periodontitis (gum disease).
• Tooth loss: Just like it causes gingivitis, excess progesterone during pregnancy — along with estrogen — can impact the tissues and bones that keep your teeth intact. If you feel loose teeth while you’re pregnant, this is normal. 
• Periodontitis: If all of the above conditions are heightened to include extreme swelling and infection in your gums and the bones in your mouth, then you could have periodontitis. This is a serious gum disease. It can also cause your teeth to become loose. You’ll need to get this treated immediately. 
• Pregnancy tumors: Tumor sounds like a scary word, but pregnancy tumors are not cancerous, but instead, lumps that form in between teeth — on already swollen gums. The tumors can cause your mouth to bleed. They could be caused by having too much plaque. Flossing will help to eliminate plaque, but if the pregnancy tumors don’t go away on their own, you might end up having them surgically removed after you have your baby. 
• Tooth decay: Tooth decay — or when the enamel that protects your tooth breaks down — is caused by acid in your mouth. Because pregnancy creates higher levels of acid in your mouth, tooth decay is more common among women who are expecting. You’ll have even higher acidity levels if you’re experiencing a lot of morning sickness and vomiting during pregnancy. 

How you can help you and your unborn child

The myth that it’s unsafe to visit your dentist for cleanings or X-rays while you’re pregnant is just that: a myth. Visiting your dentist can be integral in keeping your mouth (and thus your baby) healthy while you’re expecting. 

You should notify your dentist as soon as you know about your pregnancy so he or she can adjust treatment, procedures and medications. The American Pregnancy Association says the second trimester is the usually the best time for minor dental work (i.e. cleaning, fillings).

 

Summer is approaching and many people are working on their physiques to get into beach body-worthy shape. While folks want to look great in swimwear, having a white smile can boost your attractiveness, too. Your smile says a lot about you including your friendliness and confidence.

Age and exposure to stain-causing foods, beverages, and tobacco will darken our teeth over time. While surface stains can be removed with good oral hygiene and professional dental cleanings, you might need to invest in having a professional teeth whitening treatment to achieve the bright smile you want.

If you want to look great head to toe, consider the following tips for achieving pearly whites.

Commit to a Thorough Oral Hygiene Regimen

It’s true that a proper oral hygiene routine prevents disease. But you might not know that regular brushing and flossing can help you achieve (and maintain) a whiter smile. Brushing and flossing removes plaque, a semi-translucent substance that coats our teeth. Plaque accumulation can make teeth appear dull and yellow.

You should brush at least twice a day and not more than thrice for about two minutes each time. Brushing long enough helps rinse away plaque and leftover debris from food that stains teeth. Even though brushing is pretty effective at cleaning your mouth, it isn’t enough. You should also floss once a day to control plaque development and remove debris that has accumulated between teeth.

You can also use a whitening toothpaste to lighten your teeth a shade or two but keep in mind that store-bought whitening products can only address surface stains. Teeth whitening toothpastes also contain abrasives so they shouldn’t be used for too long.

Schedule a Dental Cleaning

Did you know a dental cleaning can boost the vibrancy of your smile? It’s true. Professional prophylaxis removes surface stains and debris that can make teeth look discolored.

Even if you practice great oral hygiene, you still need a dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar. Having two professional cleanings a year will help keep your teeth looking bright and lustrous.

Quit Smoking

There is a plethora of good reasons to quit smoking and protecting your smile is one of them. Using tobacco—including chewing tobacco—can permanently discolor your teeth. While you’re adopting a healthier lifestyle to rock your summer clothing, consider quitting tobacco, too to boost your health and protect the color of your smile.

Drink Coffee, Tea, and Soda in Moderation

Dark-colored beverages like coffee and soda can lead to permanent tooth stains. Drinking them frequently will cause extrinsic stains that can only be lightened with a professional whitening treatment.

Beyond cutting down your consumption of dark beverages, you can drink clear water afterwards. Water helps rinse away food and beverage particles. It also the dilutes acidic content of many of these drinks, which is important for preventing tooth enamel damage.   

Oral health and general wellness are connected. A wealth of research has been dedicated to studying the links between common oral health conditions like gum disease and general health concerns like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Quite a bit of this research has shown that there is a correlation between the development of periodontal (gum) disease and cardiovascular health conditions. When it comes to men’s health, this research matters—particularly because men have higher risks for developing gum disease and heart disease than women.

The Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease & Gum Disease Among Men

Studies show that the incidence of both gum disease and heart disease is higher among men than women. Some of these statistics might startle you.

• Heart disease is the most common cause of death among men from all ethnic groups
• About half of men’s deaths attributed to heart disease were asymptomatic at their onset
• Gum disease is over 56% more likely to affect men than women
• Men tend to have poorer dental health including excessive plaque and tartar accumulation as well as inflamed gingiva
• Roughly 80% of the adult population in the USA will develop a form of periodontal disease at least once in their lifetimes

Connections Between Periodontal Health and Heart Health

Did you know that people with gum disease have a two to three times higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease—especially heart attack and stroke?

The exact correlations between heart disease and periodontal health are still being researched. Previous studies have shown, however, that the plaque present in periodontal disease can enter the blood stream. This plaque and the bacteria that infect the gums can attach to arteries in the heart.

Additionally, the level of inflammation present among those with gum disease appears to contribute to health issues including the cardiovascular variety. Harvard Medical School specifically points to the link between the long-term inflammatory responses of gum disease and atherosclerosis, which is the accumulation of fatty deposits of plaque in the arteries.

Preventing Gum Disease for Men

Preventing gum disease has a number of health benefits for men, including reduced risks for developing cardiovascular problems. The most effective way to prevent periodontal disease is to practice proper oral hygiene. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology set forth guidelines for oral hygiene that include:

• Brushing teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time
• Flossing once each day
• Using ADA-approved oral hygiene tools and fluoridated toothpaste

Beyond practicing good oral hygiene, men should receive two dental cleanings and checkups each year, spaced about six months apart. Regular dental exams will help detect gum disease at its earliest stages, when it’s far easier to manage and treat.