cavity - dr chauvin lafayette la

Cavity? Now What? (plus Signs and symptoms)

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You’ve heard the word a hundred times — and you might have been treated for one or two as a child — but do you really know what a cavity is? 

A cavity is a permanently damaged area on your tooth that morphs into a tiny hole — or opening — on the hard surface of a tooth. 

 

What causes cavities? 

If you end up with a cavity, fear not. You’re not alone, and it’s not the end of the world. In fact, cavities are one of the world’s most prevalent health issues. Cavities are caused by a number of things, including: 

  • Bacteria in your mouth
  • Lack of adequate oral care (not brushing and/or flossing your teeth enough)
  • Too many sugary beverages 
  • Too many sugary snacks

Typically, dentists can fix cavities pretty easily. But if left untreated, they can cause an infection in your mouth — or tooth loss. 

 

What are the symptoms of a cavity? 

Often, if the cavity is new or not severe, you won’t have any symptoms. But as the cavity persists, you might experience: 

  • Tooth pain
  • Sensitive teeth (sensitive to hot or cold food or beverages)
  • Holes or pits in your teeth (that you can see with the naked eye)
  • Stains on your teeth

 

How is a cavity treated? 

A cavity is typically “filled” by a dentist in a relatively painless and easy fix. There are several types of fillings available, but the most common are amalgam and composite. 

Here are the fillings available for cavities: 

  • Amalgam Fillings: Amalgam fillings are comprised of several different elements, which means they can be noticeable when you laugh or smile — even if they’re in the back of your mouth. They are among the most common — and the least costly — of all the fillings available.  
  • Composite Fillings: Composite fillings are also known as filled resins. They are a combination of glass or quartz — and they’re popular because they often match the color of your tooth, so they’re not noticeable when you smile. 
  • Metals: These metals — gold or silver — are used in amalgam fillings. Gold costs roughly 10 times more than silver when it comes to fillings. Although many people aren’t comfortable with shiny metal fillings, they choose them because they’re more durable than other options — they can last more than a decade before needing attention. 
  • Ceramic: A ceramic filling typically is made with porcelain and, like composites, won’t be noticeable to people when you smile. The difference between porcelain and composite is that the porcelain filling won’t show as many tooth stains over an extended period of time. The drawback: Ceramic fillings can be very expensive.
  • Glass Ionomer: A glass lonomer is unique because it releases fluoride, which helps to protect your teeth. Although it helps your teeth while it’s in, a glass lonomer is not as durable as other fillings, so it will need to be replaced sooner. 

 

As you can see, there is no shortage of options on correcting a cavity, and all of them are relatively pain-free and not very time-consuming. Contact Dr. Tim Chauvin’s office today for more information. 

Pregnancy and Dental Health - dr chauvin lafayette la

Pregnancy and Dental Health

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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).

 

What brushing your teeth has to do with heart disease - dr chauvin lafayette la

What brushing your teeth has to do with heart disease

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It’s no secret that brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes is imperative to oral health, but did you know that it’s also a factor in heart health? 

Although it hasn’t been proven that poor oral health causes heart disease, or that good oral health prevents heart disease, years of research has shown a definitive connection between the two. 

 

Here’s what we do know about brushing your teeth and heart disease: 

  • If you have untreated gum disease, also known as periodontitis, you’re at an increased risk of developing heart disease.

  • If you don’t take care of your teeth and mouth, you’re at a higher risk for a bacterial infection, which can enter the bloodstream and subsequently damage your heart valves.

  • Scientists have been able to connect tooth loss patterns to coronary artery disease.

  • If you have diabetes, your oral health is even more important. Researchers say that people with diabetes can greatly benefit from having healthy teeth and gums.

 

How do bacteria in your mouth impact your heart health? 

There are numerous studies on teeth loss and cardiovascular health, but a more recent study that focused on oral bacteria and heart health had some interesting findings: 

  • People in the study who had the kind of bacteria that causes gum disease also had thicker carotid arteries. Researchers believe the thicker your carotid arteries, the greater at risk you are for a heart attack or stroke.

  • Of the 682 people studied, people who said they brushed their teeth less than twice a day for two minutes each time had a three-fold increase in their risk for heart disease.

  • Scientists believe bacteria get into your bloodstream, then make their way through the rest of your body. This can cause inflammation, which leads to the clogging of your arteries.

  • Although it’s quite possible that people who don’t take proper care of their teeth and gums also don’t take proper care of the rest of their body, the study does conclude that gum disease increases patients’ blood pressure and interferes with medications that are prescribed to treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of strokes and heart attacks. 

Despite the limitations of the study, cardiologist Dr. Ann Bolge said the study “is a good reminder that the mouth is an important part of a person’s entire health and simple, daily behaviors that improve health are incredibly important.”

 

How to properly care for your teeth and gums

Whether you’re at a higher risk for heart disease or not, taking care of your teeth and gums is still an essential part of your overall health. Here are the simple steps you can take to have a healthy mouth: 

  • Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time you brush.

  • Floss in between your teeth daily.

  • Schedule twice-yearly cleanings and check-ups with your dentist. 

Click here to schedule your appointment today with Lafayette’s most trusted dentist. 

Summer Tips for a Whiter Smile - dr chauvin dentist lafayette la

Summer Tips for a Whiter Smile

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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.   

All You've Ever Wanted to Know About Veneers - dr chauvin dentist lafayette la

All You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Veneers

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More than likely, you’ve heard something about porcelain veneers. Perhaps you’ve heard about a celebrity’s perfect smile being attributed to them or maybe a coworker or neighbor has mentioned that they have veneers. Porcelain veneers are cosmetic enhancements used to produce attractive smile makeovers.

Having a beautiful smile is an important asset. Many people associate youth, friendliness, and vigor with a vibrant, straight smile. If you’re suffering with smile imperfections, cosmetic dental treatments like placing porcelain veneers could transform your life. If you have questions, we’ve compiled a list of answers to common questions.

What are porcelain veneers?

Short answer: permanent cosmetic enhancements. They’re bonded to the outer surfaces of teeth and are used to conceal dental imperfections. A veneer is a wafer-thin piece of porcelain that’s tooth-shaped and custom made to fit over a person’s tooth.

How can veneers help me?

They conceal a host of dental imperfections including stains, cracks, and chips. They also hide teeth with jagged edges. Receiving veneers over multiple teeth produces the appearance of a healthily spaced, straight smile.

Porcelain veneers are a versatile cosmetic dental treatment that could improve practically anyone’s smile. They lend the appearance of having white, straight teeth that are proportionate to each other and the gums. Since veneers can produce a flawless smile, it is a favored treatment among famous entertainers. And these aren’t just for the wealthy or famous, though, people from all kinds of backgrounds can enjoy this cosmetic treatment.

Will they look natural?

A great deal of care is taken to ensure that veneers look and feel as natural as possible. Veneers are custom made just for the patient. Their specifications are carefully determined by a dentist so that they don’t appear too thick or too large. The shade of veneers is also important for maintaining a natural aesthetic. Our Lafayette, LA dentist will help you select a shade that is perfect for your skin tone and your treatment goals.

What is life like with veneers?

Life with veneers means enjoying a beautiful, straight, and healthy-looking smile. After they are placed, most people report a surge in their self-confidence and an increased positive outlook on life. There are numerous psychological benefits to having a beautiful smile. Since these cosmetic enhancements are permanently fixed to teeth, they are low maintenance. Veneers are brushed and flossed just like a person would clean their natural teeth.

Having veneers does not lead to dietary restrictions. Since porcelain, the material used to construct veneers, is very lifelike, patients can enjoy a well-rounded diet.

A Curious Connection_ Guys, Gum Disease, and Heart Health _ dr chauvin dentist lafayette la

A Curious Connection: Guys, Gum Disease, and Heart Health

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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.

DIY Tooth Fairy Ideas _ dr chauvin dentist lafayette la

DIY Tooth Fairy Ideas

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Tooth transition, the phase of a child’s life where baby teeth fall out to be replaced by adult teeth, can be magical for children. Parents and caregivers can inspire wonderment and fun the Tooth Fairy’s visit with clever tips. Additionally, tooth transition and the Tooth Fairy’s visits are a great opportunity to instill oral health awareness with kids.

If you’re looking to make the Tooth Fairy’s visits more fun for the whole family, here’s a few do-it-yourself tips to try.

Make a Commemorative Tooth Fairy Photo Prop

Photos are a great way to catalog important life events, especially with children. Consider making a poster board or chalkboard that your child can hold during photos after a tooth is lost. Keeping a chalkboard is easier to update with dates and ages, however, since chalk is easily erased but a poster board works fine, too.

Use Glitter as Evidence of the Tooth Fairy’s Visit

If you want to leave behind more than money in exchange for a tooth, you can use glitter to make the Tooth Fairy’s visit even more magical.

Try spraying a dollar bill with hairspray and sprinkle glitter on it before it dries. You could also sprinkle glitter on a window sill or near where the tooth was left as “evidence” of the tooth fairy’s visit.

Get Creative with Doll Clothes as Tooth Fairy Evidence

You might be surprised what you can do with a doll’s accessories to give your kid’s a unique Tooth Fairy surprise. A small doll’s shoe could be awe-inspiring evidence that the Tooth Fairy left in a rush, too. A bedazzled and glittery bobby pin could easily serve in as the Tooth Fairy’s makeshift wand that she left behind.

Make a Tooth Pillow

If your child is a light sleeper, you might not want to exchange the tooth for money under his or her pillow. Consider using a small pillow that you can hang from a door knob or lay on top of a chest of drawers for a quieter, more fool-proof way of the Tooth Fairy’s visit without waking up your child. If you leave behind paper money, you can simply pin it to the pillow after you’ve taken the tooth.

Leave Behind a Receipt or Handwritten Notes

Leaving behind a receipt is a cute way to celebrate you child’s losing a tooth. Get creative with your notes and receipts by acknowledging that your child is doing a great job with brushing. If you leave a note, consider using decorations like stickers, glitter, and colorful ink for a unique touch. Be sure to disguise your handwriting, though. We all know how observant and clever children are.

Your notes and receipts can also include “oral hygiene tips”. For instance, if you know your child isn’t brushing long enough, find a fun way to convey the importance of proper brushing. You could write “I noticed you’re not brushing quite as long as you should. It really helps the Tooth Fairy when teeth are sparkling clean”.

(Mouth)Guard Yourself Against Sports-Induced Injuries _ dr chauvin dentist lafayette la

(Mouth)Guard Yourself Against Sports-Induced Injuries

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There’s nothing like playing a sport. You get to push your body and mind to its limits, refine difficult skills, burn tons of calories, and enjoy a rush of endorphins. Physical activity is a wonderful thing for your mind and body. And while sports and physical activities have abundant wellness benefits, an injury—especially one that affects your mouth and face, could be devastating.

Sports-induced oral health injuries can be severe and require multiple invasive treatments and surgeries. They are also incredibly painful. While modern dentistry and medicine can help you get your comfort and quality of life back on track, prevention is always best.

Wearing a mouthguard—particularly one that is custom made by your dentist—is one of the best ways to prevent sports-related facial trauma.

Sports-Related Facial Injuries: The Painful Truth

A hard tumble on the court or a hard bump into an opponent’s elbow could land you in the emergency room with crippling pain and far-reaching damage to precious oral tissue. When it comes to a sports-related facial injury, the effects are dizzying and distressing. Blunt trauma to the oral cavity and face can lead to broken and knocked out teeth, fractured facial bones, dislocated jawbones, and deep lacerations into the lips and cheeks.

Some traumatic facial injuries can be mild but the best-case scenario is normally a knocked out tooth. The worst-case scenario is far more disturbing. Facial trauma can cause multiple injuries to different types of tissue at once. A blow to the face could require multiple types treatment from an ER physician, an oral maxillofacial surgeon, and a dentist—not to mention multiple surgeries and months of down time spent healing.

Patients with severe facial injuries might need a combination of treatments such as:

  • Corrective jaw surgery
  • Tooth extractions
  • Dental implant placement
  • Suturing of lacerated soft tissue
  • Restorations like dental crowns and bridges

When the oral cavity endures trauma, special care has to be taken because the oral health system is delicate and complex. There are numerous nerve endings, capillaries, and blood vessels to consider when providing treatment.

If the jaws are affected, correcting broken bones and misalignments takes time and invasive care. Slightly misaligned jaws can throw a big wrench into a person’s quality of life—leaving them with frequent discomfort and diminished oral function. Correcting something like broken jawbones requires precise care from a specialist like an oral surgeon.

Statistics Reveal Why Mouthguards are Necessary

If you’re still not sold on the need for mouthguards, the numbers might convince you. An alarming number of athletes and parents of child-aged athletes don’t use mouthguards. As it stands now, a whopping 200,000 facial injuries are prevented each year among those who do wear recommended safety gear like mouthguards and chin straps.

This number could be higher, though. Much higher. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation’s study in 2012, as many as three million teeth were knocked out by sports injuries. The Center for Disease Control also estimates that there are over 7 million sports-related injuries for youth, teens, and adults annually. Unfortunately, not wearing mouthguards increases a person’s risks for sport-induced dental injuries by 60 times.

When you look at the numbers, wearing a mouthguard just makes sense.

Sports and Activities Where Mouthguards are Recommended

You might be surprised to learn how often mouthguards are recommended for sports and physical activities. Many people know that mouthguards are especially important for contact sports like boxing and wrestling but might be surprised to learn that they’re recommended for other activities like skateboarding, horseback riding, and football.

Here are some other activities and sports for which the American Dental Association recommends wearing mouthguards:

  • Gymnastics
  • Skating
  • Basketball
  • Field Hockey
  • Martial Arts
  • Raquetball
  • Lacrosse
  • Shot Put
  • Skiing
  • Soccer

Types of Mouthguards

There are a couple of types of mouthguards. Sporting goods stores and large supermarkets carry ready-made mouthguards that come in various sizes as well as “boil and bite” mouthguards that can conform better to a person’s unique oral anatomy. While these mouthguards can prevent some facial injuries, the best option for protection and comfort is to have a custom mouthguard made by your dentist.

A custom mouthguard is made to very exact specifications so that it properly covers (and protects) your teeth. Custom oral appliances will fit more comfortably, too. A comfortable mouthguard is more likely to be used.

Our Lafayette, LA family dentist offers custom mouthguards to help you protect you and your children’s oral health. Call our friendly team today to schedule a consultation.

 

What happens when you have an underbite_ _ dr chauvin dentist lafayette la

What happens when you have an underbite?

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No matter how well you take care of your teeth, there are certain dental problems that are caused by genetics and there’s nothing you can do to prevent them. An underbite is one of those issues.

However, just because you can’t prevent an underbite does not mean that you need to live with it for the rest of your life or let your lifestyle suffer as a result.

 

What is an underbite?

An underbite occurs when a person’s lower jaw extends farther out than the upper jaw, creating an overly pronounced and protruding lower jaw. The level of misalignment ranges from barely noticeable to severe.

Even though an underbite is usually caused by genetics, other natural causes include:

  • poor eating and chewing habits
  • mouth breathing as a result of constant congestion or habit
  • thumb sucking
  • an abnormal jaw bone

In many of the cases above, it can be the individual’s tongue resting against the lower jaw and lower front teeth that causes the jaw to move forward over time.

 

What happens when you have an underbite?

  • Appearance: Because underbites are so much less common than overbites, people who have them tend to be noticed more and become self-conscious as a result. A protruding chin adds to this and can lead to people with underbites being ridiculed as children.
  • Articulation Errors. Clear speech is a common problem. Any sound that depends on the teeth could be problematic, such as “s” and “f.”
  • Tough to Smile. A bad underbite could make it impossible to smile with confidence. Lips tend to take on a droopy appearance, and a dominant upper lip hides the upper teeth when smiling. With a more severe underbite it becomes difficult to keep the lips together, causing lip incompetence, changes in your facial profile, breathing and swallowing problems.
  • Chewing Problems. Due to misaligned teeth it could become very difficult to chew your food. One of our patients with a severe underbite problem reported gagging and ended up in the emergency room. Further side effect of chewing with misaligned teeth are excessive enamel wear, tooth chipping, tooth decay, infections and gum disease.
  • Chronic Jaw Pain. As the upper teeth push in under the lower teeth, the pressure on the jaw joint intensifies, which could trigger a TMJ disorder. This in turn could lead to headaches, neck pain, spinal misalignment, and even limping.

 

As you can see, underbites impact everything from daily activities like chewing and smiling to longer-term physical and mental health. Luckily, there are several treatment options available to bring the upper and lower jaw into alignment.

 

How do you correct an underbite?

Upper jaw expander: A device called a Palatal Expander is placed on the roof of the mouth and widened each night as treatment progresses. Over time, this increases the size of the dental arch and brings the upper and lower jaws into alignment.

Reverse Pull Face Mask: This resembles the headgear you may have seen on people with braces. It wraps around the head and attaches to metal bands on the back of the upper teeth to pull the upper jaw forward so it’s in line with the lower jaw.

Chin Cap: This device wraps around the chin and lower jaw to prevent it from growing and expanding out even further. This is a good option for children or teens whose jaws are still being formed.

Braces and veneers: Traditional braces may be used to correct mild underbites. Veneers may also be placed on the upper teeth so that top and bottom teeth align. Again, this is only recommended for non-severe underbites.

If none of those options are feasible, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon can perform underbite correction surgery to manually bring your upper and lower jaws into alignment. Braces are typically required after surgery to keep the teeth in alignment while your mouth adjusts to its new configuration. Children are more likely candidates for non-surgical intervention because their jaws are still developing. Once the jaw becomes fully formed in adulthood, it becomes more difficult to correct bite issues.

Let Chauvin Dental Help

If you have an underbite, no matter how severe, our team at Chauvin Dental in Lafayette, Louisiana, can help develop a treatment plan that will improve your quality of life and lead to a healthier mouth in the long run.

 

Little Known Facts about Halitosis _ dr chauvin dentist lafayette la

Little Known Facts about Halitosis

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We’ve all woken up with bad breath. And most of us pack some breath mints or sugar-free gum to use after a meal laced with garlic and onions. In a way, having bad breath from time to time is universal. But bad breath can be a little more problematic than short-term unpleasant odors from aromatic foods. Persistent bad breath might be an indicator of poor oral hygiene or an oral health condition.

Halitosis—the clinical term for bad breath—can be short-term or more chronic. The causes and solutions to bad breath might surprise you. If you’ve ever wondered what’s behind bad breath and how to combat it, keep reading for little-known facts about halitosis.

Causes of Bad Breath

Many people equate halitosis with eating certain foods like onions and garlic. While aromatic foods can give your breath a distinct odor, it’s actually short lived. This is because once our bodies process foods that cause bad breath, the odor stops.  

It probably goes without saying that tobacco use contributes to unpleasant breath. There’s abundant reasons to quit smoking and preventing bad breath is only one of them.

Even though its common to have short-term bad breath from food from time to time, the real cause of bad breath is normally the bacteria in your mouth.

Our mouths are home to millions of bacteria. Some are “good” bacteria and many other strains are bad bacteria. Bad bacteria contribute to bad breath, infections, and some are cariogenic—which means they contribute to tooth decay. Bacteria feed on sugar molecules in the food we consume. As bacteria feed, they colonize. They also produce acids as by-products. These acids affect the oral pH in our mouths, another factor that can contribute to the development of more bacteria and subsequently, bad breath.

Another culprit behind halitosis is oral infections. If you have gum disease or thrush (a fungal infection) you could have some serious oral odors. This is because the bacteria in your mouth are infecting oral tissue. For instance, gum disease is incredibly destructive to your teeth, gums, and bone. As this tissue becomes infected and as bacteria colonizes, a pretty unpleasant smell could be emanating from your mouth.

If you have prosthetics like bridges and dentures or wear orthodontic appliances, bacterial-related halitosis can be especially pesky to you. Food and debris lodged under or around prosthetics and orthodontia are ripe for bacterial feeding.

Home Remedies for Bad Breath

Feeding bacteria with sugary and starchy foods can make halitosis worse—especially if you’re not practicing thorough oral hygiene. Consider making changes to your diet so that you can starve stinky (and harmful) oral bacteria.

Oral hygiene is essential for keeping unpleasant odors at bay. Not only will you protect your teeth and gums from disease, a meticulous oral hygiene regimen will help eliminate halitosis. For optimal health and pleasant breath, consider the following oral hygiene tips:

  • Brush twice a day for two minutes each time
  • Floss every day
  • Brush soft oral tissues including the roof of your mouth, the linings of cheeks, your gums, and your tongue (most oral bacteria accumulates on your tongue!)
  • Change your toothbrush or brush heads every three months (four times a year)
  • Use oral hygiene tools with the American Dental Association’s seal of acceptance for maximum efficacy and safety

If you wear orthodontic appliances or have prosthetics like bridges or dentures, be sure to clean them thoroughly with oral hygiene tools and soaking (when recommended). Keeping the surfaces of prosthetics and orthodontia clean is imperative for fresh breath.

Addressing Halitosis with Professional Treatment

Improving your oral hygiene routine and reducing sugar consumption will likely improve most recurring halitosis but if it doesn’t, then you should make an appointment with your dentist. A checkup could reveal if an oral health condition like tooth decay or periodontal disease is the cause of your bad breath.

Treating halitosis professionally might involve a deep dental cleaning that removes surface debris above and below the gums. It might also involve treating undiagnosed tooth decay with restorations or removing diseased teeth.

If your dentist rules out common oral health conditions, you might need to see your primary care physician as persistent halitosis could be a sign of kidney and liver issues, diabetes, and sinus problems.

Our Lafayette, LA dentist treats a number of oral health concerns including bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. If you have questions or would like to schedule a checkup, call our practice at your convenience.