Have you ever been laying in the dentist’s chair, maybe nervous or bored, and wondered why you aren’t being given nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas)? Short answer, it depends on the patient! Nitrous oxide is a form of sedation called “inhalation sedation.” Although it’s considered an ideal clinical sedative, there are some things to consider.

Who needs nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide is an odorless, colorless gas that eliminates pain and induces euphoria after breathing it in for about five minutes. There may be visual or auditory effects, as well as lightheadedness or “the giggles.” Once the gas is no longer being inhaled, it wears off in three to five minutes. It is often administered in the following cases:

• For long dental procedures to reduce stress, fatigue, and awareness of time
• To calm frightened children
• To ease the nerves of patients
• To control gagging

In these cases, the use of nitrous oxide makes the patient more at ease, which allows their jaw to relax. Know how your jaw tightens when you’re stressed? Imagine feeling that way at the dentist, and having to force your mouth to stay open for an extended period of time. It’s difficult for the patient and the dentist. Some dentists allow laughing gas on request, but keep in mind, if it’s not absolutely necessary, your insurance may not cover it. The cost of sedation will come directly from your own pocket.

Certain factors don’t allow for the use of nitrous oxide.

While nitrous oxide is a relatively safe and effective method of sedation, there are some cases where it should not be used. The gas is administered via a mask that fits over the nose, and the tubes that pump the gas into the nose hang down the sides of the head. If you can’t breathe through your nose (perhaps due to a cold, or you typically breathe through your mouth) then nitrous oxide cannot be administered. Claustrophobia can also prevent the use of nitrous oxide. A claustrophobic person may not be able to have something sitting on their face for an extended period of time. Patients that have obstructive pulmonary disease are also not good candidates for nitrous oxide, as they have a reduced ability to move gases in and out of the lungs. People with emphysema cannot use it either. Other conditions that prevent the use of nitrous oxide include multiple sclerosis, pregnancy, or psychiatric patients.

As with any other dental procedure, ask your dentist if you would like to use nitrous oxide. They can go over the benefits and risks with you, and determine whether you’re a good candidate. Call Dr. Chauvin’s office to set up an appointment today!

We have all been there. Standing in the toothbrush aisle, trying to choose from a very wide variety of toothbrush. Some have tongue scrubbers, others have gum massagers, some are soft bristled, some are not, there are electric and regular ones, and they have multiple size options. It can be overwhelming! The biggest choice you have to make is electric or regular, right? Well electric toothbrushes aren’t just a gadget designed for lazy folks, they actually come with a host of benefits you may not have considered!

They’re fun!

Do you struggle to get your children to brush their teeth every day? If so, you aren’t alone. Some kids absolutely hate it! A possible solution? Electric toothbrushes make it fun for them. It tickles, and is therefore infinitely better than a regular old toothbrush. Additionally, the electric toothbrush will do most of the heavy lifting and get their teeth much cleaner than they would on their own with a normal one. And just like normal toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes for children come with all sorts of fun characters and colors. You’re bound to find one that your child will love.

They’re effective.

If you are a stellar brusher and flosser of teeth, then you probably won’t see a big difference between a regular and electric toothbrush. However, if you are not the best brusher, an electric toothbrush can make a big difference. Up until recently, the two were considered on par with each other. After a series of studies published in 2014, electric toothbrushes actually have the upper hand. Electric toothbrushes also reduced plaque 21% more, and gingivitis 11% more than manual toothbrushes after three months of use.

They’re easier to use.

For some people, the proper brushing technique is difficult to manage. For example, people with arthritis or other manual dexterity problems could have a hard time making the small circles you’re supposed to brush your teeth with. Enter the electric toothbrush, and now the majority of the work falls on the toothbrush.

Should you switch?

Dental professionals that monitored patients using electric toothbrushes reported that a staggering 80% of their patients noted a positive effect on their overall dental health. With those numbers, it’s safe to say that electric toothbrushes are definitely superior to manual toothbrushes. If you would like to switch, but have more questions about the type you should buy, contact Dr. Chauvin’s office. We’ll make sure you make the best choice for your oral health.

Think about how many different types of doctor there are. You’ve got your general practitioners, pediatricians, podiatrists, neurologists, and so on. Each different type of doctor focusing on a different aspect of the body. In a similar fashion, there are many different types of dentist! And the different dentists specialize in different things. For example:

General Dentist:

This is the person you should be seeing at least once a year. Your general dentist takes x-rays, cleans your teeth, fills cavities, and performs all of the preventative services to keep your mouth healthy. Your general dentist is like your general practitioner for your mouth. They see you regularly and have a baseline established for what your healthy mouth looks like. That way, if something is wrong, they can either correct the issue, or refer you to someone that can.

Endodontist:

The endodontist is primarily concerned with the pulp and nerves of your teeth. They are “concerned with the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases or injuries” to those parts of the tooth. They handle root canals and other root procedures that involve surgery.

Oral Pathologist:

These health care providers concern themselves with diseases that affect any oral structures, and in some cases, parts of the face and neck. These are the folks that will examine and diagnose a biopsy or other tissue sample that was sent by another oral health care professional.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon:

Did you have your wisdom teeth removed? Most likely, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon handled the procedure. They take care of many different surgical procedures in the mouth, face, and jaw. In addition to things like wisdom teeth removal and dental implant surgery, they also perform reconstructive surgery on people that have had facial injuries. They can also remove cysts and tumors from the jaw. They do a lot of different procedures.

Orthodontist:

This dental doctor specializes in bite correction. Whether the cause is hereditary, from missing (or extra) teeth, or jaws that are out of alignment, the orthodontist will straighten your bite. They use wires, bands, braces, retainers, and other tools to force teeth to move back through the bone to the correct position.

Pediatric Dentist:

This is the person who you’ll take your children to. Pediatric dentists specialize in children’s teeth, from age one, up through young adulthood.

Periodontist:

A periodontist specializes in soft tissue and supporting structures. So your gums and the bones of your mouth. They treat gingivitis, periodontitis, and can also perform simple and deep pocket cleanings, root planing, crown lengthenings, soft tissue/bone grafts, and a few other procedures.

Prosthodontist:

The prosthodontist handles the repair of teeth and the replacement of missing teeth. They use artificial teeth, crowns (gold or ceramic), or implants. They also work with patients that have deformities by replacing missing parts of the face and jaw.

When you lose a tooth as an adult, there are several options available to you for tooth replacement; removable dentures, fixed bridges, and dental implants. Dental implants are the best option, as they’re a permanent solution that’s fully functional. They have a very high success rate, as they are made with titanium – the most biologically compatible of all metals. Can your body reject your dental implant? Yes, although it’s far more likely that your implant failure is due to one of the following.

Failed Osseointegration

This means that your jaw did not take to the implant. Osseointegration is a term that describes the development of a connection between an artificial implant and the bone. Broken into its root Greek, the word literally means bone integration. This is determined by the implant either falling out, being excessively loose, or has shifted more than 1 mm after a year. Dental implants must be placed into a healthy jaw. There should be enough bone density and volume in order for the implant to fully osseointegrate. In some cases, a bone graft or a sinus lift is necessary for a dental implant, in order to create more bone mass.

Infection (Peri-Implantitis)

As you know, the human mouth is loaded with bacteria, and not all of it is good. With any surgery, and having a dental implant installed is a surgery, there is a risk of infection. The bone and gums around your implant can also be infected by improper dental hygiene, or if any dental cement from the implant gets caught in the gums. In rare cases, the infection can be treated and the implant left alone. However, if infection occurs, it’s most likely that the implant will have to be removed.

Teeth grinding

Grinding your teeth, normally very harmful anyway, can be devastating to dental implants (especially new ones). It takes a long time for bone to heal, as anyone who has ever broken a limb can tell you. Since dental implants are drilled into the bone, the jaw has to recover, and create new bone mass around the implant to hold it in place. Grinding your teeth can shift the implant, or wear it down. If you are a habitual teeth grinder, it would be wise to wear a mouthpiece at night in order to protect your dental implant.

These are just a few of the ways a dental implant can fail. In most cases, your body doesn’t reject the implant. There are other factors that have caused your implant to fail. Have more questions? Contact Dr. Chauvin’s office!

Babies will start getting teeth around six months of age. Dentists recommend that infants are seen before their first birthday in order to assess dental health. Without proper dental care, baby bottle tooth decay occurs. It’s a common problem, also known as early childhood cavities. The good news is, as with most dental issues, the sooner you catch it, the easier it is to treat.

How does baby bottle tooth decay happen?

Kids drink a lot! As a result, the teeth are exposed to lots of sugar. It comes from what they drink and what they eat, including:

• Formula
• Milk
• Fruit juice
• Other sweet drinks
• Fruits
• Sugary snacks

When children (and especially babies) drink, the sugars will pool in their mouth around their teeth, creating a perfect environment for cavity and plaque causing bacteria. As time goes on, each time the child eats or drinks something with sugar – their teeth are attacked by acid. This weakens the enamel, and makes it that much easier for cavities to form.

Preventing baby bottle tooth decay:

Basically you prevent baby bottle tooth decay the same way you prevent cavities in adults! With proper dental care. For a toothless infant, you need to clean their gums daily with a clean, wet rag. Wash your hands, wrap the washcloth around your finger, and then gently wipe and massage the gums. This helps keep your infant’s gums healthy, and gets them used to you cleaning their mouth (which will be a very good thing when it’s time to start brushing teeth and going to the dentist). And never leave your infant with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice at night.

Once the teeth begin to erupt, you’ll switch to a toothbrush. Make sure to get an appropriately sized brush, with soft bristles. You will also need a fluoride free toothpaste until they are old enough to spit. Use a pea sized amount, and gently brush their teeth and gums. When they can spit, switch to a toothpaste with fluoride. Modifications to your child’s diet can also help prevent baby bottle tooth decay. Offer water instead of sugary drinks, limit sugary snacks, and acidic foods.

It’s important to instill good dental habits at a young age, that way your children will take care of their teeth for the rest of their lives. Is it time for a dental checkup, or do you suspect baby bottle tooth decay? Call Dr. Chauvin’s office to set up an appointment.