Tag Archive for: dentists

Best New Years Resolutions For you and your teeth

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Most New Year’s resolutions don’t make it to February.

The ones that stick? They’re usually simple, practical, and tied to something that actually matters.

Your dental health checks all three boxes, and the payoff goes way beyond a prettier smile. Good oral health is connected to your heart health, immune system, and overall wellbeing. So this year, give your teeth a little love.

From our team at Dr. Chauvin’s dental office in Lafayette, Louisiana, here’s where to start.

See Your Dentist Twice, and Book It Now

This one sounds obvious, but most people only make it in once a year… if that.

Don’t leave it to chance. Pull up your calendar right now and schedule both of your cleanings for the year. Getting ahead of it takes two minutes and saves you from the “I’ll call next week” spiral. Dr. Chauvin’s Lafayette office is ready to get you on the books.

Eat for Your Teeth, Not Just Your Waistline

Diet resolutions are already on most people’s lists, so this one is an easy add-on.

Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery naturally scrub plaque from teeth as you chew. Nuts, legumes, and leafy greens are packed with antioxidants that help your body fight the bacteria and inflammation behind gum disease. Cut back on sugary drinks and processed snacks, and your teeth will notice just as fast as your body does.

Quit Smoking. Your Gums Are Begging You

Smokers lose twice as many teeth as non-smokers.

That’s not a scare tactic, that’s just what the research shows. Smoking accelerates plaque and tartar buildup, weakens your immune response, and is one of the leading drivers of gum disease. If quitting has been on your list before, let your smile be the extra motivation this time.

Finally, Actually Floss

You know it’s important. The floss has been sitting in your drawer judging you for months. Flossing is the only way to clean between your teeth and below the gum line: places your toothbrush will never reach.

One minute a day. That’s all it takes. Make this the year you actually do it.

Start With a Phone Call

The easiest resolution on this list? Picking up the phone. Dr. Chauvin and the team at our Lafayette dental office are here to help you start the year with a healthy smile. Give us a call and let’s get you scheduled.

Your smile deserves a spot on your resolution list this year! Happy New Year from all of us at Dr. Chauvin’s office.

Learning About Athletic Mouth Guards

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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!

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Custom night guard benefits

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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:mouth guard

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!