Clearwater FL Periodontist Dr. Todd Britten Shares: Don't Forget To Brush Your Tongue!

Don't forget to brush your tongue!

Do you know what this is?! That's right, it's a tongue under magnification! Don't forget to brush it!

"All those bumps and grooves on your tongue are a haven for bacteria and could be contributing to your bad breath because of the gases they give off, says Dr. Matthew Messina, a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. It's important to take care of the tongue in addition to regular brushing and flossing."-from Colgate.com

The front portion of the tongue is pretty self-cleansing, however, the back portion can often collect more bacteria. You can use a toothbrush or a special tongue scraper. Tongue scrapers come in various designs.

Some tips:

1-Clean any area where there is a coating. This is usually found on the back portion of your tongue.

2- Be gentle. Don't go too far back and stick to the center of the tongue and not the sides which are more delicate and prone to injury. If you have a sensitive gag reflex a tongue scraper will probably work better for you.

3- Do it daily. Just like brushing and flossing, frequency is key. Oral bacteria are constantly reproducing. Once you start doing it daily, you may find that your mouth just doesn't seem as clean without doing it!

#brittenperio #clearwaterperiodontist #dentaltips

Clearwater FL Periodontist Dr. Todd Britten Shares: How to Keep Dentures in Top Shape

How To Keep Dentures In Top Shape

How To Keep Dentures In Top Shape
(Tips from OralB.com)

"Clean dentures daily. Brush your dentures each day the same way that you would brush your teeth, with one key difference: Skip the toothpaste. Many commercial types of toothpaste can damage dentures. Instead, use a soft-bristle denture brush, designed specifically for cleaning dentures, and water to brush all surfaces of the dentures, but be careful not to bend any attachments.

Rinse your dentures with water after each meal. You can buy specialized denture cleaners for soaking dentures, but soaking is not a substitute for brushing—you need to brush the dentures to remove plaque.

Fill the sink with water or place a folded towel in it when handling your dentures, so you don’t break them if they should fall into the sink. When you aren’t wearing your dentures, let them soak in cool water or a 8 cleaning solution to keep them from drying out. Be careful of cleaning solutions if your dentures have mental attachments—the solutions could cause the metal to tarnish. And don’t soak dentures in hot water—they could warp.

Remove your dentures (full or partial) every night. This allows the gum tissue beneath them a chance to rest.
If you take care of your dentures, you should be able to use them for five to seven years before you need to replace them. It’s important to see your dentist every six months to check the condition and fit of your dentures and to look for any signs of irritation or gum disease so they can be treated immediately."

If you have any questions about denture or appliance care, please contact our office at www.brittenperio.com.  

Clearwater Periodontist Dr. Todd Britten: How Nutrition Health Contributes to Healthy Teeth!

How Nutrition Health Contributes to Healthy Teeth

How Nutrition Health Contributes to Healthy Teeth

A balanced, nutritious diet is essential to our health. But did you know that eating patterns and food choices play an important role in your dental health? Eating healthy can prevent tooth decay and gum disease. 

Our teeth are an important part of the first steps in the digestion process - chewing and swallowing. The mouth is the first place the nutrients consumed everyday will go. If your nutrition is poor, the first signs often show up in your mouth.

Empty calorie foods such as candy (especially hard or sticky candies), cookies, cakes, and other sugary snacks are not only harmful because they do not offer nutritional value, but because the amount and type of sugar that they contain that can adhere to teeth. The bacteria in your mouth feed off these sugars, releasing acids, and that’s what leads to tooth decay.

Sugar-containing drinks—soda, lemonade, juice and sweetened coffee or tea (iced or hot)—are particularly harmful because sipping them causes a constant sugar bath over teeth, which promotes tooth decay.

Calcium and phosphorous are nutrients that play a critical role in dental health, by protecting and rebuilding tooth enamel. Foods that benefit tooth health, include cheese, milk, plain yogurt, calcium-fortified tofu, leafy greens and almonds because they provide high amounts of calcium and other nutrients. Protein-rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, milk and eggs are the best sources of phosphorus.

Fruits and vegetables are good choices for a healthy smile since they are high in water and fiber, which balance the sugars they contain and help to clean the teeth and stimulate salive productuon. Many also contain vitamin C (important for healthy gums and quick healing of wounds) and vitamin A (another key nutrient in building tooth enamel).

For more information on how nutrition affects oral health contact us at healthysmiles@brittenperio.com

Clearwater FL Periodontist Todd Britten Shares: What is Periodontal Disease?

Clearwater FL Periodontist Todd Britten Shares: What is Periodontal Disease?

What is periodontal disease?

Q: What is periodontal disease?

A: Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, often begins as a buildup of plaque on the tooth's surface near the gum line. If this plaque is not removed by brushing and flossing regularly, it can harden into what your dentist calls tartar. Plaque will continue to build up over the tartar, eventually causing the gums to become red, swollen, and irritated. This is known as gingivitis and is the first stage of periodontal disease. If leftuntreated, gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease.

What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
-Red, swollen, sore gums
-Gums that bleed when brushing and flossing
-Teeth that appear longer or become loose
-Large spaces that form between the teeth
-Gums that begin to pull away from the teeth
-Chronic bad breath

Periodontal disease, if left untreated, can contribute to other health problems including heart disease and diabetes. If you're pregnant, having periodontal disease is also linked to premature birth or low birth weight. Your smile's health affects the overall health of your body.

As a periodontist, Dr Britten enjoys making a positive impact in our patients’ lives by improving their smiles as well as their comfort and health. We believe in delivering state of the art care with a gentle touch in a lighthearted environment. If you have any questions about your periodontal (gum) health, please contact our office at 727-586-2681 or visit our website at www.brittenperio.com.

Clearwater Periodontist Shares Proper Toothbrushing

A proper tooth brushing technique is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

Brush gently, thoughtfully and thoroughly. Doing this at least twice a day can help prevent decay by minimizing the debris and bacteria in your mouth.

Using a toothbrush that has bristles that are too hard, or an incorrect technique of brushing can cause your gums to be damaged during the tooth brushing process and can cause them to recede (gum recession) or cause destruction (abrasion) to the teeth and roots. It is important to choose a toothbrush with soft rounded polished filaments rather than medium or hard. We recommend changing your toothbrush at least every 90 days or after an illness.

Hold the toothbrush at a 45° angle so that the filaments reach the gum line. Brush with light pressure using small circular or vibrating movements. Brush the inside, outside and biting surfaces of the teeth, twice day for at least four minutes if using a manual toothbrush.

Tooth brushing video: https://youtu.be/oKaNlV45bB8

Dr. Todd Britten's Clearwater Periodontal Practice is dedicated to his patient's well being and education in oral hygiene.  Dr. Britten can be reached at 727-586-2681 or you can visit his website at www.brittenperio.com.  

Clearwater Periodontist Shares: Should I Use an Interdental Brush?

Should I Use an Interdental Brush?

Clinical studies have shown that manual interdental brushes are very effective at reducing plaque and gingivitis. Selecting the sizes and types of interdental brush that are best for you is very important. To find the best size and shape for you, you will have to take into account the size of the space between your teeth, contact points, areas that retain food, gum shape and position, and periodontal pocketing.

Interdental brushes, or proxabrushes come in wider or thinner sizes Go-Betweens® (Sunstar Butler), to accommodate different size spaces between the teeth. They are available with both coated and uncoated wire, and some include antibacterial agents (chlorhexidine) on the bristles.

There are also ultrathin, rubbery versions of interdental brushes called Softpicks and Advanced Softpicks® (Sunstar Butler). Our patients who have dexterity issues often find interdental brushes or Softpicks easier to use than floss.

Interdental brushes are found to be easier to use than floss for many individuals, and some people are more likely to use them daily. Likewise, interdental brushes may be more appealing than floss to those with limitations in manual dexterity or with larger hands. They can be used with one hand and also can come with long handles.

Interdental brushes are a must for many patients with periodontal disease. Back teeth (molars and premolars) often have a more complex anatomy between the teeth due to root concavities. A root concavity is a developmental depression in the root surface. In health, these root concavities are covered in gum tissue and bone and actually help secure the tooth in the bone. Flossing may not always access these difficult to clean and plaque retentive areas. So for many periodontal patients, flossing as well as the use of an interproximal brush is necessary.

There are a variety of sizes of interdental brushes to accommodate most patients. For example, TePe USA offers interdental brushes, both angled and regular, at the smallest wire diameter size of 0.4 mm. Different size brushes allows for effective and individualized home care.

Your dental professional can help instruct you as to which brushes are best suited for you. Smaller brushes can be used for smaller spaces between the teeth while larger brushes can help address problem areas, areas that are missing teeth, orthodontics, fixed appliances, and other variables. Your dentist, hygienist or periodontist will help you choose the correct size (or sizes), how often to change the brushes, limitations on bending the wires, and overall technique. A dental health professional may also serve as a support person for continuing motivation of a patient. Interdental brushes are a great alternative or addition to flossing that to improve your oral health.

Watch this video from Tepe USA:

https://youtu.be/VaFheTMw6fU

Clearwater Periodontist Dr. Todd Britten Shares Power Toothbrushing

Power toothbrushing

Divide your mouth into four quadrants. This can help ensure that you brush each section of your teeth and mouth cavity.

Place toothbrush bristles along gum line. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line with a Sonicare or 90 degrees with an oscillating brush such as the Oral B. Applying gentle pressure, keeping the bristles in contact with your tooth surface and gum line, which can help ensure you get the most effective result possible. Stay on each area for 4-5 seconds, moving the brush only when it is time to go to the next area. Once you’ve completed this procedure for a quadrant, move to the inner surfaces of your teeth and repeat the same procedure.

To brush behind your front teeth, tilt the brush vertically using only the front half of your brush.

Clean biting surfaces, your tongue, and soft palate. This can help remove debris and other odor-causing bacteria.

VIDEO OF SONICARE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpJUw6m1O_A

Clearwater FL Periodontist Shares: Flossing, types of floss

Proper flossing. Dr. Todd Britten Shares Types of Floss

If you’re uncertain about which type of floss is best for you or a member of your family, ask your dentist or dental hygienist for advice. Here are some points that might be helpful:

Large gaps between your teeth? Try woven floss or Super Floss. We like Listerine Gentle gum care woven floss.https://www.listerine.com/toothpaste…/listerine-gentle-floss

Not much space between your teeth? You may find that a waxed floss, dental tape, or a thinner string floss such as POH is easier to slide into those tight spaces. POH even comes in black floss if you are excited to see how much plaque you are removing!http://www.buypoh.com/percept630blackfloss.html

We also like shred resistant Listerine Ultraclean floss (formerly Reach brand) since it gets into these tighter spaces but still has microgroove and a toothpaste coating to help remove stubborn plaque!https://www.listerine.com/toothp…/listerine-ultraclean-floss

Braces, bridges or implants? A spongy floss is a good option, but any floss can be used if you wear dental appliances, especially if you have a floss threader. We like Proxysoft (formerly Thornton’s) Bridge and Implant Threaders for our bridge, implant and even in problem gum areas where extra TLC is needed.

http://www.proxysoft.com/products.html

When it comes to dental floss, flossing every day is the most important choice you can make!

If you have any questions about which type of floss may be most effective for you, contact our dental hygiene department at healthysmiles@brittenperio.com or call 7275862681.

Clearwater Periodontist Dr. Todd Britten Shares Flossing Tips

Flossing Tips from Dr. Britten:

Typically, dental floss should be wrapped around the 2 middle fingers and stretched to a 12 to 18 inch length. Gently move back and forth in the area where the teeth contact each other, wrapping your floss it in a “C” shape around the side of the tooth. Once the floss is through this contact area it is gently moved under the tissue just until resistance is met. It is important not to “jam” the floss under the tissue, as this pulls on the periodontal ligament and can cause damage to the tissue and result in very sore gum tissue. At this point a cleaning stroke moves the floss away from the gum tissue toward the contact spot. Continue with this 6-8 times until a squeak can be heard and the tooth surface is clean.

Then move the floss to the adjacent tooth and do the same. While traditional flossing methods are most effective, flossing aids, such as floss picks or Soft Picks (GUM), are available for those with dexterity issues.

Flossing video:
https://youtu.be/fRpCTwoe2W0

Flossing is so important for the health of your gums and should be done every day. For more great oral hygiene tips, keep following us here on Facebook, and stay tuned for our up and coming redesigned website www.brittenperio.com which will have many helpful and insightful oral hygiene tips!

Clearwater FL Periodontist Dr. Todd Britten Shares: Oral Hygiene Tips: End Tufted Brush?

Oral Hygiene Tips: End Tufted Brush

An end tufted brush is designed for hard-to-reach or simply difficult-to-clean areas where the dental plaque buildup will become harmful to teeth or gums, such as:
• Exposed spaces between the roots of molar teeth due to periodontitis and gum recession, keeping furcations clean
• Complex fixed dentures, bridges or dental implants that are inherently hard to clean
• Orthodontic appliances
• Difficulty in cleaning the back surfaces of the last teeth at the end of the dental arch at the back of the mouth
• Other hard-to-reach areas identified by your dentist or dental hygienist

Clearwater FL Periodontist Dr. Todd Britten: 6 Reasons To Brush Before Bedtime!

6 Reasons to Brush Before Bedtime!

1 - Brushing removes the plaque accumulated all the day long so that bacteria have less time to play on the teeth all night long, causing less acid damage to your teeth!

2 - The primary cause of gum disease is plaque accumulation at the junction of teeth and gums. Brushing before sleep will remove this plaque, avoiding the potential for swollen and bleeding gums.

3 - Brushing twice a day reduces bad breath considerably. Brush tonight if you haven’t been. The next morning you will notice an improvement in any bad breath you have been experiencing.

4 - The fluoride in toothpaste helps form a protective layer on your teeth to prevent them from the process of destruction. So, a 12 hourly protection is always better than 24 hours.

5 - Preventing dental problems decreases the extent of dental work you will need.   Brush twice a day and save money.

6 - Set a good example for your kids! When your kids see you brushing at your nightly routine, they will be more likely to do it too!

And Don't Forget To Floss!

Clearwater FL Periodontist Dr. Todd Britten: What is Periodontal Maintenance?

A Periodontal Maintenance is a procedure that includes removal of plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline, all the way down the length of each tooth to where the root, gum and bone meet. Rough areas are smoothed out if needed, pocket depths are carefully monitored and inflamed pockets may be irrigated with antibacterial medications if necessary.

If you have periodontal disease which has resulted in bone loss, gum “pockets” deeper than 4 mm, bleeding gums, exposed root surfaces, or if you have had periodontal surgery or root planning, it is important to alternate cleanings between our office and your general dentist. Your general dentist will keep an eye on your teeth, while we focus mainly on the foundation around them. Periodontal Maintenance is one of the most critical factors in maximizing the longevity of the results received after scaling and root planing or periodontal surgery.

We are often asked, “What is the difference between a regular cleaning and a periodontal maintenance?” A Regular cleaning, or “prophylaxis,” is different because the hygienist removes soft plaque, tartar and stains from the teeth above the gumline and only slightly below. A regular cleaning is done with your general dentist 2 to 3 times per year depending on how quickly stain, plaque and tartar accumulate.

Clearwater FL Periodontist Shares "What is Periodontal Maintenance?"

Clearwater FL Periodontist Shares Video "What is Periodontal Maintenance?" #brittenperio #clearwaterperiodontist by Dr Kuljeet MEHTA Periodontist  www kmperio co uk

https://youtu.be/o56UwXCF6jg

A Periodontal Maintenance is a procedure that includes removal of plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline, all the way down the length of each tooth to where the root, gum and bone meet. Rough areas are smoothed out if needed, pocket depths are carefully monitored and inflamed pockets may be irrigated with antibacterial medications if necessary.

If you have periodontal disease which has resulted in bone loss, gum “pockets” deeper than 4 mm, bleeding gums, exposed root surfaces, or if you have had periodontal surgery or root planning, it is important to alternate cleanings between our office and your general dentist. Your general dentist will keep an eye on your teeth, while we focus mainly on the foundation around them. Periodontal Maintenance is one of the most critical factors in maximizing the longevity of the results received after scaling and root planing or periodontal surgery.

We are often asked, “What is the difference between a regular cleaning and a periodontal maintenance?” A Regular cleaning, or “prophylaxis,” is different because the hygienist removes soft plaque, tartar and stains from the teeth above the gumline and only slightly below. A regular cleaning is done with your general dentist 2 to 3 times per year depending on how quickly stain, plaque and tartar accumulate.