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.