Is all dental floss created equal?

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. ‪#‎brittenperio‬‪#‎clearwaterperiodontist‬

Periodontal Disease: The Big Picture

Research has shown that periodontal disease is associated with several other diseases. Recent research demonstrates that inflammation may be responsible for the association between gum disease and heart disease, stroke, diabetes and at least several other inflammatory conditions.

Diabetes - Individuals with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes, because they are more at risk of getting infections. Inflammation that starts in the mouth may weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar.

Cardiovascular disease or stroke. Periodontal disease and heart disease are often present together. Up to 91% of patients with heart disease have periodontitis, compared to 66% of people with no heart disease. The two conditions have several risk factors in common, such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and excess weight. And some suspect that periodontitis has a direct role in raising the risk for heart disease as well.

Dr. Britten and his staff keep a current and thorough medical history for each patient at each visit. As health-care professionals, it is their goal to continue to educate our patients the importance of good oral health and its impact on their overall health.

If you have any questions as the the effect that periodontal disease has on your overall health, call us for an evaluation at 727-586-2681 or visit our website at www.brittenperio.com for more information.

Periodontal Disease Can Be Controlled and Treated

Periodontal Disease Can Be Controlled and Treated

Your dentist and/or dental hygienist routinely perform an examination of your gum tissue health which includes periodontal probing, or measuring of the depth of your gums.

Unhealthy gums pull away from the teeth and form "pockets" that are infected. The body's immune system fights bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body's own enzymes fighting the infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and connective tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.

Periodontal disease – and the harmful affects to the gums and supporting structures of the teeth – can be controlled and treated. Improvement to our patients’ overall health is also often dramatically improved.

The health improvement is easy to appreciate when you consider living with an active bacterial infection, easily exposed to one’s bloodstream, can have a detrimental affect beyond the harm to the tooth and gums.

If you have symptoms of gum disease, contact us immediately. Gum disease addressed early can be reversed – and gum disease addressed later can be controlled. For more information, please contact our office at 727-586-2681 or www.brittenperio.com.

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.

How Nutritional Health Contributes to Healthy Teeth

How Nutritional 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

Smart toothbrushes: 4 exciting new products

In a recent article, “Are you smarter than your smart toothbrush?” Dr. Pamela Maragliano–Muniz, DMD, reviewed four smart toothbrushes the Beam Brush, and the Philips Sonicare for Kids.

1   1. The Oral-B Pro 5000 / 7000 SmartSeries.   This toothbrush is Bluetooth-connected with an interactive app.  Your dental hygienist can enter important professional guidance to help you use this feature  at home.

     

2     2.  The Kolibree powerbrush, is made in France and is new in the U.S.  It has 3-D motion sensors as well as Bluetooth connectivity. Its app features interactive games for kids and coaching for adults.

  

3    3.  The Beam Brush connects to a smartphone and automatically tracks and rewards good brushing habits.  The maker of the brush offers a subscription service through which floss, toothpaste, and replacement brush heads can be delivered every three months.

4.        Phillips Sonicare for kids

Philips Sonicare has developed a kid-friendly smart toothbrush to encourage better kids to brush more effectively.  The toothbrush can be customized with eight stickers and features an interactive app. The child (or parent) can create a profile on the app and the app will reward the child for proper brushing habits and parents can monitor the child’s brushing habit. In addition, the child can adopt a character, name it.  When they brush correctly and for the appropriate time, their character will smile and be happy!

Dr. Maragliano–Muniz’s full product review article can be found at http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2016/02/are-you-smarter-than-your-smart-toothbrush.html?cmpid=Enl_DIQ_Navigator_Feb-24-2016&sponsored=topic1&eid=330386680&bid=1319519

Six Reasons to Brush Before Bed Time!

Six Reasons to Brush Before Bed Time!

1. Brushing removes the plaque that has accumulated all day long so that bacteria have lesser ground to play on at night and hence the teeth are less damaged and decay.
2. The primary cause of gum disease is plaque accumulation at the gumline. Brushing before sleep will remove this plaque, avoiding the potential for swollen and bleeding gums.
3. Brushing twice a day reduces bad breath considerably. Try brushing 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 hour protection is always better than 24 hour.
5. Preventing dental problems decreases the extent of dental work you will need. Brush twice a day and save money.
6. Set an example for your kids! You cannot teach your kids what you do not follow. If you do not brush yourselves your child will never ever brush at night.

Oh, and don't forget about your interdental (in between the teeth) care!

If you have any questions about optimal oral hygiene, call us 727-586-2681 or email at healthysmiles@brittenperio.com