Gum Disease is a Lifelong Condition

Gum disease is a chronic lifelong condition which can often be halted in its earliest, often reversible stage, gingivitis. "Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis (gum disease). With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed." -from Perio.org.

Once you have been diagnosed with gum disease, it can be treated with surgical and non-surgical therapy and in most cases easily maintained for life with routine periodontal maintenance (dental hygiene visits and close monitoring) and a recommended home care schedule. Gum disease is a lifelong battle, however, we are committed to working with you and your dentist to keep your smile healthy for life. Please contact our office at healthysmiles@brittenperio.com or visit our website at www.brittenperio.com for more information.

Over 60 million Americans grind their teeth at night

Do you ever wake up with an aching jaw, tooth sensitivity or notice that your teeth seem to be shifting or loosening? Clenching or grinding your teeth can put excessive force on the supporting tissues of the teeth and could speed up the rate at which periodontal tissues are destroyed. Teeth grinding or clenching can also cause abnormal wear and tear on the teeth which will prematurely age and loosen them, causing problems such as hypersensitivity (from the small cracks that form, exposing your dentin). Clenching or grinding, known as bruxism, can also lead to chronic jaw and facial pain, as well as headaches.

If no one has told you that you grind your teeth, here are a few clues that you may suffer from bruxism:

Your jaw is sore often, or you hear popping sounds when you open and close your mouth.
Your teeth look short or worn down.
You notice dents in your tongue, especially along the edges.

A common therapy involves use of a special appliance worn while sleeping which your dentist can custom fit for you.

Dr. Britten can evaluate you for evidence of clenching or grinding and make the appropriate recommendation to avoid further damage to your teeth, gums and TMJ.

For any questions about bruxism, please contact our office at 727-586-2681 and www.brittenperio.com.

Most Common Cause of Gum Disease

Unless you're aware of the signs and symptoms of gum disease and how it's caused, it's possible that you may have unknowingly developed it. Often painless, gum disease -- or periodontal disease -- becomes progressively more serious when left untreated. As you learn more about the common causes of gum disease, you'll be better-equipped to maintain the best oral health possible.

Gingivitis & Periodontitis: Common Causes of Gum Disease

• Bacteria & Plaque. Bacteria in the mouth creates a sticky film over the teeth. Good hygiene practices help remove the bacteria and the plaque they cause. When plaque is not removed, it develops into a rock-like substance called tartar. This can only be removed by a dental professional.
• Smoking & Tobacco. If you're a smoker or use tobacco, you face a higher risk of developing gum disease. Additionally, tobacco use can lead to stained teeth, bad breath, and an increased risk of oral cancers.
• Certain Medications. Some medications that are taken for other health conditions can increase a person's risk of developing gum disease. If you take steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, certain cancer therapy medications, or oral contraceptives, speak to Dr. Todd Britten about how to maintain healthy gums.
• Medical Conditions. Certain medical conditions can impact the health of your gums. For instance, diabetics face an increased risk of gum disease due to the inflammatory chemicals present in their bodies. Always talk to our team about other health conditions to ensure we take that into account when treating you.

Take a Proactive Stance

Good oral hygiene practices and regular visits to our Clearwater, FL office can help you eliminate or reduce the risks of developing gum disease. A thorough cleaning with your toothbrush and dental floss should take about three to five minutes. Brush your teeth a minimum of twice per day and floss at least once each day. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be ready to prevent gum disease.

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What if you flossed as often as you watched Netflix?

We encourage our patients to find ways to incorporate taking care of your teeth into your day, however you can! Even while watching Netflix, if that is what works for you!

"Interdental cleansing (cleaning between the teeth) is necessary for ... optimal oral health. Since most toothbrushes have limited access to proximal (in between) surfaces of teeth... interdental cleansing must be included in dental hygiene care plans. Interdental spaces are areas where bacteria can accumulate, multiply and remain undisturbed.

Undisturbed plaque biofilm can cause gingival inflammation and bleeding and increase the risk for and progression of periodontal disease." Source: "Interdental Cleansing" by Jacquelyn L. Fried, RDH, MS

Actually, cleaning between your teeth with floss, proxabrushes, softpicks, rubber tip stimulators and watching Netflix at the same time is just fine with us. Dr. Britten and his hygiene team encourage patients to find ways to incorporate taking care of your teeth into your day, however you can! 

For more oral hygiene tips or tricks, feel free to email us at healthysmiles@brittenperio.com or visit our website www.brittenperio.com.

Seven Foods that will Give You a Smashing Smile

As the saying goes, you are what you eat. But did you know that what you eat also affects your smile? Chow down on these seven tasty treats, recommended by Dr. Todd Britten and our staff, for a healthier mouth and a smashing smile!

Sesame Seeds

These tiny seeds that you find in some Chinese and Thai dishes (as well as on top of your hamburger bun) are packed with bone-building calcium. They help to preserve and protect the bone that supports your teeth and gums. As a bonus, they also help to build up your tooth enamel while sloughing away plaque.

Kiwi

This funny little fruit has the highest amount of Vitamin C of any fruit, including oranges! What does this mean for your chompers? Well, you need Vitamin C to keep your gum tissue healthy and strong. Without it, they are more susceptible to periodontal disease.

Sweet Potatoes

These are not just for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner! You should add sweet potatoes to your regular diet. These tasty spuds are rich in Vitamin A, which your body uses to form tooth enamel and heal gum tissue.

Onions 

You know those strong vapors from onions that make you cry? Well, they come from the sulfur compounds in the vegetable, which gives them a superpower-packed antibacterial punch. Get ready, though: Onions are most effective for your smile when you eat them raw!

Cheese

If you love cheese, you will love this news! Munching on some cheese helps prevent gum disease and cavities. The reason is that cheese is very high in calcium and phosphate, which help to balance the pH levels in your mouth. This in turn helps to preserve your tooth enamel and kill harmful bacteria.

Green Tea

Sipping on some green tea can not only help prevent cavities and gum disease, it can also kill the bacteria that cause bad breath. Score! Green tea has catechins, which actually kill the bacteria that cause plaque. So drink up! Your smile depends on it!

Celery

Have some fun with that crunchy stuff because, guess what? It is great for your smile! When you chew celery you produce saliva. Your saliva neutralizes cavity-causing bacteria. As a little added bonus, while you are chewing, it is giving your gums a little massage and cleaning between your teeth.

So grab some of these healthy snacks and give your mouth something to smile about!

Please call us with any questions about your smile.

727-586-2681

www.clearwaterperiodontist.com

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Clearwater, FL Periodontist, Dr. Todd Britten, Now Provides Bone Loss Patients With The Strength For Dental Implants Through Bone Grafting Procedures

Todd Britten, DMD, M.S. , a board-certified periodontist,  places bone grafts for patients suffering from bone loss in the jawbone, which occurs when teeth are missing and are no longer stimulating the bone. Dental implants are often used to replace teeth and can stimulate the jawbone, but when there is not enough jaw bone to hold the implants, the dental procedure of bone grafting may be done first to provide security for the implants.

Dr. Todd Britten recommends bone grafting procedures for patients with missing teeth who need additional jaw bone support for the placement of dental implants. Bone grafting is recommended when bone loss is extreme. 

The bone grafting procedure takes bone from non-essential areas of the patient's body and transplants it into the area of the jaw where the dental implants will be located. In most cases, allografts are used.  Allografts are taken from a bone bank where human bone from cadavers has been donated and xenografts are taken from animal bone. Autogenous grafts come from the patient.  The new bone is surgically placed in the jaw area where it is required and may be supplemented by the patient's bone marrow mixed with a grafting material. The incision is closed using sutures, and the area is allowed to heal.  Local anesthesia is all that is needed in most cases, however, Dr. Britten offers different forms of sedation dentistry, including IV conscious sedation.  

The dental bone graft then heals completely prior to proceeding with other procedures, such as the placement of dental implants. This will generally take about four to six months. Once the area completely heals, the patient can be evaluated for the placement of dental implants.  This often can be done with an examination and radiograph and sometimes a ConeBeam CT scan can be performed.  The implants are made of titanium (the same material used in many replacement hips and knees), a metal that is well suited to pairing with human bone.  Patients interested in these procedures should locate additional information at http://www.clearwater-periodontist.com or www.brittenperio.com.  

Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a periodontal practice offering patients personalized dental care in implant dentistry in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Todd Britten received his Bachelor of Science & Doctorate of Dental Surgery from University of Florida, a Master’s Degree and Certificate in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry; and completed extensive training at the Institute of Advanced Laser Dentistry. He is one of the only board-certified periodontists in Pinellas County. He is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Florida Association of Periodontists, Upper Pinellas County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Research Association and Florida West Coast Dental Association.  

The history of dental implants

The earliest endeavors for dental implant tooth substitutes on record dates back to the Mayan civilization, to 600 AD. Archeologists recovered primeval skulls in which the teeth had been replaced with materials the ranged from wood, stones, and jewels to small pieces of seashells.

Like most scientific progresses, the finding of what makes todays dental implants so successful was unexpected. In 1952, a Swedish orthopedic surgeon, named Dr. Branemark, placed a very small titanium cylinder into a bone to learn how the bone would heal. What he discovered was that the titanium cylinder had fused (melded to the bone.) Out of this experiment dental implants would be born within two decades.

In 1970s, modern dental implants made their first appearance. Of course, over the past four decades, the original dental implant has undergone several improvements in both structure and design, but has always been based on the original theme.

Dental implants were first made available to individuals who had lost all of their teeth and had difficulty wearing dentures, mainly because they had lost of much of their jawbone were dentures set. Today, most dental implants are used in place of dentures, for multiple teeth that are missing, or to replace a single tooth.

When dental implants were first designed, they were a one size fits all. The original dental implants were all the same circumference, while the length of each tooth varied depending on the type of tooth it was replacing. The dental implants were smoothed out and polished by a machine, but still did not produce the natural looking dental implants we have today.

Now, with the help of state-of-the-art equipment and advanced technology, implants come in a wide variety of sizes and shape to match the teeth that are missing. The surfaces of today’s dental implants give them a more natural look and feel. In addition, the surface of the dental implant also attaches to the bone much easier and for a longer period of time.

Dr. Branemark's discovery has left an impression on dental professionals, all over the world, including Dr. Todd Britten. If you are considering dental implants to improve your smile’s health, beauty, and function, be sure to contact our Clearwater, FL office to schedule an appointment.

www.brittenperio.com