Here at Britten Periodontics, Dr. Britten and his dental hygiene team work together with our patients to tailor home oral care recommendations, focusing on a very personalized approach to treatment and prevention.
Home oral care is such an important contributor to oral health, and can help lessen the need for extensive dental problems. Here are some of our top tips to good oral hygiene!
Our last Blog Article Covered the Importance of Proper Toothbrushing. Now, let’s talk about how and why to clean well between your teeth – daily!
The areas in between the teeth cannot be reached with a toothbrush. This is the primary cause for most gum disease and dental decay!! This is why it is so important to clean between your teethevery day. Traditionally, floss has been used to remove this disease producing bacteria, but softpicks and interdental brushes (also known as proxabrushes) are available in sizes and gaining in popularity because they are easy to use, and for some patients, even more effective than flossing alone!
Softpicks are also a great tool for daily use between the teeth, for tighter spaces. They come in Original, Advanced (With a curved, longer handle) and a bigger size for Wider Spaces
Here at Britten Periodontics, Dr. Britten and his dental hygiene team work together with our patients to tailor home oral care recommendations, focusing on a very personalized approach to treatment and prevention.
Home oral care is such an important contributor to oral health, and can help lessen the need for extensive dental problems. Here are some of our top tips to good oral hygiene!
Part 1: PROPER TOOTHBRUSHING
A proper toothbrushing technique is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
Brush gently, thoughtfully and thoroughly twice a day to minimize the debris and bacteria in your mouth.
Bristle selection: Bristles that are too hard, or an incorrect technique of brushing can cause your gums to be damaged during the toothbrushing process and can cause them to recede (gum recession) or cause destruction (abrasion) to the teeth and roots.
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.
Brush twice a day for at least four minutes if using a manual toothbrush.
We recommend the Sonicare Power Toothbrush for our patients.
Divide your mouth into four quadrants. This can help ensure that you brush each section of your teeth and mouth cavity.
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.
Apply 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 30 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.
Stay Tuned for Our Next Blog Article – Where We Will Talk About How To Take Care of Your Teeth In Between and Other Oral Hygiene Aids!
“In addition to your regular daily brushing, it’s necessary to use a deep-cleaning solution periodically to soak off food deposits from the denture. These solutions typically come in the form of effervescent tablets, which are specifically formulated to clean dentures.
Avoid using abrasive materials such as brushes with stiff bristles, whitening toothpastes or products containing bleach, according to Mayo Clinic, because these can damage the dentures. Also keep in mind that hot or boiling water can warp your dentures, and soaking items that have metal fittings in any solution containing chlorine can cause the metal to tarnish.
After soaking, check the inside of the denture for any remaining food particles, and brush or scrub using a soft-bristled toothbrush whose shape is conducive to denture care.
Ultimately, ensure that you rinse the dentures exceptionally well afterward; even the gentlest cleansing solution can contain chemicals that are harmful to your mouth’s natural tissues.
Just because you wear dentures doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the pleasure of freshly-brushed teeth. Complete your denture-cleaning procedure with a thorough brushing of your gums using a soft-bristled toothbrush and everyday, fluoridated toothpaste. If you notice any mouth sores, rinsing with a mouth sore rinse will help to heal them and protect against bacteria in the long term.”
Traditionally, floss has been used to help remove the disease-producing bacteria in between the teeth. This bacteria cannot be reached with a toothbrush alone. Bacteria between the teeth is a primary cause for most gum disease and dental decay. It is so important to clean between your teeth every day!
Softpicks and interdental brushes (also known as proxabrushes) are available in many sizes and are gaining in popularity because they are easy to use, and for some patients – more effective than flossing alone!
And Dr. Britten (pictured above with his TEPE softpicks) is hoping for football season, and says “Go Gators”!
Some patients’ periodontal needs can be managed by the general dentist. However, as more and more patients are exhibiting signs of periodontal disease, coupled with research that suggests a relationship between periodontal disease and other chronic diseases of aging, periodontal treatment may necessitate a greater understanding and increased level of expertise by a trained specialist. Patients who present with moderate or severe levels of periodontal disease, or patients with more complex cases, will be best managed by a partnership between the dentist and periodontist. A referral directly from a general dentist is not necessary to visit a periodontist.
Periodontists often treat more problematic periodontal cases, such as those with moderate to severe gum disease or a complex medical history. Periodontists offer a wide range of treatments, such as scaling and root planing (in which the infected surface of the root is cleaned) or root surface debridement (in which damaged tissue is removed). They can also treat patients with severe gum problems using a range of surgical procedures. In addition, periodontists are specially trained in the placement, maintenance, and repair of dental implants.
If you have questions about your gum health, contact us today!
“PERIODONTAL PLASTIC SURGERY PROCEDURES
Periodontists are often considered the plastic surgeons of dentistry. If you are looking to improve your smile, a periodontist may be able to help.
GUMMY SMILE OR UNEVEN GUM LINE
Do you feel your teeth look too short and your smile is too gummy or your gums cover too much of some teeth while leaving the others the right length? If so, dental crown lengthening might be the solution for you. During this procedure, excess gum tissue is removed to expose more of the crown of the tooth. Then your gumline is sculpted to give your new smile just the right look.
LONG TEETH/EXPOSED ROOTS
Sometimes gum recession causes the tooth root to become exposed, which makes your teeth look long and can make you look older than you are. This recession can happen as a result of a variety of causes, including periodontal diseases.
Gum graft surgery and other root coverage procedures are designed to cover exposed roots, to reduce further gum recession and to protect vulnerable roots from decay.
INDENTATIONS IN THE GUMS AND JAWBONE
Tooth loss can cause an indentation in the gums and jawbone where the tooth used to be. This happens because the jawbone recedes when it no longer is holding a tooth in place. Not only is this indention unnatural looking, it also causes the replacement tooth to look too long compared to the adjacent teeth.
Ridge augmentation can fill in this defect recapturing the natural contour of the gums and jaw. A new tooth can then be created that is natural looking, easy to clean and beautiful.”
If you have questions about how we can approve the appearance of your smile, contact our Clearwater periodontal office today!
Replacing a missing tooth with a fixed bridge requires preparation of at least one of the adjacent teeth on each side for a crown. It is important to still care for the teeth on each side of the bridge to prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay. This will require careful plaque control with brushing, using a floss threader under the bridge, and sometimes the addition of a rubbertip stimulator to clean under the margins of the abutment teeth (the teeth supporting the bridge which will now have full coverage restorations cemented on them).
Dental implant
An implant is a synthetic tooth root in the shape of a post that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The “root” is usually made of titanium (the same material used in many replacement hips and knees), a metal that is well suited to pairing with human bone. A replacement tooth is then fixed to the post. The tooth can be either permanently attached or removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.
Implant Supported Dentures
There are two types of implant supported dentures, bar-retained dentures and ball-retained dentures. Both types of dentures require two or more dental implants to be placed and both will provide you with a beautiful, natural smile.
Many patients prefer implant-supported dentures to traditional dentures because they alleviates much of the discomfort and rubbing of traditional dentures. The denture is held in place far more securely and is less likely to come loose. Dr. Britten is a dental implant specialist who can evaluate to see if you are a better candidate for a fixed bridge, dental implant or implant-supported dentures. Call us today 727-586-2681 or visit www.brittenperio.com
SEDATION
Dental anxiety affects many patients and can hinder them from taking the next step to achieve their oral health care goals. Dr. Britten is highly trained and certified in both IV conscious sedation and oral sedation.
He is one of the few Periodontists in the Tampa Bay area who offers IV sedation. Sedation dentistry can provide a calming experience for patients who have experienced high
levels of anxiety related to dental treatment.
IV CONSCIOUS SEDATION
Intravenous (IV) Sedation helps even our most anxious patients remain relaxed and comfortable during procedures. Many patients feel as though they, “went to sleep” during the sedation.
The goal of IV conscious sedation is not to provide general anesthesia but instead to allow our patients to remain conscious and relaxed with minimal risk during the procedure.
ORAL SEDATION
Is a prescription medication that can relieve anxiety patients feel before and during their dental exam. It allows patients to respond verbally and physically to directions all while in a very “restful” state.
Patients using oral sedation will need to be driven to and from the procedure.
You may be a candidate for Sedation Dentistry if you have experienced any of the following:
High Fear
Had traumatic dental experiences
Difficulty getting numb
A bad gag reflex
Very sensitive teeth
A fear of needles and shots
Aversion to the noises, smells, and tastes associated with dental care
LOCAL ANESTHETIC
For most periodontal procedures, a local anesthetic is utilized to numb the area being treated.
Some anesthetics are short acting and others last several hours. Dr. Britten will determine which local anesthetics are best for the procedure.
As we continue to face uncertainty as a community due to COVID-19 and the social distancing guidelines passed down from the federal, state and local leadership, our team at Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry has realized the continued importance of strong and ongoing relationships.
We want you to know that we are here for you!
Where We’ve Been
When we think about the individuals that bring us joy in fulfilling our vision for health and well-being, we immediately think of you, our patients and friends. We miss you greatly and are continuing to find ways of connecting with you regularly and being available for you in any way possible as we get ready for opening the practice beyond emergency appointments.
The original goal of the reduction to Emergency Care only was to suppress the spread of the virus and reduce the use of protective masks, surgical gowns, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) that hospitals and clinics found in short supply. This also gave us an opportunity to reinforce what we have always done when it comes to sterilization and infection controls, as well as implement additional steps to make sure that every patient can be assured a safe dental experience.
Where We’re Going
We are very excited to announce that our practice reopened on May 18, 2020, for a wider spectrum of dental care. We have been working diligently to replenish our supplies, so that we are ready with a new schedule in place that ensures the safety and comfort for both team and patients, as we return to full care and service.
Our team has worked hard to reach out to patients who have had to cancel their appointments due to the shut down as well as patients who are currently scheduled in the up-coming months to confirm new appointments that promote social distancing mandates and protect our most vulnerable. Our new scheduling options are designed to address individual oral healthcare needs and maintain a safe and sterile environment.
If you have NOT gotten a text or email from us to reschedule, or are confused about your appointment status, please call (727-586-2681) or email us at
Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff that we wanted to share.
We know things will be different, but one thing that will never change is our commitment to your safety, comfort and dental health! We’ve missed you and are excited to see your smiling faces again! Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.
We have made the following changes to help protect our patients and staff that we wanted to share.
We have developed a system in the office to maintain the highest level of sterility and disinfection. This includes treatment areas as always, but we have elevated our infection protocols to also include increased and frequent cleaning of all common areas in the building of all surfaces, including door handles, faucets and countertops.
Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.
We are screening all patients for recent travel, fever or signs of respiratory illness. If travel has occurred or symptoms are present, please do not schedule a visit in our office until 2 weeks has passed.
Our reception area (waiting room) will be temporarily CLOSED; please honor our NO VISITOR POLICY. Visitors will be permitted for extreme exceptions only, which must be pre-approved before arriving.
We have a touchless hand sanitizer at the front desk that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.
Please bring a MASK of face covering with you to wear in all common areas of the building. If you do not have one, we will provide one prior to your entry into the building. Please let us know if you need one.
When you arrive to the office PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR and CALL 727-586-2681 to “Check in”.
We will be taking all patient TEMPERATURES.
A pre-rinse of hydrogen peroxide will be performed with your care provider at your appointment to reduce microbial numbers, as recommended by the ADA.
All staff members will be wearing CDC and OSHA recommended personal protective equipment, even our administrative staff to some degree. Don’t worry; your favorite faces are still here behind those masks! This measure is to protect you as much as possible while in our care. Please know that our administrative staff is as friendly and eager to talk to you as always and ALWAYS available for longer discussions or question & answer sessions over the phone or by email.
If possible, please pay for your visit over the phone prior to your appointment. Otherwise, we are able to accept payment in a contact-less manner.
If you have any questions about any of the above changes or guidelines, we will be happy to discuss them further and answer any questions
While regular brushing, flossing, and checkups allow many of us to maintain our natural smiles for a lifetime, sometimes our teeth just can’t keep up. If you’ve lost a tooth (or a few teeth) due to injury or disease, dental implants can rejuvenate both your smile and your oral health.
An implant is a synthetic tooth root in the shape of a post that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The “root” is usually made of titanium (the same material used in many replacement hips and knees), a metal that is well suited to pairing with human bone. A replacement tooth is then fixed to the post. The tooth can be either permanently attached or removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.
The ideal candidate for implants is a non-smoker who has good oral health, including a sufficient amount of bone in the jaw and healthy gums with no sign of gum disease.
