A diet high in sugar certainly promotes the formation of cavities, but sugar itself isn’t the only culprit behind tooth decay.

Cavities are formed when bacteria living in the mouth digest carbohydrates left on the teeth after you eat. This includes refined sugars found in cookies, candy or other treats, however they may also come from healthy foods like whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

When digesting carbohydrates, bacteria in your mouth produce an acid that combines with food debris and saliva and forms plaque.

It’s the plaque — not sugar — that directly leads to tooth decay. Plaque starts building up after every meal, and if it isn’t brushed away frequently, it can erode the hard, outer enamel of a tooth, resulting in tiny holes in the tooth’s surface. These holes mark the first stage of cavities and can do a lot of damage to a tooth if left untreated.

Eventually, acid and bacteria in plaque can eat through the other layers of your teeth, as well — from the softer layer of teeth under the enamel, known as dentin, to the third layer (the pulp), which contains your teeth’s blood vessels and nerves. Cavities affecting the pulp of a tooth, as well as the bone supporting the tooth, can cause severe toothaches, sensitivity, pain when eating and even abscesses in the mouth.

It is important to know that the kinds of foods and drinks you consume, and how you are consuming them is also important to oral health.

Sticky foods — like hard candy, breath mints, raisins and dry cereal — can get stuck in the grooves and crevices of your teeth, where they could cause decay. Fruit and yogurt, on the other hand, wash away easily with saliva and are, therefore, less likely to cause plaque buildup.

QUickly finishing a can of soda does less damage to your teeth than sipping on it throughout the day, because the acid created by mouth bacteria stays in the mouth around 20 minutes after eating or drinking. Every time you eat carbohydrates, sugary food, or take a sip of soda, you restart the plaque-production clock and increase your risk of developing cavities.

In addition to a high sugar content, soft drinks and sports drinks also contain phosphoric and citric acids that erode tooth enamel. Eating or drinking highly acidic foods — even healthy foods, like citrus fruits — can lead to tooth decay if oral hygiene is not properly maintained.

None of us can totally avoid eating all carbohydrates, sugars, or acidic foods all of the time but we can limit the amount and more importantly the frequency of consumption. And we can also work on effective and regular plaque control by using oral hygiene aids to remove the plaque colonies which are forming constantly on the teeth.

Dr. Britten recommends brushing at least twice a day with a power toothbrush for two minutes as well as cleaning between the teeth at least once a day using floss or other interdental aids.

“Delivering Valentine’s is a simple gesture to remind all of us that we are loved.” –Matt Garcia, a former nursing home administrator.

Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a Periodontal Specialty office located in Clearwater, FL.  It is run by Todd M. Britten, DMD, MS and his incredible staff.  The office’s vision is to work together to provide excellent care to each person who walks through their door.  Their goal is for their patients to become family and have the best oral healthcare possible.  Being part of the community and giving back is a top priority for Britten and his team.

This Valentine’s Day, the staff was trying to figure out new ways to get involved and get out into the community.  One staff member, Julia May, had the great idea to deliver Valentine’s to older adults at a local memory center.

In order to make these valentines extra special a few team members enlisted the help of some very special students. The 2^nd graders from Oakhurst school in Pinellas County and the Primary class at Beach Park Montessori in Hillsborough County.  “The teachers and students were so excited to get involved and contribute to help brighten up someone’s day!”  said Meg Britten.

Matt Garcia, a former nursing home administrator found out about what the staff at Britten Periodontics had planned and stated, “Delivering Valentine’s is a simple loving gesture to remind all of us we are loved.  What a great gift from the Britten Periodontics team!”

Being a periodontist office, one of their main specialty areas is gum disease.  Gum disease is very common in older adults.  “As we age, the conditions of our mouths change. Add to that any medications you may be taking and your mouth can seem quite different from when you were younger. Gum disease and cavities are common among older adults,” said Kendal at Home Blog (a blog “Dedicated to transforming the experience of aging.”)

Dr. Britten went on to say, “When a person ages their dexterity and ability to care for their teeth may change, making it more difficult to keep up with their oral hygiene.  In order to help care givers assist the residents at the memory care center we not only delivered valentines filled with love and good cheer, but we included toothpaste, floss and a pamphlet with ideas and techniques to help the older adults and their caregivers better care for their teeth.”

Research shows that oral health is connected to our overall systemic health.  Dental care is preventative care.

Here is some information that we shared with the residents:

Oral Health for Older Adults

What Can I Do To Maintain Good Oral Health?

For Seniors:

Drink fluoridated water at recommended level and brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Fluoride protects against dental decay at all   ages.

Practice good oral hygiene. Careful tooth brushing and flossing to reduce dental plaque can help prevent gum disease. Caregivers need to help with daily oral hygiene routines of elders who are unable to perform these activities      independently.

Eat a balanced diet low in sugar and starches.

Avoid tobacco. Smokers have seven times the risk of developing periodontal disease compared to non-smokers.

Limit alcohol. Drinking high amounts of alcohol is a risk factor for oral and throat cancers. Sudden changes in taste and smell need not be considered a sign of aging, but a sign to seek professional care.

Professional care helps maintain the overall health of the teeth and mouth, and provides for early detection of precancerous or cancerous lesions. Make sure that you or your loved one gets dental care prior to having cancer chemotherapy or radiation to the head or neck. See your dental provider on a regular basis, even if you have no natural teeth and have dentures.

-courtesy of the Washington State Dept. of Health

For Caregivers

Wear clean, disposable gloves.

Sit loved one/patient upright or bring them to a sink.  Have a towel handy and a disposable cup for potential spills.  If sitting in a chair, stand behind them and cradle their head .

Using a soft bristle toothbrush, brush each tooth with a small circular motion and gentle pressure.    Angle the brush towards the gums as you brush the outside, inside, and chewing surface of each tooth.  Brush for two minutes, at least twice a day.  If available, electric toothbrushes are a good option.

Gently brush the tongue and roof of the mouth.

Have them rinse with water or a germ-fighting mouthwash.

Take a look at their lips and inside of the mouth.  If you notice any cracking, lumps, white or red lesions, or sores that do not heal within 2 weeks, you should consult a dentist or doctor.

Floss all teeth, dental bridges, and implants.  Other

dental aids such as interproximal brushes, floss

threaders or softpicks may also be helpful

Clean dentures daily and remove at night.

If they are unable to rinse, ask them to spit out any excess toothpaste and debris.  (Leaving a film of fluoridated toothpaste on the teeth can be beneficial.)   If your loved one/ patient  is resistant to your assistance, be patient.   Consistency, repetition, and encouraging words will help them adjust.

After Eating:

Remove any remaining food from your loved one’s mouth.  Gauze or a soft cloth can be helpful to wipe away excess food.  If brushing is not an option, ask them to rinse with a cup of water then spit back into the cup.  Frequent sips of water throughout the day will help cleanse the mouth.  Gum with xylitol is also a good option to help cleanse the mouth.

If Cleaning Problems Persist:

Ask your dentist about germ fighting rinses.   They may also prescribe a stronger toothpaste that contains more fluoride to prevent cavities.

Professional Dental Care:

Even if there are no problems, everyone should visit the dentist for a professional cleaning and exam twice a year.  Even those who wear dentures are in need of an annual dental exam.

-courtesy of Elizabeth Southern Puette, RDH, BSDH, MS
Member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association

Teeth are important! They are the first stage in eating and digestion AND a healthy set of teeth will help keep you looking your best. How can you show your teeth some love?

Sing to your teeth while you brush.

Or at least, listening to a song while you brush may help you brush your teeth better. Playing a song that lasts at least two minutes (with a power toothbrush) or four minutes (with a manual brush) can help you brush for a longer period than you’re used to.

Be gentle with your teeth.

Don’t brush too hard. If your toothbrush shows signs of early wear and bending bristles, then it’s likely that you’re brushing too hard. Be nice to your teeth and gums by brushing gently with a soft bristled toothbrush, or use a power toothbrush with the correct technique.

Give your teeth a drink of water.

Staying hydrated helps your overall health, and water can wash away food trapped in your teeth after meals. This can help balance the acidity of your mouth and reduce the amount of plaque on your teeth. Since bad breath is often caused by having a dry mouth, drinking plenty of water can help freshen your breath!

Take your teeth to the dentist.

Even if you take excellent care of your teeth at home, a regular visit to the dentist will help you avoid potential problems and clean areas that are difficult or impossible to get yourself. Preventative care is always the best way to say “Thanks!” to your teeth

If you are due for your regular check up or have any areas of concern, contact us today at or 727-586-2681 to make an appointment with Dr. Britten!

1. Of course, brushing in the morning protects your teeth against the bacteria that active all night while you were asleep! Your coworkers and friends will appreciate it! Brushing at night removes the plaque that has accumulated all day long so that bacteria cannot play on your teeth at night when your saliva decreases, causing less damage and decay.

2. The primary cause of gum disease is plaque accumulation at the gumline. Brushing before and after 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! They are watching! If you do not brush yourselves your child will never ever brush twice a day.

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

The human mouth is filled with bacteria.  These bacteria, along with mucous and other particles form a sticky film called plaque is constantly forming and which adheres to the teeth.  This plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing.  When the plaque is allowed to remain on the teeth, the bacteria involved become more harmful, and more difficult to remove, creating an environment that is more toxic to the tissue.  The plaque itself can harden creating a cement like substance (calculus) that cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone.

Dentists are becoming more and more aware of the importance of screening patients for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.  

The AADSM (The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine) recommends dentists evaluate patients for the following conditions as possible indicators of Sleep Apnea:

• A thick neck (greater than 16 inches in a woman or 17 inches in a man)

• A short neck

• Lower-face abnormalities, which may include:

        * A large tongue

• A crowded posterior airway (such as caused by an enlarged, floppy uvula or enlarged tonsils)

• An enlarged soft palate that rests on the base of the tongue

• Obesity

• Complaints of being overly tired during the day, low on energy, depressed, or moody

• Falling asleep in dental chair

• Trouble opening mouth wide during dental examination

The most successful treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a CPA appliance, however, 60% to 83% percent of users cannot tolerate this device.

Your dental professional can help you identify if a sleep appliance may help you. If you have any questions about OSA or dental sleep medicine, contact our office today at 727-586-2681 or visit our website at www.brittenperio.com