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dental health

Proper Home Care for Dental Health!

Proper Home Care

Power toothbrushes, especially Philips Sonicare (Bestsellers | Philips) brushes, are our #1 recommendation for our patients.  They are easy to use and can remove plaque more efficiently than a manual toothbrush.  Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job holding it for at least 5 seconds on one or two teeth at a time.

Toothbrushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.

  1. When using a Sonicare, place the brush at a 45 degree angle, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
  2. Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
  3. Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside of the front teeth.
  4. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Clean Between Your Teeth at least 1-2 x a day With Proxabrushes, Softpicks and/or floss:

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!

Proxabrushes  – Proxabrushes are available on handles (similar to length of toothbrush handles) or in travel sizes.  A travel proxabrush is covered by a cap that sheaths over the brush. This form of Proxabrush is conveniently kept in ones pocket or purse, and thus is good for those individuals who want to clean between their teeth during the day, or to take to restaurants or trips.

Who Should Use Them?

  • Anyone who finds flossing difficult
  • People who don’t like to floss
  • People with exposed roots
  • Deep dental pockets
  • Areas of bone loss or gum recession
  • Areas where teeth are missing
  • Previous gum surgery which has exposed more tooth and root anatomy
  • Larger spaces between the teeth
  • Grooves and concavities in teeth and roots
  • People with braces – great around brackets and wires

Softpicks – 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!

Flossing – Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline.  Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

  1. Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
  2. Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
  3. Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline.  Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.

OTHER IMPORTANT ORAL HYGIENE AIDS:

GUM Brand rubbertip stimulator or Plaque Buster travel rubbertip stimulator –  These tools promote healthy and firm gums by massaging the gingival tissues and stimulating the blood flow. It is a traditional method to maintain your gums in good health. It consists of two separate parts: a comfortable ergonomic anodized aluminum handle and a replaceable synthetic rubber tip stimulator. In addition to massaging the tissue it helps to dislodge food particles and dental plaque between the teeth.

  • Point the gum stimulator toward your gums at a 45 ­degree angle.
  • Run the rubber tip of the gum stimulator in a circle for 10 seconds between each tooth. Stimulate the gums by working the rubber tip back and forth along the gum line. Besides removing plaque, it stimulates your gums and helps with blood circulation.
Compared to traditional gum stimulators that use a metal handle with a disposable tip, the Plaque Buster is an innovative, one­piece, injection­molded design with no metal to scratch the user’s teeth. The device was designed for a comfortable overall feel.
TEPE compact end tufted brush – This brush is designed for hard­ to ­reach or simply difficult ­to­ clean areas where the dental plaque buildup will become harmful to teeth or gums, such as:

  • Exposed spaces between the roots of molar teeth due to periodontitis and gum recession, keeping furcations clean
  • Complex fixed dentures, bridges or dental implants that are inherently hard to clean
  • Orthodontic appliances
  • Difficulty in cleaning the back surfaces of the last teeth at the end of the dental arch at the back of the mouth
  • Other hard ­to ­reach areas identified by your dentist or dental hygienist
GUM brand tongue scraper – The front portion of the tongue is pretty self­ cleansing, however, the back portion can often collect more bacteria. You can use a toothbrush or a special tongue scraper. Tongue scrapers come in various designs. Be gentle. Don’t go too far back and stick to the center of the tongue and not the sides which are more delicate and prone to injury. If you have a sensitive gag reflex a tongue scraper will probably work better for you.Do it daily. Just like brushing and flossing, frequency is key. Oral bacteria are constantly reproducing. Once you start doing it daily, you may find that your mouth just doesn’t seem as clean without doing it!

Implant Care – Care for dental implants is just as important as caring for natural teeth. Thorough oral hygiene is necessary to prevent diseases around implants. With proper home care and regular professional maintenance, implants can last a lifetime.

There are many different “tools” to aid in cleaning implants. Our favorite aids include the Tepe compact tuft brush and Proxysoft Bridge and Implant floss.

Oral Hygiene Products We Love

Oral Care Recommendations During Orthodontic Treatment

We work with excellent local orthodontists to help keep our patients’ gum health in great shape during orthodontic treatment. From patients who may need tissue grafting to patients with more complex oral health issues such as periodontal disease or dental implants, we work closely with our local specialists to keep our patients’ gums healthy at any age!
 
Tips for maintaining oral health during ortho treatment
 
1. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes. The right tool and technique make all the difference.
 
2. Clean aligners, removable or fixed appliances carefully with your Sonicare.
3. The spaces in between your teeth are home to harmful bacteria, so clean them thoroughly for healthy gums.
 
4. Break up tongue coating before using a therapeutic mouthwash that reduces bacteria responsible for gum disease and bad breath.
 
5. Replace your brush head every three months for optimal results.

What can I do at home to prevent periodontal disease?

The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to take good care of your teeth and gums at home. This includes brushing your teeth after every meal and before bedtime, flossing at least once each day, and seeing your dentist or periodontist for regular exams twice a year. Spending a few minutes a day on preventative measures may save you the time and money of treating periodontal disease!

-Perio.org

What are common signs and symptoms of periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is often silent, meaning symptoms – particularly pain – may not appear until an advanced stage of the disease. However, you should still be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms, which include:

Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or when eating certain foods
Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
Loose or separating teeth
Pus between your gums and teeth
Sores in your mouth
Persistent bad breath
A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
A change in the fit of partial dentures
If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to contact your dentist or periodontist right away!

-Perio.org

What is the difference between plaque and calculus?

Plaque is the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. Bacteria live in plaque and secrete acids that cause tooth decay and irritate gum tissue. This irritation causes an inflammatory reaction by your body that can eventually lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease. If plaque is not removed regularly by tooth brushing and flossing, it hardens to create calculus (also known as tartar). Calculus cannot be removed with a toothbrush; only a dental professional can remove it during an oral cleaning. To keep plaque and calculus under control, it is essential to brush your teeth twice every day, floss at least once every day, and see your dental professional for regular cleanings.

From Perio.org

Is periodontal disease contagious?

Research has shown that periodontal disease is caused by the inflammatory reaction to bacteria under the gums, so periodontal disease technically may not be contagious. However, the bacteria that cause the inflammatory reaction can be spread through saliva. This means that if one of your family members has periodontal disease, it’s a good idea to avoid contact with their saliva by not sharing eating utensils or oral health equipment. If you notice that your spouse or a family member has the warning signs of a possible periodontal problem (bleeding, red and swollen gums, or bad breath) you may want to suggest that they see the periodontist for an exam. It may help to protect the oral health of everyone in the family.

–Perio.org

How Periodontal Health and Overall Health are Connected

Several research studies have suggested that periodontal disease is connected to variety of other diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Scientists believe that inflammation may be the basis for the link between these systemic diseases. Recent research demonstrates that inflammation may be responsible for the association. Therefore, treating inflammation may not only help manage periodontal diseases but may also help with the management of other chronic inflammatory conditions.

DIABETES AND PERIODONTAL DISEASE
Diabetic patients are more likely to develop periodontal disease, which in turn can increase blood sugar and diabetic complications.
People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes, probably because people with diabetes are more susceptible to contracting infections. In fact, periodontal disease is often considered a complication of diabetes. People who have poorly controlled diabetes are especially at risk.
Research has suggested that the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease goes both ways – periodontal disease may make it more difficult for people who have diabetes to control their blood sugar. Severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar, contributing to increased periods of time when the body functions with a high blood sugar. This puts people with diabetes at increased risk for diabetic complications.

HEART DISEASE
Several studies have shown that periodontal disease is associated with heart disease. Research has indicated that periodontal disease increases the risk of heart disease. Scientists believe that inflammation caused by periodontal disease may be responsible for the association.
Periodontal disease can also exacerbate existing heart conditions. Patients at risk for infective endocarditis may require antibiotics prior to dental procedures. Dr. Britten and your cardiologist will be able to determine if your heart condition requires use of antibiotics prior to dental procedures.
STROKE
Additional studies have pointed to a relationship between periodontal disease and stroke. In one recent study people diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular ischemia were found more likely to have an oral infection when compared to those in the control group.

OSTEOPOROSIS
Researchers have suggested that there is a link between osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw. Studies suggest that osteoporosis may lead to tooth loss because the density of the bone that supports the teeth may be decreased, which means the teeth no longer have a solid foundation.
RESPIRATORY DISEASE
Research has found that bacteria that grow in the oral cavity can be aspirated into the lungs to cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, especially in people with periodontal disease.
CANCER
Researchers found that men with gum disease were 49% more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, and 30% more likely to develop blood cancers.

https://brittenperio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/periodontal-systemic-health-1.jpg

For Better Breath: Brush Your Tongue!

“All those bumps and grooves on your tongue are a haven for bacteria and could be contributing to your bad breath because of the gases they give off, says Dr. Matthew Messina, a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. It’s important to take care of the tongue in addition to regular brushing and flossing.”-from Colgate.com

The front portion of the tongue is pretty self-cleansing, however, the back portion can often collect more bacteria. You can use a toothbrush or a special tongue scraper. Tongue scrapers come in various designs.

Some tips:

1-Clean any area where there is a coating. This is usually found on the back portion of your tongue.

2- Be gentle. Don’t go too far back and stick to the center of the tongue and not the sides which are more delicate and prone to injury. If you have a sensitive gag reflex a tongue scraper will probably work better for you.

3- Do it daily. Just like brushing and flossing, frequency is key. Oral bacteria are constantly reproducing. Once you start doing it daily, you may find that your mouth just doesn’t seem as clean without doing it

Exciting breakthrough: diabetes screening in the dental chair

Did you know?

Your dentist or dental hygienist may be able to tell if you have diabetes before you even know you do? Clues in the mouth, medical symptoms you are experiencing and reporting to them, and even a chairside test done right in the dental office can help your dentist determine that further testing for diabetes is necessary

A dentist can examine your mouth for clues of diabetes. There are signs in the mouth associated with diabetes:

-Periodontal disease
-Dental caries
-Burning mouth syndrome
– Oral candidiasis (common in those with poor glycemic control)
-Salivary dysfunction
-Neurosensory disorders
-Soft tissue abnormalities such as stomatitis or lichen planus
-Xerostomia
(Source: http://clinical.diabetesjournals.org/content/32/4/188.full)

Also, a patient that has 26% of periodontal pockets measuring 5 mm’s or greater or 4 or more missing teeth (not including the third molars), has a 72% chance of having a metabolic challenge. Diabetes is considered a metabolic disease.

Patients often see their dentist or dental hygienist more often than any other healthcare professional. Make sure to answer their questions thoroughly and accurately about your health.

Health risk factors for diabetes:

– Overweight or obese – BMI greater than 25
– High blood pressure
– Familial history of diabetes
– High cholesterol
– History of heart disease
– Other symptoms or complaints may include thirst, urinating frequently, constant fatigue, weight loss (Type 1), blurred vision, and uncontrolled infections even within the mouth (poorly controlled Type 2 diabetics).

Effective January 1, 2018, a chairside diabetes HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c) test may be able to be performed by your dentist right in their office if they suspect diabetes or prediabetes. A patient with a test result of 5.7 or greater indicates a 92% chance the patient is metabolically challenged. At this point, your dentist can refer you to a physician for further testing.

Periodontal disease and diabetes have a direct effect upon one another. It is important to Dr. Britten to improve not only the oral health, but the overall health of each and every one of his patients. For more information on oral health and diabetes contact us at 727-586-2681.

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