• (727) 586-2681
  • 1472 Jordan Hills Court, Clearwater, FL 33756

dental hygiene

Debunking Common Myths About Gum Disease

Debunking Common Myths About Gum Disease

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, affects millions of people worldwide, yet misconceptions about it persist. These myths can lead to misunderstandings and delayed treatment, worsening oral health over time. Let’s address and debunk some of the most common myths about gum disease to help you take charge of your periodontal health.

Myth 1:     Gum Disease Only Affects Older Adults   

Truth: While gum disease is more common as we age, it can develop at any age, even in teenagers. Factors such as poor oral hygiene, smoking, genetics, and underlying health conditions can increase the risk, regardless of age.

Myth 2: Bleeding Gums Are Normal   

Truth: Gums should not bleed during brushing or flossing. Bleeding is often an early sign of gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease. Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, leading to serious oral health issues.

Myth 3: Gum Disease Isn’t Serious 

Truth: Gum disease is a significant oral health condition that can result in tooth loss if untreated. Additionally, it’s linked to systemic health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues. Treating gum disease is essential for your overall well-being.

Myth 4: Brushing More Aggressively Prevents Gum Disease 

Truth:     Brushing harder doesn’t clean teeth better; it can damage gum tissue and enamel. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle, circular motions to clean your teeth effectively without causing harm.

Myth 5: Gum Disease Is Caused Only by Poor Oral Hygiene      

Truth:     While poor oral hygiene is a leading cause, other factors like genetics, hormonal changes, stress, smoking, and certain medications can contribute to gum disease. Even those with good oral hygiene can develop it.

Myth 6:     Bad Breath Always Means Gum Disease   

Truth: While persistent bad breath can be a symptom of gum disease, it’s not the only cause. Other factors, such as dry mouth, diet, or gastrointestinal issues, can also contribute. If bad breath persists, consult your dentist or periodontist for an evaluation.

Myth 7: Gum Disease Treatments Are Painful   

Truth: Modern periodontal treatments are designed to be as comfortable as possible. Techniques like laser therapy and scaling and root planing are minimally invasive and effective at treating gum disease with minimal discomfort.

Myth 8:     Once You Have Gum Disease, There’s No Cure  

Truth: While advanced gum disease (periodontitis) may not be reversible, it is manageable with professional care and a commitment to oral hygiene. Early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) is reversible with timely treatment.

How to Protect Your Gums  

  • Brush and floss daily to remove plaque buildup.
  • Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
  • Avoid smoking and maintain a healthy diet.
  • Address symptoms like bleeding gums or bad breath early by consulting a dental professional.

Understanding the truth about gum disease is essential for maintaining your oral and overall health. By debunking dental myths, you can make informed decisions about your periodontal care and seek treatment when needed.

Contact Britten Periodontics and Implant Dentistry today to learn more about gum disease prevention and treatment. Your smile – and your health – deserve it.

How to Use a Rubbertip Stimulator for Better Gum Health

Has your dental professional ever recommended using a rubbertip? A rubbertip stimulator can promote healthy and firm gums by massaging the gingival tissues and stimulating the blood flow. It works great around the margins of crowns and bridges that might be slighly ledgy and collecting plaque that you’re missing while brushing.
 
Here’s how to use a rubber tip for dental care:
– Wet the Tip (Optional): You may dampen the rubber tip slightly for easier use and to reduce friction.
– Angle the Tip: Hold the rubber tip at a 45-degree angle to your gums.
– Insert Gently: Place the tip at the gum line, gently inserting it into the sulcus (the space between your teeth and gums).
– Massage the Gums: Use a gentle, circular motion to massage the gums. This helps stimulate blood flow and can aid in gum health.
– Clean (Jiggle/Wiggle) Between Each Tooth: Move the rubber tip between your teeth to help remove debris and plaque. Be careful not to apply too much pressure.
– Rinse After Use: Rinse your mouth with water after using the rubber tip to wash away any loosened debris.
– Clean the Rubbertip: After use, clean the rubber tip thoroughly to maintain hygiene. Store it in a dry place.
 
Using a rubbertip can enhance your oral care routine, especially for gum health and cleaning hard-to-reach areas!

The Oral Hygiene Olympics: Gold Medalists!

🏅 The Oral Hygiene Olympics: Gold Medalists!🏅

Welcome to the Oral Hygiene Olympics, where we honor the unsung heroes that keep our smiles bright and healthy! After fierce competition, we’re excited to announce the gold medalists in each category:
🥇 Best Toothpaste: Clinpro rx toothpaste – This gold medal goes to the toothpaste that not only cleans but also leaves your breath fresh and invigorated, ensuring you’re ready for any close-up moment!
🥇 Top Toothbrush: Philips Sonicare – With its perfectly angled bristles and ergonomic design, this toothbrush takes the gold for providing a superior clean with every brush stroke.
🥇 Flossing Favorite: Unwaxed floss- Winning the gold for effortlessly sliding between teeth, Coco Floss and Listerine Ultraclean floss removes plaque like a true champion, ensuring no food particles are left behind. Honorable mentions are Dr. Tung’s floss and Risewell floss!
🥇 Interdental aids: Taking the top spot for its ability to eliminate germs between the teeth GUM® brand Proxabrushes® and/or Soft-Picks ® are safe and easy to use for cleaning between natural teeth and around crowns, bridges, dental implants and orthodontic appliances.
🥇 Innovative Gadgets: TePe specialty brushes & rubbertip stimulators and The Plaque Buster- these specially angled brushes make the most challenging oral care both effective and exciting.
Congratulations to all the winners! Keep your oral hygiene routine at the top of the podium with these gold medalists, and enjoy a healthy, winning smile every day! 🦷✨

Managing Periodontitis at Home

Studies show power toothbrushes are much more effective at cleaning teeth by removing plaque and stain effectively, particularly for those who have a history of tooth decay, gum disease, difficulty brushing or who have limited manual dexterity. Dr. Britten highly recommends the Sonicare® powerbrush, as it is shaped like a traditional toothbrush head, and aids in effective plaque removal and gum stimulation and massage.
 
Watch this quick video on why Sonicare is such a great brush!
 
Simple Oral Hygiene Tips:
  • Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes.
  • Clean in between your teeth thoroughly to remove harmful bacteria.
  • Replace your brush head every three months for optimal results.
  • Visit the dental office regularly to monitor and address your periodontitis.

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.

Great Oral Health is a Team Effort!

In order to achieve successful treatment results we must work together. Oral health goals are best reached when you, the patient, is actively involved in treatment through excellent compliance!

MORNING

  1. After eating breakfast, brush for at least 2 minutes with your Sonicare Powerbrush using a fluoride toothpaste. (If using Clinpro 5000 prescription Toothpaste: Do not rinse with water; no eating/drinking for 30 minutes)
  2. Clean between your teeth using one or more of the following:  Softpicks (original, advanced/curved, wide), proxabrushes (tight, moderate, wide, extra wide) or unwaxed floss.  If you have bridges or implants, you should also use: Proxysoft Bridge & Implant Floss, GUM EasyThread Floss, or Floss Threaders. You may be instructed to dip your proxabrushes or floss in Peridex (prescription chlorhexidine mouthwash) , Clinpro Toothpaste (prescription fluoride toothpaste) or another over-the-counter antibacterial or fluoride rinse.  *Talk to your dentist or dental hygienist about the ideal interdental aides, prescriptions, toothpaste, or over the counter rinses for you!

MID-DAY (and after meals)

  1. Brush for at least 2 minutes with your Sonicare Powerbrush using a
  2. Perform interproximal care using the above recommended tools

EVENING

  1. After eating & before bedtime, again brush for at least 2 minutes with your Sonicare Powerbrush using a fluoride toothpaste. (If using Clinpro 5000 prescription Toothpaste: Do not rinse with water; Leave Clinpro on teeth all night!)
  2. Clean between your teeth using one or more of the following:  Softpicks (original, advanced/curved, wide), proxabrushes (tight, moderate, wide, extra wide) or unwaxed floss.  If you have bridges or implants, you should also use: Proxysoft Bridge & Implant Floss, GUM EasyThread Floss, or Floss Threaders. You may be instructed to dip your proxabrushes or floss in Peridex (prescription chlorhexidine mouthwash) , Clinpro Toothpaste (prescription fluoride toothpaste) or another over-the-counter antibacterial or fluoride rinse.  *Talk to your dentist or dental hygienist about the ideal interdental aides, prescriptions, toothpaste, or over the counter rinses for you!

OTHER COMMONLY RECOMMENDED SPECIAL TOOLS:
TEPE Compact Tufted Brush: Great for around gumline of all teeth and dental implants, hard to reach surfaces

TEPE Universal Care Brush: Great for under fixed implant appliances, dental implants or hard-to-reach surfaces

Rubbertip stimulator: Use around gumline to remove plaque and tone tissue

Do You know Your Numbers?

When you have periodontal disease, space begins to form between your teeth and the gum tissue that surrounds them. This space is called a periodontal pocket. The deeper the pocket, the greater the risk of tooth loss.
 
Your dentist or dental hygienist will perform a full periodontal charting at your visit to check for pocketing, infection (bleeding or pus), gum recession, & bone loss or defects in the bone. #brittenperio #clearwaterperiodontist

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

Netflix and… Floss?

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!

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

Book Now

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Contact Us

Back to Blog

appointment

Categories