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

Dr. Todd Britten

Recognizing Gum Disease Early: Why It Matters

Recognizing Gum Disease Early: Why It Matters

Why Early Detection Is Crucial

Periodontal disease affects nearly half of adults aged 30 and older in the United States, according to the CDC. Often painless in its initial stages, it can easily go unnoticed until significant damage has occurred. Early detection and intervention are essential for preserving healthy gums, teeth, and even systemic health.

“Many people don’t realize the impact gum disease can have, not just on their oral health but their entire body,” says Dr. Todd Britten. “By recognizing the signs early, we can prevent more severe complications, including tooth loss and increased risks for conditions like heart disease and diabetes.”

Early Signs of Gum Disease 

The following symptoms that may indicate the presence of gum disease:

  • – Red, swollen, or tender gums
  • – Bleeding during brushing or flossing
  • – Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
  • – Gum recession, where teeth appear longer
  • – Loose or shifting teeth

“These symptoms are your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Ignoring them could lead to advanced periodontal disease, which is more challenging and costly to treat,” explains Dr. Todd Britten.

The Benefits of Early Treatment 

Treating gum disease in its early stages—gingivitis—can often reverse the condition entirely. Professional cleanings, improved oral hygiene, and lifestyle changes can restore gum health and prevent progression to periodontitis, a more severe form of the disease that can lead to bone and tooth loss.

“Early treatment is not only more effective but also less invasive and more affordable,” adds Dr. Todd Britten. “Our goal is to help patients maintain their natural teeth for life.”

Why It Matters for Overall Health 

Emerging research links periodontal disease to systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Maintaining healthy gums can play a vital role in preventing these health issues.

Take Action Today 

Britten Periodontics and Implant Dentistry urges the community to prioritize regular dental check-ups and educate themselves on gum disease prevention.

To schedule a periodontal evaluation or learn more about gum disease, visit www.brittenperio.com or contact our office at 727-586-2681.

About Britten Periodontics and Implant Dentistry 

Britten Periodontics is a leading provider of periodontal care and dental implant solutions in Clearwater, Florida. With a patient-first approach and a commitment to using the latest technology, our practice helps patients achieve healthy, confident smiles.

Britten Periodontics is excited to host another Holiday Food Drive with Metropolitan Ministries!

Britten Periodontics is excited to host another Holiday Food Drive with Metropolitan Ministries!

Thanks to Metropolitan families will find HOPE through receiving much-needed commodities!

Metropolitan Ministries’ greatest holiday food needs: Frozen protein (turkey, ham, chicken), yams, cereal, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

Additional food needs: Canned beans, soup, bags or boxed rice, boxed/canned potatoes, packets of gravy, and dessert mixes

 The greatest toy needs are “teen” toys with a focus on Ages 10 – 12 (boys and girls), and our additional age group needs: 0-2, 3-9, and 13-17 (boys and girls).

 Please drop off your donations from October 24th -November 17th at our office at:

 1472 Jordan Hills Court

Clearwater, FL 33756

 727-586-2681 

 #BeHope #InspireHope

 

Tori Removal or Reduction

What are Tori?

Tori are excess bone that develops either in the upper or lower jaw. When present in the roof of the mouth (palate), the condition is referred to as torus palatinus. When present in the lower jaw, it is called torus mandibularis. Tori may develop due to genetic or environmental influences such as local irritation, grinding your teeth (bruxism), or misaligned teeth causing an uneven bite (malocclusion).

In most cases tori are benign and do not require treatment. However, tori will need to be surgically removed to accommodate upper or lower dentures and upper or lower partial dentures (flippers). Tori may also be removed to aid in minimizing food impaction under the excess bone, which will promote improved home care. In certain cases tori may contribute to plaque accumulation and periodontal pockets, and therefore will require removal to improve oral hygiene by allowing better angulation of the toothbrush. Once tori are removed, recurrence is rare. In situations where tori do reappear, regrowth is typically very slow.

Tori Removal On One Side performed by Dr. Todd Britten

How Periodontal Disease Can Progress

Bacteria in our mouths are constantly creating plaque. If bacterial plaque on the teeth isn’t removed, the gums can become infected and inflamed.
 
– Plaque builds up and gum tissue becomes infected. Redness, tenderness, swelling and bleeding may occur, but are not always present.
 
-Pockets deepen between teeth and gums. Gums pull away from the teeth while bacteria begin to damage supporting structures.
 
-Infection spreads around teeth. Bones, gums, and connective tissue can be permanently damaged, and teeth may need to be removed.
If you think that you may be suffering from early, moderate or severe periodontal disease, contact your dental professional ASAP!

Reflecting on 2020: A Letter From Dr. Britten

Dear Patients,

The holiday season is once again upon us.  As we reflect upon this year, I’d like to acknowledge how grateful I am for all our patients, my team, our extraordinary colleagues and our community.

We hope you know how much we cherish the opportunity to treat you, our patients.  2020 has been a time like no other in our lives. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to produce uncertainty and stress. By now, we have all been impacted by this virus, which has been devastating for many. Despite the challenges we are all facing every day, this is also a time that is bringing out the best in many people—from healthcare staff and first responders fighting on the front-lines, to the essential workers providing food, products and services.

Our number one priority has always been to keep our patients & team safe and protected. We have implemented additional rigorous cleaning and hygiene protocols throughout our facilities and are practicing other safety precautions including social distancing, daily screening, increased personal protective equipment (PPE) for all clinical and non-clinical staff and temperature checks daily.

The strength, restless sacrifice, compassion around us, and the level to which our team, colleagues, patients and community have come together through this pandemic has been extraordinary and inspiring. Because of this, we will emerge from this much stronger and more resilient in the future.

Thank you for continuing to help us with our community outreach again this year with our Metropolitan Ministries food drives, our annual Free Dental Day for Veterans, breast cancer awareness month, and building with Habitat for Humanity.

Most importantly, I want to take this opportunity to let you know how grateful I am for the support and confidence you have shown in allowing us to provide your periodontal care.  Many of you have also referred your family, friends and colleagues.  I want to express my deep gratitude to you, as I consider your referrals to be the greatest acknowledgment of our team’s vision and values!

We are all in this together. We are always here to assist you, and we encourage you to reach out at any time. In the meantime, please stay safe and healthy, and thank you again for all you are doing in the fight to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.

I would like to extend my warmest wishes to you, your staff and family for a joyous holiday season.  I wish you a healthy, prosperous and safe New Year.

With warmest regards,

Easy Ways to Protect Your Smile During Quarantine

  1. Clean BETWEEN your teeth daily – gum disease and deep pocketing often starts BETWEEN the teeth!
  2. Brush your teeth gently to avoid dental abrasion to the teeth and gum recession. 4 minutes with a manual brush, 2 minutes with a powerbrush such as the Sonicare Powerbrush.
  3. Prevent Dental Erosion by limiting acidic beverages such as soda (even Diet soda is highly acidic).
  4. Avoid eating VERY hard foods to avoid fracturing or chipping teeth.

COVID-19: Your Health is Our Top Priority

To Our Dear Patients and Community,

Your health is our top priority, and we appreciate the trust you place in us. The COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on our daily lives is rapidly evolving. Dr. Britten and his team are keeping up to date with the most current information and resources from the Centers for Disease Control, American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Florida Department of Health, OSHA, National Institute of Health and Florida legislature. We await their guidance to help navigate our patients and practice through this unprecedented time.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommended on March 16 that dentists restrict their practices to all but urgent and emergency care. On March 20th, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ordered all dental offices in our state to postpone all elective dental procedures until May 8th. Our expectations are that this may extend further, and we are rescheduling patients into June at this time.

Conditions that would be considered urgent/emergent would include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Moderate to severe pain and/or soreness
  • Swelling of your gums, face, or neck
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Signs of infection
  • Trauma
  • Medically necessary procedures to treat pain, infection, disease, or the likely potential thereof

If you experience a dental emergency, Dr. Britten is readily available to take care of any dental advice or emergency care. You can reach us via phone at 727-586-2681 on Monday and Thursday, and after hours and all other days at 813-493-1250 (text or call).

The safety of  our patients and all dental team members has been and always will be always be our greatest concern. We are eagerly awaiting any reopening protocols from the experts and authorities for our office. We will continue to update and educate our staff, patients and community on any and all safety guidelines and treatment protocols as they become established.

Thank you

Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry

Are you a candidate for implant-supported dentures?

If you’re tired of high maintenance and uncomfortable dentures, you might be able to have implants placed to support your denture. An implant-supported denture is used when a person doesn’t have any teeth in the jaw, but has enough bone to support implants. An implant supported denture snaps into place on dental implants. This prevents the denture from slipping or coming loose in the mouth. It also removes the need for denture paste or adhesives. The implant supported denture can be removed at night for cleaning or, if you have a fixed implant supported denture placed, your dentures will act as permanent teeth.

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.

Bar-Retained Dentures

In the bar-retained type of denture, three or more implants are surgically placed in the gums. Attached to these implants is a metal bar that runs along the gum line. The denture then rests on the metal bar and is attached using clips or other types of attachments. This type of implant-supported denture holds the denture in place without the steel studs used in ball-retained dentures.

Ball-Retained Dentures

Ball-retained dentures, also called stud-attachment dentures, use a ball-and-socket design to attach the dentures to the implants surgically placed in the gums. Traditionally, the denture is fitted with sockets and the implants have a ball on top of them. The denture and implants snap together where the ball and sockets meet.

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 candidate for implant-supported dentures. Call us today 727-586-2681 or visit www.brittenperio.com

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