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!
As a periodontist, Dr. Britten often sees and helps to treat changes in patient’s gum tissues related to certain medications they are taking. One of the main issues we come across is gingival overgrowth, or hyperplasia.
Gingival hyperplasia is an overgrowth of the gum tissue around your teeth. In our practice, we sometimes see that certain medications our patients are taking contribute to gingival hyperplasia. Other factors can include orthodontic treatment or certain medical issues, such as hormonal imbalances, leukemia, a genetic condition or the growth can sometimes be due to a benign or malignant lesion. Inflammation of the gums and poor plaque control are often a main contributor for gum overgrowth. Poor oral hygiene also can increase inflammation which may also play a role.
Medications associated with gum enlargement fall into three main categories:
Anti-seizure medications
Immunosuppressant medications (used in transplant patients),
Calcium channel blockers used to treat certain heart conditions, most commonly high blood pressure.
It is important to notify your dentist or dental hygienist if you take any of these medications so they can watch for changes in your gum tissues. Many of our patients are on some form of calcium channel blocker such as Amlodopine (Norvasc) or Diltiazem for high blood pressure.
A more severe case of gingival overgrowth could effect a person’s appearance when they smile or talk. Enlarged gum tissue will complicate and sometimes completely prevent patients from being able to remove harmful plaque bacteria at and below the gum line and in between their teeth. The tissues become enlarged, grow over the surface of the teeth and can become fibrotic, or tough. Once overgrowth has started, it becomes more difficult to maintain good oral hygiene. This will lead to retaining more damaging periodontal bacteria under the gum line, which can in turn worsen the gingival hyperplasia.
If a big factor of the gum overgrowth is a medication, your physician may need to be consulted. Stopping or changing the medication can help limit the overgrowth, but do NOT stop the medication on your own. Your dentist or periodontist can communicate with your medical doctor to see if your medication can be altered. In some cases, a person’s medical professional will advise against altering a medication, most often in seizure disorders, immunosuppressed patients, and certain heart conditions or difficult to manage blood pressure. If this is the case, we have to handle the gingival overgrowth as best we can. Options include increased oral hygiene, non-surgical, or surgical periodontal therapy.
Even if the medication causing this condition can be altered or discontinued, this will not necessarily reverse the overgrowth. Additional treatment is sometimes required and often includes:
AT-HOME CARE Good oral hygiene, especially the effective removal of plaque between the teeth and at the gum line, can alleviate the condition in early or very mild cases.
NON-SURGICAL THERAPY
In a mild to slightly moderate condition, a series of scaling and root planing procedures (commonly known as a “deep cleaning”) can be performed, often by a dental hygienist using local anesthesia.
Your dentist or periodontist may have you return every three months for dental hygiene visits to limit the effects of inflammation on the soft tissues.
SURGICAL REMOVAL
In severe cases, the enlarged or hyperplastic gum tissue may need to be removed surgically. In the case of drug-induced overgrowths, if patients are not able to discontinue the medication, surgical removal may be the only effective treatment. This can be done with a scalpel or laser.
Before and After Treatment for Gingival Hyperplasia and Discontinuation of a Calcium Channel Blocker
If you think you have an area of overgrowth, visit your dentist for an evaluation of your condition. If you are now taking medications that can cause gingival overgrowth, consult with your dental professional and physician. If you have questions about gingival hyperplasia you can contact us at 727-586-2681 or https://brittenperio.com
Care for your dental implants just as well as you would care for your natural teeth. Thorough oral hygiene is necessary to prevent diseases to develop around the implants. With proper home care and regular professional maintenance, you can make your new teeth last throughout life. There are various types of implants which may need different home care.
TePe offers a range of products to make cleaning easier. Your dental professional will help you choose the products to suit your particular needs and preferences.
Mucositis (gum inflammation around implants) and peri-implantitis (bone-loss around implants) is caused by dental plaque. Therefore, it is important to clean all implant surfaces, especially between implants and the adjacent tooth. Pay extra attention to the areas where gums and implant meet. Sometimes this can be hard to see where the implant is, so remember to ask your dental professional exactly where your implants are placed. In case of pain or suspected inflammation, a dental professional should be consulted as well.
“Nearly one out of every two American adults aged 30 and over has gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth. The early stages of periodontal disease are often asymptomatic; many adults may have the disease and not know it.
“Periodontal disease is insidious,” warns Nancy L. Newhouse, DDS, MS, President of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and a practicing periodontist in Independence, Missouri. “Many people don’t even know they have a problem until it turns into a severe case. Just because your teeth and gums don’t hurt, doesn’t mean your mouth is healthy.”
Over time, inflammation as a result of periodontal disease causes the gums and bones surrounding the teeth to recede….
Symptoms of periodontal disease include:
• Bleeding gums during brushing
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Pus between the teeth and gums
• Loose or separating teeth
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite:
Combat periodontal disease with routine brushing and flossing, regular dental hygiene visits (frequency recommended by your dental professional) and a yearly comprehensive periodontal examination.
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!
When recession of the gum tissue occurs, the body loses a natural defense against both bacterial penetration and trauma. When gum recession is a problem, gum reconstruction using grafting techniques is an excellent option.
When there is only minor recession, some healthy gum tissue often remains and protects the tooth, so that no treatment other than modifying home care practices is necessary. However, when no firm gum tissue remains, this leaves the roots of the teeth and the underlying bone relatively unprotected, which could result in root sensitivity, bacterial penetration, decay and even loss of teeth.
A gingival graft is designed to address these problems. A thin piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth or gently moved over from adjacent areas to provide a stable band of attached gum tissue around the tooth. The gingival graft may be placed in such a way as to cover the exposed portion of the root, however, the main objective is to reestablish the protective barrier or layer of the gum around the tooth. Occasionally, the patient may need multiple procedures to achieve the ideal amount of root coverage.
Dr. Britten has trained in the latest minimally invasive techniques of gum grafting and can often perform the entire procedure through a pinhole incision.
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.
When a tooth is removed, the bone shrinks away and the other teeth in the area will shift to fill the gap. This can sometimes lead to other problems like shifting of other teeth, causing bone loss or decay around the existing teeth as they become more difficult to clean.
Watch this great video from Spear Education about missing teeth and tooth loss!
“Here in our Clearwater periodontal office, we have noticed that many young people and other patients feel that compared to traditional tobacco use, e-cigarettes are a safer and healthier option,” says Clearwater periodontist Dr. Todd Britten. “I see that companies selling these products are adding attractive and sweet flavoring products to attract young people. However, we are noticing in our dental practice that vaping may be as dangerous to oral health—if not more dangerous for the teeth and gums!”
Dr. Britten explained that E-cigarettes and vaporizers work by heating a liquid to generate aerosol, rather than smoke. The E-liquid in vaporizers and e-cigarettes are usually made up of propylene glycol, glycerin, flavorings, water, and in e-cigarettes, nicotine. One of the major ingredients used in vapes and e-cigarettes is a fluid called propylene glycol. “It is a like a thin sweet-tasting gel,” says Dr. Britten, “which when broken down becomes acetic acid, lactic acid, and propionaldehyde. We know in the dental community that acids are NEVER good for tooth enamel – that is what causes cavities!” Dr. Britten also explained that it is believed that the water molecules in saliva and the tissues of the mouth will bond to the propylene glycol drying the mouth and its tissues out considerable. “We know well in the dental community how harmful dry mouth is in the development of both cavities and gum disease!”
Another ingredient in e-liquid is a combination of vegetable glycerin as well as flavorings which studies have shown produces twice as much plaque on the teeth, which is also known as biofilm, and increased the stickiness of the bacteria to the teeth by about four times! This, he explained, means more cavity-causing bacteria to stick to the teeth and roots and can lead to severe tooth decay as well as an increase of gum disease.
“Even for those who may be quitting smoking by switching to e-cigarettes or vapes, unfortunately, it is not a safer alternative for the teeth and soft tissues inside the mouth,” Dr. Britten says. “Nicotine users using an e-cigarette may have lower concentrations of nicotine in their blood, but we really haven’t seen what vaping and e-cigarettes do to the body long-term.” But short-term, he says, dentists and dental hygienists are starting to see softer enamel, increased plaque and drier mouths with patients using these products. Which is not good for patients, because as Dr. Britten says, the plaque bacteria in the mouth cause gum disease and the combination of these bacteria and acid in the mouth, cause dental cavities.
Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a periodontal practice offering patients personalized dental care in implant dentistry in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Todd Britten offers sedation dentistry, which can be very helpful for those needing advanced treatment, suffer from PTSD or have a fear of the dentist.
How scaling and root planing procedures can help treat gum diseaseThe 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.
Your gum tissue does not attach directly to your teeth. There is a space or pocket between the gum and the tooth before it attaches. The pocket gets deeper when plaque, tartar and inflammation are present. This leads to inflammation and gum disease. The gums become irritated and begin to separate from the tooth, creating a periodontal pocket.
The bacteria and infection causing the detachment needs to be addressed.
Scaling and Root Planing
Non Surgical Periodontal Therapy includes a very important option known as scaling and root planing or “a deep cleaning” This is often recommended as the first step in periodontal therapy. Treatment is usually done by one of our hygienists using local anesthesia to provide comfort for the patient as the root surfaces in deep periodontal pockets are debrided to remove calculus or “tartar” and to smooth the root surfaces to remove bacterial toxins. This may take more than one visit with the hygienist and is followed up with a visit with Dr. Britten in four to six weeks to evaluate the periodontal tissues.
If you have any questions about gum disease or its treatments, please contact our team or make an appointment. Our incredible staff will give you the best dental care possible.
