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
Periodontal disease is rarely found in children, and only sometimes found in adolescents. However, children should still learn the importance of keeping their teeth and gums healthy to prevent periodontal disease in the future. Children should brush their teeth twice a day and learn how to floss properly- if children learn how to floss at an early age, they will be more likely to make it a lifetime habit. These two simple acts will help protect their teeth and gums from periodontal disease.
As a parent, you should also be aware of the warning signs of periodontal disease, which include red, swollen, bleeding gums or bad breath that won’t go away. If your child develops any of these symptoms, tell your dental professional right away. It’s also a good idea to ensure your dental professional knows your complete family history, as genetics can play an important role in the early development of periodontal disease.
What role does the tooth fairy play in teaching children oral hygiene habits?
A new study by Delta Dental surveyed parents who “allow” the tooth fairy into their homes, had a pleasant surprise that the tooth fairy’s visit inspires kids to create and maintain good oral hygiene habits.
The same study found 80% of households with children receive visits from the tooth fairy, and the average payout by the fairy for a tooth is $4.03, up 9% compared to last year.
This a study and story we are happy to report!
Tight spaces/Good for those spaces that other floss shreds easily https://www.listerine.com/toothpaste-floss/listerine-ultraclean-floss
A great, thin, unwaxed floss, POH dental floss: https://buypoh.com/oral-hygiene/
GUM expanding floss: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gum+expanding+floss
Dr. Tung’s expanding floss: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016790E7Q/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_V1xtFb19B30YV
Coco Floss: https://cocofloss.com
Bridge & Implant Flossers: https://www.gumbrand.com/between-teeth-cleaning/floss-threaders.html
Floss with threader attached for tight spaces: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KPZWBR9/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_UKTlFbYGFPKGN
PROXYSOFT floss – 3 in 1, periodontal floss, or Bridge and Implant Floss: https://proxysoft.com/shop/product-features/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvqj34-WJ6gIVGopaBR1g3QeSEAAYASABEgJoNfD_BwE
SOFTPICKS (Original, Advanced, or Wider Spaces): https://www.gumbrand.com/between-teeth-cleaning.html
GUM Brand PROXABRUSHES (most common sizes Tight (414), moderate (612) tapered wide (614) or extra wide (618): https://www.gumbrand.com/between-teeth-cleaning/interdental-brushes.html
TEPE proxabrushes (9 different sizes available!): https://www.tepeusa.com/collections/tepe-interdental-brushes-original
Plaque Buster travel rubbertip stimulator: https://www.theplaquebuster.com/Oral B end tufted brush: https://www.safcodental.com/catalog/preventives/end-tuft-toothbrushes/oral-b-end-tufted-toothbrush
TEPE compact end tufted brush: https://www.tepeusa.com/products/tepe-compact-tuft
GUM brand tongue scraper: https://www.gumbrand.com/gum-dual-action-tongue-cleaner.html
Oral B end tufted brush: https://www.safcodental.com/catalog/preventives/end-tuft-toothbrushes/oral-b-end-tufted-toothbrush
TEPE compact end tufted brush: https://www.tepeusa.com/products/tepe-compact-tuft
GUM brand tongue scraper: https://www.gumbrand.com/gum-dual-action-tongue-cleaner.html
Proxysoft Bridge & Implant Floss: https://proxysoft.com/product/proxysoft-bridge-implant-cleaners/
TEPE Universal Care Brush: https://www.tepeusa.com/products/tepe-universal-care
Thinner floss with threader attached for tight spaces: https://www.gumbrand.com/gum-easythread-floss.html
GUM Brand PROXABRUSHES (most common sizes Tight (414), moderate (612) tapered wide (614) or extra wide (618): https://www.gumbrand.com/between-teeth-cleaning/interdental-brushes.html
TEPE proxabrushes (9 different sizes available!): https://www.tepeusa.com/collections/tepe-interdental-brushes-original
“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.
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