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oral health

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!

How to Use Your Proxabrush

– Choose the Right Size: Select a proxabrush with a size suitable for the spaces between your teeth.
 
– Insert the Brush: Gently insert the proxabrush into the space between your teeth. Avoid forcing it, as this could damage your gums.
 
– Angle the Brush: Hold the proxabrush at a slight angle towards the gum line. This helps clean both the tooth surface and the gum area effectively.
 
– Brush Gently: Move the proxabrush back and forth gently, applying light pressure. Make sure to brush both sides of the gap between the teeth. Repetition is key: Spend 10-15 seconds or 10-15 strokes between each tooth!
 
– Rinse and Repeat: After brushing, rinse the proxabrush under water to remove debris. Continue this process for each space between your teeth.
 
-Store Properly: Store the proxabrush in a clean, dry place to prevent bacteria growth.
 
Incorporating proxabrushes into your daily routine can significantly enhance your oral hygiene, especially if you have periodontal disease! #brittenperio #clearwaterperiodontist #oralhygiene #oralhealth

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

Mouth-Body Connection: What You Should Know

Mouth – Body Connection

Research studies have shown that there is a strong association between periodontal disease and other chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy complications and respiratory disease.

Periodontal disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gum tissue, periodontal infection below the gum line and a presence of disease-causing bacteria in the oral region.  Halting the progression of periodontal disease and maintaining excellent standards of oral hygiene will not only reduce the risk of gum disease and bone loss, but also reduce the chances of developing other serious illnesses.

Common cofactors associated with periodontal disease:

Diabetes

A research study has shown that individuals with pre-existing diabetic conditions are more likely to either have, or be more susceptible to periodontal disease.  Periodontal disease can increase blood sugar levels which makes controlling the amount of glucose in the blood difficult.  This factor alone can increase the risk of serious diabetic complications.  Conversely, diabetes thickens blood vessels and therefore makes it harder for the mouth to rid itself of excess sugar.  Excess sugar in the mouth creates a breeding ground for the types of oral bacteria that cause gum disease.

Heart Disease

There are several theories which explain the link between heart disease and periodontitis.  One such theory is that the oral bacteria strains which exacerbate periodontal disease attach themselves to the coronary arteries when they enter the bloodstream.  This in turn contributes to both blood clot formation and the narrowing of the coronary arteries, possibly leading to a heart attack.

A second possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease causes a significant plaque build up.  This can swell the arteries and worsen pre-existing heart conditions.  An article published by the American Academy of Periodontology suggests that patients whose bodies react to periodontal bacteria have an increased risk of developing heart disease.

Pregnancy Complications

Women in general are at increased risk of developing periodontal disease because of hormone fluctuations that occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.  Research suggests that pregnant women suffering from periodontal disease are more at risk of preeclampsia and delivering underweight, premature babies.

Periodontitis increases levels of prostaglandin, which is one of the labor-inducing chemicals.  Elevated levels prostaglandin may trigger premature labor, and increase the chances of delivering an underweight baby.  Periodontal disease also elevates C-reactive proteins (which have previously been linked to heart disease).  Heightened levels of these proteins can amplify the inflammatory response of the body and increase the chances of preeclampsia and low birth weight babies.

Respiratory Disease

Oral bacterium linked with gum disease has been shown to possibly cause or worsen conditions such as emphysema, pneumonia and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).  Oral bacteria can be drawn into the lower respiratory tract during the course of normal inhalation and colonize; causing bacterial infections.  Studies have shown that the repeated infections which characterize COPD may be linked with periodontitis.

In addition to the bacterial risk, inflammation in gum tissue can lead to severe inflammation in the lining of the lungs, which aggravates pneumonia.  Individuals who suffer from chronic or persistent respiratory issues generally have low immunity.  This means that bacteria can readily colonize beneath the gum line unchallenged by body’s immune system.

Good Oral Hygiene = Good Overall Health

Did you know? Many serious illnesses may be associated with your oral health.
 
Taking good care of your oral health benefits so much more than just your mouth. That’s why building healthy habits—and sticking to them—is vital. Clinical studies have shown links between poor oral health and pregnancy, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, so keeping gum disease in check is a key part of looking after your overall wellness.
Get to know the early signs of gum disease
-Bleeding gums when you floss or brush
-Red, swollen and tender gums
-Persistent bad breath or taste
 
Experiencing any of these symptoms? Give us a call to set up an appointment.
 
Small steps with a big impact:
 
BRUSH
The right tools and techniques make all the difference—talk with us about how to improve your brushing.
INTERDENTAL CLEANING
The spaces in between your teeth are home to harmful bacteria, so clean them thoroughly for healthy gums.
CHECK-UPS
Even with the best at-home care, you should see your dentist and dental hygienist at your personalized recommended intervals.

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

How to Care for Dental Implants: Interdental Brushes

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.

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