Clearwater FL Periodontist Shares: Is PERIODONTAL DISEASE CONTAGIOUS?

Friday Q & A:

Is PERIODONTAL DISEASE CONTAGIOUS?

From Perio.org:

"Research has shown that periodontal disease is caused by the inflammatory reaction to bacteria under the gums, so periodontal disease technically may not be contagious.

However, the bacteria that cause the inflammatory reaction can be spread through saliva. This means that if one of your family members has periodontal disease, it’s a good idea to avoid contact with their saliva by not sharing eating utensils or oral health equipment.

If you notice that your spouse or a family member has the warning signs of a possible periodontal problem (bleeding, red and swollen gums, or bad breath) you may want to suggest that they see the periodontist for an exam. It may help to protect the oral health of everyone in the family."

If you have any questions, please contact us 727-586-2681 or email healthysmiles@brittenperio.com

Clearwater FL Periodontist Participates in Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Dr. Todd Britten and his staff, along with many other professionals in Pinellas county, are using the month of April to focus on Oral Cancer Awareness. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, "Close to 45,750 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,650 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day."

Dr. Todd Britten and his staff participated in the 3rd Annual Oral Cancer Foundation 5K Walk/Run for Awareness on April 9th in Hurley Park at St. Pete Beach. In addition to participating in the event, he and his staff helped event organizers prepare packets for race participants. “Your dentist, dental specialist and dental hygienist are your first line of defense for early detection of Oral Cancer,” Dr. Britten stated. “We check every patient for signs of Oral Cancer. It is most common in current or past tobacco users and those that use alcohol heavily, however it may occur in non-smokers and non-drinkers.”

Dental professionals routinely perform systematic examination of the soft tissues of the mouth, including the tongue, floor of the mouth, borders of the tongue, as well as the lymph nodes surrounding the oral cavity and in the neck. “It is important to me that my staff, as well as my patients know what we are doing and why, and what they may be able to look for at home. If you have any concerns about your oral health, come see us.” Britten’s periodontal practice is located in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Britten stated he is using the month of April to review with his staff their Oral Cancer Screening protocol as well as distributing an Oral Cancer Screening handout to his patients.

The 3rd Annual Oral Cancer Foundation 5K Walk/Run for Awareness on April 9th featured free oral cancer screenings by local dental professionals as well as keynote speaker and internationally recognized storyteller Eva Grayzel. Grayzel was diagnosed at age 33 with stage IV oral cancer and given a 15% chance of survival. Grayzel also performed off-Broadway, in Tongue-Tied: A Story NOT Silenced by Oral Cancer and has written two children’s books, “Mr. C Plays Hide & Seek and Mr. C the Globetrotter.”

Dr. Britten states, “I am so grateful that we were able to participate in this important event with many other professionals in our community, as well as those touched personally by this devastating, and sometimes deadly disease.”

Todd Britten's periodontal office is located in Clearwater, Florida. For more information visit his website http://www.brittenperio.com or call 727-586-2681.

Why Choose A Dental Implant “Specialist”?

It is important to remember that with any surgical procedure, there are inherent risks that could be alleviated with experience. Dental implants are becoming a more common and desired option for tooth replacement.

Dental implants have such a high success rate (95-97% for 30+ years). This high success rate is likely due to the fact that most implants have been placed by highly skilled specialists (oral surgeons and periodontists) who completed surgical residency programs. These surgical specialists have an in-depth knowledge of surgical techniques, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of potential complications.

The comprehensive training and experience of the surgical specialists (oral surgeons and periodontists) enable them to diagnose and manage the potential complications that can occur with surgical procedures.

Some general dentists, prosthodontists, and endodontists have attended specialized training courses on surgical implant placement and have achieved very successful results placing implants for their patients. However, they may not always feel comfortable managing and treating potential complications that are routine for surgical specialists. As a result, some patients have experienced serious implant failures and complications that could have been possibly avoided if they had been treated by surgical specialists.

If you are considering dental implants or any other surgical procedure, the following questions can help you make an informed decision about your treatment and your oral health.

1) What is your specialty?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and periodontists are the only ADA recognized surgical specialists.

As periodontist, Dr. Britten specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, the placement of dental implants and bone grafts, and treatment of oral inflammation. Periodontists also perform cosmetic periodontal surgery.

Dr. Britten has received an additional three years of specialty education and surgical training beyond dental school.

2) What is the extent of your training and experience in implant placement?

Oral surgeons and periodontists will be more than willing to share their extensive training and experience with you.
If you are considering implant treatment provided by a non-surgical dentist, ask specific questions about the implant training courses they attended, such as the name of the courses, dates, duration, and sponsorship. You should also ask how many courses they attended on the management of complications and may even want to ask how many implants they have placed.

3) Ask to speak to other patients. Their experiences can be invaluable in determining if you are in good hands.

4) Speak to the staff about dental implants. If they cannot answer your questions, the office probably does not provide implant procedures on a regular basis.

5) Ask to see before and after photos of cases. Surgicals specialists have likely performed hundreds, or even thousands, of implant procedures and are usually happy to share their successful case results with you.

Please contact our office if you have any questions about dental implants at 727-586-2681 or www.brittenperio.com. ‪#‎dentalimplants‬‪#‎dentalimplantsclearwater‬ ‪#‎periodonticsandimplantdentistry‬

Why Choose A Dental Implant “Specialist”?

Why Choose A Dental Implant “Specialist”?

It is important to remember that with any surgical procedure, there are inherent risks that could be alleviated with experience. Dental implants are becoming a more common and desired option for tooth replacement.

Dental implants have such a high success rate (95-97% for 30+ years). This high success rate is likely due to the fact that most implants have been placed by highly skilled specialists (oral surgeons and periodontists) who completed surgical residency programs. These surgical specialists have an in-depth knowledge of surgical techniques, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of potential complications.

The comprehensive training and experience of the surgical specialists (oral surgeons and periodontists) enable them to diagnose and manage the potential complications that can occur with surgical procedures.

Some general dentists, prosthodontists, and endodontists have attended specialized training courses on surgical implant placement and have achieved very successful results placing implants for their patients. However, they may not always feel comfortable managing and treating potential complications that are routine for surgical specialists. As a result, some patients have experienced serious implant failures and complications that could have been possibly avoided if they had been treated by surgical specialists.

If you are considering dental implants or any other surgical procedure, the following questions can help you make an informed decision about your treatment and your oral health.

1) What is your specialty?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and periodontists are the only ADA recognized surgical specialists.

As periodontist, Dr. Britten specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, the placement of dental implants and bone grafts, and treatment of oral inflammation. Periodontists also perform cosmetic periodontal surgery.

Dr. Britten has received an additional three years of specialty education and surgical training beyond dental school.

2) What is the extent of your training and experience in implant placement?

Oral surgeons and periodontists will be more than willing to share their extensive training and experience with you.

If you are considering implant treatment provided by a non-surgical dentist, ask specific questions about the implant training courses they attended, such as the name of the courses, dates, duration, and sponsorship. You should also ask how many courses they attended on the management of complications and may even want to ask how many implants they have placed.

3) Ask to speak to other patients. Their experiences can be invaluable in determining if you are in good hands.

4) Speak to the staff about dental implants. If they cannot answer your questions, the office probably does not provide implant procedures on a regular basis.

5) Ask to see before and after photos of cases. Surgicals specialists have likely performed hundreds, or even thousands, of implant procedures and are usually happy to share their successful case results with you.

If you have any additional questions regarding dental implants, please contact our office at 727-586-2681 or visit our website at www.brittenperio.com.  Thanks!

How Nutrition Health Contributes to Healthy Teeth

How Nutrition Health Contributes to Healthy Teeth

A balanced, nutritious diet is essential to our health. But did you know that eating patterns and food choices play an important role in your dental health? Eating healthy can prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Our teeth are an important part of the first steps in the digestion process - chewing and swallowing. The mouth is the first place the nutrients consumed everyday will go. If your nutrition is poor, the first signs often show up in your mouth.

Empty calorie foods such as candy (especially hard or sticky candies), cookies, cakes, and other sugary snacks are not only harmful because they do not offer nutritional value, but because the amount and type of sugar that they contain that can adhere to teeth. The bacteria in your mouth feed off these sugars, releasing acids, and that’s what leads to tooth decay.

Sugar-containing drinks—soda, lemonade, juice and sweetened coffee or tea (iced or hot)—are particularly harmful because sipping them causes a constant sugar bath over teeth, which promotes tooth decay.

Calcium and phosphorous are nutrients that play a critical role in dental health, by protecting and rebuilding tooth enamel. Foods that benefit tooth health, include cheese, milk, plain yogurt, calcium-fortified tofu, leafy greens and almonds because they provide high amounts of calcium and other nutrients. Protein-rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, milk and eggs are the best sources of phosphorus.

Fruits and vegetables are good choices for a healthy smile since they are high in water and fiber, which balance the sugars they contain and help to clean the teeth and stimulate salive productuon. Many also contain vitamin C (important for healthy gums and quick healing of wounds) and vitamin A (another key nutrient in building tooth enamel).

For more information on how nutrition affects oral health contact us at healthysmiles@brittenperio.com

Smart toothbrushes: Exciting new products

In a recent article, “Are you smarter than your smart toothbrush?” Dr. Pamela Maragliano–Muniz, DMD, reviewed four smart toothbrushes the Beam Brush, and the Philips Sonicare for Kids.

1   1. The Oral-B Pro 5000 / 7000 SmartSeries.   This toothbrush is Bluetooth-connected with an interactive app.  Your dental hygienist can enter important professional guidance to help you use this feature  at home.

     

2     2.  The Kolibree powerbrush, is made in France and is new in the U.S.  It has 3-D motion sensors as well as Bluetooth connectivity. Its app features interactive games for kids and coaching for adults.

  

3    3.  The Beam Brush connects to a smartphone and automatically tracks and rewards good brushing habits.  The maker of the brush offers a subscription service through which floss, toothpaste, and replacement brush heads can be delivered every three months.

4.        Phillips Sonicare for kids

Philips Sonicare has developed a kid-friendly smart toothbrush to encourage better kids to brush more effectively.  The toothbrush can be customized with eight stickers and features an interactive app. The child (or parent) can create a profile on the app and the app will reward the child for proper brushing habits and parents can monitor the child’s brushing habit. In addition, the child can adopt a character, name it.  When they brush correctly and for the appropriate time, their character will smile and be happy!

Dr. Maragliano–Muniz’s full product review article can be found at http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2016/02/are-you-smarter-than-your-smart-toothbrush.html?cmpid=Enl_DIQ_Navigator_Feb-24-2016&sponsored=topic1&eid=330386680&bid=1319519

Avoid Oral Cancer

The Oral Cancer Foundation states: "Close to 45,750 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,650 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day."

While smoking and smokeless tobacco use is certainly a major risk factor for Oral Cancer, there are other lifestyle, genetic and even viral causes that contribute this often disfiguring and sometimes deadly disease.

Your dentist, dental specialist and dental hygienist are your first line of defense for early detection of Oral Cancer. Dr. Britten routinely performs systematic examination of all the soft tissues of the mouth, including the tongue, floor of the mouth, as well thorough examination of the borders of the tongue, and the lymph nodes surrounding the oral cavity and in the neck.

If you have any questions about Oral Cancer, please feel free to contact us via email at healthysmiles@brittenperio.com or visit our website at www.brittenperio.com.