National Smile Day: 5 Easy Ways to Take Care of Your Smile

 

Here’s a reason to smile…  National Smile Day is May 31! National Smile Day was founded by two family dentists in Illinois to celebrate the power of a smile and draw attention to the importance of good dental health and hygiene. This is our kind of national celebration!  At FDA, we love helping our patients achieve healthy and beautiful smiles.  Here are 5 easy tips to take care of your smile on National Smile Day and every day! 

1. Don’t rush the brush

Although it might seem like the most basic of dental tips, brushing at least twice a day is just the beginning. Brush your teeth for a minimum of 2-3 minutes each time in a gentle, circular motion with an ADA-approved toothpaste.  Use a soft or extra-soft toothbrush and replace it every 3-4 months. Don’t hesitate to ask our caring team of hygienists to give you a refresher on brushing basics at your next appointment!

2. Floss like a boss

Flossing is just as important as brushing, as bacteria is most likely to form in between the teeth, which can lead to tooth decay. The ADA recommends flossing one time per day. If using traditional string floss is difficult for you to maneuver, try using a water flosser instead. 

3. Rinse and repeat

After you’ve flossed and brushed, we recommend that you use an alcohol-free mouthwash to rinse away any remaining bacteria and plaque. Even if you don’t have mouthwash on hand, swishing with water is still better than nothing at all. 

4. Take care of your teeth from the inside out

A diet rich in calcium, along with lots of fruits and vegetables, is good for your oral health!  Eating foods that are full of essential vitamins and minerals can help to reduce inflammation and support healthy teeth and gums.

5. Schedule regular check ups with our team of compassionate dental professionals 

As your partners in oral health, we want you to have the healthiest and best smile possible! Regular check ups with Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos are an important part of a good oral health care routine.  If you have put off your routine check up due to concerns about COVID-19, or you are hesitant for any other reason, please get in touch, as we are here to help!  

We hope these tips are helpful and we hope you have lots of reasons to smile this National Smile Day!  If you have questions about your oral health or need to schedule your next appointment, give us a call at 207.781.5900.

 

*Image courtesy of www.emojipedia.org

 

The Anthropology of Teeth – Part 1: An Interview with Dr. Brunacini

The Anthropology of Teeth – Part 1: An Interview with Dr. Brunacini

It may surprise you to know that our wonderful Dr. Brunacini loves to learn about teeth!  Not just as a dentist, but also as an anthropologist… Dr. Brunacini is fascinated by the field of Dental Anthropology.  We had to get to the root of the matter, so we’re kicking off Part 1 of an interview series with Professor Brunacini to learn more about the history of our teeth and Dental Anthropology.

What is Dental Anthropology?

Dr. Bruncaini:  Dental anthropology is a branch of physical anthropology that focuses on the development, evolution, and variability of teeth and related orofacial structures.  In other words, it’s about the history of teeth in humans.  What more could a dentist ask for in a field of study?

What interests you about this field?

Dr. Brunacini:  A lot!  By learning about how structures in the mouth form, we can learn how we are related to other animals.  We can also learn about the history of different cultures throughout time.  For example, we can learn about the foods they ate or how healthy they were overall. 

What is something that surprised or fascinated you in your research?

Dr. Brunacini:  I had no idea how long basic dentistry has been around.  There is a record of beeswax dental fillings from 6500 years ago!  It is incredible to witness the drive of humans to innovate and try to improve their well being by using their environment.  This is something we still do today.  

Where can people learn more?

Dr. Brunacini:  People who are interested in learning more can visit The Dental Anthropology Association website.  It’s a great resource.  Or patients can feel free to ask me more at their next appointment!  

 

Thank you, Dr. Brunacini!

We’ll continue this exploration and delve a little deeper into this interesting topic in the coming months.  If you have a question about dental anthropology or need to schedule your next appointment please give us a call at 207.781.5900.