Nov 22, 2021
It is hard to believe it’s already November, yet we still have so much to look forward to! Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and gratitude. We at Falmouth Dental Arts have so many reasons to be thankful this year and we wanted to share some of them with you…
Our Family of Patients
First and foremost, we are thankful for YOU! We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for our wonderful patients. Thank you for trusting us with your oral health care; we are truly honored to help you achieve your best smile and oral health! We have been so grateful for your patience and cooperation as we have navigated new safety protocols. It’s times like these when community is so important and we couldn’t ask for a better community of patients. Thank you, FDA patients!
The FDA Team
We have an amazing group of compassionate and knowledgeable dental professionals at FDA. Our fantastic hygienists, amazing assistants, and stellar office team are the heart of our practice, and alongside Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos, help us provide the best oral care possible. FDA is truly a team effort and we are incredibly grateful to have individuals who are so dedicated to our patients and practice. Thank you, FDA team!
Tools for Healthy Mouths
FDA is committed to being on the cutting edge of dentistry and we are blessed to have access to some of the most modern dental tools and technology available today. From Invisalign, to digital x-rays, to restorative dentistry, to our VELscope oral cancer screening tool, we have many state-of-the-art tools and techniques at our fingertips that protect our patients’ health and smiles! Thank you, dental care tools and tech!
Our Health
Lastly, we at Falmouth Dental Arts are thankful for our health and the health of our families. Regular dental care is such an important component of our overall health and wellness, so remember to schedule your routine hygiene appointments, make healthy meal and snack choices, and take care of your teeth in between visits. For scheduling or to ask about any of our services, feel free to give us a call at 207.781.5900.
We wish our patients and staff a wonderful holiday filled with relaxation, good food, and pie for dessert (and don’t forget to brush your teeth!).
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours,
Dr. Brunacini & Dr. Karagiorgos & the FDA Team
Nov 19, 2021
Need a fun conversation topic for your Thanksgiving gathering? How about teeth? Our teeth are fascinating! More than mere pearly chompers that chew your food and give you a beautiful smile, they can also convey a lot of information about us. Just ask Dr. Brunacini, your dentist and favorite amateur dental anthropologist! This month we close our interview series with Dr. Brunacini on Dental Anthropology. Join us for Part 3: If These Teeth Could Talk.
Why are teeth such a useful tool in studying our past?
Dr. Brunacini: Teeth can give us a snapshot in time about someone’s life, such as their age as well as their diet. They are exposed to our diet in ways that other body parts are not, so they often can convey useful information about a person and their environment. Also, teeth are unique in that they are slow to decompose. Your tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body, stronger than your bones!
What can an anthropologist learn from our teeth?
Dr. Brunacini: Anthropologists can learn a lot from our teeth. Teeth can help determine how old a person was at death, what kind of health they were in, and what kind of diet they had. Teeth can even provide information about the human’s cultural rituals, such as cultures where dental modifications played an important role.
What is something fascinating you’ve learned from the study of teeth?
Dr. Brunacini: For me, the most interesting thing is how our jaws have become smaller over time, possibly due to diet changes, which has contributed to some common chronic diseases. Of course, with smaller jaws there is less room in our mouth for our teeth, which has made wisdom tooth extractions commonplace. Also, sleep apnea and acid reflux are very common diagnoses now that have some connection to jaw development from a young age.
As a dentist, is there an example of information that a patient’s teeth tells you that perhaps they themselves do not?
Dr. Brunacini: In modern days, the teeth we examine and evaluate daily gives us insight into a patient’s overall health. We commonly discuss issues such as bruxism (tooth grinding) with our patients, but we can also see signs of acid reflux and even sleep apnea that can affect the entire body. A patient may not be aware that their teeth can provide us with this sort of information about their health, or that as their dentist we can help them. Our goal is to be a partner for our patients in their oral care, which includes their overall health, and we are always happy to discuss treatment options that can help improve the health of their teeth and their body!
Thank you, Dr. Brunacini!
If you have questions about your teeth or need to schedule your next appointment, please give us a call at 207.781.5900.
