A Gentle New Way To Clean Your Teeth: Air Polishing

A Gentle New Way To Clean Your Teeth: Air Polishing

At Falmouth Dental Arts, we’re always looking for ways to make your dental visits more comfortable, more effective, and more personalized. One of our favorite new tools is a cleaning technology called air polishing that has been proven to be effective and beneficial to our patients.

We use a system called the PROPHYflex, and patients often describe it as a “gentle power washer for the mouth.” It’s powerful enough to clean well, but gentle enough for sensitive smiles.

How Does Air Polishing Work?

Air polishing uses a soft spray of air, warm water, and fine powder to clean your teeth. Depending on your needs, we may use calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or glycine powder.

This gentle combination helps remove surface stains, cleans away soft plaque, reaches hard-to-clean areas, and supports a healthier mouth by reducing acids and balancing pH levels.

Who Can Benefit from Air Polishing?

Air polishing is ideal for patients with sensitive teeth or gums, enamel wear or gum recession. We will also suggest it if you have braces or orthodontic appliances, and crowns, bridges, veneers, or implants.

Because it’s so gentle, it’s safe to use around dental work and sensitive areas.

Powerful, Yet Comfortable

Air polishing helps us clean above and below the gumline, between teeth, and around crowns, bridges, braces, and implants. It also gives our hygienists better access to areas that traditional tools may struggle to reach.

Because it removes stains and soft plaque so effectively, air polishing can reduce how much ultrasonic or hand scaling is needed during your visit. In some cases, it can even replace the traditional spinning polisher.

Not Just for Cleanings

Air polishing isn’t only used during hygiene visits. Our dentists also use it to prepare tooth surfaces before restorations, help maintain implants, and remove cosmetic stains safely.

Every smile is different, and we believe your dental care should be too. Air polishing is just one of the ways we tailor your cleaning to be both effective and comfortable. If you’re curious about whether air polishing is right for you — or simply want to learn more — we encourage you to ask your dental hygienist at your next visit. We’re always happy to answer questions, explain your options, and help you feel confident and comfortable before, during, and after your cleaning. Your smile is a team effort, and FDA is here to support you every step of the way.

Independently Owned, Community Focused: What That Means for Your Smile

Independently Owned, Community Focused: What That Means for Your Smile

You can’t drive around Greater Portland without noticing new corporate dental offices popping up everywhere. With the growing trend of national chains buying locally-owned dentists, it’s easy to question if all dental care is the same. At Falmouth Dental Arts, we believe the way a dental practice is owned and operated makes a big difference for your smile.

Deep Roots in the Community

Our dental office has cared for patients in the Falmouth area for over 30 years. Today, the practice is owned by Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos, who were trained by and worked alongside Dr. Glenn Knock, the original owner, before becoming owners themselves.

That means the personal care and consistency our patients rely on has been the heart of the culture at FDA for decades, and will continue for years to come.

Your Dentists Are Always Here

Unlike many corporate dental offices, Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos are on-site and personally see patients. You’re never passed from provider to provider.

Consistent, Personal Care

At the outset, each patient is paired with a dedicated hygienist and dentist. Seeing the same team at every visit helps us build relationships, notice small changes early, and make your appointments more comfortable.

Supporting Our Community

We don’t just work here. We’re part of the Falmouth Community, and that’s important to our team. To support and give back, we support local events like Very Merry Falmouth, Dancing with the Dentists, plus we sponsor various clubs and activities within the Falmouth School District.

Why This Matters for Your Smile

Independent, local care means seeing familiar faces, building real relationships, and knowing your dental team truly cares about you. At Falmouth Dental Arts, we treat you like a neighbor — because you are one. That personal connection helps us provide thoughtful, consistent care and support healthier smiles for years to come.

12 Days of Dental Tips

12 Days of Dental Tips

A Holiday Countdown to a Healthy Smile

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—full of family gatherings, sweet treats, and endless reasons to smile! But while you’re decking the halls, don’t forget to give your teeth a little attention, too. To keep your smile merry and bright, we’re celebrating the season with 12 Days of Dental Tips—simple ways to protect your teeth through the holidays and into the new year.

Day 1: Don’t Skip Brushing

Even with a busy holiday schedule, brushing twice a day for two minutes keeps your smile shining.

Day 2: Sip Smart

Enjoy your favorite festive drinks but alternate with water to rinse away sugars and acids.

Day 3: Sweet, but Sensible

Sticky candies and caramels love to linger—enjoy them in moderation and brush soon after.

Day 4: Floss Before You Frost

Floss daily to remove plaque before it turns your sweet tooth into a cavity culprit.

Day 5: Use Tools, Not Teeth

Opening gifts? Don’t use your teeth—use scissors or a nutcracker to avoid cracks and chips.

Day 6: Snack on Crunchy Goodness

Apples, carrots, and celery clean teeth naturally while you snack—holiday bonus!

Day 7: Schedule a Smile Check

Start the new year fresh—book your next cleaning before the calendar fills up.

Day 8: Rinse and Refresh

Can’t brush? Swish with water after meals to help wash away food and acids.

Day 9: Protect Your Pout

Keep lip balm handy to prevent dry, cracked lips during cold winter days.

Day 10: Pack Your Brush

Traveling for the holidays? Don’t forget your toothbrush—and maybe pack a spare.

Day 11: Handle Hard Treats Gently

Let hard candies and ice melt in your mouth to protect your enamel and avoid dental damage.

Day 12: Share Your Smile

A healthy smile is the best gift of all! Thank your dental team for helping you keep it bright all year long.

Keep Your Smile Bright This Holiday Season

Keep Your Smile Bright This Holiday Season

Between wrapping gifts and baking cookies, flossing might not be at the top of your to-do list—but it should be! 🎁✨ The holidays are full of delicious meals and sugary treats, which means your teeth deserve some extra love. Flossing daily is one of the simplest (and most overlooked!) ways to keep your smile merry and bright.

Why Flossing Matters

Brushing is important, but your toothbrush can only reach about 60% of your tooth surfaces. That means food particles and plaque love to hide between your teeth—especially after sticky or sugary snacks. Flossing once a day helps remove that buildup, preventing cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Think of it as unwrapping your smile’s best gift: long-term health!

Flossing Facts to Keep in Mind

Fact 1: Floss before brushing! It helps remove debris so fluoride from your toothpaste can reach more areas.

Fact 2: You only need about 18 inches of floss—wrap it around your fingers, leaving a couple inches to work with.

Fact 3: Slide, don’t snap! Gently curve the floss in a “C” shape against each tooth to avoid hurting your gums.

Fact 4: Consistency matters more than perfection. Even if your gums feel tender at first, daily flossing strengthens them over time.

Fact 5: There’s no “one way” to floss. If traditional floss is tricky, try floss picks, water flossers, or interdental brushes.

Make Flossing Part of Your Holiday Routine

Try pairing flossing with something festive—like your favorite holiday song or movie. It only takes a few minutes, and your future self (and your dentist!) will thank you.

This season, keep spreading cheer—and good dental habits. Because nothing says holiday glow quite like a healthy smile.

Ready to start the new year with a clean slate—and a cleaner smile?

Sharing Our Gratitude — For Our Team, Patients & Community

Sharing Our Gratitude — For Our Team, Patients & Community

As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re reminded of how much we have to be thankful for — and that includes you! At Falmouth Dental Arts, we believe that gratitude makes every smile brighter. So this month, we want to share our appreciation for the people who make what we do possible.

💙 Our Amazing Team

Every day, our team works hard to make sure each visit is comfortable, caring, and full of smiles. From our front desk staff to our hygienists, assistants and dentists, we’re grateful for their dedication and kindness.

 

😊 Our Wonderful Patients

You are the heart of our practice! Your trust, loyalty, and commitment to keeping your smiles healthy mean the world to us. We love getting to know your families and being part of your lives.

 

🏡 Our Supportive Community

We’re proud to serve such a warm and welcoming community. Whether it’s sponsoring local events, visiting schools, or participating in charity drives, your support helps us give back in meaningful ways.

 

This Season and Every Season

Gratitude is more than a November feeling — it’s something we carry all year long. Thank you for being part of our FDA family. Here’s to healthy smiles and happy hearts this holiday season!