Jun 1, 2023
June is Oral Health Month which makes it a great time to review the best practices for optimal oral health. At FDA, we work closely with our patients to design a home health care regime because one of the most powerful ways you can support your oral health is to establish a strong preventative care routine. Preventative care includes any actions patients take to prevent disease and maintain a healthy smile. Here are our top preventative care tips that will help you keep your teeth sparkly and healthy!
A good oral care routine is important, especially when it comes to preventative care. Your healthy habits can prevent cavities and gum disease and will keep you smiling. We recommend:
- Brush twice a day. Use a soft-bristled brush and be gentle with your teeth and gums. Super-charge your brushing with an electric toothbrush!
- Floss once a day. We know it’s hard to stay consistent with flossing, but it is so crucial for your oral health. If you find flossing difficult, try a water flosser or use a product like ‘Go-Betweens’ or ‘Plackers.’ Find an option that works for you and stick with it!
- Eat a healthy diet. Get your vitamins and minerals from healthy foods like yogurt, dark leafy greens, almonds, and apples. They are good for your body and for your teeth!
- Schedule regular visits with one of our Hygiene team. Regular hygienist appointments allow us to fully support your oral health and catch oral health issues before they develop into larger problems. From our oral exams to 3D x-rays, and from our cleanings to cancer screenings, we provide care that will keep your mouth healthy and help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. We are your partner in oral health!
If you have questions about your preventative oral health routine or need to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 207.781.5900.
May 2, 2023
If brushing your teeth, drinking, or eating causes you pain, you may have sensitive teeth. Sensitive teeth are typically the result of worn enamel or exposed tooth roots. There are ways you can adapt your home-care routine to minimize your sensitivity. However, if you are really bothered by your sensitive teeth, the first thing to do is come in to see Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos. It’s important for them to examine your mouth and address any cavities, cracked teeth, worn fillings, or gum disease which may be contributing. Treatment options will vary depending on the nature of your issue and may involve adjusting your home care or coming in for a procedure. As always, we are your partner in your oral health care and will go over all your options so we can make a treatment plan that works for you. Here are a few oral care options for patients with sensitive teeth.
Be Gentle
A good oral hygiene routine is one of the best ways you can care for and prevent sensitive teeth. That said, when brushing twice a day, remember to be gentle! Brushing harder doesn’t mean you’re doing a better job! Use a soft-bristled brush to clean your teeth and to also massage your gums. Use soft, circular motions. Your teeth and gums will love the pampering!
Consider Your Toothpaste Options
We offer several types of toothpaste that are crafted to help with sensitive teeth. When used regularly, they can help reduce some pain while also improving overall tooth and oral health. MI Paste and MI Paste Plus is a uniquely formulated tooth crème fortified with calcium and phosphate to replace beneficial minerals lost from the tooth’s structure. Fluoridex is prescription strength fluoride toothpaste designed for use at home. It helps to prevent tooth decay and the development of harmful bacteria. Fluoridex is a great addition to your homecare routine to help strengthen the enamel and reduce tooth sensitivity. Please ask about these options at your next appointment!
Be Mindful of Certain Foods and Beverages
Before guzzling a soft drink or sipping on wine, think about your teeth. Acidic foods and drinks can remove small amounts of tooth enamel over time, which will lead to sensitivity. If you do enjoy a soda or orange juice, do yourself a favor and drink some water as well to help balance the acid levels in your mouth.
Dental Bonding, Gum Grafts, & Root Canals
Beyond your home care routine, there are a few procedures that Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos may recommend for you to help address sensitivity. For example, if you have an exposed root surface, we can apply a dental bonding resin to the area to help protect it. If you have lost some gum tissue due to excessive brushing or gum disease, we may refer you to a periodontist for a gum graft, a procedure where gum tissue is taken from elsewhere in your mouth and affixed to your exposed root. If you are experiencing severe pain, we may refer you to an endodontist for a root canal. This procedure allows us to treat your tooth at its core – a soft substance called pulp.
Our goal in all of these procedures is to provide you with compassionate oral care that helps you have a healthy mouth and happy smile. Talk with Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos about your options if you are experiencing extreme tooth sensitivity; they will talk you through all the possible treatment plans that are right for you.
If you have questions about sensitive teeth or need to schedule your next appointment, please give us a call at 207.781.5900. We love to help our patients!
May 1, 2023
Here at FDA, we are always working to help our patients have a happy and healthy smile! For many of our patients – both kids and adults – that involves braces. Braces can align your bite, improve your ability to chew food, and even correct speech impediments. Having braces also requires an extra layer of oral hygiene care and consideration. Here are three tips to help you care for your teeth while you get those pearly whites aligned!
Up Your Brushing Game
A reminder to brush regularly should come as no surprise. However, for folks with braces, your brushing game is even more important! Food and bacteria love hiding in little nooks and crannies, and teeth with braces have oodles of extra hiding spots. We recommend that you brush your teeth after every meal (or three times a day) to help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and discoloration. Your brush bristles will likely wear out more quickly with braces, so remember to replace your toothbrush regularly. We always love to see our patients use electric toothbrushes – they truly provide a superior cleaning – and this is especially true for our patients with braces. Need to brush up on your brushing technique? Ask your wonderful hygienist for a demonstration at your next appointment!
Make Smart Food Choices
Certain types of food can present additional challenges when you have braces. Foods that are high in starch and sugar can get stuck in your braces and lead to extra plaque build up, which can contribute to cavities and gum disease. Foods and beverages that are highly acidic can erode your enamel and are best to avoid. It’s also wise to avoid sticky, gummy, or hard candy treats that could cause a bracket to pull off, or wires to bend. Stick to healthy choices that support your oral health in multiple ways – foods high in calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin C will support your enamel, teeth and gums! Want some more tips? Ask for suggestions at your next appointment!
Floss & Rinse for the Win!
Flossing with braces can be a real challenge, but it is a crucial step for removing plaque from between the teeth where the brush can’t reach. Support your flossing with the right tools! For example, floss threaders can be found at most drug stores and will help you get your floss in between your teeth and braces. Also, water flossers are a great alternative to traditional floss and are especially helpful for people with braces.
After you brush and floss your teeth, give them a good rinse with water. Swishing water around your mouth will help loosen any food left behind. Take rinsing to the next level with a gentle mouthwash. We recommend Oxyfresh – a natural mouthwash that is alcohol and dye-free. Feel free to inquire about our selection of flavors at your next appointment!
Of course, coming in for regular appointments with Dr. Brunacini, Dr. Karagiorgos, and our team of caring hygienists is one of the best things you can do for your oral health! If you have questions or need to schedule your next appointment, give us a call at 207.781.5900. We are here for you!
Apr 2, 2023
April is Oral Cancer Awareness month and regular dental care is a first line of defense against oral cancer. Falmouth Dental Arts is committed to helping raise awareness about the importance of oral cancer screenings. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, about 54,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year in America. Smoking is the leading cause of oral cancer, but there are increasingly more and more young people developing oral cancer due to the HPV virus. The good news is that when treated early, oral cancer has a 80-90% survival rate and regular screenings assist with early detection. At FDA, Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos as well as our hygienists perform oral cancer screenings during your regular check-up appointments. With the goal of raising awareness, we thought it would be helpful to discuss some of the common warning signs related to oral cancer and the different types of screenings available at FDA.
Warning Signs of Oral Cancer
A good rule of thumb is to let us know if you notice any recent changes to your mouth, teeth or gums, or experience any pain or tenderness. Beyond that, there are a few warning signs linked with oral cancer to be aware of:
- White or red patches in the mouth
- Sores that fail to heal
- Abnormal lumps in the gums or neck
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
If you discover something on your own, don’t panic. As your dental care partners, we are an essential part of your healthcare team! You can schedule an appointment with us for a prompt examination. You may wonder how Dr. Brunacini, Dr. Karagiorgos and our hygienists perform oral cancer screenings. Here is some more information on the different types of screening we perform at FDA:
Visual Oral Cancer Screening
We screen our patients for oral cancer at every hygiene appointment. Our screening methods typically include a simple visual exam of the soft tissues of the mouth. We will examine the gum tissue, lips, cheeks, and tongue. We will also palpate (gently press on) areas of the face and neck to check for any nodules or lumps. If there is an area of concern, we may offer to do a VELscope screening.
VELscope Screening
VELscope is a safe, non-invasive early detection screening device that emits a blue light that quickly allows our clinicians to identify abnormal cells before they are visible to the naked eye. The graphic below demonstrates the difference between healthy cells (Normal Epithelial Cells) and abnormal cells (Abnormal or Dysplastic Epithelial Cells), that become visible under the Blue Excitation Light.
CBCT 3D X-Ray
3D x-ray or CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) technology allows us to better visualize all of the structures within the head, neck, and mouth so that we can better assess our patients’ oral health. 3D imaging can be helpful in determining subsequent steps for the ideal treatment of a lesion.
If we have any reason for concern, the next step would be a referral to an oral surgeon for additional consultation. An oral surgeon may decide to perform a biopsy of the area for further evaluation. Most of the time, a biopsy will rule out oral cancer. However, if the biopsy is positive for precancerous or cancerous cells, additional treatment may be necessary. Throughout the evaluation and referral process, we will remain involved every step of the way to provide support and follow-up care.
If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health or the oral cancer screening process, please don’t hesitate to call us! As your dentist, we are part of your healthcare team and always happy to answer your questions!
Apr 1, 2023
Each year, National Dental Hygienist Week falls on the second week in April, which is a great time to celebrate FDA’s wonderful and amazing team of hygienists! Alex, Ashley, Diann, Erin, Jean, Kelly, and Lydianne are the caring professionals you see the most when you come to our office. From removing plaque and tartar to taking digital x-rays, they are experts in oral health care and help assess your health at each visit. Our dental hygienists also love to help our patients set up a home health routine and are always happy to demonstrate the best way to brush or share their flossing tips! We asked this dynamo group of women what they love most about their job…here’s what they said.
Alex:
“Oral hygiene plays such an important role with overall systemic health. Every patient is different and unique in their own way, and I am passionate about finding a routine that works for his or her lifestyle. Helping patients feel confident about their smile is such a rewarding experience! I love motivating patients to keep up with their oral care. Also, my goal is always to help patients feel relaxed at their appointment…I want patients to enjoy their visits here at FDA.”
Diann:
“I love the enthusiasm created by the whole team learning together. We can branch off and learn about other things and then come back and share. I [also] love laughing with my patients. We all have better days when we laugh a lot.”
Erin:
“FDA takes the time to get to know patients to create individual treatment plans based on their needs and wants. I love educating my patients about the new developments in dentistry. It’s such an honor to take care of generations of the same family.”
Jean:
“The teamwork at FDA is unmatched. Helping hands are everywhere. The dental care is modern, conservative, and thorough; and it’s what I want for my own family.”
Kelly:
“Our doctors are always a step ahead in adopting useful technology which makes for a comfortable dental practice for our patients and an exciting work environment and culture for the staff. We go above and beyond for our patients. In fact, I’ve built up a clientele that I’ve seen for so long, I just can’t wait to catch up with them during their next visit.”
Lydianne:
“I love the team at FDA! Everyone is highly trained and are the best at what they do. We all really care and put our patients first. I especially enjoy working with patients who have dental anxiety. Meeting them where they are, addressing their concerns, and identifying what I can do to make them more comfortable is my favorite part of the job.”
Thank you, Alex, Ashley, Diann, Erin, Jean, Kelly, and Lydianne!! You are the heart of FDA!
Do you need to schedule a visit to see one of our hygienists for a cleaning? Give our office a call today – 207.781.5900. We’re here to help!
