Dec 1, 2024
At FDA, we love electric toothbrushes for both our patients and for ourselves! We are here to help our patients reach their oral health goals and we often advise on home care routines. After all, brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes is an essential part of your oral health care regimen! You can supercharge your oral hygiene by going electric! Here are three reasons why we love electric toothbrushes:
⚡They Attack Plaque⚡
Studies show that electric toothbrushes do a superior job of cleaning your teeth and removing plaque than a manual toothbrush. With electricity powering the toothbrush head at high speeds – like 1,000 strokes a minute – electric toothbrushes are simply able to move faster than your hand alone. This means fewer cavities and a reduced risk of gum disease. Plus, many electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer which will help you brush for the entire recommended two minutes. In other words, attack that plaque!
⚡ They Improve Gum Health ⚡
As mentioned above, electric toothbrushes are amazing at removing plaque on your teeth. Plaque not only causes cavities, it can also irritate your gums and lead to gingivitis and gum disease. So less plaque means healthier gums! Also, while electric toothbrushes move at high speeds, they have soft bristles and are gentle on your teeth and gums, which is a better way to support their health. In other words, give those gums an electric massage!
⚡ They Are Easier to Use ⚡
For folks with limited dexterity or mobility issues, electric toothbrushes are much easier to use than manual toothbrushes. The toothbrush does all the hard work for you! You can often reach places a manual toothbrush wouldn’t reach and brush for longer without your arm getting tired. In other words, brushing can be a breeze!
What are you waiting for? Give your oral care a boost with an electric toothbrush! You and the FDA team will notice a difference in your oral health at your next checkup! If you have questions about how to brush or need to schedule your next appointment, please give us a call at 207.781.5900. We are your partner in oral health and here to help you!
Nov 6, 2024
Routine visits to the dentist are essential for maintaining a healthy smile. They help Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos monitor your oral health and catch any dental issues early. But if it’s been awhile since you’ve been in for a checkup or if an issue arises in between your appointments, the FDA team is always here for you! After all, we are your partner in oral health! Here are five situations when you should pick up the phone and call us.
Pain
If you’re in pain, your body is trying to tell you something. Experiencing tooth, gum, or jaw pain means it’s a good idea to call our office and have Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos give you an exam. There are a number of reasons you could be experiencing pain in your mouth, ranging from a cavity or gum disease to TMJ syndrome or a cracked tooth. Whatever the cause, come in for an exam so we can work with you to design a treatment plan that will alleviate your pain and support your overall oral health.
Gum Issues
If your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, you may have gum disease. The sooner you treat gum disease the better, so give us a call so we can help. The early stages of gum disease can often be reversed with proper oral hygiene and sometimes a professional cleaning with our amazing hygienists will get you back on track. Plus they will have tips and tricks for you to keep your gums healthy and happy in your home care routine.
Jaw Trouble
If your jaw is clicking, popping, or causing you pain, you may be experiencing TMJ syndrome. Common TMJ syndrome symptoms include jaw pain, neck or shoulder pain, migraines or headaches, and even difficulty chewing or opening and closing your mouth. The FDA team can help you find some relief and determine if you need help beyond treatments such as a mouth guard, relaxation exercises, or over the counter painkillers. Give us a call so we can support you!
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant…first congratulations! Second, give our office a call! Your routine dental visits can continue during your pregnancy, and it’s helpful for Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos to be aware of any medications or supplements you take during your pregnancy. One thing to note – pregnancy causes hormonal changes that can increase the risk of gum disease. Keep up with a good oral hygiene routine at home and call our office if you have swollen or bleeding gums. We’re here to support your health…and your developing baby’s health, too!
Hiding Your Smile
If you are embarrassed to show your teeth because of cosmetic issues, this may prevent you from smiling and talking. At Falmouth Dental Arts we offer a variety of cosmetic procedures that can help, which can often be completed in as little as two visits! Give our office a call to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos. Let us help give you the smile of your dreams!
If you have questions about your oral health, are experiencing any of the issues listed above, or need to schedule your next appointment – please give us a call at 207.781.5900. We’re here to provide you with the best oral health care possible!
Nov 6, 2024
This time of year is all about giving thanks. At FDA we are grateful for our family of patients and our amazing team of compassionate professionals. As you reflect on what you are grateful for this year, don’t forget to thank your teeth! Those pearly whites work hard for you every day! Here are 5 easy ways to say thank you to your teeth.
Floss
Flossing daily is the ultimate way to thank your teeth! Flossing cleans bacteria and food debris from the nooks and crannies between your teeth that toothbrushes can’t reach. Not only does it support your gum health, but it helps prevent cavities too. If you find traditional floss difficult to use, explore water flossers or floss picks like plackers. Give your teeth and gums that flossing love!
Get a New Brush
A new toothbrush is the perfect thank you gift for your teeth! The ADA recommends that you replace your toothbrush every three to four months. If you’ve had one of those pesky viruses that has been circulating this fall, that’s a good time to replace your brush, too. As you’re shopping for a new toothbrush, why not upgrade to an electric toothbrush?! Our hygienists swear by them – they really do an amazing job of removing bacteria, food debris, and plaque. Upgrade for the win!
Drink More Water
Toast your teeth! Water is not only great for your overall health, it’s great for your oral health as well. Drinking a glass of water after meals helps rinse away food and bacteria, which otherwise could cause gum inflammation and cavities. Three cheers for healthy teeth!
Eat Well
What you eat has an impact on your teeth. Show your gratitude for those chompers by choosing foods that will give your oral health a boost! For example, eating crunchy fruits and veggies will help clean your teeth as you chew and stimulate saliva to rinse your mouth of harmful bacteria. Plus they are chock full of vitamins and minerals! Eating yogurt with probiotics will help keep your mouth balanced with healthy bacteria. Also, cheese contains a protein called casein which helps fortify your tooth enamel. Eating well is good for your body and good for your teeth!
Visit FDA for Regular Checkups
The ultimate thank you for your teeth? Really pamper your teeth and bring them in for a cleaning and checkup! A cleaning from our team of hygienists is like a spa day for your teeth! Plus regular checkups with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos is an important part of any oral health care routine and a great way to give your teeth the care they deserve. At FDA, our top priority is making sure our patients receive the best oral care in an environment that is comfortable and supportive. If you have questions about your oral health or would like to schedule your next appointment, please give us a call at 207.781.5900. We’re your partner in oral health!
Oct 2, 2024
What have you done for your oral hygiene today? October is National Dental Hygiene Month, a month-long campaign focused on raising public awareness about oral health and hygiene. It’s also a reminder to thank your dental hygienist! At FDA, we have an amazing team of hygienists who are all wonderful ambassadors of excellent oral health: Alex, Diann, Erin, Jean, Kelly, and Lydianne. They are all committed to putting their patients’ comfort first and they love educating others about creating a personalized oral health routine. To help you get to know our rockstar hygienists a little better, they each share what they love about their work:
Alex
“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. Since we think of things in the long term, I’ve learned that listening today will help tomorrow.”
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.”
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
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 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 to our incredible hygienists – Alex, Diann, Erin, Jean, Kelly, and Lydianne! You can help honor them by practicing good oral hygiene this month and every month! If you have any questions about oral hygiene tips or want to go over your oral health care routine, give us a call at 207.781.5900. We are here to be your partner in excellent oral health!
Oct 1, 2024
Witches, ghosts, and CANDY…oh my! At FDA we love the spooky fun of Halloween! We know some of our patients worry that all the trick-or-treating candy can be scary for their kids’ oral health, but there are some easy ways to make Halloween more tooth-friendly. We are passionate about teaching kids and families healthy oral care habits right from the start and have three tips on how to keep it a healthy holiday!
Set a Daily Candy Limit
As with most things, moderation is key! After you marvel at your child’s trick-or-treating haul, set a daily candy limit or quota for them. It’s true that some candy is better than others when it comes to your teeth – sticky and chewy choices tend to linger on the teeth and have been known to cause issues. Limit those, but let your child pick their favorites and then save the rest. Also, since most kids get way more candy than they can eat from trick-or-treating, talk with your kids about donating some of the leftover candy. For example, they can share some of their candy with an organization that sends care packages overseas to active military members. Talk about a feel-good way to limit their candy intake!
Remember to Brush & Rinse
Brushing and flossing is important every day, and it’s extra important on the days your kids are eating candy. If they’ve been enjoying some candy that is especially sticky, encourage your child to floss and brush right afterwards. This will help protect their tooth enamel. Drinking water after eating or drinking anything sugary is also a great cavity preventative. It can help rinse your mouth of bacteria and neutralize any acidity that is present. So, keep you kids brushing and rinsing!
Schedule a Checkup
Regular checkups with Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos are integral to maintaining your child’s oral health, and Halloween is a great reminder to get your kids in for a cleaning. Give us a call at 207.781.5900 if you have any questions about your child’s oral health, or would like to schedule an appointment – we’re here to help keep your kid’s smile healthy and happy!
