Jan 13, 2016
When we think of dental tools, the first things that come to mind are molds, drills, and scrapers. But the often-overlooked dental X-ray is one of the most important tools in the dentist’s arsenal for maintaining oral health. Since dental X-rays are used to diagnose problems, they are often the first line of defense for dentists to assess what ailments a new patient may have. But dental X-rays are not just for new patients.
Adults with healthy teeth should be getting X-rays of their teeth every 2 to 3 years. Children, however, should have X-rays taken every year since their teeth are constantly growing, which causes rapid changes. As with most everything else, the sooner a problem is detected the easier, and cheaper, it will be to correct and dental X-rays play a huge part in fixing oral health problems. When is the last time you had X-rays of your teeth taken? Call our office today at 207-781-5900 to make your appointment.
dental x-rays
Nov 11, 2015
Here at Falmouth Dental Arts, we take oral health seriously. In fact, we take it so seriously that we’re proposing a brand new oral-health-themed holiday be added to the calendar: White Teeth Wednesday.
White Teeth Wednesday is the day before Thanksgiving. While Black Friday is devoted to every-man-for-himself shopping chaos, White Teeth Wednesday is a time for quiet preparation and relaxation. Thanksgiving inevitably brings sweet treats and acidic drinks that spell no good for your teeth. Take time on White Teeth Wednesday to take care of your teeth and prepare them for Turkey Day.
To celebrate White Teeth Wednesday, conduct a thorough oral health routine. Brush methodically, floss carefully, and use mouthwash that offers fluoride protection. Fluoride can help your teeth resist the effects of sugar.
However, we don’t suggest you only celebrate oral health on White Teeth Wednesday. Do it at least two more times a year by coming into Falmouth Dental Arts for your cleaning. You can give us a call at 207-781-5900 to schedule your cleaning today!
Nov 11, 2015
November 14th is World Diabetes Day. Diabetics produce less saliva, which plays an important part in keeping your mouth healthy. For this and other reasons, people with diabetes are especially vulnerable to gum disease, including painful gum infections.
If you have diabetes, it is important to pay attention to changes in your mouth that could be warning signs of infections, tooth decay, or other serious oral health problems. Changes include sore gums, bleeding gums, increased sensitivity, chronic dry mouth, and white patches on the gums.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects many areas of health. However, much like with oral health, a good diet goes a long way. Controlling your glucose levels by abstaining from sugar and other foods that cause glucose spikes will help keep you smiling.
Just as you check in on your glucose levels, check in on your oral health by visiting Falmouth Dental Arts. Regular dental check ups are necessary to maintain good oral health and stop problems before they stop your smile. Call us at 207-781-5900.
Nov 11, 2015
Colonial America was a tough time for teeth. Dentistry hadn’t yet formed into a medical discipline and the causes of tooth decay were still a mystery. Many Puritans began losing teeth at a young age. Fortunately for the self-conscious, smiling wasn’t exactly encouraged among our somber forefathers.
On the other hand, Puritans ate a fairly teeth-friendly diet. Here is a list of some of the oral health-promoting foods served at the First Thanksgiving.
Turkey
Yes, turkey was there at the original Thanksgiving table, but it wasn’t the bird we are used to. Instead, Puritans and Native Americans feasted upon wild turkey—a slenderer bird with tougher, gamier meat. Turkeys weren’t the only birds on the table either. Historians believe they also served geese, ducks, swans, and plenty of the now-extinct passenger pigeon.
Poultry is good for your teeth. It contains Vitamins B2, B3, and B12, all of which contribute to good oral health. Turkey is also high in phosphorous, which is important for tooth development.
Lobster, Shellfish, and Clams
While seafood may not be a traditional addition to the modern Thanksgiving table, it made up a significant portion of the Puritans’ diet. Plymouth Bay yielded an abundance of fresh seafood that provided much needed minerals. Squanto, a Patuxet Native American, didn’t just teach Puritans how to cultivate corn. He also taught them to catch and consume eels and other seafood. If you haven’t added seafood to your Thanksgiving menu, you may want to consider it. Seafood is rich in Omega 3s, a powerful anti-inflammatory that can ward off gum disease and boost brainpower.
Nuts
The Wampanoag ate a steady diet of chestnuts, walnuts, and beechnuts. These nuts provided healthy fats and calories, which were greatly needed to survive New England’s harsh winter. Nuts make a great appetizer for hungry Thanksgiving guests. They are also packed with inflammation-busting fatty acids that will keep your gums healthy and your teeth strong.
Pumpkins
While pumpkin pie is stuffed with unhealthy sugars, baked or roasted pumpkin makes a delicious side dish with plenty of zinc for your teeth. A lack of zinc in the diet can cause a variety of serious health conditions, including memory problems, hair loss, and bone loss. It can also weaken your teeth, which need zinc to stay strong. In addition, pumpkin has magnesium, which also supports your teeth, bones, and hair.
Oct 28, 2015
What’s scarier than having a child who needs braces? If you think the orthodontist’s bill will be scarier than a Stephen King novel, think again. Most orthodontists will work with you to create a manageable payment plan. It’s actually much more expensive to forgo braces when your child needs them.
Braces correct serious problems. Crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, and other issues corrected with orthodontia can have massive implications for your child’s dental health if left untreated. Often, malocclusions (misalignments) worsen over time. Your child could be facing a lifetime of increased risk of tooth decay, jaw pain, and gum disease. Not to mention that misshapen teeth can be a serious blow to self-esteem.
Therefore, if a dentist recommends you take your child to the orthodontist it’s best to do so. While your child may not be happy with the situation at first, once their braces are removed, they will be pleased with their great new smile.
