Sep 2, 2023
You want a beautiful and healthy smile and FDA is here to help! We know you do your best to keep your teeth clean, but don’t forget about caring for your gums. Your gums play a vital role in the overall health of your mouth and your teeth. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth-loss in adults and can contribute to a whole host of health issues such as diabetes and heart conditions. Some early signs of gum disease include bleeding gums and bad breath. So what can you do to keep your gums healthy and your smile sparkling? Read on for our top three tips for healthy gums!
Brush your teeth AND your gums!
Of course you brush your teeth! But your gums need a little love from your toothbrush, too! Next time you brush, give your gums a massage. Simply hold your brush at a 45-degree angle and move it in gentle, circular motions along your entire gum line. This technique will not only help you get into more nooks and crannies where pesky food bits and bacteria can hide, but you’ll also boost blood circulation which helps deliver more oxygen and nutrients to your gum tissue. If you need a demonstration, ask Alex, Diann, Erin, Jean, Kelly, or Lydianne at your next appointment. Our team of caring hygienists love helping patients!
Eat a healthy diet!
What you eat can have a big impact on your oral health which is why eating a healthy diet is so important. For optimal gum health, find foods high in Omega-3s like nuts and fish, which are anti-inflammatory. Eating lots of crunchy fruits and vegetables will help stimulate your gums as you chew, and bell peppers are a particularly great choice due to their high vitamin C content. Yogurt, with its calcium, protein, and probiotics is another food to include in your gum-healthy diet. The probiotics help create a healthy environment in your mouth where cavity-causing bacteria won’t thrive, protecting your gums as well.
Floss!
For healthy gums and a healthy mouth, you simply must floss at least once a day. When you floss regularly, you clean the bacteria from between your teeth that, when left behind, can cause cavities, plaque build-up, and gum disease. If traditional dental floss is difficult for you to use, experiment with floss alternatives. We like to recommend a water flosser or products like ‘Go-Betweens’ or ‘Plackers.’ We know this is a tricky habit for patients to stick with, so find a routine that works for you and stick with it!
Keep up the good work of keeping your gums healthy! Remember, coming in for regular checkups and cleanings is another way you can care for your gums. If you have questions about your gum health or need to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 207.781.5900. We’re your partner in oral health!
Sep 1, 2023
Sharpen your pencils – September means it’s time to go back to school! But what are you going to pack in your kiddo’s lunch box? At FDA, we’ve long shared how eating a healthy diet is an important part of your oral health regimen, and including healthy snacks in your child’s lunch is a great way to support their smile and their overall health. So, skip those starchy and sweet snacks and choose foods that are good for your kids’ teeth and body! Here are our top 5 healthy snack ideas for school lunches.
Apples
They say apples are nature’s toothbrush and we agree! Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, an apple a day is a great way to keep your kids healthy. Since apples are so crunchy, they stimulate the gums and encourage saliva production which helps wash away harmful bacteria. We’re lucky to live in Maine where there are oodles of apple varieties. An apple a day will help fight tooth decay!
Almonds
Almonds and other nuts are full of health benefits. High in vitamin E, healthy fats, and tooth-strengthening calcium, almonds are a perfect snack to pack. Watch out for almonds coated in honey or sugar which can stick to the teeth and contribute to cavities. If your child has sensitive teeth, try almond slivers rather than whole almonds.
Cheese
We love cheese! It’s high in calcium and a protein called casein which helps strengthen tooth enamel. Add to that cheese has phosphate which is pH-balancing for your mouth, protecting your teeth further. The only problem with cheese is deciding which variety is your favorite…cheddar? Gouda? Mozzarella string cheese? All of the above?
Celery
Crunchy vegetables are good for your body and good for your teeth and celery is a real rock star! First, they are full of almost a whole alphabet’s worth of vitamins, particularly vitamin A, C, and K. Also, all that chewing required to chomp a celery stalk cleans your teeth naturally and promotes saliva production to flush away bacteria. The fibrous texture of celery is great for your gums, too, making celery the closest thing to a vegetable dental floss. What’s not to love?!
Yogurt
Like its cousin, cheese, yogurt is full of calcium that helps strengthen your bones and teeth. Maintaining bone density is particularly important for growing kids. The probiotics in yogurt also help support oral health, helping to slow the growth of cavity-causing bacteria. Be careful with some of the fruit-filled yogurts as they can have a surprising amount of added sugar. We like greek yogurt, which has the highest levels of protein…an extra boost to your kids’ health!
Add these items to your grocery list and you’ll be ready to pack your kids’ lunch full of healthy snacks! Also, don’t forget to also pack a reusable water bottle! It will not only help your child stay hydrated, but have the added bonus of rinsing their mouth of harmful bacteria. Eating a healthy diet is just one part of an A + oral health routine. Keep your kids brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.
If they’re due for a checkup with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos, or need a cleaning with one of our amazing hygienists, please give us a call today – 207.781.5900. We look forward to seeing you!
Aug 2, 2023
The keystone to every oral health care routine is brushing your teeth. You brush in the morning and you brush at night, but is there a right way to brush? Ask any of the marvelous hygienists at FDA and they’ll share some of their professional tips for brushing your teeth and call out some mistakes to avoid. If it’s been awhile since you’ve been in for an appointment, we’ve got you covered (but please do come in soon for your check up!). Here are three ways you can boost your brushing!
Use the right kind of brush.
Find a soft-bristled brush with a size and shape that allows you to reach all parts of your mouth easily. We also recommend investing in an electric toothbrush as it truly gives you a superior clean. Remember to replace your toothbrush every three months or when the bristles are frayed.
Use the right technique.
The proper way to brush your teeth is to hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gums. Then, gently move your brush over your teeth: make circles and go up and down as you polish all the surfaces of your teeth. Think of it like a massage! You can brush too hard and damage your gums or enamel, so keep your touch light. Don’t forget to brush your tongue (or scrape it) and rinse with water.
Use the right motivation.
There’s a lot going on inside your mouth. Every time you eat or drink, residue is left behind on your teeth and gums. If it’s not brushed or rinsed away, it can turn into a sticky film called plaque. Untreated, plaque hardens into something called calculus that releases bacteria and acids that can turn into cavities and bore into your teeth and cause damage to nerves and bones. Ouch! Poor oral hygiene has also been linked to a whole host of health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and high blood pressure. Feeling motivated to brush all those potential problems away? Find what helps you pick up that brush two times a day!
Of course brushing is just one part of a proper oral health care routine. Don’t forget to floss daily, eat well, and come in for regular check ups with Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos. If you have any questions, need a brush up on your brushing techniques with our team of hygienists, or need to schedule your next appointment, please give us a call at 207.781.5900. We are your partner in oral health and love to help you have a beautiful and healthy smile!
Aug 1, 2023
Don’t you just love that fresh feeling after you’ve brushed your teeth? August 6th is National Fresh Breath Day and a great time to celebrate the ways that a clean and healthy mouth will give you that fresh breath feeling. However, if you’re experiencing an unpleasant taste in your mouth or worried you have bad breath, you could have an underlying oral health issue. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be embarrassing and sometimes cause anxiety. There’s no need to suffer! Below are three causes of bad breath and our recommendations for keeping your breath fresh and your mouth happy this National Fresh Breath Day…and every day!
- Tobacco Products
If you’re still searching for reasons to quit smoking, add bad breath to the list. Beyond the myriad health risks linked to tobacco use, smokers and oral tobacco users are more likely to have gum disease. Gum disease is a leading cause of bad breath, and is linked with other health conditions as well. If you’re looking for resources or help quitting tobacco…please let us know. We are here to help!
- Dry Mouth
Ever wake up with the dreaded “morning breath?” This is often due to dry mouth, which naturally occurs for many people while sleeping. Saliva is so important for your oral health; it helps clean away cavity-causing bacteria as well as odor-causing bacteria. If you have a dry mouth beyond just the morning time, it could be linked with certain medications you are taking or a condition known as xerostomia. Drinking extra water can help flush your mouth of the bad bacteria and keep it fresh. Be sure to also let Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Kargiorgos and your hygienist know about your medications and any health concerns you may have, such as dry mouth. We can work with you so your home oral care routine supports your needs.
- Poor Oral Hygiene
If you’re not brushing and flossing then food, plaque, and bacteria are left to their own devices to wreak havoc on the health of your teeth and gums, AND cause bad breath. Develop a home care routine of brushing twice a day and flossing once a day to take care of your whole mouth and prevent that stinky breath. If bad breath is a concern throughout the day, try brushing after every meal and consider tongue scraping as well. This will help remove extra food particles and bacteria and will help you feel extra fresh! Our team of amazing hygienists are always happy to share tips and techniques for brushing and flossing, so please ask how we can help you stick with an oral hygiene routine that works for you!
This National Fresh Breath Day, give your teeth and gums some extra love so your mouth feels extra healthy and fresh! If you still have concerns about persistent bad breath, talk to us and your doctor. Bad breath can also be linked to other health concerns. Please call us at 207.781.5900 with any questions, concerns, or to schedule your next appointment.
Jul 2, 2023
At FDA, we don’t just see your smile, we see you as a whole person. That’s because when it comes to improving your overall health, oral care is the gateway. Studies show that problems with your teeth and gums are linked with other health concerns like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This means that brushing and flossing daily is a practice that will benefit you beyond just keeping your teeth clean and healthy…it benefits your whole body! Your dentist – Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos – can be a part of your health care team and help you set up an oral health plan that takes your whole body’s well-being into account. Here is a deeper look at some of the ways your oral health and general health are connected.
Cardiovascular Disease
This term refers to a group of disorders related to your heart and your blood vessels. According to the Cleveland Clinic, having poor oral health is associated with forms of cardiovascular disease like:
- Coronary artery disease: This is the most common type of heart disease and can lead to heart attack. It’s the leading cause of death in the United States.
- Clogged arteries: Studies show that people with periodontal disease have significantly higher rates of atherosclerosis, or plaque build up inside the blood vessels that deliver blood and oxygen from your heart to your body.
- Stroke: Studies show a correlation between periodontal disease and strokes, specifically strokes related to atherosclerosis.
Diabetes
Diabetes increases your risk of dental diseases. One place you may experience symptoms is in your mouth. Some of the most common oral symptoms include:
- Dry mouth: People with diabetes often have less saliva in their mouth so you may find yourself being parched.
- Gum disease: If you notice bleeding when you brush or floss, you may have gum disease. Research shows keeping your blood sugar under control can help improve gum disease.
- Problems with taste: You may begin to notice that food tastes differently from the way you remember, particularly sweet foods. If you have a persistent bad taste in your mouth, please come see us.
- Periodontal disease: Nearly 22% of all diabetics develop this dental disease. It is a chronic, inflammatory condition that can destroy your gums and bone, and can also lead to increased blood sugar levels. Early signs include bad breath, swollen gums, and painful chewing.
Your health is important to us and we are committed to giving you the best care possible. As part of your care, the FDA team of caring and compassionate professionals will ask about your health history, medications, as well as your needs and questions as we put together a treatment plan for you. Our goal is to build a partnership with you as we make sure your mouth is healthy and supporting your overall health needs. If you have questions or concerns about your oral health, or need to schedule your next appointment, please give us a call at 207.781.5900.
