Nov 2, 2022
6 Tooth-friendly tips for Thanksgiving!
At Falmouth Dental Arts, we are so grateful for our patients and our team of compassionate dental professionals! Our goal is to develop a partnership with you and we want you to have a healthy smile all year round. That’s why, in addition to visiting us at least twice a year, we encourage our patients to follow a good oral health routine at home, which goes beyond the toothbrush and includes a healthy diet and lifestyle choices.. Here are 6 tips to show your teeth some gratitude on Thanksgiving and every day!
1) Quit Smoking
November is National Smoke Out Month, so it’s a great time to make a commitment to quit smoking and vaping for your oral health and general wellness. Not only does smoking and using other tobacco products cause damage to your teeth and gums, but it also has the potential to weaken your immune system and raise your risk of oral and other cancers. For resources to quit smoking, visit the American Cancer Society and let Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos know so they can support you as well!
2) Don’t Use Your Teeth as a Tool
You don’t want to have a dental emergency in the middle of your Thanksgiving festivities, so refrain from using your teeth as a nutcracker, ice crusher, or bottle opener (no matter how impressive these skills may be)!
3) Choose Tooth-Friendly Foods
There are so many delicious foods to choose from on Turkey Day, but which ones will do your teeth some good? A healthy diet is an important part of your oral health, and fortunately there are a lot of tasty options that will support your chompers as you feast.
Turkey is high in protein, calcium, and vitamin D, making it a great choice. Fresh and cooked veggies also get a green light. Munch on other healthy snacks like cheese, nuts, and fresh fruit.
4) Drink Water
A good rule of thumb for Thanksgiving and every day is to drink plenty of water. Water is great for your digestion and overall wellness and it’s also a great drink choice to have with meals. This is because water washes away any debris left behind after eating and reduces bacteria. So make sure you guzzle some water as you gobble your turkey!
5) Brush and Floss After the Big Meal
Don’t feel too guilty about eating lots of sweets or having an extra glass of wine on this special day – just remember to brush and floss your teeth after you finish eating or at the end of the day! Link to the toothbush post for tips!
6) Chew Gum
If you are not at home for the holiday and can’t brush and floss after your meal, chewing sugar-free gum can help; gum can clean your mouth by producing extra saliva that can wash food particles away. Then when you do return home, you can go through your regular routine.
We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends. Thank you for being a part of the FDA family! If you have any questions for Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos about your oral health routine or need to make an appointment, give us a call at 207.781.5900, as we’re here to help!
Nov 1, 2022
November 1st is National Brush Day and we’re celebrating all month by raising awareness about the importance of good tooth brushing habits. At FDA, we always love an opportunity to share our oral health care recommendations and have 5 tooth brushing tips to share with you!
1) Look for the American Dental Association’s Seal of Approval
Choose a toothbrush (and toothpaste!) that displays the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. Both manual and electric toothbrushes can thoroughly clean your teeth and gums when done correctly; we prefer electric toothbrushes for their superior plaque-fighting powers. Make sure you select a toothbrush with extra-soft or soft bristles. For help choosing a toothbrush, ask the FDA team for a recommendation!
2) Brush Twice a Day to Keep Cavities at Bay
We recommend brushing a minimum of two times per day for at least two minutes each time. The ADA has updated its list of proper tooth brushing techniques to include the following:
- Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
- Gently move your toothbrush in a circular motion (tooth-wide) to mimic the motion of an electric toothbrush.
- Brush all outer surfaces and inner surfaces as well as the chewing surfaces of your teeth.
- To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
Feel free to ask your hygienist for a demonstration of proper brushing techniques at your next appointment. Our team of compassionate dental professionals really love educating patients!
3) Wait 30 Minutes After Acidic Food & Drinks
Brushing right after eating or drinking acidic food and drinks can damage your tooth enamel. This includes citrus foods or juices, carbonated beverages, and wine. Drink some water to rinse your mouth instead, or simply wait 30 minutes until you brush.
4) Out with the Old, In with the New
Replace your toothbrushes every three to four months, or more often if the bristles are starting to show signs of wear, such as crooked or frayed bristles. We are always happy to give you a new toothbrush at your next appointment…just ask!
5) Show Your Toothbrushes Some TLC
Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after you use it and store it in an upright position, allowing it to air dry each time. This will reduce the growth of bacteria in between brushing sessions.
Oct 11, 2022
Happy Healthy Halloween from FDA!
Here at FDA, we are all about teaching healthy oral care habits right from the start, but we also want the kiddos to have lots of FUN on one of the most popular holidays of the year – Halloween! All the little trick-or-treaters out there can go ahead and enjoy their Halloween treats without causing major damage to their pearly whites! Here’s how…
1. Count Your Candy
Let your child know how many pieces of candy he or she can eat in one sitting. After they have finished their candy quota for the day, put it away. Adults should follow this rule too (no more sneaking your favorite candy into the closet)!
2. Save Some for a Rainy Day
Decide how many days you and your child can enjoy snacking on the Halloween candy stash and then save some for later by storing it in the freezer. You can also reduce your supply by donating leftover candy to an organization that sends care packages overseas to active military members to lift their spirits.
3. Choose Tooth-Friendly Treats
Candy that is easy to chew and swallow is always better for the teeth than sticky and chewy choices that tend to linger on the teeth. Chocolate bars and crunchy or easily-dissolvable candy are preferable over taffy, caramel, and sticky choices.
4. Brush ASAP
Encourage your child to floss and brush right after eating Halloween candy, especially if it was something sticky or chewy that could get stuck on or in between the teeth. The sooner your child brushes his or her teeth, the better, to minimize any damage to the enamel of the teeth. This is even more important if your child eats candy late in the evening, as sleeping with sugar on the teeth can increase his or her risk of getting a cavity. Following up toothbrushing with a fluoride rinse is also a good idea.
5. Rinse with Water
Drinking water after eating or drinking anything sugary is always a great cavity preventative. Drinking water after meals is a healthy habit that helps rinse your mouth of bacteria and neutralize the acidity in the mouth caused by foods to help prevent tooth decay and cavities.
6. Schedule a Checkup
Now that the kids are busy back at school and with extracurricular activities, it’s easy to forget to schedule your child’s regular hygiene appointments. 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!
Oct 10, 2022
It’s National Dental Hygiene Month!
Get out your toothbrush and floss..it’s National Dental Hygiene Month! This month-long campaign is focused on raising public awareness about oral health and hygiene as well as a reminder to practice daily habits that promote healthy teeth and gums. At FDA, we have an amazing team of hygienists who are wonderful ambassadors of excellent oral health care: Alex, Diann, Erin, Jean, Kelly and Lydianne. They are always putting their patients’ comfort first and they love educating others about setting up a personalized and effective oral health routine. We heart our hygienists!! In honor of our rock star hygienists and National Dental Hygiene Month, here are our top three – hygienist-approved – tips for daily oral health care!
Brush!
It’s not rocket science, just good old-fashioned oral hygiene. Get yourself an ADA-approved toothbrush with soft bristles and treat your teeth and gums to a gentle massage twice a day for two minutes. Bonus points if you upgrade to an electric toothbrush – they are more effective at removing plaque. Think of your daily brushing routine as an important part of your self-care routine. If you’d like a demonstration of the best way to brush, ask your hygienist at your next appointment. They are experts!
Floss!
We know this can be a tough one to incorporate into your daily routine, but flossing once a day is a crucial component of oral health. Flossing gets into all the nooks and crannies where the brush doesn’t reach and cavity-causing bacteria can hide. 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! Your gums and teeth will be grateful!
Eat well!
Oral health and hygiene are one part of a self-care routine for your overall wellness. Eating a healthy diet full of vitamins and minerals is not only good for your body, but it’s good for your teeth and gums, too! There are lots of ways to pack your plate with mouth-friendly food: load up on crunchy veggies and leafy greens, grab a hunk of cheese for extra calcium, sip on green tea for extra antioxidants. Need more ideas? Chat with Alex, Diann, Erin, Jean, Kelly, or Lydianne at your next appointment…think of them as your partners in oral health and hygiene!
While good oral hygiene is important every month, we hope you help us spread the word about the easy ways you can incorporate mouth-friendly daily habits into your self-care routine this October. Also – give some gratitude to your hygienist at your next appointment. They are truly compassionate professionals and work hard every day to make sure our family of patients feel cared for and comfortable. If you have questions or want to go over your healthcare routine, give us a call: 207.781.5900. We are here to be your partner in excellent oral health care!
Sep 21, 2022
At Falmouth Dental Arts, we believe that good oral health habits start early. We love helping children learn to take care of their teeth and it’s always an exciting time when a little one has his or her first loose tooth! Your child may have questions about having a wiggly tooth and may be wondering what to do if he or she loses it at school. Here are six tips that will make having a loose tooth a fun and stress-free experience!
1) Be Prepared
Most children have their first loose tooth between the ages of 6-7, although some may lose a tooth earlier and some later. It is very likely that once your child reaches kindergarten age, he or she will find themselves heading to school with a loose tooth. Prepare your child for this possibility by telling them that it’s okay – this is a completely normal and exciting milestone! This handy tooth chart, created by the American Dental Association, will help give you (and your child) an idea of what to expect and when!
2) Tell Your Child’s School
It’s a good idea to let your child’s teacher know if your child has an extremely wiggly tooth, especially if he or she is feeling nervous about it. Elementary-level teachers have lots of experience with their students losing teeth at school and can refer your child to the nurse to rinse their mouth or get cleaned up if the tooth does come out. Let your child know he or she can bring the tooth home in a plastic baggie or wrapped in a tissue to put under their pillow for the Tooth Fairy’s visit later on.
3) To Pull or Not to Pull – Let Your Child Take the Lead
You may be wondering if you should pull out your child’s loose tooth at home or let it fall out on its own. The answer is…let your child decide! If the tooth is really wiggly or is causing them discomfort, your child may just want to get it over with and ask for your help. If they do, place a tissue over the tooth and gently squeeze. If it’s ready, it should just come right out. Tell him or her how brave they were and how the Tooth Fairy recognizes extra courage!
4) Keep Calm and Continue Your Child’s Dental Routine
Tell your child that they should not touch or prod the space where their tooth used to be. The area should heal up quickly, although he or she may want to eat on the other side of their mouth if the gum area is still feeling sensitive. Your child should continue their regular dental routine – brushing twice a day and flossing daily – as usual and should rinse or brush gently around the area to make sure it stays clean and no food gets stuck.
5) Bring on the Tooth Fairy!
If you’re open to a little make-believe, a visit from the Tooth Fairy can become a really special tradition for your child. Check out our past post about fun Tooth Fairy traditions from around the world. Encourage your child to write a note to the tooth fairy, letting her know that he or she lost her tooth at school or that they asked you to pull it out at home. Have them leave the note under their pillow, or on their door so the tooth fairy doesn’t forget to visit (wink, wink). Consult other parent friends to determine “the going rate” for a gift from the Tooth Fairy, or set your own rate and explain that every child has his or her own special fairy that’s just right for them.
6) Get in Touch with Us if You Have Questions!
If your child seems to be very early or late in losing a baby tooth or loses a tooth due to injury, do not hesitate to give us a call at 207.781.5900. Our team of compassionate dental professionals would be happy to answer any questions you may have or can schedule an exam for your child with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos. While your child is here for his or her appointment, we can also go over their dental routine to make sure they are taking care of their baby teeth as well as the new permanent teeth growing in!
