Feb 2, 2025
February is Gum Disease Awareness month. According to the CDC, nearly 42% of adults over the age of 30 have a form of gum disease, and gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. This is preventable! At FDA, we are your partner in oral health. We love educating our patients about best practices that keep you smiling and healthy. Here are three tips for preventing gum disease:
Have a Good Oral Hygiene Routine
The key to good oral health is to have a good oral hygiene routine. This includes:
- Brush twice a day for two minutes. Gently brush along your entire gumline, massing your gums to improve circulation and gum health.
- Floss every day. Flossing gets into the nooks and crannies between your teeth where food and bacteria hide and brushing alone leaves behind.
Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices
The health of your gums is linked to your overall health, so making healthy choices is a smart idea! In particular think about:
- Quit smoking! This is a no-brainer for your health. Beyond your lung health, smoking weakens your immune system, causes chronic inflammation, and affects the balance of healthy bacteria in your mouth.
- Eat crunchy fruits and veggies. The vitamins and minerals in fruits and veggies are beneficial for your overall health and your oral health. Crunchy fruits and veggies act like a natural toothbrush removing plaque and stimulate saliva rinsing away bacteria. What a win-win!
Come to FDA for Regular Checkups
Regular cleanings and dental checkups with our hygienists and Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos are an important part of your oral health care routine. We love seeing your smiling faces at least twice a year. Among other things, these checksups are a way for us to monitor the health of your gums and assess for any signs of disease. If your gums are bleeding when you brush or floss, that’s a good sign you are due for a checkup. Early detection and treatment of gum disease is the best way to prevent serious outcomes like tooth loss.
If you have questions about your gum health or need to schedule your next appointment, please give us a call at 207.781.5900, we’re here to help!
Feb 1, 2025
We made it to February and to National Children’s Dental Health Month! This month-long observance is all about helping kids develop good oral health habits, something we are passionate about at FDA. What’s at the center of every oral care routine? Brushing! Here are 3 tips from our team to get your kids to brush twice a day, every day!
Kids love to have fun! Why not bring some fun to brushing time! There are lots of silly songs that will get your kids smiling as they brush. Playing a song that your child can brush along with can also help them brush for the full two minutes…a big win! Another fun trick – have your kid wear sunglasses while they brush – everyone looks cool in sunglasses! Also, there are tons of toothbrushes featuring fun colors and your kids’ favorite cartoon characters that can help get your kids excited, too. Find what makes it silly and fun for your family!
Use your imagination and find some creative ways to inspire your kids to brush. Perhaps brushing is a game of zapping all the “bad guys,” aka cavity-causing bacteria, in their mouths. Or maybe your child is a crocodile with a lot of teeth to brush! There are so many creative ways to engage your kids at brushing time! Plus, when they have a positive association with their oral brush, you’re building healthy habits for life!
As parents, you are your kids’ best teacher and example. Next time they have to brush their teeth, do it alongside them! They will watch you and learn from the master! Showing your kids how you brush and floss each day will surely inspire them!
Whenever you have questions or concerns about your children’s oral health, please don’t hesitate to call us at 207.781.5900! Our team of hygienists love to educate kids and help them set up their oral health care routines! We’re your partner in oral health and in keeping your kids smiling!
Jan 2, 2025
Happy New Year! Ready to give your smile a fresh start in 2025? January is the perfect opportunity to give your health and wellness habits an update. As you make your list of resolutions, don’t forget about your teeth! At FDA we often talk about the link between oral health and your overall wellness, which means taking care of your smile is an important part of taking care of yourself. To help make it easy for you, here are 5 healthy habits to incorporate into your 2025 routine.
Drink More Water
Want to feel more energized, boost your mood, and take care of your teeth all at once? Grab a glass of water! Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day is good for your entire body, helping to flush out toxins and support your organs. Water also helps rinse away bacteria in your mouth which prevents tooth decay. Drink a glass of water after every meal and you’ll be doing your teeth and your body a favor!
Incorporate Healthy Dairy Into Your Diet
Want to give your teeth a boost? Incorporate healthy foods into your diet! An easy place to start is with cheese and yogurt – foods that are high in calcium. Calcium is crucial for the health of your teeth because it helps strengthen your enamel and protect against cavities. Cheese packs a double dose of fortification for your teeth because it also contains a protein called casein. Yogurt has an additional benefit as well; it is a probiotic, which will keep your mouth’s microbiome balanced with healthy bacteria. So say yes to cheese and yogurt!
Floss, Floss, Floss!
Want to know the best way you can improve your oral health? Flossing! Flossing will not only improve your gum health, but it will help prevent cavities, too. This is because flossing removes plaque and bacteria in the areas between your teeth that brushing alone misses. It’s one of the best things you can do during your oral care routine! We know it’s a tricky habit for many to stick with, so find what works best for you. Ready to take the flossing plunge? Set a goal for flossing once a week and work up to flossing once a day. You can try Plackers or a water flosser if you find traditional floss is difficult. Another idea – you can try bringing floss to work to take care of it during your lunch break if the morning is too rushed. Your teeth and gums will say thank you!
Brush Up on Your Brushing Technique
Want to get the most out of your brushing? Make sure your skills are up to speed! Proper technique includes brushing gently for 2-3 minutes, twice a day, holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line. Brush every surface of your teeth, both front and back. Also give your entire gum line a little massage as well – this will stimulate circulation and improve your gum health. If you want to take your brushing up another level, consider an electric toothbrush. They will help you get a superior clean every time you brush. Also, our team of hygienists is always happy to demonstrate best brushing techniques so feel free to ask at your next appointment!
Visit FDA!
Want to make maintaining your oral health easy? Come for regular checkups at our office! At FDA, we’re here to be your partner in oral health. Routine hygiene visits that include digital x-rays and cleanings are the best way to maintain your oral health. They also help us with early detection of issues such as oral cancer, tooth decay, and gum disease. Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos, along with our team of compassionate dental care professionals, will help you to develop a hygiene schedule at home, as well as in our office in the new year and beyond! If you need to schedule your next appointment, please give our office a call at 207.781.5900!
Jan 2, 2025
Falmouth Dental Arts has been providing complete, compassionate care for our patients in Southern Maine for over 50 years. We love helping our patients achieve the smile of their dreams and work to build a partnership so we can provide the highest quality dental care possible. People often ask questions about various aspects of our dental care practice. We collected a few of the most frequently asked questions and put all the answers in one place – the FAQs of FDA!
Are you accepting new patients?
Absolutely! We would be delighted to provide you with our quality oral health care. Dr. Brunacini, Dr. Karagiorgos, and our entire staff are dedicated to providing the most caring, comfortable environment possible while providing top quality dental care. We offer a range of treatments to help you attain your oral health goals – from routine hygiene visits to cosmetics enhancements. You can fill out our New Patient Form and one of our team members will reach out to get you scheduled! We look forward to being your partner in oral health!
Do you take my insurance?
We can bill most insurance companies. We are out of network with all insurances, so we encourage our patients to check their policy to see if they will work with us as an out of network dentist. It’s important to us that we can provide individualized treatment plans for all of our patients and not let the insurance company dictate the care we provide. This is a value for many of our patients. We are always happy to talk through all the options with our patients, so please call if you have any questions about insurance, billing, or your treatment options.
Do you see kids?
Yes! We see kids of all ages. At FDA, we believe good oral habits start early. We love helping our youngest patients have positive dental experiences both at home and at our office. Our team of caring and compassionate dental care professionals are wonderful at meeting your kids where they are and pay close attention to your child’s comfort level. We’ll work with you and your child to develop proper homecare habits and design office visits around your child’s readiness and needs. It is our pleasure to welcome your children to our practice!
How long has FDA been a practice?
FDA has been a local dental practice in Southern Maine for over 50 years! Our beloved Dr. Knock started it all back in 1974. Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos carry on his legacy of providing compassionate patient care in concert with crest-of–the-wave dental technologies. At FDA, we don’t just see your smile, we see you as a whole person. Our team works to provide a comfortable environment in every aspect of our care, from scheduling and making payments to getting a check up or a cosmetic enhancement. We’ve been a part of the small business community in Falmouth for decades and are dedicated to providing the best oral care possible!
What do you mean by “dental arts”?
As our founder Dr. Knock has said, “There is an artistry to dentistry, if the dentist is conscientious. It is quite aesthetic…the cosmetic dentistry that can be done to help a person.” We continue to provide this conscientious and aesthetic approach to dentistry and are further aided by the cutting-edge technology in our office, like our CEREC Same-Day Crowns. We have a range of cosmetic dentistry procedures that can give you the smile that not only a work of art, but the smile of your dreams!
If you have other questions for our team, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 207.781.5900! We are always happy to answer questions and are here to help!
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
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!
