Dec 21, 2011
As 2012 approaches, you have probably already started your list of New Year’s resolutions. If you are like most people, this list probably includes: go to the gym, lose weight, take tango lessons, call your mother more often, find the cure for cancer, etc… But let’s face it – EVERYONE has those resolutions, and they are all usually broken by January 10th.
So, let’s shake it up a little this year and try ten “Dental Resolutions” which are not only easy to keep but can lead to a lifetime of excellent health. Here they are!
1) CHANGE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH
Most people hang on to their toothbrushes as if they have long-standing sentimental value. The fact is – you should replace your brush every two months or so. If the bristles don’t look almost brand new, chances are your teeth aren’t being cleaned well and your toothbrush is harboring lots of yucky bacteria.
2) FLOSS EVERY DAY
Look – we’re dental professionals. We know that most people don’t floss. But that really is a shame. Flossing every day helps to prevent gum disease – so not only can you keep your teeth for a lifetime, your chances are heart disease and other illnesses which are linked to unhealthy gums will significantly decrease. If you have trouble flossing or are not sure how to do it, don’t be embarrassed! Our fantastic team will be glad to show you how.
3) WEAR YOUR SEATBELT
We all know that seatbelts save lives, but even in a minor accident teeth can be shattered or damaged if your body is flung forward. So buckle up and save your smile!
4) USE A MOUTHGUARD
Dental damage from sports is extremely common and just about always preventable. There’s a reason everyone in the NFL wears a mouthguard – and it’s not to scare their opponents. Give us a call and we will fit you (and the entire tiddly winks team) with beautiful custom mouthguards.
5) GET RID OF SODAS AND SPORTS DRINKS
We all need to hydrate, but we don’t need excess sugar and artificial chemicals. These drinks are bad for your body and pull an all out assault on your pearly-whites. Switching to water will not only be a big boost to your overall health, it will save you money as well!
6) TEETH ARE FOR CHEWING, BITING, AND SMILING
Please don’t use your teeth to open bottles, packages, or anything else. Nibbling on your friends is optional (with their permission, of course).
7) SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYE TEETH
As if cancer, heart disease, emphysema, pregnancy issues and a host of chronic illnesses aren’t reason enough to stop smoking, please be aware that this nasty habit stains your teeth, increases the risk of gum disease, and makes your breath smell like the monkey cage at the zoo. There are so many reasons to quit smoking – so please make this the year!
8) BUT THEY’RE GOOD FOR YOU!
The battle cry of mothers all over the world is true for your oral health as well. Yes – eating your veggies, fruits, legumes and nuts not only increases your overall health, it boosts your immunity which is great for your teeth and gums. Added benefit: crisp fruits and raw vegetables like apples, carrots and celery help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath.
9) WHITEN YOUR SMILE
There is no question that a nice white smile increases your confidence and makes you more attractive to others. If you’ve been putting this off – make 2012 the year you finally will be showing your beautiful smile to the world. There are so many easy and inexpensive ways to make your smile the best that it can be – give us a call or stop in and we will be glad to show you how.
10) DON’T PUT OFF YOUR DENTAL VISITS
We know that visiting Falmouth Dental Arts may not be at the top of your “things to do” list for the New Year, but by seeing us on a regular basis you can prevent huge (and expensive) dental problems from ever occurring. It’s a small investment with a big payoff – a better smile, increased overall health, beautiful teeth and gums for life, fresh clean breath, and so much more. Please give us a call at 207-781-5900 today and get 2012 off to a great start!
Nov 22, 2011
When the pilgrims left England on the Mayflower, they were looking for a land free of persecution. By the time they landed in Massachusetts 66 days later, they found the journey to be a lot more grueling than they orginally planned.
Among the many health issues they encountered was “scurvy” – caused by a deficiency of vitamin C. The lack of fresh food on board, especially fruits and vegetables, caused horrible symptoms, including spots on the skin, weakness, extreme drowsiness, spontaneous bleeding, and eventually death. Oh yes – this disease also caused the pilgrims to have bleeding gums and tooth loss!
This Thansksgiving, be sure to prepare a meal that is not only delicious but healthy for your teeth and gums too! Some vitamins and nutrients which are good for your oral health are vitamins A, C and D, phosphorous, and calcium. A delicious Thanksgiving dinner can include them all!
Here are a few things that will make your chompers thank you:
- Turkey is high in phosphorous, which is not only healthy for developing teeth but can actually help rebuild tooth enamel.
- Sweet potatoes are loaded with nutrients including vitamins A, C and B6 and are thought to be much healthier than regular white potatoes.
- Greens and winter vegetables are great sources of vitamins A and C, both of which are excellent for gum health.
- Cranberries contain flavonoids which can prevent bacteria from sticking to the teeth and forming plaque.
- Pumpkin pies are loaded with vitamin C and calcium – important for gum health and developing teeth.
“Just like our bodies, our teeth and gums need many essential vitamins and minerals to stay strong and healthy,” says Ontario Dental Association Past-President Dr. Ira Kirshen. “In fact, to ensure proper tooth development and strength, adults, children and seniors alike need a lot of calcium, vitamins and minerals.”
Dr. Kirshen goes on to say: “Many take oral health for granted, but countless studies have shown that there is a strong association between good oral health and good body health. Spending time with your loved ones at Thanskgiving is even better when everyone is healthy and happy.”
Thanksgiving is a great holiday, and it can be a healthy one for your teeth, gums and body as well! Here at Falmouth Dental Arts, we want you to be healthy! Remember, prevention is the key, so be sure to stick with your recommended dental care schedule for the best health of all! Call 781-5900 to schedule your appointment today! Enjoy a fantastic holiday, and even though your schedule may be hectic this time of year, don’t forget to take care of your teeth, gums and entire body!
Mar 16, 2011
We’ve all seen Steve Martin’s crazy sadistic dental performance in the movie “Little Shop of Horrors” or heard a friend’s over-inflated version of a bad office visit (usually involving a root canal), but going to the dentist these days really isn’t scary! With all the modern technology and advanced techniques available, a dental visit can be not just painless but actually relaxing! Right? Right!
Like it or not, most of us go to the dentist routinely to keep our teeth and gums healthy because it’s what we’re supposed to do, not because it’s a favorite activity. But did you know that seventy-five percent of the population experience some sort of dental fear and fifteen percent actually avoid going to the dentist altogether due to severe anxiety? Infrequent dental visits or total avoidance can cause severe health problems, even heart disease. This can be a serious problem.
Here at Falmouth Dental Arts, we take this issue very seriously. We want to make each visit to the dentist as comfortable and stress free as possible. that’s why we do everything we can to soothe and relax you from the minute you walk in the door. We have stereo headphones that let you choose your own music on an iPod and drown out the background noise. We have massage pads on our chairs for heat and comfort. Our up-to-date anesthesia techniques make dental treatment incredibly comfortable. The high-tech laser we use for some procedures can make injections and drilling a thing of the past. And, if necessary, we even offer sedation to help you through your visit with less anxiety.
We feel your dental health is so important that we take these extra steps to help you stay as healthy as possible and to make each visit a stress free one. When you leave our office, we are committed to making you smile in every way.
Please give us a call at 207-781-5900 to schedule your next appointment. With your comfort in mind, we will make sure that every visit is a great one!
Mar 8, 2011
Many people dread the feared “needle” when they come to the dentist. Sometimes this actually keeps people from coming to the dentist for years, resulting in even worse problems. Many injections can be given painlessly, especially when a topical anesthetic is rubbed on the gums to numb the effect of the needle puncture. But, even so, there can be some discomfort in the injection site.
Enter the Wand. This is a new computer controlled anesthetic injection system for dentists that pretty much eliminates the feeling of the needle. We, the doctors, practiced giving the injections on each other when we first got the system and were amazed that there literally was no sensation of a needle or pain!
We are always looking for new ways to make the dental experience as comfortable as possible. We and our staff are all big wussies when it comes to having our own dentistry done so we know what it is like to be scared or uncomfortable – because we had these experiences growing up. So the Wand really makes it a lot easier. Oral conscious sedation is also available for those wh really have fear or phobias.
Jan 27, 2011
Most people know that for years dentists have been recommending fluoride as something which helps prevent cavities. It’s in just about every toothpaste, many mouth rinses, over-the-counter and prescription gels – and close to 70% of Americans have it in their drinking water. Practically every dental professional credits fluoride for drastically reducing levels of dental decay over the last few decades.
Fluoride is a mineral that exists naturally in water and soil. About 70 years ago, scientists discovered that people who lived where water supplies naturally had more fluoride also had fewer cavities. Today, most public drinking water supplies are fluoridated, especially in larger cities, and dental professionals applaud its usage.
But can there be too much of a good thing?
A recent government study found that two in five adolescents had some sort of streaking or spotting in their teeth because of too much fluoride, a number that has grown considerably since the 1980s.
For most people these streaks or spots are totally harmless and barely visible to the naked eye, although in severe cases the tooth enamel can actually develop a pit-like surface. So even though fluoride still does a fantastic job in cavity prevention, as with most things in medicine, there are side effects.
The good news is – as a result of this study the federal government has acted very rapidly to change their recommendations for the amount of fluoride in drinking water, making it 0.7 milligrams per liter of water, down from the 50 year standard of up to 1.2 milligrams.
At Falmouth Dental Arts we applaud the government’s quick action! And we still want to help you avoid cavities as much as possible. So keep brushing, flossing and keep your fluoride intake to a minimum – it’s in everything! We will be glad to check your teeth to see if we can find any negative effects from fluoride and look for cavities too! As with any dental condition, the sooner we find it, the easier and less costly it is to treat.
Jan 19, 2011
For anyone who might want whiter teeth we are having a half-off sale – our Winter Whitening Special. Just click on our Facebook icon to get the coupon. Oh, and while you’re there, please “Like” our page if you desire. We’d love to get feedback on the site, too! Thanks to all of you who support us! We have a great time with our patients and always are willing to accept good (and bad) feedback to make things better.
