Jan 10, 2024
At Falmouth Dental Arts, we are lucky to have a compassionate team of some of the best oral health care professionals in the world! Everyone loves coming to work each day to help our patients meet their oral health goals and receive the best care possible. To celebrate our amazing team, we are starting a new Employee Spotlight series on our blog. We want to highlight the individuals who make FDA an incredible place to work and receive dental care.
This month, we are thrilled to put the spotlight on our fabulous office manager, Sue Libby. She got her start with the beloved Dr. Knock and this month she celebrates 35 years working in oral health care! Congratulations, Sue!
What is your favorite part of your job?
Sue: My job now is more focused on the team and their needs. I love working with the newer employees and teaching them about dentistry and all that comes with serving our patients. I also enjoy celebrating the milestones with our more “seasoned” team members.
Tell us about a “day-in-your life” at FDA.
Sue: I handle anything from patient questions to staff payroll. Most days I am watching to be sure things are running smoothly in the office.
What is your favorite part of your personal oral care routine?
Sue: I use an Oral B electric toothbrush exclusively to brush my teeth. My teeth feel squeeky clean when I finish!
What is something most of your patients would be surprised to learn about you?
Sue: My husband and I ran a small motel for 6 years in the Sebago Lakes Region. Not only did running my own business help me with some aspects of my current position, but the customer service approach at Falmouth Dental Arts helped me handle some of our traveling customers at the motel!
What is something you like to do when you’re not at work?
Sue: I love to cook and I enjoy sewing. I also just became a grandmother so I am now spending lots of time with my sweet grandson!
Do you have a favorite place or thing you love to do in Maine?
Sue: My family has a camp in the Jackman Area. I really enjoy getting away and spending time relaxing there in the summer. It’s a great place to unwind, disconnect, and just enjoy the peacefulness and beauty of our state.
Thank you, Sue!
Jan 4, 2024
We all want healthier habits. We set our New Year’s resolutions with the best of intentions, but it can feel so difficult to stick with them! We get it! Creating a new habit requires repetition and time…and it’s worth it! At FDA, we want to be your partner in oral health and support you in setting up a home care routine that works for you. So, to help you stick with your healthy habits, here are a few tips.
Start Small
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Focus on that first step you can take to improve your health. If you’re struggling to floss daily, start with flossing once a week. Make Fridays “Flossing Fridays!” As you achieve small goals you will be motivated to keep going. Plus once you see how you feel afterwards, it will encourage you to keep it up!
Stack it Up
An effective way to stick with a new habit is to combine it with an existing habit. This is called habit stacking. If you’d like to drink more water each day, try to do it alongside something else you do regularly. For example, after you brush your teeth…drink a glass of water! After you eat a meal…drink a glass of water! These two actions will become connected and overtime it will become part of your regular routine!
Celebrate Your Success
Help yourself stay motivated by celebrating your progress. It takes commitment and some hard work to make new habits. Give yourself the recognition you deserve! When you hit every “Flossing Friday” in a month, treat yourself to a movie or a nice meal out at your favorite restaurant. Find what gives you joy and make it a part of your new habit! Not only are you celebrating your success, but you’re celebrating your healthy life choices!
Another way to keep up with your healthy habits is to make yourself accountable by sharing your goals. Let us know what healthy habits you are working on when you come in for your regular check ups with Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos. We can help track your oral health progress and be your cheerleader for sticking with it! After all, we are your partner in oral health. Give us a call if you have questions or need to schedule your next appointment – 207.781.5900.
Jan 3, 2024
Happy New Year! A new year is a new beginning which makes it the perfect time to incorporate some positive changes into your oral health care routine. At FDA, we consider oral health an important part of your overall health. In other words, a healthy mouth contributes to a healthy whole body. Give yourself a boost with these three resolutions that can help transform your oral health care.
- Upgrade Your Brush!
When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush? According to the ADA, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months. If you’ve had one of those pesky viruses that has been circulating this winter, 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 team of amazing hygienists swear by them. Electric toothbrushes really do a superior job removing plaque and cleaning the surfaces of your teeth. Many electric toothbrushes also have a built-in timer so you’re sure to brush for a full two minutes. Going electric is an easy way to improve your home care routine!
2. Eat with Your Teeth in Mind!
What you eat has an impact on your oral health, so consider your teeth next time you’re snacking! Of course we recommend limiting your sugar intake, but there are also foods you can choose that will give your oral health a boost. For example, foods that are high in calcium, like cheese and yogurt, will support the health of your pearly whites and your gums. Yogurt also has the benefit of being a probiotic, which will help keep your mouth balanced with healthy bacteria. Also, cheese contains a protein called casein which helps fortify your tooth enamel. Eating crunchy fruits and veggies will help clean your teeth as you chew, as well as stimulate saliva so your mouth gets rinsed of harmful bacteria. Plus they are chock full of vitamins and minerals that support your health! An apple a day…keeps you smiling away! ?
3. Get Regular Check Ups!
Have you been avoiding coming to the dentist? Prioritize your oral health and schedule regular check ups with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos this year! Our top priority is making sure our patients receive the best oral care in an environment that is comfortable and supportive. If you feel nervous about visiting the dentist – we can help put you at ease! Give us a call and we can discuss our mild sedation options as well as other techniques we recommend for reducing dental anxiety. Our approach is all about designing a dental plan that fits your needs and budget so you can attain your dental health goals.
Embracing these easy New Year’s resolutions will help put you on the path to improved oral health. At FDA, we are your partner in oral care, and our compassionate team of professionals is always here to answer your questions and help you maintain a healthy and happy smile. If you need to schedule your next appointment, give us a call at 207.781.5900. Together, let’s make 2024 the year of radiant smiles and excellent oral health!
Nov 2, 2023
You brush, you floss, you come in for regular check ups with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos…what more can you do to protect your teeth? Good oral health doesn’t just happen in the dentist office or in your bathroom…it also happens in your kitchen and at your breakfast table. Your body is a complex machine and your diet has a big impact on your oral health. In other words, what you eat matters! At FDA, we provide dental care that goes beyond your smile and takes the health of your whole body into account. We’ve talked about foods that can boost your oral health, like apples and yogurt, but what are some foods you should steer clear of in the name of protecting your pearly whites? Here are five foods to avoid:
Sticky Foods
It should come as no surprise that candy can cause cavities. Gummies and sticky taffy are some of the worst offenders! However, there is a sticky food people often associate with healthy snacking – dried fruit. Many dried fruits are quite sticky and can get stuck in the nooks and crannies of your teeth. Dried fruit also tends to be high in sugar, which can lead to cavities.
Ice
Nothing beats an ice-cold drink on a hot day! However, if you find yourself regularly crunching on the ice chunks in your refreshing beverage, you may be setting yourself up for a cracked tooth! Do your teeth a favor – and avoid an emergency visit with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos – and break the habit! For added protection, use a stainless steel or compostable straw to sip icy drinks.
Too Much Citrus
Citrus fruits are highly acidic and frequent exposure to acidic foods can erode your enamel. The acidity can also cause sensitivity in your teeth and gums. While consuming vitamin C is an important part of a healthy, holistic oral care routine, make sure you don’t go overboard. Using a straw while you sip your OJ can help limit exposure to your enamel and a simple fresh water rinse after drinking fruit juice or eating citrus can help protect your teeth.
Soda
Soda is bad for your health and bad for your teeth. Those sugary drinks are food for plaque bacteria, which turns the sugar into acid that can damage your enamel. Caffeine in soda can also dry out your mouth, which creates an environment where cavity-causing bacteria can thrive. If you can’t give up your soda fix, make sure you drink plenty of water as well.
Starchy Snacks
Many people only worry about sweet treats when it comes to their oral health, but starchy snacks can be just as damaging. Snacks like potato chips are starchy and get stuck in the nooks and crannies of your teeth. Starches are complex carbohydrates with long chains of sugar molecules. When left behind, your saliva turns that starch into sugar that feeds bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. After indulging in your favorite crunchy, starchy snacks, make sure you rinse with water, spend extra care brushing and flossing to remove any leftover food particles.
If you have questions about how your diet is impacting your oral health or need to schedule your next appointment with us, please give us a call at 207.781.5900. We are your partner in oral health and here to help!
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.
