Feb 4, 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. Our Employee Spotlight series highlights the individuals who make FDA an incredible place to work and receive dental care.
This month, as we celebrate our 5th (!!!) year in our building, we are thrilled to put the spotlight on the man who started it all, the beloved Dr. Glen Knock.
Why did you decide to be a dentist?
Dr. Knock: I wanted to help people and was thinking about either medical school or dental school. I chose dental school after my wife had a baby and I’m glad I did!
When did you open your first practice?
Dr. Knock: In May 1974 – 50 years ago! – I opened a practice with Dr. Frank Adshead. We split our practice in 1986 and I moved to South Portland. Eventually Dr. Joe Long joined my practice for a time and in the late nineties we moved back to Falmouth. There used to be a state law that you could only have a dental practice named after the practicing dentist. A Supreme Court case changed that, which opened the way for a practice to be named something other than a practitioner’s name. I was looking for a name that would carry on after I retired, and sometime in the early 2000s we became known at Falmouth Dental Arts.
Tell us more about the idea behind the phrase “dental arts.”
Dr. Knock: 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. Now there are machines that tell you all the color mixes! [Check out FDA’s Same-Day Crowns!]
What was a highlight from your dental career?
Dr. Knock: The biggest highlight for me was the people. I was blessed to be able to work with some people for 20 or 30 years. Francine was my assistant for 40 years! We had a lot of fun together. We were a good team.
Another highlight for me was ‘Dancing with the Dentists.’ It was really fun and we helped a lot of people.
Tell us how you came up with such an amazing idea!
Dr. Knock: My wife and I were fans of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and we were taking ballroom dancing lessons. Something clicked and we thought how great it would be if dentists could raise money for charities like The Root Cellar. Also, it’s nice to show another side to dentists; we’re not just guys and gals in white coats drilling your teeth. The first year we raised $40,000. I feel really good about that.
Would you share some of your favorite or most interesting experiences from your career?
Dr. Knock: Some of our staff meetings – everything went off the rails and we had a blast solving something!
What do you miss most about working at FDA?
Dr. Knock: I miss the interactions with people, no doubt. My poor wife – I went from having 100 interactions a day and now I’m down to just one (her). I always really enjoyed talking to people and learning about them.
Thank you, Dr. Knock!
Feb 2, 2024
Love your gums! Good oral hygiene is not just about caring for your teeth…it’s about caring your entire mouth, especially your gums! February is Gum Disease Awareness Month and close to 50% of adults have some form of gum disease. Warning signs include bad breath, bleeding gums, and sensitive teeth. If you notice any of these symptoms or have concerns about the health of your gums, come in to see Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos for a check up. We can help assess the health of your gums, go over a home care routine that will help, and, if needed, put together a treatment plan for you. In the meantime, to encourage you to care for your gums as you care for your teeth, here are a few ways you can give your gums a valentine this month and every month!
You + Floss = True Love for Your Gums
The number one thing you can do to prevent gum disease is floss daily. Flossing cleans bacteria and food debris from the nooks and crannies between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. Whether you floss in the morning, at night, or after lunch doesn’t matter…just do it once a day! If traditional floss is difficult for you to use, explore water flossers or floss picks like plackers. Give your gums that flossing love!
Toast Your Gums by Drinking More Water
Drinking water is great for your overall health, but it can also help keep your mouth healthy, too! Drinking a glass of water after meals helps rinse away food and bacteria, which otherwise could cause gum inflammation and cavities. Cheers to healthy gums!
Treat Your Gums to a Massage
Next time you brush, give your gums a little extra love! Using soft, circular motions massage along your gum line. Massage helps stimulate blood circulation, can reduce gum disease inflammation, and help clean between your teeth. Incorporating this extra care into your brushing routine will improve your gum health. What a great way to show your gums you care about them!
Take Your Gums on a Date…to the Dentist
Coming in for regular check ups with Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos is a great way to love your gums and also an important part of your oral health care. Did you know that gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults, and it’s completely preventable? Routine visits help us keep your mouth healthy and prevent issues, like gum disease, from developing into larger problems. At your appointment, we’ll help you find a home care routine that works for you so we can work together to keep your gums and your teeth happy and healthy. How sweet is that!
If you have questions about your oral health or need to schedule your next appointment, give us a call at 207.781.5900. We are here to provide you with the best oral health care possible! xoxo
Feb 1, 2024
February is Children’s Dental Health Month and an excellent time to think about the ways you can set your kiddos up with a dental routine that keeps their teeth healthy! Want to know our favorite way to help kids have good oral hygiene habits? Make it FUN! Here are three tips that will help make dental care sillier, more playful, and – most importantly – a regular part of your kid’s day!
Invite Superman and Wonder Woman into your bathroom! Get your kids a toothbrush with their favorite superhero or cartoon character. You can then make brushing their teeth a game: POW! Superman is fighting all the bad guys in your kids mouth! ZAP! Wonder Woman is kicking out all the bad guys as you brush away all that cavity-causing bacteria. If superheroes aren’t your kiddo’s thing, get them a toothbrush in their favorite color. They can delight that their teeth were cleaned with PINK POWER! Find what is fun for your little one and brushing will no longer be a chore, it will be a game!
“When you wake up in the morning, it’s a quarter to one and you want to have a little fun…You brush your teeth!” From Raffi and Laurie Berkner to Elmo and the Sesame Street Gang, there are a lot of fun and silly songs out there that will have your kids tapping their toes while they brush those pearly whites. If you need ideas, the ADA put together a list of their family-favorite songs to inspire healthy dental habits. Don’t feel you have to limit yourself to dental songs…if your little one loves Taylor Swift or Frozen, blast their favorite tunes and have a fun family dance party while they brush!
Transform flossing into an exciting quest! Make up a fun and exciting story for your kiddo as you floss. Perhaps there is a brave hero who needs to explore between every tooth to look for the lost treasure! Or perhaps there is a lost hippopotamus and you’re on a flossing safari to find it! Use your imagination and have fun with it..your kiddo will be giggling and their gums will be healthy!
Our team of dental care professionals is here to help you and your family have the best oral care possible. If you have questions, need to schedule your kids’s next cleaning, or want some more help getting your kids to commit to a regular dental routine, give us a call at 207.781.5900. We’re your partner in oral health and in keeping your kids smiling!
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!
