Jun 2, 2015
It’s summer in Maine and a favorite pastime is fishing in our incredible lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, and oceans. If you think about it, fishing can even have an impact on your teeth if you eat what you catch (side note: be sure to follow the Maine state regulations on fishing and obtain a fishing license before casting your lines in the water).
In recent years study after study has come out extolling the positive impacts of fatty fish and fish oil on many areas of health. This certainly holds true for your smile. Fatty fishes like salmon, mackerel, trout, and herring can help prevent gum disease by fighting inflammation.
Fatty fish is rich in polyunsaturated fats. You may know these fats better by their individual names – Omega 3, Omega 6, and Omega 9. These acids have been proven to reduce inflammation, one of the most significant risk factors for gum disease. Gum diseases are serious conditions that can lead to infections, tooth decay, and even bone loss.
Fish is also good for your heart. Scientific studies have proven there is a link between a healthy mouth and a healthy heart. Fatty fish can serve as a one-two punch; keeping your heart healthy at the same time it protects your smile.
Best of all, fish makes it easy to eat local while eating better. Maine is well-known for its high quality local seafood. Visit your local fish market and get a healthy meal that also supports Maine’s economy.
Apr 11, 2015
Spring may be a joyous time, but for many it can bring stress in the form of school exams, job hunts, and home renovations. Like it or not, some stress is a normal part of life. However, excessive stress negatively affects every area of your health.
When it comes to your mouth, anxiety and stress can cause you to develop TMJ (Temporomandibular joint dysfunction). This is especially true if you grind your teeth when stressed.
TMJ is a painful, life-interrupting disorder caused by dysfunction of the muscles and joints that allow the mouth to open and close. In addition to jaw pain, TMJ can cause headaches, dizziness, hearing loss, and more.
Stress is a major contributor to TMJ, but symptoms can also manifest due to arthritis, whiplash, injuries to the face, genetics, and more. There is no cure for TMJ, but at Falmouth Dental Arts we offer custom appliances that can relieve TMJ symptoms and help keep you comfortable and pain free.
Call today at 207-781-5900 to set up an appointment and see what options are available to you. With Falmouth Dental Arts on your side, you don’t have to put up with TMJ pain.
Mar 4, 2015
National Dentists Day is a day devoted to giving dentists a pat on the back for all the work they do. But here at Falmouth Dental Arts, we’d rather shine the spotlight on who matters most to us – you.
Patients like you are the reason we are in dentistry. The best thing you can do for us is to take care of your smile. Don’t live with a smile that makes you feel self-conscious.
Falmouth Dental Arts offers premier aesthetic services like ultra-thin porcelain veneers and exceptional implants. We also offer a state of the art whitening process. We will work with you to find the best solutions for your unique situation.
If you aren’t happy with your smile don’t wait another day. Call us at (207) 781-5900.
Feb 16, 2015
George Washington was plagued by dental disease almost his entire life. His adult teeth began falling out in his early 20’s. Others had to be extracted due to advanced decay. By the time he became president only one remained.
Because of this, Washington frequently sought out the help of dentists. During the Revolutionary War he became close to Franco-American dentist Jean-Pierre Le Mayeur, who became a lifelong friend. Later, during his presidency, Washington relied on dentist John Greenwood to fashion him several sets of false teeth. However, none were made from wood. One set was made from ivory and held together with gold springs, which is a bit more presidential than a hunk of wood. One pair of Washington’s dentures survives and is on view at his home in Mount Vernon.
George Washington’s story is a good reminder of how far we’ve come in dentistry. Despite the best efforts of Revolutionary Era dentists, Washington still suffered a lifetime of discomfort and regularly took laudanum (an opiate painkiller) to deal with the pain. His poor teeth also hurt his self-esteem and made him reluctant to give speeches.
Although there are many ways you should inspire to be like our nation’s first president, having unsightly teeth is not one of them. At Falmouth Dental Arts we offer dental solutions that fit your specific needs and budget for your complete comfort both physically and financially. Most importantly, we will get your teeth functioning properly and looking beautiful once again. Call today to see how we can improve your smile.
Feb 9, 2015
February 9th is National Toothache Day. Perhaps not coincidentally, February 9th is also when The Hershey Company was incorporated. With Valentine’s Day (and Whitman’s Samplers) just around the corner, now is a good time to remember the importance of oral hygiene.
Poor oral hygiene is the common culprit behind many toothaches. Tooth decay, bacterial infection, periodontitis, abscesses, and gum inflammation can all lead to toothaches.
Catch cavities before they catch you. Our hygienists are trained to spot potential problems before they become painful.
The only way to stop an existing cavity from getting worse is by visiting our dental office. If it’s been a while since you’re last check up now is the time to schedule an appointment.
If you develop a persistent or extremely painful toothache it is imperative you come see us. Without help from a dental professional it is impossible to determine the cause or seriousness of a toothache. It could be an infection that requires immediate attention. Ignoring a severe toothache will only cause the underlying issue to worsen.
If you haven’t yet scheduled your next cleaning, call us today at 207-781-5900.
Jan 19, 2015
It’s true. January is National Soup Month and National Tea Month. And it is also true that we think that is no coincidence.
You’re always looking for easy ways to improve your health, right? And oral health is a significant factor in overall health. So here are two extremely simple ways for you to strengthen your teeth and gums and improve your overall health.
- Drink more tea
- Eat more soup
Here is why…
Tea
Many people think that chewy candies and foods with high sugar content are what really harm teeth. Although those people are correct, what you choose to drink also has a significant impact on oral health. When deciding between the many drink options available, one of the best drinks for your oral health is brewed tea. Tea has anti-bacterial properties and fluoride content which may help protect against cavities and gum disease and may also strengthen tooth enamel [insert a picture of tea with this sentence as the caption].
There have been a number of studies done recently that highlight the positive effects of tea on oral health. Research shows that tea has almost no erosive effect on tooth enamel. In fact, depending on the amount of fluoride in the water that you brew your tea with, it can even strengthen your enamel. A study done specifically on green tea has indicated that it has some added oral health benefits due to the natural antioxidant compounds called catechins that are in it. The researchers suggested that green tea is particularly effective in fighting and preventing gum disease because the catechins in the green tea interfere with the inflammation that results from bacteria in the mouth. Lastly, a recent study conducted by New York University Dental Center suggests that black tea may be linked to reduction in likelihood of developing dental caries (or cavities).
So in other words…have a cup of tea a day! But before you do, here are a few important words of advice…
- Don’t add sugar to your tea. The bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and produce acids that eat away at the enamel of your teeth and irritate your gums.
- Avoid prepackaged, bottled iced teas because they contain citric acid (which can wear away tooth enamel) and high amounts of sugars.
Sources:
http://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/tea.html
http://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/healthyfoods.html
http://www.teausa.com/teausa/images/TeaCouncil-ResearchDocR5_-_FINAL.pdf – visit this link for an extremely informational document that breaks down how tea benefits the rest of your body’s health (including cardiovascular health, cancer risk reduction for a number of cancers, neurological health, metabolism/obesity/body composition, diabetes/blood sugar control, immune function, kidney function, and reduced risk of osteoporosis).
Soup
Since the first day we were served solid food as children, we have been told to eat our veggies. “You want to grow up to be big and strong, don’t you?” As a kid, that never really crossed our minds…we’d rather have chips and soda and candy.
But what if we were to give you new incentive to eat your veggies… What if we showed you just how beneficial vegetables can be to your oral hygiene.
Vegetables are of course jam-packed with vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients – these are the key.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that has a plethora of benefits for your gums. It helps produce collagen which helps form body tissue, and it also repairs damaged gums and helps the them become more resistant to oral bacteria. Folic acid helps your mouth’s cells stay healthy, and calcium helps with strong teeth, bones, and gums. All these nutrients together help keep gums strong and healthy and control or even prevent gum disease.
In addition to the vast nutrients in vegetables that your mouth benefits from, there are other positive effects to eating your veggies as well. The chewing action alone involved in eating raw veggies strengthens your gums, encourages blood circulation and builds strong teeth. Additionally, vegetables are a key source of fiber, which builds a strong immune system.
So now you may be asking, “how do I know which vegetables to eat to get these nutrients?” Allow us to help:
- Vitamin C: red and green peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, and tomatoes
- Vitamin E: Spinach, turnip greens, collards, along with oils (vegetable, seed and nut)
- Folic Acid: Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, and spinach
One of the best ways to get tons of veggies at once (especially in the winter) is in a hearty soup! So here are three delicious soup recipes that are packed with vegetables to benefit your overall health, as well as you oral health! We all know homemade soup is no match for that canned stuff in terms of taste and nutritional value.
Green Pea and Chickpea Soup: This soup is exceptionally nutrient-dense and calls for highly affordable ingredients. To experience optimal health, including flexible and healthy bones and teeth, it’s vital that you eat plenty of green plant foods on a regular basis. Green peas are naturally abundant in folate, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, carotenoids, tryptophan, vitamin K, manganese, healthy protein, and a number of other health-promoting nutrients. Get this recipe
Vegetable Soup: Here is an extremely quick, easy and delicious recipe that is packed full of veggies. Modify this with your favorite veggies too – its easy to substitute ingredients with this simple recipe! Get the recipe
Chicken Noodle Soup: Chicken noodle soup can be tricky, because it is not always particularly healthy for you – it really depends on what ingredients you use. May sound obvious, but sometimes people struggle maximizing the health factor. Here are three tips for you that will help give any chicken noodle soup recipe a health kick…
- Use boneless, skinless chicken
- Use fat-free and/or low-sodium chicken broth
- Look for your favorite noodle in high-fiber, whole wheat variety fortified with vitamins and minerals.
Click here to get the chicken noodle soup recipe we love
Happy National Soup and Tea Month! Get out there and strengthen those teeth and gums.
