Aug 1, 2024
At the heart of every oral care routine is toothpaste. You brush your teeth twice a day, so you want to find the toothpaste that’s right for you. Visit any drugstore, however, and you can get overwhelmed by the amount of choices! How do you know which one is right for you and your needs? At FDA, we are always happy to assist our patients in making decisions about their well-being, whether that means choosing the right dental treatment plan or helping a patient set up a home care routine. In that spirit, here is some helpful information for choosing a toothpaste that’s right for you and your oral care.
ADA Seal of Acceptance
First things first – the ADA is a great resource when you’re looking for the best products to help maintain your oral health. When choosing a toothpaste, make sure you buy a product with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. They’ve done their research! Toothpastes with the Seal must contain fluoride and meet the ADA’s requirements for “safety and efficacy in reducing tooth decay.” So, look for their seal on any tube of toothpaste you are considering for your home oral care.
Next, you’ll want to consider your oral health care needs and priorities. Here are a few examples:
- Whiter Teeth: You can achieve a brighter, more confident smile with a whitening toothpaste. Look for a tube with ingredients such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide; these are effective whitening agents. Please note whitening toothpastes can use abrasives and/or chemicals to polish teeth and eliminate surface stains, which may trigger a reaction in some people. FDA also provides both in-house and at-home whitening treatment options. Please give us a call to schedule a consultation with Dr. B or Dr. K if you’d like to learn more!
- Tartar Control: If your check-up revealed that you have a tartar issue, you may want to look for a toothpaste with extra tart control. Tartar is a hardened form of dental plaque and can lead to gum disease. Please note that tartar control toothpaste may cause sensitivity for some individuals.
- Sensitive Teeth: If you find yourself reacting when you come in contact with food or drinks that are cold or hot, you likely have sensitive teeth. There are a variety of reasons you may be experiencing sensitivity, from exposed dentin or receding gums. Fortunately, there are also toothpaste that can help lessen your sensitivity symptoms. For example, toothpastes with potassium nitrate can help soothe nerve endings, while toothpastes with chlorhexidine can help reduce plaque and prevent gum disease. One product we carry at FDA is MI Paste, which is fortified with calcium, fluoride and phosphate and helps replace minerals lost in the tooth’s structure. If you have concerns about your teeth sensitivity, your first step should be to come in for an appointment with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos so they can assess your oral health and help you find the product that will best alleviate your sensitivity symptoms.
- All-Natural Ingredients: If you’re interested in a more organic lifestyle, consider an all-natural toothpaste free of harsh chemicals. For example, ingredients in traditional toothpastes, such as SLS, which acts as a foaming agent, can irritate some people’s gums. Choosing a natural toothpaste can be a great choice for both your oral health and the health of the planet!
- Toothpaste for Kids: We love getting kids to brush and often hear from our littlest patients that the taste of their toothpaste is important. Fortunately, you can now find way more exciting options than just minty fresh! From a berry-blast to a bubblegum sparkle, there are all sorts of fun flavor options out there. Beyond flavor, toothpaste for kids can often feature their favorite cartoon characters as well. Empower your little ones to participate in their oral care by letting them choose their own toothpaste.
Whatever tube of toothpaste you choose, make sure you brush those beautiful teeth of yours twice a day. If you still have questions about the best toothpaste for you, please give us a call at 207.781.5900. We’re here to be your partner in oral health!
Jun 4, 2024
June marks the beginning of summer, which means summer vacation is here! However, that doesn’t mean you can take a vacation from your oral hygiene routine. At FDA, we’re your partner in oral health and here to help you develop a home routine that will keep you healthy and happy. After all, taking care of your teeth and gums is an important part of maintaining your overall health. Here are four easy tips to keep you smiling your way through summer.
Hydrate!
When the weather heats up, stay hydrated! Drinking enough water is good for your body and good for your teeth and gums. Like saliva, drinking plenty of water can help rinse away food particles and cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. Plus nothing beats a cold glass of water on a hot day!
Floss on the Go!
Flossing is one of the best things you can do for your oral health. Floss gets into the nooks and crannies between your teeth that brushing alone doesn’t reach, removing plaque and bacteria. We know how hard it can be to incorporate flossing into your daily routine, and even harder when you’re packing in all the summer fun. Do yourself and your gums a favor by flossing on the go! Many of our hygienists swear by the floss picks, Plackers. Toss a few into your beach bag or suitcase so you can floss your way to a healthier smile!
Avoid Chewing Ice!
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy icy, cold beverages. Many people love to crunch on the ice after they finish the drink, but this bad habit can damage your teeth! Ice is hard enough to crack a tooth and we often see patients with chipped teeth. If you do chip a tooth, fret not, Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos can help repair any damage done, often in as little as two visits!
Visit the FDA Team!
An easy way to take care of your oral health is to come in for regular cleanings and check-ups with our compassionate team of oral health care professionals. Beat the heat and come in for an appointment in our cool and comfortable office. We’ll give you a thorough cleaning and check for cavities and gum disease, as well as do an oral cancer screening. Regular appointments with Dr. B & Dr. K can help prevent larger dental issues from developing and will keep your smile going strong.
If you need to schedule your next appointment, please give us a call at 207.781.5900. We’re here to provide you with the highest quality dental care in every season!
Dec 1, 2023
Winter is coming and along with it cold temperatures and dry air. You’ve probably noticed the seasonal shift impacts your skin, but did you know the cold weather can also cause some dental issues? Perhaps you’ve felt increased sensitivity in your teeth and tighter jaw muscles. FDA to the rescue! To help keep your mouth and your teeth happy and healthy all winter long, we wanted to share some cold weather dental tips.
Bundle Up!
This may seem obvious for anyone who has experienced a Maine winter, but staying warm can be good for your oral health. People who suffer from TMJ disorder (a tight jaw) or bruxism (teeth clenching) may notice their jaw is more tense in the cold weather. Get a cozy scarf or sweater and keep warm; it will help you to clench your teeth and tighten your jaw less.
Drink Water!
Less moisture in the air can lead to your mouth producing less saliva. Saliva is crucial to your oral health; it helps rinse away food debris and bacteria that could lead to tooth decay. Staying hydrated and drinking water will help! It is good for your overall health as well as beneficial for your oral health. Drink up!
Use Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth!
People with sensitive teeth sometimes experience sharp pain in their teeth when they enjoy hot or cold beverages. Sensitivity can also be triggered by cold temperatures in the air. This often stems from broken down tooth enamel which exposes the tissue underneath, known as dentin. This winter, try brushing your teeth with a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth. We have a couple of products we recommend, such as MI Paste and Fluoridex. Ask for more information at your next appointment!
Come in for Regular Appointments with FDA!
No matter what time of year it is, good oral health care always includes regular visits with the caring and compassionate team at FDA. If you need to schedule a cleaning or have questions about your oral health this winter, please give us a call at 207.781.5900. We’re here to help!
Nov 3, 2023
November is here and Thanksgiving is around the corner. It’s a good time to pause and reflect on what you are grateful for right now. At FDA, we have so many reasons to be thankful! To celebrate the season, we wanted to share with you what is number one on our gratitude list…
Our Patients!
We are so grateful for you – our family of patients. Thank you for trusting us with your oral health care! We have dedicated our lives to helping our patients have the healthy smiles of their dreams and are honored to be a part of your health care team.
Our team of compassionate dental professionals is committed to providing patient comfort while also providing the highest quality dental care. We want you to feel confident in your understanding of dental health so that you can always make the best decisions for your well being. If you have questions, we are always happy to go deeper with you into your treatment options and home care. We love educating our patients about oral hygiene best practices as well as the importance of a healthy diet. Our goal is to develop a partnership with you. We wouldn’t be here without you, so thank you for helping us do the work we love.
What are you grateful for this season? We’d love to hear from you – let us know at your next appointment or comment on our Facebook page. If you have any questions about your oral health or need to come in for a cleaning to show your teeth some gratitude, please give us a call at 207.781.5900.
Jun 1, 2023
June is Oral Health Month which makes it a great time to review the best practices for optimal oral health. At FDA, we work closely with our patients to design a home health care regime because one of the most powerful ways you can support your oral health is to establish a strong preventative care routine. Preventative care includes any actions patients take to prevent disease and maintain a healthy smile. Here are our top preventative care tips that will help you keep your teeth sparkly and healthy!
A good oral care routine is important, especially when it comes to preventative care. Your healthy habits can prevent cavities and gum disease and will keep you smiling. We recommend:
- Brush twice a day. Use a soft-bristled brush and be gentle with your teeth and gums. Super-charge your brushing with an electric toothbrush!
- Floss once a day. We know it’s hard to stay consistent with flossing, but it is so crucial for your oral health. If you find flossing difficult, try a water flosser or use a product like ‘Go-Betweens’ or ‘Plackers.’ Find an option that works for you and stick with it!
- Eat a healthy diet. Get your vitamins and minerals from healthy foods like yogurt, dark leafy greens, almonds, and apples. They are good for your body and for your teeth!
- Schedule regular visits with one of our Hygiene team. Regular hygienist appointments allow us to fully support your oral health and catch oral health issues before they develop into larger problems. From our oral exams to 3D x-rays, and from our cleanings to cancer screenings, we provide care that will keep your mouth healthy and help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. We are your partner in oral health!
If you have questions about your preventative oral health routine or need to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 207.781.5900.
Mar 3, 2023
March 5 – 11 is Dental Assistant Recognition Week, and it’s the perfect time to acknowledge and celebrate the versatile, multi-talented, compassionate, and amazing Dental Assistants we have at FDA! Our team – Caitlin, Mary, Mirela, and Pat – excel at creating a caring and supportive environment for our patients! We are so grateful for the hard work and dedication to continually learning the latest dental skills and techniques. They help make FDA the best dental practice in Maine! Here are some quotes from the team on why they love what they do!
Caitlin received her dental assistant training while serving in the United States Air Force. “I enjoy learning about dental procedures and helping patients. Even after four years, I still learn something new every day!”
Mary has worked in the dental field since 1995, many of those years at FDA. For Mary, the dental care here is excellent in part because of the encouragement and support that staff members receive to take continuing education classes. “We’re constantly improving our knowledge,” she explains. “These courses help us to communicate well together, which is very important.”
Mirela has worked in the dental field since 2003 and spent years in pediatric dentistry. “Everyone at FDA really cares – about patients and each other – and that’s what makes it work. When your co-workers create a comfortable environment for you then you can make it more comfortable for your patients in turn. It makes for a very warm and caring atmosphere.”
Pat has been a Certified Dental Assistant for over 17 years and loves helping patients feel relaxed and at ease during their dental appointments. “There are people who dread coming and some are very fearful. I understand the anxiety of these patients. I hope my presence, compassion, and experience as a Dental Assistant helps everyone have a better experience when coming here.”
Thank you, Caitlin, Mary, Mirela, & Pat!
If you need to schedule your next appointment, please call at 207.781.5900. Our wonderful dental assistants, along with Dr. Brunacini, Dr. Karagiorgos, and the rest of the team, are here to provide you with the best oral care possible!
