Jun 20, 2012
Sure – snoring is annoying. But can it actually be deadly?
No – this does not mean being strangled in the middle of the night by a severely annoyed spouse or partner, as tempting as that may be! But the fact is, snoring is often related to sleep apnea, a condition where the body is deprived of oxygen during a night of heavy zzzzz’s.
One obvious problem this causes is being tired during the day, contributing to automobile and workplace accidents. But even worse, sleep apnea, which is experienced by 30 million Americans, has been scientifically linked to obesity, high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks and diabetes. So if that low rumbling sound that keeps the entire neighborhood awake isn’t enough, now there is much more reason for concern.
But wait – it actually gets worse. A study performed at The University of Wisconsin School Of Medicine has just shown a significant link between sleep apnea and cancer, showing this condition increases the risk of cancer death by almost a factor of five!
“This is really big news,” said Dr. Joseph Golish, a professor of sleep medicine with the MetroHealth System in Cleveland. “It’s the first time this has been shown, and it looks like a very solid association,” he said.
There is no doubt that snoring can be much more serious than just a nighttime disturbance. So what can you do if you or a loved one may suffer from sleep apnea?
Fortunately, there are many ways to have this condition treated, all the way from simple dental appliances, to surgery, to wearing nighttime contraptions that make you look (and sound) like Darth Vader! Your dentist and physician can recommend the appropriate treatment for you.
At Falmouth Dental Arts, we would be glad to take a look and discuss your snoring issues or any other dental questions you may have. Just give us a call at 207-781-5900 and we will get you in right away! Let’s make tonight a quiet one!!
Feb 24, 2012
At Falmouth Dental Arts, the office of Dr. Glen Knock and Dr. Brian Brunacini, we take dentistry very seriously. But believe it or not, teeth can be fun!
Here are ten wild and crazy dental facts that will make you smile and improve your health as well.
- The average human produces 25,000 quarts of saliva in a lifetime. That is enough spit to fill 2 swimming pools!
- You should not keep your toothbrush near a toilet. The airborne particles from the flush can travel up to a distance of 6 feet. Yuck!
- People who drink 3 or more glasses of soda each day have 62% more tooth decay, fillings and tooth loss than others. Put down the pop and sports drinks and pick up some nice fresh water instead.
- In 1994, a prison inmate in West Virginia braided dental floss into a rope, scaled the wall and escaped. (We suggest that you use floss to clean between your teeth instead of climbing prison walls! If you don’t, you are missing around 35% of your teeth’s surfaces.)
- You should replace your toothbrush at least every three months, and always after you have an episode of flu, cold or other viral infections. Notorious bacteria can implant themselves on the toothbrush bristles leading to re-infection.
- Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. However, we do not recommend that you use your pearly whites to open bottle caps!
- The standard advice to “see your dentist twice a year” was actually invented by an ad agency for Pepsodent toothpaste! Your dental professional should recommend the correct schedule for your regular dental visits.
- A recent poll has shown that health professionals (physicians, dentists and nurses) were among the most trusted people in The United States. The least trusted? Lobbyists and congressmen of course!
- According to a recent survey done by Time Magazine, 59% of Americans would rather have a dental appointment than be sitting next to someone talking on a cell phone. Maybe some of us should take a hint!
- Over three out of four people in the United States suffer from some form of gum disease. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in people over age 35. The good news is, in most cases gum disease can be prevented or controlled!
At Falmouth Dental Arts, we are here for you, and want to help you achieve the best smile possible. If you have any questions about your dental health or need to schedule an appointment, please give us a call today at 207-781-5900. We can help you!
Also – did you know that we are now on Facebook? Please go to www. facebook.com/falmouthdentalarts and “like” us for more dental health tips, community news, contests, special offers and all kinds of other fun stuff!
Nov 14, 2011
When you come in for your dental visit, you may notice that we do a lot more than examine your teeth and gums.
One of the most importan parts of your visit is when we ask you questions about your general health. But many people have said to us:
“What does that have to do with my dental checkup?”
The answer – a lot!
More and more research is being published linking dental health to overall health, and at Falmouth Dental Arts we are concerned about both!
Did you know that diabetes, especially when it is undiagnosed, can be a huge factor in gum disease, eventually causing tooth loss?
A recent study by Columbia University concluded:
“Gum disease is an early complication of diabetes.” It continues: “Since 70% of adults see a dentist at least once a year this is a perfect opportunity to screen for diabetes and other diseases.”
According to a recent article in The British Dental Journal, it works the other way around, too, as gum disease can be a contributing factor in heart disease, oral cancer and other illnesses.
Are you taking any medications, either prescription or over-the-counter? Many of these can lead to dry mouth, gum inflammation, and other dental problems.
And it’s even more complicated for women, as hormonal changes, pregnancy, and oral contraceptives can cause many changes in dental health. (Isn’t everything more complicated for women!?)
So the good news is, unlike a visit to your physician – you get to keep your clothes on and won’t be poked and prodded anywhere other than your mouth! But as you can see, it is extremely important that we know about your total physical health and any medications you are taking. Not only can we save your teeth – we may actually save your life!
If you want to know more about your dental health and how it relates to your overall health, please let us know. If you have any questions or want to schedule your next appointment, just give us a call at 781-5900. We are here for you!
Jul 13, 2011
Dr. Brian Brunacini
We are excited to announce that Dr. Brian Brunacini will be joining our practice in July!
Dr. Brunacini graduated from The Ohio State University in 2009. Since graduation, he has worked as an associate in Rockport, Maine. He is interested in sedation dentistry as well as the surgical aspects of dentistry, such as dental implants.
He is a member of the American Dental Association and the Maine State Dental Association. He stays busy taking numerous continuing education classes, such as classes at the Frank Spear Institute.
Dr. Brunacini enjoys working as a team in order to be able to provide the most comfortable and satisfying appointment possible. It is very important to be sure the patient is being listened to in order to fully be satisfied with the dental treatment. He looks forward to joining the team at Falmouth Dental Arts, and continue the consistent and excellent dentistry for the patients.
He is an avid sports and music fan. He has been married to his wife, Jenny, since 2009, and they both look forward to becoming part of the community here at Falmouth Dental Arts.
Jun 20, 2011
Your Teeth Deserve A Vacation!
The suitcases are packed, the car is loaded, the dog is at the kennel – and it’s time for summer vacation!! There is no better time for relaxing at the beach, exploring a fascinating city, or enjoying the outdoors. Being miles away from home always makes it less stressful and more fun too!
But being miles away from home means that you are also far from us – your favorite dental office! And while there is no way to prevent a dental emergency from happening while you are away from home, there are a few items you can bring on vacation to make things more pleasant should an emergency situation emergency arise. You can even throw them together into a cosmetics bag and make your own “Dental Emergency Kit!”
Here are some items to include:
Pain relief: Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil or generic) is usually safe and effective to use for minor dental discomfort.
Lost filling or crown: “Dentemp One Step Filling Material” is a good temporary solution for replacing a crown (cap) or protecting an area exposed by a lost filling. This is available at most drug stores and on the internet.
Broken denture: “The D.O.C. Denture Repair Kit” works as a short term measure to adhere a lost denture tooth or repair a cracked denture. Also available at drug stores and online.
Lost tooth: Carry a prescription medicine vial. Should an accident occur and an adult tooth is lost with the root intact – DO NOT clean or handle the root. Place it in the medicine vial along with some liquid (preferably milk) and seek dental attention immediately.
Food or other item stuck between teeth: This can be a very uncomfortable situation, so be sure to have dental floss on hand to remove any item stuck between the teeth. Hey – you should be carrying dental floss anyway!!
Cuts on gums, lips or tongue: Clean gauze or cloth. As with bleeding anywhere on the body, pressure with a clean gauze or cloth is the first line of treatment. If bleeding does not stop, seek medical attention immediately.
For many minor dental irritations of the teeth, gums and mouth, a good old-fashioned warm salt water rinse can give temporary relief. We are not big fans of medications like Anbesol Gel as there are many side effects and over usage can harm the mouth tissues.
So there you have it – your very own travel dental emergency kit! The most important thing to remember is that all of the solutions presented here are temporary in nature. Should any emergency arise, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible.
At the office of Drs. Knock, Vocal and Brunacini, we are always here for you, even if you are far away from home. If you have any questions about a dental emergency or anything else dental related, please give us a call at 207-781-5900. Have a safe, healthy summer vacation, and don’t forget to brush and floss!
Apr 25, 2011
Recently a famous celebrity doctor (whose last name sounds like a land where Dorothy from Kansas found a great and powerful wizard) recommended a simple at-home whitening formula. The recipe? Coat your teeth with a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice before brushing.
Does this really work? Well, it certainly may remove some stains. But unfortunately it can also be a recipe for disaster.
Lemon juice is an acid, so even though fruits are generally healthy, large concentrations of the juice can actually wear away enamel, the hard outer layer of your teeth. Once that erodes, not only are teeth quite unattractive – they are incredibly prone to cavities and difficult to repair.
Baking soda is an abrasive material, kind of like sandpaper. So even though in very small amounts it can polish your teeth nicely, use the wrong amount and you may as well be sanding your teeth away!
Our suggestion?
Put the lemon in your tea and use baking soda in the kitchen! When it comes to whitening your teeth, your best bet is to ask a dental professional.
Over-the-counter whitening toothpastes and whitening products from the drug store can do a decent job on lightly stained teeth, especially for those in their late teens and early twenties. But we find that most people who express the desire for whiter teeth need what only a dental office can offer.
There are many different treatments available, from take home systems with custom molded trays to much stronger products that must be supervised by a dentist. At Falmouth Dental Arts, we will be glad to tell you which one is right for you. Or we may even recommend that you keep your teeth as they are!
As far as that TV doctor – we wish him the best and hope he doesn’t grind his teeth away. When it comes to dental advice, please ask a member of the dental profession!
Please remember that at Falmouth Dental Arts, we are here for you! If you have any questions about this or anything else concerning your dental health, please give us a call at 207-781-5900, or visit our website at www.portlandmainedentists.com
