Sep 30, 2013
Lucky you, you live in New England in the fall! Many of us take the change of seasons for granted, lamenting the fading daylight and dropping temperatures, but remember: there’s a reason tourist season doesn’t end in September! From ripening pumpkin patches to winding cornfield mazes, Maine’s natural beauty is reason alone to get out and enjoy the clear skies, changing leaves, and crisp autumn air. But, you should also consider the abundance of health benefits that you gain simply by getting outdoors, and one activity in particular has a number of benefits for your oral health!
What we are referring to, of course is an apple-picking expedition! This fall favorite will get you active outside and you will get to take home some delicious (and healthy!) fall produce. Not only do outdoor activities provide physical benefits, studies have shown that exposure to the foliage and open air can improve your concentration, elevate your mood, and promote stress relief. So, this fall, be healthy, have fun, and enjoy the weather while it lasts!
15 Benefits of Eating Apples
Autumn, also known as apple-picking season, is finally upon us, so we thought we’d take a moment to remind you just how healthy those delicious fruits are:
- Get whiter, healthier teeth – Munching on an apple increases salivation, which reduces tooth decay by lowering your mouth’s bacteria level.
- Avoid Alzheimer’s – Drinking apple juice can help keep Alzheimer’s at bay and fight the effects of aging on the brain.
- Protect against Parkinson’s – People who eat fruits and other high-fiber foods gain protection against Parkinson’s through antioxidants.
- Curb all sorts of cancers – Eating flavonol-rich apples can help reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer by up to 23 percent, while compounds in apple peels have potent anti-growth activities against cancer cells in the liver, colon, and breast.
- Decrease your risk of diabetes – Women who eat at least one apple a day are 28 percent less likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes due to the soluble fiber in the fruit.
- Reduce cholesterol – The soluble fiber in apples binds with fats in the intestines, lowering cholesterol levels.
- Get a healthier heart – An extensive body of research has linked high soluble fiber intake with a slower buildup of cholesterol-rich plaque in your arteries.
- Prevent gallstones – Doctors recommend a diet rich in fiber to prevent gallstones, which are a product of high cholesterol levels.
- Beat diarrhea and constipation – Without getting too graphic, the fiber in apples can both absorb water from the colon when you’re constipated and absorb excess water from your stool to slow your bowels down.
- Neutralize irritable bowel syndrome – To control the symptoms of IBS, doctors recommend staying away from dairy and fatty foods while including a diet high in fiber.
- Avert hemorrhoids – Going hand-in-hand with the control of constipation, hemorrhoids can be avoided with a high fiber intake, which prevents too much straining in the bathroom.
- Control your weight – Foods that are high in fiber will fill you up quickly while keeping your caloric intake low.
- Detoxify your liver – Apples and other fruits are one of the best things you can eat to clear toxins out of your liver.
- Boost your immune system – Red apples contain the antioxidant Quercetin, which, studies have shown, can help boost and strengthen your immune system.
- Prevent cataracts – Long-term studies suggest that people whose diets contain an abundance of antioxidant-rich fruit like apples are 10 to 15 percent less likely to develop cataracts.
http://www.besthealthmag.ca/eat-well/nutrition/15-health-benefits-of-eating-apples
Nov 8, 2012
While many of you may have already met Brian Brunacini, DDS, we’d like to introduce those who have not had the pleasure. Known around here as Dr. Brian, he was drawn to Falmouth Dental Arts because of our great staff and interest in using the best in cutting-edge techology.
Dr. Brian enjoys helping patients improve their dental and overall health, as well as building lasting patient relationships. Since joining our practice, he has completed an oral conscious sedation course and is working toward placing implants and performing surgery. Read more about Dr. Brian in his full bio on our web site.
Does Dr. Brian seem like the dentist for you? Give us a ring at 207.781.5900 and we’ll schedule a new patient appointment for you. It’s never too late to find just the right dentist, in just the right office!
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.
