Oct 11, 2016
We all know how packed candies are with sugars, but during Halloween the temptation for sweet treats is too great to resist. A few pieces here and there are fine to eat in moderation, but too many candies will load devilish sugars on our teeth and eat away at our enamel if we don’t follow a proper brushing and flossing routine. How can we enjoy Halloween’s customary perks of eating candy while maintaining good oral health? There are several ways you can do both during this year’s festive night.
- Limit time eating candy. The amount of time your teeth are exposed to sugary candies plays a big role in maintaining proper oral health. If you eat a meal and treat yourself to a piece or two of candy immediately after, your teeth are better off. This is because saliva production increases when you eat meals and cancels out the acid bacteria produces in your mouth. By eating candy directly after a meal, your saliva will help rinse away food particles and candy sugars quickly.
- Choose candies sensibly. Hard candies are the absolute worst. The amount of time they linger in your mouth, spreading sugars along your teeth, can contribute to tooth decay. Similarly, if you bite down on a hard sucker you may risk cracking a molar. To be safe, choose candies like chocolates that disappear quickly. Your teeth will be exposed to sugars much shorter this way.
- Avoid sticky candies. Candy like taffy, caramel, and gummies stick to your teeth relentlessly. Long after you’ve finished chewing, particles of these sticky treats may remain stuck to your molars, eating away at your enamel. You want to be sure you avoid these dental threats as best you can to reduce the chances of getting tooth decay.
- Brush, floss, and drink water. Of course, if you can’t avoid sneaking in a few candies during October’s customary holiday, remember to take care of your teeth after snacking. Brush well, floss, and drink water. Following this routine after consuming sugary snacks (or any meal) is good practice to maintain optimal oral health.
This Halloween, try out some of our tips to enjoy a tooth-friendly holiday. Don’t forget to schedule your next cleaning, if it’s not on the calendar already. Call us at (207) 781-5900 to book an appointment.
Sep 20, 2016
Many of us are familiar with ozone, the triple bonded oxygen molecule, because of the role it plays in our atmosphere. When used in dentistry, ozone therapy can have amazing oral health benefits and it is one of a handful of holistic options we offer at Falmouth Dental Arts.
Ozone is a very effective oxidizer: the molecule itself carries a strong negative charge. This negative charge is attracted to the positive charges found on many harmful pathogens, such as bacteria, amoebas, and fungi. When bonded to a negatively charged cell membrane, the ozone causes a rupture which kills the pathogen, as illustrated here. Compared to chlorine, one molecule of ozone kills pathogens 3,000 to 10,000 times more efficiently and 3,500 times faster.
The cell membranes of our own cells and helpful parasites contain antioxidants that do not react with ozone. Therefore, ozone therapy has no effect on the cells we want to keep intact. In this way, ozone therapy is a great tool for treating oral infection and disease with a naturally occurring, broad spectrum substance with no toxicity or side effects.
We’ve outlined specific uses of ozone in dentistry. Feel free to give us a call to make your next holistic dental appointment.
Ozone Uses
Cavities
Ozone gas can be used to treat cavities. The gas allows ozone to seep into the deepest grooves and pits of the teeth. In addition to killing bacteria on contact, ozone promotes the re-calcification of tooth structure, which increases tooth strength and reduced sensitivity. If a cavity has developed and needs a restoration, a tooth-colored composite filling will be placed after the cavity has been removed and the tooth has been sterilized with ozone.
Gum Disease
Used in combinations of gas and liquid, ozone is an ideal adjunct treatment for gum disease, which is often caused by bacteria. Ozone gas and ozonated water can be applied to gum tissue and the gum pockets where it will oxidize and kill the “bad” bacteria that are destroying connective tissues. This will promote healing and increase the treatment’s success rate.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is a routine procedure used to treat an infection within the pulp chamber of a tooth. Ozonated water or ozone gas can be used during the root canal procedure to kill existing bacteria, sterilize the root canal tubules and accessory canals, and promote faster healing. In gas form, ozone can reach places other techniques and products cannot. This ensures successful treatment in the long term.
Sensitivity
Teeth that have become weakened, worn down, or have receding gums may become overly sensitive. Ozone gas can be used to harden the existing tooth structure and close off the pores on the root surface, which decreases the tooth’s sensitivity. This treatment has a high success rate and can mean the end of avoiding favorite foods or drink.
Ozone for All!
Here in the office we are able to generate ozone by using pure medical grade oxygen passed through a corona discharge generator. This will produce therapeutic ozone in the form of liquid or gas. Our ozone generator allows us to produce pure, contaminate free, predictable and precise concentrations of therapeutic ozone. Ozone is safe, effective, and produces no byproducts. It simply breaks down into oxygen and water.
Ozone has no associated medical complications. We are therefore able to use ozone on all of our patients regardless of age, health, or medication use. It is a wonderful adjunct treatment that helps boost the success rate of almost any dental treatment. Give us a call to learn more about using ozone at your next appointment.
ozone therapy
Sep 19, 2016
Our goal is to provide you with high quality patient care in a team building relationship while delivering the best oral health care possible to our patients. Since dental insurance is offered in a variety of packages, we thought you might benefit from answers to questions we frequently hear.
What do I receive for services at your office?
- Our office offers preventative services, such as cleanings and digital x-rays. We also offer more extensive services like fillings, crowns and bridges, implants, and dentures.
How do I obtain dental insurance?
- While dental insurance for some is an employee benefit, for others it may be an individually purchased dental plan.
- Benefits are determined based on the coverage purchased, by either the employer or employee.
- Most dental plans follow what is known as the 100%, 80%, 50% model that corresponds to three types of procedures. Please keep in mind that the following are general rules and that each policy could be different.
Type 1 Diagnostic/Preventative – routine dental cleanings, exams, x-rays, oral cancer screenings, sealants, and fluoride treatments. Many dental insurance plans cover close to 100% of costs associated with Type 1 procedures.
Type 2 Basic/Restorative – composite restorations (white fillings), root canals, extractions, periodontal cleanings, and periodontal root debridements (treating periodontal disease). Many dental insurance plans cover close to 80% of costs associated with Type 2 procedures.
Type 3 Major – crowns, crown buildups, bridges, implant crowns, and dentures. Many dental insurance plans cover close to 50% of costs associated with Type 3 procedures.
What does my plan cover?
- It’s important to check your individual dental coverage before having dental services rendered. Many dental insurance companies have exclusions, waiting periods, and annual or bi-annual dental maximums along with varying deductibles and co-pays.
Do I have dental insurance benefits left for this year?
- Ask our front office team to assist you in finding out what your remaining individual benefits are.
Will I lose those benefits if I don’t utilize them?
- Yes and no. With some plans, you will lose your dental benefits if you don’t use them by year end while other plans have a small rollover feature. We can help you find the specifics for your policy.
If you still have questions related to dental insurance, please give us a call at 207-781-5900 and our office staff will assist you in any way we can.
Aug 22, 2016
If you’ve recently visited us for a cleaning, you may have noticed a new tool in our dental arsenal, the polishing toothpaste Proganics All Natural Prophy Paste. The addition of this polishing paste is part of a larger effort to provide our patients with healthy and holistic alternatives to conventional dental products.
“Many traditional polishing pastes contain large amounts of fluoride and other chemicals,” says Dr. Brian Brunacini. He further explains, “Past wisdom stated that fluoride was important for healthy teeth. We now know that high levels of fluoride could lead to fluorosis, a discoloring of the teeth. In an effort to reduce the cumulative effect of fluoride in the body, we have become much more cautious with the amount of fluoride our patients encounter.”
Proganics All Natural Prophy Paste contains no fluoride and is composed of 100% all-natural ingredients. The main ingredient is naturally occurring bentonite clay, known for its natural teeth-whitening properties and ability to regulate pH; it simultaneously keeps your teeth sparkling while neutralizing harmful acids. Other ingredients include alkalized ionic minerals and calcium carbonate, important substances for effective dental re-mineralization.
If you’re interested in learning more about the holistic methods we offer, please read our Holistic Dentistry page or give us a call at 207-781-5900.
prophy paste holistic dentistry
Aug 17, 2016
People from afar may be surprised to hear that summer days in New England can reach temperatures in the 90s. Though our summer is short, the occasional intensely hot day in August should be respected. One of the dangers associated with being outside on a hot day is dehydration, which can cause mild to severe symptoms throughout the body, including low blood pressure, fever, and delirium. Oral health is not immune to the dangers of dehydration, which is why we want to keep you informed about what you can do to stay hydrated while you enjoy the summer.
Cavities and Dehydration
Since dehydration is a lack of water in the body, and since saliva is comprised mostly of water, it follows that dehydration leads to dry mouth. Besides being uncomfortable, a perpetually dry mouth can contribute to the formation of cavities. Studies have shown that saliva is important for oral health because of its antibacterial properties. Less saliva means more bacteria. When combined with a mouth full of sugary summer food, like trail mix or sweet bbq sauce, the risk of developing caries, the precursor to cavities, rises.
Staying hydrated will help keep our oral health intact. You may be thinking, “That’s easy, right? Drink water.” Well, maintaining hydration is dependent on what activity you’re doing – it could be as simple as drinking water, but it could involve some research. Below are some tips on how to stay hydrated whether you’re lounging by the pool or running a marathon.
Simply Enjoying the Sunshine
You may think you are not at risk for dehydration if you’re outside on a hot day, but not engaged in physical activity. However, a hot enough day can cause you to lose significant amounts of water even when your body is at rest. If you are lounging by the pool or hanging out at an outdoor gathering, there is probably a water source nearby – be sure to drink frequently.
Hiking
Staying hydrated while hiking can be a bit complicated. You will have to drink more water than you would if your body was at rest. Additionally, you will have to carry all of your drinkable water with you; or, if backpacking, find it during the hike. Nothing can be more stressful than running out of water during a hike, but a little planning can help you avoid this situation.
Before you leave, find out how long the hike will be in terms of miles and hours. On average, you should drink one cup for every half hour you are hiking. You will sweat more if you’re hiking steep terrain rather than level ground, so plan to bring extra water if you’re conquering Mt. Washington. It also helps to drink a significant amount of water before you start hiking. Last, if you’re hiking in the back country or backpacking, find out ahead of time what and where your available water sources will be and plan accordingly.
Long Distance Running
Long distance runners are particularly susceptible to dehydration on a hot day due to an excessive loss of salt. When we sweat, we lose water and salt. Most activities don’t cause enough salt loss to become worrisome, but long distance running and other high exertion exercises are exceptions. Though we may think of salt as having a dehydrating quality to it, salt helps the body retain water. Too much or too little salt can be dangerous: balance is the goal. You can replenish lost salts by consuming drinks that contain electrolytes, rather than plain water.
If you have concerns about cavities, mouth pain, or any other oral health issues, we encourage you to call us at (207) 781-5900 for care.
