Jun 17, 2026
If you’re visiting a new dentist, it’s natural to have questions about what to expect. At Falmouth Dental Arts, our comprehensive exam is designed to help us get to know you, understand your oral health needs, and create a personalized plan for your smile.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through your first visit so you know exactly what to expect.
What Do I Need to Know Before I Go?
Before you head to Falmouth Dental Arts, it’s a good idea to plan on arriving ten to fifteen minutes early. This gives you time to finish any paperwork before your appointment begins. Initial exam appointments can be made via the New Patient Appointments webpage or by phone. Our practice gives patients the option to complete necessary forms on paper or digitally.
What Should I Expect When I Arrive?
When you arrive at Falmouth Dental Arts, you’ll be greeted by our friendly front office team and guided through each step of your visit. After checking in, the wait is typically minimal before your clinician brings you to the treatment room.
What Happens at the Start of a Comprehensive Exam?
The first part of your visit helps us learn more about you and your oral health. Your dental hygienist will introduce themselves, learn about you, take your blood pressure, and review your medical history. They will then gather important information about your oral health.
This process includes:
- Taking any necessary X-rays
- Creating your digital dental chart, curating the “map to the mouth” that tracks your dental history and current conditions
- Performing oral cancer screenings
- Assessing your gum health
- Photographing your teeth and smile
Gathering all of this information helps us to provide the most complete picture of your oral health and allows us to make the best recommendations for your care. Our team is committed to providing thorough, high-quality dental care.
What Happens Towards the End of My Appointment?
A comprehensive exam at Falmouth Dental Arts typically takes about two hours. This allows our team to gather a complete picture of your oral health, discuss your concerns, and develop personalized recommendations for your care. Depending on your individual needs, some portions of the initial appointment may be completed over multiple visits to accommodate scheduling preferences or treatment priorities.
As your appointment progresses, your dental hygienist and the doctor will review the information gathered during the exam, assess your oral health needs, and discuss any concerns you may have. Based on their findings, treatment may include:
- A preventive dental cleaning
- Gingival therapy
- Supportive periodontal therapy
- Recommendations for future periodontal treatment with our hygiene team or dental treatment with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos
You’ll also spend time with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos during your visit. They will review your records, discuss your oral health goals, answer your questions, and get to know you. This time helps us answer your questions, learn more about your goals and concerns, and create a treatment plan that fits your needs.
Now That the Appointment Is Over, What Do I Do?
After your appointment, you will be escorted back to the waiting room. There, one of our friendly front office team members will take over and assist you with checking out.
While Falmouth Dental Arts is out of network with all insurance companies, we work with most plans. If you do have insurance, Falmouth Dental Arts will bill your insurance company on your behalf and send a bill for the remainder, if any. Patients can pay balances via the Falmouth Dental Arts website, mail, phone call, or text-to-pay technology. For those without insurance, payment is asked for at time of service.
Future appointment scheduling is based on individual dental health needs. Most patients come in every six months for their recare appointment, but recommended frequency is determined by your individual needs. FDA prioritizes convenience by sending out automated text reminders for appointments two weeks, forty-eight hours and the day of your visit. Patients can make their next appointment at their initial comprehensive exam checkout for seamless scheduling.
Initial Comprehensive Exams With FDA
Everyone’s teeth and needs are different, so while FDA’s personalized care plans aim to address the specific dental health concerns patients may have, we also seek to educate patients about our in-office procedures.
FDA’s initial exam process maps the past and present of your oral health to ensure a bright future for you and your teeth. Between in-office treatments and at-home care, FDA works with you to create and maintain a healthy smile you’re happy to show off.
Whether you’re looking to schedule an initial comprehensive exam or have questions about what Falmouth Dental Arts can do for you, we’re always here to help.
Jun 16, 2026
Summer vacation season is here, and we understand how exciting it is to take a break and enjoy the warmer months. Breaks in routine can make it difficult to keep up with oral health practices. No matter where you travel this summer, remember to take care of your smile.
Here are a few simple ways to keep your smile healthy while you’re on vacation this summer.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water seems to be the first suggestion for anything health-related, including dental health. In truth, staying hydrated does much more than prevent dry mouth discomfort on a day-to-day basis.
Staying hydrated helps your mouth produce saliva, which naturally protects your teeth and gums. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help reduce bad breath, wash away food particles, and lower your risk of tooth decay.
Travel Light – But Bring Your Dental Care Tools With You
When traveling, it’s nice to pack light for plenty of reasons, but practicality shouldn’t have you skipping out on maintaining your dental health. Instead, bring travel-sized dental care tools with you.
- Travel toothbrush and toothpaste: Maintain your twice-a-day brushing routine on a smaller scale with a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste set.
- Compact mouthwash: A 3.4-ounce bottle of mouthwash is perfect for air travel. Add it to your packing list for its antibacterial and breath-freshening properties.
- Sugar-free gum: The fun part! Chewing sugar-free gum can strengthen tooth enamel, clear food particles, and stimulate saliva to reduce plaque acid. It also comes in different flavors.
- Travel-sized floss: Flossing is easy to forget, but you run less of the risk with a travel floss container on hand.
The best part is that you can reuse and customize your travel dental kit for every trip. Your teeth will thank you, and your suitcase won’t mind.
Eat a Dentally Healthy Diet
Vacations are the perfect time to try new eats like cultural dishes, street foods, and trending sweets. Enjoy trying new foods, but remember that some foods are better for your teeth than others.
Smile-Friendly Vacation Snacks
- Cheese and yogurt
- Nuts
- Leafy greens
- Crunchy fruits like apples
Foods to Enjoy in Moderation
- Sticky candies
- Sugary drinks
- Sour candies
Chewing in general causes saliva production, which defends against tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Chewing foods like nuts and leafy greens helps to naturally clean your teeth of plaque and food particles. Enjoy sweet treats in moderation so you can have fun while still protecting your smile.
Maintain a Modified Routine
Vacations often change your daily routine in plenty of ways. Try to make brushing, flossing, and other healthy habits part of your travel plans. Keep your dental health a priority by taking time to care for your oral health. Build the day’s schedule around your hygiene and self-care practices ahead of time, just as you would if you were home.
Prepare for Emergencies
Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them—even on vacation. In the case that you do experience a dental emergency while away, it’s good to be prepared.
- Over-the-Counter Pain relievers help reduce pain and inflammation in case of infection or damage.
- Sterile gauze can reduce bleeding and protect damaged teeth.
- Saline solution can provide pain relief and prevent infections.
- Dental wax prevents loose brackets and wires on braces from injuring or irritating the mouth.
If a dental emergency happens while you’re traveling, call your dentist as soon as possible. Our team can often provide guidance and help you determine the next steps.
Visit FDA
If you’re due for a cleaning, schedule your visit before your trip. Starting vacation with a healthy smile can help you avoid dental problems while you’re away.
Jan 3, 2024
Happy New Year! A new year is a new beginning which makes it the perfect time to incorporate some positive changes into your oral health care routine. At FDA, we consider oral health an important part of your overall health. In other words, a healthy mouth contributes to a healthy whole body. Give yourself a boost with these three resolutions that can help transform your oral health care.
- Upgrade Your Brush!
When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush? According to the ADA, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months. If you’ve had one of those pesky viruses that has been circulating this winter, that’s a good time to replace your brush, too. As you’re shopping for a new toothbrush, why not upgrade to an electric toothbrush! Our team of amazing hygienists swear by them. Electric toothbrushes really do a superior job removing plaque and cleaning the surfaces of your teeth. Many electric toothbrushes also have a built-in timer so you’re sure to brush for a full two minutes. Going electric is an easy way to improve your home care routine!
2. Eat with Your Teeth in Mind!
What you eat has an impact on your oral health, so consider your teeth next time you’re snacking! Of course we recommend limiting your sugar intake, but there are also foods you can choose that will give your oral health a boost. For example, foods that are high in calcium, like cheese and yogurt, will support the health of your pearly whites and your gums. Yogurt also has the benefit of being a probiotic, which will help keep your mouth balanced with healthy bacteria. Also, cheese contains a protein called casein which helps fortify your tooth enamel. Eating crunchy fruits and veggies will help clean your teeth as you chew, as well as stimulate saliva so your mouth gets rinsed of harmful bacteria. Plus they are chock full of vitamins and minerals that support your health! An apple a day…keeps you smiling away! ?
3. Get Regular Check Ups!
Have you been avoiding coming to the dentist? Prioritize your oral health and schedule regular check ups with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos this year! Our top priority is making sure our patients receive the best oral care in an environment that is comfortable and supportive. If you feel nervous about visiting the dentist – we can help put you at ease! Give us a call and we can discuss our mild sedation options as well as other techniques we recommend for reducing dental anxiety. Our approach is all about designing a dental plan that fits your needs and budget so you can attain your dental health goals.
Embracing these easy New Year’s resolutions will help put you on the path to improved oral health. At FDA, we are your partner in oral care, and our compassionate team of professionals is always here to answer your questions and help you maintain a healthy and happy smile. If you need to schedule your next appointment, give us a call at 207.781.5900. Together, let’s make 2024 the year of radiant smiles and excellent oral health!
Jul 2, 2023
At FDA, we don’t just see your smile, we see you as a whole person. That’s because when it comes to improving your overall health, oral care is the gateway. Studies show that problems with your teeth and gums are linked with other health concerns like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This means that brushing and flossing daily is a practice that will benefit you beyond just keeping your teeth clean and healthy…it benefits your whole body! Your dentist – Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos – can be a part of your health care team and help you set up an oral health plan that takes your whole body’s well-being into account. Here is a deeper look at some of the ways your oral health and general health are connected.
Cardiovascular Disease
This term refers to a group of disorders related to your heart and your blood vessels. According to the Cleveland Clinic, having poor oral health is associated with forms of cardiovascular disease like:
- Coronary artery disease: This is the most common type of heart disease and can lead to heart attack. It’s the leading cause of death in the United States.
- Clogged arteries: Studies show that people with periodontal disease have significantly higher rates of atherosclerosis, or plaque build up inside the blood vessels that deliver blood and oxygen from your heart to your body.
- Stroke: Studies show a correlation between periodontal disease and strokes, specifically strokes related to atherosclerosis.
Diabetes
Diabetes increases your risk of dental diseases. One place you may experience symptoms is in your mouth. Some of the most common oral symptoms include:
- Dry mouth: People with diabetes often have less saliva in their mouth so you may find yourself being parched.
- Gum disease: If you notice bleeding when you brush or floss, you may have gum disease. Research shows keeping your blood sugar under control can help improve gum disease.
- Problems with taste: You may begin to notice that food tastes differently from the way you remember, particularly sweet foods. If you have a persistent bad taste in your mouth, please come see us.
- Periodontal disease: Nearly 22% of all diabetics develop this dental disease. It is a chronic, inflammatory condition that can destroy your gums and bone, and can also lead to increased blood sugar levels. Early signs include bad breath, swollen gums, and painful chewing.
Your health is important to us and we are committed to giving you the best care possible. As part of your care, the FDA team of caring and compassionate professionals will ask about your health history, medications, as well as your needs and questions as we put together a treatment plan for you. Our goal is to build a partnership with you as we make sure your mouth is healthy and supporting your overall health needs. If you have questions or concerns about your oral health, or need to schedule your next appointment, please give us a call at 207.781.5900.
Sep 20, 2022
Dental Hygiene Products We Recommend to Our Patients
Here at Falmouth Dental Arts, we endorse and recommend a variety of professional products to our patients. “Based on our team’s many years of combined experience, we have developed a list of products we think are particularly effective at supporting our patients’ home dental hygiene routines and keeping their teeth and gums healthy in-between visits,” says Ashley Landry, Clinical Director, and Dental Hygienist at FDA. Here’s more information about the products we think can give an extra oomph to your oral health care!
Mouth Rinse
Oxyfresh is a gentle but powerful mouthwash that uses natural ingredients like mint to help keep your breath fresh all day. Oxyfresh is alcohol and dye-free, naturally sweetened, and made in the USA. It’s specially blended with Zinc and Oxygen®, a proprietary bad-breath fighter, to promote oral health while neutralizing bad breath. We offer Oxyfresh in 3 different versions: a gentle mint-flavored Pro-Formula, non-flavored Gentle Formula, and Cavity Protect with the added benefit of fluoride.
Tooth & Gums Tonic is a natural, professional-strength mouth rinse formulated to reduce oral bacteria and inflammation with pure essential oils. This alcohol-free rinse is blended with essential oils and herbs such as Echinacea and Gotu Kola, known for their anti-inflammatory and breath-freshening properties – a great alternative to other prescription mouth rinses!
Toothpaste
MI Paste and MI Paste Plus is uniquely-formulated toothpaste fortified with calcium, fluoride, and phosphate that helps replace beneficial minerals lost from the tooth’s structure. MI Paste helps to prevent decay, sensitivity, tooth erosion, and tooth wear while restoring enamel gloss. A great product for patients who experience dry mouth and hypersensitivity as well as for those receiving orthodontic treatment.
Fluoridex is prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste designed for use at home. It helps to prevent tooth decay and reduce harmful bacteria. Fluoridex is a great addition to your home care routine that helps to strengthen the enamel, reduce tooth sensitivity, and protect your teeth. Used over time, Fluoridex can help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.
Retainer Cleaner
Retainer Brite is a great way to keep your night guard or other removable appliance, such as Invisalign, clean and ready for daily use. The specially-formulated tablets help protect and preserve appliances while also gently cleaning them. They are simple to use and kill up to 99% of common odor-causing bacteria. They also work to eliminate the cloudy film and plaque buildup when used to clean your retainer every day.
Toothbrushes
Oral B Electric Toothbrushes are designed to give you the best possible tooth cleaning at home. Electric toothbrushes effectively remove plaque while being gentle on your gums. We recommend these electric toothbrushes to our patients for a successful home care routine as they efficiently reduce plaque and prevent gingivitis.
If you are interested in trying one of the products listed above or are wondering which one might be right for you, our team of dental professionals is happy to make a recommendation. Ask us any questions you might have at your next appointment or give us a call at 207.781.5900!
