Jan 8, 2021
The start of a new year is a great time to incorporate healthy new habits into your routine…hello new year’s resolutions! This year, we want to encourage you to take a holistic approach to your oral health. Yes, we still would love if you started flossing every day, but we also want you to think bigger. That means going beyond the toothbrush and thinking about how your mouth is connected to the rest of your body. From your mind to your stomach, how you treat yourself impacts the health of your teeth and mouth. Chances are, you’ve heard Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos talk about this oral health care philosophy before, or read about holistic oral health care on our blog. But it is a message worth repeating! We thought it would be useful to share 3 tips to help you begin practicing more holistic oral health care in 2021.
1. Meditate
More and more, we see signs of stress are showing up in dental exams. Not only does stress increase the likelihood of clenching or grinding teeth, but it can also cause dry mouth, a neglect of oral hygiene, and decreased immune function. While we can help address the symptoms that arise with these issues, it is just as important to think about the root cause and find ways to lower your stress levels. One of the most effective ways to reduce stress is to meditate. Meditation not only helps reduce stress, but it also improves your oral health by boosting your immune system, reducing chronic inflammation, and increasing saliva production. There are loads of resources out there to help you get started and please feel free to ask our team of compassionate care providers to recommend an app or breathing technique at your next appointment. We are here to support you! So breathe in…and breathe out for a healthier mind and a healthier mouth.
2. Eat Your Greens
Perhaps eating more vegetables was already on your list of new year’s resolutions, which is great! Eating a healthy diet is not only good for your body, it’s good for your mouth too. In particular, leafy greens like kale and spinach pack a real punch! These superfoods are full of calcium which support teeth enamel, and folic acid which may help treat periodontal disease. We love to recipe share, and there are plenty of tasty options like blueberry-spinach smoothies and kale pesto that will make incorporating more greens into your diet a cinch!
3. Turn to Tea
Fancy a cup of tea? Go for the green! Dating back some 4,000 years as a popular and medicinal beverage enjoyed in China and Japan, recent studies have shown that green tea protects against cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. The tasty beverage is full of antioxidants and compounds called polyphenols, which help reduce bacteria and promote the health of gums. Studies have also shown a decreased risk of oral cancer in green-tea drinkers, another important reason to incorporate a cup into your day. It’s important to remember that sweeteners can still erode your teeth, so for the best health benefits skip the sugar and honey.
While these tips are a great way to more holistically support your oral health, they are no replacement for the tried-and-true routine of brushing twice-a-day, flossing daily, and coming to see us for regular check ups. If you have questions about how you can incorporate more holistic health habits into your oral health care routine, please let us know! We are your partner in your oral health care and want to support you. Call our office at 207.781.5900.
Dec 21, 2020
“Home for the Holidays” has a whole new meaning this year. Many of us are recalibrating our holiday celebrations to keep our loved ones and community safe. In the midst of all this change, let’s not forget our dental health commitment! To keep it simple for you, we put together our top 5 tips for keeping your teeth healthy and treating yourself right this holiday season.
1. Treat yourself to a new toothbrush!
When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush? We (and the ADA!) recommend you replace your toothbrush every three to four months or when the bristles become frayed. It’s also important to replace your toothbrush after an illness to ensure you don’t spread more germs. Our hygienists are fans of electric toothbrushes for top-notch brushing and frequently recommend them to patients. Sounds like the perfect stocking stuffer!
2. Treat your teeth and gums to a massage!
We’ve talked about this on our blog before, but it’s actually possible to brush too hard. Putting more elbow grease into your two minutes, twice-a-day doesn’t mean you’re doing a better job keeping your mouth healthy…in fact you could be damaging your tooth enamel or gums. Be gentle with your teeth and brush like you are giving them a nice massage. Find your moment of zen while you brush and your mouth will thank you!
3. Treat your whole body right!
Good oral health care doesn’t stop at the bathroom sink. It’s also important to incorporate a healthy diet and healthy habits into your oral health care regimen. The holidays are full of tempting sweets and goodies, but you’ll be treating your body and your teeth right when you make an effort to incorporate some crunchy veggies or fruit into your holiday nibbling. From leafy greens to carrots to apples, there are a lot of healthy snacks out there that help support a healthy mouth. Also, cheese lovers will rejoice to learn that they are supporting their teeth with a serving of calcium and Vitamin D!
4. Treat yourself to a new habit…flossing!
Get a jump start on the new year by adopting a new healthy habit that will support your oral health and your whole body: flossing! We probably don’t need to tell you again that flossing is not only a crucial part of your dental care but that it has also been linked to improving health conditions such as diabetes. There are other options for cleaning between your teeth beyond just traditional flossing, so you can figure out what works best for you. It doesn’t matter when you floss each day, just do it!
5. Treat yourself to a dental checkup with our compassionate team of dental professionals who care about you!
We are your partners in oral health and want to provide you with the absolute best oral health care possible. If you have put off your routine check up due to concerns about the virus, please call us at 207.781.5900. We can discuss your concerns and describe our health screening and COVID-19 protocols that are in place to protect both you as our patient and us as your provider.
Happy Holidays from our FDA family to yours! Stay safe and stay healthy!
Oct 26, 2020
When was the last time you checked in with your jaw? In these stressful times, perhaps you’ve noticed that you clench or grind your teeth more frequently, or that your jaw has begun to pop as you chew or talk. While occasional grinding or clenching may not be harmful, regular grinding can cause damage to your teeth and impact your jaws and joints. Sounds scary! However, you’re not alone! Some 30 to 40% of Americans have jaw pain or grind their teeth. Talking to Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos is a great first step to addressing the aches in your jaw and face. Here are some symptoms to look out for and some tips to keep your jaw from causing you pain.
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, often happens at night while you sleep. Even if you’re not aware of grinding and clenching your teeth, you’re probably experiencing some symptoms in the daylight hours. Here are a few common symptoms:
- Dull headache
- Sore jaw, neck, or face muscles
- Popping or cracking when moving jaw
- Tooth pain or sensitivity
- Chipped or flattened teeth
There are steps you can take to stop grinding your teeth and Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos should be part of your plan. If you feel like you have been experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, come in for a comprehensive dental exam so we can help develop a special treatment plan for you. For example, we can prescribe and fabricate a night guard to help protect your teeth. We can also help you address your stress, as well as find resources and support for relaxing your mind and your jaw muscles. Some tips to consider include:
- Exercise for whole body health and stress reduction
- Counseling to help with stress and anxiety
- Warm compresses to help ease jaw tension
- Jaw exercises to help relax the muscles before bedtime
So, remember to brush your teeth, floss, and relax your jaw! If you need help addressing your jaw pain or teeth grinding, give us a call at 207.781.5900. We are here to help you have dental care that treats you and helps you have a healthy mouth and a healthy life!
Sep 17, 2020
Your pearly whites get a lot of attention, but when was the last time you thought about the health of your gums? Your gums play a vital role in your beautiful smile and your overall health. When you brush and floss your teeth you’re not just preventing cavities, you’re also protecting your gums from developing gum disease. Also known as periodontal disease, it is the leading cause of tooth loss, impacts your overall health, and as we’ve discussed on the blog before, has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. So what are the ways you can improve the health of your gums? Here are 5 tips to help keep your gums healthy:
1. Brush Properly
A proper brushing technique is essential to preventing gum disease. Start with a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush at a 45 degree angle to your gum line. Use short strokes and make sure you get all surfaces of your teeth. You should spend 2 minutes, twice a day on brushing. When you’re done with your teeth, don’t forget to brush your tongue, too! If you have questions about your brushing technique, don’t hesitate to ask your hygienist for a quick demonstration at your next appointment…our hygiene team loves to help and share their knowledge!
2. Floss Daily
An important part of your oral health care regimen, flossing helps remove food and plaque from between the teeth. We know flossing can be a hard habit to stick with so if you’re looking for other ways to clean between your teeth, check out our blog post on alternatives to traditional flossing. If you notice any bleeding when you floss let us know at your next visit–this can be an early sign of periodontal disease. Find a method that works for you and stick with it!
3. Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health! People who smoke cigarettes are four times as likely to have periodontal disease, and smoking makes it harder to manage treatments. Let us know if you have questions about smoking and oral health care or if you need help quitting…we want to support you!
4. Eat Your Fruits, Veggies, and Nuts
Eating a diet rich in healthy fruits and vegetables is good for your body, good for your teeth, and good for your gums. By incorporating foods that are rich in Omega-3s, vitamin C, and fiber you are not only getting essential nutrients, you are reducing inflammation and boosting your immune system, and in the process supporting the health of your gums as well. Snack on some almonds, bell peppers, and leafy greens for the win!
5. Schedule Regular Visits to Falmouth Dental Arts
Coming in for regular check-ups with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos is an important part of your oral health care. Seeing us regularly helps us monitor the health of your gums and teeth and notice if there are early signs of gum disease we can help you reverse. We are your partners in oral health care and want to help you have effective dental care for a healthy mouth and a healthy life!
If you have questions about the health of your gums or need to schedule your next appointment, please call us at 207.781.5900. We are working diligently to schedule patients with our new safety protocols, and appreciate your patience. We look forward to seeing you!
Jul 16, 2020
All I Want for Christmas…in July is my two front teeth! It’s time to face the music: Sometimes we just don’t feel like brushing and flossing our teeth! Everyone has days when two minutes of brushing time seems like an eternity. We have a secret weapon for weary brushers: Music! Music pumps us up for sporting events, workouts, long car rides, and yes, even brushing our teeth.
We’ve compiled a playlist of 10 Songs about teeth to get you brushing your teeth and tapping your feet. These are all clean tunes, fit for family members of every toothbrush size. DJ Dentist, take it away!
1.“Crooked Teeth” by Death Cab for Cutie
Cause at night the sun in retreat made the skyline look like crooked teeth.
2. “Brush Your Teeth” by Raffi
When you wake up in the morning at a quarter to one and you want to have a little fun…You brush your teeth!
3.“Wolves Without Teeth” by Of Monsters and Men
And I run from wolves…without teeth.
4.“All I Want for Christmas” by Nat King Cole
Gee if I could only have my two front teeth!
5.“Dental Care” by Owl City
When hygienists leave on long vacations, that’s when dentists scream and lose their patience.
6.“Savoy Truffle” by the Beatles
Yes you’ll have to have them all pulled out after the Savoy truffle!
7.“Kids Just Love to Brush” by Sesame Street
I’m always in a rush! Oh Mama, I can hardly wait to brush!
8.“Cavity Search” by Weird Al Yankovic
This is it pal…Root Canal!
9.“Brushing My Teeth” by Barney
But while I’m brushing my teeth and having so much fun, I never let the water run!
10.“Baby Take Your Teeth Out” by Frank Zappa
Baby take your teeth out, it’ll be fine!
Post a video of you and your family brushing along to one of these songs–or your own favorite dental care anthem–and post it to the Falmouth Dental Arts Facebook Page!
Please note: our office opened on June 1 with new protocols and procedures in place to keep you and our staff safe. You can also read the full list of these updates on our COVID Protocol Page, easily found in the top menu bar of our website, so you know what to expect before your next appointment. If you are overdue for your appointment, rest assured we will be in touch soon as we catch up with our backlog. We do look forward to seeing you again. Thank you for being our patient!
