Tooth Playlist – Our Top 10 Hits!

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!

 

Feeling Flossy: Alternatives to Traditional Flossing

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times: Floss your teeth!  It’s just as important as brushing and crucial to preventing gum disease.  And yet, only about 30% of Americans floss daily.  We understand that it can be a hard habit to fit into your daily oral health routine–the floss gets stuck in your teeth, sometimes your gums bleed, and it feels like it takes forever!  We are often asked if there are any alternatives to flossing and the answer is…yes!  Let’s look at what other options you have for cleaning those hard to reach places between your teeth.

Water Flossing

Water Flossing is a way to clean around and between your teeth with a pressurized steady stream of water.  Perhaps you’ve seen or experienced the device in our office.  Water Flossers can be particularly helpful for patients with braces, dental bridges, dental implants, or gum pocketing.  You can find a Water Flosser with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.  While more expensive than traditional floss, it is a helpful tool for reaching areas that are hard to access with floss and a great option if you find flossing difficult or painful. This is also a great alternative if you are concerned about little plastic floss containers ending up in the landfill. 

Interdental Brushes

Another easy and practical option is an interdental brush.  Studies have shown that when used in combination with regular tooth brushing, an interdental brush can be more effective than floss in removing plaque from between your teeth.  These small, cone-shaped brushes are designed to be inserted gently between your teeth and can be rinsed and reused a few times.  Patients with braces, food traps, dental bridges, or mobility issues may find this a good alternative.  It’s also less of an investment than a Water Flosser.

Dental Picks

As the name suggests, these are small wooden or plastic picks that can be used to remove plaque from between teeth and gums.  Picks aren’t quite as effective as floss and you risk moving bacteria around your mouth unless you use a new pick for each tooth, but they allow for better maneuverability for patients who have braces and thus some hard to reach areas.  Again, it’s always important to look for a product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance

Whichever option you choose, the most important thing about cleaning your teeth is to do it!  Find a routine that works for you and stick with it…your teeth and your gums will thank you!  Also, if you experience bleeding gums from flossing this may be an early sign of periodontal disease–please be sure to inform us of any bleeding at your next visit to our office.  If you have any questions about whether flossing or one of these alternatives is right for you, let us know.  We are here to support you and provide you with the best oral health care!

Also, 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!

5 Signs You Need to Make a Dental Appointment

The sign in our office is true: “Those teeth aren’t going to brush themselves.”  Your teeth need you to brush and floss daily, and they need you to get regular check-ups with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos.  However, 100 million Americans fail to see a dentist each year. Whether it’s a busy schedule, dental anxiety, or lack of insurance, professional oral health care should not be avoided.  Seeing a dentist regularly is a great way to support your oral health and can help prevent small issues from becoming big dental problems. By catching problems early on, you can save yourself time, money, and pain.  Here are five signs it’s time to make an appointment with us:

You have pain.

A toothache is the classic reason to come to our office and should not be ignored.  There are many possible causes for a toothache such as a cavity or broken tooth. Either way, a toothache should be evaluated by Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos right away to determine the cause and prevent the tooth from dying.  Jaw pain can also be a sign of a dental issue such as bruxism or teeth grinding.  Whatever pain you’re experiencing in your mouth, Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos can diagnose and address the issue, as well as help you avoid future issues.  

You try to hide your smile.

What if you could have the smile of your dreams in just one or two dental visits?  If you’re self-conscious about your smile, it can affect your confidence and prevent you from living your life to the fullest.  Whether you’re missing a tooth or wish your teeth were whiter, many dental issues can be corrected through cosmetic dentistry. Building a relationship with us so we can understand your goals and needs is a great way to not just take care of your health, but also to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.

You notice blood when you brush or floss.

There are several reasons for bleeding gums, one of them being gingivitis, an early stage of periodontal disease.  If your gums bleed easily, it’s time to talk with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos. Gingivitis is reversible and preventable and we can help you get on the right path to better oral health.  Bleeding and swollen gums could also be a sign that something else is wrong, another important reason to involve us in your health care.

You’re pregnant.

Coming in for a check-up should be on every mom-to-be’s checklist.  As we’ve said before, oral health is directly related to overall health, and regular dental check-ups and a good oral health routine will help keep you and baby healthy.  Pregnancy hormones can also cause changes in your mouth. For example, many women develop pregnancy gingivitis, or swollen gums, which can be helped with extra dental cleanings.  Some women also develop overgrowths in their mouth called “pregnancy tumors,” which can be uncomfortable. Mostly, these growths go away on their own, but if you have discomfort or concerns, come in and see us.

It’s time for a check-up.

If it’s been over 6 months since you last visited, then it’s time to come in for a cleaning and exam.  Even if you don’t have any symptoms, regular dental check-ups can help prevent problems from developing and treat symptoms (like those in the list above) before they advance.  Regular visits to our office are just as important as brushing and flossing your teeth daily. Plus, we always love to see you!

It you’re experiencing symptoms or if it’s time for your next appointment, give us a call at 207.781.5900.  Our team of knowledgeable and compassionate professionals are here to make your dental care as effective and comfortable as possible.