I Love You, Gums! Gum Disease Awareness Month

Have you heard? February is Gum Disease Awareness Month.  Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, may be a familiar term for you, while for others it may sound a bit scary. An infection of the tissue and bones that support your teeth, gum disease impacts nearly 85% of adults in the U.S.  The good news is that it is quite treatable, especially when caught early.  Preventative care can be as simple as choosing the right toothbrush, brushing twice and flossing once daily, monitoring sugar intake, and keeping up with regular dental check ups. Left unchecked, however, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and other health complications.  If you are experiencing bleeding when brushing or flossing, it’s crucial that you mention that to  Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos.  They will have a treatment plan for you to take care of your gums while you take care of your teeth.  And while we are on the topic, when was the last time you truly appreciated your gums?  Since February is also when another holiday takes place…perhaps you’ve heard of this one…Valentine’s Day? We decided it was time to share the love with your gums!

 

Dear Gums,

It hurts to chew and my breath stinks! 

Why do I ignore you when I’m not at the sink?  

I vow that I will brush and floss every day.  

Oh gums, please do not take my teeth away!

I love you!

XOXO

 

 

Dear Gums,

The red I see, it must mean true love.  

Oh dear, I think it is actually blood.

I must call Dr. K and Dr. B at FDA, quick!

With their compassionate care, they will know just the trick.  

Phew! Thank goodness, I still have a chance, 

to treat you right, gums, and continue this dance.  

Thank you, Gums!  

XXOO

 

 

Dear Gums,

Diabetes and heart disease…oh my!

I didn’t know you were with those guys.

 

When I neglect you, I see it impacts my health.

Not just my teeth, but my whole body’s wealth.

 

I promise to be tender, I promise to be true. 

I’ll eat more apples, I do love to chew.

 

I quit smoking, and now I know what to drink:

Water! To hydrate and to help me think.

 

Being healthy, that’s what I’m all about.

Oral care, it’s about more than just my mouth.

 

Gums, let’s go steady!

XXOO

 

 

This February, show your gums the love they deserve!  Keep up with your oral health care routine of brushing twice a day and flossing daily, and come see us for your regular check ups.  Our line is always open for questions, concerns, or to schedule an appointment  – 207.781.5900.  Our mission is to give you the best dental care possible so your beautiful teeth and gums shine! Because we love to make you smile! XOXO 🙂 

 

Images courtesy of 123RF.com, virtualvocations.com, webmd.com

 

 

Does your sweetheart have a sweet-tooth…?

valentines chocolate heart boxValentine’s Day is a holiday that is widely celebrated, but celebrated in many different ways. One tradition that is of the more common is giving your valentine candy on February 14th. But why?

Chocolate candies as we know them today were created sometime in the late 1800’s. It was not long after their creation that they began to be marketed and created in heart shapes. What a thoughtful gift, right? Of course. Chocolate – especially shaped like a heart – is considered a valuable, divine, delicious, decadent, sophisticated gift. It’s the perfect gift.

Or at least it was in the 1800’s. Maybe it is now time that we start thinking outside the box (of chocolates) a little bit again to find some “sweet” ways to show our valentines just how much we care.

If you haven’t noticed…this is our helpless way of trying to keep our beloved patients away from the candy 😉

We know that this tradition is so deeply engrained within the holiday that it would take much more than a mere blog post to change that. And who are we kidding, it is sweet – literally and figuratively.

But don’t get carried away. Lay off the half priced candy on February 15th! This we are serious about 😉

We hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day filled with all of your favorite treats and most importantly, your favorite people.

Valentine’s Day – Are You And Your Mouth Ready?

You probably know that Valentine’s Day is today, February 14th – but here are some interesting Valentine’s Day trivia facts you may not be aware of!!

  • Every year over 1 billion Valentine’s cards are sent – second only to Christmas.
  • The people who receive the most Valentine’s cards are teachers. They deserve it!
  • Most flowers sold in the U.S. on Valentine’s Day are imported from South America.
  • Richard Cadbury sold the first Valentine’s Day box of chocolates in 1868.
  • This year over $1 billion will be spent on Valentine’s chocolates.
  • It is believed that St. Valentine was put to death on February 14th. His last letter to his love (the jailer’s daughter) was signed, “From Your Valentine.”
  • NECCO has been making heart-shaped candies with sweet sayings since 1902!
  • Alexander Graham Bell applied for his telephone patent on Valentine’s Day in 1876. Many years later on February 14th penicillin was introduced!
  • Men spend approximately twice as much as women for Valentine’s Day!

Okay – now that you are an expert on Valentine’s Day – is your mouth ready? Here are some things you can do to make sure!!

  • Avoid foods that can cause bad breath such as garlic, onions and curry. While these foods are believed to be healthy, they can cause a kissing disaster unless your mate participates too!
  • Use lip balm frequently. The cold winter months can make your lips feel like alligator skin!
  • Drink water often throughout the day. This washes food particles out of your mouth and prevents dehydration, a leading cause of foul breath.
  • If you are a fan of gum or mints, try those which contain Xylitol. Unlike sugar, it’s not harmful to your teeth, and actually fights off bad bacteria.
  • Mouthwash can be good, but if your mouthwash contains alcohol (as many do) be careful! It can dry out the tissues of your mouth causing damage and a characteristic bad smell.

If you are due for a dental cleaning, want to find out about tooth whitening, or have any dental questions, give us a call at 1-207-781-5900 and we’ll get you in the schedule! After all, you want your Cupid kisses to be as pleasant as possible, and at Falmouth Dental Arts, we do too!!