Why Do Implants Require Cleanings?

Implants are a fantastic replacement option for missing teeth. It is important to note that while implants replace broken or missing teeth, they still connect below the gum line and therefore require the same care as your natural teeth. Implants are placed in the bone, and if you do not brush or floss, the surrounding gum tissue can become infected. Gum recession and infection can occur if you do not floss and remove the bacteria between your teeth.  
Dr. Judy Strutz suggests, "brushing removes food debris from the surface of the teeth as well as removing food under the gum line." Food that has access to the gums for too long, increases the amount of acid on the tooth, which can penetrate the gum line. More buildup of bacteria along the gum line subsequently causes your teeth to become loose, and can potentially create a situation where your implant is unstable. Calculus and biofilm can build up on the surface of your implant. "If this occurs, your dentist may need a special tool to remove the calculus from your teeth in order to prevent more damage," says Dr. Strutz. 
Without proper care, just like a tooth, the implant can become infected. Brushing and flossing ensures your implants last a long time.  
If you notice any build-up or haven’t had your implants checked in the last twelve months, call Dr. Judy Strutz for more information on how to get on track with keeping your implants and your mouth healthy.  

Four Foods That Benefit My Teeth

There are foods that can help increase the health of your teeth. Different types of foods allow your body and teeth to reap a variety of nutritional value. Some foods are a benefit because they increase the amount of saliva productions, while other foods are natural whiteners. 
1. Cheese is fantastic for improving your smile by increasing the amount of saliva you produce. As your saliva production increases it allows food debris to be removed from the surface of your teeth when you are eating. 

2. "Nuts are not only a great source of protein, but they may help protect and improve the overall look of your smile," says Dr. Strutz. Nuts are equally important because they are high in vitamins that are essential for increasing the strength of your teeth - vitamins including Vitamin D - and they also contain fiber. 

3. Milk is full of calcium. Calcium improves the enamel on your teeth and strengthens your teeth overall. 

4. Meat is thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are redeposited in tooth enamel after being removed by acids). - Web MD. 

Dr. Judy Strutz states, "while some of the foods you eat increase the opportunity for damage to your teeth, it is beneficial to consume the foods above on a daily basis to keep your smile in fantastic health." 

5 Ways to Keep Your Dental Implants Healthy

 

Implants are no different than your natural teeth. You need to take care of them in order to make sure they last a long time.  

1. Brush after meals-this critical event doesn’t go away just because you have implants. Brushing removes bacteria and food from the surface of your implants. “Food that is left on them, builds up and can attack the surface,” states Dr. Judy Strutz, “and could ultimately result in the loss of your implant.”

2. Floss daily to create beautiful, pink gums. When food builds up between the teeth, it can cause your gums to bleed and become swollen. Dental implants do not change the health of your gums, they only change the look of your smile. 

3. Avoid ice chewing and other chewing habits that can be harmful to teeth - chewing on pen tops, etc. Chewing on anything can damage the surface of your implant supported crown. You can potentially crack or chip a piece of the crown, just as you could a natural tooth. 

4. See your dentist regularly. Those routine cleanings do not lose their importance when you move from natural teeth to implants, a thorough cleaning is necessary to detect other potential problems.  

5. Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet. Prosthodontist Dr. Strutz says, “There is a body and mouth connection that creates an importance in making sure you eat a well balance meal.” Fruits and vegetables have more water in them, which helps wash away food from being stuck on your implants.  

3 Tips To Fantastic Dentures

Dentures have come a long way from when your great-grandmother had them. No longer do you need to have poorly fitting dentures that come out at the most inconvenient times. “If you are looking for a fantastic set of dentures, make sure you follow these three easy tips to ensure you receive a brilliant smile,” says Dr.Judy Strutz.  

     1.   Be prepared to spend the time to get an outstanding result. Many dentists will provide dentures after only a couple of visits to their office. As dentures do best when they are custom made, be ready to visit your dentist several times before you even see a mock-up of your final denture. Time is of the essence, but you do not want to rush this.

2. While everyone wants a luminous smile, if your smile looks too radiant with dentures, it might appear that you are wearing exactly that - dentures. Dr. Strutz suggests, “Consider a tooth shade that brightens, but yet provides a natural look.” Shining as bright as a diamond has a time and a place. The color of your denture is not one of them. 

3. How your teeth fit together is critical for the success of your dentures. Make sure you are seeing someone who understands occlusion or bite issues and can make your dentures fit and stay when you are eating and speaking. There is nothing more embarrassing then losing your teeth when you are in the middle of something important. 

While dentures have come a long way over the years, the tips above will help you to keep looking young and healthy even after you have lost your own teeth.

Will My Insurance Cover Cosmetic Procedures?

Sometimes insurance companies will cover cosmetic procedures. Generally not whitening procedures, but they may cover some other cosmetic procedures depending upon the particular procedure and your particular plan.

You may feel the discolored fillings are cosmetic and need to be replaced, but there may be signs of wear or decay that could mean a crown or a replacement filling may be needed and this procedure could be covered by your insurance. "The same is true of changing an amalgam filling to a composite in order to improve the health of your smile, it comes along with the cosmetic benefits of a tooth colored filling," states Dr. Strutz .

 It is important for you to know, if your dentist is recommending a procedure, if it is purely cosmetic or if there is another reason behind the decision. This can help you reap the benefits of using your insurance to improve the overall look of your smile.  If you are not sure whether a procedure is covered by your insurance plan you can call the dental office and ask, or check with your insurance company.

6 Ways I Can Cosmetically Improve My Smile:

   1. Whitening can be done at home or in the office and there are multiple treatment options that best fit your needs. Your dentist will start by discussing any choices you have. "In order to optimize your results you’ll want to make sure you have a reputable product and your dentist is just the person to make that kind of recommendation," says Dr. Strutz.

   2. Take care of any decay. Why? Because decay is not pretty. Decay impacts the health of your smile but also causes bone loss, receding gums, and/or puffy and swollen gums.

   3. Veneers: If you are unhappy with shape of your teeth or if there are resistant stains, veneers can provide you with a relatively easy way to improve the overall look of your smile. Veneers are a fantastic option if you want small changes that can make a big impact.

   4. Crowns: If decay is significant a crown can improve the overall look of your smile by covering up any cracks, discoloration or chipping you may have in your teeth.

   5. "Implants can be used to replace missing teeth," suggests Judith Strutz. Research suggests that many employers will not hire you if you have missing or cracked teeth. So, in order to improve your chances with your dream job implants are an excellent option to replace missing teeth and instantly make you look younger.

   6. Loose dentures can be secured with implants too! Don’t forget if you have dentures that don’t fit correctly and are causing you to not love your smile, implants are a great option for you to improve your smile.

Static Occlusion-What Is That & Why Do I Need To Know About It?

When your jaw is moving during chewing and talking, there are different points on the teeth that hit together to make the movement more efficient. Static occlusion is the opposite of that. It is the points your teeth hit when your mouth is in a resting state. If you have ever had a filling done, the dentist will put a paper in your mouth and have you bite down. They are making sure that your are biting correctly and that your teeth are hitting the right points of contact. If they are off, it can cause jaw pain, or a more severe situation where you crack or break a tooth.

When your jaw is in a resting state some individuals may grind or clench their jaw. This can cause a host of other problems and concerns. While the treatment options for, “bruxism” or grinding depends on the individual person, there are dental devices that can help.  When you are resting or relaxed your jaw and teeth should be as well. Constant clenching during times of stress or relaxation can put an extreme amount of stress on your jaw. These problems can radiate and cause neck and back pain or headaches.

 

"Your jaw should not hurt when you are watching a movie, shopping with friends, or sipping on your favorite coffee," advises Dr. Judy Strutz. You should be relaxed and not feel tight pressure. Contact Dr. Judith Strtuz today if you’re experiencing jaw related pain.

Jaw Pain-Attack It At The Source

Have you changed the foods that you’re consuming because it hurts to eat? Or are you suddenly at home in a quiet room, wash cloth on your head to get rid of that migraine that came out of nowhere again? Are you frustrated that you’re not getting the answers you need? "You may have what is called a malocculusion," suggests Dr. Judith Strutz, a prosthodontist and cosmetic dentist in San Bernardino, CA.

Malocclusion occurs when the body is working overtime to correct a problem in an environment that is broken. When your jaw is misaligned, or you have crowns or broken teeth that have changed your bite, it can cause your jaw to have to work harder in order to get the job done. This problem causes extreme wear and tear on your jaw because it is working overtime to break up food as you’re eating. You may be experiencing muscle spasms in the jaw that leave you in so much pain it makes concentrating difficult. 

But you don’t have to suffer one second longer because there are treatment options available to you that can help. Dr. Judith Strutz will start by doing a full examination of your mouth, jaw and teeth. She will evaluate where the problem is and what is causing your challenges. It may be multiple things and require several visits to get each of them corrected. However she’ll take the time that is necessary to alleviate your jaw trouble and get you back to feeling normal.

While its wonderful to have a beautiful smile, it's also important that all your teeth fit together correctly.