Missed Opportunities

Do you often go to the dentist and sit in the chair, thinking man, I wish I had enough courage to tell my dentist this or I wish the assistant knew this about my smile? Many patients disclose in anonymous surveys that they wish they could share their true feelings about their smile with their cosmetic dentist, but in the end are to shy to really share what is going on.

We’re here to tell you that it’s okay to share your thoughts, feelings, wishes and concerns with your dental providers, Dr. Judy Strutz and her team. While it may be difficult at first, we encourage you to take the plunge because once we really understand what it is that you are hoping to achieve, or what you hate about your smile, we can begin the path of building a smile that meets all of your needs.

We can really look how to best support what you hope to have your smile look like. While we know the first step is always the hardest, we encourage you to find a way whether that be emailing us prior to your visit or talking to us in person to let us know what you want out of your visit. Then, and only then, can we begin to work together to get you the smile you want and deserve. 

For more information and options about your cosmetic smile, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team.

Kick Your Old Toothbrush To The Curb

Out with the old and in with the new. Now is the time for you to have a brand new toothbrush to rev up your summer. This is the start of backyard BBQ’s, hanging by the pool, and having some fun. But in order to start your summer off right, start by getting a new toothbrush that can journey alongside you. Dental health is critical to keeping your body in tip-top-shape for the summer. So, don’t wait.

When picking out a toothbrush that is new here are a few things you may want to keep in mind.

1.     Does the head of the toothbrush comfortably fit in your mouth? Tooth brushes aren’t for looks they are for functionality. So, make sure your toothbrush is the perfect fit for you.

2.     Is it comfortable to hold and are the bristles soft? Hard bristles can impact your gums and the health of your smile overtime. They cause tooth abrasion that can me an under cutting of the tooth’s structure.

3.     It is easy to be swayed by a toothbrush that is cheap or looks fancy but purchase one that is going to meet your needs and last a while.

Start off your summer right with an amazing toothbrush and a healthy smile. For more information on picking out a toothbrush to fit your needs, contact Dr. Judy Strtuz and her team.

Break The Habit

Our habits are built over time. Each day, day in and day out as we wake up and move about our day we may feel stuck in a rut. Sometimes, you may put your feet on the floor and think today is the day I’m going to change my dental habits for the better. Or maybe you think, “today is the day I’m going to eat those vegetables to improve my gum health.” Then your day starts in the same way as always and before you know it, you forgot to do that new thing you were going to try. Breaking a habit you have had for 20 plus years can be tricky. But here are 3 tips on how to break apart the unhealthy dental habit you have and begin a new one.

1.     Write it down. You don’t have to shout it from the roof top, but research shows sharing your goal or new habit with someone is beneficial. But if you don’t want to splash is all over Facebook that today you are going to start flossing regularly, write it down somewhere that you can see it as soon as you wake up in the morning.

2.     Plan ahead. If you are starting a new brushing routine, purchase whatever items you need ahead of time. Purchase the items you really want. This will help make the change more exciting and set the stage for keeping this a positive change instead of a negative burden.

3.     Take before and after photos. What does your smile look like on day 1? This will help keep you focused on why you started on this path to begin with.

Remember your smile and this habit did not get created over night, it takes time and practice to break out of bad habits. Be gentle on yourself and if you forgot one day, just pick up the next. Whatever you do, don’t give up.

For more information on breaking out of bad dental habits, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team!

Summer is Here, How Will You Spend Your Time?

No one wants to spend their summer at the cosmetic dentist, however taking time away to improve the health of your smile can ensure that your plans are not interrupted later on. Dental emergences due to a cracked or broken tooth can create a nightmare for you, especially when you are enjoying the beach life away from home or are on a vacation out of the country.

Take time before your summer vacation to schedule a consultation with Dr. Judy Strutz and her team and have her look at your smile to ensure any potential problems are taken care of before you take off.

Even if you look in the mirror and your smile is shining back at you there may be problems that are lurking down below that will rear their ugly heads at the most inopportune time. Taking precautions can ensure though, that you have uninterrupted fun during your next summer vacation. While cosmetic dental procedures may not seem important they can actually ensure you have the amazing and healthy smile you are looking for.

For more information on your smile or to help with a cracked or broken tooth, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team today.

Periodontal Health is a Must

You may have thought that after years of brushing that alone would be enough to keep your smile healthy and in top shape. The problem is that brushing is not enough to keep your smile healthy. Dentists agree that flossing is critical to keep your gums in great shape so that they can support your smile for a lifetime. 

While brushing 2x a day is also critical it does not get between the teeth and your gums. This is where plaque can build up causing problems for you later on. By flossing 1x a day you can remove any food that is underneath the gumline ensuring that dental decay is not able to stay there causing an infection, which leads to periodontal disease. 

Flossing may seem like a pain and not worth it, but periodontal disease is an infection, which can cause your immune system to kick into gear trying to help your body fight the infection. But it is only a matter of time before your body will not be able to keep going at the pace it needs to stave off the infection that is continually below the gum line. 

If you have concerns about the health of your smile, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team today!

Lemons, Yea or Neigh For Your Smile?

Now that the temperature is warming up you may be tempted to reach for that sweet lemonade. Or are you the type of person that just sucks on lemons in order to cool down in the summer? A little lemon juice in your water to help detoxify your body may sound like a good idea, but what does all this acid do to your smile?

Watch out, because the acid from lemons and other citrus fruit may be reeking havoc on your smile. If you are going to consume lemons, or other citrus fruits this summer, you might want to consider the following tips:

1.     Chew sugar free gum after to remove the juice from your teeth. This will protect the enamel.

2.     Brush your teeth as soon as you can if you do not have sugar free gum.

3.     Drink regular non-flavored water. This can also help remove any juice from the surface of your smile.

4.     Consume a non-acidic fruit that is high in water, such as watermelon or cantaloupe. All of this is good for you, but it can help quench your thirst without damaging your smile.

Your teeth can last a lifetime if you take care of them, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team today on more information about how to keep your smile healthy.

Defy the Odds

You may not have the smile that your next-door neighbor has, or you may have even unfortunately been made fun of growing up because your teeth were crooked, or because you had spaces between your teeth. Whatever the case may have been, that is not what you need to have now. It’s not just about the cosmetic look of your smile, it’s about the health. Did you know that people who have teeth that are close together are less likely to floss, which can lead to dental disease and other problems within your body?

It is essential that your smile live up to its potential because your entire body is dependent upon the health of your smile. If your mouth has bacteria and dental decay your entire body is fighting off that infection which can cause fatigue, heart trouble and various other health concerns.

Don’t waste another minute hiding your smile behind your lips or avoiding the truth that stares you in the face when you brush your teeth at night. Take a step in the direction of your health and defy the odds for your smile. You have a right to have the healthy smile that you deserve.

For more information on healthy smiles and cosmetic options, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team.