Your Smile

Your teeth are the backbone to your smile but did you know that your smile is also linked to your overall health? If you have decay, periodontal disease, cracked or broken teeth it can lead to other problems. For example, a heart attack or a decrease in energy. It can also make it very painful and difficult to consume food that you once loved leading to depression and an overall sense of sadness. When you have infection it is not something that can go away on its own. You also do not want to have your body in a tailspin trying to fight an on-going infection.

 

How do you combat the problems or the infection? First, you need to schedule a visit with your cosmetic dentist. While regular brushing and flossing will help things from getting worse, it will not help the infection go away. Visiting with your cosmetic dentist will ensure that you are able to come up with a treatment plan that is going to not only get rid of the infection it will also allow you to develop a plan to ensure the underlined problem is taken care of.

Dental infections do not just go away. You must receive treatment of sorts in order to be sure that the infection is taken care of and not going to return any time soon. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team.

Can Birth Control Impact the Health of Your Gums?

Birth control used to have higher levels of estrogen and progesterone in them. This increase in hormones can wreak havoc in your mouth, including sensitivity, bleeding, swollen gums and an increased chance of cavities. But there is good news, not only can you keep your smile healthy by brushing and flossing, eating healthy, drinking water and visiting your dentist regularly, but birth control pills now have less hormones in them than the birth control of the past.

However, it is critical that you let your dentist know if you are on birth control. While it may not impact your smile, they need to know incase they decide to write a prescription for something that may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control. It is also important to know that your mouth and body may react differently to hormone levels and if you begin to notice any problems it is critical that you get it taken care of right away.

The other area you may be impacted is called, “dry socket.” Dry socket can be painful and is when you have radiating pain from the bone being exposed after an extraction. If this occurs you will want to contact Dr. Strutz and her team.  

For more information on the dental risks of high hormone levels contact Dr. Strutz and her team today.

Are You Too Hard On Your Teeth?

Your teeth are made of the hardest substance in your body, tooth enamel. But they are not indestructible. It matters how you treat your teeth. Otherwise overall wear and tear can begin to break down the appearance and your health. Dr. Judy Strutz and her team recommend that you take care of your smile in order to keep it and your body healthy.

The key to brushing is using gentle circular motions that do not cause the gums to recede. Brushing in gentle circles helps to remove any food particles that are left on your teeth after you have consumed your favorite meal, without causing permanent damage to your gums.  You also want to make sure that you get the back side and the back surface of your teeth. It is easy when brushing to forget to brush the back molars, but they need your love and attention also.

Brushing and flossing regularly is the key to keeping your smile in top shape for a lifetime. People make jokes about smiling while you still have teeth, but if you take care of your smile there will be no reason for you to lose your teeth to decay or other dental problems later on.

For more information on keeping your smile healthy, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team.

Holiday Habits & Your Smile

The holidays are often talked about as a time for family and friends to spend time together. People laugh, eat and enjoy each other’s company. But you often do not hear about the potential negative impact that the Holidays can have on your smile. Be aware of 4 pitfalls people often fall into during the holiday season that can impact your smile, and wallet, for a lifetime.

1.                    People increase the amount of sugar they consume during the holiday season. While a cookie here and there may not cause a problem, individuals are usually consuming two times the amount of sugar that should be consumed in treats and holiday drinks. Don’t fall into the pitfall of a sugar craze this Christmas. Bake with sugar alternatives, or slim down on the amount of treats you eat.

2.                    Brush and floss regularly. Millions of Americans forget their toothbrushes, and floss when they travel. Create a dental kit, which you keep ready to go throughout the year. This will make it easier to remember the dental items you need.

3.                    "Drink more water." suggests Dr. Judy Strutz. Water helps to rinse your teeth in between brushing and flossing. If you are going to consume sugary foods and drinks, drinking water can also help to rinse the sugar from the enamel of your teeth, thus decreasing the amount that stays on your teeth.

4.                    Brush & floss at the same time you normally do. It can be a busy time of year, and people often forget to brush and floss as they are focused on what they need to do during the day. Focus on brushing and flossing during your regularly scheduled time to decrease the risk of forgetting. If you put it off until later, it often does not get done.

For more information on your smile this Holiday season, contact Dr. Strutz & her team today.

3 Ways To Keep Your Smile In Tip Top Shape

Your prosthodontist has the responsibility of ensuring your smile is in fantastic shape. If you are struggling with jaw pain, gum recession, chipped, broken or missing teeth she can help. But once she has restored your smile to a more naturally looking and healthy smile, it is back in your hands to keep the health of your new smile on track. Here are 3 tips to keeping your smile in ‘tip top’ shape.

Brush regularly. Brushing your teeth is as important as putting on pants when you leave the house. It is a simple action that can reduce decay - keep food from sticking to the surface of your teeth and increasing plaque. Dr. Judith Strutz suggests, "even if you have crowns, veneers or implants they are susceptible to same problems your natural smile was."

Floss at least one time a day. Food can get stuck between the teeth. Just like brushing, there is no other action that can remove food from between the teeth and below the gum line besides flossing. It will also help to ensure your gums stay healthy and you do not have any gum recession.

Visit the dentist on a regular basis. A professional cleaning and x-rays can ensure there are no major problems going on with your smile.  X-rays can allow the dentist to see if there are any issues brewing below the gum line and regular cleanings will make sure any plaque is removed from the surface of teeth particularly below the gum-line where your toothbrush can’t get.

Contact Dr. Strutz & her team today for more options on how to help your smile.

Top 7 Tips From Your Prosthodontist

Your prosthodontist is not only your friend and your dental specialist, they are there to look out for you and ensure you’re being provided with the best care possible. By following these seven tips, she will ensure you have the smile you deserve.

1. See your dentist as recommended - there is a reason this is so important. “Your dentist can detect decay and disease early, long before it becomes a problem,” says Dr. Judy Strutz.

2. There cannot be enough said about brushing and flossing regularly.

3. Decay is dangerous to your teeth - remove it immediately. Decay does not get better on its own, it only does more damage to your teeth and gums.

4. When a tooth cannot be saved for whatever reason, ask about how the tooth can be replaced to keep bone levels healthy. In order for your jawbone to continue to be as strong as it can, it needs to have stimulation – this generally means a dental implant.. 

5. When it comes to dentures or more full mouth procedures, do yourself a favor and consult a prosthodontist - they are specifically trained for this purpose.

6. If you notice dental wear see your dentist and ask what can be done. Many times tooth colored fillings can help save your smile.

7. The way your teeth fit together is extremely important to your overall health as it determines the foods you can eat. If you feel that you are unable to eat the foods you love or that can keep you healthy, it is time to consult your dentist to determine what can be done.

Dr. Strutz suggests, “Don’t wait for a major problem when you can fix a minor one.”