Facts About Cavities

Cavities are no joke! You do not want to be caught off guard when a cavity gets worse and starts causing you problems. The key is catching them early, but how can you do this? Visiting your cosmetic dentist or getting cleaning done every six months can ensure you take care of any problems before they become something significant. 

So, what are some of the major causes of cavities? Well, you probably already know the top five: Drinking high-sugar drinks puts you at risk for cavities. Not brushing your teeth and smoking is another problem that increases the risk of cavities. Snacking a lot throughout the day with high-carb foods can create a problem you didn’t know about. And #5, not visiting your dentist regularly for that cleaning. 

But here are some causes of cavities you may need to consider regularly. For example, did you know chewing gum or using your teeth as tools can also cause a problem? Or flossing without floss can increase your risk of getting a cavity. But also be on the lookout for brushing too soon after eating. The acid from food can break down the enamel, so waiting 30 minutes after eating or drinking can reduce that risk. We know your dental health is essential! Contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team today if you have questions or concerns. 

Aging and Dental Health

You might notice changes in your body and your smile as you age. We want to be sure you catch any problems that might crop up before they become a problem for you. As you age, you are more susceptible to periodontal disease. You might experience a decline in your overall gum health, or your gums might be bleeding when you floss. No matter the problem or concern, the sooner you schedule a dental consultation, the better. 

More than 50% of adults over 75 have root exposure affecting at least one tooth. You deserve to have the smile you love! The remarkable thing is that over time, our dental opportunities for patients have changed with the times, and there are ways that we can support your gum and smile health. 

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team. 

Individuals Let's Talk Types of Dental Crowns

Are you feeling the impact of broken or cracked teeth? Or do you have teeth that have worn down over time? Your smile matters and is tied to your self-confidence. If your smile does not look the way you want it to, we might be able to help. 

Dental crowns are a popular option that allows you the flexibility of keeping your other tooth. They will fit over your tooth tightly so you can eat and drink normally. Other than having a smile you love to show off, you won't even notice them. They are made from various materials, and if you can take care of them, they can last on average between 5-10 years. While crowns are not the solution for everyone, the best way to know if a crown is best for you is to contact and schedule a cosmetic dental visit.

 

For more information or options for tooth pain, schedule a visit with Dr. Judy Strutz and her dental team. 

Get the Facts About Flossers

Do you struggle to floss your teeth? Flossing is essential to keeping your gums and teeth healthy. Without flossing, you can end up with periodontal disease, your gums might recede, and you can lose your tooth. Flossing removes buildup from between the teeth that causes harmful calculus buildup. Brushing, unfortunately, cannot get between the teeth, which causes a problem in your overall dental health if left untreated. But how do you know what is the right floss for you? Here are 5 facts about flossers that can help you make your decision. 

1. Flossers are easy. You don't have to mess with getting enough floss or end up with too little. From start to finish, you can ensure you have the right amount of floss to floss all your teeth. 
2. You usually only need one flosser for your whole mouth. Going around to be sure you get between each of your teeth, flossers make it easy to reach back teeth and other hard-to-reach areas because your fingers may not get in the way. 
3. It thoroughly cleans your teeth. The flosser easily glides between your teeth without having to maneuver it around or shift to try and reach places.  
4. Flossers are usually safe for flossing if you have dental bridges or other cosmetic dental procedures completed. 
5. Flossers are safe for your smile. They remove plaque, do not damage the gums, and are safe to use to keep your smile healthy. 

To schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team today.

Do You Use A Water Flosser?

While using regular floss to keep your smile healthy is essential, taking an opportunity a couple of times a week to use a water flosser or water pic can enhance your overall dental health. Water flossers are easy to use and can reach difficult spots between your teeth. 

The water pushes food that may be stuck between your teeth that you didn't get with floss free from your smile, removing the risk of buildup and plaque. Adding a water flosser to your regular dental routine decreases the risk of gingivitis or other gum-related problems. When flossing, it can be easy to miss the food and other items between your back teeth or other hard-to-get areas. 

Water flossers are gentle on your gums. If your gums are bleeding when you floss or experience other dental problems, a water flosser can reduce the issues you encounter. Water flossers can also remove buildup in the periodontal pocket if you are already struggling with periodontal disease or the start of other dental-related problems. 

While a water flosser should not be the only dental floss you use, it can benefit and improve your smile's overall health.  For more information contact Dr. Judy Strutz, and her team today. 

Cosmetic Dentistry

While cosmetic dental procedures improve your smile's appearance and beauty, the procedures do so much more for you. This might include increasing your self-esteem, improving your overall health, and ensuring that you have a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. 

When you contact your cosmetic dentist, you will want to share your goals for your smile to ensure you have all the information and possible procedures to improve your dental health. You might be looking for something minor, like fixing a chipped tooth. However, other methods are more in-depth and may take more time and conversation. 

Some other procedures that you might talk to your cosmetic dentist about are a gap between your teeth, tooth discoloration, misshapen teeth, or you might have some teeth that are misaligned. No matter the goal or what you are looking for, it is good to start with a thorough consultation with your cosmetic dentist to decide together the next best steps. 

For more information, a consultation, or to set up an appointment, contact Dr. Strutz and her team today. 

Did you know dental health is the gateway to a healthy body?

Scientists do not know why but gum disease seems to increase the risk of dementia. So you want to keep your smile healthy and decrease the risk.

A healthy smile can be the difference between feeling great and struggling. Dental pain, cavities, or other dental problems can decrease your ability to get a great night's sleep. Less than 8 hours of sleep can drastically impact your mental capacity, focus, and attention to detail.

Caring for your smile and body can help keep infection at bay. When you have periodontal disease or other bacteria, it can enter and cause endocarditis - inflammation of the heart.

Keep your body healthy, drink water, eat healthily, and don't forget to schedule a visit with your cosmetic dentist if you have concerns about your smile. Contact Dr. Judy Strutz for an appointment today.

Keep Smiling

 Did you know that prolonged stress can impact the health of your smile? 

If you are very stressed, you might spend your time grinding your teeth, leading to broken or cracked teeth. In addition, you might find yourself over time with face pain or problems with a swollen jaw because you are holding tension in your jaw. This can cause more stress as you try to navigate visits to the dentist, dental insurance and find care that supports your smile. 

However, scheduling a visit to your cosmetic dental professional can be beneficial. They can look at options for fixing broken or chipped teeth. Or maybe you want to talk about possibilities for decreasing the amount of time you grind your teeth. No matter where you are in this process, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her office to schedule an appointment today!

5 Health Related Problems To The Overall Health Of Your Smile

Did you know that your smile and overall health are connected? For example, you can see a breakdown in your overall health when you have a dental infection that is not taken care of. You might want to schedule an appointment with your cosmetic dentist as soon as you notice a problem. 

A growing body of research outlines the possible connections between dental infections and the overall impact on your health. For example, suppose you have periodontal disease, and your body is constantly fighting that condition. In that case, it can create problems that impact your ability to fight off other infections. As time passes and the issue is not addressed, a minor infection can turn into sepsis or tooth loss. While periodontal disease and other infections can be troublesome, the implications for your lifelong health are a greater impact on your life. 

There is no time like the present, if you are struggling with periodontal disease or other dental concerns, contact us today and schedule an appointment. 

For more information on periodontal disease, contact Dr. Judy Strutz, and her team today. 

Your Smile Matters

 

Your smile is significant and the key to your health. Having a healthy smile is beneficial not only for your body but your mind as well. Here are 5 benefits of a healthy smile, 

1. When your teeth and gums are healthy - you smile more. The more you smile, the more endorphins are released. 
2. Smiling helps to reduce stress. The less stress you have, the better you will feel. When stress is happening while you can't control the stress, taking a deep breath and smiling can be the key to reducing the stress that you feel. 
3. Increase in productivity. The happier we are, the more we smile and can get done. 
4. Smiling is a gift not only for you but the people around you. 
5. Fight illness. We all are trying to avoid getting sick. When we smile more, we are less likely to get sick. 

If your smile is not as healthy as you want it to be, contact us today!

Your Smile Is Our Success

We love our patients and want to ensure that we provide the best care we can for you. If you are experiencing dental problems, concerns, periodontal disease, bleeding gums, or any other area of dental worries you want to discuss with us, feel free to call and schedule an appointment today. 

We know you are busy, and sometimes you might experience anxiety when visiting the dentist. Please let us know what we can do to help your experience as we want to be sure that we know you as a person. Our number one priority is the health of your smile. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact
Dr. Judy Strutz and her team today and have a healthy smile for the future.

Do You Have Dental Questions?

We often get asked dental questions from patients. If you have a dental question, feel free to call or schedule a consultation to discuss your unique dental situation. First, however, we wanted to provide answers to the top 4 questions we get asked:

1. How often should I schedule an appointment with my cosmetic dentist? You want to schedule a dental cleaning appointment 2x a year. Your other meetings will be scheduled as needed depending on the procedure you are having done. 
2. How much do cosmetic dental procedures cost? This will depend on a variety of factors. It is best to schedule a dental consultation so your unique treatment needs can be addressed. The cost of all treatments will be discussed before any work is completed. 
3. How long does a cosmetic treatment take? Each procedure is unique depending on your needs. While some will be completed in a few hours, others may take longer.
4. How often should I brush and floss? There is only one way to remove food from the surface of your teeth and keep your gumline healthy. Brushing and flossing are the keys. While you consume food throughout the day, usually 2x a day is enough. However, if you eat a high carbohydrate meal, you might want to brush after to remove food from sticking to the surface of your teeth. 

For more information about your dental needs or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team today!

Chemo and Your Smile

Any cancer is life-altering, and being sure we are providing the most support we can for our patients, Dr. Judy Strutz 2010 began taking classes at UCL to learn more about Maxillo-Facial Prosthodontics. She wants to be sure that she helps her patients live their best lives. One of the ways that she does that is by providing a thorough cancer exam. The sooner oral cancer is found and treated, the more available treatment options. 

While evaluating the patient's mouth since her classes, she has been able to advance her skills and ensure that she is giving "hope to the hopeless." Dr. Judy Strutz and her team work to fully understand the unique situation a patient being treated for cancer or oral cancer is in. This way, they can provide the best treatment options and support. 

If you are worried that you might have oral cancer or to schedule a screening today, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team.

How To Floss The Right Way

Flossing is essential to the health of your smile. But, unfortunately, there is a right and a wrong way to floss your teeth. Here is some information on how to floss your teeth the right way:

You want to use strong floss that doesn't break when you put it between your teeth. You can break off about 18 or so inches of floss and then hold the floss between your thumbs and index fingers, pulling it so that it is taught and doesn't have to give. Floss 2x a day. You want to remove any food built up between your gums. While flossing more than that is not going to hurt your smile, flossing at least 2x a day is critical. 

You want to be gentle and place the floss between two of your teeth, gently gliding it up and down not to damage your gums. Your smile is important, and flossing can keep it healthy for a lifetime. 

Contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team for more information on flossing or other dental tips. 

Does Halitosis Impact You?

Do you experience bad breath even though you brush and floss? It is reported that 1 in 4 people say having bad breath. While the reasons can be vast, it may not just be the food you consume. There can be an underlined cause that is creating a problem for you. A person with bad breath might have internal or external causes. No matter the reason, you should have an opportunity to fix the problem.

However, some causes might cause Halitosis; bacteria in the Mouth is one. The teeth have deep pockets, and sometimes food can get stuck, causing bacteria and other problems to arise. A dental check-up by Dr. Strutz and her team can help determine a plan if this is the problem you have. Dry Mouth is a second problem that you may be facing. This is very common and can occur for various reasons. If you don't have enough saliva or are dehydrated, it can impact your overall dental health.  

You deserve to have a vibrant, beautiful, healthy smile no matter the problem.  For more information contact, Dr. Judy Strutz and her team. 

Your Health

The holidays are finally here, and with it comes good food, drinks, and fun with friends for many. However, don't let the holiday season damage your smile because the foods you eat directly impact the overall health of your smile. Here is a list of some healthy food choices you might want to choose that allow you to keep smiling: 

1. Turkey. Turkey is high in protein; it is not only good for your teeth but good for your body in appropirate quantities. You do want to be sure to floss after. Turkey tends to get stuck between your teeth which can cause problems later on. 
2. Fruits. If you are doing a Holiday meal with friends and family, instead of snacking on some bread, reach for that variety of fruit plate. It will wash the carbohydrates from your gums. 
3. Plain vegetables. Charcuterie boards are a great way and easy to throw out fresh vegetables that are easy to grab and great for your smile. Cucumbers, broccoli, and some baby carrots will keep you smiling during the holiday. 

Your smile is valuable, so this holiday keeps smiling with healthy food choices and great dental habits; for more information on keeping your smile healthy. 

The Damage Of Sugar To Your Teeth

 

We all know that large amounts of sugar are not healthy for the body, but did you also know that it can impact your teeth and the overall health of your smile? The sugar, unfortunately, produces acids that then affect the enamel. But you can protect your smile by taking these 3 action steps today:

 

Limit the amount of soda that you are consuming. Soda contains on average 39 grams of soda if you have been struggling to quit drinking one soda a day and supplement with water or other no-sugar drinks. 

Avoid the candy aisle. While this can be very tempting when you are at the grocery store, avoid the sugary snacks and instead reach for nuts or fruits with natural sugar. 

Chew sugar-free gum. Gum is a great way to increase saliva production, which is good for your teeth because it reduces plaque acid from your teeth and can reduce tooth decay. 

 

The health of your smile matters. For more information on the impact of sugar on your smile or to schedule a dentist appointment, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team. 

Do You Need A Dentist?

If you are looking for a dentist, Dr. Judy Strutz is accepting new patients. Once you schedule your appointment and visit, we want to provide exemplary service for you and develop a solid beginning relationship. We will gather some background data from you, such as your dental history, your goals for your smile, and any problems that you may have. 

We will work alongside you to ensure you have the smile you want. We will ensure that we listen to your needs, earn your trust, provide excellent services that meet your dental needs and strive for continuous improvement. 

During the visit, if you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to share them with us to better support your dental needs. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team today. 

5 Steps You Can Take To Improve Your Smile!

You may be wondering what you can do from the comfort of your home to keep your smile healthy. Even if you visit the dentist every six months, you still want to take steps to ensure your smile in-between visits. Here are 5 easy steps you can take to keep your smile healthy because a healthy smile can last a lifetime. 

1. Brush. This sounds like a no-brainer, but brushing 2x a day is the only way to remove plaque and buildup from your teeth. 
2. Floss. Flossing ensures that your gums stay healthier than if you didn't floss. Sounds cheeky, right, but the truth of the matter is that if you don't floss, your gums don't have a way to fight the food buildup that happens. 
3. Drink water. I know, I know. You've heard it a thousand times. But water is not only good for your body, but it's essential to your smile. 
4. Eat Fruits and Vegetables. Yep, you guessed it. The water content in fruits and vegetables keeps food from sticking to your teeth. 
5. Drink water. Right, I already mentioned that, but this one pertains to after meals. Drink water after high carbohydrate meals. This is the best way to remove food from the surface of—your teeth after meals. When food builds up, it attacks the plaque on your teeth, causing problems. 

Your smile is essential, and your health is dependent upon the health of your smile. For more information or to schedule a visit, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team. 

Are You Impacted By One Of These Dental Problems?

There are so many dental problems that might be causing you problems. Dr. Judy Strutz and her team want to ensure that they provide support to all of their patients. Here is a list of some of the most common dental problems that you might schedule a dental visit for: 

Bad Breath. This is called halitosis and goes beyond eating food that has intense flavors. Halitosis can cause problems for your self-esteem, which impacts you in other ways. When you visit the dentist, the goal is to find out the underlined problem leading to bad breath.

Periodontal disease. An infection causes this in your gums. It is typically caused by problems with your brushing and flossing routine. But a visit to the dentist can help to identify the problem and help create a dental plan. 

A cracked or broken tooth. There are many causes for a cracked or broken tooth; however, visiting with the dentist can help to develop a plan that will fit your needs.

Dental problems should not be left as dental intervention is necessary to fix the problem. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team.