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!

6 Tips to Taking Care of Your Smile When You're Busy

I know how busy you are, and you may not have the time to take care of your smile the way you want to. But a healthy smile is critical to your overall health. Here are 6 tips and tricks for taking care of your smile on the go, 

1. Drink and keep water on you. Water is a great way to prevent bacteria from building up and rinsing carbohydrates and other foods from your smile when you do not have a toothbrush. 
2. Be Proactive. Schedule your regular visits with your periodontist, cosmetic dentist, and hygienist to take care of your smile. And if something is bothering you, be sure to schedule and visit as soon as possible. 
3. Consume high water fruits and vegetables. Your smile can't get enough! 
4. Dental care matters. Don't forget to brush and floss 2x a day. If you fail to floss, place it in an easy place to get to or that you go to every day. 
5. Toothbrushes matter. If you can find an electric toothbrush, ask Dr. Judy Strutz and her team for a recommendation. You want one that is going to do the best job. 
6. Take time to get problems fixed. For example, if your gums are bleeding, schedule a visit. If you have another dental concern, take an opportunity to visit with Dr. Strutz and her team to come up with the best plan for you. 

Your smile is essential to your overall health! So keep it in great shape. Contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team today for more information on your smile. 

Knowledge Isn't Enough; Reduce Those Carbs!

 

 Last week, we focused on a few things you could change to reduce the amount of soda you drink. Welcome to our 8 part series on Knowledge isn't enough. This is our 7th part, and today we are blogging about Carbohydrates.

 

I know carbohydrates have recently gotten a bad rap, and it isn't their fault. All they do is hang out and provide us comfort when we are feeling down. However, the problem with carbohydrates is that they stick to your teeth. 

1. You don't need to cut all carbohydrates out of your diet; just reduce the amount you consume right before bed or before brush your teeth at night. 
2. Drink a glass of water after you consume them. If you eat carbohydrates for lunch, grab a quick glass of water to remove the food from the surface of your teeth. This is two birds, one stone; you're removing carbohydrates from your smile and drinking water. 
3. Replace one carb item with a fruit or vegetable on your plate—nothing too crazy, just a little less. 

 

Your smile matters; if you have photos of your smile that you love and want to share, please reach out to us on Facebook. Or any of our other social media sites. #drjudystarutzYou can read our other blogs for this series by clicking on the links below. #drjudystrutz

Take Charge of Your Smile

Dental problems are solely in your own hands. Only you can prevent problems with your smile. Taking risks with your smile or not taking care of problems that arise can cause other problems with your smile that impact you for a lifetime. Recent research has found that not only is there direct health risks for you, but if you are pregnant there may be risks of early birth, low birth weight babies and preeclampsia. But you can take charge of your smile ensuring you have a healthy smile for a lifetime. 

In order to make sure that your smile is healthy there are easy steps you can take. Brush and floss regularly especially if you consume a high carbohydrate meal. The more carbohydrates you consume the more likely you are to have food stick to the surface of your teeth which then turns to sugar. The sugar then begins to eat the enamel causing problems for your smile. 

Visit the dentist on a regular basis and ask your cosmetic dentist for options on how to improve any dental problems you are facing. Don’t let them get away from you. Taking charge of your smile can ensure you minimize dental emergencies. 

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

Love Your Smile From The Inside Out

Did you know that the health of your body is contingent on the health of your smile? By loving and taking care of your dental health, it can help keep your liver, heart and other organs working to their full capacity. It can be easy to take shortcuts with your dental health, not realizing that overtime not brushing and flossing actually is a contributing factor of heart disease.

Eating and consuming healthy foods are a great way to fuel your smile and your body. The water from the fruit and vegetables can rinse carbohydrates and sugar from your tooth enamel in between brushing and they are essential for your healthy bodies.

Spend time looking over the food that you are consuming. If they are high carbohydrate foods plan ahead and either brush right after consuming them or avoid them altogether. While some carbohydrates are essential to fuel your brain, simple carbohydrates turn to high sugar foods.

While it can be easy in our day – to – day busyness to forget the importance of keeping our smile healthy, they can last a lifetime without major dental procedures when we make the health of our smile a top priority.

For more information on healthy dental habits, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team!

Take Time For You!

Are you stressed? Does the holiday season leave you feeling tired and drained before it even really starts? These and other day-to-day stressors can be impacting your smile more than you know. Stress causes us to hide our smile and increases negative habits such as biting your nails, eating in between meals or consuming high sugary or carbohydrate foods. All of these factors may be damaging your smile. 

Your health is at risk and so is your smile. This holiday season, make sure to take time for you and decrease your stress levels.  Here are 5 things you may consider doing instead when you feel stressed that can contribute to keeping your smile healthy.

1.     Go for a walk with your favorite friend. Low impact walking is proven to decrease stress and increase your desire to smile.

2.     Complete a relaxing craft or puzzle.

3.     Read a great book.

4.     Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while and check in.

5.     Sit and take deep breaths in and out counting to five with each breath.

Taking time to enjoy life and decrease your stress is not only essential for your every day health, but is essential to keeping your smile in fantastic condition. For more information on the negative impact of stress and your smile, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team.