Protect Your Smile This Summer

Now that summer is right around the corner and the weather is warming up it might be easy to reach for that high sugar fruit drink or ice cream instead of water. Avoid this pitfall and instead drink fruit flavored water and keep your smile healthy.  High fructose drinks not only can cause problems with cavities and other dental problems, but can also cause your mouth to dry out.  Dry mouth is an open opportunity for bacteria to get out of control and attack your tooth enamel.

 

Water with fruit in it not only gives you a refreshing drink to quench your thirst, but it can also provide a snack that is low in sugar and carbohydrates which can also impact your smile. Once you are feeling the impact of dry mouth, it is easy to reach for the closest and easiest drink at your fingertips. Avoid this problem by planning head.

Using a refillable water bottle can ensure that you are never far from the water you need to consume. Depending on your weight, where you live and how active you are will determine the amount of water you should be consuming.

For damage to your smile due to dehydration, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team today!

Fall Is Right Around The Corner

With the cooler weather right around the corner, fall hot chocolate and baking may be in your future. While you may be excited and ready for the fall, is your smile? It can be difficult to keep up with your healthy dental habits during the holidays with the influx of sugar and sweet treats that are around. With these 5 tips you can stay ahead of the decay and decrease your risk of needing restorative procedures.

1.     Brush and floss every day at the same time. The more consistent you can be, the better off you are.

2.     Brush after consuming sweet treats.

3.     Carry a travel toothbrush, toothpaste and floss to brush and floss after that high carbohydrate meal.

4.     Drink water. Having a dry mouth not only increases the risk of bacteria in your mouth and the longer you are dehydrated the greater the risk for decay.

5.     Consume fruits and vegetables instead of treats high in carbohydrates, this will help ensure food is removed from the surface of the teeth.

Enjoy the fall weather, pumpkin drinks and the colors of the leaves with a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. For more information, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and keep your smile healthy.

4 Ways To Improve Your Smile At Home

When you look in the mirror does your smile radiate back at you? Do you smile at strangers walking down the street or try to hide? Here are 4 ways you can improve your smile without ever leaving your home.

1.     Change up what you eat. You have probably heard this before. But it is an easy solution. Healthier foods, equal a healthier smile. Foods that are high in carbs or high in sugar allow plaque and decay to attack your teeth. While fresh fruits and vegetables are packed full of water and increase the saliva in your mouth. The more saliva in your mouth the more difficult time that bacteria has causing problems.

2.     Brush and floss. There was a research study conducted that said flossing may not be as important. However lack of research does not mean that not flossing does not have serious repercussions. Floss or using a water pik is the only way that you can remove food from between the teeth. Food that is left on the gums, goes below the gum line, which then causes bleeding and swollen gums. This eventually moves from gingivitis to periodontal disease.

3.     Drink water. The more water you drink the better off your smile will be. Water helps rinse food from the surface of the teeth between brushings.

4.     Chew sugar free gum after eating. Gum helps to create saliva, which in turn helps to remove food from the teeth. It also ensures that you are not impacted by dry mouth.

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

Improve Your Smile By Avoiding These Foods

Our mouth is the gateway to what enters our body. "Not only is the health of your smile and teeth impacted by what we eat, there is a direct connection between the health of your smile and the health of your internal organs," Dr. Judith Strutz. You can make a few small changes to your diet and improve your smile. 



 Fruits and vegetables are an easy fix. By increasing fruits and vegetables that have a high-water concentration, you allow food to be removed from the surfaces of your teeth. There are always bacteria in the mouth, but the negative effect of bacteria is fueled when it has food that can turn to sugar. This sugar damages the enamel and can negatively impact your gums. 


 Cutting down on carbohydrates reduces belly weight, and it decreases decay. Carbohydrates tend to stick to the teeth and are more difficult to remove with just the saliva in your mouth. In between brushing, if you are going to eat something with carbs, you may want to rinse with water to remove some of the food that is sticking to your teeth. 

Avoid foods that are gummy. Like carbohydrates, foods that are gummy bond to the surface of your teeth and do not release their grip until brushing. “If you are out and about for the day and know you will not be home for a while, you may want to avoid sticky foods all together,” suggests Dr. Strutz.  

Enjoy more fruits and vegetables and enjoy a white, healthy smile. 

Contact Dr. Strutz & her team today for more information.