6 Tips To Fix Your Smile

There are a hundred at home remedies coming your way to fix and restore your smile to a healthier state. Our smile can positively impact our first impression, communicate our wants and needs to a partner, or let a friend know we’re happy to see them. An unhealthy smile can decrease our positive relationships. Here are six tips to help you get your smile back.

1.     Dr. Strutz states, “Brushing regularly twice a day is the recommendation in order to remove food from the gums and teeth.”

2.     Floss at least once a day. There is no other way to remove food from between the teeth.

3.     “Visit the dentist regularly. Visiting the dentist helps to correct any developing problems and to give early options to reverse the impact of dental decay,” Dr. Judy Strutz.

4.     Fix missing or broken teeth. Once you lose one tooth it is common to lose others due to a decrease in bone stimulation. Replace and restore is a good way to keep your mouth fit.

5.     Utilize natural whiteners such as natural fruit that help whiten your teeth. Think strawberries.

6.     Drink more water. Water helps remove food from the teeth in between eating.

If your smile is not up to your standards contact Dr. Strutz & her team today for help.

4 Ways to Fix Your Smile

Your smile can mean the difference between a first date and a second, and meeting a new friend or gaining an amazing opportunity. Dr. Strutz suggests, "flash those pearly whites as often as possible to the world around you." But if you’re embarrassed by your smile it may decrease the opportunities coming your way. Individuals who do not smile are associated with negative personality traits, while people who smile attract more people to them.  Here are seven ways to improve your smile and your self-confidence.

 

1.     Visit the dentist if you have excessive plaque or decay. A thorough dental cleaning and polish may be all that is needed to bring your smile back to its shining, white glory days.

2.     Fix broken or cracked teeth. Keeping your natural teeth healthy  is worth the investment.

3.     Periodontal disease should be treated in order to stop the progression of the disease, which impacts both your gums and the bone supporting your teeth. Periodontal disease left untreated can lead, not only to problems in your mouth, but also other health concerns as well.

4.     Brush and floss regularly. There is no substitute to brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis. Food builds up on the surface of the teeth and can cause a host of problems. Disease can move beyond the gum line and cause red, swollen and puffy gums thus decreasing the healthy look of your smile. Dr. Strutz says, "brushing and flossing is the key component of reducing and minimizing problems with your smile."

4 Options To Fix Chipped Teeth

Don’t live with broken or chipped teeth. No more telling yourself it’s okay or that you have to live with it because you have no options. Here are four easy tips to fixing that chipped tooth you have. 

1. Smooth the jagged edge

a. “This is the easiest and most cost efficient option,” suggests Dr. Judy Strutz. “While this is not always possible depending on how bad, the tooth is damaged it is definitely something to look into.”

2. Place a veneer

a. Veneers are a beautiful tooth like covering that goes over your normal tooth. When done, your tooth will look and feel like a natural tooth and will restore your smile to one that stuns them all. Veneers are an option that is available even if you have damaged multiple teeth. 

3. Place a tooth-colored filling - tooth colored 

a. A tooth colored filling can also be an option. This depends on the location of the chipped tooth and how big the chip is. This can restore the function of your tooth by filling in the cracked area. 

4. A crown 

a. A crown will not only restore your smile to its natural state, it will also allow you to consume foods you may have been prohibited from devouring due to a chipped tooth. Crowns cover the entire tooth, and will help to ensure the strength of your tooth. 

For more information on which choice will best fit your needs, contact Dr. Judith Strutz & her team today. 

Static Occlusion-What Is That & Why Do I Need To Know About It?

When your jaw is moving during chewing and talking, there are different points on the teeth that hit together to make the movement more efficient. Static occlusion is the opposite of that. It is the points your teeth hit when your mouth is in a resting state. If you have ever had a filling done, the dentist will put a paper in your mouth and have you bite down. They are making sure that your are biting correctly and that your teeth are hitting the right points of contact. If they are off, it can cause jaw pain, or a more severe situation where you crack or break a tooth.

When your jaw is in a resting state some individuals may grind or clench their jaw. This can cause a host of other problems and concerns. While the treatment options for, “bruxism” or grinding depends on the individual person, there are dental devices that can help.  When you are resting or relaxed your jaw and teeth should be as well. Constant clenching during times of stress or relaxation can put an extreme amount of stress on your jaw. These problems can radiate and cause neck and back pain or headaches.

 

"Your jaw should not hurt when you are watching a movie, shopping with friends, or sipping on your favorite coffee," advises Dr. Judy Strutz. You should be relaxed and not feel tight pressure. Contact Dr. Judith Strtuz today if you’re experiencing jaw related pain.

4 Tips to Fixing Occlusal Wear

Keeping your smile at its best means doing some basic things like brushing and flossing and seeing your cosmetic dentist on a regular basis. It may also mean watching for the signs of occlusal wear and taking steps to protect your beautiful smile.

1. Wear an occlusal guard if you brut, clench or grind your teeth.

            a. Wear on your occlusal surfaces can happen slowly over time. If you are feeling sensitivity or your teeth are beginning to wear down due to grinding or bruxism it is recommended you wear a night guard. "The dentist in two simple visits can fit you for an appliance which will have you feeling like your old self in no time," Dr. Judith Strutz.

2. When nerve tissue is impacted, crowns may be needed to replace tooth structure

            a. Unfortunately over time, you can begin to wear down the crowns of your teeth from continual use. If you begin to feel sensitivity it is recommended you be assessed to determine what steps can be taken to fix or restore your tooth structure. This can be a problem that leads to a more serious problem. It is important to take care of any discomfort right away.

   

3. Many times tooth colored fillings can be placed to restore the tooth's natural shape

            a.  Many times there is an option for colored fillings in order to restore the tooth’s shape and so your smile looks natural and has a white and polished look to it.

   4. Sometimes occlusal wear is due to bite issues that an occlusal analysis can correct

            a. Our bite is critically important to our teeth. You may find that you are wearing down your teeth or are cracking or breaking teeth due to your bite being off. If this problem lasts too long, you may find that you begin to develop jaw trouble or more serious problems.