When you have a softening of the tooth enamel, the damage to the tooth structure can cause a cavity. When a cavity is left untreated the hole in the tooth gets larger. While gum recession or an exposed root is called a "root cavity." Both of these can cause problems to your teeth as well as your overall health. Here are 4 of the most common reasons for cavities, 

1. Consuming; too much food with sugar in it. Sugar breaks down the enamel of the tooth. When sugar is left on the surface of the tooth it causes damage. 
2. Not brushing regularly. Any food you eat builds upon the surface of the tooth and, is broken down into sugar. Brushing your teeth ensures the surface of your tooth is free from food particles that cause problems for your smile. 
3. Plaque build-up. Plaque is a hard yellow substance that builds up your teeth if you do not brush. In the presence of sugar, plague produces acid which, builds up over time causing even more problems for your teeth. 
4. Medical problems. Unfortunately, some medical problems can leave your smile at risk. If you are getting treatment for some types of cancer or other medical procedure, be sure to talk to your doctor about your dental care. 

For more information about your dental health, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team.

New Year’s Resolutions

You may have made a New Year resolution every year that you have broken, but now is your opportunity to improve your smile and keep your resolution. This does not have to be like every other year, where just a few weeks after the New Year you lost focus of your goals. Here are 4 ways to keep your smile and body in great shape and stick to your resolution of a healthier you.

1.     Brush everyday regularly. There is no other action that better takes care of your smile than brushing your teeth on a regular basis.  Brushing 2x a day or after each meal can ensure you keep your smile healthy.

2.     Floss at least 1x a day. Research shows that flossing your teeth is essential to keeping your gums in great shape. While brushing is great for your smile, flossing ensures there are no food particles left below the gum line.

3.     Make an appointment with your prosthodontist. If you have broken, missing or cracked teeth, getting them fixed now can give you a smile you love and it can also ensure you have a healthier smile for tomorrow.

4.     Eat healthy foods. Fruits and vegetables are your smile’s best friend. Eating healthy not only fuels your body, but it helps to keep your smile healthy as well.

For more information on keeping your New Year’s resolution and keeping your smile in better shape than last year, 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.