Keeping Your Gums Healthy

Your gums have an important job; they keep your teeth in place and provide a barrier to keeping the bacteria out. However, if you have problems with your gums, this is where you can develop periodontal disease. We want to ensure you are armed with the information you need to keep your gums healthy. Here are 5 things you can do, 

1. Brush regularly. You want to brush 2x a day at least. However, if you consume a high amount of carbohydrates or sugar, you will want to brush more frequently. 
2. Floss 2x a day. Flossing is the only way to keep food from staying in between your teeth and causing problems for your smile. 
3. Get regular dental check-ups.
4. Brush properly. You want to brush gently in slow circles. Move around your mouth, behind your teeth. This should take anywhere from 2 - 4 minutes. 
5. Choose the right toothpaste. Be sure to get a toothpaste approved by the ADA, and that contains fluoride. It will save your smile and your gums. 

Your smile and gums are so important. For more information on how to keep your gums healthy, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team. 

7 Dental Health Risks

It can be easy to take your smile for granted. You wake up, maybe brush for two minutes, or maybe decide to wait until after breakfast. You might forget altogether in the rush of the morning. We always assume that our smile is going to carry us through and we’ll just get things done the next time. But here are 7 dental risks you make be taking every day that are causing problems for your smile.

1.     Not brushing in time. When you consume high sugar foods or drinks and high carbohydrate foods, the length of time that the substances stay on the surface of your teeth provides a longer opportunity for problems to arise.

2.     Consuming food that is too cold.  (example)

3.     Not flossing. Removing food from between the gums is essential to your gum health. If you’re starting to see your gums bleed during routine brushing and flossing sessions that can be the sign of worse things to come.

4.     Chewing on Ice can damage the enamel causing cracked and broken teeth.

5.     Consuming less than 8 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

6.     Eating foods that are high in acid. (example)

7.     Consuming several sodas a day.

Your dental health is so critical to your body health. Keep your smile in great shape and kick these habits to the curb. Contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team for help with your smile.

Meet Your Health Where The Problem Starts

Too many times we think that something must be wrong with our body when we get a cold or when there are aches and pains. However, your health problems may be starting with your gums and the health of your smile, not your body. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are one of the most treatable and preventable diseases and yet, too many people in the United States are not taking care of their smile.

Periodontal disease causes inflammation and bleeding in the gums, but did you know it is also an infection? This infection, when left untreated, causes your body to go into overdrive attempting to fight off the problem. The longer you go untreated, the more damage that can be done. It is critical to your health that you take care of dental problems, decay, broken or cracked teeth immediately to avoid further dental problems as well as more extensive health problems.

Not only do these common dental problems lead to health issues, people report that their self-confidence is lowered by an unhealthy smile and bosses around the United States share that a healthy smile is one of the first things they look for when interviewing. Don’t wait a second longer, get the healthy smile you deserve by contacting Dr. Strutz and her team.

For more information on health related dental problems, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team.

10 Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can be a dangerous cancer that can spread quickly if not taken care of. By getting an oral cancer screening you can avoid this type of cancer from getting out of control and the sooner you get treatment, the more likely you are to survive. Here are 10 signs and symptoms to watch out for:

1.     Loose teeth for no reason

2.     Swelling inside the gum or the lining of the tongue

3.     Sores in the mouth that take a long time to heal or do not heal

4.     Hoarseness without clearing up

5.     A lump or mass on the neck

6.     Swelling of the jaw, not explained by other dental problems

7.     A lump in the cheek

8.     A red patch on the gums, tongue or cheek

9.     The loosening of the teeth around a spot that is sore

10.  Difficulty chewing or swallowing

Don’t waste time with wondering if you have oral cancer, get peace of mind with help from Dr. Strutz and her team.

Are You Embarrassed By Your Dentures?

Non-fixed dentures can begin to ruin your social life. Do you feel embarrassed when you go out to eat? Not sure if they are going to fall out during dessert or when you are walking to your car?

Do you hide your smile or shy away from social situations because of your dentures? Well now is your time to take back your life and get back in the game. Don’t let non-fixed dentures control your life. You have an option.

Fixed dentures can provide you with an amazing smile that you will feel comfortable sharing with the world. They are secured to implants into your jaw bone so that when you smile they stay comfortably in place. No more worrying about eating steak, or other harder foods, because fixed dentures will stay in place and keep your smile looking healthy.

Fixed dentures remove the pressure from your gums and instead help to strengthen them. With non-fixed dentures they constantly push down on your gums causing bone damage over time, while fixed dentures are supported by implants in the jaw bone and will help to stimulate bone growth.

Fixed dentures can improve your health. Over time non-fixed dentures can cause you to not consume essential food that helps keep you healthy. Fixed dentures allow you to enjoy the foods you once loved.

For more information on fixed dentures or to schedule your appointment, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team today.

Replace Your Old Dentures This Spring

Spring is the time to evaluate where your overall health is and where you want to head in the future. Your dentures may have done the trick thus far, but now there is a better option that can help you enjoy the warm weather. Replacing old dentures with fixed dentures can allow you to bend over to plant your garden without the fear of your teeth falling in the dirt.

All-on-4 types of dentures, look and feel like real teeth. Once they are placed in your mouth you should brush them in order to make sure you do not get bacteria around the gum line. The amazing quality of an All-on-4 type of denture will help you to feel like a million bucks this spring without paying one for your smile.

Fixed dentures can help you to replace missing and broken teeth just like regular dentures. The great thing about these dentures, though, is that instead of them lying on your gums, they are fixed to dental implants that are placed in the jawbone. This keeps the dentures in place instead of having them move around in your mouth.  Walk in with removable dentures, and walk out with a fixed solution that helps you live the life, this spring, you are looking for.

For more information on All-on-4 types of dentures, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team.