Brushing Your Teeth

 

You should brush your teeth at least 2x a day, but you should also consider brushing your teeth under these 5 circumstances. We all know how important brushing your teeth is; there is no other way to remove food from the surface of the teeth and gums. Without brushing, the food on your teeth turns into acid. This acid then wears down your tooth enamel causing cavities and other problems. 

Here are 5 circumstances that might occur when you want to brush your teeth:

1. First thing in the morning 
2. A meal that is high in carbohydrates 
3. After you have drunk soda or alcohol 
4. Before you go to bed, remove any leftover food debris on your teeth at night. 
5. After you consume a dessert 

Having a healthy smile is critical for so many reasons. If you have concerns about the health of your smile, contact us today at Dr. Judy Strutz and schedule an appointment.

It Is Only One Tooth; Does It Really Matter?

If you have lost one tooth due to a dental emergency or other dental problem, you may not think it matters much. As it is, you have thirty-one other teeth that can support your food habits and keep your smile in shape. However, this is just not the case.

Research shows that once a person loses one tooth they are likely to lose a few more at least within the year of losing the other one. The smile also begins to compensate for the tooth that is missing. The teeth begin to shift into place where they do not belong. While this may seem like a great thing in the beginning, it can create jaw problems, alignment issues and eventually lead to you cracking or breaking another tooth because the alignment is off.

Taking care of your smile is critical to ensure that it will last a lifetime. If you have a missing tooth, contact Dr. Judy Strutz and her team in order to schedule a consultation. Just sitting down with a cosmetic dental team can help to decide what is the best course of action moving forward to get you the smile you deserve.

4 Reasons Why You Should Get A Crown

Your smile matters and having it in the best shape you can is as important as brushing and flossing every day. But if you have a broken or cracked tooth, a crown may be the best option. Dr. JudyStrutz recommends this restorative measure if you have a tooth that can be saved. Here are 4 reasons why a crown may be best option.

1.     To save the life of a tooth instead of having to replace the tooth with either an implant, or a fixed or removable bridge.

2.     Having a cracked or broken tooth can cause pain and long hours of suffering. Too often broken teeth mean the pulp of the tooth has been impacted. Getting help early can sometimes mean no root canal treatment is necessary.

3.     A crown can be done where it looks like your other teeth and improve the overall look of your smile. Missing or broken teeth can impact a person’s self-confidence.

4.     A crown can allow you to consume foods that you enjoy. If you have a cracked tooth it may be causing pain when you consume certain foods, especially those that are either hot or cold. By getting a crown it can allow you to consume the food you love without the pain of a cracked tooth.

For more information on how to restore a cracked or broken tooth, contact Dr. Strutz and her team today.

Can a Crown Help Restore Your Smile?

There are several procedures that can be completed in order to keep the life of your smile in good shape. If you have broken or cracked teeth, it may be recommended by Dr. Judy Strutz & her team to have a crown. This procedure can help extend the life of your tooth, but not everyone should receive a crown, here are 3 things to keep in mind if you are considering this fantastic restorative procedure.

1.       Do you need a crown?

a.       Broken teeth can hurt when you bite down. Keeping a broken tooth exposed can cause you to be susceptible to a variety of problems. For example, you may begin to eat only on one side of the mouth due to the pain. This can eventually lead to bone loss in the jaw, or pain in the jaw.

2.       Vertical cracks down to the gum line could indicate a need for a crown.

a.       Vertical cracks can cause problems with decay, sensitivity and eventually pain if not dealt with quickly. This problem can also lead to bigger problems if left untreated. A crown can help to diminish discomfort, pain and the need for a future root canal.

3.       If you have a large cavity

a.       A filling may be an option if you have a large cavity or a large amount of decay. A filling may be an option, but it may not give you the coverage of the tooth you need. Crowns are sturdy and durable and can last for years.

If you are in need of a restorative procedure contact, Dr. Strutz & her team today for more information.

Dental Implants Vs. Bridges

Dental implants and bridges are not just cosmetic dentistry. They are designed to restore the natural, beautiful smile you want to show off. Dr. Judy Strutz recommends dental implants if you have one or more lost teeth and want a permanent option to replace the absent tooth. A bridge can also be used if you have missing teeth in order to ‘bridge’ the gap and replace the missing tooth. Both options provide you with a cosmetically beautiful smile. 

 

An implant is a titanium rod that is placed in the bone. When an implant is placed, a crown is placed over it in order to hold it in place. Dr. Judy Strutz states, “Once an implant is placed and secure, it will act like a natural tooth.” It is critical that you brush and floss your teeth once the implant is fully healed as periodontal disease can occur around the tooth. The rod and the jaw bone will bond together, and your new cosmetically beautiful smile can be shown to the world. 

“A bridge is secured to other teeth,” says Dr. Strutz. It will fill in the gap between the two teeth and feel natural. A fixed bridge does not move or come out after you eat. One of the concerns of a bridge can be that you are not able to floss between the replaced tooth and the ones the bridge are attached to. 

No mater the cosmetic procedure you choose, a bridge or a dental implant can provide you with the smile you are looking for.