Easing Nervous Kids for Their Dental Appointments

Dental fear often starts in childhood. Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD wants his patients big and small to feel comfortable and safe here at his Bethlehem, PA dental office. Read on to learn how to make kids feel more at ease during their dental appointments.

Kids who start going to the dentist at an early age are usually more accustomed to the process. Familiarity often has a calming effect. Kids should start seeing the dentist as soon as their first tooth grows in or at least by the age of one.

Parents can also help their kids become used to the process while at home. Have your child sit back in a chair or couch and open wide. Look in their mouth and count each tooth you see. This helps little kids know how things will go and feel more comfortable with it during the real appointment. You can even take a dry toothbrush and gently scrub each of their teeth.

Reinforce good behavior at the dentist’s office by offering your child a surprise. Let them pick a movie to rent, cook their favorite dinner, or take them to the park. Offer the reward after the appointment, not before; this way they do not think they need to be brave for a scary reason.

When kids fear the dentist, it can be a difficult process bringing them in. In addition, no parent wants their child to feel terrified over something that is supposed to be good for them. Take these tips to prepare your child. To schedule their next dental cleaning with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD call our Bethlehem, PA office at (610) 861-0777 or visit our website, www.drrobertruyak.com. 

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth can cause quite an issue if they do not fit right. They can cause infection, pain, and damage to your jaw and other teeth. Often, they result in the extraction of them which Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD can perform here in our Bethlehem, PA office. So why is it that we even have wisdom teeth? Well, it turns out that they were probably way more useful a long time ago.

Back around 20,000 years ago, humans ate tougher foods in their diet like roots, nuts, and raw meat. It is thought that wisdom teeth helped them chew through their food better. These days, we cook a lot of our meat and have many other options than just roots and nuts. Therefore, over time, wisdom teeth have become less necessary. In addition, human jaws and facial structures have actually shrunken during all this time. So these days, those wisdom teeth often do not fit which is when they begin causing all sorts of problems. Something interesting to know is that many people are born with missing wisdom teeth or even none at all!

Wisdom teeth can cause major problems and pain if they do not fit correctly in your mouth. If you suspect yours are growing in, schedule an examination with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD here in Bethlehem, PA by calling our office at (610) 861-0777 or by visiting our website, www.drrobertruyak.com. 

Vising the Dentist While Pregnant

There has been talk about whether or not dental work is safe during pregnancy. Pregnancy brings about a lot of change to a woman and the utmost care should be taken to protect the baby. Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD wants patients to know how important dental cleanings are during pregnancy and why pregnant women should not skip them.

If poor oral care is practiced during pregnancy, the hormonal changes can lead to worse consequences than someone who is not pregnant. During pregnancy, the gums become more sensitive to plaque, therefore it is recommended to brush and floss more carefully and more frequently. If you start noticing red, irritated gums, it may be a sign of pregnancy gingivitis. Gum sensitivity should go away after the baby is born, but you still want to take care of pregnancy gingivitis so that it does not turn into a more serious form of gum disease.

Whether or not seeing the dentist is safe for a pregnancy is something many women wonder, and the answer is yes. You should absolutely still go for your routine cleaning and examinations, or even more frequently if you are noticing signs of irritated gums. However, it is best to avoid any more complex dental procedures that can wait until after the baby is born. There is no need to put added stress on the mother. Dental emergency procedures, however, are recommended because it is better to have a safe and healthy mouth than one that could cause an infection.

If you are pregnant, be sure to let us know during your next appointment. To schedule a cleaning with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD in Bethlehem, PA, call us at (610) 861-0777 or visit our website, www.drrobertruyak.com. 

Brushing with Braces

While wearing braces, it is especially important to take good care of your teeth. A good dental hygiene routine will ensure healthy teeth and a bright smile when the braces come off. Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD here in Bethlehem, PA wants to remind his patients of how to brush their teeth while wearing braces.

While wearing braces, it is important to brush correctly and often. The brackets create extra hiding spots for plaque, which means more opportunity for build-up to cause cavities and staining. After brushing the chewing surfaces, angle the toothbrush along the tops of all the brackets. Do the same for the bottom of the brackets. To hit the sides of them, use an interdental toothbrush. These are small, tree-shaped brushes that can get underneath the wires, unlike your regular toothbrush. You want to be sure you can see the edges of the brackets, afterwards. This is a sign that any built-up plaque is gone.

Taking precautions and taking extra-special care of your teeth while you wear braces will ensure a healthy smile when the braces come off. To schedule your next dental cleaning with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak in Bethlehem, PA, call us at (610) 861-0777 or visit our website, www.drrobertruyak.com.