The Effects of Poor Oral Hygiene

Taking care of your teeth and gums lead to a healthy mouth and great dental checkups. Poor oral hygiene can lead to disastrous consequences. Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD wants to remind his patients what good hygiene is and what poor hygiene can lead to.

Brushing two or three times per day and flossing once per day is all that is needed in your daily life to fend away dental plaque and tartar. In addition, you will want to make routine appointments with Dr. Ruyak for checkups and professional cleanings.

Plaque is the slimy white stuff that appears on your teeth throughout the day. When plaque is not removed, it eventually hardens into tartar. Plaque and tartar both lead to decay and gums problems. When tartar is not removed, it can irritate the gums enough to where they begin to pull back. This is called gum recession. Recessed gums form deep pockets where bacteria can collect. These pockets allow bacteria to get deep into the gums where the tooth root is located. This can weaken the tooth and make it more difficult for the gum disease to be cleared.

Gum disease is tough to get rid of and only gets more difficult with time. In advanced stages of gum disease, it will take more than clearing up the disease to heal the gums. Surgery can be necessary to fix recessed gums and deep pockets.

Keep up with a healthy brushing and flossing routine and be sure to see us at least every six months! To schedule your next cleaning and examination with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, call our Bethlehem, PA office at (610) 861-0777 or visit our website, www.drrobertruyak.com. 

Is It Possible to Restore Tooth Enamel?

Unlike a broken bone that can be repaired by the body, once a tooth chips or breaks, the damage is done forever. Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth and this tough shell is the hardest tissue in the human body. You wouldn’t think that the toughest substance in your body would be prone to decay, but your tooth enamel is constantly taking a beating for the things you eat and drink. Enamel is similar to bone in that once it's gone, this lost portion can't be retrieved and Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD will recommend options to restore it. 

Because it’s impossible for your body to produce new enamel, your goal should be to strengthen and repair the enamel you have left. This can be done through a process called “remineralization.” By using dental products that contain fluoride and calcium, you can actually focus on these weak spots to strengthen existing enamel before it wears away for good. So this brings us to our question, can tooth enamel be restored? As long as the erosion hasn't caused it to disappear entirely, the answer is yes. Brushing your teeth with enamel-strengthening toothpaste is a great first step, but you can also change some damaging behaviors to do your teeth a lasting favor, such as eating foods that don’t cling to your teeth.

If you fear that you’re at risk for enamel erosion, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Choosing a Unique Toothpaste

At the dental practice of Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD we understand that the selections of toothpaste can be overwhelming when stepping foot into the oral hygiene aisle at the drugstore. Should you go for tartar control, fluoride, sensitive or whitening toothpaste? When it comes to choosing the toothpaste that is best for you, it’s important to consider your unique oral health needs. To find out what those are, we recommend scheduling an appointment with us; meanwhile, here are some options to consider while browsing:

• Anti-cavity: This type of toothpaste contains fluoride. Fluoride plays an active role in preventing decay, and it actively strengthens tooth enamel.


• Anti-gingivitis: If you spit blood in the sink, this is an early sign of gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Anti-gingivitis toothpaste helps reduce oral bacteria and can be very effective at stopping gingivitis in its tracks.


• Desensitizing: If you’ve ever bit into an ice cream cone and felt a sharp pain in your tooth’s nerve, this type of toothpaste will provide relief by blocking the tooth’s pain signal to the nerve.


• Tartar-control: This toothpaste does exact what it says, however, the best way to remove tartar is by scheduling a professional dental cleaning with one of our doctors.


• Whitening: This toothpaste contains chemicals that are able to help maintain the natural color of your teeth.

If you are missing teeth and would like to discuss your restorative options, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

How to Select the Right Mouthwash

Mouthwash or rinses are used for a variety of reasons: to freshen breath, to help prevent or control tooth decay, to reduce plaque, to prevent or reduce gingivitis, to reduce the speed that tartar forms on the teeth, or to produce a combination of these effects.  Mouthwash has a few beneficial properties and Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD would like to explain some of them.

• ·        Antimicrobial agents act directly on oral bacteria to help reduce plaque, decrease the severity of gingivitis and control bad breath.


• ·        Fluoride helps reduce tiny lesions (tooth decay) on tooth enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay.


• ·        Astringent salts can serve as temporary deodorizers that mask bad breath.


• ·        Odor neutralizers act by chemically inactivating odor causing compounds.

If you have questions about oral hygiene or oral hygiene products, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

 

Benefits of Using a Tongue Scraper

Have you ever stuck your tongue out in the mirror and noticed that is has a coated appearance? If so, investing in a tongue scraper might be helpful. If you have a coated tongue – a buildup of debris, bacteria and dead cells on your tongue – chances are your breath is not at its freshest peak. Given the wide variety of substances that travel through our mouths daily, Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD suggests implementing a tongue cleaner into your oral hygiene routine to improve your overall oral health.

When we sleep, our digestive system remains awake, removing toxins from our body by depositing them onto the surface of our tongue. If we don’t scrape way these toxins, they are reabsorbed by the body and can lead to systemic conditions such as respiratory difficulties, digestive problems, and a compromised immune system. Tongue scrapers are a way to eliminate this coating that also causes bad breath. All you have to do is purchase one at a drugstore (they’re fairly cheap), put the tongue scraper on the back of your tongue and gently bring it forward, repeating as often as needed.

If you have questions about how to improve your oral care routine, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777.

Pesky Plaque

Have you ever licked your teeth and felt a fuzzy buildup on them? That fuzzy stuff is called plaque and if you feel it, you should grab your toothbrush immediately. Minerals form dental plaque – a sticky, colorless, film of bacteria – that is a result of bacterial action on food particles. Dental plaque provides an ideal environment for cavities and gum disease to develop, which is why you should visit the dental practice of Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD for dental checkups and professional cleanings at least twice a year.

Everyone develops plaque because bacteria are constantly forming in our mouths. With repeated acid attacks from food and beverages, the tooth enamel can break down. The reason for this is that plaque contains bacteria, which produce acids that attack your tooth enamel and can damage your gums. If not treated, the damage could turn into tartar that only our staff of hygienists will be able to remove. The best way to prevent plaque buildup is by brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day.

If you are due for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD at his Bethlehem, PA dental office, call 610-861-0777.

How to Stop Bad Breath

Bad breath can be embarrassing, especially if it is a recurring ailment for you. While there are mints you can pop, they often do not last very long and just temporarily cover up the odor. In our Bethlehem, PA dental practice, Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD, wants his patients to know how to tackle the root of bad breath.

Bad breath can come at very inopportune times like when you’re in a car with someone, on a dinner date, or in a meeting. To prevent these instances from occurring, you must take steps to avoid it. The first rule is probably the most obvious; good oral hygiene.

Keeping a clean mouth cuts down on the bacteria that causes bad breath. Keeping a good oral hygiene routine is your first step. Brush your teeth two or three times per day and floss once per day. Also, be sure to brush your tongue. It is an area of the mouth that can easily harbor bacteria.

Your second step is to avoid foods and drinks that will create more bad breath causing bacteria. For instance, dairy contains bacteria that tend to be smellier; with the exception of yogurt. Yogurt actually contains bacteria that fight off odor-causing bacteria. So if you have a big meeting in the afternoon, consider eating some yogurt for lunch!

In addition, caffeine and alcohol dry out the mouth, causing bacteria to thrive. While everyone may not want to completely steer clear of their cocktail or cola, avoid them if you are going to be in a situation where you want fresh breath!

For more dental hygiene tips or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD in our Bethlehem, PA dental practice, call us at (610) 861-0777. Appointment requests and helpful information may also be found at our website, www.drrobertruyak.com. 

Cavity Prevention

At the practice of Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD, we have all sorts of materials to fill your cavities once they arise, however, we’d rather you prevent them altogether. Cavities are what you get from tooth decay and tooth decay can affect both the outer coating of a tooth (enamel) and the inner layer (dentin). Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to help prevent the formation of a cavity.

Cavities are created when bacteria in your mouth interact with refined sugars and carbohydrates such as the ones found in soda and sweets, so there is reason dentists advise you to stay away from sugary treats. This combination of sugars and acids promotes the loss of protective calcium and phosphate in your teeth’s enamel, eventually leading to decay. Prevention is always easier than treatment and it begins by adopting healthy oral hygiene habits and making the right dietary changes in addition to scheduling regular dental checkups every six months.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about services provided at the office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Nutrition and Oral Health

If you practice poor oral hygiene and poor diet, the first signs will often show up in your oral health. If your diet is low in the proper nutrients your body needs, your mouth may have a more difficult time resisting infection. Poor nutrition affects the entire immune system, and people with lowered immune systems have been shown to be at a higher risk for periodontal disease. At the practice of Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD, we can’t monitor what you eat, but we can explain how nutrition and oral health work together.

When we’re hungry, most of us tend to snack on empty calorie foods such as candy, sweets, and snack foods like chips. What we don’t realize is that these foods offer us no nutritional value, and because of the amount and type of sugar that these foods contain, they can adhere to teeth. The bacteria in your mouth feed off these sugars, releasing acids, and that’s what leads to tooth decay. When reaching for a snack, cheese, milk, plain yogurt, as well as fruits and vegetables are foods that may benefit tooth health thanks to their high amounts of calcium and other nutrients they provide. Fruits and vegetables are good choices for a healthy smile since they are high in water and fiber, which balance the sugars they contain and help to clean the teeth.

If you have further questions about how nutrition and oral health go hand-in-hand, give us a call. To learn more about services provided at the office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Are You Flossing Correctly?

At the practice of Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD, our staff is always gifting you floss following a professional cleaning, but how often do you run home to use it? Most of us only use floss to remove food from our teeth, but flossing does much more than that. It removes the film of bacteria that forms on your teeth before it turns to plaque, which can cause gingivitis and cavities. Next time you get your hands on this powerful tool, utilize these tips for effective cleaning.

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.


• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.


• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.


• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.


• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the back ones!

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about oral hygiene services provided at the office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Are You Brushing Effectively?

When you brush your teeth, you help remove food and plaque – a sticky film that forms on your teeth and contains bacteria. The longer plaque is left on your teeth the more time it has to break down tooth enamel and lead to cavities. As much as we love to see your smile here at the practice of Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD, we want you to keep it healthy and utilize these brushing tips in between professional cleanings.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.


• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and don’t forget to floss!

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about oral hygiene services provided at the office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Why Do We Need To Floss?

Every time you visit Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD for a cleaning he probably reminds you to floss or mentions that you aren’t flossing enough. He tells you this with good reason, because floss is the single most important weapon against plaque, perhaps more important than a toothbrush. A toothbrush cleans the surfaces of your teeth, but dental floss cleans between them. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chance of keeping them for a lifetime and decrease your chance of developing gum disease.

Flossing does more than keep your smile pretty and healthy. It removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Many people don’t spend enough time flossing or they may have not been taught to floss properly. To give your teeth a good flossing, spend at least two or three minutes on the process and be gentle to your gums.  

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about services provided at the office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777.

Practice Proper Oral Hygiene

Taking care of your teeth can help you maintain your overall dental health. When you practice proper oral hygiene on a daily basis, it can help prevent periodontal or gum disease from developing. As much as our staff loves to see you at the dental practice of Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD we encourage you to practice preventive dentistry. This begins at home with a proper oral care routine.

Spend at least three minutes brushing your teeth two times a day. Use a timer if you have one to ensure that you’re spending enough time on your oral care routine. In addition to brushing, use floss at least once a day every day to clean between your teeth. When shopping for dental products, look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Also, don’t forget to schedule a professional cleaning with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD every six months to preserve your progress.

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about the oral hygiene services provided at the office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777.