Stages of Gum Disease

If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you need to listen when Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD tells you to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams twice a year to avoid them.

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you notice blood in the sink when you brush your teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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.

Show Off Your Charming Smile!

Taking the perfect selfie begins with a healthy smile and Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD can help improve yours. If you’re shy about showing your grin in photos due to your teeth being a little lackluster, Dr. Ruyak suggests visiting our office for a dental checkup so that we can brighten up those pearly whites and assure that they are healthy. In the meantime, we thought we’d share some tips on how to rock the smile you already have!

• Be natural – when it’s picture time, smile gently. That way, your face looks relaxed. Your mouth opens slightly, and your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.


• Check your teeth and gums – getting your smile camera-ready sometimes calls for a little behind the scenes prep work. If your pearly whites have yellowed with age, try an over-the-counter whitening product or pay us a visit! Also, don’t forget about taking care of your gums. They play a critical role in your nice smile. So keep them in good shape by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash every day.


• Practice – your perfect smile may not happen overnight, but if you have a big photo event like a wedding or a graduation coming up, it doesn’t hurt to try out your grin in front of the mirror!

If you wish to enhance the appearance of your smile, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Does thinking about future dental appointments fill you with anxiety? If so, Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD can calm your nerves with nitrous oxide during your next visit. Commonly known as “laughing gas,” this type of sedation is given to make treatments more comfortable and to help put your mind and body at ease. Nitrous oxide is safe and effective and is not intended to put you to sleep. Therefore, you will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions Dr. Ruyak might have for you.

When administering nitrous oxide, Dr. Ruyak will ask you to breathe normally through your nose, and within a few short minutes, you will begin to feel the effects. You may feel light-headed, or experience a tingling sensation in your arms and legs. Ultimately, you should feel calm and comfortable. Since the effects of nitrous oxide wear off after your procedure, you will be able to safely drive yourself home.

If you have questions about sedation dentistry, 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.

Home Care After an Extraction

After having a tooth extracted, it is important to know how to care for the area to allow proper healing. Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD of Bethlehem, PA puts his patients’ health and safety on top of the priority list. If you are having a tooth extracted soon, prepare yourself with these guidelines.

After a tooth extraction, you will want to avoid promoting bleeding. The bleeding must stop for the area to heal. It is recommended to relax for the rest of the day following the extraction and any strenuous activity should be avoided until healing has progressed. Sleep with your head propped up by a pillow, in order to not increase blood flow to the head. In addition, when drinking, do not use a straw as this could un-clot the blood and cause more bleeding.

Soft foods such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, and pudding should be eaten until healing progresses. Make sure to drink plenty of water. Also, refrain from smoking and using other tobacco products as this could slow down healing and also lead to infection.  

To reduce pain and swelling, take medications as directed by Dr. Ruyak. An ice pack to the side of the face or a warm salt water rinse may help, as well. Also, be sure to keep up a good oral care routine. You want to keep your mouth as clean as possible. Be very careful brushing around the area of extraction.

More patient resources are available on our website to help our patients keep optimal oral health. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD, call our office at (610) 861-01777 or visit our website, www.drrobertruyak.com. 

Dental Bonding for Natural-Looking Improvements

A chip in your tooth, discoloration, or misalignment can make you want to hide your smile. This is why Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD offers a quick, affordable, and natural-looking fix here in our Bethlehem, PA office; dental bonding.

Dental bonding is the process of using tooth-colored composite resin to fill in cracks, gaps, or reshape misshapen teeth. It can also be used for long-lasting whitening. The composite resin is also used to fill in cavities, so with good care, it can remain in great shape for over ten years.

To apply dental bonding, Dr. Ruyak will first lightly etch the surface of your teeth. The etching creates a strong bond between the resin and the tooth. The resin color is matched to the shade of your natural teeth, so it looks as natural as can be. For long-lasting whitening, the resin will be chosen in a brighter shade. Your dentist will smooth the resin over your tooth and shape it to make the desired improvement. It is then allowed to harden. Afterwards, it is polished to shine like natural teeth.

If you are tired of hiding your smile or just want to improve the aesthetics, dental bonding is the popular option that just may work for you. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD in Bethlehem, PA, call our office at (610) 861-01777. You can also request an appointment through our website, www.drrobertruyak.com. 

Xylitol and Tooth Decay

 

While strolling through the candy aisle at the drugstore have you ever noticed a sweet treat that contains xylitol? If so, you should grab it if you want to protect your teeth from decay. Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in most plant material, including many fruits and vegetables. It tastes sweet but, unlike sugar, it is not converted in the mouth to acids that cause tooth decay. Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD encourages the use of xylitol due to its unique and clinically proven dental benefits. 

Xylitol prevents cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to the teeth. With the dental benefits of xylitol, the acid attack that would otherwise last for over 30 minutes after food consumption is stopped. Because the bacteria in the mouth that are causing cavities are unable to digest xylitol, their growth is greatly reduced. In addition to reducing cavities, xylitol also reduces plaque formation and increases salivary flow to aid in the repair of damaged tooth enamel. So next time you’re strolling through the candy aisle at a convenience store, you may want to look for a label that mentions this sugar substitute.

If you have questions about tooth decay, please give us a call. To learn more 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.

While strolling through the candy aisle at the drugstore have you ever noticed a sweet treat that contains xylitol? If so, you should grab it if you want to protect your teeth from decay. Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in most plant material, including many fruits and vegetables. It tastes sweet but, unlike sugar, it is not converted in the mouth to acids that cause tooth decay. Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD encourages the use of xylitol due to its unique and clinically proven dental benefits.

Xylitol prevents cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to the teeth. With the dental benefits of xylitol, the acid attack that would otherwise last for over 30 minutes after food consumption is stopped. Because the bacteria in the mouth that are causing cavities are unable to digest xylitol, their growth is greatly reduced. In addition to reducing cavities, xylitol also reduces plaque formation and increases salivary flow to aid in the repair of damaged tooth enamel. So next time you’re strolling through the candy aisle at a convenience store, you may want to look for a label that mentions this sugar substitute.

If you have questions about tooth decay, please give us a call. To learn more 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.