Tips for a Sweet Smile

With the popularity of selfies and instant photo sharing on the rise, having a camera-ready smile doesn’t hurt. However, with all of the coffee, wine, smoking and other foods that have the ability to stain our teeth on a daily basis, keeping our teeth their whitest is a lot harder than it sounds. Fortunately, at the dental practice of Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS we can provide our patients with teeth whitening and bleaching services to give you a glowing grin. We also thought it might be helpful to offer you some tips on how to flash your pearly whites once your dream smile is achieved!

• 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 desire a brighter smile, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533. 

Teeth: Shapes and Functions

Have you ever spent time in front of the mirror wondering why all of your teeth are different shapes? That’s because they all have a different function. It’s no secret that our teeth help us eat and speak, but Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS thought some of you may find it interesting to learn about the purpose each one of them serves. Read on to learn about the different types of teeth and the purpose they serve in your mouth!

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.

• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.

• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.

• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have questions about your teeth, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533. 

Don't Forget to Clean Your Tongue

When you brush your teeth, do you clean your tongue? Keeping reading to find out why you should! Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS wants his patients to know how to take great care of their oral health at home.

Cleaning your tongue should be a part of your oral care routine. You should clean your tongue each time you brush your teeth. You can purchase a tongue scraper or just use your toothbrush, so it is very easy to do since you probably already own a toothbrush! It is important to remove the layer of bacteria that builds up on your tongue. Not only does it add to plaque build-up, but it also creates bad breath. The tongue’s taste buds are tiny and hair-like so they collect bacteria like a sponge.

To scrap your tongue, take the tongue scraper or toothbrush and place it on the back of your tongue. Press firmly as you move down to the tip of your tongue. Do not press so hard that you will hurt your tongue. Rinse off the scraper or toothbrush after each stroke. Continue scraping the tongue until it looks clean.

A clean tongue is just one more step to take for a healthy mouth. To schedule your next cleaning and examination with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in Fairfield, CT, call our office at (203) 254-9533 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com.