Enamel Erosion and Fluoride

Tooth enamel is the semi-translucent, hard, outer layer of the teeth, and although it is the strongest substance in the human body, it is not impervious to everyday wear and tear or acid erosion. Tasked with protecting our teeth from the daily damage of biting and chewing, as well as from the temperature extremes of hot and cold foods, tooth enamel is important for keeping our teeth free of decay and pain. But if the enamel begins to erode, intervention is necessary for protecting your oral health.

Tooth enamel erosion can be caused by a number of factors, from drinking too many soft drinks or fruity juices to not cleaning your teeth often enough. Other contributing factors include eating lots of sour foods or candy, dry mouth, acid reflux disease, bulimia, teeth grinding, heaving drinking and even brushing teeth immediately after consuming acidic food or beverages. When the tooth enamel erodes, you may experience sensitive teeth, irregular or rough tooth edges, yellowed teeth and cupping or dents.

At our practice in Fairfield, CT, Dr. Keith Rudolph recommends fluoride treatment to strengthen teeth and prevent decay. Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in our water and many of our foods and can help remineralize tooth enamel that has eroded and protect it from acid in the future. Especially important to children between the ages of 6 and 16, fluoride treatment is a common part of dentistry. The mineral can be applied as a foam, gel or varnish and is a much stronger dose than found in toothpastes and mouthwashes.

To see if fluoride can help you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Rudolph by calling 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Pediatric Dentistry from Dr. Keith Rudolph

If you want your child to form lifelong habits that will help them maintain good oral health and beautiful smiles, you must begin developing good habits in their infancy. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children see a dentist by the age of 1, and it is important for their first dental experiences to be positive ones. At our office in Fairfield, CT, children can receive the care they need to ensure a lifetime of healthy teeth, healthy gums and a beautiful smile.

The first step to setting your child on the right path toward lifelong oral health is a fearless introduction to the dentist. Our dentist Dr. Keith Rudolph strives to establish a personal bond with every family and child to create a pleasant experience for all parties. You can help him provide an anxiety-free appointment to your child by only using positive language about the dentist and avoiding negative language. Phrases like “the dentist isn’t going to hurt you” or “you won’t feel pain” end up being counterproductive since it probably never occurred to the child to be scared of the dentist in the first place.

You should also establish a dental routine that will keep your child’s teeth healthy and white between dental appointments. Before your child turns two, you can clean their teeth and gums by wiping them with a clean, soft washcloth. When they are older and have grown most of their baby teeth, you can begin brushing with a toothbrush. As your child becomes used to regular brushing, you can let them do the brushing, but it is important for you to check that their teeth are getting cleaned. Supervise their brushing until they are five years old, and make sure they do not swallow their toothpaste.

To schedule an appointment, call 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Tips for a Healthier Smile

Regular exams and cleanings with Dr. Keith Rudolph are only a small part of a good oral hygiene routine. Everyday oral care habits also play a vital role in a healthy smile, and if you want to improve your oral health, here are some simple changes you can make.

1.            Brush better. Good technique and proper duration are essential for effective brushing. To maximize your brushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and make sweeping circular motions away from the gums. You should brush for at least two minutes or for the length of a song.

2.            Floss. Dr. Rudolph has probably already told you how important this is. This is because flossing can actually do a better job of removing harmful plaque than brushing, and it only needs to be done once a day. So why aren’t you doing it already? It’s the key to healthier teeth and fresher breath.

3.            Chew sugarless gum. Sugarless gum is a great way to keep your smile fresh after a meal. Not only will it improve your breath, but chewing gum increases saliva production to help wash away the acids released by the bacteria in plaque. If the gum has xylitol, it even helps reduce decay-causing bacteria.

4.            Replace your toothbrush. How long have you been brushing with your toothbrush? As your toothbrush ages, the bristles will fray and lose their cleaning ability. Extremely frayed bristles can even hurt your gums. Bacteria can also build up in the bristles of toothbrushes, so make sure you are replacing yours ever three to four months.

5.            Switch to tap water. Tap water is treated with fluoride, which is a safe and effective technique for lowering tooth decay across the nation. Plus, it’s basically free.

For more ways to keep your smile healthy, turn to Dr. Rudolph in Fairfield, CT. To schedule an appointment, call 203-930-1214. For more information, please visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Dr. Keith Rudolph and Gum Disease

While many people realize that taking care of their teeth is necessary for a good oral hygiene routine, they can often forget or neglect their gums, which are an essential part of maintaining your oral health. To stay in peak condition, your gums require periodontal cleanings and early treatment if disease does develop, and with Dr. Keith Rudolph, patients in Fairfield, CT can be sure that both their gums and teeth will be well cared for.

Since periodontal disease is responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, it is vital to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease develops due to plaque build-up. As it accumulates on teeth, bacteria is able to thrive, collecting around the tooth and attacking the soft tissue. In its early stages, this disease is called gingivitis, and it can cause swollen or tender gums that bleed after regular brushing and flossing. If left untreated, gingivitis can become periodontis, a much more severe gum infection that causes inflammation and damages the soft tissue and bone supporting the tooth. If periodontis is not treated, it can cause tooth loss and even a loss of bone mass in your jaw.

It is important to prevent periodontal health or catch it in its early stages, and Dr. Rudolph is extremely knowledgeable and experienced with helping patients maintain healthy smiles. He will work closely with you to ensure that you maintain optimal oral health

The state of your gums affects the health of your entire body, and our office works hard to make sure you receive the dental care you need. Call 203-930-1214 to schedule an appointment. For more information, please visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Root Canals in Fairfield, CT

If you’re still experiencing pain after a root canal, you may be wondering why. Aren’t root canals meant to take your pain away? There are many reasons why your tooth may still hurt. It is possible that the base of your tooth root (periapical) is still slightly tender or that your pain is caused by a temporary filling that is a bit too high. In these cases, taking OTC painkillers, preferably ibuprofen, may be all you need to alleviate your pain while your root canal heals.

However, if you’ve had a root canal at our practice in Fairfield, CT and are still experiencing pain that is severe or persistent, you should call our office immediately. Dr. Keith Rudolph may need to prescribe you an antibiotic to make sure the infection does not remain, or he may need to perform retreatment.

At your follow-up appointment, the dentist will want to know what type of pain you are experiencing. Is your tooth sensitive to hot and cold? Is it the tooth root that is sensitive or the gums that are over the tooth? Is it a constant ache, or does it only hurt when biting? Is there any swelling, drainage or pus? The answers to these questions will give Dr. Rudolph the information he needs to diagnose your pain.

Root canals don’t always work, and there are many reasons for this, including fractures of the root, convoluted or twisted root structures and failure to protect the root canal after the procedure. If this occurs, you may need further treatment. If the root canal was successful, it should feel normal most of the time.

To schedule an appointment with our office, call 203-930-1214. For more information, please visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Teeth Whitening with Dr. Keith Rudolph

Keeping your teeth white can be a lot harder than you might think. Even with diligent brushing, flossing and dental cleanings, teeth can still lose their gleam. This is because your teeth are constantly in contact with the acid in food and drinks, which can cause them to become dull and stained despite proper oral care. However, surface staining is reversible, and teeth whitening services from our office in Fairfield, CT can help you restore the luster to your smile and help you achieve the megawatt smile you desire.

Teeth whitening services are becoming more and more popular, and as the demand for whiter teeth increases, patients are realizing that over-the-counter techniques just aren’t as effective as options offered by their dentist. Dr. Keith Rudolph offers the take-home tray system, an effective teeth whitening method that can give patients exceptional smiles in only a few sessions.

When providing these services, Dr. Rudolph will start by taking an impression of your teeth for crafting the custom whitening trays—trays that you will be able to use again and again. After the trays have been completed, you will be able to apply the gentle, whitening gel to the trays and wear them for a short period of time, usually around 40 to 60 minutes. After you have completed a few sessions spaced out over a couple of days, you should see your smile whiten by four to eight shades!

Whitening your teeth is an easy and dramatic way to improve the look of your smile. Call 203-930-1214 to schedule an appointment. For more information, please visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Dental Crowns in Fairfield, CT

Crowns are used to protect and strengthen teeth that have become extremely weak, decayed or fractured. Covering your affected tooth and restoring it to its original shape and size, dental crowns (sometimes called caps) can help reduce pain, save your tooth from needing to be extracted and keep your smile beautiful and functional. At our office in Fairfield, CT, Dr. Keith Rudolph can see if a crown is necessary to save your smile.

Over time, as your teeth begin to weaken, they become more susceptible to problems, including decay, cracks and discoloration. Crowns are usually only necessary if decay has reached the point where the tooth structure has become compromised. At our office, we use CEREC restorations, which are made of compressed porcelain and are stronger than the layered porcelain crowns created in a laboratory. In addition to being stronger and longer-wearing, CEREC restorations can also be created and installed in only one visit, unlike laboratory restorations, which can take weeks to complete and require a temporary crown or restoration to be placed in the meantime.

The placement procedure for a CEREC restoration is easy and doesn’t require you to bite on any goopy and uncomfortable impression material. First all the decay is removed from your teeth, and then the dentist shapes the tooth in preparation for the digital 3D video impression that is taken with a digital camera. The camera is attached to a computer screen, which displays the 3D image, allowing the dentist to design the restoration in front of you. Then the CEREC machine creates the crown in about 15 minutes, and the dentist adheres it to the abutment. The entire process, from design to installation, takes around an hour for each tooth.

To schedule an appointment, call 203-930-1214. For more information, please visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.