How to Keep Your Teeth White and Bright

Keeping your teeth white can seem like a hassle. But when you know the right tips and tricks, it really is not difficult at all! Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS wants to share some tips for keeping teeth white for our patients at our Fairfield, CT dental practice!

The first place to start for white teeth is what causes the stains. Dark foods and drinks like blueberries, coffee, wine, and soy sauce are common stain culprits. Avoiding these foods can sometimes be difficult, especially when they are your favorite, but rinsing you mouth after consumption of them can help. Also, using a straw to drink dark liquids will often allow the liquid to completely skip the front of your teeth.

When stain-causing substances do reach your teeth, it is important to brush it away. Plaque, the sticky bacterial film, forms only hours after brushing and traps in the stains close to your enamel. Brushing three times per day will be ideal to make sure the plaque is not contributing to the staining. Do not forget to floss, as well!

For patients who would like to get a kick-start on their whitening, Dr. Rudolph offers customized tray whitening. Over a short period of time, this teeth whitening system can result in teeth four to eight shades whiter!

To learn more about keeping teeth white or to schedule a whitening consultation at our Fairfield, CT dental practice, call Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS at (203) 930-1214 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

How to Choose the Right Toothbrush

Choosing a toothbrush seems like a simple task, but the one you choose can really play a part in your oral health. Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS of Fairfield, CT wants our patients to know the right things to look for when picking out a new toothbrush.

A toothbrush should have a small head. Some think the bigger the head, the more bristles, the better. But this is not true. A smaller head actually allows you to reach every surface in the mouth, which is important. Repeatedly skipping areas can lead to decay. In addition, a good grip is also important to be able to reach all surfaces of the mouth, especially for those with trouble using their hands.

Toothbrushes do not need to have stiff bristles to clear away plaque. Actually, soft bristles are best. Plus, soft bristles do not irritate the gums or wear down enamel. The soft bristles are key, however, do not choose a toothbrush that actually says “soft”, unless directed by your dentist. Instead, choose one that says medium.

What is probably the biggest difference between all the toothbrushes in the aisles is that some are electric and some are manual. Studies have shown that electric and manual toothbrushes do the same job cleaning; however, the user is what matters. For those with difficulty using their hands, an electric toothbrush may make it easier for a proper brushing.

To learn more about dental and periodontal health, call Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS of Fairfield, CT at (203) 930-1214 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

A "Brush Up" on Brushing and Flossing

Routine check-ups and cleanings by your dentist are important to keep healthy teeth and gums, however good oral care should continue at home every day. Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS of Fairfield, CT wants to give his patients a “brush up” on brushing and flossing.

Brushing should be done twice a day. If three times a day is possible, that is best. Brushing should be done using a toothbrush that has a small enough head to reach all the surfaces in your mouth. Electric and manual toothbrushes generally can do the same job cleaning teeth, however for those with difficulty using their hands, electric toothbrushes may allow them to get a better cleaning, as the toothbrush does all the work. Make sure to also brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth!

Flossing should be done once a day. There is some debate on whether it should be done before brushing or after, but just getting it done is actually the most important. Take the floss and go in between all of your teeth. Scrub the floss through to the gum line, make a swooping motion at the gum line, and then scrub all the way back out. Make sure not to skip any spaces!

Routine dental hygiene is important for healthy teeth and gums. To schedule a cleaning with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in our Fairfield, CT location, call us at (203) 254-9533 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Family Dentistry with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS

With a busy family, sometimes dental care can take a back seat for parents. However, Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS offers whole family dentistry to the Fairfield, CT area, making it easy for everyone in the family to schedule dental care.

With sports, after school activities, dinner, and homework, it can be difficult to fit in time to see the dentist. However, routine check-ups and cleanings are vital to the health of your gums and your teeth. A family dentist makes it so you only need to schedule appointments with one dentist in one location.

Dr. Rudolph can provide routine care, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry to children, adults, and seniors. Dr. Rudolph specializes in implants, cosmetic procedures, orthodontics, pediatric procedures, and endodontics. Whether your dental needs include a routine check-up, a cleaning, restorative work, prevention, or cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Rudolph has the experience and knowledge to help you to a healthy and-good looking smile.

Dr. Rudolph also prefers using the most advanced technology in his office. Successful patient outcomes rely on accuracy and efficiency. Dr. Rudolph implements this idea by using advanced technology like digital x-ray, oral cancer screening, rotary endodontics, electric handpieces, CEREC, and multiple forms of sedation.

Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS of Fairfield, CT has the expertise and the technology to treat the whole family. To schedule appointments for your family, call us at (203) 254-9533 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

Post-Extraction Care

Having tooth or multiple teeth extracted is an experience most people do not look forward to. However, with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS of Fairfield, CT you can feel at ease knowing the important things to remember about post-extraction care.

After a tooth extraction, it is important to remember that bleeding should be minimized. It is recommended to relax for the rest of the day of surgery and any strenuous activity should be avoided until healing has progressed. It is also advised not to lie completely flat. Lie with your head propped up as not to increase blood flow to the head.

Make sure to take painkillers as directed by Dr. Rudolph. An icepack or warm salt water rinse may help with pain and swelling, as well. Brushing your teeth and tongue is still advised but do so carefully and avoid the extraction site as much as possible.

Soft foods such as mashed potatoes and pudding should be eaten until healing progresses. Make sure to drink plenty of water, but do not drink through a straw, as this could un-clot blood and promote more bleeding. Also refrain from smoking and other tobacco products as this could slow down healing and also can lead to infection.

For a full list of post-op and post-extraction instructions, visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com. To schedule an appointment, call Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS at (203) 254-9533 or visit our website. 

Dr. Rudolph's Cosmetic Dentistry Specialties

Luminous pearly whites no longer have to be a dream. Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS specializes in cosmetic dentistry and has been improving the smiles of his patients in the Fairfield, CT area one smile at a time. Whether you have discolored teeth, crooked teeth, cracked, gapped, or misaligned teeth, Dr. Rudolph has an option for you.

Veneers and Lumineers are similar options. They are both very thin ceramic shells that are bonded to the front of your existing teeth. They are long lasting, durable and instant aesthetic improvements for a variety of cosmetic issues.

Bonding is a process using composite resin to be shaped over the tooth to fix gaps, cracks, misalignment, and provide long lasting white teeth. This is an affordable and simple procedure for a fresh smile that can last over ten years.

Teeth whitening, one of the most-requested procedures currently, is most effective under dentist supervision. This is why we recommended using our custom tray whitening system. This take-home system is specifically created for your unique situation and can result in a smile four to eight shades whiter within a few days!

Straight teeth are sometimes a necessity, but are also on the cosmetic wish-list of many. For this reason, Dr. Rudolph provides his clients with Invisalign, the nearly invisible teeth straightening system. Now straight teeth are possible without the noticeable and irritating metal braces.

A brand-new smile is possible here with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in Fairfield, CT. To schedule a consultation, call (203) 254-9533 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

Whitening and Bleaching

When staining agents such as coffee, wine or acidic foods are able to penetrate the enamel of the teeth, it can be difficult to return to the original teeth shade through brushing and flossing alone. Patients in the Fairfield, CT area with brown or yellow teeth are now utilizing tooth bleaching with Dr. Keith Rudolph. His Family, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Dentistry offers the most advanced tray whitening systems available to help brighten patient’s teeth quickly and effectively. Unlike over the counter whitening products that are messy and tend to slide off teeth, professional whitening provided by Dr. Rudolph whitens teeth 4-8 shades in just a couple of steps.

During the first visit, Dr. Rudolph will need to determine if the teeth are intrinsically or extrinsically stained. Extrinsic stains are on the surface, having barely penetrated the enamel. These stains are caused things like coffee, smoking and even aging, they are, however, reversible through bleaching.  On the other hand, intrinsic stains develop from the inside of the teeth and are often caused by more permanent staining agents such as antibiotics. The teeth are darkened as a result of bacteria buildup and cannot be reversed by whitening alone. Once it is determined what type of staining your teeth has, Dr. Rudolph and his staff will explain the whitening process and how it will affect your type of staining.

Patients can be fitted with custom-made mouth guards that are used during the whitening process.  Tray whitening is performed by applying a high concentration of oxidizing agent to the teeth with custom-fitted thin plastic trays for a short period of time, which produces quick results in most cases. The application trays ideally should be well-fitted to retain the bleaching gel, ensuring even and full tooth exposure to the gel. Trays will typically stay on the teeth anywhere from 45 minutes to overnight depending on your staining and sensitivity.

To learn more about custom tray whitening visit www.drkeithrudolph.com or call 203-930-1214 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph at his Fairfield, CT Family, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Dentistry.