Mini Dental Implants

Along with traditional dental implants, mini implants are able to last a lifetime with good treatment. Mini implants are great for smaller openings and for retaining dentures. It is for these reasons why Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS of Fairfield, CT offers mini implants to his patients who need to replace a missing tooth or create more stable dentures.

Mini implants are half the size of traditional implants, so they can fit in more narrow spaces. In addition, they do not need to be surgically implanted like traditional implants, so the replacement tooth (the crown) is often able to be placed the same day as the implant. This is great for patients who do not have time to wait months for a full-sized implant to heal. The healing process is also a lot less complicated.

What is great about mini implants is that they are able to be used to create a much more stable base for dentures. Four to six mini implants are placed along the upper or lower jaw line and the dentures are made to clip onto the implants. The dentures are easy to clip in and out, so patients will feel comfortable doing it on their own. No more mobile dentures while you are eating, talking, or smiling.

If you think mini implants may be the answer to your missing tooth problems, schedule an appointment with us. Call our Fairfield, CT office at (203) 254-9533 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com to schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS. 

The Purpose of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The purpose they serve is to seal out cavities and avoid tooth decay that is caused by food particles and plaque left in between teeth. Sealants are easy for Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS to apply. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits to make sure they are not chipped or worn away, sealants can last up to 10 years.

Although thorough brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, they cannot always get into all the nooks and crannies of the back teeth to remove these substances. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by “sealing out” plaque and food. Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are the most popular candidates for sealants. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.

If you believe that you or your child may benefit from dental sealants, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visitwww.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533.

Baby Tooth Care

When teeth first come in, your child may start to fuss. This is because he or she has sore or tender gums and the eruption of those little tooth buds are causing them pain. Parents often, when should I start cleaning my child’s teeth? The answer is that daily dental cleaning should start as soon as your infant’s first tooth appears. To help prevent the buildup of plaque bacteria that can lead to decay, Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS highly recommends regularly cleaning your newborn’s gums with a damp washcloth following feedings.

While most babies don’t start getting teeth until they are six months old, infant dental care is important from the very beginning. In addition to cleaning your baby’s gums with a damp cloth, you can also gently rub their gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon, or a wet gauze pad. You can also give the baby a clean teething ring to chew on. It’s important to care for your baby’s teeth from the start because his or her gums act as placement holders for permanent teeth.

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

Protect Your Teeth from Plaque

Have you ever licked your teeth with your tongue and felt a fuzzy buildup? That fuzzy stuff is called plaque and it’s a sticky, colorless film of bacteria and sugars that are constantly forming on our teeth. Plaque is the main cause of cavities and gum disease, and can harden into tartar that only Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS and staff will be able to remove if you don’t brush and floss on a daily basis or visit our practice for regular dental checkups.

Plaque contains bacteria, which produce acids that attack your tooth enamel and can damage your gums. If not treated, the damage can become permanent and you may increase your chance of needing costly dental procedures in the future. Since plaque is constantly growing in your mouth, the best way to remove it and to prevent tartar buildup is to brush and floss your teeth every day, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque from the surface and protect your teeth from decay.

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

Tooth Sensitivity Causes and Treatment

Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common complaints among dental patients. It is caused by the movement of fluid within tiny tubes located in the dentin (the layer of tissue found beneath the hard enamel that contains the inner pulp), which results in nerve irritation. When you have sensitive teeth, certain activities such as brushing, flossing, or eating and drinking, can cause sharp, temporary pain in your teeth. If you’re concerned about sensitive teeth, start by visiting Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS. He can identify or rule out any underlying causes of your tooth pain.

Sensitive teeth are typically the result of worn tooth enamel or exposed tooth roots. Sometimes, however, tooth sensitivity is caused by other factors, such as a cavity, a cracked or chipped tooth, a recently placed filling or a side effect of other dental procedures, such as whitening or bleaching. To prevent sensitive teeth from recurring, Dr. Keith Rudolph can offer suggestions to help you maintain your oral health. Maintaining a proper oral hygiene is the key prevention to tooth sensitivity.

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

Diet and Dental Health

Most people don’t realize that they may be able to prevent two of the most common diseases of modern civilization, tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease, simply by improving their diet. We all love our fair share of junk food, but what we eat and how often we eat are important factors in maintaining good oral health. In addition to being your dentist, Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS can’t be your nutritionist, but he can recommend foods that are healthy for your teeth.

Decay happens when the teeth and other hard tissues of the mouth are destroyed by acid products from oral bacteria. Certain foods and food combinations are linked to higher levels of cavity-causing bacteria. Foods that cling to your teeth promote tooth decay. So when you snack, try to avoid soft, sweet, and sticky foods such as cakes, candy and dried fruits. Instead, choose to munch on cheeses, chicken or other meats, nuts, and milk. Other excellent food choices include firm/crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and celery. These foods help protect against decay by buffering the acid that demineralizes teeth.

If you have further questions about how diet affects your dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about our dental health as well as services we provide at the office, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533.

Do You Need a Night Guard?

Life, in general, puts a lot of stress on our shoulders, but it can put more stress on our teeth. If you grind your teeth or clench your jaws, this is a condition called bruxism and it is caused not just by stress and anxiety but by sleep disorders, an abnormal bite or teeth that are missing or crooked. If Dr. Keith Rudolph diagnoses you with bruxism during a dental appointment, the treatment solution he will suggest is a custom-fitted night guard, made for you and only you.

A night guard is an appliance that is typically worn while sleeping through the night. The night guard that Dr. Keith Rudolph prescribes is very similar to a mouth guard worn by athletes and provides a barrier between your top and bottom teeth while you sleep. All night guards are custom-fitted for comfort and to allow proper breathing. If you are a night guard candidate, Dr. Rudolph will take an impression of your teeth and have the night guard created by a dental lab. These appliances are very durable and can last up to 10 years.

If you notice yourself waking up with jaw pain, please give us a call. To learn more about our night guards as well as other services we provide at the office, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533.