Explaining the Root Canal Procedure

When a tooth’s nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down and bacteria begin to multiply within the pulp chamber. Before the bacteria can cause an infection or an abscessed tooth, Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS may recommend a root canal. A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. If you’ve been told that a root canal is right for you, we’d like to explain the process to make you feel calmer about the procedure itself.

The root canal procedure requires one or more office visits and can be performed right here in the office. The first step in the procedure is to take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone. Once anesthesia is administered, Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS will make an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are then used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling. After the empty space is cleaned and shaped, he will fill the root canals with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening. There may be some soreness after the procedure, but that is perfectly normal.

If you have a tooth that is causing you pain, 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. 

Break Those Bad Oral Habits

If you avoid eating cold foods or drinking hot beverages because your teeth are a little tender, it may be time to reflect on your oral habits. If you have tooth sensitivity, Dr. Keith Rudolph may suggest dental sealants or fluoride treatments to decrease it. Sometimes the solution is simply breaking bad habits. If you catch yourself performing any of the following habits, do your best to break them.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will leave you in pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

If you have tender teeth, 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. 

Brushing with Traditional Braces

If you have braces, you should be working overtime on practicing proper oral hygiene. This is because braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped, and inadequate cleaning while wearing these wires can cause enamel staining and tooth decay around brackets or bands. Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS can’t stand behind you to monitor how you often you brush, but he can provide you with the following routine that will help make brushing with traditional braces both simple and effective.

• Prepare to brush – take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.


• Clean your braces – use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush the top of each wire and then from the bottom. Take time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed.


• Brush your teeth – clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.

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. 

Stages of Periodontal Disease

If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you need to practice a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis. If you don’t, you’re already headed down the road toward gum disease. 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 stages that you should be familiar with. Additionally, you should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS twice a year to avoid this condition.

• 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 have inflamed gums, 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. 

Common Dental Emergencies

Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS understands that accidents happen and being informed about what to do in case one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. If you or your child experience some sort of trauma to your mouth for whatever reason, please give us a call immediately. We promise to assist you quickly and help put your mind at ease. Meanwhile, in the midst of a dental emergency, utilize these tips to ensure a smooth recovery. 

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

If you suffer a dental emergency, please call us immediately. 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.

Thank You for Your Testimonials!

Here at the dental practice of Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS we appreciate feedback from our customers because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Linda R. for being an excellent patient, but we’d like to thank her for reviewing us. Additionally, we encourage the rest of our customers to do the same.  

“I have been seeing Dr. Rudolph for at least 20 years and he has managed all my varied dental needs in a highly skilled and professional manner. He is up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques. His supervision of an Invisalign teeth-straightening program for both me and for my husband has had marvelous results for us both. Our smiles now bring us many compliments. His staff is very warm and capable. In emergencies, he has fit me in quickly or taken my call to help put my mind at ease or strategize on how to resolve the issue quickly. I have sent many friends to him and they are now loyal patients.” – Linda R.

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning 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.

Details on Dental Veneers

Dental veneers, sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental laminates, are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth. Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS utilizes them to routinely fix teeth that are discolored, teeth that are worn down, or teeth that are chipped or broken. If you wish to enhance the appearance of your smile and are looking for a more advanced treatment option, then dental veneers might be for you.

Veneers are made by a dental technician, usually in a dental lab, working from a model provided by Dr. Keith Rudolph. Placing veneers is usually an irreversible task, because, in order to complete the course of action, it’s necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from your tooth to accommodate the shell. Veneers do a great job of masking undesirable defects, such as stained teeth, or teeth with gaps between them. Before placing veneers, Dr. Keith Rudolph will assure that you are comfortable with the entire treatment process.

If you believe that you may benefit from dental veneers, 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.