Robert B. Ruyak, DMD

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Nutrition and Oral Health

If you practice poor oral hygiene and poor diet, the first signs will often show up in your oral health. If your diet is low in the proper nutrients your body needs, your mouth may have a more difficult time resisting infection. Poor nutrition affects the entire immune system, and people with lowered immune systems have been shown to be at a higher risk for periodontal disease. At the practice of Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD, we can’t monitor what you eat, but we can explain how nutrition and oral health work together.


When we’re hungry, most of us tend to snack on empty calorie foods such as candy, sweets, and snack foods like chips. What we don’t realize is that these foods offer us no nutritional value, and because of the amount and type of sugar that these foods contain, they can adhere to teeth. The bacteria in your mouth feed off these sugars, releasing acids, and that’s what leads to tooth decay. When reaching for a snack, cheese, milk, plain yogurt, as well as fruits and vegetables are foods that may benefit tooth health thanks to their high amounts of calcium and other nutrients they provide. Fruits and vegetables are good choices for a healthy smile since they are high in water and fiber, which balance the sugars they contain and help to clean the teeth.


If you have further questions about how nutrition and oral health go hand-in-hand, give us a call. To learn more about services provided at the office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Are You Flossing Correctly?

At the practice of Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD, our staff is always gifting you floss following a professional cleaning, but how often do you run home to use it? Most of us only use floss to remove food from our teeth, but flossing does much more than that. It removes the film of bacteria that forms on your teeth before it turns to plaque, which can cause gingivitis and cavities. Next time you get your hands on this powerful tool, utilize these tips for effective cleaning.



  • Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.

  • Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.

  • Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.

  • When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.

  • Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the back ones!


If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about oral hygiene services provided at the office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Are You Brushing Effectively?

When you brush your teeth, you help remove food and plaque – a sticky film that forms on your teeth and contains bacteria. The longer plaque is left on your teeth the more time it has to break down tooth enamel and lead to cavities. As much as we love to see your smile here at the practice of Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD, we want you to keep it healthy and utilize these brushing tips in between professional cleanings.



  • Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.

  • Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.

  • Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

  • Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.

  • Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and don’t forget to floss!


If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about oral hygiene services provided at the office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Why Do We Need To Floss?

Every time you visit Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD for a cleaning he probably reminds you to floss or mentions that you aren’t flossing enough. He tells you this with good reason, because floss is the single most important weapon against plaque, perhaps more important than a toothbrush. A toothbrush cleans the surfaces of your teeth, but dental floss cleans between them. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chance of keeping them for a lifetime and decrease your chance of developing gum disease.


Flossing does more than keep your smile pretty and healthy. It removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Many people don’t spend enough time flossing or they may have not been taught to floss properly. To give your teeth a good flossing, spend at least two or three minutes on the process and be gentle to your gums.  


If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about services provided at the office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

What is Scaling and Root Planing?

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on your teeth. If you have a stubborn case of gum disease, Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD may recommended scaling and root planing. This procedure is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes severe. In fact, it’s even been known to reverse it.


Teeth scaling and root planing causes very little discomfort and can be completed in one single visit. During the teeth scaling process, Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD will numb the gums and tooth roots with local anesthesia. He will then use special tools to remove the hardened deposits of tartar from the teeth both above and below the gum line. Root planing involves detailed scaling of the root surface to decrease inflammation of the gum tissue.


If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about scaling and root planing, as well as other services provided at the office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Practice Proper Oral Hygiene

Taking care of your teeth can help you maintain your overall dental health. When you practice proper oral hygiene on a daily basis, it can help prevent periodontal or gum disease from developing. As much as our staff loves to see you at the dental practice of Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD we encourage you to practice preventive dentistry. This begins at home with a proper oral care routine.


Spend at least three minutes brushing your teeth two times a day. Use a timer if you have one to ensure that you’re spending enough time on your oral care routine. In addition to brushing, use floss at least once a day every day to clean between your teeth. When shopping for dental products, look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Also, don’t forget to schedule a professional cleaning with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD every six months to preserve your progress.


If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about the oral hygiene services provided at the office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

When is Crown Lengthening Required?

Sometimes, not enough of the tooth sticks out above the gum to support a filling or a dental crown. When this happens, crown lengthening is often required in preparing your tooth for the crown. Dental crown lengthening is a type of oral surgery that is necessary if you have a broken or decayed tooth at the gum line. However, there is no need to go to an oral surgeon because Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD provides the service at his dental practice.


Crown lengthening procedures are done for restorative dentistry and/or to improve the esthetics of your smile. To place a filling or a crown, Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD needs to expose more of the tooth and crown lengthening will be necessary. Sometimes patients have what is considered a “gummy smile” when the teeth appear short and crown lengthening can be done to several teeth or your entire gum line to improve it, depending on your specific needs.


To learn about how the crown lengthening procedure is done, give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at the office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Reduced Radiation with Digital X-rays

One of medicine’s most remarkable achievements is the use of X-rays to see inside the body without having a surgeon stick a scalpel in your face. Radiation from dental imaging has attracted more controversy in recent years as computed tomography (CT) scans become more common in dentistry and as more becomes known about radiation’s long-term effects. Here at the dental practice of Dr. Robert Ruyak our X-rays are panoramic digital images where a digital sensor is placed inside your mouth to take an image and then downloaded into our computer.


Using digital images reduces the radiation by 75%, there is no waiting time for an X-ray to develop, and there are no chemicals used in the process to pollute the environment. While the diagnostic benefits of this technology have been addressed, very few folks may realize that digital radiography is also quite cost-effective. Another added benefit? The digital X-ray is available immediately with a complete view of your mouth in just one shot, reducing your treatment time as well!


To learn more about digital X-rays as well as services provided at the office, give us a call or visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Defeating Periodontitis with Arestin

Good brushing and flossing habits are vital to strong oral health. When not practiced properly, lack of these habits may lead to periodontal (gum) disease. Root planing and scaling is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes severe. In adjunct to scaling and root planing, Dr. Robert Ruyak utilizes Arestin for reduction of pocket depth in patients with adult periodontitis.


Root planing and scaling cleans between the gums and the teeth down to the roots. It is done when gums have either started to pull away from the teeth or the roots of the teeth have hard mineral deposits (tartar) on them. Bacteria are the cause of gum disease, which is why Dr. Robert Ruyak utilizes Arestin. Arestin contains microspheres – tiny particles – that are smaller than grains of sand and are not visible to the human eye. The microspheres are filled with the antibiotic minocycline hydrochloride. These microspheres release the antibiotic over time, killing bacteria so that your gums can heal better than with scaling and root planing alone.


To learn more about Arestin, periodontal disease, scaling and root planing as well as services provided at the office, give us a call or visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Screening for Oral Cancer

 


Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that affects the mouth. It can form in the lining of the cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, tongue, and lips. During your dental visit with Dr. Robert Ruyak, he can talk to you about your health history and examine these areas for signs of mouth and/or throat cancer through a procedure called oral cancer screening.

The oral cancer screening is a very important part of the dental visit for the patient. The screening will consist of a visual inspection of the mouth and palpation of the jaw and neck. Regular visits to the dentist office can improve the chances that any suspicious changes in your oral health will be caught early, at a time when cancer can be treated more easily. It is important to remember that your doctor does not necessarily think you have cancer if he or she suggests a screening test because they are given even when you have no cancer symptoms.

To learn more about oral cancer screening as well as other services provided at our office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777.

Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that affects the mouth. It can form in the lining of the cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, tongue, and lips. During your dental visit with Dr. Robert Ruyak, he can talk to you about your health history and examine these areas for signs of mouth and/or throat cancer through a procedure called oral cancer screening.


The oral cancer screening is a very important part of the dental visit for the patient. The screening will consist of a visual inspection of the mouth and palpation of the jaw and neck. Regular visits to the dentist office can improve the chances that any suspicious changes in your oral health will be caught early, at a time when cancer can be treated more easily. It is important to remember that your doctor does not necessarily think you have cancer if he or she suggests a screening test because they are given even when you have no cancer symptoms.


To learn more about oral cancer screening as well as other services provided at our office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777.


 

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Advantages of Teeth Whitening

The teeth whitening process carries with it a lot of advantages, such as improving your appearance and boosting your self-confidence. Even those who brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly may find that food, environmental factors, and the passage of time will eventually take a toll on the natural radiance of their teeth. Fortunately, when this happens, Dr. Robert Ruyak can make your smile brighter than ever before.


The idea of looking good often influences how people feel about themselves. Therefore, the teeth whitening process improves a person’s self-confidence and the personal “feel-good” factor. It is an excellent way to improve one’s appearance and this is usually the reason why people have their teeth whitened. A professional teeth whitening is an incredibly effective way to lighten or altogether eliminate stains and achieve a naturally white smile. Finally, one of the biggest advantages of teeth whitening is that it has no harmful side effects on your teeth.


whitening.jpg


If you are searching to whiten your smile, look no further and give us a call. To learn more about teeth whitening as well as other services provided at our office, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Improve Your Smile with Veneers

 


Veneers are an excellent way to redesign and reshape your entire mouth. Veneers are routinely used to fix: teeth that are discolored, worn down, chipped, broken, or misaligned. Although veneers fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry because they create bright smiles, they also protect the surface of damaged teeth and may eliminate the need for more extensive treatments. Here at Dr. Robert Ruyak’s practice he can provide you with dental veneers that will improve your smile. 

Veneers are reasonable replicas of natural teeth and can greatly enhance your smile as well as heighten your self-esteem. To prepare the teeth for veneers, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Usually, about half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. In terms of the process of placing veneers, it takes about two to three visits. In the first visit, we will discuss the new shape and look of what we are going to accomplish by applying the veneers. Once we have put a plan in place, we will move on to the next step. 

If you have questions about veneers or the application process, give us a call or visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Veneers are an excellent way to redesign and reshape your entire mouth. Veneers are routinely used to fix: teeth that are discolored, worn down, chipped, broken, or misaligned. Although veneers fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry because they create bright smiles, they also protect the surface of damaged teeth and may eliminate the need for more extensive treatments. Here at Dr. Robert Ruyak’s practice he can provide you with dental veneers that will improve your smile.


Veneers are reasonable replicas of natural teeth and can greatly enhance your smile as well as heighten your self-esteem. To prepare the teeth for veneers, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Usually, about half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. In terms of the process of placing veneers, it takes about two to three visits. In the first visit, we will discuss the new shape and look of what we are going to accomplish by applying the veneers. Once we have put a plan in place, we will move on to the next step.


crowns.jpg


 


If you have questions about veneers or the application process, give us a call or visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 


 

Oral Care for Children

Considering that teeth begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy, good dental care begins before a child’s first tooth appears. Babies are born with all of their teeth; you just can’t see them because they are impacted in the gum line. Even babies can develop tooth decay if good feeding habits aren’t practiced. This is why our goal at Dr. Robert Ruyak’s practice is to ensure that this this generation and future generations of our young patients grow up with the healthiest conceivable smile.


In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears or no later than his or her first birthday. Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD is a pediatric dentist that will put your child at ease when it comes time to enjoy their dental visits. He teaches children of all ages how to maintain healthy teeth and gums while using the latest techniques in children’s dentistry. Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD is always thoughtful and caring in every type of treatment.


If you have questions about your child’s visit, give us a call or visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Relieve Headaches with a Mouth Guard

If you grind your teeth or clench your jaws together it has been suggested that this can act as a trigger for headaches, particularly tension type headaches and even migraine. You may subconsciously clench your jaw during the day and even in your sleep. If you are experiencing these pains, Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD can provide you with an FDA-approved NTI mouth guard device.


THE NTI device decreases the strength of tooth clenching by triggering a nerve reflex that relaxes the muscles, and at the same time prevents the molars from touching. This helps the patient by stopping unconscious forceful clenching and biting, preventing common consequences such as worn out teeth and jaw pain, as well as inflammation and tension headaches. NTI night guards are not available over the counter, and have to be custom fitted by Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD. It is inexpensive and painless to insert and can only provide you with excellent relief.


If you have questions about our NTI night guard, give us a call to discuss the pros and cons or visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Oral Health Care for Seniors

Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of oral health problems. These problems include but are not limited to: darkened teeth, dry mouth, gum disease, tooth loss, root decay and gum disease. Here at his practice, Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD provides seniors with honorable dental care by encouraging them to have healthy nutrition and proper dental cleanings.


Seniors are more likely to suffer from a host of oral health issues resulting from their inability to provide themselves with adequate dental hygiene care. Certain medical conditions, such as arthritis in the hands and fingers that may make brushing or flossing teeth difficult to perform. These factors leave many seniors at risk of ignoring tooth decay and tooth infection until there is no alternative but tooth extraction. Here at Dr. Robert Ruyak’s practice, we have procedures or products to prevent this from happening. With regular checkups, we can catch problems in the earliest stages to help prevent serious conditions from occurring.  


If you have questions about our senior dental procedures, give us a call or visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert Ruyak, DMD at his practice in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Dental Implants for Permanent Replacement

When looking to replace a tooth, there are several options out there. Only one option can last a lifetime. Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD chooses to utilize dental implants to replace his patients’ teeth permanently in Bethlehem, PA.


Dental implants are single tooth replacements that can replace one tooth or all of them. They have their own root, which means that they are the closest to a real tooth as possible. The titanium post acting as the tooth root bonds with the jawbone just like a normal tooth. They are able to be made of porcelain and can look just like a normal tooth. This helps complete a smile again in an aesthetically pleasing way.


The titanium post is surgically inserted into the bone socket and will take several months to heal. An abutment will attach a temporary crown during the healing process. When the healing process is complete, the permanent crown will be cemented into place. With a typical oral hygiene routine of brushing twice daily and flossing once per day, dental implants can last a lifetime. This beats out bridges which last up to fifteen years, and beats out dentures which are removable and also need to be replaced.


If you are missing one or more teeth and want a permanent tooth replacement solution, schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD to find out if dental implants will work for you. To schedule, call our Bethlehem, PA dental practice at (610) 861-0777 or visit our website, www.drrobertruyak.com

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Dental Crowns to Restore Weakened Teeth

Teeth that are cracked, decayed, or otherwise weakened need to be strengthened in order to stay healthy. For patients who have a weak tooth, but still have the root intact, Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD here in Bethlehem, PA places dental crowns. Dental crowns are like strengthening caps that go on a tooth.


Dental crowns can be made of gold, porcelain-covered metal, or porcelain. They are able to be made to look and feel just like a normal tooth so that they blend in with your smile. Crowns go on a tooth to restore strength and let the tooth continue its life for a long time. Crowns are durable to last up to fifteen years before needing to be replaced.


A dental crown is placed on a tooth after it has been reshaped. Dr. Ruyak takes impressions of the reshaped tooth and the area surrounding it so that a dental laboratory can create a crown that will fit in perfectly. The crown may take a couple of weeks to be created, so during this time, Dr. Ruyak will fit you with a temporary crown to wear. When the permanent crown is ready, it is cemented into place.


Cracked and weakened teeth can still live a long life in your mouth with dental crowns. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD of Bethlehem, PA, call our office at (610) 861-0777 or visit our website, www.drrobertruyak.com

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Root Canal Therapy

When teeth are infected, they can cause major problems within the mouth and can cause major pain. It is in the event of an infected tooth that root canal therapy must be performed. Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD of Bethlehem, PA performs skilled root canal therapy for his patients who are suffering with an infected tooth.


When bacteria enter the inside of a tooth, the dental pulp, through decay or a crack, this can infect the dental pulp. Infections lead to pain, irritation, and sensitivity. An infected tooth will need to be cleaned out to heal healthy again so that it does not further infect the mouth, destroy bone tissue, and cause the tooth to fall out.


Dr. Ruyak begins root canal therapy by drilling an access hole in the tooth. Through this hole, the dental pulp is reached. The infected tissue is cleaned out and the root canal is scrubbed clean. A sealant called gutta-percha is placed into the tooth to fill the open space and then the access hole is filled. This allows any damaged bone tissue to grow back healthy and allows the tooth to continue a strong and healthy life.


Signs of an infected tooth include a dark spot on the tooth, sensitivity, pain when used to chew, and irritated gums. If you are experiencing any of these signs, call Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD for an examination. You can reach our Bethlehem, PA dental practice at (610) 861-0777 or by visiting our website, www.drrobertruyak.com

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Custom Teeth Whitening Trays in Bethlehem, PA

A bright and shiny smile is something many people desire. Sometimes, though we brush and floss regularly, staining can still happen and make our teeth lose their sheen. Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD offers customized teeth whitening trays for this reason. Our professional whitening system has been brightening the smiles of Bethlehem, PA one by one!


Our customized take-home whitening trays are made from impressions of your teeth; so they fit just right. This custom fit makes sure the whitening is even and effective. The whitening gel is placed into the trays and the trays are worn for a short period of time over a few days. The process is adjustable to your lifestyle, as well. You can make them work for you overnight or during the day.


The whitening gel removes surface stains and discoloration below the enamel for a bright smile. When surface stains penetrate the enamel over time, the dentin below the surface darkens and changes the color of the whole tooth. It is this layer that must be reached in order to achieve the white smile you desire.


If you have had staining due to medications or even just daily wear, your smile does not have to stay that way forever. Come into our Bethlehem, PA dental practice to see Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD and find out if our custom tray whitening system can work for you. To schedule, call us at (610) 861-0777 or visit our website, www.drrobertruyak.com