Is It Possible to Restore Tooth Enamel?

Unlike a broken bone that can be repaired by the body, once a tooth chips or breaks, the damage is done forever. Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth and this tough shell is the hardest tissue in the human body. You wouldn’t think that the toughest substance in your body would be prone to decay, but your tooth enamel is constantly taking a beating for the things you eat and drink. Enamel is similar to bone in that once it's gone, this lost portion can't be retrieved and Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD will recommend options to restore it. 

Because it’s impossible for your body to produce new enamel, your goal should be to strengthen and repair the enamel you have left. This can be done through a process called “remineralization.” By using dental products that contain fluoride and calcium, you can actually focus on these weak spots to strengthen existing enamel before it wears away for good. So this brings us to our question, can tooth enamel be restored? As long as the erosion hasn't caused it to disappear entirely, the answer is yes. Brushing your teeth with enamel-strengthening toothpaste is a great first step, but you can also change some damaging behaviors to do your teeth a lasting favor, such as eating foods that don’t cling to your teeth.

If you fear that you’re at risk for enamel erosion, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Choosing a Unique Toothpaste

At the dental practice of Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD we understand that the selections of toothpaste can be overwhelming when stepping foot into the oral hygiene aisle at the drugstore. Should you go for tartar control, fluoride, sensitive or whitening toothpaste? When it comes to choosing the toothpaste that is best for you, it’s important to consider your unique oral health needs. To find out what those are, we recommend scheduling an appointment with us; meanwhile, here are some options to consider while browsing:

• Anti-cavity: This type of toothpaste contains fluoride. Fluoride plays an active role in preventing decay, and it actively strengthens tooth enamel.


• Anti-gingivitis: If you spit blood in the sink, this is an early sign of gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Anti-gingivitis toothpaste helps reduce oral bacteria and can be very effective at stopping gingivitis in its tracks.


• Desensitizing: If you’ve ever bit into an ice cream cone and felt a sharp pain in your tooth’s nerve, this type of toothpaste will provide relief by blocking the tooth’s pain signal to the nerve.


• Tartar-control: This toothpaste does exact what it says, however, the best way to remove tartar is by scheduling a professional dental cleaning with one of our doctors.


• Whitening: This toothpaste contains chemicals that are able to help maintain the natural color of your teeth.

If you are missing teeth and would like to discuss your restorative options, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

How Painful is the Dental Implant Procedure?

If you are receiving dental implants in the near future, Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD doesn’t want you to be frightened, he would rather you be informed on what to expect. Pain is a common concern among individuals who are considering dental implants and we want you to know that while some discomfort is expected, it shouldn’t be your primary concern.

As with any major dental procedure, or surgery in general, some discomfort is to be expected during the recovery process since it is a surgery that typically involves removing teeth, cutting gums, drilling into the jawbone and inserting a titanium post. The procedure itself is not painful since it is performed with either general or local anesthesia to completely numb your mouth. If you’re anxious about the discomfort during the procedure and being aware of drilling noises and forces being applied to your mouth, please ask us about our sedation options.

If you are missing teeth and would like to discuss your restorative options, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

Foods to Eat with TMJ/TMD

If you suffer from a TMJ disorder, you may notice a clicking or a popping in your jaw when you try to eat your favorite foods. This is because symptoms of TMJ disorder can include jaw discomfort and tenderness or pain when opening or closing the mouth. At the dental practice of Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD we don’t want you to live on a soft diet, but incorporating soft foods into your diet may alleviate your discomfort.

Soft foods give your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal. Some excellent (and healthy) foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies, soup, and yogurt. If you must eat food that requires a heavy amount of chewing, we recommended chopping it up into small pieces. If you have a sweet tooth, soft cakes, cobblers and cheesecake are good things to choose from.

If you experience an ache in your jaw, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777. 

How to Select the Right Mouthwash

Mouthwash or rinses are used for a variety of reasons: to freshen breath, to help prevent or control tooth decay, to reduce plaque, to prevent or reduce gingivitis, to reduce the speed that tartar forms on the teeth, or to produce a combination of these effects.  Mouthwash has a few beneficial properties and Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD would like to explain some of them.

• ·        Antimicrobial agents act directly on oral bacteria to help reduce plaque, decrease the severity of gingivitis and control bad breath.


• ·        Fluoride helps reduce tiny lesions (tooth decay) on tooth enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay.


• ·        Astringent salts can serve as temporary deodorizers that mask bad breath.


• ·        Odor neutralizers act by chemically inactivating odor causing compounds.

If you have questions about oral hygiene or oral hygiene products, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.drrobertruyak.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD in Bethlehem, PA, call 610-861-0777.