Dr. Angela Ruff Archives - Page 2 of 2

Dental Checkups Can Save Your Smile!

May 13, 2014

shutterstock_149625803 With certain things in life, there is maintenance involved. Plants need to be watered, clothes need to be washed, etcetera. The same goes for your teeth, and at Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry, we stress the importance of taking care of your teeth, which is why routine checkups are so important. When you take care of your teeth, there is no doubt you are on the road to excellent dental health.

We recommend having a dental checkup every six months. During the checkup, Dr. Angela Ruff and our experienced team will be able to fully assess your smile, and look for potential problems. Routine checkups allow us to see if you have any early signs of cavities, gum disease, and other issues. We will be able to remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth, leaving your mouth clean and fresh. Though brushing and flossing your teeth are excellent ways of maintaining a beautiful smile, we will be able to tackle the areas that a toothbrush can’t reach. If during your checkup we detect signs of gum disease, we may request you come in every three months so we can take care of the issue before it gets worse.

Children’s teeth are just as important, if not more, than an adult’s, so we are sure to take excellent care of them when they come in for their checkup. We provide our youngest patients with dental sealants, fluoride treatments, making sure their smile has the change to stay beautiful and healthy!

If you’re due for a dental checkup, make an appointment, and we will be glad to help you achieve excellent oral health!

Call Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry to schedule a visit with Dr. Angela Ruff. Our Fayetteville office also serves patients from Spring Lake and all of Cumberland County.

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What Is Fluorosis?

April 21, 2014

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: Ascot Aesthetic Implants and Dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, Cumberland County, Dr. Angela Ruff, Fayetteville, fluoride, fluorosis, porcelain veneers, Spring Lake — Dr. Angela Ruff @ 2:07 pm

If you want to have a healthy smile, fluoride is important. That’s why it’s the active ingredient in most toothpaste brands and why it’s been added to most water supplies. Fluoride attracts minerals that will help your enamel stay strong in the face of bacteria and plaque.

But it is possible to get too much of a bad thing, and the same is true with fluoride. Too much fluoride can result in a condition called fluorosis. With this fluorosis, patients end up with small white streaks on the enamel of their teeth. Or, instead of streaks, some patients end up with discoloration of brown markings. Once there, these stains are permanent and may even get darker over time.

To get rid of the streaks or stains caused by fluorosis, we recommend a cosmetic dentistry service like porcelain veneers. With porcelain veneers from Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry, patients can hide the blemishes that are keeping them from smiling with complete confidence.

Have you noticed specks or streaks on your teeth? Dr. Angela Ruff will be happy to look at your smile and see if you’re struggling with fluorosis. If you are, she will work with you to improve how your teeth look. If you have any questions about the treatment she recommends, don’t hesitate to ask.

Dr. Ruff is happy to offer cosmetic care to patients from Fayetteville, Spring Lake, and all of Cumberland County. Call us today for an appointment.

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Your Smile Needs Vitamins and Minerals

April 17, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Ascot Aesthetic Implants and Dentistry, Cumberland County, Dr. Angela Ruff, Fayetteville, general dentistry, minerals, Spring Lake, vitamins — Dr. Angela Ruff @ 2:44 pm

You know vitamins and minerals are essential for good health and wellbeing, but do you know how they can specifically help your smile? We’d like to spend today’s blog post looking at that question.

Some of the most essential vitamins and minerals for your smile include:

Calcium
Iron
Vitamin B2, B3, and B12
Vitamin D

To enjoy good oral health, make sure that you’re eating foods that will expose you to each of these.

Dairy items like milk, cheese, and yogurt are high in calcium. A patient who doesn’t get enough calcium may be more susceptible to oral health issues like gum disease and tooth decay. These same foods are also high in vitamin B12, which can prevent mouth sores. Meanwhile, a vitamin C deficiency can eventually lead to bleeding gums and loose teeth. You can find vitamin C in foods like sweet potatoes, raw red peppers, and oranges.

To make sure you get the vitamins and minerals necessary for good oral and overall health, we recommend eating a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and foods high in protein. We also recommend brushing with toothpaste that contains fluoride. This active ingredient helps strengthen teeth by attracting vitamins and minerals essential for strong enamel.

Do you have questions about how vitamins and minerals can help your smile? Call Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry to schedule a visit with Dr. Angela Ruff. Our Fayetteville office also serves patients from Spring Lake and all of Cumberland County.

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Periodontal Therapy for Fayetteville and Beyond

March 11, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Ascot Aesthetic Implants and Dentistry, Cumberland County, Dr. Angela Ruff, Fayetteville, general dentistry, periodontal therapy, Spring Lake — Dr. Angela Ruff @ 4:27 pm

periodontal therapy One of the most common oral health problems a person can face is periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. A majority of adults over 35 struggle with periodontal disease in some capacity. It’s also the number one cause of tooth loss in adults.

What causes periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease results from the buildup of bacteria and plaque around the gums. When this buildup occurs, the sensitive gum tissue becomes irritated, causing a range of symptoms—many of which go unnoticed for far too long. The most common symptoms of periodontal disease include:

Gum recession, or gums pulling away from teeth
Loose or separating teeth
Pus between the gum and tooth
Persistent bad breath
Bite changes
Change in the fit of partial dentures

During every general checkup at Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry, Dr. Angela Ruff will look for these symptoms. Giving patients attentive, personalized care means looking closely for these telltale signs as often as possible.

What if Dr. Ruff finds one of these symptoms?

That’s where periodontal therapy comes in. With personalized periodontal therapy, Dr. Ruff can help you treat your symptoms before they have time to worsen. Treating periodontal disease early is important; if left untreated, it can have a powerful impact on oral health, but it can also have a serious impact overall health.

A range of health conditions have been linked to periodontal disease, including:

Heart disease
Stroke
Diabetes
Alzheimer’s
Rheumatoid arthritis
Pneumonia
Pre-term or low birth weight

Are you experiencing any symptoms of periodontal disease? Call Ascot Implants & Dentistry to schedule a consultation appointment with us. Dr. Ruff offers personalized periodontal therapy to patients from Fayetteville, Spring Lake, and all of Cumberland County.

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Teeth Whitening for Fayetteville and Cumberland County

March 4, 2014

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: cosmetic dentistry, Cumberland County, Dr. Angela Ruff, Fayetteville, Spring Lake, teeth whitening — Dr. Angela Ruff @ 6:13 pm

Out of all the cosmetic dentistry services offered at Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry, few are as popular at teeth whitening. Professional whitening lets patients reverse the staining caused by coffee, tea, red wine, and so many other kinds of commonly consumed drinks and foods. Aging also plays a role in the formation of stains, as does tobacco and some medications.

To treat stains, Dr. Ruff offers effective care with custom bleaching trays and a supply of professional-strength whitener. With your trays and your whitener, you can complete your teeth whitening treatment in the comfort of your own home.

Achieving a whiter smile is as simple as wearing your trays for about 30 minutes a day over the course of a few weeks. Typically, it takes 7 to 10 days to see results. While you whiten, you can take care of some chores around the house or just relax in front of the TV or with a book. If you need to touch-up your smile with future teeth whitening treatments, the process works the same way.

And what if teeth whitening alone doesn’t give you the results you’ve dreamed of? Dr. Ruff would be happy to recommend a secondary service, like porcelain veneers, to give you extra help. Some patients need multiple services to get exactly what they want.

A Whiter Smile in A Few Days

Our Fayetteville office is committed to creating beautiful smiles. Do you have questions about teeth whitening and how it can help you? Call Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry today. During a consultation appointment with Dr. Ruff, we can talk to you about your goals, your options, and what will work best for your specific needs.

We serve patients from Fayetteville, Spring Lake, and all of Cumberland County.

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Heart Health and Overall Health

February 14, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Cumberland County, Dr. Angela Ruff, Fayetteville, general dentistry, gum disease, heart disease, Spring Lake — Dr. Angela Ruff @ 4:49 pm

heart health You may not realize it, but there is a very real connection between your oral health and the health of your heart. As some recent data has shown, advanced gum disease can contribute to clotting and heart disease, the number one cause of death for men and women in the U.S.

How is this possible?

It has to do with the way advanced gum disease affects your smile. Gum disease is caused by an accumulation of bacteria and plaque around the gum line. Over time, gum disease can cause tissue loss, resulting in pockets (or small gaps) between the teeth and gums. Bacteria and plaque can get into these pockets and, from there, into the body’s blood stream, which can carry them to the heart.

Other health problems have been linked to gum disease as well, including:

Stroke
Alzheimer’s
Diabetes
Pneumonia
Pre-term birth

The best way to defend yourself against health problems caused by gum disease is to be vigilant about your oral health.

One way you can do that is with a good brushing and flossing routine. Brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once, and using an antibacterial mouthwash will help you control the presence of bacteria and plaque in your mouth.

But brushing and flossing alone aren’t all you need. With regular checkups and dental cleanings at Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry, our Fayetteville dental team can help you remove bacteria and plaque that would be hard to reach on your own. We can also watch for signs of gum disease and offer treatment if necessary.

Are you curious about the connection between gum disease and your overall health? Call Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry today to schedule an appointment. Dr. Ruff offers exceptional care to patients from Fayetteville, Spring Lake, and all of Cumberland County.

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Porcelain Veneers for Fayetteville Smiles

February 13, 2014

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: Ascot Aesthetic Implants and Dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Angela Ruff, porcelain veneers — Dr. Angela Ruff @ 4:20 pm

How can you quickly and easily transform a chipped, gapped, misshapen, or discolored smile? You can do it with a popular cosmetic dentistry service called porcelain veneers. Using thin pieces of tooth-shaped porcelain, Dr. Ruff and the team at Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry can help you hide flaws and enjoy a new, natural-looking smile. That’s because porcelain looks almost identical to natural enamel. What’s more, the size, shape, and color of your porcelain veneers can be customized, leading to remarkable results.

Here’s what you can expect from the treatment process.

First, Dr. Ruff will look at your teeth and talk to you about the goals you have for your smile. Then, when she’s completed an oral exam and talked with you, she can begin designing your veneers. Our lab will carefully fabricate your veneers from thin pieces of high-quality porcelain. In between appointments you’ll wear a set of temporary veneers. When your finished veneers are ready, you’ll come back to our Fayetteville dental office to have your temporary veneers removed and new permanent ones put in place.

Are porcelain veneers right for you? Dr. Ruff would be happy to answer that question during a consultation at Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry. Call us today to schedule an appointment. We happily offer cosmetic care to patients from Spring Lake and all of Cumberland County.

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Sedation Dentistry from Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry

January 16, 2014

Filed under: Sedation Dentistry — Tags: ascot, Cumberland County, Dr. Angela Ruff, Fayetteville, general dentistry, sedation dentistry, Spring Lake — tntadmin @ 6:47 pm

Every year, a surprising number of patients avoid dental care because of anxiety. Other patients avoid it because of a sensitive gag reflex or because they have trouble getting numb. Regardless of the reason, though, no one should avoid care—a healthy smile is too important for overall health and wellbeing.

To help her patients overcome anxiety and other barriers, Dr. Ruff of Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry offers three effective forms of sedation dentistry:

Nitrous Oxide
Oral Conscious Sedation
IV Sedation

Each one of them work in a different way, but they can all help patients achieve the desired goal of a more relaxing experience.

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is breathed in through a mask and acts quickly to help patients achieve a comfortable, stress-free state. What’s more, it also wears off quickly, allowing patients to drive themselves home after their visit with Dr. Ruff.

Oral conscious sedation creates pleasant, relaxing feelings with a prescription sedative you’ll take before your appointment begins. This option is good for patients with higher levels of anxiety, or who need to get multiple procedures done in a single visit. Oral sedation doesn’t wear off as quickly as nitrous oxide, though. That means you’ll need to have a friend or family member with you to drive you home afterwards.

IV sedation is also good for advanced anxiety or patients who need comprehensive care. It allows us to very precisely control how relaxed you are, bu, like oral conscious sedation, also takes time to wear off. IV sedation is a safe and very popular choice for patients with dental anxiety.

Do you want to know more about sedation dentistry and whether it will help you? Call Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry today for an appointment with Dr. Ruff. We serve patients from Fayetteville, Spring Lake, and all of Cumberland County.

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Enjoy a Natural Smile Again with Dental Implants for Fayetteville, NC and Beyond

December 12, 2013

Filed under: Restorative Dentistry — Tags: Cumberland County, dental implants, Dr. Angela Ruff, Fayetteville, restorative dentistry, Spring Lake — tntadmin @ 9:30 pm

Have you experienced the loss of one or more teeth? Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry can help you restore what’s been lost with dental implants. This popular and effective restorative dentistry service creates natural results through the combination of one or more metal implants posts, plus a new crown, bridge, partial, or full denture.

The post portion of dental implants have the job of anchoring your new restoration to your jaw, in much the same way as a natural tooth root would. Your tooth roots are important because they anchor your teeth to your jaw, but also because they encourage your jawbone to grow new bone tissue throughout your life. With one or more tooth roots missing from your smile, your jawbone will begin to weaken, eventually putting nearby teeth at risk of being lost as well.

Dental implants can help you preserve remaining teeth and strengthen your jaw by mimicking the relationship between the jaw and a natural tooth root. Treatment with dental implants is completed in two stages. In the first stage, one or more implants are surgically implanted in the jaw. After a healing period, in which your implant(s) has had a chance to bond with the bone in your jaw, you’ll come back to Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry to have your new restoration attached.

Dental implants aren’t right for every patient, though. A consultation with our Fayetteville dental team will help us decide what course of action is the best for your particular needs. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Angela Ruff, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Dr. Ruff is happy to offer restorative care to patients from Fayetteville, Spring Lake, and all of Cumberland County.

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