Showing posts with label Dover-Foxcroft orthodontist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dover-Foxcroft orthodontist. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Spring is here! Do we have your current contact info?


Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

Thank you! Have a great week!

Monday, December 26, 2011

What is your New Year’s Resolution?

Many folks consider the beginning of a new year a time to not only reflect on the year that was, but also to set personal goals for the upcoming year. How are you planning to improve your health and happiness in 2012? Dr. Charles Ruff and our team recommend that you make a New Year’s resolution to benefit your oral health!

It is important that New Year’s resolutions are reasonable and attainable, and that they improve your overall quality of life—for example, did you know that flossing every day is the very best way to prevent periodontal, or gum, disease? Using a straw when drinking sugary beverages can also help prevent cavities. There are many small steps that you can take to prevent cavities, oral infections and bad breath.

Be sure to give us a call if you need a few suggestions on ways to improve your oral health, or visit this helpful article from our friends at the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). After all, we know your oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile.

Happy New Year!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Giving thanks this holiday season

With holiday season here, Dr. Charles Ruff and our staff wanted to stop for a moment to say how thankful we are to have you in our family. We realize that our practice thrives because of great patients like you. We are the lucky ones because we not only help keep you and your smile healthy, but we also have the pleasure of knowing you and your loved ones.

As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality care that we have given you over the years.

We hope that this holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving from Dr. Ruff and team!

Dr. Charles J. Ruff and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat!

If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to post them to our Facebook page or call our office and ask how.

Gobble Gobble!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Ask Dr. Ruff: What foods are braces-friendly?

You just got braces at Charles J. Ruff, DMD and Dr. Ruff has informed you that during your orthodontic treatment you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that will allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care!

Recipes include main dishes, side dishes and even yummy desserts! After all, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps the patient achieve the best possible results from orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions about the recipes listed or about the foods you should be avoiding during your orthodontic treatment, please give us a call or ask us on Facebook!
Enjoy!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Summer fun with Dr. Charles Ruff

It’s summer here at Dr. Charles Ruff's office, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, hitting America’s open roads or just having fun in the backyard, Dr. Ruff and our team want to hear all about it! Leave a comment on our Facebook fan page and tell us about your summer!

We also encourage you to post any photos from your adventures to our Facebook wall!

Happy travels,

-Dr. Ruff and team

Friday, August 5, 2011

What’s so bad about nail biting?

We’ve all heard that biting your nails is an awful habit, but you many wonder- really- what’s so bad about it? Recently, our team at Dr. Ruff's office found an interesting article that discusses how biting your nails affect your teeth and oral health.

Nail biting, also known as Onychophagia, is a common habit among various age groups, including primarily children, teens and young adults. Nail biting is generally triggered by stress and most often decreases with age. That being said, nail biting is unsanitary, unattractive, as well as unhealthy for your teeth!

Here’s why:
• It’s unsanitary. Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.
• No good things come to your teeth. Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good for them. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth- contributing to teeth misalignment.
• Braces don’t love it either. Braces already put pressure on teeth, nail biting ads unnecessary pressure, further stressing your teeth and weakening their roots.
• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Yikes!

What can you do about it?
Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your nail biting habit. Try to be conscious of your fingernails and to keep them looking good- this will help you resist the temptation. Ask Dr. Ruff or visit the article for tips on how to break a nail biting habit. Good luck!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Why do you choose Dr. Ruff and our team?

Dr. Charles Ruff, serving Waterville, Skowhegan and Dover–Foxcroft, strives to provide exceptional treatment in an informative and friendly environment. Have you had a great experience at our office?

Share your story with the world!



Just select the "Write a Review" button above to write a review on our Google Place Page. We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Thank you,
The team at Dr. Ruff's office

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

More happy patients at Dr. Ruff's office!

Dr. Charles Ruff, serving Waterville, Skowhegan and Dover–Foxcroft, ME, has been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Ruff and team!

Rylee H.'s mom: "She just loves it here!"

Zach D.’s mom: "It is always so pleasant to come here."

Anne B., Rosalie’s mom, said on Judys Book: "Rosalie had a good visit. She said she liked the office better than that of her regular dentist. I found the visit informative, with Sarah anticipating and answering questions before I thought of them. Thanks."

Mikayla D. on Judys Book: "I was really scared when I went to my first appoinment and they were really nice and now I love going to my appoinments :)"

Sierra (Invisalign patient): “Sarah came into the office on Christmas Eve because that was the only day I could meet up with her before my flexible benefits expired! Thanks again!!!” AND “Dr. Ruff's office staff should be a role model for other offices.”

Tabitha W. from Judys Book: "Every one was very welcoming. Throughly explained the procedures and steps we would be going through. Granted this was the first step in the process, but regardless, my daughter and I left the appointment feeling like everyone had our best interests at heart."

Friday, July 8, 2011

Orthodontic Emergency Care with Dr. Ruff

True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ruff.

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with Charles J. Ruff, DMD.

The following solutions may help you relieve your discomfort:

Poking Wire: Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort.

Loose Bracket or Band: If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket with a tissue.

Loose Wire: Using a tweezers, try to place your wire back into place. If doing this and using wax does not help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on it.

Loose Appliance: If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part of your appliance.

Headgear Does Not Fit: Sometimes headgear discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed by your orthodontist. Please refer to the instructions provided by your orthodontist. If the facebow is bent, please call our office for assistance. Surprisingly, headgear becomes more comfortable the more it's worn, so be sure you’re getting in the prescribed hours.

General Soreness: When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain.

Remember, after alleviating your discomfort, it is still very important that you call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Dr. Ruff's Office Asks: What are your fun 4th of July plans?

This coming Monday, July 4th, is Independence Day and the United States of America will be turning 235 years old! It’s a day to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and also a time for every American to pay homage to our soldiers, past and present, who have placed themselves in harm’s way so that we may continue to enjoy our freedom.

Dr. Ruff and team will be celebrating this Monday and we would like to know, what are your plans for the 4th of July? Will you be out in the sun? Have you stocked up on fireworks? Are you going to grill up your favorite summer foods? Are you staying in town or heading somewhere else? If you have a 4th of July tradition, we would love to hear about it.

Whatever you plan to do, the office of Dr. Ruff hopes you have a fun and safe holiday! Feel free to upload your 4th of July photos to our Facebook page and let us know how your Independence Day turned out this year.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

The Trek Across Maine begins!

Our team at Dr. Ruff's office have officially began the Trek Across Maine! Darlene, Sarah and Kim are heading up together and Bruce and his wife Kate will be meeting the rest of us in Bethel tonight.

This week, Cooper came in to get his family's prize. His family helped design the cycling jerseys that we are wearing during the Trek Across Maine this weekend. Since we picked their design, they received their very own cycle jersey and $50 in gift cards!

Be sure to check back to our Facebook page this weekend, so that you can receive all sorts of exciting updates about our Trek Across Maine. Wish us luck!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

At Charles J. Ruff, DMD, your comfort is our priority!

From convenient appointments to offering contests and other forms of entertainment in the waiting room, there are so many things our Waterville, Skowhegan and Dover–Foxcroft orthodontic offices do to help put our patients at ease. For example, at each appointment, patients receive Ruff Bucks that can later be turned in for prizes like gift cards, water bottles and t-shirts! As an added benefit for our patients and any moms and dads who spend time in our waiting room, Dr. Ruff also offers FREE wireless internet.

We’d like to know: What is it about Dr. Ruff and our team that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment or friendly staff? Let us know by posting here, on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Dr. Ruff and team, wishing you a relaxing and memorable Memorial Day weekend

Memorial Day weekend is a time when Americans everywhere stop and remember all those men and women who bravely gave their lives for our country.

Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer 2011, and for many folks in Waterville, Skowhegan and Dover–Foxcroft, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the office or in the classroom means sweet, sweet relief. At Charles J. Ruff, DMD, we also know Memorial Day weekend is ripe for travel. After all, it’s a season of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, hitting the great open roads or hanging out in your backyard this weekend, we want to know about it!

Have a nice and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Taking steps to reduce our environmental impact

We are living in an age with a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. Earth Day is this Friday, April 22nd, and we thought this would a great time to discuss the things that Dr. Ruff and our office does to conserve our natural resources and the environment.

Did you know that we offer patients account access 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Our office has convenient and secure online services with Sesame 24-7™. Patients can also receive appointment reminders through email or text messages. Since this information is submitted electronically, we eliminate the use of large amounts of paper and printing materials.

Dr. Ruff and our team would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment below or you can also visit our Facebook page and post something on our wall.

Happy Earth Day!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Now that I have braces, what can I eat?

There are a variety of foods Dr. Charles Ruff suggests you avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods you should avoid include:

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Also, chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give us a call or ask our staff during your next visit.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Smile wider, live longer, from Dr. Ruff

Folks with big smiles may actually live longer than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. Dr. Ruff has known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Dr. Ruff on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Dr. Ruff, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the Waterville, Dover-Foxcroft and Skowhegan areas!

Friday, February 11, 2011

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Each February for the past 61years, the American Dental Association (ADA) has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

For kids wearing braces, brushing and flossing can become more difficult, requiring extra time and vigilance to remove food particles that accumulate on and between the teeth and in braces. New options for braces such as Invisalign Teen, which is removable, make it easier for kids to maintain good oral health during orthodontic treatment.

If the health of your teeth is ignored during treatment with braces, the results can be significantly compromised. Dr. Ruff is available and happy to explain why effective brushing and flossing is one of the most critical actions needed from patients during orthodontic treatment. Have you visited us lately? Give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Dr. Ruff's Dental Health Month Contest

With February being National Children's Dental Health Month, Dr. Ruff and our team would like to introduce a fun patient contest. We encourage everyone to visit our website to print out the Word Find game. Take some time as a family to find dental related words. There are 30 words total, many of which you have probably heard us use in the office.

We will be giving away an Oral B Professional Series Automatic Toothbrush, 4 movie tickets to Flagship Cinemas, and a $25 Pizza Hut gift card to the three families who find the most words.

If there are more than three families who win, we will be holding a random drawing. As always, please give us a call if you have any questions!

Good Luck, and Happy Dental Health Month!