Am I Too Old for Braces?

Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

·         Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease

·         Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw

·         A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

Regular checkups and your oral health

Are you brushing and flossing daily 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 our office, 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 our area!

- Dr. Charles J. Ruff and team

Thanks to Invisalign®, mom and dad can have a perfect smile, too! From Dr. Charles Ruff

Hey parents! Focusing on your kids' teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking wistfully about having your own set of perfect teeth, our staff at the office of Dr. Charles Ruff can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

Connect with us on Facebook!

If you know Dr. Ruff, you know he values the relationships he and our team have developed with patients in Waterville, Foxcroft and surrounding communities. Even if you only see us for your appointment every three- to four months, did you know that you can now connect with us on our Facebook page?

We invite you to “like” Charles J. Ruff DMD on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CharlesJRuffDMD. We share office news and updates on our Fan Page, so check it out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically on Facebook!

See you online and have a great week,

- Dr. Ruff and staff

Wishing you a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day (and night), from Dr. Charles Ruff

Dr. Ruff wants to know: Did you remember to dress in green when you stepped out this morning? Whether Irish or not, millions of people in the U.S. and around the world celebrate St. Patrick's Day with toasts, parades and "the wearing of the green." Dr. Ruff and our team hope you stay safe and enjoy your night out tonight!

Orthodontic fun facts, from Dr. Ruff

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at the office of Dr. Charles J. Ruff thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.
• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.
• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.
• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.
• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.
• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.
• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.
• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Ask Dr. Ruff: Who benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Ruff will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic care; whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road. If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment at (207) 873-7425 for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, and your life!

Imagining your life with Invisalign®

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Dr. Charles Ruff and our team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment with Dr. Ruff.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit your office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Dr. Ruff will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

Access your account anytime!

Access to your account at any time. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients of Dr. Ruff enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—on our web site. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages! Just see what some of Dr. Ruff‘s patients are saying about this innovative service:

"The financial info and pictures were very helpful and accurate." ~ Charles C.

"I'm able to get information about our account and treatment schedule without having to make a long distance telephone call during the Dr's office hours. I can do it at any hour of the day or night right from my own computer at no extra cost or hassle." ~ Robert W.

"Being able to check online for time and dates of appointments is very convenient." ~ Michael W.

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions!

Toothbrush Trivia with Dr. Charles Ruff!

People have been brushing their teeth for thousands of years! In fact, the first “toothbrush” was created around 3000BC! Ancient civilizations used a thin twig with a frayed edge to rub against their teeth for cleaning.

The first toothbrush with bristles – similar to today’s toothbrushes – was invented in 1498 in China. Brushes were made out of bone or bamboo with bristles made from the hairs on the back of a hog’s neck.

It wasn’t until 1938 that the first nylon bristle toothbrush was introduced and people quickly became aware of practicing good oral hygiene.

Here are some other interesting facts about your toothbrush (and toothpaste):

• Most people are said to use blue toothbrushes over any other color
• The first toothpaste was used in 500 BC in China and India
• On average, children smile about 400 times per day
• Your toothbrush should be replaced every two months
• The first known toothpaste was used in 1780, Crest was introduced in the US in 1955 and Colgate in 1873

Dr. Ruff and team want to know: What are you up to in January?

BRRRR! It may still be chilly in Waterville (23 degrees), but can you believe we’re only a couple of months away from spring? Dr. Ruff and team want to know: What are you doing in January? What have you accomplished this year? Are you keeping up with your New Year’s Resolution? Any big mid-winter break plans? Anything exciting going on in your life?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or call our office at (207) 873-7425 and ask how! Have a great rest of the week!

What are patients saying about Dr. Ruff?

Dr. Charles Ruff and our team just love getting patient reviews. And lately, our office, serving Waterville, Dover Foxcroft, Skowhegan and surrounding communities, has been getting some pretty great patient testimonials! We thought we'd share some with you today! If you have any reviews you'd like to share with us, please pass them along!

"EVERYONE in the office is friendly, professional, and makes you feel welcome and special for coming to the office." ~ Kevin S.

"Dr. Ruff definitely has the best reputation in our area. He is honest and his care is outstanding." ~ Brian S.

"Professional, friendly, polite, helpful, responsive, give me plenty of reminders about appointments, pleasant office . . . can't imagine a better place." ~ Melora N.

"We like the friendly staff and Dr. Ruff is very pleasant. He really cares about the kids teeth and has a wonderful way of working with the kids." ~ Andrew C.

"He is thorough and a perfectionist." ~ Donald H.

Dr. Ruff wants to know: What do you love about our practice?

From your very first visit to our office, Dr. Ruff and our team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Ruff? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Do you love your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback on our networks. Or, you can tell us by giving us a call!

Ask Dr. Ruff: Is Invisalign® really customized for each patient?

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work, Dr. Ruff says. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing Dr. Ruff and his team does is take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Ruff is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call! Happy New Year!