Connect with the Braces Brigade!

At the office of Charles J. Ruff, DMD, our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys. The blog will serve as a source of guidance for others as the patients undergo orthodontic care.

Our team at Charles J. Ruff, DMD encourages you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Dr. Ruff!

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!

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!

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!

The Big Day: Getting Your Braces on with Dr. Charles Ruff!

What was it like when you were sitting in the orthodontic chair, waiting to get your braces on? Were you anxious, nervous, or excited to see your new smile? In this patient-original contest video, Lyric shares his experience while waiting for the big day with Dr. Charles Ruff.

For more information on Dr. Charles Ruff, and orthodontic treatment options in Waterville, Skowhegan, and Dover-Foxcroft, give us a call!

Cold and Flu Season is Here - Replace Your Toothbrush!

Winter is upon us, and with it comes the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, Dr. Charles Ruff will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs are known to linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

We hope these tips help! Just a reminder: If your child is having flu-like symptoms especially a fever we suggested that you reschedule your orthodontic visit. For your safety, we will also stay home if we are exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Feel free to call us at Dr. Charles Ruff if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

Dr. Charles Ruff's Smiles4ME Kids Club

Would you like to win Ruff Bucks, Webkinz, a toothbrush, movie pass, and other cool prizes? Now you can when you spin the wheel at our office. Be sure to ask Dr. Charles Ruff about our Smiles4ME Kids Club at your next appointment!