There are obvious reasons to take care of your smile – you can avoid cavities that require restorative dental work, and you can stop gingivitis from developing. What might surprise you to hear is that there are less obvious reasons to focus on maintaining your oral health, too. Did you know that periodontal problems can complicate issues with diabetes and heart disease? Did you know that the bacteria that gather in your mouth can make their way to different parts of your body? When you consider the overall importance of good oral hygiene, it can be easy to see why preventive dentistry can be so important! Your Ankeny, IA dentist can help you maintain a healthy smile during dental exams, and by offering guidance on the care you provide yourself at home.
Your Oral Care Routine Removes Harmful Bacteria From Your Mouth
Harmful bacteria gather in a person’s mouth throughout the day, and they can continue to accumulate if they are not removed. This is why consistency is so important to an oral health care routine. If you are not taking the time to brush at least twice a day, and floss at least once, those bacteria can build up and form plaque deposits, which can harden to tartar.
Periodontal Problems Can Affect Your General Health
Your periodontal health can have more impact on your general health than you may realize. Bacteria that gather beneath your gums may travel to different parts of your body. Bacteria that cause inflammation in your gums can create new problems if this occurs, and put your well-being at risk! Links to heart disease and gum disease have been identified, and an infection may make it harder for you to manage a condition like diabetes.
If you show signs of poor periodontal health during a routine dental checkup, your dentist can recommend a special periodontal cleaning to fight the condition. You can take care of your gums at home by making sure you clean at your gum line whenever you brush and floss.
Avoid The Consequences Of Advanced Tooth Decay
In addition to causing your tooth to ache, an advanced cavity can cause serious problems for you. The area around your tooth can swell, which can create further discomfort. You can also experience a fever, feel increased tooth sensitivity, and even struggle to bite and chew. These issues can be avoided when you take care of your teeth at home, and attend regular dental exams. Your dentist can actually spot a cavity before these complications ever occur, and you can have the tooth in question restored with a dental filling before you have more problems to worry about.
Your Ankeny, IA Dentist Can Help You Maintain Your Oral Health
At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, patients who are struggling with signs of poor dental or periodontal health can count on important support. To learn more about the services that we provide, call Dental Impression in Ankeny, IA at (515) 965-0230.
