What actions should you take in order to better protect your smile? If you feel that you could do a better job brushing and flossing your teeth, you should certainly work to address any shortcomings. Changing your diet to cut back on sugar can also help. While important, these measures tend to be familiar with people, and you may have already made these adjustments after having recent troubles with tooth decay. One thing you might not realize is that dry mouth can actually interfere with your ability to avoid dental decay. Our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office can help you maintain a healthy smile by providing routine preventive dental services, and by pointing out issues that you should address in order to stay out of smile trouble in the future.
Why Should You Worry About Dry Mouth?
If you struggle with dry mouth, you can be familiar with the discomfort it can cause, but you may not have recognized the threat it poses to your oral health. This problem occurs because your mouth is not producing enough saliva. This may be because you are dehydrated, it could be caused by stress, or it could be a symptom of a medication that you take. A lack of saliva is not something that you should just ignore – when this problem occurs, it can impact your ability to naturally fight acids and oral bacteria. It can also make it more difficult to clear away food debris after you eat.
What Can I Do To Address Problems With Dry Mouth?
If you often have bouts of dry mouth, drinking more water can help. This can help you deal with dehydration if this problem affects you. Another quick response can be to chew sugar-free gum, as the act of chewing can stimulate saliva production. If you have a hard time with this problem because of a medication that has been prescribed to you, let the doctor who advised you to take it know.
Drinking Water Can Have Several Benefits For Your Smile
When it comes to preventing dental problems, drinking water can be more than just a method of dealing with dry mouth and dehydration. By drinking water as an alternative to soft drinks and other flavored beverages, you can cut down on sugar and make yourself less likely to have issues that require the placement of a dental filling or dental crown. In addition to helping you prevent cavities, choosing water over flavored beverages can also help you cut back on products that can leave teeth stains.
Our Ankeny, IA Dentist’s Office Helps Patients Protect Their Smiles
At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we are prepared to help patients who are concerned about the health of their teeth. To find out what we can do to help protect your smile, please call Dental Impressions at (515) 965-0230.
