When you take the time to brush your teeth, and take care to floss between them, you perform tasks that actively protect you against potential oral health threats. What you might not realize is that you are performing actions throughout your day that also make you more vulnerable to these problems. Many people have a few habits that are increasing their risk for problems with teeth stains, tooth decay, and gum disease. By recognizing and addressing them, you can better protect yourself and make future restorative dental procedures less likely. To further help you take care of your smile, your Ankeny, IA dentist can offer tips and guidance on smart daily habits when you come in for routine dental checkups.
Tobacco Products Can Cause Problems For Your Appearance And Oral Health
Tobacco use can be an issue for your overall health, and it can create problems that concern your oral health. People who regularly smoke can notice unwelcome changes in the color of their teeth, and they can have a more difficult time protecting their gums against gingivitis. You also raise your risk for oral cancer!
Should You Cut Back On Caffeine?
For coffee and tea lovers, or just those who depend on caffeine after long nights, caffeine can be a staple of the day. Unfortunately, many caffeinated products can raise your risk for problems with your smile. If you drink energy drinks and soft drinks for jolts of energy, you can expose your teeth to levels of sugar that raise your risk for cavities. You can also weaken your enamel, as these products are acidic. Even if you are drinking unsweetened coffee and tea, you can worry about teeth stains. These beverages also potentially increase your problems with dry mouth, which can make it more difficult for your body to naturally protect your teeth.
Make Sure You Stay Hydrated On A Regular Basis
If you want to give your smile more support, take care to stay hydrated by drinking water. Water does more than just act as an effective alternative to flavored drinks that can pose oral health threats. It can help you wash away food debris, and – if you have access to water containing fluoride – it can help your teeth recover from minor erosion that can lead to a cavity. Dropping sweetened drinks in favor of water after receiving a dental filling or dental crown can help you make changes that benefit your long-term oral health.
Dental Impressions Helps Ankeny, IA Community Members Protect Their Smiles!
In addition to helping patients when they visit us, our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office is proud to have helped many patients make changes to their routines that have helped them better protect their smiles at home. To find out more about how we can help you, please call Dental Impressions at (515) 965-0230.
