How can you make sure that your smile stays healthy over time? Should you be confident that your current daily oral care routine is enough to provide lasting support against issues like tooth decay and gum disease? Preventive dental services at our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office can help you stay on top of oral health issues and deal with potential threats like tartar buildup. While routine checkups certainly help your smile, they should be accompanied by a consistent and thorough oral hygiene routine. If you have concerned about the routine you currently follow, you should know that relatively slight changes may end up having more value than you anticipate!
Make Sure You Floss Each Day
If flossing is not part of your daily oral care regimen already, that should change! While brushing your teeth helps you remove much of the harmful bacteria and food debris that have gathered throughout the day, it can be less effective at cleaning the spaces where your teeth meet. When these spaces are left untouched, worrying amounts of tartar can build up and create an issue for your dental health. Tartar will remain in place until you undergo a professional teeth cleaning, and it can cause tooth decay as well as gum disease.
Start Drinking More Water To Stay Hydrated
You may be less equipped to fight cavities and gum disease throughout the day because of poor hydration. People who are not consuming enough fluids can be vulnerable to periods of dry mouth, which will see them struggle to produce enough saliva. Your saliva flow helps you wash away food debris, and it can help you clear out the harmful microbes that are responsible for cavities and gingivitis. Choosing water in particular to stay hydrated can be good because it is free of sugar, and will not cause stains on teeth.
Take Care To Manage Your Stress Levels
While dry mouth is often linked to dehydration, it can also be an issue for people who are under stress. Stress can also lead to problems with teeth grinding that can lead to worrying amounts of dental wear and tear over time. In some cases, teeth grinding can become so serious that dental crowns are needed to protect damaged teeth! If necessary, your dentist can provide a custom appliance to stop teeth from grinding while you sleep.
Your Ankeny, IA Dentist’s Office Helps People In Our Community Protect Their Smile
Your Ankeny, IA dentist’s office has experience helping patients deal with active oral health issues, but we are also prepared to help if you want to make sure your smile stays healthy. To learn more about our services, and the care you should take to keep your smile in good shape between appointments, call Dental Impressions in Ankeny at (515) 965-0230.
