A consistent and thorough oral hygiene routine will protect you against plaque buildup, which means you are less likely to have problems with dental decay and gum disease over time. At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we can offer guidance to patients who want to make sure their teeth remain healthy while we meet with them to provide routine dental checkups. What you should keep in mind is that certain seemingly small missteps can have more consequences for you than you realize. Over time, those missteps can leave you open to problems that will call for restorative dental work. If you are guilty of making these common mistakes, recognizing your errors and correcting them can ensure that your smile remains healthy in the long term!
1. Poor Sleep Habits
How does something like poor sleep affect your smile? Because people typically care for their teeth at the beginning and end of a day, feelings of fatigue can make focusing on good hygiene difficult. You can also fail to properly maintain your dental health if you sometimes fall asleep before you take the time to brush and floss before bed. Sleep troubles are a matter for your dentist – as you talk about your problems, they can recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea. If this problem affects you, we can recommend treatment with an oral appliance to help you sleep soundly.
2. Using The Same Toothbrush For Too Long
If a toothbrush has worked well in the past, what makes it a problem today? The friction you create when you brush will wear down the bristles on your toothbrush, gradually making them less effective at clearing away food particles and other harmful materials on your teeth. If a toothbrush has seen more than three months of use, replace it so that you can continue to fight plaque and tartar buildup!
3. Thinking Of Flossing As Just A Means Of Removing Food Lodged Between Teeth
A good flossing routine will protect spaces that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush. While the portions of your teeth that meet each other are difficult to reach with the bristles of a brush, they are vulnerable to infiltration from bacteria and food particles. Flossing ultimately helps patients avoid problems with cavities as well as gum disease.
Your Ankeny, IA Dentist Can Help You Stay Consistent With Your Oral Hygiene Routine
At our dentist’s office in Ankeny, IA, patients who have struggled to avoid problems with poor dental health can meet with us to discuss their smile care routine. We can help you stick to a more effective routine that keeps your smile in good health, which means you will be less likely to need restorative dental work at a later date! To find out more, please contact Dental Impressions at (515) 965-0230 to schedule a visit.
