If you received nothing but positive feedback about your oral health at your last dental exam, your goal should be to hear the same review at your next one. Do you currently follow an oral hygiene regimen that will make this possible? One important piece of any routine is flossing, which protects you against both dental decay and gum disease. Our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office can offer tips on making your flossing efforts more effective, just as we can provide treatment if an inconsistent routine has led to problems for your smile. Of course, while cleaning your teeth is certainly important, you should also do your part to protect them by making smart diet choices that limit sugar.
Do You Floss Every Day?
If you want to keep your smile protected, make sure that you floss at least once per day. This is an important addition to your routine even if you put time and effort into brushing thoroughly. A toothbrush can clean the surfaces of teeth, and even fight bacteria and food debris buildup in harder to reach areas like the spaces between molar cusps. However, the bristles are less capable of cleaning between the spaces where your teeth meet. This openings, while hard for you to access, can be gathering points for bacteria and food deposits, and that can lead to trouble with dental decay as well as gum disease.
The Importance Of Fully Protecting Your Teeth And Gums
Every day, you should take care of your smile by thoroughly brushing and flossing, and by making sensible diet choices that restrict sugar. Without flossing, it is difficult to clean the spaces between teeth, and it also becomes harder to deal with periodontal problems. When you floss, make sure that you move the string vertically so that you completely clean the area. This habit, along with carefully brushing every reachable surface of your smile, will help you avoid problems that lead to gingivitis, or those that will make restorative dental work necessary.
Take Advantage Of The Preventive Services That Your Dentist Provides
At every routine dental exam, your dentist will help you stay safe from oral health issues. Teeth cleanings provided by your hygienist will help with this. These sessions remove plaque and tartar buildup that forms between appointments. In the course of her review, Dr. Foust can alert you to problems with your oral and periodontal health, and she can also highlight other concerns, such as evidence of teeth grinding.
Talk To Your Ankeny, IA Dentist About Flossing
Your flossing routine can play an important role in protecting your smile, and your Ankeny, IA dentist can provide important guidance to ensure that you maintain good habits. To find out more about how we can help you, please contact Dental Impressions at (515) 965-0230 to schedule a visit.