To put it simply, you face several potential oral health risks when you do not take smile care seriously. Shortcomings in your hygiene routine make you vulnerable to the buildup of both remnants of foods and drinks you consume and oral bacteria. As these materials build up, you can experience trouble with your oral health that can negatively impact your well-being as well as your smile. If you think it is time to change up your routine, or if you just want to make sure you are staying smart about smile care, our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office can help. During your regular dental exams, we can give you helpful updates about the state of your smile, and we can provide thorough cleanings that remove harmful bacteria before they create more serious concerns.
1. You Can Have Problems With Tartar Buildup That Are Hard To Ignore
As plaque deposits form on your smile, you need to worry about tartar buildup. These deposits will calcify to form tartar in time, leaving you with a buildup of bacteria and other materials that you cannot remove on your own. This can make your teeth look unhealthy and unhygienic when the deposits are in visible areas. Even if they cannot be seen, you need to worry about their ability to make you more likely to have problems that require restorative dental work.
2. Your Gums Are More Likely To Become Infected
As harmful microbes accumulate on your gums, you can be more likely to experience problems with an infection that causes gingivitis. Eventually, that infection will progress, making it more difficult to treat and more likely to hurt your smile and overall health. The good news is that during a routine dental exam, we can warn you about gingivitis, and we can even tend to the matter directly by providing a periodontal cleaning.
3. Cavities Are More Likely To Affect You
As long as you have shortcomings in your oral hygiene routine, you are vulnerable to tooth decay. Better brushing and flossing will help you clear away harmful debris and bacteria before cavities form. To further protect yourself, be consistent about dental checkups and cleanings. These visits do more than just help with prevention, as they are also useful for providing warnings about cavities that have recently formed and need to be treated.
Talk To Your Ankeny, IA Dentist’s Office About Treating Poor Oral Hygiene
By putting time and effort into caring for your smile at home and visiting your dentist regularly, you can protect yourself against different threats that can hurt your teeth and gums. If you would like to learn what role our Ankeny, IA practice can play in helping you preserve your smile, contact Dental Impressions at (515) 965-0230 to schedule a visit.
