When was the last time you attended a cleaning with your dentist? If you have been putting off your appointments, you should consider getting back on track to help fight tooth decay. Regular trips to the dentist offer professional removal of plaque and tartar deposits that lead to gum disease and cavities. Although brushing and flossing each day is your primary habit for cleaning your teeth, sometimes this daily routine is not sufficient for fully removing all plaque. With special tools, we can inspect areas of your smile that may be hard to reach and let you know if any buildups are going unbrushed. We can also detect any problems with your oral health early instead of waiting for painful symptoms to appear before you seek treatment. This means maintaining a regular schedule to prevent problems instead of having a reactive attitude.
At your Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we want to see you twice per year for a general cleaning and examination. By cleaning your teeth every six months, we help prevent and catch tooth decay before it can significantly damage your smile. When we find cavities at your checkup, we can promptly remove them and restore your tooth to strengthen your smile!
The Buildup Of Plaque Leads to Cavities That Erode Enamel
When oral bacteria combine with food debris on your teeth, they form a dental plaque that resembles a sticky film on the surface. Every time you eat, bacteria gain a chance to feed and grow within your mouth, and they love sugary sweets! This is why brushing and flossing every day is so important to maintain healthy teeth. Your daily routine removes plaque and prevents it from significantly building up. Without removal, the bacterial feeding process produces an acidic byproduct that can wear away at your enamel over time. When enough damage is done, the weakened enamel receives permanent holes, or cavities, that expose the inside of your tooth to infection. Thankfully, visiting your dentist provides an opportunity to discover decay and provide treatment at once.
Removing A Cavity
We can treat your cavity by removing decaying material to stop its growth. This procedure leaves a hole in your tooth that we then seal by placing a restoration. For smaller cavities, we could place a dental filling. If your decay removes more material than a filling can handle, we can plan a dental crown to restore your tooth’s strength.
Speak With Your Ankeny, IA, Dentist About Receiving A Cleaning
Preventing tooth decay requires robust oral hygiene and regular cleaning and inspections by your dentist. To schedule an appointment , please call your Ankeny, IA, dentist’s office at (515) 965-0230 to schedule a visit. We proudly serve patients from Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and other surrounding communities.
