When was the last time you visited your dentist for a cleaning and examination? While the habits you practice at home form the basis of your oral hygiene, routine checkups go beyond your brush and floss capabilities. If it has been more than six months since your last cleaning, you should schedule an appointment today. By staying on top of a semiannual schedule, we can remove plaque and tartar deposits that build on the surface of your teeth. When examining your oral cavity, we can provide guidance on areas that require more daily cleaning and detect other threats to your health. Because early detection of health issues often leads to more conservative treatment, a preventive attitude towards dental care can reduce your overall time in the dentist’s chair!
At your Ankeny, IA dental practice, we request that all of our patients attend at least two cleanings and exams per year to protect their healthy smiles. Regular visits help us create a record of your oral health, and track developments that require further attention. Rest easy with the satisfaction of periodic cleanings!
How Oral Bacteria Can Harm Your Smile
Each time we enjoy a meal, we introduce food particles to our mouths that remain on the surface of our teeth afterward. Your oral bacteria feast on these remnants, and left uncleaned, can form significant dental plaques. This sticky film on the surface of your teeth creates an acidic waste product that threatens the integrity of your enamel. By failing to brush and floss, you also risk an infection of your gums by the same oral bacteria that build within the plaque. Fortunately, rigorous daily oral hygiene can remove the majority of plaque on the surface of your teeth. By flossing, you also access deposits in between teeth that cannot be reached with your brush.
Removing Your Cavities
At each dental checkup, we will examine your smile for any cavities. If we do find one, we will suggest removing it right away to protect your tooth and prevent further damage. Because removing your decaying material alters the outer surface of your tooth, we will restore it with a dental filling or crown to return the shape and appearance of a healthy tooth. Modern composite resins provide the ability to shade your filling or crown to the rest of your teeth.
Speak With Your Ankeny, IA, Dentist About Scheduling A Checkup
By visiting your dentist regularly, you can maintain a healthy smile. By combining your at-home habits with regular cleanings, you can help prevent decay and gum disease from forming. To schedule a visit, please call our Ankeny, IA, dentist’s office at (515)965-0230. We also serve patients from Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and all surrounding communities.
