When was the last time you visited your dentist for a standard checkup and cleaning? If it has been longer than half a year, we suggest scheduling an appointment to stay on top of your oral health. By meeting with us regularly, we can inspect the efforts of your daily brushing and flossing and remove bacterial deposits that are still on the surface of your teeth. These biannual trips help establish a dental record that tells us when new developments build in your mouth. Because certain conditions can receive more conservative treatment when caught early, regular inspections can prevent tooth decay or gum disease from progressing further. Remember that gum disease is potentially reversible when treated in its first stage, so do not be a stranger in the dental chair! By adopting a preventive attitude towards your smile, you can enjoy a healthy grin that is resistant to common oral problems.
At your Ankeny, IA dental practice, we encourage all of our patients to visit at least twice per year. With the aid of a professional exam, we can help you repair damage to your smile and avoid painful infections that occur when tooth decay is left to build. If you have questions about the timing of your visits, give us a call and we will let you know when to come in next!
How Decay Builds Within Your Smile
The main reason we instruct patients to clean their teeth daily is to remove bacterial deposits and food debris that build plaque on the surface of their smile. When you come into our office routinely, we have tools that can remove deposits you cannot handle on your own at home. By neglecting to remove your plaque, you risk receiving cavities that form from the acidic waste of oral bacteria. This byproduct results from bacteria feeding on remnants of your meals and can quickly erode the protective layer of your enamel. These permanent holes continue to grow in size until you receive proper treatment from your dentist.
Removing A Dental Cavity
Regular checkups allow us to discover cavities before they grow even larger. To repair your tooth, we will numb the affected area with a local anesthetic. Using special tools we will remove all decaying material and smooth your tooth. We then apply a composite resin to restore the tooth’s outer layer and prevent reinfection. Depending on the size of your cavity, this could be in the form of a dental filling or dental crown.
Speak With Your Ankeny, IA, Dentist About Scheduling A Checkup
Regular dental exams help you prioritize the health of your smile! We can aid your daily brushing efforts and detect oral harm before it can grow further. 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.