With daily actions, we can help keep our teeth strong and protect our gums from disease. This means taking steps from home, and also seeing our team for routine visits every few months. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about strengthening your smile with better oral hygiene habits at home and in our office.
The Dangers of Plaque and Tartar
Over time, harmful oral bacteria in your smile will consume the particles of sugar and starch left behind by the foods and drinks we enjoy. This process then coats the teeth in a sticky layer of plaque, which can harden into tartar. This layer not only causes bad breath and makes stains more apparent, but could weaken enamel to cause cavities. The same layers could irritate the gums to cause gingivitis, and eventually, gum disease. While brushing and flossing can limit buildup, you also need to see our team for a cleaning to remove it completely!
Oral Hygiene at Home
To help limit the severity of your buildup, you need to maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. For example, when you wake up, be sure to brush your teeth for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft bristled toothbrush. Then do the same before bed, as this helps remove stray food and drink particles. You also need to floss every evening to reach what a toothbrush alone cannot. You can also change your diet to limit the exposure to sugar and starch!
Oral Hygiene with Our Team
You also need to see our team every six months too! With a dental cleaning, we can use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to gently but thoroughly break up and remove plaque and tartar buildup completely. We then polish the smile, which brightens your teeth but also makes it more difficult for plaque and tartar buildup to occur in between your routine checkup and cleaning appointments. If you have any questions about how we can help improve your oral hygiene habits so your smile stays bright and free of issues like tooth decay and gum disease, then contact our team today. We look forward to seeing you, and helping you enjoy your best possible smile. Remember, we can offer this care for kids as well, so be sure to bring your whole family in for routine visits.
Dental Impressions Talks About Boosting Your Oral Health
Our team is ready to help strengthen your oral health with better hygiene habits, so you can avoid the onset of tooth decay or periodontal disease. To find out more about improving your overall oral health and heaping your smile whole and strong, call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
