A dental injury may be something you prefer not to worry about, but damage can end up worsening over time if you do not address it. If your tooth is broken, chipped, or cracked, it is possible for you to develop an infection that leads to more discomfort. An infected tooth can actually be lost if nothing is done to address the problem in time! Your Ankeny, IA dentist’s office is able to help you if your tooth is hurt and you require treatment. Even if the tooth is not infected, seeking treatment for damage can be beneficial, as you may be vulnerable to further breaking. (more…)
How Good Is Your Daily Defense Against Gingivitis?
Why is it important to stay consistent with your oral hygiene routine? Our smiles face persistent threats from oral bacteria, and we regularly increase our chances of developing problems when we eat and drink different products, particularly those that are high in sugar. Your daily efforts protect you against tooth decay, but you should remember that the work of cleaning your smile also protects you against gingivitis. Gingivitis can lead to potentially serious problems with your health if it is not managed in time. While our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office can help you deal with the problem through a special periodontal cleaning, you should have an oral care routine in place that can stop the problem from worsening. (more…)
What Can Your Dentist Do About Significant Tooth Pain?
Minor aches and pains can be annoying, but some levels of discomfort are too severe to ignore. If you are experiencing a toothache that is affecting your daily life, and persisting even after you take over the counter pain relievers, it is fair to suspect that something might be wrong with your oral health. Our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office is ready to help patients who are affected by serious toothaches. We can schedule treatment to determine why this pain is affecting you, and to see what we can do to fully restore that tooth’s health. (more…)
Stressful Periods Can Increase Your Risk For Bruxism
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to completely avoid stressful periods, but it is important to note that you can take care to manage your stress at these times. By doing so, you can control some of the health consequences that come with these frustrating episodes in your life. One benefit to better stress management is that you can avoid potential oral health problems. While people can begin grinding their teeth at night for several reasons, stress has caused many individuals to develop this habit, often referred to as bruxism. By putting time and effort into easing your stress levels, particularly at night, you can lower your risk for teeth grinding. Smart emotional management can also protect you against other oral health issues linked to stress. (more…)
3 Issues That Can Change Your Risk For Dental Problems
If your oral care routine is stable, and you regularly see your dentist for dental exams, do you have to worry about unexpected problems with cavities or gum disease? It might be nice to think that you have fully problem-proofed your smile, but you should be aware that some surprising issues can influence your risk for issues. At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we want our patients to be fully aware of how they can protect themselves against oral health problems. When you recognize the different factors that can influence your likelihood of experiencing tooth decay or gum disease, you can maintain a stronger, more effective preventive care routine! (more…)
Good Oral Hygiene Can Do More For You Than You Might Expect
There are obvious reasons to take care of your smile – you can avoid cavities that require restorative dental work, and you can stop gingivitis from developing. What might surprise you to hear is that there are less obvious reasons to focus on maintaining your oral health, too. Did you know that periodontal problems can complicate issues with diabetes and heart disease? Did you know that the bacteria that gather in your mouth can make their way to different parts of your body? When you consider the overall importance of good oral hygiene, it can be easy to see why preventive dentistry can be so important! Your Ankeny, IA dentist can help you maintain a healthy smile during dental exams, and by offering guidance on the care you provide yourself at home. (more…)
Is Tobacco Use Causing Problems For Your Smile?
Even if you have a good oral care routine in place, other habits can interfere with your efforts to protect your smile. If you regularly smoke or use chewing tobacco, you can make smile care more difficult. One concern is about the appearance of your teeth, as these products are able to leave enamel stains that hurt your appearance. In addition to staining your teeth, tobacco can make you more vulnerable to periodontal problems. There is also an increased risk for more serious health issues that you have to worry about. In addition to providing routine preventive dental services, your Ankeny, IA dentist can help you recognize aspects of your daily life that might be hurting your ability to protect your smile. (more…)
Responsibly Removing Something Stuck Between Your Teeth
Having something stuck between your teeth can certainly be irritating. Fortunately, in many situations food debris can be removed with little difficulty by flossing. However, there times when something wedged between your teeth can be more difficult to address. If you are tempted to remove an item that resists flossing, be careful – the wrong item can damage gums and lead to a periodontal infection. Our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office can help you maintain your oral health through consistent preventive dental care. We can also provide support if you need something carefully removed, or if your own efforts to dislodge something have led to troubles with your gums. (more…)
We Can Handle Your Dental Emergency
When you struggle with a dental issue that is painful, uncomfortable, or will get worse if left alone, you may be experiencing a dental emergency. However, we at Dental Impressions of Ankeny understand that it can be difficult to recognize whether or not the issue affecting you qualifies as an emergency. So, in today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist will give you some examples of situations that qualify as a dental emergency, and how we can help restore your smile health in our office.
3 Smart And Smile-Friendly Habits You Should Know About
Do you feel confident about your current approach to oral health care? If your dentist happened to show up to watch your brushing and flossing routine, would your approach impress or disappoint them? Maintaining a healthy smile is not complicated, but it does call for smart and consistent habits. Between thoroughly cleaning your teeth, protecting your enamel with smart diet choices, and attending regular dental exams, you can avoid trouble that requires restorative dental work. In addition to providing care for you during a dental exam, your Ankeny, IA dentist can provide guidance on your current daily routine. A few beneficial changes may be enough to keep you safe from cavities in the long term! (more…)