If it seems like there is nothing you can do to remain safe from tooth decay, it can be hard not to grow frustrated. What you might need to consider is that you are overlooking possible changes that might make your preventive dental care easier. At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, individuals who have had difficulties with cavity prevention can receive important ongoing support to avoid further troubles. On top of providing in-office care for you during your dental checkups, we can help you by offering tips on changes that make you more cavity-resistant. If necessary, we are also here to offer restorative dental work. Because we use modern appliances that imitate healthy tooth structure, we can take care of a tooth without disrupting your smile! (more…)
Protect Your Smile Against Dental Wear And Tear
Every time you enjoy a meal, your teeth have to perform the work of tearing and breaking down food, a process that can create more pressure and friction than you might realize. Fortunately, we can count on the protection of remarkably strong dental enamel, which makes it possible for us to consume tougher foods. With that said, the friction created by biting and chewing can gradually wear down your teeth. This may have little visible effect on some people, but others may notice changes in the shape and general appearance of their smile because of it. The problems with wear and tear can be more difficult to ignore when someone has naturally weaker enamel, or when they have issues with teeth grinding. Our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office can help you address wear and tear, and let you know if this problem might be affecting your oral health or dental function. (more…)
3 Benefits To Staying Informed About Your Oral Health
People who stay informed about their oral health can have an easier time avoiding potentially serious problems that can impact their smile and well-being. At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we have helped many people stay updated about their oral health during routine dental examinations. While routine visits with your dentist are important, this is not the only thing you can do if you want to remain informed about the health of your smile. Take time to examine your teeth when you brush and floss, and look for any issues that concern you. A problem like gingivitis can cause changes that are visible, so you can determine if you might have an infection. You can also check for issues like dental wear and tear, which can warn you of a problem with habitual teeth grinding. (more…)
How Do You Keep An Injured Tooth Safe From Further Harm?
Durable dental enamel protects our teeth, which is why we are able to bite and chew foods for years without problems. Unfortunately, even a minor injury can affect your ability to put pressure on a tooth without causing more damage. While enamel is remarkably strong, there is little a tooth can do to naturally repair itself once damage has occurred. If you have a minor chip or crack in a tooth, you should have it checked by your dentist in order to avoid potential complications. Our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office has experience taking care of people with dental trauma. An evaluation can determine how serious the matter is, and if you might need restorative dental work before it is safe to bite and chew with the tooth in question. (more…)
Can Issues Like Fatigue And Stress Affect Your Oral Health?
Under ideal circumstances, you may feel confident that your oral care routine is more than capable of protecting you against problems with tooth decay and gum disease. Unfortunately, “ideal circumstances” can be elusive at times, which means people are often trying to focus on their oral health needs while also contending with problems like stress, fatigue, and other matters that might affect their mood and well-being. Even a short interruption in your routine may have lasting consequences. Poor oral hygiene can lead to the accumulation of tartar deposits that make you more vulnerable to cavities and gingivitis. Recognizing when something is affecting you, and staying committed to your oral hygiene, can help you avoid this trouble. Remember that at your regular dental exams with your Ankeny, IA dentist, you can undergo a professional teeth cleaning to address any buildup of tartar that might be present. (more…)
Symptoms Of Gum Disease That You Can Identify
While gingivitis can be painless, it can attract your attention thanks to certain other symptoms that may occur. It is important to watch for these problems, and to take action if they are present. Over time, gingivitis can lead to a more severe form of infection, periodontitis. When a person develops this issue, they can have more difficulties maintaining their dental and periodontal health, and they can face upsetting complications! At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we have experience helping patients tend to problems that might threaten their oral and periodontal health. In addition to stepping in when there are identifiable problems, we can provide consistent dental exams that help you address concerns before they grab your attention. (more…)
Do Your Habits Make It Harder To Maintain A Healthy Smile?
When you take the time to brush your teeth, and take care to floss between them, you perform tasks that actively protect you against potential oral health threats. What you might not realize is that you are performing actions throughout your day that also make you more vulnerable to these problems. Many people have a few habits that are increasing their risk for problems with teeth stains, tooth decay, and gum disease. By recognizing and addressing them, you can better protect yourself and make future restorative dental procedures less likely. To further help you take care of your smile, your Ankeny, IA dentist can offer tips and guidance on smart daily habits when you come in for routine dental checkups. (more…)
These Changes Can Help You Protect Your Smile
How can you make sure that your smile stays healthy over time? Should you be confident that your current daily oral care routine is enough to provide lasting support against issues like tooth decay and gum disease? Preventive dental services at our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office can help you stay on top of oral health issues and deal with potential threats like tartar buildup. While routine checkups certainly help your smile, they should be accompanied by a consistent and thorough oral hygiene routine. If you have concerned about the routine you currently follow, you should know that relatively slight changes may end up having more value than you anticipate! (more…)
Do Kids And Adults Have Different Oral Health Care Needs?
As kids grow up, they require less direct help from their parents as they become more self-reliant. When it comes to oral health care, you can step away from caring for their teeth as your child becomes capable of – and comfortable with – brushing and flossing on their own. Beyond providing instructions at an early age, do kids have different oral health care needs from their parents? While dental enamel is remarkably strong even at an early age, kids can be more vulnerable to problems because they are still learning to protect their smiles. With your support and encouragement, they can stay on top of their dental health needs. Our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office can also help kids during pediatric dental checkups, and we can provide parents helpful advice they can apply at home. (more…)
3 Tips To Help You Fight Plaque And Tartar Buildup
While regular dental checkups are important to your long-term oral health, it is hard to overstate the value of a good oral care routine practiced at home. On your own, you can maintain a consistent habit of thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth that protects you from tooth decay and gum disease. When you stay on top of these practices, you can remove harmful bacteria and food particles before plaque and tartar start to buildup. Tartar accumulation is particularly concerning, as any deposits present on your teeth can remain in place until they are removed during a professional dental cleaning provided at your Ankeny, IA dentist’s office. (more…)