Spring is about new beginnings. Baby animals are born, flowers bloom, and leaves return to tree branches. When you think about spring, you may not make a connection to your oral health, but this season of change is the perfect time to stop bad dental habits. Ankeny dentist, Dr. Amanda Foust has tips for freshening […]
Category: General & Preventive Dentistry
Top 4 Worst Foods for Your Teeth Explained by Ankeny Dentist
How Sugar Forms Cavities Infamous for its cavity causing nature, sugar gets a bad reputation for a reason. When sugar reacts with bacteria to produce acid, it eats away the enamel of the tooth. As the first defense against tooth decay, enamel is the hardest substance produced by the body, but once it is lost, […]
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Ankeny Dentist Addresses Myths about Gum Disease
You have probably been told by our staff to floss your teeth daily to protect your mouth from gum disease. Estimates show that three out of four adults in the U.S. will develop some form of gum disease. In early stages, gum disease is curable if addressed with proper oral hygiene and professional treatment. However, […]
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Types of Teeth and Their Functions
When you look in the mirror, you may notice that your teeth are different sizes and shapes. Each tooth plays a different role in helping you eat and speak. Dr. Foust can examine all 32 of your permanent teeth to make sure each one is clean, healthy, and functioning properly. Incisors: Your incisors are the […]
Celebrating Women in Dentistry in Ankeny
Did you know that a national and international holiday share this week in March? Today is International Women’s Day, and March 6th was National Dentist Day. You may be wondering how these two holidays relate. Originally called International Working Women’s day, the combination of National Dentist Day calls to attention the growing female workforce in […]
Heart Health Myths Dispelled by Your Ankeny Dentist
You have probably seen or heard something in the media pertaining to heart disease. This is because the American Heart Association and the medical community designate February as a month to raise awareness for heart disease. Although we provide excellent dental care at Dental Impressions, we also care about your general health too. In honor […]
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Sugarless Gum is Good for Your Oral Health
We know that eating candy is bad for our teeth. Our parents and dentists have told us this since we were young. However, if we opt for sugarless gum and breath mints containing xylitol, we can enjoy consuming something sweet without worrying if we are damaging our teeth. What is Xylitol? Xylitol is frequently used […]
The Importance of Annual Oral Cancer Screenings
Oral Cancer, also diagnosed as pharyngeal cancer, causes more than 8,000 deaths a year. Surprising that such a small part of the body can cause such severe consequences, isn’t it? Oral cancer is most commonly diagnosed in its later stages. It has little to minimal symptoms at its early stages, making it less detectible at […]
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How Do I Prevent Gum Disease?
Gum disease is the result of infection and swelling of gum tissues when plaque builds up along the gum line. Plaque is a colorless film that surrounds your teeth and gums and is filled with harmful bacteria. Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Eventually, the plaque buildup can enter […]
Beverages and Oral Health
What we eat and drink can damage our overall oral health. Despite the fact that staying hydrated is important for optimal well-being, many common beverages can wreak havoc on our teeth. Acidic and sugary drinks are a leading contributor to damage. Enamel, a thin protective coating on teeth, acts as a guardian against daily abrasive […]