There are real consequences to not sticking to a good oral hygiene routine. Poor habits can lead to difficulties with dental decay as well as gum disease, and these problems can worsen over time. One thing you can do to protect yourself is to schedule regular exams. At your appointments, you can receive early notification about issues that call for treatment. At our St. Louis, MO dentist’s office, Dr. Johnson-G’Sell can help you identify shortcomings in your dental hygiene routine, and make suggestions for how to improve it. By making better choices on a daily basis, you can help head off oral health problems!
1. Trouble With Calculus Buildup
Professional teeth cleanings take place as part of your regular dental exams. During these sessions, we make sure any calculus deposits on your teeth are removed. When you do a good job brushing and flossing on a daily basis, you can prevent calculus buildup between appointments. There are several benefits to doing this – in addition to protecting your smile, this lowers your risk for oral health difficulties.
2. A Higher Risk For Tooth Decay
Simply put, poor brushing and flossing habits make you more likely to need restorative dental work at a future checkup. With good daily behaviors, you can control the buildup of plaque and calculus on your teeth, and you can clear away food particles that serve as food for these bacteria. Once a cavity forms, it will continue growing until it is treated. If not caught in time, this problem can lead to unpleasant pain and sensitivity issues! The good news is that we are prepared to deal with dental decay. In fact, we can address problems our patients have by placing restorations that imitate their healthy enamel.
3. Difficulty Preventing Gingivitis
Your dental health is important, and so is your periodontal health. Both brushing and flossing provide protection for your gums because they remove bacteria that gather at the base of your teeth. Over time, oral bacteria that build up at your gum line can infiltrate these tissues and cause gingivitis. How worried should you be about this development? You may not realize just how much your periodontal health matters to your overall well-being. When an infection worsens, it can become more difficult to manage and more likely to cause issues like tooth loss.
Your St. Louis, MO Dentist Can Help You Maintain Better Oral Hygiene
Are your current oral hygiene habits effectively protecting you from problems? By thoroughly brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, you can avoid difficulties with tooth decay, gum disease, and calculus formation. At regular checkups, Dr. Johnson-G’Sell can evaluate you and provide helpful information about the state of your smile. To find out more, please call Magnolia Family Dental in St. Louis, MO at 314-822-4521.
