While you may not want to have any problems with tooth decay, your current habits may be putting you in more risk of trouble than you realize. Even seemingly minor mistakes can lead to active concerns, and make it more likely that you will need a dental filling or dental crown at your next appointment. At our Seattle, WA dentist’s office, we can provide guidance regarding your behaviors between visits during regular dental exams, which can help you recognize shortcomings in your routine that leave you vulnerable to dental decay and gum disease. If you are not attending these exams on a regular basis, the lack of support from a dentist can lead to a greater risk for tooth decay.
1. Not Flossing Often Enough
Do you see flossing as part of your daily oral hygiene routine, or have you only regarded it as a means of removing food stuck between your teeth? It is important that you clean the spaces between your teeth on a daily basis. These areas may offer little space for the bristles of a brush, but they provide more than enough room for harmful bacteria and food particles to build up. Flossing every day will protect you by keeping these spaces clean. To make sure you are staying protected against gum disease, you should make a point to thoroughly clean at the base of your teeth whenever you perform this task.
2. Skipping Dental Exams Because Their Teeth “Seem Fine”
Preventive dental care is something that helps you stay protected against dental decay. Unfortunately, people sometimes choose not to see their dentist unless they suspect that something is actively wrong with their oral health. If you only choose to make an appointment when you think something is wrong, it becomes difficult to avoid complications. For example, if you see your dentist for checkups at the recommended rate of once every six months, a cavity that develops can be caught and treated with a filling. If you put off care and only see your dentist when you believe something is wrong, it is possible that the cavity already requires root canal therapy!
3. Ignoring Signs Of Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding weakens enamel, wears down teeth, and can eventually lead to serious damage. Pay attention to the way you feel when you wake up – if you often start the day with jaw pain and sore teeth, it can indicate a problem with bruxism. This problem with habitual teeth grinding can be resolved when you wear a custom oral appliance while resting. This appliance will keep your teeth apart, stopping wear and tear from occurring.
Our Seattle, WA Dentist’s Office Can Help You Maintain A Healthy Smile!
Hygge Laser Dentistry is prepared to help patients avoid potential oral health problems that could seriously impact their smile and quality of life. To learn more about our services, call our dental office in Seattle, WA today at 206-789-2555.
