Steps For Keeping Your Smile Safe

tooth loss Halloween is a time when people of all ages tend to consume a little more candy than usual. Since sugar is a major factor in the onset of cavities and infections, and these complications could lead to tooth loss, you should practice good oral hygiene. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI, dentist will explain how better oral hygiene could help protect not only natural teeth, but your dental implants too.

The Causes of Tooth Loss

When we fail to take proper care of our smiles, this leaves food particles clinging to our teeth or trapped between them. Bacteria will take advantage of this, breaking down the particles and in the process, elevating levels of oral acidity. The teeth also become coated in a sticky layer of plaque. Impossible to remove with brushing and flossing alone, plaque could weaken tooth enamel and inflame gum tissues, increasing the risk of decay, infection, gum disease, and periodontitis, all factors behind tooth loss. If you have dental implants, gum disease could also cause your new teeth to fail, further harming your smile. To preserve teeth both old and new, you need to maintain good dental hygiene.

Preventive Care at Home

To help protect your smile, you should make time each day to brush and floss. Sounds pretty simple, right? Yet few people take time to brush for two minutes in the morning and at night, or to floss before bed. These actions remove the food particles that would otherwise feed bacteria, limiting how much plaque can accumulate in between your dental cleaning visits. For added protection, be sure your toothpaste contains fluoride. You should also make a point to eat healthy foods and drink more water. Cutting back on sugary foods and drinks, which is especially hard as we approach the Halloween and holiday season, can help protect your smile’s stability and health.

See Us For Treatment

You should also see the dentist for a simple checkup and cleaning visits every few months. We will monitor your natural teeth and any dental implants you have to ensure health and stability. We also remove all plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth, which helps protect smiles from issues like gum disease and periodontitis. If you have any questions about preserving your smile, then contact our team today.

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT TREATING MISSING TEETH?

We don’t want the loss of natural teeth to negatively impact your overall quality of life and oral health. To learn more about the process of placing and restoring dental implants then call James Stewart, DDS, dental implant office in Livonia, MI, at (734) 425-4400. We also serve the residents of Farmington, Plymouth, Dearborn Heights, and all surrounding communities.