How to Brush Your Teeth Properly

Brushing your teeth helps protect them from decay and discoloration. This is why Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO wants their patients to know the proper way to brush and how often it should be done.

To get the most of your brushing, make sure to use short strokes. Strokes that are too long could be missing plaque and could irritate your gums. Up-and-down strokes are the best motion to reach every part of the tooth including around the gums. Make sure to brush every surface of your teeth including the chewing surface, the front side, the insides, as well as the backs of your molars. Also make sure to brush your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth, as bacteria can collect in these places, too!

Brushing should be done two to three times per day. Each session should last two minutes. It is important to brush for the right amount of time, but do not over-do it. Excess brushing could wear down your enamel causing sensitivity and cavities. It is also good to make sure you are not bearing down too hard on your teeth while brushing. A light touch is all you need to remove plaque.

Visit your dentist here at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO for more tips and for your regular cleaning! To schedule, call us at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com. 

How to Choose the Right Toothbrush

Brushing your teeth is part of a home oral care routine that protects your teeth daily and having the right toothbrush is the first step. Here at Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO, this is why we want patients to know what kind of toothbrush is best for their oral health.

The most noticeable different amongst toothbrushes is that some are manual and some are electric. Studies have shown that manual toothbrushes can do just as good of a job brushing teeth as electric toothbrushes, so it really depends on the brusher. However, for those with difficulty using their hands, like someone with arthritis, the electric toothbrush may help them get a better cleaning. This is because the electric toothbrush does most of the work, so you really just need to hold the toothbrush in the right position.

Manual or electric, your toothbrush should have a small head and soft bristles. A small head allows the toothbrush to reach every surface of your mouth. The bristles should not be too stiff, to avoid wearing down enamel and irritating gums. However, do not choose a toothbrush that is labeled as soft, unless directed to by your dentist. Instead, choose one labeled medium.

For children, toothbrushes that sing and have timers are good ways to get them to brush their teeth. It also makes sure they are brushing for a full two minutes.

For more information about keeping a healthy mouth, call Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com. 

How to Avoid Staining Your Teeth

Keeping bright pearly whites are a top dental concern for many. Having your teeth regularly cleaned by your dentist helps out, but there are a lot of at-home tips to keep in mind, as well. Garrison Family Dentistry wants to remind their patients in the Smithville, MO area how to keep their teeth sparkling.

Certain foods and drinks can stain teeth when consumed frequently. Watch out for dark foods and drinks like coffee, blueberries, cranberry juice, and soy sauce. When you do consume dark foods and drinks, it is a good idea to rinse your mouth when finished. Another way to enjoy dark drinks with a lesser risk of staining is to drink them through a straw. Straws reduce the amount of time that the liquid is passing through your teeth, and often skip your front teeth altogether.

Keeping plaque away will also combat staining. Plaque is the sticky bacterial film that forms on your teeth. Keeping a good oral hygiene routine of brushing twice daily and flossing once daily will keep plaque from holding in stain causing residue.

Even with good care of your teeth, staining can still happen. To lift stains professionally, Garrison Family Dentistry offers a customized tray whitening system. This can give you a head start on keeping teeth nice and white!

To find out more about keeping teeth white, or to schedule a consultation for professional teeth whitening, call Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com. 

Options for Tooth Replacement

For missing or extracted teeth, there are several options to choose for replacement. Since everyone is different, Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO offers dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures to their patients looking to replace teeth.

Dental implants are permanent tooth replacement that can be made to look just like your tooth. When completed, it will fit in with the rest of your teeth, to complete your smile again. Implants are applied with a surgical process to create a bond that is just like a natural tooth. The implant is inserted into the bone socket to bond with the jawbone.

Dental bridges are available to our patients, as well. Bridges are completed by using the teeth adjacent to the open space. The teeth are reshaped to fit crowns, which the replacement tooth is attached to. Bridges are a popular option for replacement and are long-lasting. With good care, a bridge can last over fifteen years.

Full and partial dentures are available here at Garrison Family Dentistry for those who would like a removable option. Full dentures can be installed conventionally or immediately. There is no time spent without teeth with the immediate process, however, the dentures will need to be re-fit when the gums fully heal. Partial dentures are similar to dental bridges, however, they are removable.

Schedule a consultation in our Smithville, MO dental office to find out what type of replacement is best for you. Call us at (816) 532-8778 or visit the Garrison Family Dentistry website, www.garrisondentistry.com.