Don’t Let Your Toothbrush Make You Sick

Cold and flu season is upon us, therefore if you’ve been unlucky enough to catch a bug you may want to be safe and replace your toothbrush. Once you’ve been infected with a particular strain of a virus, germs can hide in toothbrush bristles and lead to reinfection. At Garrison Family Dentistry, we hope you stay healthy in this chilly weather, and here are a couple of ways to prevent your toothbrush from making you sick.

We advise that you keep your toothbrush away from others, because airborne bacteria can be shared between toothbrushes stored near each other in warm, moist environments like the bathroom. Let’s say you have family members and all of their toothbrushes sit in the same holder. Even if you don’t put their toothbrushes in your mouth, the infected item might contaminate yours. When toothbrushes are stored in the same cup, their bristles can come into contact with one another, spreading germs in the process. To completely sterilize your toothbrush if you don’t want to replace it, we suggest submerging it in boiling water.

To learn more about the services provided at Garrison Family Dentistry, visit www.garrisonfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Matthew Garrison in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

Cavity Prevention

Cavities – also known as caries – are small openings or holes in the teeth caused by tooth decay. They form as a result of built-up plaque and bacteria on the surface of teeth, poor dental hygiene, and a lack of essential minerals in a diet. In most cases, cavities are irreversible and if Dr. Matthew Garrison spots one, he will use fluoride treatments, fillings or extractions to treat it.

Many people think only children get cavities, but changes in your mouth as you age make them an adult problem too. As you get older, your gums pull away from your teeth. They can also pull away because of gum disease. This exposes the roots of your teeth to plaque, and if you eat a lot of sugary or high-carb foods, you’re more likely to get cavities. If you experience tooth sensitivity, toothache, or pain when you bite down, you may have a cavity. You can help prevent cavities by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth daily with floss.

If you suspect you have a cavity, give us a call today. To learn more about the services provided at Garrison Family Dentistry, visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Matthew Garrison in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

How to Reduce Dental Plaque

Plaque develops when foods containing carbohydrates, such as milk, soft drinks, cakes, etc. are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. This is why Dr. Matthew Garrison at Garrison Family Dentistry wants patients to know how they can reduce dental plaque to avoid advanced dental procedures in the future.

To prevent plaque you must first pay attention to your diet. Since plaque needs carbohydrates to form, the fewer carbs you eat, the better. Avoid candy, cookies, and other sweet things as much as possible in order to prevent plaque build-up. If you need a snack, choose nutritious foods such as plain yogurt, cheese, fruit or raw veggies. Vegetables such as celery help remove food and help saliva neutralize plaque causing acids.  In addition, the best thing you can do to reduce dental plaque is brush and floss twice a day. Brushing removes plaque that has built up on your teeth, while flossing removes food particles and debris from between your teeth.

If you have questions about oral hygiene give us a call or visit our website www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Matthew Garrison here at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.