Do You Clean Your Tongue?

When you brush your teeth, do you scrape your tongue? If not, you may want to keep reading! At Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, we want our patients to have the best possible oral health. For this reason, we are going to talk about the benefits of tongue scraping.

Many people clean their tongue as they are brushing their teeth; it becomes part of the routine. You can purchase a tongue scraper or just use your toothbrush, so it is very easy! The purpose of this is to remove the layer of bacteria that builds up on your tongue. The tongue’s taste buds are hair-like so they collect a lot of bacteria. It should be part of everyone’s dental routine to avoid excess plaque in the mouth! In addition, it helps keep breath fresh!

To scrap your tongue, take the tongue scraper or toothbrush and place it on the back of your tongue. Press firmly as you move down to the tip of your tongue. Press firmly, but do not hurt your tongue. Rinse off the scraper or toothbrush after each stroke. Continue scraping the tongue until it looks clean.

As simple as that, you are on your way to a cleaner, healthier mouth. To schedule an appointment with Garrison Family Dentistry here in Smithville, MO, call our office at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com. 

Kids and Dental Fear

It is no surprise that sometimes kids do not like dental appointments. They can be scared of the tools, the unfamiliar procedures, or the sounds. In our Smithville, MO dental practice, Garrison Family Dental, we want all of our patients to be happy and comfortable. Parents and guardians should take some of these tips for easing your kids into a more relaxed dental visit.

Kids respond well when they see that their parent is okay doing the same things. Therefore, take them to your dental visit and explain what is going to happen. Once they see that you’ve gone through the whole appointment and you’re okay, they will feel safer and more relaxed.

You can also introduce them to dental visits at home. Making them more familiar with how an appointment will go may put them at ease. Try having them recline in a chair or on a sofa. Have them open their mouth and count their teeth. It may actually be fun!

Rewards also go a long way with children. Offer them their favorite dinner, a fun activity or game, or maybe a cool new toothbrush for good behavior at the appointment. Be careful, though, as you should not offer the reward before the appointment. This may put a thought in their head that there is something to be afraid of, which is not true.

At Garrison Family Dentistry, we want patients of all ages to feel comfortable. To schedule your appointment in our Smithville, MO dental office, call us at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com. 

Bad Breath Causes

Do you suffer from bad breath? It can be an embarrassing and frustrating condition, especially when it is chronic. Garrison Family Dentistry is committed to helping our patients achieve optimal dental health in our Smithville, MO dental practice. That being said, we want to offer you some tips for avoiding bad breath!

Bad breath is usually caused by bacteria lingering in the mouth. This can be controlled by keeping a good dental hygiene routine. Make sure to brush two to three times per day and floss once per day. In addition, brush your tongue, the roof of your mouth, and the insides of your cheeks.

Bad breath bacteria can multiply and become even smellier when the mouth dries out. So, the second most important part of keep fresh breath is staying hydrated. On average, women should be getting nine glasses of water per day. Men should be getting thirteen glasses per day, on average. To help you keep balanced hydration, make goals of drinking a certain amount before breakfast, before lunch, before dinner, and before bed!

There are also foods to avoid when you really want to keep the bad breath away, like for a close care ride or dinner. Dairy, caffeine, and alcohol are the prime suspects. Dairy (except yogurt) contains bacteria that tend to smell more. Caffeinated and alcoholic drinks tend to dry out the mouth.

If you are experiencing bad breath, try these tips! To schedule your routine cleaning and examination in our Smithville, MO dental practice, call our office at (816) 532-8778 or visit our Garrison Family Dentistry website, www.garrisondentistry.com.