Flossing with Traditional Braces

As our doctors at Garrison Family Dentistry will tell you, flossing can be difficult when you have traditional metal braces, but it’s more important than ever to keep the gaps in your teeth clean when you have a mouth full of metal. Many folks who have braces don’t know how to floss with them or think that they can’t floss at all if they have braces and this is not true. We already taught you how to brush with braces, so it’s only fair that we share some tips for flossing effectively and keeping those brackets and wires clean.

• Use waxed floss because unwaxed floss is more likely to get caught and shred in your braces.


• Use about 18 inches of floss and thread it carefully.


• Take the floss and gently thread it under the main wire of the braces before passing it between two teeth. Then remove the floss and re-thread it under the main wire to pass between the next pair of teeth.


• Be sure not to snap the floss. Simply move the floss up and down carefully against the side of each tooth.

If you have questions about orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Garrison Family Dentistry here in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

Brushing Teeth with Traditional Braces

When you have traditional braces, oral hygiene is more important than ever. That’s because braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped, and insufficient cleaning while wearing them can cause enamel staining and tooth decay around brackets or bands. If you’ve recently had traditional braces applied to your teeth, our doctors at Garrison Family Dentistry want you to know how to properly brush them using the following technique.

• Prepare to brush – take off elastics (rubber bands) and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.


• Clean your braces – Use your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush the top of each wire and then from the bottom.


• Brush your teeth – Clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Do this for about 10 seconds. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.


• Floss once a day – Carefully thread the floss under or over the main wire of your braces, taking care not to get it stuck. Then thread the floss through the wire to reach in between the spaces of your teeth.

If you have questions about orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Garrison Family Dentistry here in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

Bad Habits that Cause Tender Teeth

Tooth sensitivity – also known as dentin hypersensitivity – affects the tooth or exposed root surfaces. If you experience discomfort when eating hot or cold beverages, you may be a victim of this condition. Tooth sensitivity can come and go over time. Sometimes the solution to relief is simply breaking bad habits. If you catch yourself performing any of the following tasks, our doctors at Garrison Family Dentistry suggest you do your best to break them or stop yourself in your tracks.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will cause you pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

If you have questions about tooth sensitivity, don’t hesitate to contact us. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Garrison Family Dentistry here in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

Senior Teeth Care

No matter what age you are, teeth can last a lifetime with proper home care and regular dental checkups. However, as we grow older, certain health concerns earn our full attention, especially the importance of oral health for seniors. It’s easy to slip up on your oral hygiene habits, especially if you are distracted by other ailments such as arthritis which may make it difficult to hold a toothbrush. But know that our staff at Garrison Family Dentistry is always here to assist you and help keep your gums healthy for years to come.

Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of oral health problems, such as darkened teeth, dry mouth, root decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and even a diminished sense of taste. If you wear dentures or other oral appliances, they may cause irritation to the gums can lead to abscesses and sores if left untreated. If you have noticed any recent changes in your mouth, are experiencing tooth sensitivity, or notice any difficulty tasting, chewing, or swallowing your food, please give us a call immediately.

If you have questions about dental health and oral hygiene, don’t hesitate to contact us. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Garrison Family Dentistry here in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

Teeth Types and Functions

While the mouth is a small part of our overall anatomy, it’s filled with many things that keep our health in tip top shape. One of these many properties includes the teeth. Without teeth, we wouldn’t be able to chew our food and nourish our bodies. If you’ve ever wondered why all of your teeth are different shapes and sizes, our doctors at Garrison Family Dentistry would like to educate you. We have four types of teeth and they all have different functions including:

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Garrison Family Dentistry here in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.