Straighten Your Smile in Six Months

The staff of Garrison Family Dentistry sees adolescent and adult patients alike who are unhappy with the appearance of their smile.  Patients may desire a perfectly straight look for their smile, but aren’t in need of braces to correct any serious orthodontic issues.  We offer adult braces that can straighten teeth in the same manner as traditional braces, but without the metallic look or extended treatment time.

Adult braces are an accelerated orthodontic treatment applied to achieve a cosmetic goal.  They are not prescribed to treat severe misalignment, and will not correct issues with the bite or jaw.  Clear brackets are used along with wires the color of natural teeth.  The final look is not totally invisible, but is much more subtle than traditional silver braces and doesn’t look metallic.  A typical treatment plan can be completed in only six months, and gives patients without any severe misalignment an opportunity to achieve the perfectly straight smile braces result in.  The best way to determine if this treatment is right for you is a consultation with your dentist, so contact us if you want to improve your smile!

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

Bad Habits to Kick with Braces

Wearing braces is a big responsibility, but the end result is worth it. Patients come out with a straight and healthy smile they can be proud of. Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO wants to remind our patients of the guidelines to wearing braces. Read on to refresh your memory!

The hardware that creates braces is strong; however, it can be broken. It’s important to keep this in mind to avoiding breakage and delayed treatment. When eating, be sure you are staying away from hard, crunchy, and sticky foods. Also, avoid biting objects like pen caps, fingernails, etc. Even if the hardware does not break, the pressure can delay treatment or even harm your teeth.

While brushing your teeth, do so carefully. You should never brush too abrasively anyway as scrubbing harshly at teeth can wear down enamel. Brushing too harshly can also cause brackets to pop off and it can damage wires.

One more thing to keep in mind is that daily afternoon pop. If you are a pop drinker or if you frequently suck on hard candy, you may want to consider cutting down. The excess sugar can become trapped easier and cause cavities in addition to staining.

Take care of your braces so when they come off, you have a healthy and good-looking smile. To schedule an appointment in our Smithville, MO office, call us at (816) 532-8778 or visit our Garrison Family Dentistry website, www.garrisondentistry.com.

 

How to Avoid Staining with Braces

After your braces are taken off, you will be shocked at how beautiful your smile looks! However, you do not also want to be shocked by uneven staining. At Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, we want our patients to know how to take extra care of their teeth with braces. Follow these tips to avoiding smile staining while wearing braces.

 

Good Oral Care

Brushing twice per day and flossing once per day is even more important while you are wearing braces. You will also want to brush after meals. Just be sure you wait at least thirty minutes after meals to brush, so you do not harm your enamel.

 

Dental Supplies

Interdental cleaners will help you clean around your brackets better since a full-sized toothbrush cannot fit underneath your wires. These are very small brushes shaped like pine trees. You will also want to invest in floss that has a built-in threader or threaders to floss with. They help speed up your flossing routine.

 

Beware of Stain-Causing Foods and Drinks

You also may want to steer clear of dark drinks and foods that could contribute to staining. Cranberries, coffee, tea, and ketchup are a few examples. In addition, sip dark liquids through a straw when you do have them. This will limit the contact is has with your teeth.

 

Ready for a beautiful smile? Contact Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com.