Banish Bad Breath

It’s one thing to have bad breath after drinking a cup of coffee or eating a dish that is heavy on the garlic. It’s another thing to have persistent bad breath that leaves you feeling self-conscious on a daily basis. If you suffer from bad breath, our doctors at Garrison Family Dentistry encourage you to review your oral hygiene habits. If you aren’t brushing for at least two minutes, twice a day, and flossing at least once a day, you are only making the problem worse.

Offensive odors in the mouth indicate that something is out of balance. Symptoms depend on the underlying cause which may include dry mouth, poor dental hygiene, food, and beverages, and/or an illness. Treatment will depend on the cause but it’s important to visit our doctors twice a year for routine dental visits to ensure that you have optimal oral health. To help prevent bad breath in the meantime, eat fibrous fruits and vegetables that stimulate saliva flow and avoid smoking and alcohol.

If you would like to discuss bad breath treatment options, 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.

Dry Mouth Complications

If you often suffer from a bad taste in the mouth, or if you constantly feel dehydrated, our doctors at Garrison Family Dentistry might need to treat you for being a victim of dry mouth. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, refers to a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don’t produce enough saliva to keep the oral cavity moist. Decreased saliva flow can range from being a mild issue to having a major impact on your oral and overall health.

If the mouth isn’t producing enough saliva, a patient may feel dryness or a feeling of stickiness in the mouth, bad breath, dry or a sore throat, and/or difficulty chewing, speaking, and swallowing. Saliva helps us chew and swallow food that we eat, when it’s lacking, it can make this everyday task a frustrating one. Treatment options may include a change in medication or recommended products that moisturize the mouth.

If you would like to discuss dry mouth treatment options, 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 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. 

Veneers

Dental veneers are thin ceramic shells that cover the tooth structure and create a more brilliant, beautiful smile. Many of our patients at Garrison Family Dentistry choose to have veneers placed on their teeth for a variety of reasons. They might cover teeth that are stained or misshapen or opt for veneers because they have gaps in their teeth or have teeth that are slightly misaligned.

 

Veneers are bonded securely over the teeth and match the other natural teeth, so they don’t appear obvious to anyone else. After the veneers have been bonded to your teeth, Dr. Matthew Garrison recommends following these post-op instructions:

• Eat soft foods for the first few days.
• Don’t chew extremely hard foods like raw carrots, ice or candy, as the porcelain can start breaking away.
• Brush and floss the teeth with the veneers, just like your other natural teeth.
• Visit us at Garrison Family Dentistry every six months for a routine check-up and professional cleaning.

Veneers can last a long time if patients follow these important instructions. If the gum begins to recede, they should return to our dental office in Smithville, MO for replacement veneers. This doesn’t usually happen for many years and is simply part of the aging process. To find out more about veneers, contact us today.

Dental Hygiene

Proper dental hygiene is imperative on many levels. It prevents bad breath, reduces your risk of developing gum disease, and helps you save money on dental work by not needing procedures like root canals, extractions, or restorative care as often.

 

Dental hygiene is not just about personal oral health, though that is very important, but regular visits to the dentist as well. Twice-yearly visits are ideal for optimal dental health.

 

Here at Garrison Family Dentistry, we encourage our patients to take good care of their teeth, and schedule regular visits to our clinic. At home, we advise them to brush their teeth twice a day, floss once a day, and use mouthwash with fluoride on a regular basis. This keeps their mouth clean, removing debris and bacteria, and preventing plaque and decay. It also helps patients achieve better smelling breath. With regular dental visits, we can examine the patient’s mouth and teeth, look for signs of gum disease, take x-rays, and provide a professional dental cleaning.

 

To improve your dental hygiene and periodontal health, visit our dentist Dr. Matthew Garrison in Smithville, MO.