Delay Dental Treatment and Pay the Price

It’s important for people to remember that maintaining proper dental care habits not only reduces the risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay, but can also put less of a dent in your wallet in the long run. Visiting the dentist twice a year and maintaining basic oral health is far less expensive than replacing a lost tooth or undergoing an extensive procedure to cure dental disease. Here at Garrison Family Dentistry, Dr. Matthew Garrison can teach you the importance of oral health and help you sustain a healthy smile.

Taking care of oral health now can help you save money and avoid paying for expensive procedures later. One example of the cost of avoiding dental care is that oral health problems, if left unchecked, may lead to losing your teeth. Something that could be a simple fix, such as filling a cavity, may turn into receiving dental implants down the line because your tooth has become decayed and rotten.

If you have been avoiding the dentist, give us a call before your negligence gets worse and to discuss your insurance options. To learn more about the types of services we offer, visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Matthew Garrison at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

What are Ceramic Braces?

Here at Garrison Family Dentistry, Dr. Matthew Garrison offers a variety of options for straightening your teeth. It’s assumed that every adult who wants to straighten their teeth, most likely want to transform their smile with as little metal as possible. Ceramic braces are the same size and shape as metal braces, except that they have tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend into the teeth. Some even use tooth-colored wires to be less noticeable.

The fundamental difference of ceramic braces is simply the type of bracket that’s used. With ceramic braces, they are clear or tooth-colored (white), not metal. All conventional braces use a metal archwire that runs across your teeth that is held inside each tooth’s bracket via an elastic band. In the case of ceramic braces, a silver one is sometimes used. As a more esthetic alternative, a “frosted” or “esthetic” (white) one can be utilized instead, so it’s less obvious the patient is wearing them. Opting for ceramic braces tends to create a more pleasing, less conspicuous look for the patient’s dental appliance, especially from a distance.

If you are considering orthodontic treatment give us a call to discuss your options. To learn more about the types of braces we offer, visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Matthew Garrison at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

What to Expect Post-Op

Preparing for oral surgery can be a little nerve-wracking. Garrison Family Dentistry wants to make it a little easier on our patients by preparing them for what the period after surgery will be like.

Depending on the type of surgery you are having, your dentist may recommend painkillers or prescribe them to you. Take these as directed and before the anesthesia fully wears off. Ice pressed to the side of your face may also relieve pain, as well as reduce swelling.

When you first come out of surgery, there will most likely be gauze pads on the site of the surgery. This is to control bleeding and to promote the clotting of your blood. It is recommended that in order to reduce excess bleeding you relax for the rest of the day after surgery. Then for a few days, avoid any strenuous activity.

Make sure to drink plenty of water, but not through a straw, as the suction could start more bleeding. A diet of soft foods will be recommended until the healing process is a little further along. Smoking and other tobacco products should be avoided until the area is well healed.

Continue to brush your teeth around the site of the surgery, and brush your tongue.

For a full list of instructions for post-op, visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com. For any questions or to schedule a consultation, give our Smithville, MO dental practice, Garrison Family Dentistry a call at 816-532-8778 or visit our website.

Tooth Colored Fillings

When you have a cavity, a filling ensures that your tooth is preserved from further decay and the risk of infection is minimized. In the past, fillings were primarily completed with dental amalgam, which was effective and economical but highly visible and unaesthetic. Thankfully, we now have a better solution available. 

Tooth colored fillings fill cavities while being virtually indistinguishable from your tooth enamel, even in easily visible portions of the mouth.  They also offer a number of material benefits that our Smithville, MO patients find favorable, including resistance to structural changes due to hot and cold temperatures, less sensitivity and long lasting integrity that may never require replacement.

To determine whether or not tooth colored fillings are the best option for you, we welcome you to visit our website www.garrisondentistry.com or call 816-532-8778 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Matthew Garrison.

How to Brush Your Teeth Properly

Brushing your teeth helps protect them from decay and discoloration. This is why Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO wants their patients to know the proper way to brush and how often it should be done.

To get the most of your brushing, make sure to use short strokes. Strokes that are too long could be missing plaque and could irritate your gums. Up-and-down strokes are the best motion to reach every part of the tooth including around the gums. Make sure to brush every surface of your teeth including the chewing surface, the front side, the insides, as well as the backs of your molars. Also make sure to brush your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth, as bacteria can collect in these places, too!

Brushing should be done two to three times per day. Each session should last two minutes. It is important to brush for the right amount of time, but do not over-do it. Excess brushing could wear down your enamel causing sensitivity and cavities. It is also good to make sure you are not bearing down too hard on your teeth while brushing. A light touch is all you need to remove plaque.

Visit your dentist here at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO for more tips and for your regular cleaning! To schedule, call us at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com. 

How to Choose the Right Toothbrush

Brushing your teeth is part of a home oral care routine that protects your teeth daily and having the right toothbrush is the first step. Here at Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO, this is why we want patients to know what kind of toothbrush is best for their oral health.

The most noticeable different amongst toothbrushes is that some are manual and some are electric. Studies have shown that manual toothbrushes can do just as good of a job brushing teeth as electric toothbrushes, so it really depends on the brusher. However, for those with difficulty using their hands, like someone with arthritis, the electric toothbrush may help them get a better cleaning. This is because the electric toothbrush does most of the work, so you really just need to hold the toothbrush in the right position.

Manual or electric, your toothbrush should have a small head and soft bristles. A small head allows the toothbrush to reach every surface of your mouth. The bristles should not be too stiff, to avoid wearing down enamel and irritating gums. However, do not choose a toothbrush that is labeled as soft, unless directed to by your dentist. Instead, choose one labeled medium.

For children, toothbrushes that sing and have timers are good ways to get them to brush their teeth. It also makes sure they are brushing for a full two minutes.

For more information about keeping a healthy mouth, call Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com. 

How to Avoid Staining Your Teeth

Keeping bright pearly whites are a top dental concern for many. Having your teeth regularly cleaned by your dentist helps out, but there are a lot of at-home tips to keep in mind, as well. Garrison Family Dentistry wants to remind their patients in the Smithville, MO area how to keep their teeth sparkling.

Certain foods and drinks can stain teeth when consumed frequently. Watch out for dark foods and drinks like coffee, blueberries, cranberry juice, and soy sauce. When you do consume dark foods and drinks, it is a good idea to rinse your mouth when finished. Another way to enjoy dark drinks with a lesser risk of staining is to drink them through a straw. Straws reduce the amount of time that the liquid is passing through your teeth, and often skip your front teeth altogether.

Keeping plaque away will also combat staining. Plaque is the sticky bacterial film that forms on your teeth. Keeping a good oral hygiene routine of brushing twice daily and flossing once daily will keep plaque from holding in stain causing residue.

Even with good care of your teeth, staining can still happen. To lift stains professionally, Garrison Family Dentistry offers a customized tray whitening system. This can give you a head start on keeping teeth nice and white!

To find out more about keeping teeth white, or to schedule a consultation for professional teeth whitening, call Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com.