What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in most plant material, including many fruits and vegetables. In the dental world, xylitol is widely used as a sugar substitute and in “sugar-free” chewing gums, mints, and other candies. You already know that sugar is bad for your teeth, which is why at Garrison Family Dentistry we’d like to tell you that when shopping for chewing gum you should look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval on the packaging.

Xylitol tastes sweet but, unlike sugar, it is not converted in the mouth to acids that cause tooth decay. In fact, it reduces levels of decay-causing bacteria in saliva and can help keep a neutral pH level in the mouth. No acid is formed because the pH of saliva and does not fall. After chewing gum with xylitol, the bacteria do not stick well on the surface of teeth and as a result, the amount of plaque decreases.

If you have questions about the benefits of xylitol, give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at Garrison Family Dentistry, visit www.garrisonfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Matthew Garrison in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

Nutrition and Oral Health

A balanced and nutritious diet is superior for your general health and your dental health. Without the right nutrients, your teeth and gums can become more susceptible to decay and gum disease. Poor nutrition affects the entire immune system, thereby increasing awareness to many disorders. At Garrison Family Dentistry we want you to know that people with lowered immune systems have been shown to be at higher risk for periodontal disease. Try introducing these foods into your daily diet to improve your dental health.

Choose foods from five major food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, as well as meat, chicken, fish, or beans. Avoid diets that limit or eliminate entire food groups, because they usually result in vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Always keep your mouth moist by drinking lots of water. Fluorides in drinking water accompanied by a low-sugar diet are important factors in reducing cavities.

If you have questions about how diet affects your oral health, don’t hesitate to call us and ask. To learn more about the services provided at Garrison Family Dentistry, visit www.garrisonfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Matthew Garrison in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

Pregnancy Gingivitis

Excellent dental care is essential during pregnancy. Hormonal changes that occur can hinder the body’s normal response to bacteria which can cause periodontal infections. If you already have gingivitis, being pregnant can make it worse. At Garrison Family Dentistry we want pregnant mothers to be aware of pregnancy gingivitis and schedule a checkup with us if symptoms arise.

Swollen gums, which may be sore and more susceptible to bleeding, are common during this time. Pregnancy gingivitis is caused by the hormonal changes that increase blood flow to the gum tissue and cause your gums to be more sensitive, irritable, and swollen. If gingivitis is left unchecked, it may lead to a more serious gum infection called periodontitis. Periodontitis during pregnancy increases the chance of preterm birth. To manage swollen gums and to keep your mouth healthy, brush your teeth twice per day, especially after vomiting from morning sickness and schedule at least one oral checkup with Dr. Matthew Garrison during pregnancy.

If you are pregnant, please inform us while scheduling your next appointment. To learn more about the services provided at Garrison Family Dentistry, visit www.garrisonfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Matthew Garrison in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

Don’t Let Your Toothbrush Make You Sick

Cold and flu season is upon us, therefore if you’ve been unlucky enough to catch a bug you may want to be safe and replace your toothbrush. Once you’ve been infected with a particular strain of a virus, germs can hide in toothbrush bristles and lead to reinfection. At Garrison Family Dentistry, we hope you stay healthy in this chilly weather, and here are a couple of ways to prevent your toothbrush from making you sick.

We advise that you keep your toothbrush away from others, because airborne bacteria can be shared between toothbrushes stored near each other in warm, moist environments like the bathroom. Let’s say you have family members and all of their toothbrushes sit in the same holder. Even if you don’t put their toothbrushes in your mouth, the infected item might contaminate yours. When toothbrushes are stored in the same cup, their bristles can come into contact with one another, spreading germs in the process. To completely sterilize your toothbrush if you don’t want to replace it, we suggest submerging it in boiling water.

To learn more about the services provided at Garrison Family Dentistry, visit www.garrisonfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Matthew Garrison in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

Cavity Prevention

Cavities – also known as caries – are small openings or holes in the teeth caused by tooth decay. They form as a result of built-up plaque and bacteria on the surface of teeth, poor dental hygiene, and a lack of essential minerals in a diet. In most cases, cavities are irreversible and if Dr. Matthew Garrison spots one, he will use fluoride treatments, fillings or extractions to treat it.

Many people think only children get cavities, but changes in your mouth as you age make them an adult problem too. As you get older, your gums pull away from your teeth. They can also pull away because of gum disease. This exposes the roots of your teeth to plaque, and if you eat a lot of sugary or high-carb foods, you’re more likely to get cavities. If you experience tooth sensitivity, toothache, or pain when you bite down, you may have a cavity. You can help prevent cavities by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth daily with floss.

If you suspect you have a cavity, give us a call today. To learn more about the services provided at Garrison Family Dentistry, visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Matthew Garrison in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

How to Reduce Dental Plaque

Plaque develops when foods containing carbohydrates, such as milk, soft drinks, cakes, etc. are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. This is why Dr. Matthew Garrison at Garrison Family Dentistry wants patients to know how they can reduce dental plaque to avoid advanced dental procedures in the future.

To prevent plaque you must first pay attention to your diet. Since plaque needs carbohydrates to form, the fewer carbs you eat, the better. Avoid candy, cookies, and other sweet things as much as possible in order to prevent plaque build-up. If you need a snack, choose nutritious foods such as plain yogurt, cheese, fruit or raw veggies. Vegetables such as celery help remove food and help saliva neutralize plaque causing acids.  In addition, the best thing you can do to reduce dental plaque is brush and floss twice a day. Brushing removes plaque that has built up on your teeth, while flossing removes food particles and debris from between your teeth.

If you have questions about oral hygiene give us a call or visit our website www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Matthew Garrison here at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

Crown Lengthening at Garrison Family Dentistry

For patients who need dental work done on a tooth below the gum line, or for patients who have a “gummy” smile, our skilled and experienced dentists here at Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO can perform a crown lengthening.

A crown lengthening is the process of removing gum tissue to expose more of the crown of a tooth. This is needed in cases where there is decay under the gum line, or when a tooth needs a replacement crown, but there is not enough tooth above the gums to work with. This is also used for cosmetic reasons. Sometimes when a person has excess gum tissue, it can cause their teeth to look short, when in fact the teeth are just being covered up. This is commonly referred to as the “gummy” smile.

To start the procedure, incisions are made to the gums to allow them to be pulled back. In some cases, when the tooth needs to be worked on below the jaw bone, that will be cut away to gain access to the tooth. The gums are then cleaned and stitched into place. Even if only one tooth needs to be worked on, several teeth in the area have the gums pulled back so they can heal in a natural line.

If you need work done below the gum line, or want to improve the look of your “gummy” smile, the dentists here at Garrison Family Dentistry are experienced in performing crown lengthening. To schedule a consultation, call (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com.