Do You Clean Your Tongue?

When you brush your teeth, do you scrape your tongue? If not, you may want to keep reading! At Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, we want our patients to have the best possible oral health. For this reason, we are going to talk about the benefits of tongue scraping.

Many people clean their tongue as they are brushing their teeth; it becomes part of the routine. You can purchase a tongue scraper or just use your toothbrush, so it is very easy! The purpose of this is to remove the layer of bacteria that builds up on your tongue. The tongue’s taste buds are hair-like so they collect a lot of bacteria. It should be part of everyone’s dental routine to avoid excess plaque in the mouth! In addition, it helps keep breath fresh!

To scrap your tongue, take the tongue scraper or toothbrush and place it on the back of your tongue. Press firmly as you move down to the tip of your tongue. Press firmly, but do not hurt your tongue. Rinse off the scraper or toothbrush after each stroke. Continue scraping the tongue until it looks clean.

As simple as that, you are on your way to a cleaner, healthier mouth. To schedule an appointment with Garrison Family Dentistry here in Smithville, MO, call our office at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com. 

Kids and Dental Fear

It is no surprise that sometimes kids do not like dental appointments. They can be scared of the tools, the unfamiliar procedures, or the sounds. In our Smithville, MO dental practice, Garrison Family Dental, we want all of our patients to be happy and comfortable. Parents and guardians should take some of these tips for easing your kids into a more relaxed dental visit.

Kids respond well when they see that their parent is okay doing the same things. Therefore, take them to your dental visit and explain what is going to happen. Once they see that you’ve gone through the whole appointment and you’re okay, they will feel safer and more relaxed.

You can also introduce them to dental visits at home. Making them more familiar with how an appointment will go may put them at ease. Try having them recline in a chair or on a sofa. Have them open their mouth and count their teeth. It may actually be fun!

Rewards also go a long way with children. Offer them their favorite dinner, a fun activity or game, or maybe a cool new toothbrush for good behavior at the appointment. Be careful, though, as you should not offer the reward before the appointment. This may put a thought in their head that there is something to be afraid of, which is not true.

At Garrison Family Dentistry, we want patients of all ages to feel comfortable. To schedule your appointment in our Smithville, MO dental office, call us at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com. 

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. 

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.