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Apr26

Gum Disease: A Treatable Condition

Periodontitis is the formal name of advanced gum disease. It’s one of the leading causes of tooth loss, and affects nearly half of Americans over the age of thirty. At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, gum disease can be treated and does not have to result in the loss of teeth.

Gum disease is progressive. Before it reaches the advanced stage, it is called gingivitis, which is inflammation in the gums. An early sign of gingivitis is bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth.

Gingivitis develops when plaque is not adequately removed from your teeth. You remove it by brushing and flossing. The good news is that gingivitis is easily reversible. If you’re diagnosed with gingivitis, you need to improve your brushing and flossing and get a professional cleaning by a dental hygienist.

Advanced gum disease develops when gingivitis is not treated. Toxins build up in the plaque on your teeth and invade gum tissue. Not only that, it gets into the bone and ligaments that support the teeth. The teeth can actually become loose.

Severe cases may require surgery. But first is a non-surgical treatment called scaling and root planning, or SRP. We remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and root surfaces. From there, any roughness on the roots is smoothed to prevent bacteria from accumulating there.

All of this can be avoided with proper dental care. Like we always say, we want our patients to brush and floss at least twice a day to maintain their dental health.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we provide gum disease treatment, as well as family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Dec28

5 Ways To Prevent A Cracked Tooth

A cracked tooth can be painful, unattractive, and costly to repair. Today’s post in the Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry dental blog contains an easy-to-follow list of tips to keep your teeth whole and strong.

1. Don’t chew on hard things. You should steer clear of ice, hard candies, hard nuts, and beef jerky. Also, be wary of pitted fruits—that peach may be soft but if you bite hard into the pit, you could damage a tooth.

2. It is vital to protect your teeth while engaging in any physical activity where your mouth can be hit. If you enjoy pick-up basketball games, indoor soccer leagues, flag football, and many other activities, you should be using a well-fitting mouth guard.

3. Don’t use your teeth as a tool. Take a minute to find a pair of scissors before you tear open a package of lunch meat or rip the price tag off a new piece of clothing with your teeth. Use a nutcracker for nuts. A quality dental crown can cost hundreds of dollars.

4. Most people know that grinding your teeth is harmful, but did you know that it can lead to a cracked tooth? If you know or suspect that you are a tooth grinder, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull to see if you would benefit from a bite splint. Chronic head or jaw pain can be caused by teeth grinding.

5. Lastly, make sure that you visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. Your dentist can alert you to conditions that might predispose you to cracked teeth, such as having an uneven chewing surface or brittle teeth. Your dentist may also discover tiny cracks you aren’t aware of. Repair these cracks early before more damage ensues.

If you already have a cracked tooth, never fear! Treatment is available for cracks small and large. Porcelain veneers/crowns, cosmetic dental bonding, and dental implants are all used to repair or replace damaged teeth. If you break a tooth, call 616-784-2377 or visit us in person.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377 616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Dec7

3 Reasons Not to Skip a Dental Checkup in Comstock Park

Life gets busy. Sometimes it seems impossible to keep up with everything you need to do in a single day. At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry, 7 Your dental hygiene should be at the top of your to-do list because putting it off can have several negative effects on your health. Furthermore, twice-yearly dental exams are indispensable for keeping your smile in shape!

Many times have we heard the phrase, “but my teeth feel fine.”We’ve heard this excuse before and the fact is that no news isn’t necessarily good news. Dental problems can be progressing without you ever being aware of them. Here are three of the most important reasons to schedule regular dental checkups in Comstock Park:

1. Your Gums May Be Receding
Gum recession doesn’t happen all at once. Gum tissue can move back almost imperceptibly until teeth and bone are in jeopardy. It’s also important to look for any signs of gum disease before it progresses and causes harm to your smile.

2. Decay May Be Lurking
When the acids in plaque start drilling into a tooth, you usually don’t feel it until it has passed through the enamel and dentin and hits the nerve. Ouch! By that time, there is a cavity in the tooth. Regular cleanings remove plaque before it can do any damage.

3. Prevent Oral Cancer
About 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. During your dental checkup, Dr. Hull and Dr. Stewart will do an oral cancer screening for early signs of oral cancer. As with all types of cancer, early detection is indispensable, so we will bring any potential areas of concern to your attention.

After a thorough examination, Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull will discuss any concerns they may have. Whether that’s flossing more often or discussing treatment you may be interested in such as dental implants or Invisalign braces, we will make certain that you get all the information you need to ensure your smile is bright and beautiful! Scheduling twice-yearly exams with our professional team at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry will help you avoid dental problems in the future.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Oct5

Unexpected Stress in Your Life? Don’t Forget Your Smile

When you suddenly have to juggle extra responsibilities, some are bound to get dropped. Perhaps you are going through a divorce or you became the caregiver for an ailing parent. Perhaps you took on a second job or started night school to earn an advanced degree. A new baby, marriage, career, or move can be exciting but also overwhelming. It’s okay to feel stressed and it can sometimes be helpful to take a break, but you should never take a break from your dental health routine.

Importance of Oral Hygiene

Sometimes you feel too exhausted to brush and you skip regular check-ups and cleanings. When life hands you extra challenges it can be easy to get forgo oral hygiene, but Dr. Bruce Stewart and Dr. Eric Hull want to remind you to think about the possible consequences of neglecting your smile.

Tooth decay
Gum disease
Tooth and Gum Pain
Bad Breath
Infection
Tooth Loss

If your plate is already full, then don’t add poor oral health to an already overwhelming list. Let the car go unwashed for a few weeks. Record your favorite show to watch later when things slow down. Postpone that kitchen remodel. But keep your smile healthy – it really will make your life easier, healthier, and happier.

Schedule an Appointment

Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park provides gentle and comprehensive dental care for the whole family. Our services include porcelain veneers, Invisalign Orthodontics, implant dentistry, and Zoom! teeth whitening. If you haven’t seen a dentist in a awhile, we invite you to call our office at 616-784-2377 and schedule a thorough exam. There is no need to feel embarrassed about plaque build-up or an existing cavity. We completely understand how stressful life can be and we love helping our Comstock Park area patients get back on track.

We can whiten, brighten, and straighten your smile!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Aug24

Overcoming Dental Anxiety at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry

Dental anxiety impacts many people, including some Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry patients. Today’s post answers some questions asked about this vital topic.

What Are Long-term Consequences of Dental Anxiety?

The most detrimental consequence is when a patient delays dental care until a pain becomes excruciating. At this point, the trouble is usually extremely advanced and requires extensive treatment. Moreover, there are usually many other dental problems in varying stages of progression. Several oral conditions at once can risk general health and well-being, so it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible.

Overcoming Dental Anxiety

Schedule an appointment with Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park. There are several specific fears associated with dental anxiety and dental phobia. Fear of pain, fear of the unknown, fear of loss of control, and embarrassment because of poor dental health are the most prevalent concerns. During your consultation, we will address each of your particular fears and discuss how we can help you to overcome them.

We have helped many patients in overcoming dental anxiety during dental exams and treatment. First off, we take things slowly. We explain exactly what is going to happen before each procedure. Furthermore, we always treat our patients with compassion, because we care about them. Lastly, we agree upon a nonverbal signal, such as raising a hand, to cue the dentist to remove the instrument from the patient’s mouth. Then he/she can take a break, breathe deeply, regain composure, ask questions, and learn the status of the procedure.

These methods go a long way to calm anxious dental patients. At the very least, they help the patient get through a treatment that is necessary. With each subsequent visit, the patient is comforted by increased familiarity, greater confidence, and a strengthened relationship with our friendly and thorough team. To learn more about overcoming dental anxiety or any other dental topic, please call Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 616-784-2377.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Jul13

Dental Hygiene in Grand Rapids: 5 Reasons to Schedule a Cleaning Today

1. Protect Your Gums

We always tell our patients that it isn’t only acute cavities that they need to worry about. Other dental issues can slowly damage your teeth until they are beyond saving. For example, gum disease that leads to bone loss is just as harmful. Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque that creates pockets of infection between the gums and tooth roots. This leads to periodontitis, gum recession, and eventual bone loss. A professional cleaning gets rid of the plaque and restores your dental hygiene before it can cause any more damage to your smile.

2. Prevent Cavities

Even if you brush and floss your teeth, morning and night, plaque can start to collect in your mouth. We have many patients who are faithful brushers but are surprised when our hygienist discovers plaque on their teeth. A dental cleaning can easily remove plaque and eliminate the risk of gum disease.

3. Check for Oral Cancer

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, oral cancer claims one life approximately every hour—that’s 48,250 deaths a year. During a dental cleaning, your hygienist can perform a screening and look for signs of oral cancer. If you have concerns about oral cancer or your dental hygiene in Grand Rapids, please schedule an appointment with us today and we’ll provide you with all the necessary information.

4. Oral Health and Overall Health Go Hand in Hand

Your mouth is not a separate entity from the rest of your body, it’s all connected. For some reason, many individuals find themselves treating their dental hygiene as if it doesn’t affect their overall health. A lot of people in Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker, and Rockford, MI settle for getting regular preventative services for physical conditions but miss out on vital dental appointments. At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we’ve often wondered about this frequent disconnect. Did you know that there is compelling evidence to suggest that the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes increases with poor oral health? Your lifestyle is significantly affected when you have tooth pain, tooth loss, or gum disease, so please call Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry today to schedule an appointment.

We also offer other services, such as cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign, implant dentistry, veneers, and teeth whitening. Please call 616-784-2377 to schedule a professional dental cleaning at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

May18

Clean and Beautiful: Dental Hygiene in Comstock Park

Unfortunately, not everyone smiles all the time. But even frowns need to be clean if you want to maintain a high level of oral health. At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we always stress good dental hygiene.

What do we mean by good dental hygiene? We mean teeth that look healthy and are free of decay. We also mean gums that are pink, and don’t hurt or bleed after brushing and flossing.

No one, of course, is immune to dental problems. It’s essential to establish a good brushing and flossing routine at home, and that you stick to it. We recommend brushing and flossing twice a day.

In addition to that, you should see us twice a year for a professional cleaning and thorough examination. The most vigilant brushing and flossing at home cannot totally prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar.

If your teeth bother you, or if your gums do bleed when you brush and floss, it’s a signal that you need to see us – the sooner, the better. Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park provides teeth whitening, Invisalign, porcelain crowns/veneers, and oral cancer screenings. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

May4

Our Team Takes Care Of Your Dental Health in Comstock Park

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, each member of our team helps us operate smoothly and provide an excellent standard of dental health care.

Dental assistants are an important part of the team. They perform many tasks, from patient care to office work.

Our dental assistants work alongside the dentist during procedures, when an extra pair of hands are needed. In addition to assisting the doctors, they prep examination areas, clean up afterward, and order new supplies before they run too low.

Dental assistants must have a basic understanding of dental medicine. They need to be familiar with our dental software and understand the content of the many documents and forms we use on a daily basis. It all requires an attention to detail, critical thinking, an ability to follow protocols, and sound judgment.

Whether a patient is receiving teeth whitening, Invisalign clear braces, or cosmetic dentistry, the dental assistant has set the stage for a comfortable and efficient procedure. Like the rest of the team at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, they’ve got your dental health uppermost in mind.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Apr13

Soda Spells Double Trouble: Dental Health in Comstock Park

Soft drinks, soda, pop. No matter what you call it, it seems to be the dietary villain of choice – and with good reason. At Stewart & Hull in Comstock Park, we remind you that the sweeteners in soft drinks spell trouble for your dental health.

Soft drinks, in fact, deliver a double punch to your teeth with two of its ingredients: sugar and phosphoric acid.

Sugar is harmful to teeth primarily because it softens enamel and makes them more prone to cavities. This is especially harmful to kids, because their enamel is not fully developed.

You might think you can avoid issues by choosing diet soda. It isn’t that easy, unfortunately. The acids found in diet soda have basically the same detrimental softening effect on enamel.

Our recommendation is simple: stop drinking soda, or cut way back on your consumption. Also, keep your kids away from it as much as possible, so their teeth have the chance to mature healthily.

Best bet? Make water your beverage of choice. If that’s too hard, try to drink some shortly after you have soda. That will rinse away some of the bad stuff. Try to brush more, too – but wait a half hour so the enamel isn’t brushed while it’s soft.

Stewart & Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park provides a full range of cosmetic, general and family dental services.

Call for your appointment today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Apr6

Floss Picks Or Regular Floss? Your Comstock Park Dentist Says…

Floss picks vs regular floss? Is one better than the other? While it’s better to use a floss pick than to not floss at all, ordinary dental floss or tape does a superior cleaning job.

A floss pick holds just a small section of floss stretched in a straight line. A typical tooth, however, is rounded with occasional irregularities. A straight length of floss just doesn’t make sense geometrically, since it doesn’t conform to the contours of the tooth.

Used correctly, traditional dental floss or tape does conform to these contours. By wrapping the floss completely around the circumference of the tooth, you can clean the critical area around and just below the gumline much better.

Here is a guide to proper flossing:

Cut a section of floss about 18 inches long and securely wind each end around your middle fingers.
Take hold of the floss with your forefinger and thumb leaving about two inches to work with.
Thread the floss between two teeth.
Hold the floss tightly against the side of the tooth and move it up and away from the gumline. You want to clean the space between the tooth and gum without pulling more gum tissue away, so it’s important to scrape up and out of the pocket.
Move the floss around the tooth to clean every surface – especially those that your brush can’t reach. You can use a “shoeshine” method if you like. As you use a section of floss, unwind from one hand to access a clean piece. With 18 inches, you should have enough to provide a clean segment for each tooth. If you run out, that’s okay. Just toss the used piece and cut a new length.
Some people find it easier to start at one end of the upper teeth and clean each gap one by one until they reach the end on the opposite side, and then repeat for the lower arch. Whatever method you choose, make sure you clean around every tooth, including the back surfaces of the rear molars.

If you have never flossed before, you should. Your gums may bleed the first few times. The bleeding may be due to gum inflammation, the beginnings of gum disease. Stewart & Hull, your Comstock Park dentists, provide a full range of family and cosmetic dentistry.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

Importance of Oral Hygiene

Schedule an Appointment

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

What Are Long-term Consequences of Dental Anxiety?

Overcoming Dental Anxiety

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1. Protect Your Gums

2. Prevent Cavities

3. Check for Oral Cancer

4. Oral Health and Overall Health Go Hand in Hand

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

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