General Dentistry

Jan17

If My Gums Bleed, Should I Stop Flossing?

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, General Dentistry

If your gums bleed when you floss your teeth, should you drop flossing from your dental health routine? We’re asked about this from time to time at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park.

Our answer is short and sweet: “No!”

Bleeding is probably a sign that you need to clean your teeth and gums more thoroughly—not leave them alone. It is all but impossible to clean effectively between teeth without using floss or an interdental brush.

If you have never made flossing a habit before, your gums might bleed the first few times you use do it. The bleeding may be due to gum inflammation, the beginnings of gum disease. Keep flossing gently and the bleeding usually stops within a week or two.

Gum disease is extremely common, and is a leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Healthy teeth and gums are essential for good dental health.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we want all our patients to brush and floss twice a day, and see us for regular checkups. We treat gum disease, and offer a wide range of family and cosmetic dentistry services. Call to 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

Jan3

Why Visit The Dentist?

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry, Oral Health

Why Visit The Dentist?

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we want to see each of our patients for regular cleanings and checkups. Most of the time we try to schedule your next appointment as you leave the office. There are some very good reasons for that.

Along with daily brushing and flossing, regular cleanings and checkups are the best way to ensure you have good dental health. That means clean teeth with no cavities, and pink healthy gums.

During your cleaning, we will use an air polisher to remove any tartar found on your teeth. Tartar is hardened plaque that cannot be removed with a toothbrush and floss. That’s one of the reasons brushing twice a day is so important!

During your examination with the doctor, we will look to see if there are any cavities that may have appeared since your last visit. We will update your x-rays if you are due.

Finally, we willl look at your tongue, throat, face and head, and your neck. We’re checking for swelling or redness, or any signs of cancer.

Why should you visit the dentist? Your dental health is important to your overall health! At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we will take good care of your dental health. Services include family, cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Schedule your next checkup 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

 

ArticleID 7774
Dec27

Do You Have The Most Common Dental Problem?

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry

Grand Rapids Teeth WhiteningAt Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we restore decayed teeth to create smiles that are both healthy and beautiful. Recent advances in techniques and materials have made the impossible not only possible, but affordable, too.

Decay is the most common dental problem across the board. Not only that, it’s the second most common disease in the nation after the common cold. If you have one or more teeth with decay, it’s time to do something about it.

What Causes Cavities?

We get cavities when certain bacteria in the mouth combine with the sugars in the things we all eat and drink. It produces acids that destoys tooth enamel.

The result is tiny holes in the enamel. This is the first stage of decay. The acids gradually wear away the enamel and get into the inner parts of the tooth. When it reaches the pulp you begin to feel sensitivity, especially when you bite or chew on something.

Left untreated, the result may be a tooth abcess requiring a root canal. But cavities can be filled before it reaches that stage.

Cavities can be avoided with good dental hygiene, which is why we advise brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day. It’s also why we recommend regular checkups here at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park. Services include general and restorative dentistry. Call us to schedule an 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

 

ArticleID 1371
Nov8

5 Critical Oral Cancer Facts

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry, Oral cancer screenings, Oral Health

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we want to see our patients at least twice a year for a checkup and cleaning. A checkup can give you real peace of mind, especially since every one we do includes an oral cancer screening.

Lung and breast cancer get a lot of public attention, and rightfully so. But there is less awareness of oral cancer, even though it claims almost 10,000 lives in the United States every year.

We want to broaden awareness of oral cancer and the significance of early diagnosis.Here are five important things to know about oral (mouth) and oropharyngeal (back of mouth and throat) cancers.

  1. About 80% of men and women with oral cancer use some type of tobacco (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, pipes).
  2. 40% of men and women who receive late-stage diagnosis of oral cancer pass away within five years. The survival rate for early stage diagnosis is 90%.
  3. In many cases, it is extremely challenging for the individual to detect oral and oropharyngeal cancers because they can produce indistinct symptoms or no symptoms at all. Any abnormality in the mouth or throat, even if small and painless, should be evaluated by a dentist or doctor.
  4. HPV (the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the US) is the most common cause of oropharyngeal cancer. Of the many strains of HPV, HPV16 is the one most often linked to oropharyngeal cancer.
  5. African American men have a higher risk of dying from oral cancer than do whites.

At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we use the VELscope Oral Cancer Screening system for highly accurate oral cancer screenings and diagnoses, as part of our general and family dentistry. Schedule your next checkup 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

 

ArticleID 7438
Aug23

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Categories: Dental health, Dental Implants, General Dentistry

When they are properly cared for, dental implants from Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park can last a lifetime. That’s just one of the reasons why they have become the tooth replacement option of choice.

A dental implant, in case you haven’t heard, is a titanium post that is secured to your jaw bone. One dental implant can support a single artificial tooth. Several implants can support a dental bridge, or even a set of dentures.

FUSING TO BONE

Dental implants become replacement tooth roots. What makes them so secure is a process called osseointegration. That means the titanium fuses with the jaw.

Once an artificial tooth, called a crown, is attached to the implant, it looks and functions like a natural tooth. Most patients say their biting and chewing ability is normal. Just as important, of course, is getting your smile back.

LONG LASTING

As for their longevity, there are several factors involved. Cleaning a dental implant and crown is just as important as cleaning your natural teeth, and the process is about the same. You’ll need to brush away the filmy plaque that can build up on it, and floss between the implant and the neighboring teeth.

We also recommend that you avoid things like using your implant like a tool. In other words, don’t use it to open things. You should also avoid biting down on hard things like shelled nuts, and pen or pencil tips. Of course, you should never do any of those things with your natural teeth, either.

If you are missing one or more of your teeth, dental implants may be just what you’ve been hoping for. We also offer a full complement of general, family and cosmetic dentistry. Call our office to schedule an 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

Aug16

What Is Restorative Dentistry?

Categories: Dental health, Dentistry, General Dentistry

Restorative Dentistry - cracked teeth repair in Comstock Park, MI

“Restorative dentistry” is a term dentists use to describe the way damaged or missing teeth can be fixed or replaced. At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, our goal is always to improve your smile – in short, to maintain or restore your dental health.

Restorative dentistry covers everything from filling cavities to dental implants. Filling a cavity can stop tooth decay in its tracks. And replacing a lost tooth with an implant prevents bone loss and facial sag, keeps remaining teeth from moving around, and restores chewing power and smiles.

Other restorative dentistry procedures include:

  • Dental crowns – Cover a tooth to strengthen and improve the structure of a tooth.
  • Bridges – A dental bridge is a tooth replacement procedure in which an artificial tooth is anchored on either side of the space where a tooth is missing to “bridge” the area and fill in the space.

Before we wrap up this short article, we’d like to offer a word on categories. Some practices will call dental implants restorative dentistry. Some will call them cosmetic dentistry. Others still will put them in a category all their own. As Shakespeare said, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, our services include restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and Invisalign orthodontics. Call our office today to schedule an appointment!

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

 

Jul19

Gum Disease And Tooth Loss

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry, Gum Disease, Oral Health

One out of every ten American adults is likely to get some form of gum disease by the time they’re sixty-four years old. At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we provide treatment for gum disease.

First things first. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, and is associated with health issues like diabetes and heart disease. So brush and floss your teeth every day – twice a day, in fact. If you don’t, your chances of getting gum disease increase.

In addition to age, other risk factors for gum disease include tobacco use. Health experts say that tobacco is one of the most significant risk factors for getting gum disease. If you don’t smoke, don’t start, and if you do smoke (or chew), quit.

It appears some people are genetically predisposed to gum disease. Even when they take great care of their teeth, such people may still be more likely to get it. If you think it runs in your family, don’t despair.  Getting early intervention treatment may help.

Stress, too, is another risk factor for gum disease. Stress may make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection.

Poor nutrition and teeth grinding or clenching can also put you at greater risk of developing gum disease.

Finally, certain medications can affect your oral health and make you more prone to gum disease. If you have any concerns, ask us at your next appointment.

If you are showing any signs of gum disease at all, such as bleeding when you brush your teeth, let us know at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park. We also offer a full range of family and cosmetic dentistry services. 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

 

ArticleID 6724
Jul12

Watch Out For Hidden Sugar

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry

Family Dentist Comstock Park

Most of us consume far too much sugar. That isn’t exactly a news flash, but at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we want to remind you what sugar can do to your teeth, and what you can do about it.

We get cavities when acids in the mouth attack the enamel and dentin of the teeth. The acid is produced by bacteria in plaque, that sticky film that forms on the surfaces of teeth. When sugar is introduced it interacts with the bacteria in the plaque, and makes the acids, which attack the teeth and cause cavities.

That’s why it is so important to choose food and drink wisely. But it isn’t easy, is it? Sugar seems to be in just about everything, even things you wouldn’t suspect, like ketchup. Health experts say the average person in the United States consumes about 19.5 teaspoons of sugar every single day. That is twice as much as recommended by the American Heart Association!

Knowing how much sugar is in the food that you buy is vital: not just to your teeth, but to your overall health. Reading ingredient labels on processed foods is essential.

Of course, some things are obvious. Eliminate or minimize the sweet stuff, like soda, candy, cookies, cakes, and donuts. Sweet things may seem to make life worthwhile, but there is a high cost.

If you have an incurable sweet tooth, you might try softening the blow by eating more fruit. The natural sugars in fruit aren’t as harmful as those in processed foods. And remember this: a very wise person once said that we like the things that we learn to like.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we care about the dental health of each of our patients. So cut back on sugar, brush your teeth at least twice a day, don’t forget to floss, and see us for a professional cleaning and checkup every six months. Our services include general, cosmetic and family dentistry. Schedule your next 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

 

ArticleID 4601
Jun28

Have You Neglected Your Dental Health?

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry, Oral Health

Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day is something we stress to all of our patients, at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park. Coupled with twice-a-year checkups and cleanings, it’s the best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums, and your beautiful smile.

A good dental hygiene routine, something you do every single day without fail, is essential to your dental health. It’s related to your overall health, too. We understand that some people, for whatever reason, let it slip. Some have even been known to skip brushing and flossing so often, you could say they rarely do it at all.

 THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE

In cases like that, some people may think their teeth are too far gone – that no amount of treatment can restore their dental health. If that sounds like you or someone you love, we’re here to tell you it isn’t so. There is always a way to make your teeth look and feel better.

That doesn’t mean it will be easy, but it will be worth it. In cases of neglected teeth, initial treatment begins with a thorough examination in our office. At that time we will  evaluate for signs of gum disease, which is common in cases of neglected teeth. If we find it, we’ll begin a sequence of cleanings and treatments to revive your gum health.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. Our services include 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

 

Jun14

Dental Floss: Which Type is Best?

Categories: Dental health, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry, Oral Health

Along with brushing, flossing is the most important thing you can do for healthy teeth and gums. There’s a variety of floss types to choose from. Which one is best for you? It depends. At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we’re using this space to summarize what’s available, and what might influence your choice of dental floss.

The reason that flossing is so important is that it removes plaque and food debris from between your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. Left on the teeth, plaque hardens and contributes to tooth decay. The Academy of General Dentistry goes so far as to call flossing the most important thing you can do to fight plaque.

When it comes to what dental floss to use, there is a lot to choose from. Flavored or unflavored? Waxed or unwaxed? Wide or thin?

No single type of floss is right for everyone. You might even benefit from having more than one kind in your medicine chest. With a little trial and error, you can narrow down your choices to find what works best for you.

A recent study shows there really isn’t much difference, if any, in the effectiveness of the different types of dental floss. Here are some things to consider:

  • Waxed floss fits more easily into tight spaces.
  • Unwaxed floss tends to squeak against clean teeth, an indicator that plaque is gone.
  • Wider dental tape may work better in gaps between teeth, and on bridgework.

One word of caution: we recommend traditional string floss that you can pull out in a long strand, as opposed to a flossing pick. Those little picks are popular, but they only have a tight strand of less than an inch of floss. That makes it all but impossible to wrap any floss around your teeth – and flossing is far more effective when you do that. The little picks are fine for a purse or backpack when you’re on the go. Just be sure to use regular floss as part of your dental hygiene routine before bedtime.

Whatever your preference may be, the important thing is to floss at least once each day.

At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park we also like to see you for a thorough exam and cleaning every six months. Our services include family, cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Schedule your next 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