Oral Health

Nov16

The American Dental Association: Promoting Dental Health Since 1859

Categories: Aesthetic dentistry, Dental health, Oral Health

American Dental Association Comstock Park dental health

Hello, thank you for visiting the Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry blog today. Our practice has been providing exceptional dental care to the Grand Rapids and Comstock area since 1974. Today’s message is about the American Dental Association. You have probably seen the ADA logo on tubes of toothpaste and containers for floss, but what exactly does that mean and how does it affect you?

What is the American Dental Association?

The ADA’s objective is to improve the level of public dental health by supporting the dental industry through not-for-profit federal, state, and local associations. It was formed in 1859 and is currently run by its members, which at present total over 160,000 dental professionals.

The ADA Seal of Acceptance is not an endorsement of a product per se, but rather is a confirmation of the assertions made by a product. Companies who want the ADA certification and seal for a product must submit proof of rigorous scientific testing. Once submitted, the ADA re-tests the product to further verify the results that were submitted. There are currently over 300 products on the market in the United States with the ADA seal on them.

The ADA does more than analyze dental products. Here are some other ways the ADA works to accomplish its mission:

  • Provides resources to support dentists and their practices
  • Educates the public about dental health
  • Works to maximize access to dental care
  • Offers advice on vital issues that affect the dental industry
  • Collaborates with other organizations on scientific research projects and public health initiatives
  • Offers scholarships to dental students

Schedule an Appointment

If you’re currently looking for a trusted dentist in Comstock Park, then look no further than Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry. Our practice offers advanced general and aesthetic dental services such as teeth whitening, implant dentistry, porcelain veneers, and Invisalign braces. Please call our office 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

Oct5

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

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, Oral Health, Oral Safety

Rockford cosmetic dental and tooth implants stress oral hygiene

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

Sep7

Cosmetic Dentistry: Affordable Tooth Whitening at Stewart & Hull

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Invisalign, Oral Health, Teeth Whitening

Whitening in Comstock Park One of the least complicated and most affordable ways to upgrade your smile is to have your teeth whitened. There are two options when it comes to tooth whitening systems at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry We offer Zoom whitening that is done in the office and home whitening that is done at your convenience. Both options can deliver meaningful results.

Your Dentist Knows Your Teeth

There are many variables when it comes to tooth whitening. The color of your teeth at the beginning of your treatment will affect the end result. Other variables include existing cosmetic dentistry such as crowns and dental bonding, gum/tooth health, and tooth sensitivity.

A Whiter Smile Without Breaking the Bank

Tooth whitening with Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull is less expensive than it was in the earlier days of tooth whitening technology. Today, tooth whitening treatments are very cost-effective. If you are interested in tooth whitening please call Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry to schedule an appointment. We also offer other cosmetic dentistry services such as dental implants and porcelain veneers.

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

Jul6

Dental Health in Comstock Park: 5 Tips to Avoid a Cracked Tooth

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry, Oral Health

dental help in comstock park

A cracked tooth can be painful, unattractive, and pricey to repair. At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we hope to keep your teeth healthy and strong. Today’s post contains an easy-to-follow list of tips for your dental health in Comstock Park.

1. We have to state the obvious but don’t chew on hard foods. People should steer clear of ice, hard candies, hard nuts, popcorn, and beef jerky. Watch out for stone fruits—that peach may be soft but if you bite hard into the pit, you could damage a tooth.

2. It is important 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, recreation center flag football, or any other outdoor 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 you hundreds of dollars.

4. Grinding your teeth is detrimental to your dental health in Comstock Park. If you know or suspect that you are a tooth grinder, speak with your dentist so you can address the problem with stress reduction techniques or a mouth guard. Frequent headaches or jaw pain can often be attributed to nighttime teeth grinding.

5. Lastly, make sure that you visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. For those of you concerned about your dental health in Comstock Park, your dentist can alert you to conditions that might predispose you to a cracked tooth, such as having an uneven chewing surface or brittle teeth. Your dentist may also discover tiny cracks you aren’t aware of. Take care of these cracks before the whole tooth is in danger.

If you already have a cracked tooth, never fear! Treatment is available for cracks small and large. Veneers, cosmetic dental bonding, inlays/onlays, fillings, and dental implants are all used to repair or replace damaged teeth.

If you live in the Comstock Park area and are seeking a friendly, experienced, and gentle dentist, please give us a call and ask us about our general and family dentistry services.

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

 

Jun8

Oral Cancer Screening: Essential Exams in Comstock Park

Categories: Aesthetic dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry, Oral cancer screenings, Oral Health

Oral cancer screenings consist of a physical and visual exam of a patient’s mouth and surrounding tissues. When it comes to oral cancer survival rates, two numbers are key: 40% and 90%. 40% of those who receive a late-stage diagnosis die within five years. However, the survival rate for early stage diagnosis is 90%.

Oral Cavity and Oropharynx—Mouth and Throat
Cancers that originate in the mouth (oral cavity) are labeled oral cancers. The oral cavity is comprised of the inside tissue of the mouth and cheeks, the lips, the tissue below the tongue, the roof of the mouth, and the front two-thirds of the tongue.

“Why only two-thirds of the tongue?” you might ask. Fair question. The answer is that the back third of the tongue is considered part of the throat.

Throat cancers, or oropharyngeal cancers, start in the oropharynx, the part of the mouth behind the parts considered part of the oral cavity. The oropharynx consists of the soft palate, the tonsils, and the throat.

How Are Oral Cancers Diagnosed?
Some oral cancers produce symptoms that prompt the patient to see a doctor. Others are found by dentists and doctors during exams. Thousands of lives could be saved every year if more people received regular screenings.

A visual oral cancer exam is relatively quick and convenient compared to other cancer screening tests. If an abnormality is discovered, the patient is referred to an appropriate specialist for further testing and diagnosis.

Be proactive. Ask Stewart & Hull Aesthetic Dentistry in Comstock Park about an oral cancer screening. We use the non-invasive VELscope as an aid in finding oral abnormalities. We also provide general and family dentistry, 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

 

Jun1

Dental Sealants: Another Tool For Dental Health in Comstock Park

Categories: Aesthetic dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental health, General Dentistry, Oral Health, Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening

Dental Sealants - Another Tool For Cavity Prevention In Rockford

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we encourage all our patients to brush and floss  regularly, because it’s essential to good dental health.

But brushing and flossing can’t do it all. Teeth have grooves and depressions where bacteria can hide, and start tooth decay. This is where dental sealants are invaluable.

Dental sealants are a plastic material that is applied to the chewing surface of the back molars. They seal out the food particles and bacteria that cause cavities, and are an extra layer of protection against.

Sealants are usually thought of as something for children and their developing teeth, but they’re good for adult teeth, too. They do not, of course, eliminate the need for other care. Used along with a daily routine of brushing and flossing, and with fluoride treatments and a healthy diet, dental sealants are one of the tools we have to maintain excellent dental health.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry, dental sealants are part of our regular care. We also provide popular cosmetic dentistry procedures like teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. To find out more, call our office in Comstock Park. In the meantime, visit our smile gallery to see examples of what we can do.

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

Categories: Aesthetic dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental health, Dental hygiene, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry, Oral Health

Comstock Park dental financing

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…

Categories: Aesthetic dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental hygiene, Family Dentistry, Gum Disease, Oral Health

are floss picks as good as regular floss? Rockford

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

 

Mar30

Is Mouthwash A Must? Dental Hygiene in Comstock Park

Categories: Aesthetic dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental hygiene, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry, Oral Health

Walker after hours dental

There’s a bewildering selection of dental hygiene products on the market, from mouthwashes to rinses to plain old toothpaste. Some tout their germ-killing abilities, others emphasize their fluoride content, and some claim to whiten teeth while freshening breath.

It can make you wonder whether you’re doing enough to keep your mouth clean. Brushing and flossing have the greatest impact on dental health, so if you’re doing these two things, is mouthwash necessary?

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we tell our patients that as long as they follow the instructions on the bottle, mouthwash may slightly benefit dental health. Rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash can’t hurt your teeth. Leaving a bit of diluted toothpaste on the surface of your teeth after brushing probably has the same benefit.

Individuals who suffer from bad breath often believe that mouthwash can solve the problem. Actually, mouthwashes that contain alcohol can make it worse because they can cause dry mouth, which can contribute to bad breath. Mouthwashes without alcohol are generally more effective for freshening breath. These products are commonly called fluoride rinses.

If you have severe bad breath, however, you should have your teeth examined for plaque build-up. No amount of mouthwash can remedy a mouth full of plaque. If your teeth and gums are healthy and you still suffer from bad breath, it’s important to identify the cause. Bad breath can be an indication of a physical condition, so see your doctor soon.

Bottom line? Never substitute mouthwash for proper brushing and flossing. If you use mouthwash, pick a brand that contains fluoride and no alcohol.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we like to tackle critical issues such as dental hygiene, cosmetic dentistry, oral care habits, and more!

We provide premium dental care to our valued patients. If you are interested in making an appointment, please call our office and a member of our friendly and thorough staff can answer any questions you have. Our services include cosmetic, general and family 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

 

Feb16

What’s Your Dental Plan?

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry, Oral Health

Walker after hours dental

Planning for Success

To achieve the utmost in oral health and a stunning smile, you need a strategy. If you’re in Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker or Rockford, Michigan, are looking for a smile makeover and need cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, Invisalign or any number of dental restoration procedures done, your strategy should be: “Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry.”

We’ve been serving the Comstock Park area since 1974. Our esteemed patients will tell you they can’t get over the way Dr. Bruce Stewart, Dr. Eric Hull and their team repaired and transformed their most essential feature into a remarkable smile. We would love the chance to thrill you as well.

Let us transform your smile into one that will light up the world!

Here’s the strategy you need: Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry!

During your complimentary cosmetic consultation, we will discuss all of the procedures we offer – from Invisalign to crowns to veneers to bridges. Knowledge is power.

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