Feb3

Have Your Dessert! (If You Must)

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

Have Your Dessert Comstock Park

Do you have a sweet tooth? Join the club! No one confuses dessert with healthy food, but for many of our patients at Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, it’s just not realistic to recommend avoiding sugary treats.

If you fit that category, here is something useful to know: eating sweets at certain times is better for your teeth than others. For instance, when you eat a full meal, your saliva production increases. Saliva is necessary to neutralize acids and rinse bits of food off of teeth.

That means that sweets consumed after meals present a lower risk to your teeth, because your mouth is already in optimum cleansing mode. Sweets after meals are preferable to sweets eaten between meals as snacks.

Additionally, remember that the type of treat is as important as when you eat it. We constantly remind our patients that sticky candies stay on your teeth for a long time, even when your saliva is flowing. And hard candies that you suck for an extended time give bacteria a perfect environment to create dangerous enamel-weakening acids.

A good choice? Chocolate! A lot of our patients are happy to hear that. Plain old chocolate (no nuts, no chewy inside) melts away quickly and won’t stick to your teeth. Just be sure to brush before bed!

At Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, our services include cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, and orthodontics. People from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI come to our practice for their needs. Call to schedule your next checkup today!

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Jan27

Adult Dental Health for Comstock Park Smiles

Categories: Dental health, Gum Disease, Oral cancer screenings, Restorative dentistry

Preventative Maintenance For Your Irreplaceable Smile In Comstock ParkAt Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, our goal is preventing dental problems and keeping our patient’s smiles healthy and beautiful. We provide general and family dentistry at our Comstock Park dental practice.

Adult Dental Health

As a general and family dentistry practice, we have been treating patients of all ages since 1974.

We have noticed throughout the years is that many parents dismiss their own oral health. Though they vigilantly keep up with their children’s dental visits and cleanings, for some reason, they fail to pay the same attention to their own dental care needs.

How Do You Keep Your Smile Healthy Throughout Your Life?

Let’s talk about adult dental needs. Once you are past the cavity-prone childhood and adolescent years, gum health becomes critical.

Gum Disease is the #1 Cause of Tooth Loss in Adults

Did you know that 47% of U.S. adults have gum disease? In adults, periodontitis (advanced gum disease) is the most common cause of tooth loss. Fortunately, gum disease can be reversed if you catch it in its early stages.

Gingivitis

The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. The primary symptoms of gingivitis include red or swollen gums. If your gums hurt when brush or floss, it could be a sign. You may also notice unpleasant breath at times. (Others may notice it as well!) Gingivitis is oftentimes caused bacteria on the teeth and along the gum line. The most common treatment is increased brushing and flossing in addition to more frequent dentist appointments. It’s a good idea to visit your dentist every 3 months for deep cleanings and professional treatment. Your dentist may also prescribe a fluoride rinse.

Early Stage Periodontal Disease

When the infection spreads beneath your gums it allows the harmful bacteria to start attacking the bone holding your teeth in place. This may bring about redness and swelling of the gums, worsening breath and periodic bleeding. Early stage periodontal disease can’t be fully reversed, but your dentist can develop a treatment plan to prevent it from getting worse.

Moderate Periodontal Disease

At this stage, you are at risk of losing teeth. To treat it at this stage, your dentist will need to remove plaque from below the gum line (this same treatment may also be used with early stage periodontal disease) in order to help halt the infection. Since your gums are slowly detaching from your teeth at this stage, surgery can reshape your gums and close the pockets between your gums and teeth. With superb self-care and one of our savvy oral hygienists at your side, you can still save your teeth.

Advanced Periodontal Disease

The last stage of periodontitis requires extensive treatment. Your dentist may recommend surgery to prevent tooth loss. Flap surgery is common for this stage and involves cleaning the actual roots of your teeth by scrubbing behind your gums. Your dentist may also smooth or reshape your damaged bone to restrict bacteria from accumulating.

Why Do You Need Regular Dental Cleanings?

With twice-yearly dental exams and professional cleanings, you can prevent early stage gum disease from advancing to the dangerous stages. During professional dental deep cleanings, our hygienists thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar above and below the gumline. By scaling and planing, they smooth areas to make it more difficult for bacteria to accumulate.

Why Oral Cancer Screenings are Essential

During dental examinations at Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, we look for signs of oral cancer. Oral cancers are cancers in the tongue, mouth, lips, jaw, and throat. Many men and women don’t realize the seriousness of oral cancer.

Consider this unfortunate news from the Oral Cancer Foundation:

When found at early stages of development, oral cancers can have an 80 to 90% survival rate. Unfortunately at this time, the majority are found as late stage cancers, and this accounts for the very high death rate of about 43% at five years from diagnosis

When your dentist performs an oral cancer screening during your dental examination, he/she will look for red or white spots, bleeding, lumps, difficulty swallowing, loose teeth, any color changes, and mouth sores. Is is critical to tell your dentist if your bite has changed, if you have sores that won’t heal, and prolonged hoarseness. An earache in only one ear can also be an indicator.

Having any of these symptoms does not mean you have oral cancer, as they can be caused by other elements. However, if your dentist does something unusual, he/she may order additional tests or refer you to a medical doctor for further diagnosis and treatment if necessary.

We at Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI value all aspects of your adult oral health. We serve patients from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI and also perform cosmetic dentistry, Invisilign, and restoration work. Contact us for an appointment today.

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 8672
Jan20

Still Have Your Wisdom Teeth?

Categories: Extractions, General Dentistry, Wisdom teeth

wisdom teeth removal Comstock Park

Wisdom teeth usually come in between ages 16 and 24. They aren’t always troublesome, but they often are. We extract wisdom teeth at Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI.

Wisdom teeth are sometimes called “third molars.” That’s because they really are: the molars furthest back in the mouth. For some people they never present a problem. Unfortunately, such people are in the minority.

Wisdom teeth have a tendency to grow in crooked or sideways. Sometimes they don’t break through the gums, but instead grow into them, or even into the jawbone. They can let in bacteria and cause infection.

These and other complications can be very painful. That’s why we often recommend extraction. When it comes to wisdom teeth extraction, the younger you are the better. By middle age they could have fused with the bone. Extracting them is still possible, but more involved.

If you’re having issues with wisdom teeth or any other teeth, please give us a call at Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI. People from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI trust our extractions, implants and other dental care. Schedule an appointment today!

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 63
Jan13

What Does Your Saliva Reveal?

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry

Saliva is an important part of good oral health. Without an adequate flow, you’d find it very difficult to chew and swallow. If you have a problem with dry mouth, let us know at Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI.

Saliva is produced by several glands in and around the mouth, and it is mostly water. No surprise there! Aside from chewing and keeping your mouth moist, saliva fights germs in your mouth and helps prevent bad breath.

Sometimes people have a reduced flow of saliva, a condition known as xerostomia (pronounced zero-STO-me-uh). It’s a common side effect of certain medications, and can lead to discomfort and swelling.

Many commonly-used medications can cause dry mouth, including:

  • Antihistamines
  • Appetite suppressants
  • Certain blood pressure medicine
  • Antidepressants
  • Certain pain medication

Dry mouth can also contribute to tooth decay and gum disease, so if these symptoms sound familiar to you, let us know. At Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, we keep a close watch on the oral health of our patients. Our services include general and restorative dentistry, and see patients throughout Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI. Contact us today!

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

ArticleID 6797
Jan6

Peace Of Mind At Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry

At Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, we make a conscious effort to help our patients feel comfortable. Though our chairs are cushy as can be, we are not talking about physical comfort here. We are talking about emotional comfort. In other words, peace of mind.

Here are some ways we are committed to your peace of mind.

  1. We Don’t Judge: Our communicative and empathetic team helps promote dental health and create beautiful smiles. We are here to help you, regardless of the state of your teeth. We have treated patients with severe tooth neglect, advanced gum disease, enamel erosion caused by eating disorders, tooth damage caused by illegal drug use, baby bottle tooth decay, tobacco-stained teeth: basically, every imaginable dental problem. We don’t live in a bubble. We understand and empathize with our patients.
  2. We Protect You From Pain: From topical analgesics to more in-depth numbing, we will eliminate or minimize pain as best we can. our communicative team will listen to any dental requests and make sure to fulfill them.
  3. We Communicate: Our practice has established a reputation as effective and understanding. Procedures are thoroughly explained and all your critical questions will be answered prior to treatment. If you are not sure you want to initiate treatment, we are happy to let you consider it for a while. There is no rush.

If you have postponed dental treatment for any reason, we encourage you to give Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI a try. Neglecting your oral health has serious consequences. We offer general and restorative dentistry, and serve patients in Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI. Contact us today!

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Jan5

Optimum Oral Health Includes Exams and Cleanings

oral health Comstock Park

If you’ve ever visited our blog, you’ve probably heard the counsel to have dental exams and cleanings twice a year. In fact, dental professionals have been advising the twice-yearly frequency for over 50 years. The American Dental Association counsels men and women to visit their dentist twice a year as well.

Is that an arbitrary schedule? Let’s explore the reasons why regular dental visits and cleanings are an essential part of preventative dentistry and optimum oral health.

What does your dentist and dental hygienist do during an exam and cleaning?

Look for Signs of Decay

Your dentist has tools that allow him/her to see places in your mouth that would be extremely difficult for you to see. While a cavity usually takes over six months to become serious, your dentist can see the telltale white spots that reveal that a cavity is forming. In the earliest stages, your dentist can stop the development of a cavity. If a cavity drills into your teeth without you knowing it, it will eventually hit the pulp–Ouch!–and you may need a root canal and a crown. As you might imagine, both are far more expensive than an exam and cleaning. Besides, your dental insurance may cover twice-yearly exams and cleanings at 100%.

Clean Out Your Pockets

If you think dental care is unnecessarily pricey, you might not like this joke. We aren’t talking about your wallet here. We are talking about the gap that forms between your gums and tooth roots when bacteria and plaque build up. It’s not only acute decay that can damage a tooth until it is beyond saving. Gum disease that leads to bone loss is just as dangerous. A buildup of plaque creates pockets of infection between the gums and tooth roots. This leads to periodontitis, gum recession, and eventual bone loss. A professional cleaning removes the plaque before it can cause the gums to loosen.

Check for Oral Cancer

The Oral Cancer Foundation reports this unfortunate stat: oral cancer claims one life every hour—that’s 48,250 deaths a year.1

Clean Plaque and Tartar

Even if you brush and floss your teeth morning and night, plaque can build up. We have many patients who are faithful brushers but are surprised when our hygienist uncovers plaque on their teeth.

Polish Your Teeth

When the hygienist polishes your teeth, it gets rid of the bacteria that allows the plaque to form. If you have , your hygienist can smooth away uneven areas below the gumline where bacteria can flourish. Plus, it feels amazing when you run your tongue over polished teeth!

Oral Health is Physical Health

Your mouth is connected to the rest of the body, but many men and women treat it as a separate entity. Some get regular preventative services for physical conditions but fail to recognize their oral health.

At Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we’ve often wondered about this common 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? Besides, your lifestyle is dramatically impacted when you have tooth pain, tooth loss, gum disease, or dentures.

Even if you don’t have dental insurance, cleanings and exams are one of the most economical ways to keep optimal oral health.

Call 616-784-2377 today to schedule a dental exam and cleaning at Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park.

1https://oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

ArticleID 8678
Dec30

2023 Is The Year To Replace Missing Teeth

Categories: Dental Implants, Restorative dentistry

If you or someone you care about lost a tooth this year, but haven’t yet dealt with the issue, Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI suggests a consultation with our dental implant team immediately.

Why the rush? Though your missing tooth might not be an aesthetic issue now – maybe it’s far enough back that the gap is not visible, or perhaps you don’t mind a sort of rugged look – it could very well become one in the future.

When we lose a tooth, the root and jaw bone eventually atrophy. This causes neighboring teeth to begin to shift into the empty spaces, causing misalignment and pain. Worse, it causes your facial features to take on a “sunken” look; especially round the cheeks.

Dental implants are the best way to avoid this, as they protect and stimulate the remaining teeth, keeping them in place and bolstering their strength. The good news is that dental implants and their associated restorations mimic natural enamel perfectly, so nobody will be able to tell that you’ve achieved your New Year’s resolution early this coming year!

If you’ve been dreaming of a more complete smile for years, 2023 is the time to do it and Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI can help! We offer implants and complete restorative dentistry. We serve satisfied patients in Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI. Contact us today!

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Dec23

These Holidays, Gift Yourself A New Smile!

We know the holidays can be a time to re-prioritize and think a bit on what’s important to you. While many are busy buying expensive gifts or gym memberships, Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI wants you to think of yourself first. Specifically, your smile.

After all, your smile is a window into well-being, and when it looks best, you not only feel best, but people treat you like you do.

So, in essence, when you look into cosmetic dentistry options like teeth whitening, dental veneers, or dental implants, you’re not only thinking of your appearance, but your whole quality of life. You deserve a social life that you’re a confident player in. You also deserve a pain-free smile that you’re proud to show off to your friends.

All this is achievable with our cosmetic options. Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI wants you to face this new year with a new smile. What’s more, with all those delicious – but sticky – holiday meals around the corner, it’s the best time to look into our general and family dentistry and prepare your enamel for what’s to come. We serve satisfied patients in Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI. Contact us today!

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Dec16

Improve Your Smile for Yourself And Those That Look at You!

Categories: Dental Bridge, Dental Implants, Restorative dentistry

long-term tooth replacement solution Comstock Park

Losing one or more of your natural teeth impacts your smile, and your ability to bite and chew. But with dental implants from Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, you can regain your smile and the ability to eat just about anything.

Dental implants are titanium posts that are anchored into your jaw. They are solid foundations for artificial teeth. Because they are physically attached to your jaw, they also prevent the loss of bone that usually accompanies tooth loss.

If you’ve lost one or more teeth, a conventional dental bridge or a denture is certainly better than nothing. But because they are not solidly anchored to your jaw, they do not provide full biting and chewing function. This is, of course, a major drawback.

This is what makes dental implants so brilliant. They don’t look any different than natural teeth, and better still, they feel and function the same. Once the implants are in place and the jaw has fully healed, most patients report full chewing power. That means they can enjoy just about any food they choose.

At Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI we provide single-tooth dental implants and implant-supported dentures. They look great! People from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI trust us their dental health to our comprehensive restorative dentistry team! Contact us today!

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

ArticleID 8279
Dec9

Dental Implants Are Truly Life-Changing

Categories: Dental Implants, Restorative dentistry

tooth implants Grand Rapids

Patients who are thinking about a dental implant from Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI often ask how long they last. An implant is a significant investment, after all. Do they really last a lifetime, like people say? The answer is yes, but an explanation is in order.

A dental implant is not a replacement tooth, but the titanium post that is inserted into the jaw. Titanium is well-suited for implants, and cases of rejection by the body are rare. A big factor in how long the implant lasts comes down to how well you take care of it.

Dental implants are life-changing! With regular checkups and proper care at home, a dental implant can last a lifetime. When you get your implant we will have specific instructions for daily care. For most patients, we recommend brushing and flossing twice a day.

Dental implants like those from Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI have become the tooth replacement solution of choice. People from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI also come to our office for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

ArticleID 8546