Dentist Blog - Grand Rapids Dentist | Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic and General Dentistry

Feb21

5 Cavity Basics For Our Dental Patients

Some of the most popular dental topics discussed in Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI relate to cosmetic dentistry, such as teeth whitening, veneers, and dental implants. However, the desire to avoid cavities is still the main reason Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI residents visit Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull, so today our blog is going to highlight the 5 things you need to know about cavities.

1. Cavities can also be called caries or tooth decay. When a tooth is permanently damaged in the hard surface, tiny openings occur. These little holes are cavities.

2. Factors that contribute to tooth decay are:

Frequent eating
Consuming sugary beverages
Oral bacteria
Teeth that haven’t been cleaned well

3. Cavities may get so bad that you will see pits or holes in your teeth, but symptoms may be more subtle, such as sensitivity, stain, pain when biting, or a toothache. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should call Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull today for an appointment.

4. Cavities are more common among children, but that doesn’t mean adults don’t have to take precautions.

5. Preventing cavities is simple. Be sure to brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, eat right and avoid snacking, and have regular visits with your dentist.

If you are looking for quality dental care in the Comstock Park area, Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry is the office for you. We have been treating dental patients in Comstock Park, MI since 1974. We can also answer any questions you have about cosmetic dentistry procedures such as gum contouring and smile makeovers.

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
616-827-7019
https://www.greatmismiles.com/meet-dr-bruce-stewart

Feb14

3 Additional Cavity Fighters For Sparta Kids

Most Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Belmont, Walker, Sparta and Rockford, MI parents know children’s oral health basics: brush regularly, reduce sugar intake, limit snacking, and get adequate amounts of calcium and Vitamin D. Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry recommends three additional tools for preventing cavities in toddlers and children.

Sealants
Fluoride supplements
Oral rinses

Resin dental sealants are applied to natural unrestored teeth. The material bonds to the chewing surfaces of the tooth, protecting the pits and fissures from decay.

Fluoride supplements help strengthen still-forming teeth prior to eruption. You can get a prescription from your pediatrician or call Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull. There is one caveat, however: if you have fluoridated water, you may need to have your water tested to see what strength of fluoride is recommended for your family.

If your child is taking fluoride supplements, is an oral rinse redundant? Actually, no. Fluoride supplements help strengthen teeth that are still forming, but a fluoride rinse helps teeth that have already come in. Oral rinses containing fluoride can be purchased at any Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Belmont, Walker, Sparta or Rockford, MI grocery store. Make sure you buy one specifically formulated for children. Products labeled as a mouthwash are usually intended only for breath-freshening and may not contain fluoride.

We recommend children use an oral rinse after they brush and floss at night. They are most effective when they are the last substance on teeth before kids go to bed.

At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry, we believe that with proper preventative dentistry, children can enjoy healthy teeth for life.

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
616-827-7019

Meet Dr. Bruce Stewart

Feb7

All Tooth Stains Are Not Created Equal

The effectiveness of teeth bleaching in Grand Rapids depends partly on the types of stains.

Extrinsic tooth stains are the easiest to remove. These surface stains have not yet penetrated through the enamel into the dentin. Extrinsic stains are caused by dark-colored foods and beverages like blueberries, carrots, coffee, red wine, and cola and nicotine.

Unfortunately, even if you avoid foods and beverages that cause stain, your teeth will become discolored over time. Like gray hair and wrinkles a dull smile is an inevitable part of aging for Comstock Park, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford MI residents.

Intrinsic tooth stains develop from the inside out. Tooth injury and tetracycline are the usual culprits. Intrinsic stains are more difficult to remove completely, but it is possible to lighten them with professional tooth whitening from Dr. Bruce Stewart and Dr. Eric Hull.

If your teeth are stained, whether from coffee, tetracycline, or excessive fluoride, call Stewart and Hull Dentistry at 616-827-7019. We have treated many Comstock Park, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford MI clients with extreme tooth discoloration.

It is never too late or too early to brighten your smile. Patients can take years off their appearance by restoring the youthful white smile they once enjoyed. Teens and young adults with surface stains can prevent them from becoming intrinsic stains with tooth bleaching.

Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry is the cosmetic dental specialist in Comstock Park. Discover why hundreds of local MI families trust us with their smiles.

Call us at 616-827-7019

Jan31

Has Your Smile Lost Its Luster?

Hello Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker, Balmont and Rockford, MI! Has your smile lost its luster? Are your teeth discolored? If flashing a pearly white smile is important to you we can help. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull have been creating whiter, brighter smiles for patients in the Comstock Park area since 1974 at Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry.

Whether your teeth have been stained through sipping dark-colored drinks such as red wine or coffee or if smoking has left your teeth brown and dull, we, along with our staff at Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry, can whiten your teeth and intensify your smile.

Maybe you have injured your tooth in some way causing it to darken or turn gray. We offer several solutions to restore the color to your tooth. When you come in for a consultation we will determine which cosmetic dental procedure is best for your smile.

Your smile is the first thing people notice. We will make sure your smile is brilliant and absolutely unforgettable!

At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry we offer a variety of services – porcelain crowns/veneers, tooth whitening, fillings, implants, root canals, extractions and much more.

If you or a family member needs cosmetic dentistry or restorative dentistry we invite you to come in for a dental consultation. We are located at 769 York Creek Dr NW in Comstock Park, Michigan.

Invest in a white, bright smile! Call Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park today at 616-827-7019 or visit https://www.greatmismiles.com/.

Thanks for visiting our cosmetic dental blog – Dr. Bruce Stewart & Dr. Eric Hull

Jan24

“If Your Gums Are Swollen And Sore, Call Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry”

If you are a worried Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Walker, Sparta, Belmont or Rockford, MI resident experiencing inflamed gums or an aching tooth, you’re not alone. About one third of U.S. adults are affected by tooth decay, according to the CDC, and gum disease plagues one in seven people age 35 to 40. Don’t ignore these symptoms, call Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull take gingivitis seriously because left untreated it can lead to loss of bone and tissue that support the teeth.

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease. You will know you have it if your gums bleed easily and look red and swollen. If this condition is not reversed it can lead to periodontitis. With this condition your gums become loose and separate from the teeth forming cavities that can become infected. This can spread to the bone supporting the tooth. If this is damaged, the tooth can be lost. (If you have already lost a tooth to gum disease, ask us about dental implants.)

At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry we recommend a minimum of twice daily brushing and flossing and regular dental cleanings to help help fight gingivitis. Our team has been treating gum disease and other dental problems for Michigan residents since 1974./p>
If you want your teeth to feel fresh and bright, come in for a cleaning and through examination. Don’t become a statistic, prevent gingivitis with a professional dental cleaning while we educate you how to best care for your teeth and gums year round.

Dr. Stewart, Dr. Hull and our staff offer quality general and cosmetic dental services including restorative dentistry, implant dentistry, Invisalign and Six Month Smiles.

Take care of your beautiful smile by calling Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry today. “Lighting Up Rooms One Smile At A Time.”

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan 49321
616-827-7019
https://www.greatmismiles.com/meet-dr-bruce-stewart

¹“Adult Oral Health,” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/topics/adult.htm, accessed on January 7, 2012

Jan17

Are Dental Implants Worth It For Grand Rapids?

A dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement that looks, feels and works like a natural tooth.

The actual dental implant material is usually titanium. A post is surgically inserted into the jaw bone to replace the root of the missing tooth. The post integrates with the bone to provide a stable foundation. The root replacement device can help prevent future jaw bone deterioration that can occur after a tooth has been lost. When the implant has integrated securely with the bone (it can take three to six months), a smaller post is attached. This post extends above the gum line. The artificial tooth (crown) is then attached.

Dental implants are extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of configurations. One dental implant can replace one missing tooth. A series of implants can replace more than one tooth or anchor a dental bridge. Implants can also act as a sturdy base for partial or full dentures.

We encourage our Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Belmont, Walker and Rockford MI. patients to call 616-827-7019 to schedule a visit to discuss your dental goals and see if you would be a good candidate for dental implants. If you are missing one or more teeth, you owe it to yourself to get a free consultation with Dr. Bruce Stewart and Dr. Eric Hull.

Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr.
Comstock Park, MI 49321
616-827-7019

Jan10

Visit Your Dentist At Least Twice A Year And Save Money

Visiting your family dentist regularly is a great way to save money. You may initially think that avoiding your local dentist will save money in the fees that are charged for x-rays and cleanings, but in reality, these simple procedures will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. This will save you money in the long run. Just think how much more expensive a root canal and crown can be.

Find A Dental Home: Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull have a convenient location and hours to fit your schedule. Call for an appointment and to establish yourself and your family as one of our valued patients.

Get A Professional Cleaning At Least Twice A Year: This is a time for you to get a 360-degree examination of your teeth and gums. In some cases the doctor may diagnose the need for a filling, but left untreated, a root canal and crown may be necessary. A cleaning will help prevent gum disease, and it is a great time for you to review your oral hygiene habits.

Follow The Dental Professional’s Advice: When your dentist and hygienist examine and clean your mouth, they are able to see what you cannot, and offer insightful tips to help prevent cavities and gum disease.

Dec27

Make Your Teeth Happy In Comstock Park

Michigan is known for its beautiful smiles, and our local Grand Rapids community is no exception. Keeping your mouth healthy is an important factor in maintaining your beautiful smile. One of the benefits of regularly visiting the office of Dr. Bruce Stewart and Dr. Eric Hull and having a thorough teeth cleaning is a review of your brushing habits.

At Stewart & Hull we see patients from Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI. Our dental hygienist will help you keep your mouth healthy by assessing the condition of your teeth and gums, and recommending improvements to your homecare habits.

Thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day at home will help remove plaque (a sticky deposit that gets left on teeth in which bacteria thrives) and tartar (a calcium deposit that forms on teeth and aids in tooth decay). Thus, resulting in a cleaner, healthier mouth. A regular visit with our hygienist will help you stay on top of problems that can go unseen. These regular visits to our office can potentially prevent the undetected development of problems that can occur from neglecting to clean your teeth.

Call Stewart & Hull in Comstock Park Michigan to make an appointment. You can reach us right now at 616-827-7019.

Dr. Bruce Stewart & Dr. Eric Hull

Dec20

Rockford MI Dental Patients Want A Choice In Dental Fillings

With all the talk in Rockford MI of multi-procedure smile makeovers involving veneers, porcelain crowns, bridges, teeth whitening, dental implants, and invisible braces, sometimes the traditional dental filling is overlooked. If a cavity progresses no further than a filling, Michigan cosmetic dental patients can avoid more extensive and invasive treatments. Today, let’s talk about dental fillings.

Most dental patients in the Rockford MI and Comstock Park area have a few fillings in their mouth. When a tooth has been damaged through decay, a dental filling is the most common way Michigan family dentists restore the tooth to its previous, intact condition.

Dental fillings have been used for over a hundred years, and they’ve come a long way from the silvery amalgam fillings many of us in the Grand Rapids, Comstock Park, and Rockford MI areas remember.

Rockford MI cosmetic dentists and dental labs have been working to formulate filling materials that are more cosmetically pleasing to their Michigan patients.

Today, the filling material of choice in Comstock Park and around the country is a composite of plastic resin with glass or quartz filler. Referred to as composite fillings, Comstock Park dental patients love the fact that they can be matched to their natural tooth color, making them practically invisible. This is particularly important when the filling needs to be in a conspicuous part of the mouth, such as the front teeth.

Despite the popularity of tooth-colored fillings, many Rockford MI dentists still find amalgam fillings appropriate in some cases. Dental amalgam is made from a metal alloy, which gives it the ability to hold strong even when the chewing load is great.

We’re Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull, Comstock Park cosmetic dentists and we work hard to make sure our clients enjoy their dental visits and love their smile. We’ve practiced dentistry since 1974, and we find it especially rewarding when Grand Rapids, Comstock Park, and Rockford MI residents find renewed confidence after a smile makeover. So whether you are interested in replacing metal fillings with composites, or if you want to discuss tooth whitening and veneers, our staff would be happy to answer any questions you have.

Call 616-827-7019 today to schedule an appointment with Stewart & Hull!

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
Stewart & Hull
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
616-827-7019
https://www.greatmismiles.com/meet-dr-bruce-stewart

Dec13

Professional Teeth Whitening

A brilliant smile leaves a lasting impression. Professional whitening of teeth can dramatically improve your overall appearance and give you a boost in self-confidence.

Our teeth often turn yellow or gray as we age. The things we eat and drink continually such as colored sodas, coffee and red wine contribute to the staining. Most of us are aware that smoking is not only bad for your lungs; it is an enemy to beautiful teeth. If you are considering having your teeth whitened, you must first decide which method to use. At Stewart & Hull, we enjoy discussing treatment options with our clients. To schedule a free consultation to talk about teeth whitening or any other dental procedure, call 616-827-7019.

At-home whitening treatments usually consist of trays filled with whitening solution. It takes 7-14 days to achieve 3-6 shades lighter. Brush-on teeth gels and whitening strips take up to 30 days to achieve noticeable results. Not only is whitening toothpaste abrasive, it may be damaging to the enamel surface. Whitening toothpaste may lighten superficial stains but often provides little or no change in appearance of teeth.

Professional teeth whitening procedures performed by a dental professional achieve dramatic results that last far longer than other treatments.

All of the whitening methods may cause tooth pain or sensitivity, but this usually goes away in a few days. If you have crowns, porcelain veneers or bonding, it is important to talk to your dentist before choosing a whitening method.

Dr. Bruce Stewart and Dr. Eric Hull, DDS
https://www.greatmismiles.com/

We do smile makeovers!

Blog