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

May10

Comstock Park Family Dentistry

Your child’s dental health is essential to overall health and vitality. At Stewart & Hull, Dr. Bruce Stewart and Dr. Eric Hull love working with you and your child to ensure a healthy smile for life. Why? The health of your child’s teeth and gums can affect their speech development, eating habits and self-esteem.

General and family dentistry care is critical, and that is why we recommend bringing your Comstock Park area child in for a first exam before age one, or when their first tooth erupts. During the initial visit, we can discuss general dentistry treatments such as sealants, fluoride treatments, brushing and flossing techniques and clear braces.

Family dentists also counsel parents about thumb-sucking, pacifier use and other habits that affect your child’s dental health. Our caring staff will make you and your child feel comfortable during their dental visit.

In additional to offering experienced family dentistry, we are also a full-service cosmetic dentistry practice. We offer advice and care on porcelain veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, and laser dentistry.

We hope to be your Comstock Park area family dentist.

Dr. Bruce A. Stewart
Dr. Eric D. Hull, DDS
616-827-7019

May3

Healthy Teeth and Your Rockford MI Diet

Maintaining healthy teeth is an important concern for our local general dentistry patients. As your family dentists, it’s our job to help you understand how to care for your teeth and to keep them healthy. Everyone in the Grand Rapids area knows that maintaining healthy teeth requires regular daily brushing and flossing. Regular visits to your local family dentist are also necessary to keep watch for cavities and to help you maintain proper dental hygiene. We often forget that maintaining a healthy diet can also be beneficial for the health of your teeth.

A diet that includes foods that help your muscles and bones will also help you develop healthy gums and healthy teeth. Some examples are foods that are rich in vitamin B, such as breads and cereals, and foods rich in vitamin C, usually fruits and vegetables. Both help improve the health of your gums. Zinc and magnesium are also good for the health of your teeth and are found in lean beef, fish, and poultry.

All foods increase the production of saliva. Saliva is important for healthy teeth because it helps to maintain the pH balance in your mouth. Maintaining this balance helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. Foods high in fiber also encourage saliva production as does the chewing of sugar-free gum. Gum, however, can damage unhealthy teeth or pull out dental fillings, so always use caution when deciding whether to chew gum and which brand to chew.

Just as certain diet choices in the Rockford MI area can be beneficial to your dental health, others can be detrimental. Foods and drinks that are high in sugars are more likely to form the acids that attack your teeth and result in decay. And while table sugar is often associated with the formation of cavities, other sugars such as glucose, fructose, and maltose are also causes, and are often found in juices and sodas. Limiting the consumption of sugars to mealtimes lessens the amount of time your healthy teeth are exposed.

Making good diet choices and limiting between-meal sugar consumption can improve the health of your teeth and gums.

If you would like to learn how to better care for your healthy teeth in the Rockford MI, Grand Rapids, Comstock Park or surrounding areas, contact our cosmetic dental practice: Stewart & Hull at 616-827-7019. We would love to hear from you.

Apr26

Raise Your Dental IQ In Grand Rapids

There are many simple things that the average Grand Rapids area resident can do to raise their Dental IQ and improve their dental health. One simple lesson involves bacteria, and everyone’s mouth has a lot of it.

But, don’t worry, bacteria per se isn’t the problem. Dental problems occur when the balance of bacteria becomes unhealthy. This is where brushing and flossing might come into play. Another precaution you can take to guard against the wrong kind of bacteria is to keep your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible and close the lid of the toilet before you flush.

Make sure to wash your hands before you brush and floss. No exceptions!

When it comes to a good toothbrush, don’t get sentimental. The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. If you can avoid the unhealthy balance of bacteria in your mouth, you can avoid gum disease, tooth decay, as well as bad breath.

If you can avoid decay, it’s less likely that you will need more extensive dental work such as dental implants and crowns.

Dr. Bruce Stewart and Dr. Eric Hull are passionate about helping cosmetic dentistry patients have healthy mouths and beautiful smiles. If you would like to know more about a custom smile makeover in Rockford MI, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids or the surrounding areas, give us a call at 616-827-7019 and a member of our very friendly and educated staff will answer any questions you have and schedule a consultation at your convenience.

Call today!

Dr. Bruce A. Stewart
Dr. Eric D. Hull
Stewart & Hull
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
616-827-7019
https://www.greatmismiles.com/what-sets-us-apart

Are you on following us on Facebook? View our post from March 22nd or click this link to win 2 tickets to hear University of Michigan Football Coach Brady Hoke speak in Grand Rapids on May 13th!

https://www.facebook.com/TheGrandRapidsCosmeticDentists/app_141149985924076

You can be one of four lucky patients to be our guest to have lunch, listen to Coach Hoke and get fired up for the coming football season! This contest ends April 30th, 2013.

Apr19

Pregnancy And Oral Health In Comstock Park

In today’s Stewart & Hull blog we will discuss how pregnancy impacts your dental health. Dr. Eric Hull and I want all expectant mothers to realize the importance of good oral hygiene during pregnancy. Because of the changes going on in a pregnant woman’s body there are potential dental health issues that may arise.

Many Comstock Park and Rockford MI area women experience morning sickness accompanied with vomiting. The gastric acid increases the acidity in the mouth which can easily lead to enamel loss and tooth decay. Heightened levels of progesterone and estrogen may relax the ligaments that support the teeth causing them to loosen. During pregnancy the hormonal changes increase your risk for gingivitis. Without proper dental care gingivitis can lead to gum disease.

We at Stewart & Hull recommend pregnant women use a soft bristled toothbrush for daily brushing, floss carefully and rinse their mouths with a fluoride wash. If you experience morning sickness, clean your mouth with a baking soda and water mixture.

If you are planning to become pregnant, it is a good idea to have a professional cleaning and exam prior to your pregnancy. If you need any general dentistry procedures, it is a good idea to get them done as soon as possible. If you experience any dental problems during your pregnancy please call and schedule an appointment at 616-827-7019. Untreated dental disease can affect your overall health.

At Stewart & Hull we not only offer excellent dental care to our pregnant clients, we provide quality preventative care and cosmetic dentistry for the entire family. Our Grand Rapids and surrounding area patients can expect professional general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and laser dentistry.

Dr. Bruce A. Stewart
Dr. Eric D. Hull
Stewart & Hull
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
616-827-7019
https://www.greatmismiles.com/dental-services

Are you on following us on Facebook? View our post from March 22nd or click this link to win 2 tickets to hear University of Michigan Football Coach Brady Hoke speak in Grand Rapids on May 13th!

https://www.facebook.com/TheGrandRapidsCosmeticDentists/app_141149985924076

You can be one of four lucky patients to be our guest to have lunch, listen to Coach Hoke and get fired up for the coming football season! This contest ends April 30th, 2013.

Apr12

Cosmetic Dental Solutions in Comstock Park

Comstock Park cosmetic dentists use dental crowns to solve a number of dental dilemmas. A dental crown is a strong, natural-looking permanent tooth restoration that covers the top of the damaged tooth.

Grand Rapids area family dentistry practices recommend crowns to remedy the following problems:

A broken tooth with decay
An ill-fitting existing crown
A decayed tooth that has lost significant tooth structure
A tooth that has had a root canal
A tooth that is too small or misshapen
A tooth that causes a bite problem

Before your Grand Rapids area dentist can attach the crown to your tooth, we must prepare the tooth. Family dentists often apply a local anesthetic so you won’t feel pain during the prepping. Dr. Bruce Stewart or Dr. Eric Hull will remove decay, if any, and shape the tooth to receive the crown. Then a mold is taken of the prepped tooth and surrounding teeth.

A temporary crown is then placed on the tooth to protect it until you return to your cosmetic dentistry office to receive the permanent restoration. The patient needs to be careful while wearing the temporary crown. Vigorous brushing or flossing can displace the crown or damage the exposed soft tissue. The Grand Rapids dental crown patient should also refrain from eating extremely hard foods like nuts or sticky candy.

The mold of your teeth is sent to a local dental lab where your crown is built. Dental crowns are fabricated in three varieties: tooth colored crowns made of resin or porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and solid metal crowns. Each type has its pros and cons. Your Comstock Park cosmetic dentists at Stewart & Hull will choose the best crown material for your particular tooth.

What if you need a permanent dental restoration for both the top and root of your tooth? Dental implants are your answer.

For more information about complete dental restorations and other cosmetic dental solutions, call Stewart & Hull at 616-827-7019 today.

Are you on following us on Facebook? View our post from March 22nd or click this link to win 2 tickets to hear University of Michigan Football Coach Brady Hoke speak in Grand Rapids on May 13th!

You can be one of four lucky patients to be our guest to have lunch, listen to Coach Hoke and get fired up for the coming football season! This contest ends April 30th, 2013.

Apr5

Celebrity Smiles in Grand Rapids

How do celebrities obtain brilliant white smiles always ready for the red carpet or a close-up? Do they avoid coffee? Not likely. Every star-watching magazine is full of pictures of famous people holding Starbucks cups. Do they avoid tobacco? Some probably do, but many actors and fashion models with dazzling white smiles are smokers.

Very few people (famous and non-famous alike) with perfect teeth were born with them. (…Sure, no one is born with teeth, but you know what I mean.) Celebrities have perfect smiles because they have undergone cosmetic dentistry.

Guess what? You can also have a smile like a supermodel or television news anchor because Dr. Bruce Stewart & Dr. Eric Hull at Stewart & Hull have as much experience and training in advanced cosmetic dentistry as any Hollywood cosmetic dentist.

Dr. Stewart has been providing smile makeovers for dental clients in the Grand Rapids, Comstock Park and Rockford MI areas since 1974. Tooth whitening is often the most affordable cosmetic dental procedure. Tooth bleaching quickly perks up your teeth and makes you feel like smiling all the time!

Porcelain veneers are used often in Grand Rapids cosmetic dental offices because they correct myriad problems. Veneers remedy misshapen teeth, cracks and chips, and discolored teeth. Teeth that have been worn down extensively can also be repaired with veneers. Preparing a tooth for a porcelain veneer is minimally invasive. The latest veneers do not require the removal of healthy enamel. Another plus: veneers are usually less expensive than complete dental crowns!

Tooth bleaching and veneers are just two of the many cosmetic dental procedures performed at Stewart & Hull. Schedule a cosmetic dental consultation today by calling 616-827-7019. At our office, you will always receive VIP treatment, without the annoying paparazzi!

We look forward to helping you achieve a celebrity smile.

(Note that the celebrities pictured above are not affiliated with our site; they just have great smiles!)

Are you on following us on Facebook? View our post from March 22nd or click this link to win 2 tickets to hear University of Michigan Football Coach Brady Hoke speak in Grand Rapids on May 13th!

https://www.facebook.com/TheGrandRapidsCosmeticDentists/app_141149985924076

You can be one of four lucky patients to be our guest to have lunch, listen to Coach Hoke and get fired up for the coming football season! This contest ends April 30th, 2013.

Mar29

The Dangers of Oral Piercing

If you live in Rockford MI or the surrounding areas and are considering puncturing your lip or tongue, read this:

Infection
Your mouth is full of bacteria. Any opening in the tissue carries the risk of infection. The germs from your tongue and mouth can easily get into your bloodstream. Dentists and doctors in the Rockford MI, Comstock Park and Grand Rapids areas are continually treating serious infections caused by oral piercings. Oral infections can be a real problem, and should be a major consideration before getting an oral piercing.

Tooth Damage
It should come as no surprise that having a piece of metal bang around in your mouth can easily chip tooth enamel. Though tooth enamel is amazingly strong, once it’s chipped or cracked, it can only be restored with artificial material. Fortunately, Stewart & Hull in Comstock Park offers many tooth restoration options such as dental crowns and fillings, but our advice is to avoid the problem if you can.

Prolonged Bleeding and Swelling
The blood vessels in the tongue are often damaged when the tongue is pierced, causing prolonged bleeding and possible build-up of scar tissue. In some cases, the tongue swells up enough to block the airway.

Gum Recession
A number of periodontal disease studies have shown that wearing oral jewelry is linked to periodontal disease which can result in tooth loss. Periodontal disease, or ‘gum disease‘, can cause gum recession and expose the roots of your teeth, potentially causing hyper sensitivity and pain. Again, our advice is to avoid the problem right from the start.

These are just a few of the dangers. Dr. Bruce Stewart and Dr. Eric Hull can give you more information about the risks of oral piercings. If you already have damage, call 616-827-7019 to schedule a cosmetic dental consultation.

Are you on following us on Facebook? View our post from March 22nd or click this link to win 2 tickets to hear University of Michigan Football Coach Brady Hoke speak in Grand Rapids on May 13th!

You can be one of four lucky patients to be our guest to have lunch, listen to Coach Hoke and get fired up for the coming football season! This contest ends April 30th, 2013.

Mar22

Whiter Teeth for Comstock Park

Teeth whitening has become very popular in Comstock Park as an easy way to enhance your smile with little effort and no pain.

Over the counter whitening products can give varied results, leaving most customers feeling unhappy or dissatisfied. At Stewart & Hull, we can help you understand your options for teeth whitening and the results you may expect from various tooth bleaching options.

As your professional Comstock Park area cosmetic dentist, we can help you whiten your teeth effectively, with professional results. If you are ready to try a tooth whitening product, please call our office or visit our dental practice, and let us share with you the options available and the beautiful results you should expect.

-Dr. Bruce Stewart & Dr. Eric Hull 616-827-7019

Mar15

Tooth Brushing Basics For Healthy Smiles In Grand Rapids

Why should everyone brush at least twice a day? Let’s take a look at why this is so important.

Brushing and flossing is the best way to prevent decay.

Brushing with fluoride toothpaste and carefully flossing removes the food from our teeth and inhibits the build up of plaque. If we let food stay on our teeth, the starches in the food will mix with the plaque. This nasty mixture forms an acid which immediately starts drilling into the enamel to form cavities. Brushing can’t get all the spaces between your teeth, so you need to floss also.

Brushing and flossing keeps gums and bone healthy. Talk to your Grand Rapids area cosmetic dentist about how to keep your teeth healthy and strong.

If you let gum disease go untreated, you can lose teeth that are cavity-free!

The progression of gum disease (gingivitis) goes like this:

Plaque build-up irritates gums
Irritated gums pull away from teeth
Bacteria multiplies in the spaces between the gum and tooth
The bone holding the tooth is eaten by the bacteria
Say goodbye to the tooth

The good news is that gingivitis can be reversed if detected early.

Call Stewart & Hull at 616-827-7019 to schedule a dental health evaluation at our office in Comstock Park. We proudly serve Grand Rapids, Comstock Park, Rockford MI and the surrounding communities.

Mar8

Teeth: What Have They Done For You Lately?

Welcome to the Comstock Park area dental blog! Today we are going to look at the secret life of our teeth.

The shape of each tooth gives a clue to what it does. The incisors, or your front teeth, are sharp. They need to be because they are there to cut food and their curvature helps move food inside the mouth.

Behind the incisors, you find the canine teeth. Their roots go far into the jaw bone because they are designed to hold onto food and tear through it.

Premolars, found just behind the canines, are flat on the surface. This allows them to crush your food as you chew. And, finally, in the very back are the molars. They are large and have nice, flat chewing surfaces that help them to grind food down into smaller, more digestible pieces.

We’re Dr. Bruce Stewart and Dr. Eric Hull, local Comstock Park dentists, and we hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little more about the different teeth in your mouth. If you are in the Grand Rapids, Comstock Park, or Rockford MI area and would like to make a dental health appointment at our practice, Stewart & Hull, please give Dr. Stewart or Dr. Hull a call at 616-827-7019. We can schedule an appointment and tell you about cosmetic dentistry procedures such as teeth whitening or laser dentistry.

If you’ve ever been interested in a smile makeover, come in and we’ll discuss the possibilities. We want all our dental patients including those in the Grand Rapids, Comstock Park and Rockford MI area to have healthy mouths and beautiful smiles. At Stewart & Hull, we offer comprehensive dental services including:

cosmetic dentistry
restorative dentistry
Invisalign

Blog

Comstock Park Family Dentistry

Healthy Teeth and Your Rockford MI Diet

Raise Your Dental IQ In Grand Rapids

Pregnancy And Oral Health In Comstock Park

Cosmetic Dental Solutions in Comstock Park

Celebrity Smiles in Grand Rapids

The Dangers of Oral Piercing

Whiter Teeth for Comstock Park

Tooth Brushing Basics For Healthy Smiles In Grand Rapids

Teeth: What Have They Done For You Lately?

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