Last week Dr. Stewart, Kay, Deb, Barb, Carol and Cathy attended the annual meeting of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in Washington, DC. As always, this meeting was a stimulating learning opportunity. We took a two-day class in Digital Smile Design, as well as classes on Lasers and Hygiene, the CSI of the Mouth, and keeping up with the social media. Our heads are spinning as we process all of this information and make plans to incorporate the best of what we learned into our practice.

Feel free to ask us about our classes; we love to share our learning!

Last week we discussed how prolonged contact with acidic bacterial plaque can lead to decalcification, or demineralization, of teeth. Decalcification is one of the reasons for white spots (lesions) on teeth.

Fortunately, decalcification can be reversed. If you have white, decalcified spots on your teeth, the following are some steps you can take to reverse this condition:

• Follow proper homecare. Bacterial plaque and food debris must be removed from all tooth surfaces and the tongue at least twice a day. This can be accomplished with thorough brushing and flossing.
• Make sure your mouth is neutralized after eating and drinking. You can swish with a baking soda rinse after eating or drinking, or chew a Xylitol-containing mint or gum. Baking soda is a natural neutralizer and Xylitol is a natural sweetener that has a neutralizing effect on the bacteria in our mouths.
• Avoid grazing on foods and sipping drinks (other than water) throughout the day.
• If recommended by the hygienist or doctor, use a calcium and phosphate cream, such as MI Paste. This paste is applied to your teeth throughout the day, especially after eating and drinking. MI Paste also contains Xylitol.
• If recommended for your situation, use Clinpro 5000. This prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste contains calcium phosphate. Fluoride hardens teeth and forms a protective layer over the calcium and phosphate. This higher level of protection is needed to help restore weakened or decalcified lesions. It also helps prevent these lesions from going to the next stage and becoming dental cavities.

There has been a lot of discussion about the safety of dental bitewing x-rays lately. A study was recently published which linked bitewing x-rays to an increased risk of getting a benign brain tumor called meningioma. This study did not employ the scientific method to its investigation of facts and is questionable on many levels, including:

1. The study relied on patients’ memories for the patients’ dental histories years earlier
2. The study did not have documented dates and radiation exposure levels for patients
3. The study included patients who received the x-rays in the 1960’s when radiation levels were higher and the film speed was slower

We now have digital x-rays, which use up to 80% less radiation than current film x-rays. The bottom line for all of our patients is that we consider digital bitewing x-rays safe. One digital bitewing x-ray exposes you to less radiation than you get on a plane flight. Dental x-rays are a valuable tool in allowing us to treat oral health problems in the early stage and are still recommended by the American Dental Association. If you have concerns about digital x-rays, please let us know and we will discuss them with you. We will never recommend any treatment for you that we do not feel is necessary or that would not be in your best interest.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Eric Hull will be joining us on Fridays. Many of our patients can only come in on Fridays, and to meet those needs Dr. Hull will be here from 7:00 am to noon, with the possibility of expanding those hours as demand dictates.

Originally from Midland, Michigan, Dr. Hull graduated from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota with a major in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology. From there he moved to Loma Linda, California and attended the University of Loma Linda School of Dentistry. Dr. Hull chose Loma Linda for his dental education partially because of their emphasis on clinical experience. At both Loma Linda School of Dentistry and Bethel University, Dr. Hull was consistently on the Dean’s List. While a student at Loma Linda, Dr. Hull went on a two week service learning trip to San Marcos, Nicaragua where he performed extractions and restorations. He also worked at a free dental clinic for the underserved in San Bernardino, participated in Loma Linda’s “Clinic with a Heart”, and worked at a free dental clinic for migrant workers.

We are proud of Dr. Hull’s accomplishments and commitment to good dentistry and feel fortunate to have him working with us.

April is National Facial Protection Month and a good time to think again about protecting your children’s teeth (and your own) with a sports mouth guard. Everyone expects football players to wear mouth guards. However, spring sports can be just as dangerous to the teeth as football. Dr. Stewart had an emergency call several years ago from a young man who broke off his two front teeth, one right at the gum line, while playing soccer. About six years ago the son of one of our team members broke his two front teeth playing baseball. He needed root canals on both of his front teeth and will eventually need veneers when the teeth discolor.

The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation tells us that children, high school athletes and adults have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out each year. Many of these injuries can be prevented by wearing a mouth guard. We make clear mouth guards at Dr. Bruce Stewart's office for $95. If an athlete wants to show school spirit by wearing a mouth guard made in the school colors, we can do that for an additional charge.

Dr. Stewart and our team strongly encourage everyone to wear mouth guards when engaging in sports. Please call our office to set up an appointment for the athletes in your family!

Almost everyone is aware of the benefits of fluoride for children. Tooth decay is way down since fluoride was introduced into the water supply in Grand Rapids in 1946. However, are you aware that fluoride can be equally important for aging adults? As we age our gums receed and dentin is exposed near the gum line, increasing the risk of root surface decay. Application of fluoride during your hygiene visit will dramatically reduce this root surface decay, as well as make these exposed areas more comfortable. Ask your hygienist about the benefits of adult fluoride for you at your next visit.

Dental X-rays are an essential and invaluable tool to help assist us in evaluating your oral health. With X-rays, we can see what’s happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums and identify oral health issues otherwise hidden during a visual exam, including:

• small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing restorations (fillings)
• infections in the bone
• periodontal (gum) disease
• abscesses or cysts
• developmental abnormalities
• types of tumors

If left untreated, these problems can lead to expensive, time-consuming, and painful conditions, so it’s important to find and treat them early.
Dental X-rays are extremely safe, and our team is certified in the proper use of our digital X-ray equipment. The amount of radiation that you are exposed to from dental X-rays is very small compared to your daily exposure from things like atmospheric radiation and naturally-occurring radioactive elements, as well as medical X-rays you may have gotten at your doctor’s office or hospital. In fact our digital system dramatically decreases the already minimal amount of exposure even further. We try to be as conservative as possible when prescribing x-rays but do need them to see what is going on where our eyes can't see.

Whether you’ve just come in as a new patient or your family has been visiting our office for years, did you know that you can “Like” us on Facebook and visit our blog? There is always something interesting happening at our office and when the months pass between your appointments, catching up can be difficult. But thanks to Facebook and our blog, staying in touch is so much easier! We’ll be posting news about our latest dental purchases, staff updates, and dentistry and dental products in the news. We hope you will find the postings informative and useful.

This April 30th we’ll be giving away a Kindle Fire to one lucky patient who connects with our office on Facebook. The drawing will take place at 3:15pm, so we have time to contact our winner before the end of the day.

Good luck to all!

Today I would like to address the importance of the oral exam you receive as part of your hygiene visit. In today’s challenging economic times some patients try to save money by requesting to skip their doctor exam.

During the exam I will read your x-rays to check for cavities between the teeth or under old restorations. I also do a visual inspection of your mouth, including the roof and floor of your mouth, the tongue, cheeks, and gums. If there is anything that looks unusual we refer patients to an oral surgeon for a biopsy. I palpate your neck and feel for any swelling in glands in that region. In addition, I check your temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) to make sure you are not developing joint problems.

Over the course of my career I have seen four patients with oral cancer. One of these cases was caught early and the patient had surgery and is cancer-free. The other three patients who did not come in regularly had advanced cancer by the time I examined them. Please do not take your oral exam lightly. If you notice changes in your mouth and neck, don’t wait for your next scheduled appointment; contact us immediately. It could be life saving.

-Dr. Bruce Stewart

Toothpaste is a great product that we all use several times a day. Unfortunately, some toothpastes can be detrimental to your teeth. Many of the “whitening” toothpastes are abrasive and remove enamel as well as stains. Our recommendation from Dr. Bruce Stewart's office is that you stay away from highly abrasive toothpastes because they can remove the polish and luster of porcelain veneers and are not good for natural teeth.

The Federal Drug Administration and the American Dental Association have come up with a system to measure the abrasive level of toothpastes, which is called the RDA value. The lower the RDA value, the gentler the toothpaste is on your teeth. If a toothpaste has an RDA rating over 100 it is considered to be abrasive. Below are the RDA values for some toothpastes. If you would like more information on this, we have a longer list at the office. We can provide more detailed scientific information about the RDA ratings to those who may be interested, just ask your hygienist about the study the next time you are in the office.

Toothpaste / RDA Value

Straight Baking Soda / 07
Arm & Hammer Tooth Powder / 08
CloSYS / 53
Colgate Regular / 68
Colgate Total / 70
Sensodyne / 79
Aim / 80
Aquafresh Sensitive / 91
Crest Regular / 95
Sensodyne Extra Whitening / 104
Crest Sensitivity / 107
Aquafresh Whitening / 113
Colgate Whitening / 124
Crest Extra Whitening / 130
Colgate Tarter Control / 165
Colgate 2-in-1 Tarter Control/White / 200

We have a new face around Dr. Bruce Stewart's office, Kimberly. She is our new Dental Team Assistant and is working with the hygienists and assistants to keep things running smoothly in the clinical area.

In addition to working with us, Kimberly is a wife and a mom to three children who keep her very busy with her activities. Their household also includes a black lab. As if that were not enough, Kimberly is also going to school to become a dental assistant.

Welcome Kimberly. We are delighted to have you on our team!

Monday, Feb. 20 marks Presidents’ Day, a day known for celebrating of both George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s combined Birthdays. Presidents’ Day was created in 1971, when President Richard Nixon combined the birthdays of two of our most well-known presidents into one single federal holiday. Presidents' Day also marks a hard-earned day off from work and school for a lot of our patients at Dr. Bruce Stewart's office.

Here are a few fun facts about our nation’s presidents:

*Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, carried letters, bills and notes in his tall stovepipe hat.

*George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.

*Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, broke the so-called "20-year curse," in which every president elected in a year ending in zero died in office.

*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents, measuring 6’ 4” tall.

*Virginia is the birthplace of more United States presidents than any other state, followed by Ohio and Massachusetts.

*Harry S. Truman was the first president to have his Inauguration and speeches televised.

Repeating a hit from last year, Dr. Bruce Stewart's office had a staff outing to Chicago last weekend. The staff took the train to Chicago early Friday morning and returned later Saturday night. The weather cooperated and added to the enjoyment of all as we checked out some of Chicago’s newest and oldest stores, looking for bargains and unusual items for children and grandchildren back home. Friday night we gathered for a delicious dinner at an Italian restaurant. After hours of conversations and laughter, the trip back was much quieter than the trip down. A great time was had by all!

While mouthwash is not an alternative to regular brushing and flossing, it can help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. There are several different types of mouthwashes available, and all of them will help do different things for your smile. The most common types of mouthwashes are:

• Fluoride – fluoride is the most used type of mouthwash available, and is used to strengthen the enamel of the teeth while preventing cavities and tooth decay.
• Antiseptic – an antiseptic mouthwash is used to kill bacteria and germs in the mouth. Most commonly used before and after a dental surgery, antiseptic mouthwashes can also help to fight gum disease, and halitosis (chronic bad breath). Antiseptic mouthwashes can affect your sense of taste and may stain the teeth, so it is recommended that you consult your dentist before using this type of mouthwash.
• Combination – a combination mouthwash is designed to help prevent tooth decay, freshen the breath, and maintain the health of your smile.
• Prescription – for patients with gum disease, or any signs of gum disease, you may need a prescription mouthwash. Prescription mouthwashes, like Peridex of PerioGard, are used to treat gingivitis, and other forms of decay.

There are also many different brands of mouthwash. Some common brands include:
• Scope
• Listerine
• Act
• Crest
• Tom’s of Maine (all-natural)
• Plax (anti-plaque rinse)
• Breath Rx
• Orajel
• Targon (special mouthwash made for smokers)
• Rembrandt (whitening mouthwash)

If you are curious about which kind of mouthwash would work best for you, be sure to ask us at your next appointment. If you have a favorite mouthwash, let us know by posting a comment for others to read!

– Dr. Bruce Stewart & team

Thanks for the question! Yes! In fact, it's even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit our office regularly. When you're wearing braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush normally can't reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care. Our staff at Dr. Bruce Stewart's office will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while you're undergoing orthodontic treatment.

If it has been more than six months since your last visit to our Grand Rapids dental office, please give us a call! We look forward to your next visit!

Our team at Dr. Bruce Stewart's office know that as more families turn to bottled water and away from the traditional tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride!

For more than 60 years, water fluoridation has proved to be a safe and cost-effective way to reduce dental caries. Today, water fluoridation is estimated to reduce tooth decay by 20- to 40 percent in children who have access to fluoridated toothpaste.

Bottled water, however, which remains one of the more popular drinks in the world, may not contain any fluoride, which is known to help prevent and even reverse the early stages of tooth decay. The majority of bottled waters on the market do not contain optimal levels (0.7-1.2 ppm) of fluoride, according to our friends at the American Dental Association, or ADA. Many dental health specialists suspect bottled water’s increased popularity as the culprit behind rising rates of cavities.

Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. So if bottled water is your water of choice, be sure to check the label to make sure that your brand contains fluoride. As of a 2006 decision, the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, allows bottled water containing .6 to 1.0 milligrams per liter (parts per million) of fluoride to carry a label stating that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay. The ADA has backed this decision.

Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your pearly whites in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake and visiting Dr. Stewart and our team at the office regularly.

At Dr. Bruce Stewart's office we know one thing no patient likes hearing when visiting our office is “root canal.” But what, exactly, is a root canal, and when might you need one? A root canal is a treatment Dr. Stewart uses to repair and save a tooth that is infected or badly decayed to the point where the nerve is involved. In the past, if a patient had a tooth with a diseased nerve, dentists in most cases would recommend an extraction. Today, however, with a procedure called root canal therapy, available at our office, you may save that tooth—and your beautiful smile—after all!

Here are some symptoms that indicate a decayed or infected tooth, courtesy of WebMD:

• Severe toothache pain upon chewing, biting or application of pressure
• One tooth consistently more sensitive to hot or cold than other teeth
• Pain that hurts without any stimulus, keeps you awake or wakes you up at night
• A tooth that feels loose
• Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth
• Pain that persists weeks following a filling or replacement of a filling
• Chronic pain and/or pressure that may extend to the ear, eye or neck

If any of these symptoms apply to you, we recommend you schedule an appointment with Dr. Stewart.

The best way to avoid a root canal is to practice good oral hygiene at home, and that includes brushing at least twice a day and flossing to reduce plaque and bacteria. For more tips on how to avoid root canal therapy or for general questions about your dental treatment, we invite you to ask Dr. Stewart during your next visit at our convenient Comstock Park office! We also invite you to ask us on Facebook!

Even if you brush and floss daily, it is still important to see us at Dr. Bruce Stewart every 6 months, or as recommended.

Why?

• We can detect and treat tooth and gum problems that you may have never felt or noticed.
• Even thorough daily oral care may not be enough to prevent cavities and oral decay.
• Frequent visits can allow us to treat a problem early to prevent future complications.

If you are overdue for an appointment with us, please give us a call today!

-- Dr. Stewart & Team

Let’s face it- when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? We at Dr. Bruce Stewart's office believe the key to sticking to a goal is picking one that is both reasonable and attainable. If you haven’t yet picked a New Year’s resolution, consider setting one that will improve your oral health!

For example, resolve to brush twice and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health and overall health too! For more oral health-themed resolutions for you and your family, check out this article.

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2012!

-Happy New Year, from your friends at Dr. Stewart's office

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as Dr. Stewart and our team reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2012? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

At Dr. Bruce Stewart's office we know dental emergencies are never convenient or timely. If you are a patient of record, we are committed to your dental health and are more than willing to see you.

We are here to help you, any time, any day, and when your dental health is at risk, we’ll do everything we can to make sure that you’re treated as soon as possible. While dental emergencies are rare, we know they can happen at any moment, and it’s important to know how to take care of your teeth no matter what.

Common dental emergencies include:

• A bitten lip or tongue
• Broken or cracked tooth/teeth
• Broken jaw
• Permanent tooth that has been knocked out
• Object caught between teeth
• Severe toothache

If you have a dental emergency after regular office hours, please give us a call. If you are calling us after hours, please follow the emergency prompts to contact Dr. Stewart. We proudly serve patients from Grand Rapids, among other surrounding communities.

On Sunday, December 4th, Dr. Bruce Stewart's office had our annual Christmas party, but with a magical twist! Usually an adult affair, the party this year was for families. Our staff brought either their children or grandchildren, and we had 17 adults and 25 children in attendance. Stormy the Magician made an appearance at the party and entertained young and old with his tricks and jokes. After the 45 minute Magic Show, Stormy made animal balloons for all the children. We all left with warm smiles and happy memories of children laughing and being awed by the magic.

We wish you all a very happy holiday season!

Even if you brush and floss daily, it is still important to see Dr. Bruce Stewart every 6 months, or as recommended. Why?

• We can detect and treat tooth and gum problems that you may have never felt or noticed.
• Even thorough daily oral care may not be enough to prevent cavities and oral decay.
• Frequent visits can allow us to treat a problem early to prevent future complications.

If you are overdue for an appointment with us, please give us a call today!

-- Dr. Bruce Stewart & Team

We can finally share the story that had Dr. Bruce Stewart's office excited several weeks ago. We received a call from the Dr. Phil show asking if we could help get two of their guests “camera ready” from a dental perspective. This show was being filmed in Grand Rapids and the guests needed dental treatment before the show was to be taped. We only had 48 hours to complete the work, but with the help of team members and one of our local laboratories we were able to give the guests healthy and improved smiles. Dr. Stewart, Debbie, Carol and Cathy stayed late one evening, and Dr. Stewart and Debbie came in on a day that we were closed to complete the work. In her thank you note, Adrienne, a member of Dr. Phil’s team, wrote that “My guests were beyond thrilled with their experience at your office…and their smiles speak for themselves. You and your staff are exceptional and I can’t thank you enough!”

Once the show aired we were allowed to share our experience. Hopefully we will get a copy of the show and learn the story behind the guests that we helped. All of us who participated felt very good about the service we provided.

We are pleased to announce that the beautiful hand blown glass ornaments that have decorated Dr. Bruce Stewart's office the past two years are back! Women at Risk International installed the decorated Christmas tree on November 18, and it looks beautiful. The ornaments on our tree are made in Egypt and include several different shapes, such as humming birds, and all sell for $15. This annual fundraiser for WAR International places roughly 450 decorated trees around Grand Rapids in various offices. WAR International raises money to help educate women and children in underdeveloped countries and helps them escape human trafficking and slavery.

Many of our patients were sorry to have missed the opportunity to purchase these unique ornaments when they found out about them last January. If you have never seen the ornaments, please come in and take a look. They make beautiful Christmas and hostess gifts, and help a wonderful cause. The ornaments may also be purchased at the WAR Boutique in Rockford or Wyoming. You can see what they look like or learn more about this great organization by visiting the Women at Risk International website.

Thank you so much for your support this holiday season. Have a very happy Thanksgiving!

Everyone knows that smoking causes lung cancer, but did you also know that smokers and tobacco users are susceptible to a variety of oral health problems at a faster rate than non-smokers? Smokeless tobacco use in the United States continues to increase each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It may be smokeless, but it certainly isn't harmless.

You’ve probably seen baseball players chewing or dipping tobacco, but it’s important to know that as soon as you use tobacco products, you risk developing serious health issues, including cancer, heart attack or stroke. You are also more likely to experience any of these oral health problems:

• Gum disease
• Tooth loss
• Loss of bone in the jaw
• Gum recession
• Delayed/impaired healing process after oral surgery or any other treatment
• Decreased success rate of dental implant (tooth replacement) procedures
• Mouth sores
• Loss of your sense of taste and smell
• Bad breath
• Tooth and tongue stains

Quitting tobacco is difficult because all forms of it—cigarettes, cigars and spit (chewing) tobacco—contain nicotine, which is the highly addictive agent in tobacco. If you are interested in protecting your oral health, we strongly recommend you quit using tobacco products! We suggest all tobacco users come in for regular dental check-ups with Dr. Bruce A. Stewart.

All of us at Dr. Bruce Stewart's office are happy to announce that our Halloween Candy Buy-Back program was a success again this year. However, there is always room for more families to participate!

We had twelve children participate, representing seven families. We enjoyed seeing the children come in, and smiled when some of them had trouble parting with their candy. The youngest children seemed to have the most difficult time saying goodbye to their candy, and did not quite understand why they were leaving their candy behind. The children brought 53 pounds of candy and we paid a total of $93 to those who participated. Some children left us over five pounds of candy, even though the individual limit for purchase was five pounds. Just think of the possible cavities prevented and how much healthier their young bodies are because they did not consume an additional 53 pounds of candy! We will be taking the candy to a subsidized, independent living, senior citizen apartment complex where people do not have much income available for extra treats.

Our Halloween candy purchase program is an annual event and we would like to double or triple the amount of participants next year. Please consider bringing your children to the office to sell us their candy for $2 a pound. Even if they only part with some of their treats, their bodies and piggy banks will be healthier. Once again, thank you to everyone who participated this year!

At Dr. Bruce Stewart's office, we know nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth. Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth, courtesy of WebMD.

Let’s start with brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

Next on the list is flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.

Also, evading a trip to visit Dr. Stewart is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily. You’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting Dr. Stewart's office at least twice a year or as recommended, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your natural teeth.

You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you’re wearing braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.

Finally, before you pick up that candy bar, remember to not give in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be. If you have any questions, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Dr. Bruce A. Stewart wanted to share this story about how technology helped a recent patient get expert advice without leaving our office.

I had a patient the other day who had a severely damaged tooth. I wasn’t sure if it could be saved, so we took an intra-oral picture and an x-ray of the tooth. We emailed it to a periodontist who looked at the x-ray and the picture and decided that the best option was extraction and an implant. He felt the tooth could be removed and an implant placed the same day.

Our patient was extremely happy to get all this information while sitting in our office. He saved the time and cost involved with an office visit to the specialist to get this diagnosis, as well as gasoline costs.

I thought you would enjoy this story of how our technology can be of help to you, should you have a problem.

Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? For our staff at Dr. Stewart's office, that means only one thing: Reminding you that your teeth are an important part of your body, and keeping them clean helps keep your mouth and your body healthy. By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet and visiting our convenient Comstock Park, MI office on a regular basis, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life.

We encourage you to check out the American Dental Association website as well, which provides pointers on keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Lastly, has it been six months since your last checkup? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call to set up an appointment with Dr. Stewart.

Biofilm is a group of micro-organisms existing together in a moist, gel-like film. It is everywhere that water contacts a non-sterile surface. It is found in the human body and in nature. Here are a few facts about biofilm:

• We all have biofilm in our mouths, cheeks, teeth, gums, tongue.
• These biofilms cause tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontitis.
• The inflammation in the mouth caused by microbes in biofilm has been implicated in general health problems, such as cardiovascular disease.
• Dental plaque, or biofilm, can contain as many as 500 different microbes.
• The longer the biofilm stays uninterrupted, the greater the potential for dental problems.
• Disrupting the biofilm growth through brushing, flossing and rinsing is key to your dental health.

If you have any questions about biofilm, feel free to ask us at Dr. Bruce Stewart's office or on Facebook!

Today, Dr. Bruce Stewart wanted to address some questions that our office hears regularly and may be of interest to many of our patients. If you have any more questions, feel free to leave us a comment or ask us at the office!

Q. Are x-rays really necessary?

A. X-rays allow us to see cysts, abscesses, and decay between the teeth, as well as periodontal disease damage. Without x-rays, we would not be able to see the problem until it was larger.

Q. Why, in my retirement, am I suddenly getting new cavities when I went many years without cavities?

A. Often cavities in advanced years are associated with decreased saliva flow. This can occur simply with age. However, more likely it is medication that has a side effect of making the mouth dry. A significant number of common medications can cause dry mouth. Snacking between meals and sucking on mints, lemon drops, etc...can also promote rapid tooth decay.

Q. How can I prevent decay when I have receding gums?

A. The result of gum recession is exposed roots. They are much more susceptible to tooth decay than the upper portion of the tooth which has an enamel covering. Professionally applied fluoride varnish, xylitol gum and mints, and prescription-level fluoride toothpaste are all beneficial in helping to prevent, or minimize, decay around exposed roots.

Q.How can I help my decay-prone teenagers prevent tooth decay?

A. Caution them about the high sugar and acid levels in sports and energy drinks, which are often comparable to the levels in soft drinks. What dentists have been saying for years is true: candy and soft drinks (sugar) are bad for teeth. The same products that can help prevent decay around exposed roots will help prevent or minimize tooth decay in teenagers. Brushing and flossing daily are very beneficial in preventing decay. Decay really can be controlled and is preventable!

The link between Alzheimer’s Disease and the cold sore has been in the news lately, with Oprah and Dr. Oz on TV and John Tesh on the radio. In fact, researchers from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and the University of Manchester in England and have found a link between cold sores and Alzheimer’s Disease. They stress that cold sores do not cause Alzheimer’s, but can be one co-factor in developing Alzheimer’s.

The research indicates that the HSV1 (herpes virus) travels to the nerve cells of the brain as we age and alters the brain’s waste-removal capabilities. The virus also releases chemicals in the brain that cause abnormal twisted fibers to develop, similar to what is found in Alzheimer’s sufferers. As a result of these findings, experts advise treating a cold sore quickly to minimize the time the virus is active.

If you get a cold sore, please call Dr. Bruce Stewart's office and get treatment. We can call in medication that will hasten the healing of your cold sore. A better alternative would be to come in and have us use a laser on your cold sore. The laser has been effective in hastening healing, preventing spreading, and containing the size of the herpes outbreak.

School has begun, fall is in the air and ArtPrize is coming soon! Only in its third year, this competition of various forms of art has drawn national and international attention to Grand Rapids.

Each year, more and more people visit downtown during this period, filling our restaurants, museums and streets and enjoying art displayed on bridges, lawns, sidewalks, and in many buildings.

Kay and I look forward to ArtPrize and go downtown several times during its duration. Many of our staff visit ArtPrize as a family activity or as a couples’ night out. We would enjoy supporting any of our patients whose work is displayed in ArtPrize. So, if you have an entry in ArtPrize this year, please let us know. We will make every effort to seek you out and support you. It’s fun for us to see another side of our patients and the remarkable talent they have. Good luck to all of our participants. This seems like something where everyone wins, artists, citizens and our great city.

If you have not shared your e-mail address with us at Dr. Bruce Stewarts office, you may want to do so the next time you are in the office. When patients give us their e-mail they will receive an e-mail from Sesame Communications giving them a temporary password. Once you open the e-mail from Sesame you can change your password and you are ready to go. There are many benefits to providing us your e-mail, including:

1. You can go online and view your account balance and check to see if your insurance has paid on your account.

2. You can check your appointment times online.

3. You can receive e-mail confirmations of your appointments.

4. If you are an Invisalign patient you can view your clin-check in the comfort of your home. Plus, you can forward your clin-check to your family and friends and show them how Invisalign will change your smile. You can even post your clin-check on Facebook!

5. Occasionally there is something we want to bring to our patients’ attention and we will send out an e-mail on that subject. That said, we do not flood you with e-mail and have only sent out one large e-mail to this point, which was about a drawing we were having with prizes over $1,100.

You can be assured that if you share your e-mail with us we will not share it with
anyone other than Sesame Communications, who will not share it with anyone or any company. Your information is secure. Feel free to contact our office if you would like your e-mail address added, or let us know at your next appointment.

The office of Dr. Bruce Stewart is pleased to announce that we are now using the Cadent iTero digital Impression System to take all crown and bridge impressions at our office. We have been waiting patiently for our training days to arrive, and they did this week. We had a trainer from Cadent iTero in the office all day Tuesday and Wednesday teaching us the techniques of using the iTero and guiding us through taking digital impressions. Training went very well and we are up and running and confident that our new system will be a real benefit to our patients. You will no longer experience the messy and uncomfortable trays with impression material, and the gagging they can cause.

The iTero impression process takes about five minutes, and creates an exact copy of the crown site as well as a more accurate fitting crown. This will shorten the time needed to seat crowns, which is another benefit to the patient. If you have been putting off getting a crown because of the impressions, give our office a call and see how easy and relatively comfortable the impression process is now that it is digital.

Dr. Stewart wants to know: Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can actually lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Results of the study also showed that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease.

Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child's teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack all stimulate the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please give us a call.

Many people are hesitant to call and reschedule dental appointments if they are not feeling well. We appreciate the value these patients place on our time and that they don’t want to leave us with unfilled appointments. However, there are some situations where it is important that patients call to reschedule their appointments with Dr. Stewart.

1. If you have active cold sores--Any time we are working in and around the mouth saliva can be transferred to your eyes or open wounds, or to the eyes and wounds on a member of the dental team. The herpes virus can then damage these areas.

2. If you have an active cold or flu--If you are in the early stages of a cold or any stage of the flu, please reschedule. It is better for your health and the health of the dental team.

3. If you have a heavy cough or congestion. You will not be comfortable with keeping your mouth open for a prolonged period and the bacteria or virus will be airborne, thus possibly infecting the dental team.

We thank you for your thoughtfulness and wish you good health.

Dr. Stewart usually likes to use our blog to keep you updated about what is happening in our office, especially when we get new equipment, use new materials, or take continuing education classes. Today, however, he wanted to share with you something special one of our patients is doing.  It made him smile and he hopes it will bring a smile to your face too.

John and Kara started the Westwinde Wiffle Ball Tournament three years ago, and it has grown and added features each year. This is a free event for 18 teams, five people per team (boys, girls, or co-ed), for ages 9—12 years, and will be held August 3 this year. The tournament is held in their back yard, but this is not a typical back yard.  To quote John, the field “looks like a ball field, sounds like a ball field, plays like a ball field” and even has a large wall, the “Hollow Monster”, patterned (on a smaller scale) after the Green Monster in Fenway Park. There is an official ball park organist & stadium announcer, large manual scoreboard and clock, official lined waffle ball field, official bases from Tiger Stadium, foul poles, home run fence and strike zone target backstop, umpires and other SURPRISES. Parents are welcome to bring lawn chairs and watch the tournament. All players will receive a free tournament t-shirt, as well as hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, and Gatorade. This is a great event which generates a lot of enthusiasm amongst the participants and promotes good sportsmanship, healthy outdoor activity and FUN.

Hats off to John and Kara for creating this event!

What can be better than summer in Grand Rapids, Michigan? And what better way to enjoy the weather and beauty of the season than a Garden Party? That’s exactly what Dr. Stewart and out team did on Friday, July 22. We had a luncheon at our home and followed that with a tour of our gardens.

Dr. Stewart is an avid gardener and we've lived in the same home over 32 years, so we've had time to develop the gardens next to our house and surrounding the yard. Our family loves the daylilies and hostas, and we have over 75 different daylilies. Though the weather did not cooperate at first, it cleared in time for everyone to walk around the yard and determine their favorite plant. When it is time to split the daylilies and hostas, we're planning to take some to the office for fellow gardeners amongst the staff to enjoy in their yards. We all had a great time Friday and enjoyed the shared interests and friendships away from the office.

All of us here at the office of Dr. Bruce Stewart know that summer is a time of relaxation and less scheduling. Still, it is important to keep one schedule in mind throughout the summer, and that is the schedule you should maintain for good oral health. Here are some facts to keep in mind when considering when to schedule your family’s next dental appointments, and what services to request.

1. In today’s challenging economic times, it makes good sense to keep on top of your dental visits. Problems can be prevented or minimized if they are caught early. For example, we can catch decay when it is small and requires only one surface filling, rather than a large filling or root canal.

2. Fluoride and sealants can help prevent tooth decay. We can apply fluoride and sealants when you come in for an appointment. It will save time and money, since applying fluoride and sealants does not require the amount of time a filling requires, and they are much less expensive than even a small filling.

3. If a hygienist notices the beginning of demineralization in a tooth or teeth, we can use MI Paste and reverse the demineralization process, and possibly prevent decay from forming.

4. Our hygiene schedule is very full, but we know that we traditionally get calls near the end of summer asking for appointments to get children in before school starts or before they leave for college. Our hygienists have agreed to work some extra days so that we can accommodate our patients’ needs. We will do our best to get your school-aged children and college students in the schedule before school begins.

5. If you schedule your appointment at the end of July, that makes the six month recall around the time of semester break. If you schedule at the end of August, that makes the six month recall appointment around winter break. This allows parents to avoid pulling children out of school and prevents the hassle of trying to schedule around after school sports and extra curricular activities.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Dr. Stewart and our team are excited to announce that we have purchased an iTero, a piece of equipment that will allow us to take digital impressions. While we still need to install this equipment and train for it's most effective uses, we will soon be able to say “goodbye” to all of those messy, and often uncomfortable, impression trays. With the iTero, we will use a wand to scan the area being treated and then send that digital “impression” electronically through our Wi-Fi access to the iTero company. They will prepare a model and send it to our laboratory technician who will then fabricate a crown. This amazing, cutting-edge technology will replace the traditional impressions needed for crowns, bridges, dentures and Invisalign.

It is our office's goal to always provide patients with the best and most current dental care at every level. We are always looking for ways to make your visits to our office more enjoyable and comfortable. After all, we consider our patients family!

The office of Dr. Bruce A. Stewart has received so many great testimonials lately, that we wanted to share a couple more with you. We loving hearing what you have to say and your opinions are extremely important to us. If you ever have any questions or concerns feel free to contact our office or post a comment to our Facebook page! Take a look at what some of our patients have to say about Dr. Stewart and our staff:

"Carol, my hygienist, is always outstanding. I would recommend her to everyone. Monica and Debbie are always very friendly, welcoming and professional." -- Dennis

"Everyone from Monica to Barb, my hygienist, to Dr. Stewart is always very friendly, professional and treat you like “family,” for over 30 years of service!" -- Jane

"Dr. Stewart and his staff truly know how to treat his patients. Being afraid to have treatment no longer enters my mind. My first visit to Dr. Stewart’s office never made me afraid to go to the dentist again. They do everything right to make the trip worth the smile on my face continue for a long time. As long as they are there, I will be also. Thank you Dr. Stewart and staff!" -- Linda

"I would highly recommend Dr. Stewart and his awesome staff to anyone. I was not a patient of Dr. Stewart’s and broke a tooth on 4th of July week. Dr. Stewart and his staff took me in because I couldn’t get in to my own dentist. They were highly recommended to me from a friend. They were very kind and understanding and helped me through the whole process of getting my tooth fixed. Thank You for your service that was above and beyond what I could hope for."

Thank you for all of the kind words! We look forward to seeing you at your next appointment!

Here at the office of Dr. Bruce Stewart, we love to hear what our patients have to say. The comfort of our patients is important to us and we strive to provide you with the best in dental care. Lately we have received some wonderful patient testimonials that we wanted to share with you all:

-- "I NEVER liked going to the dentist prior to being a patient with Dr. Stewart.  Now the only thing I fear is finding a new dentist when he retires…in the very distant future!!" -Nicholus K.

-- "My experience was fantastic.  Very knowledgeable staff.  Pleasant, professional atmosphere.  Great service.  I thought the initial personal, interview and talk with the dentist and hygienist was unexpectedly nice.  (Unexpected because I never imagined being given that kind of personal time.)  I could tell the staff worked well with each other and had a lot of experience.  They were all very professional as well as friendly." -Matthew H.

-- "Cathy did an amazing job with Baylor.  She was patient, calm, and really got him interested in the whole dental visit.  I have never seen him so calm at a first visit in a clinical setting.  She was beyond amazing!" -Nicole J.

-- "Debbie, Dr. Stewart, Monica—okay, really, everyone in your office is exceptionally professional and friendly, kudos!" -Kelli O.

-- "You couldn’t ask for a more friendly staff.  They ALL take a personal interest in you and your family." -Brenda H.

-- "Cathy, my hygienist, is one of the main reasons I keep coming back.  She is always friendly and professional.  You have a great employee there!!" -Jason C.

Thank you for all of the kind words. We look forward to seeing you at your next appointment!

Dr. Stewart's hygiene team recently attended a on-day seminar, "Teenagers--What Their Mouths Are Telling You But They're Not: Practical Information on Teen Health Issues," presented by Janette Delinger, RDH, BSDH.

This seminar contained up-to-date information on what is going on in the daily lives of our teens; from what they are saying to dietary concerns and dangerous social activities they are engaging in. Topics that were discussed included eating disorders, inhalants ("huff"), tobacco use, binge drinking, methamphetamine, HPV, oral piercings, abusive behavior, recommended immunizations and overall health and oral hygiene challenges. We will be highlighting some of these topics in upcoming newsletters, but we feel parents may want to get their hands on some of this information now.

Here are some excellent websites for parents to check out:

• www.oralcancerfoundation.org/hpv
• www.teens.lovetoknow.com
• www.teenchatdecoder.com
• www.hiaaa.nih.org
• www.theantidrug.com

One word nobody wants to hear when they visit the dentist is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Dr. Stewart than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy Gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Stewart the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

Thank you to all who took the time to look at our new website and complete an evaluation. Dr. Stewart and our dental team are happy to announce the winners of the drawing.

Drawing Winners
iPad 2- Michael M
iPod touch- Karen M
Kindle - Grace R
$40 Meijer gift card- Delaine K., Michael B., Annette W., Doug M., Susan D., Anne S., Ruth O., Clare P., Olivia B., Denise M.

Congratulations to everyone.

In May I attended my 23rd meeting of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry where I took 15 hours of continuing education. I always come away from these meetings excited about what is new in dentistry, what we can do to help our patients, and the direction the profession is headed. I am more passionate and excited about dentistry and proud of the profession today than I was when I graduated.

My classes were in 1) Dental Adhesives, 2) Veneers, 3) Orthodontics, 4) Implants and 5) Sleep Apnea. My goal has always been, and continues to be, to stay current with dental materials, methods and technology. I’m already enrolled in, and looking forward to, the AACD meeting in May 2012!

-Dr. Bruce Stewart

Welcome to our blog! We plan to keep you updated on happenings at our office, both dental and social, through our blog, so check us out often.

We have a great group of people working at Dr. Bruce Stewart's office, and we like to celebrate that as a team frequently. In February we had a team–building experience in Chicago. It culminated with a dinner in a refurbished old firehouse. The food was great, but the camaraderie and shared laughter were what made the evening.

Chicago Outing

Debbie, Judy, and Barb each have been working at our office for over 25 years! Debbie and Barb were two of Dr. Stewart’s first employees. While they both took some time away from the office when they were having their children, Debbie has been back working in our office for 25 consecutive years. Judy also celebrated 25 years of continuous service, and Barb has accumulated over 25 years of service. Our entire team celebrated with them at Amore Trattitoria in April when we had a surprise party in their honor.

Surprise!

Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog. Please check back often for weekly updates on fun and exciting events happening at our office, important and interesting information about the dental industry, and the latest news about our practice.

Feel free to leave a comment or question for our doctor and staff – we hope this will be a valuable resource for our patients, their families, and friends!