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.

Decalcification, also known as demineralization, is the loss of calcium and phosphate from the bones or teeth. It is the first stage, but a reversible stage, of dental cavities. Every time we eat acidic foods or drink acidic beverages, our mouths become acidic. It is the acid that pulls the minerals, calcium and phosphate, from the tooth structure. This causes hard enamel to be softened and weakened. The good news is that our own saliva is our body’s defense mechanism against the decalcification of our teeth. It washes the acids and food debris from our teeth and restores a neutral PH environment in our mouth. Saliva also replenishes calcium and phosphate to our teeth, a process called remineralization.

White spot lesions, or decalcified lesions, are caused from prolonged contact with acidic bacterial plaque (biofilm). The growth of this plaque is a continuous process. Plaque should be removed from all dental surfaces at least every twelve hours, and brushing and flossing are good ways to do this. When the acidic biofilm is not removed, it depletes the tooth surface of calcium and phosphate. Saliva is unable to neutralize the biofilm and the bacterial plaque is left to grow and evolve. Dry mouth can also dramatically increase the rate of decalcification, even with adequate plaque removal. Without the right amount of saliva, a dry mouth remains acidic for long periods of time. Therefore, the teeth are not replenished with calcium and phosphate, and white spots occur.

You can reverse this process with exciting new dental products and home care. We will discuss steps to help reverse white decalcified lesions in our blog and on our Facebook page next week.

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.

I want to make you aware of some exciting changes with Invisalign, the clear trays (aligners) used to straighten teeth. I've been using Invisalign for almost eight years with good success and predictability.

Invisalign has an engineering team and they have redesigned their use of attachments and how they redirect single teeth. Engineers are trained in studying forces, speed, movement and shape. Who would be better suited to study tooth movement? By analyzing tooth shape from millions of case submissions, the engineers can move teeth with greater predictability. This is done in the laboratory and translated to the software.

Invisalign formerly offered two levels of straightening: Full Case, 11 or more aligners, and Express Case, 10 or fewer aligners. They have added a new level, Express 5, 5 or fewer aligners for minor tooth correction. Aligners are changed every two weeks, so an Express 5 Case would be complete in ten weeks.

Invisalign was a good product, but now it is an even better product. If you have been considering straightening your teeth, come in for a consultation and see what Invisalign can do for you.

- Dr. Bruce Stewart

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!

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.

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.