Dental health

Sep20

Don’t Settle For An Unattractive Smile

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental health

Don’t Settle For An Unattractive Smile In Comstock Park!At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we create beautiful smiles with cosmetic dentistry every day.

Everyone wants to look as good as possible. But cosmetic dentistry isn’t just about looking good; it is good for your dental health. For example, straight teeth in the correct position are easier to care for, and make for a healthier mouth. That probably explains why Invisalign clear braces are among the most popular cosmetic dentistry options; they can straighten your teeth, and are almost undetectable as you wear them.

Clear braces are not, of course, the only cosmetic dentistry option. Teeth whitening is also extremely popular. A lot of people try to get whiter teeth at home, and there are lots of over-the-counter whitening products at the store. But none of them – not toothpastes, strips, or gels – can match the power of professional-grade teeth whitening.  We offer in office Zoom whitening and home whitening.

Porcelain veneers are another great choice. They can completely transform the appearance of your smile.

These and other cosmetic dentistry procedures can be comfortably completed in as little as two visits.  So if you’re looking to upgrade your smile, or simply restore integrity to yellowed or damaged teeth, we have a procedure for you at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park. We also have a full range of general and family dentistry procedures. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 774
Sep6

Our Standard of Excellence

Categories: Dental health, Family Dentistry, Oral Health

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we are dedicated to the dental health of each one of our patients. We want everyone who settles into one of our chairs to have a good experience. But more important, we want our work to result in healthy teeth and gums. That is our standard of excellence.

We offer comprehensive services to treat your dental issues, whatever they may be. We promote preventative dental care and education, and view them as the keys to good dental health. That is why we encourage all our patients to see us for a cleaning and checkup every six months.

REGULAR CHECKUPS

Twice-yearly dental appointments allow us to keep track of the overall health of your teeth and gums. Just as important, we can do regular screenings for oral cancer, and in our younger patients, make sure their teeth are coming in as they should.

If the eyes are the window to the soul, your dental health is a window to your overall health. Knowing your overall medical history helps us to be informed of your general health.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, our entire staff wants each one of our patients to have a positive experience in our office. We are all committed to the highest standard of excellence in dentistry. Our services include family, cosmetic, Invisalign and implant dentistry. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup with us today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Aug23

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Categories: Dental health, Dental Implants, General Dentistry

When they are properly cared for, dental implants from Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park can last a lifetime. That’s just one of the reasons why they have become the tooth replacement option of choice.

A dental implant, in case you haven’t heard, is a titanium post that is secured to your jaw bone. One dental implant can support a single artificial tooth. Several implants can support a dental bridge, or even a set of dentures.

FUSING TO BONE

Dental implants become replacement tooth roots. What makes them so secure is a process called osseointegration. That means the titanium fuses with the jaw.

Once an artificial tooth, called a crown, is attached to the implant, it looks and functions like a natural tooth. Most patients say their biting and chewing ability is normal. Just as important, of course, is getting your smile back.

LONG LASTING

As for their longevity, there are several factors involved. Cleaning a dental implant and crown is just as important as cleaning your natural teeth, and the process is about the same. You’ll need to brush away the filmy plaque that can build up on it, and floss between the implant and the neighboring teeth.

We also recommend that you avoid things like using your implant like a tool. In other words, don’t use it to open things. You should also avoid biting down on hard things like shelled nuts, and pen or pencil tips. Of course, you should never do any of those things with your natural teeth, either.

If you are missing one or more of your teeth, dental implants may be just what you’ve been hoping for. We also offer a full complement of general, family and cosmetic dentistry. Call our office to schedule an appointment today.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Aug16

What Is Restorative Dentistry?

Categories: Dental health, Dentistry, General Dentistry

Restorative Dentistry - cracked teeth repair in Comstock Park, MI

“Restorative dentistry” is a term dentists use to describe the way damaged or missing teeth can be fixed or replaced. At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, our goal is always to improve your smile – in short, to maintain or restore your dental health.

Restorative dentistry covers everything from filling cavities to dental implants. Filling a cavity can stop tooth decay in its tracks. And replacing a lost tooth with an implant prevents bone loss and facial sag, keeps remaining teeth from moving around, and restores chewing power and smiles.

Other restorative dentistry procedures include:

  • Dental crowns – Cover a tooth to strengthen and improve the structure of a tooth.
  • Bridges – A dental bridge is a tooth replacement procedure in which an artificial tooth is anchored on either side of the space where a tooth is missing to “bridge” the area and fill in the space.

Before we wrap up this short article, we’d like to offer a word on categories. Some practices will call dental implants restorative dentistry. Some will call them cosmetic dentistry. Others still will put them in a category all their own. As Shakespeare said, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, our services include restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and Invisalign orthodontics. Call our office today to schedule an appointment!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

Aug9

Do You Have A Sweet Tooth?

Categories: Dental health, Family Dentistry

Family Dentistry in Grand Rapids, MI

Do you crave sweets? Do you find it impossible to skip dessert, or resist a sweet pick-me-up snack in the middle of the day? You probably have a sweet tooth, and you probably know that already. At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we want to remind you of the effects of sugar on teeth.

Simply put, sugar causes cavities. But it doesn’t cause them all by itself. Eating sugar sets off a chain of events that can lead to tooth decay.

Your mouth is full of bacteria. Many of them are good for you. Some of them, though, feed on sugar, which in turn create acids that destroy tooth enamel – that hard substance that is the protective outer layer of a tooth. The result is a hole in the enamel – what we call a cavity.

AN ONGOING BATTLE

This process of bacteria converting sugar into cavity-causing acids is constantly going on. Some things you can do to protect your teeth:

  • Limit your consumption of sugar
  • Brush and floss twice a day
  • Use a toothpaste with fluoride

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

There is even more you can do to protect your dental health. Researchers say that one of the best things you can do is stimulate the flow of saliva in your mouth.

How so? Well, saliva bathes your teeth in minerals, like calcium and phosphates. Along with the fluoride in your toothpaste, they help to repair teeth. This process is called remineralization. You can help this by chewing sugarless gum, and eating more fruits and vegetables, which stimulate saliva.

It’s also a good idea to choose your snacks carefully. Things like cheese and yogurt have calcium and phosphates that strengthen the teeth. Green and black tea, unsweetened, can also help.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park we want all our patients to do everything they can to prevent cavities, and promote good dental health. In addition to cutting down on sugar, you should see us for a checkup and cleaning twice a year. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Call to schedule your next appointment today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Aug2

Think You Know How To Brush? Think Again.

Categories: Dental health, Family Dentistry, Oral Health

Comstock Park tooth brushing tips

ESSENTIAL DENTAL HEALTH

Brushing your teeth is an important part of any daily health care routine. We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, and with a soft-bristled toothbrush. We strongly recommend flossing, too. Before or after you brush? The jury remains out on that one. We think before is better, but the most important thing is that you do it.

Be sure to get all over your teeth: the front and the sides, inside and out, and the tops. When you brush the sides, be sure you brush along the gumline. Use a gentle touch, and hold the brush at a 45-degree angle.

As you brush the front and side surfaces, move the brush in gentle, circular strokes.

TOOTHPASTE

Use a pea-sized blob of fluoridated toothpaste – or more than a pea-sized, if you’re so inclined. Too much toothpaste is no big deal, but be sure to use enough.

Be sure the head of the toothbrush isn’t too big, especially if you have a smaller mouth. It needs to fit easily between your cheeks and gums. The handle is less important. Make sure it feels comfortable in your hand. Replace your toothbrush every three months, if not more often.

TOOTH MASSAGE

We mentioned using a gentle touch. Plaque is soft and loose, so you don’t have to scrub really hard to remove it. Think of it not so much as brushing, but massaging your teeth. Keeping that in mind should help you keep that light touch.

Finally, brush for at least two minutes. If you’re running late, and are tempted to cut it short, resist. If it helps, use a stopwatch. You’ve probably got one on your smart phone.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. We offer family and restorative dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 7193
Jul26

Dental Health And You

Categories: Dental health, Family Dentistry, Oral Health

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we emphasize the importance of good dental health to each one of our patients, every time one of them sits down for a checkup. We stick to the basics: brush and floss twice a day, and see us for a checkup twice a year. But there’s more to it than that.

At every checkup, we examine you for any signs of gum disease. In its mildest form, gum disease is known as gingivitis and is easily treated. Stepping up your dental care routine at home is often enough to do the trick.

In its more severe form, gum disease is called periodontal disease, and it’s one of the leading causes of tooth loss. According to the Centers for Disease Control, half of all Americans over the age of thirty have periodontal disease. That’s nearly sixty-five million people! It can be still be brought under control, but it takes more aggressive treatment.

What Else?

Good dental health means you probably don’t have much of a problem with bad breath. Of course, most of us have yukky breath when we first wake up in the morning. But brush your teeth after breakfast and you should be good to go. In most cases of chronic bad breath – about eighty-five percent of them – poor dental health is to blame.

Every dental checkup includes a screening for oral cancer. The American Cancer Society projects that about 53,000 people will get a form of oral cancer this year. Of those, nearly eleven thousand cases will be terminal.

As with any cancer, the earlier the detection and diagnosis, the better the chances of beating it. That fact alone should be enough to get most people in to see us every six months.

Finally, when it comes to dental health, your toothbrush and dental floss are your best friends. Brush and floss at least twice a day. When you brush, you remove the plaque that builds up on your teeth and causes cavities. Flossing gets out the gunk that builds up between the teeth.

And there you have it: a more detailed discussion on the importance of dental health, and seeing us twice a year at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park. Our services include family and restorative dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

Jul19

Gum Disease And Tooth Loss

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry, Gum Disease, Oral Health

One out of every ten American adults is likely to get some form of gum disease by the time they’re sixty-four years old. At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we provide treatment for gum disease.

First things first. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, and is associated with health issues like diabetes and heart disease. So brush and floss your teeth every day – twice a day, in fact. If you don’t, your chances of getting gum disease increase.

In addition to age, other risk factors for gum disease include tobacco use. Health experts say that tobacco is one of the most significant risk factors for getting gum disease. If you don’t smoke, don’t start, and if you do smoke (or chew), quit.

It appears some people are genetically predisposed to gum disease. Even when they take great care of their teeth, such people may still be more likely to get it. If you think it runs in your family, don’t despair.  Getting early intervention treatment may help.

Stress, too, is another risk factor for gum disease. Stress may make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection.

Poor nutrition and teeth grinding or clenching can also put you at greater risk of developing gum disease.

Finally, certain medications can affect your oral health and make you more prone to gum disease. If you have any concerns, ask us at your next appointment.

If you are showing any signs of gum disease at all, such as bleeding when you brush your teeth, let us know at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park. We also offer a full range of family and cosmetic dentistry services. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 6724
Jul12

Watch Out For Hidden Sugar

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry

Family Dentist Comstock Park

Most of us consume far too much sugar. That isn’t exactly a news flash, but at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we want to remind you what sugar can do to your teeth, and what you can do about it.

We get cavities when acids in the mouth attack the enamel and dentin of the teeth. The acid is produced by bacteria in plaque, that sticky film that forms on the surfaces of teeth. When sugar is introduced it interacts with the bacteria in the plaque, and makes the acids, which attack the teeth and cause cavities.

That’s why it is so important to choose food and drink wisely. But it isn’t easy, is it? Sugar seems to be in just about everything, even things you wouldn’t suspect, like ketchup. Health experts say the average person in the United States consumes about 19.5 teaspoons of sugar every single day. That is twice as much as recommended by the American Heart Association!

Knowing how much sugar is in the food that you buy is vital: not just to your teeth, but to your overall health. Reading ingredient labels on processed foods is essential.

Of course, some things are obvious. Eliminate or minimize the sweet stuff, like soda, candy, cookies, cakes, and donuts. Sweet things may seem to make life worthwhile, but there is a high cost.

If you have an incurable sweet tooth, you might try softening the blow by eating more fruit. The natural sugars in fruit aren’t as harmful as those in processed foods. And remember this: a very wise person once said that we like the things that we learn to like.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we care about the dental health of each of our patients. So cut back on sugar, brush your teeth at least twice a day, don’t forget to floss, and see us for a professional cleaning and checkup every six months. Our services include general, cosmetic and family dentistry. Schedule your next appointment with us today.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 4601
Jul5

How To Beat Plaque

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, Family Dentistry, Oral Health

Plaque is that sticky, filmy stuff that forms on teeth. It is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease. And that, in turn, is why the team at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park reminds all of our patients to brush and floss their teeth twice a day.

Plaque forms when foods with sugars and starches are not brushed away. The bacteria that naturally occurs in your mouth, thrive on these sugars and starches and produce acids. Over time these acids destroy tooth enamel, leaving you with a cavity. Or maybe two.

Plaque is mostly colorless. When it isn’t brushed away, it leaves you with that rough or fuzzy feeling on the surface of your teeth.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR TEETH!

Keep your teeth clean by brushing and flossing.

  • Brush at least twice each day, for two minutes.
  • Use a soft-bristle toothbrush.
  • Be sure to get along the gumline, that place where your teeth and gums meet.
  • Use a toothpaste with fluoride.
  • Floss between the teeth to get bacteria and food debris.
  • Ask us whether dental sealants are a good idea for you.

Plaque is always going to be there. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly can keep it under control and greatly reduce your chances of developing cavities and gum disease. If it hardens into tartar it can only be removed with a professional cleaning.

Having your teeth cleaned and examined at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park should be part of your strategy for beating plaque and having a beautiful, healthy smile. Our services include family, cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Call our office today to schedule your next appointment!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321