Dental hygiene

Feb3

Have Your Dessert! (If You Must)

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, Diabetes, Oral Health

Have Your Dessert Comstock Park

Do you have a sweet tooth? Join the club! No one confuses dessert with healthy food, but for many of our patients at Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, it’s just not realistic to recommend avoiding sugary treats.

If you fit that category, here is something useful to know: eating sweets at certain times is better for your teeth than others. For instance, when you eat a full meal, your saliva production increases. Saliva is necessary to neutralize acids and rinse bits of food off of teeth.

That means that sweets consumed after meals present a lower risk to your teeth, because your mouth is already in optimum cleansing mode. Sweets after meals are preferable to sweets eaten between meals as snacks.

Additionally, remember that the type of treat is as important as when you eat it. We constantly remind our patients that sticky candies stay on your teeth for a long time, even when your saliva is flowing. And hard candies that you suck for an extended time give bacteria a perfect environment to create dangerous enamel-weakening acids.

A good choice? Chocolate! A lot of our patients are happy to hear that. Plain old chocolate (no nuts, no chewy inside) melts away quickly and won’t stick to your teeth. Just be sure to brush before bed!

At Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, our services include cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, and orthodontics. People from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI come to our practice for their needs. Call to schedule your next checkup today!

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Jul15

How To Make Brushing Your Teeth A Habit

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, General Dentistry

How To Make Brushing Your Teeth A Habit

Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day is one of the best things you can do to maintain good dental health. You’ve probably heard us say that more than once, at Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI.

Not many patients like to admit it, but studies show that some people have a hard time working regular brushing into their daily schedule. If that sounds like you, please keep reading. We’ve got five tips to help turn brushing into a habit.

  1. In Plain Sight: Leaving your toothbrush where you’re sure to see it will remind you. In a cup on the bathroom counter, or in a holder just by it, are tried-and-true techniques.
  2. Find A Toothbrush You Like: Leaving it in plain sight is part one. Part two? A toothbrush you like! A brush with a comfortable handle can be a pleasure to use.
  3. Toothpaste Choices: There’s a wide selection of toothpaste out there. You may want something specific, like a sensitive-teeth paste, or one that whitens. Just make sure you like the flavor, and that it contains fluoride. Read the label!
  4. Make It Fun: Making it enjoyable is a great motivator. You like your toothbrush and toothpaste. Now, how about listening to your favorite music when you brush? Or brushing while you watch TV or listen to a podcast?
  5. Add It To Your To-Do List: A lot of us are motivated by lists. Having a to-do list of daily activities that includes brushing might encourage you to pick up the toothbrush. It can be satisfying to check off another item on your list.

That’s five. We have more! Set an alarm. Brush in the shower. Right after breakfast. Right before bed. Whatever works! At Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI we want all our patients to have clean teeth and healthy gums. Brush twice a day, remember to floss, and see us for regular checkups. People from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI come to our practice for family and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

ArticleID 7779
Nov26

To Chew Or Not To Chew

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, General Dentistry

To Chew Or Not To Chew In Comstock Park

Hello gum chewers! In this post from Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we’re going to talk about that chewing gum. You know there can be benefits to gum chewing, but isn’t it a big risk for tooth decay?

It really depends on the type of gum. Chewing regular sucrose-based gum may be helpful in removing bits of food from the surface of teeth, but that benefit is negated by the stream of sugar washing over your teeth as you chew.

However, gum with some alternative sweeteners has an added benefit for your pearly whites. Xylitol is a sweetener which not only has fewer calories than traditional sugars, but it also has antimicrobial properties that lessen plaque build-up. This means that xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes decay.

So if you’re headed out to a restaurant, bring a pack of sugar-free gum with after your meal. Of course, brushing and flossing are the ideal practices for your oral health, but when you can’t brush, select a sugarless gum with xylitol.

At Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we encourage regular cleanings and checkups. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Our patients come to us from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI for Invisalign clear braces, implant dentistry and much more. Call to schedule an appointment today!

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

ArticleID 3888
Aug28

Do Kids Get Periodontal Disease?

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, Family Dentistry

kids gum disease treatment Comstock Park

Most parents are concerned about cavities, and rightly so. Tooth decay in children is serious and widespread. But as we remind parents at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, kids are at risk for all the same oral ailments as grownups.

That includes gum disease. Let’s discuss it.

Gum disease is caused by plaque buildup. Food particles mixed with saliva generate a sticky film called plaque. Plaque produces bacteria. If not removed by brushing and flossing, the bacteria multiply and plaque builds up on the teeth.

The gums respond by becoming sore and inflamed. Plaque buildup hardens into calculus. Calculus cannot be removed by a toothbrush or dental floss. Calculus can be removed during a professional dental cleaning.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we treat every member of your household with our complete family dentistry. People from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI see us for cosmetic, restorative, implant and Invisalign orthodontics. Call for 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

 

ArticleID 8217
Jul3

Do You Eat A Smile-Healthy Diet?

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, Family Dentistry

Maintaining healthy teeth is an important concern to us at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park. We want all of our patients to enjoy healthy teeth and gums.

Keeping your teeth healthy requires thorough brushing and flossing, every single day. Regular cleanings and checkups are also necessary for preventing cavities and maintaining good dental health.

It’s easy to overlook the fact that a healthy diet is beneficial to your teeth. A diet that includes foods that help your muscles and bones will also help you develop healthy gums and teeth. Foods rich in vitamin C, like fruits and vegetables, help improve the health of your gums. Zinc and magnesium are also good for the health of your teeth and are found in foods like lean beef, fish, and poultry.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we want all our patients to enjoy good dental health. People throughout Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI come to our practice for family, cosmetic and restorative 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

 

ArticleID 5592
May15

Between-Meal Cleaning

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, General Dentistry

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we always remind our patients to brush their teeth after every meal. Happily, most of our patients take that advice to heart.

But what are you supposed to do in the middle of the day? You’re out and about, and your usual stuff – that favorite toothbrush and paste, the container of dental floss – is at home in the bathroom.

What’s the best way to keep your teeth clean between meals?

One of the best things you can do is rinse your mouth with water after you eat. It’s no substitute for brushing and flossing, of course, but will give your whole mouth a quick cleansing.

A quick brushing is good, too. One trick is what we call dry brushing. That means brushing your teeth without toothpaste. Yes, it sounds a bit strange – but it’s effective, especially if you can use a little water, too. It isn’t the way you would brush at home, of course, but it’s going to clean the surfaces of your teeth – and that’s half the battle.

The other half of the battle is the stuff that gets between your teeth. A good solution here is using floss picks. In the short-term they’re a good stand-in for regular dental floss, and because they have a little handle, you can do it one-handed and without the aid of a mirror. (Just be sure you use regular floss later on, before bed.)

Another effective trick is chewing sugarless gum. It only takes about five minutes of chewing to get the benefits. The gum will remove a lot of the surface debris from your teeth. It also gets your saliva going, which in turn promotes re-mineralization, the process of replacing minerals in your teeth.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we want all of our patients to take care of their teeth during the day. People from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI schedule appointments for cosmetic, family and restorative dentistry. Call for 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

Mar27

The Future Of Tooth Decay In Comstock Park

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, Family Dentistry

The Future Of Tooth Decay In Comstock Park

Tooth decay is the single most common dental issue there is. Unlike a cut on your finger, a cavity will not heal itself. In a worst case scenario, an untreated cavity can lead to future problems, up to and including tooth loss. That’s why we stress regular brushing and flossing to all of our patients, at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park!

Cavities form 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. Health experts say the average person in the United States consumes about 19.5 teaspoons of sugar every single day! That’s twice as much as is 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.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. So cut back on sugar, brush and floss your teeth, and see us for a cleaning and checkup every six months. Our services include family and cosmetic 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

 

ArticleID 4071
Feb7

Save Your Breath

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

bad breath treatments Comstock Park

This post from Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park focuses on a problem experienced by many people, bad breath.

Bad breath, or halitosis, has several causes. The most common is poor oral hygiene. Halitosis often happens in the middle of the day, due to an inability to brush between meals. Small food pieces on the teeth, gums, and tongue grow bacteria. This in turn creates a sulfur compound, which emits the unpleasant odor.

While poor oral hygiene is the most common cause, other circumstances can contribute to or worsen the problem. The best remedy is regular brushing and flossing, but other actions might also be needed.

For example, a salivary gland problem or certain medications can cause dry mouth. Saliva moistens the teeth and gums, clearing away odiferous dead cells. Saliva also neutralizes the ever-present acids on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. Limiting caffeine, chewing sugar-free gum, using OTC saliva substitutes, and using a humidifier can add moisture to the mouth.

Remember, the best defense against bad breath is a good dental care routine – daily brushing and flossing, and regular visits to the dentist.

If you struggle with bad breath in spite of vigilant oral hygiene, ask about it at your next checkup with Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park. Our services include family, cosmetic 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

 

ArticleID 7100
Jan17

If My Gums Bleed, Should I Stop Flossing?

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, General Dentistry

If your gums bleed when you floss your teeth, should you drop flossing from your dental health routine? We’re asked about this from time to time at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park.

Our answer is short and sweet: “No!”

Bleeding is probably a sign that you need to clean your teeth and gums more thoroughly—not leave them alone. It is all but impossible to clean effectively between teeth without using floss or an interdental brush.

If you have never made flossing a habit before, your gums might bleed the first few times you use do it. The bleeding may be due to gum inflammation, the beginnings of gum disease. Keep flossing gently and the bleeding usually stops within a week or two.

Gum disease is extremely common, and is a leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Healthy teeth and gums are essential for good dental health.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we want all our patients to brush and floss twice a day, and see us for regular checkups. We treat gum disease, and offer a wide range of family and cosmetic dentistry services. Call to 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

Jan10

5 Critical Things To Know About Periodontal Disease

Categories: Dental health, Dental hygiene, Family Dentistry, Gum Disease

gum disease exam Comstock Park

Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is inflammation or infection of the gums. For the most part, periodontal disease is preventable. Yet it is so widespread in the United States that it has been called a health crisis by the American Dental Association. Fortunately, periodontal disease can be treated at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park.

  1. If left untreated, it can cause permanent damage such as tooth loss.
  2. Practicing proper dental hygiene and having regular dental cleanings and exams are the best way to prevent periodontal disease.
  3. Periodontal disease can occur without the presence of tooth decay.
  4. Almost half of all 30+ adults in the US have periodontal disease.
  5. In some cases, periodontal disease produces no noticeable symptoms.

Risk factors for periodontal disease include tobacco use, poor oral hygiene (especially failing to floss), genetics, teeth grinding, inflammatory conditions, and poor nutrition.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park, gum disease can be treated. We offer complete family and cosmetic dentistry services. Call us 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

 

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