General Dentistry

A smile can reflect a good heart and your best intentions. It’s one of your most valuable assets, and at Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we remind you to do whatever you can to protect it.

We’ve drawn up a list of five things we call “smile wreckers.”

• Sports Injuries. Nothing can wreck your smile faster than a knocked-out tooth, and playing sports can really put yours at risk. Even sports we think of as non-contact, like basketball, can get you an accidental elbow to the mouth. We’d never say don’t play; it’s too much fun. But always – repeat, always – wear a mouth guard when you play.
• Ice Chomping. Who isn’t tempted to crunch that ice at the bottom of your cup? There’s no sugar and no calories, so it may seem harmless enough. But biting down on something hard and frozen can chip or crack one or more teeth.
• Too Much Coffee. A lot of people rely on that morning cup to jump start the day. But coffee is a notorious stainer, and can give your teeth an unsightly brown tint. We’re realistic enough to not recommend giving it up. But try to drink some water afterward to rinse out any residue.
• Sticky Candy. First of all, we’ll never say that any candy is okay, since it’s all loaded with cavity-causing sugar. But the stickier the candy, the worse it is for teeth. That’s because, well, it’s sticky, and stays on your teeth a long time. If there’s such a thing as good candy, it’s chocolate. Yes, chocolate! We mean the kind without nuts or a sticky center. It washes off the teeth quickly and easily. (Pro tip: dark chocolate has less sugar than milk chocolate.)
• Overbrushing. Yes, it is possible to brush your teeth too hard. We recommend brushing twice a day. But we also recommend a light touch: brushing harder and longer won’t get your teeth any cleaner, and you really can hurt tooth enamel and your gums. Two minutes is enough. Use a soft-bristle brush and replace it every few months.

At Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we want you to have the best smile possible, and that means doing everything you can to protect it. Our services include family and restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Patients throughout Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI also love our Invisalign clear braces. Call us to schedule your next checkup today!

Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

This message from Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park is about tooth enamel. Though thin and partially translucent, tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body and has the critical job of protecting teeth from constant use and from the assault of chemicals in food and drink.

Enamel also safeguards tooth nerves from hot and cold food and beverages. That’s why enamel loss often causes tooth sensitivity.

Cuts heal. Bruises fade. Broken bones mend. The body’s ability to heal itself is truly extraordinary. But tooth enamel is different. When it’s gone, it’s gone. We encourage our patients to shield their tooth enamel for a lifetime of dental health.

This may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes it is better NOT to brush immediately after eating. Specifically, after eating acidic items. The acid weakens the enamel which can be further weakened by brushing. Waiting 60 minutes will allow the acid to dilute. Rinsing immediately after eating acidic foods is also helpful, because it washes away some food particles and speeds up the dilution of the acid.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park the dental health of each patient is important to us. Find out why people from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI come to us for clear braces from Invisalign, complete cosmetic dentistry, and much more. 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

In this post from Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we focus on three common myths about dental health.

• All Sugar Is Equally Bad For Teeth. We all know that sugar increases our risk of tooth decay, but some types are worse than others. Sugar-based foods that sit on the teeth are more dangerous than those that are swallowed immediately. For example, sipping a soda or sucking on a mint can be worse than eating a candy bar all at once.
• Don’t Worry About Baby Teeth; They Will Just Fall Out. Baby teeth serve several important purposes. They allow kids to eat and speak properly. They retain proper spacing for permanent teeth.
• Pulling A Tooth Is Just As Good As A Root Canal. We will let the American Associate of Endodontists explain this one: “Saving your natural teeth, if possible, is the very best option … Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulp and is usually less expensive than extraction and placement of a bridge or an implant. Endodontic treatment also has a very high success rate.”

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we offer complete general and cosmetic dentistry services. People throughout Ada, Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI also come to our practice for dental implants, Invisalign clear braces, and much more. 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

This message from Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park is for anyone who is finding it difficult to improve their dental health. We urge you to keep working at it and assure you that we’re here to help!

KEEP TRYING TO FLOSS

Many people are good about brushing their teeth, but sometimes skip flossing. This is a bad idea. Flossing is the only way to clean food debris and plaque from between teeth.

Failure to floss can lead to cavities, and even gum disease. Our recommendation? Brush twice a day, and floss before going to bed at night.

KEEP TRYING TO QUIT TOBACCO

Smoking is as bad for your teeth and gums as it is for other parts of your body. If you’ve tried to quit but just can’t, you’re far from alone.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, former smokers now outnumber active smokers. Everyone who has kicked the habit was once right where you are. Keep trying!

KEEP GETTING CHECKUPS

Regular cleanings and checkups are a critical part of maintaining good dental health. Along with brushing and flossing, they are your first line of defense against tooth decay. On average, we recommend a checkup every six months. Some patients can spread them out a little more, and others may need more frequent visits.

Remember, the link between your dental health and overall health is well-established. Patients come to Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI for general and cosmetic dentistry, clear braces from Invisalign, and much more. Schedule your next checkup 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

Here’s a reminder from Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park: when you go to the store for oral care products, make sure your purchase carries the seal of the American Dental Association.

You can depend on the American Dental Association (ADA), which only places its seal on a product after it has been evaluated to be safe and effective. This means that companies have to meet standards even higher than those required by law.

Making sure to purchase products with the seal is practically like shopping with a dentist by your side!

The products you use at home are just one part of the dental health equation. The other part is seeing us at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park for regular cleanings and checkups! People from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI trust us with their smiles, and come to our office for general dentistry, Invisalign clear braces, and much more. Call to 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