Oral Health

Mar17

Teeth Protection for Exercise and Sports

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry, Missing Teeth, Oral Health, Oral Safety

Keep Your Teeth Safe, Comstock Park

There are more ways to exercise than ever before. In Comstock Park, we have personal trainers, all-purpose gyms, HIIT, barre, yoga, Zumba, spin classes, specialty facilities, and recreational sports.

Sports and Exercise Can Be Risky for Your Teeth

At Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we want our patients to be aware that many activities pose a risk to teeth.

You may believe that mouthguards are only for boxers and pro football players. Actually, mouthguards can and should be used during any activity where impact to the face is possible.

This includes many common sports such as pick-up basketball games, and volleyball, and bicycling. When you have a properly fitted mouth protector, you can prevent broken or lost teeth as well as lip, tongue, and jaw injuries.

At Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we remind our patients that sports mouthguards aren’t just for kids. Another misconception is that they are only necessary for contact sports. We’ve treated plenty of oral injuries that happened during solo activities like mountain biking.

All Mouthguards Aren’t Create Equal

Mouth protectors come in three main types: stock, boil and bite, and custom-fitted. The stock mouth protectors are pre-formed and ready to wear. Unfortunately, they rarely fit well.

You can find boil and bite mouth protectors at sporting goods stores. They are to be softened in water and then formed to your mouth (make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions).

Custom-fitted mouth protectors can be made by your dentist to make sure you have a perfect fit.

The soft tissues that line your cheeks and lips are especially susceptible to injury when you have braces or fixed bridge work. Plus these expensive appliances can be damaged as well. For these reasons, a mouth protector is extremely important for patients undergoing these treatments. Your orthodontist may even recommend a mouth protector for your lower teeth as well.

If you have questions about sports dentistry any other dental issues, please contact our office and schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you.

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

Mar10

Oral Health During Pregnancy

Categories: Dental health, Oral Health, Oral Safety

Comstock Park dental exam during pregnancy

This post from Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI is for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Carrying a precious baby can not only consume your time; it can divert your attention from other things. As valued as your little bundle of joy will be, don’t forget your needs and your vitality during these critical months.

It’s vital to understand that the changes your body experiences during pregnancy also impact dental health. Changes in your hormonal balance are needed for growing a new life, but they can also compromise your oral health during pregnancy.

Your gums are especially susceptible. Poor gum health can even affect your unborn child. The American Dental Association has conducted studies that show a slightly increased risk of low birth weight and pre-term infants in mothers with gum disease.

In order to keep your smile healthy, it is recommended you have a thorough checkup before you are pregnant. If you are already pregnant but haven’t visited a dentist in a while, give us a call at Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI. We offer complete dentistry services. Patients from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI also some to us for orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. Call for 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

Feb10

A Missing Tooth Can Lead to Bone Loss

Categories: Dental health, Missing Teeth, Oral Health, Oral Safety, Restorative dentistry

Rockford tooth implants

Dental implants from Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI support teeth so lifelike, patients have been known to forget some of their teeth aren’t real. That’s now natural their look and function is.

Those simple facts are enough to make most people choose dental implants if they need to replace one or more of their teeth. Then they learn that in addition to those benefits, implants can actually preserve and promote healthy bone mass in their jaws.

Dental Implants and Bone Loss

An unfortunate consequence of losing teeth is that the surrounding bone begins to atrophy. This begins almost immediately, and is usually noticeable within a year or so. The person’s face takes on a shrunken or sagging appearance. The more teeth that are missing, the more pronounced it is.

This happens because of the missing tooth root. But because dental implants are physically attached to the jaw, they mimic the root. The natural biting and chewing motions stimulate the bone and encourage new tissue to grow around the implant.

One dental implant can support one artificial tooth, and several can support a bridge, and even a full dental arch. At Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI we have placed them in patients fromAda, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI. They also come to us for restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry . Please give our office a 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

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

Mar11

Why Trust Your Smile to Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry?

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

Comstock Parkaffordable cosmetic dentistry

Good dental health means having healthy teeth and gums. Maintaining it is something that you have to work at every day.

It can be a real balancing act: using the right oral care products, your personal oral care habits, and seeing us at Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI at least twice a year.

Your dental health strategy should include:

  1. Daily brushing and flossing. You should brush and floss twice a day. Just before bedtime is especially important, because it cleans out the germs and plaque that build up during the course of the day.
  2. Proper brushing. It’s important not only to brush, but to brush properly. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush in a gentle, circular motion along the gum line. Take your time; a minimum of two minutes is recommended. Don’t forget to brush your tongue!
  3. Using fluoridated toothpaste. There are dozens of choices when it comes to toothpaste. Whether you prefer mint flavored or bubble gum, fluoride is the most important consideration. It can help strengthen your teeth and maintain that smile!
  4. Limiting sugary and acidic foods. Acidic fruits, teas, and coffee contributes to enamel erosion. Sugar converts into acid when it’s in your mouth. You don’t have to avoid these foods entirely, but choose carefully and minimize your intake.
  5. Seeing the dentist twice a year. Your daily dental health care habits are essential, but so is the attention and care of a dentist. A professional tooth cleaning alone is worth the trip, but we can also identify issues before they become serious, and treat them.

At Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, we see patients from  Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI. Our services include cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, dental implants, and Invisalign orthodontics. 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 8574
Feb18

When Style And Oral Health Collide

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental health, Oral Health

At Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, we focus on cosmetic dentistry and patient-centered dental care. Today, we wanted to talk to you about the potential health benefits that cosmetic dentistry could bring you!

We know that the term ‘cosmetic’ might be fitting, but it can also be misleading. Most cosmetic dentistry procedures actually do double duty! They help you with the aesthetics of your smile and they also improve and maintain your dental health.

Our team has put together this simple list containing the health benefits of procedures that might seem, at first, to be purely cosmetic.

Oral Health Benefits

 

  • Zoom!® teeth whitening not only helps your smile shine brighter; it also helps keep your teeth healthy by removing stains. This strengthens your enamel and keeps your gums clean.
  • Porcelain veneers might be our most popular cosmetic option, but, in addition to the improvement of aesthetic smile consistency, they can protect the front of your teeth and create long-lasting, structural support for your jaw and teeth.
  • Invisalign® Clear Braces can correct smiles in need of some restructuring. In addition to giving you a red-carpet smile, these help keep your teeth and jaw lined-up and prevent overcrowding, allowing you to easily clean your teeth.
  • Chipped tooth repair can be crucial to your dental health. A cracked or broken tooth that has been repaired helps build a healthy oral ecosystem and keeps your other teeth healthy, too.

Cosmetic dentistry is where oral health and style combine. At Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, we serve  patients from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, who come to us for these and other cosmetic options, as well as restorative and implant dentistry. Contact us today to find out how you can look and feel healthier!

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

 

Jan28

5 Ways To Floss Daily

Categories: General Dentistry, Oral Health

Since flossing is such a cornerstone of dental health, the team at Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI has some tips for our patients. We have put together a short list of ideas for unique times to floss, so you can keep working this crucial practice into your daily oral health routine!

5 UNIQUE TIMES TO FLOSS

  1. If you’re an early riser, try flossing in the morning right after you brush. It can be satisfying to start the day with a clean slate!
  2. There’s never a better time than after lunch, before you go back to work.
  3. Before or after you exercise. Your oral health is just as important as your physical fitness. Keep some floss in your gym bag and give your teeth and gums some attention, along with the rest of your body.
  4. While watching Netflix, or the nightly news, is as good a time as any to give your teeth a quick floss. We recommend having floss picks handy to make it easy and quick!
  5. At the end of your day, before going to bed, is a great time to floss and remove food particles left throughout the day.

Along with brushing, flossing should be part of your daily routine. So should regular checkups at Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI. We offer complete general and cosmetic dentistry services that can make your smile shine! Satisfied patients from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI see us for chipped tooth repair, tooth-colored fillings, implant dentistry, and more. Contact us for 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 4849
Dec24

Regular Cleanings And Heart Health

Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry, Oral Health

Comstock Park Dental News Regular Cleanings And Heart Health

Visiting Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park for a dental checkup and cleaning every six months may seem inconvenient sometimes, but you may benefit in ways you’d never imagine.

A recent study showed that people who had their teeth professionally cleaned at least once every two years were 24 percent less likely to have a heart attack, compared to those who skipped appointments.

Not only that, but brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes may lower your risk of heart disease. The study says that people who brushed less than twice a day, and for less than two minutes, were three times as likely to have heart issues than those who brushed at least twice, and for at least two minutes.

A cardiologist who was not associated with the study said it’s possible that those who are attentive to their dental health may simply be more health conscious overall.

Still, researchers believe it strengthens the notion that there is a clear link between your dental health and your overall health.

At Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we encourage all our patients to brush their teeth for two minutes at least twice a day, and to floss, too. It’s the best way to keep cavities at bay. People from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI come to our practice for family and cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign clear braces, and much more. Schedule your next cleaning and 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

ArticleID 3698

Dec18

Get Those Teeth In Shape!

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

Regular exercise is essential to good health. When you’re physically fit then you look better, and more important, you feel better! And as we remind our patients here at Stewart & Hull General and Cosmetic Dentistry in Comstock Park, that goes for keeping your teeth in good shape, too!

If your eyes are the window to your soul, then your mouth may well be the window to your overall health. Research has shown there is a clear link between your dental health and your general health. It is safe to say that good dental health is necessary to your physical well-being throughout your life.

Here’s just one example: bacteria that starts in the mouth can cause infection in other parts of the body, especially if your immune system has been weakened by illness.

When you take good care of your teeth, you’re doing more for your well-being than you may ever have realized. So brush and floss every day, without fail, and see us for regular cleanings and checkups.

At Stewart & Hull General and Cosmetic Dentistry in Comstock Park we want you take keep yourself in shape with plenty of exercise. But never underestimate the importance of good dental health! People from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI come to our office for family and cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign clear braces, and much more. Call 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

 

ArticleID 6711
Nov20

If My Gums Bleed, Should I Stop Flossing?

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

bleeding gums Comstock Park

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, your gums might bleed the first few times you do it. The bleeding may be due to gum inflammation, the beginnings of gum disease. 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 procedures. Please 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

 

ArticleID 6969