How to Prevent Tooth Decay In Comstock Park

How to Prevent Tooth Decay In Comstock Park

Tooth decay, also known as “dental caries,” is a common dental problem that affects people of all ages in <~City~>. It occurs when bacteria in the mouth break down the sugars in food and produce acid, which erodes the enamel on teeth.

Over time, this erosion can lead to cavities, which can cause pain, sensitivity, and even tooth loss. However, tooth decay is preventable with proper dental care and hygiene.

  • The first step in preventing tooth decay is to establish good oral hygiene habits.

This includes brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once a day. Brushing helps remove plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and can lead to decay. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach. Mouthwash can also be used as an additional step to kill bacteria and freshen breath.

  • In addition to brushing and flossing, it’s important to watch what you eat and drink.

Sugary and starchy foods can provide fuel for the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Try to limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks, such as candy, soda, and fruit juice. Instead, choose foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, which can help clean teeth and stimulate saliva production, which neutralizes acid in the mouth.

  • Another way to prevent tooth decay is to make sure you’re getting enough fluoride.

Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. Fluoride is often found in tap water, so if your water supply is not fluoridated, talk to us at Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry about fluoride supplements. Fluoride is also present in many toothpastes, mouthwashes, and dental treatments.

  • Regular dental checkups and cleanings are also important for preventing tooth decay.

Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry can examine your teeth for signs of decay and catch problems early, before they become more serious. We can also clean your teeth, removing plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to decay. If Drs. Eric Hull finds any issues, such as cavities or early signs of gum disease, we can recommend treatment to prevent further damage.

In addition to these general preventive measures, there are other steps you can take to protect your teeth in Comstock Park.

  • If you grind your teeth or play contact sports, wearing a mouthguard can help protect your teeth from damage.
  • If you smoke or use tobacco products, quitting can help reduce your risk of gum disease and tooth loss.
  • And if you have a dry mouth, which can increase your risk of decay, Drs. Eric Hull can recommend products to help keep your mouth moist.

Overall, preventing tooth decay requires a commitment to good oral hygiene and regular dental care.

By brushing and flossing regularly, limiting sugary and starchy foods, getting enough fluoride, and seeing your dentist regularly, you can reduce your risk of tooth decay and maintain a healthy smile.

So if you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, now is the time to make an appointment. Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry can help you develop a personalized plan for preventing tooth decay and maintaining good oral health for life.

Preventing tooth decay is essential for maintaining good oral health. By following a few simple steps, such as brushing and flossing regularly, eating a healthy diet, and seeing your dentist regularly, you can reduce your risk of decay and keep your teeth and gums healthy.

…So don’t wait – make an appointment with Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry, your Comstock Park dentist today to get started on the path to a healthier smile!

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

These Holidays, Gift Yourself A New Smile!

We know the holidays can be a time to re-prioritize and think a bit on what’s important to you. While many are busy buying expensive gifts or gym memberships, Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI wants you to think of yourself first. Specifically, your smile.

After all, your smile is a window into well-being, and when it looks best, you not only feel best, but people treat you like you do.

So, in essence, when you look into cosmetic dentistry options like teeth whitening, dental veneers, or dental implants, you’re not only thinking of your appearance, but your whole quality of life. You deserve a social life that you’re a confident player in. You also deserve a pain-free smile that you’re proud to show off to your friends.

All this is achievable with our cosmetic options. Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI wants you to face this new year with a new smile. What’s more, with all those delicious – but sticky – holiday meals around the corner, it’s the best time to look into our general and family dentistry and prepare your enamel for what’s to come. We serve satisfied patients in Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI. 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

Prevent Tooth Decay!

We tend to associate cavities with children, but the truth is that you can get a cavity at any age. You can minimize the risk, and even prevent cavities, with daily brushing and regular checkups at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park.

Most people have at least one cavity by the time they reach adulthood. Cavities means the plaque on your teeth has converted to acid from food debris. These acids eat through the tooth enamel and create a hole, or cavity. We treat cavities by cleaning out the surrounding tooth area and filling it.

PROPER BRUSHING

Most of us have been brushing our teeth since we were kids, and know what we’re doing. But there is always room to improve, so here are a few basics about the right way to clean your teeth.

  • Floss. Begin by flossing. String floss is preferred over one of those little floss picks. Work a strand between each tooth and its neighbor to remove any food debris.
  • Brush. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and plenty of toothpaste. Then brush your teeth in a slow circular motion. Be sure you get along the gumline and all surfaces of the tooth: inside, outside, and chewing surfaces. Brush for at least two minutes!

Some people prefer to floss after brushing. This is one of those six of one, half a dozen of the other situations. Just be sure to floss!

Daily brushing, flossing and regular checkups at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park are the best ways to prevent tooth decay. People from Ada, Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI come to our practice for complete family dentistry. They improve their smiles with  our cosmetic dentistry and Invisalign clear braces. 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

 

We Love Patient Referrals!

pediatric dentist Comstock Park

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, many of our new patients come to us on the recommendation of a current patient. It’s important to any dental practice to get new patients, but when they come to us because a current patient is pleased with our care, it is very flattering.

We strive for excellence in dentistry. What do we mean by striving for excellence? Dentistry is at the core of what we do, but excellence is more than that. A positive patient experience begins with their initial contact, whether it’s on the phone with one of our staff members or a visit to our website. Use our site to find our office, and get useful information about services.

When our patients recommend us to others, it tells us we’re doing things right. Patients from Ada, Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI come to Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park for family, cosmetic and implant dentistry, and for Invisalign clear braces. Please 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

 

ArticleID 8192

A Brighter Smile At Your Convenience

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, patients often ask how to get whiter teeth. For the best results, we recommend professional teeth whitening.

There are plenty of over-the-counter whitening products in any grocery store. The results they produce are okay. But who wants to settle for okay? Nothing you get at the store has the whitening power of professional-strength products.

We use Zoom! teeth whitening. Zoom! uses a light-activated gel to whiten your teeth up to eight shades. It’s fast, and very effective.

If you want the brightest possible smile, youcan get it with professional teeth whitening at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park. Patients from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI come to our office for whitening and other cosmetic dentistry services. 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 8204

The Top CPAP Alternative in Comstock Park

CPAP alternative Grand Rapids

Sleep apnea is a serious condition affecting millions of Americans. Fortunately it’s treatable. A device called CPAP is considered the gold standard. Unfortunatley a lot of people can’t stand CPAP. At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, there is an alternative.

CPAP, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, requires you to wear a mask during sleep. As effective as the machine is, a lot of people find the mask intolerable. Unfortunately, many of them just stop wearing it.

ORAL APPLIANCES

Research has shown that oral appliances are very effective for treating mild to moderate sleep apnea. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says they are comparable to CPAP in these cases.

They look a lot like an ordinary mouth guard, and work by repositioning the jaw to a more forward position. This moves the tongue forward, too, to help open your airway.

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we provide oral appliances to those patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. We’ve prescribed them for people in Ada, Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford MI, who also come to us for familycosmeticand restorative dentistry. 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 8299

Oral Appliance Therapy For Sleep Apnea

oral appliance for sleep apnea Comstock Park

The word “apnea” comes from Greek, and it means “without breath.” Sleep apnea, then, is sleeping without breath: a condition in which someone’s breathing stops involuntarily during sleep. It is serious, but treatable at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park.

Sleep apnea is more common than you may realize, affecting more than eighteen million Americans. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, headaches, and heart disease, among other conditions.

TYPES AND SYMPTOMS

There are three main types of sleep apnea:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type. It occurs when the throat muscles relax during sleep.
  • Central sleep apnea is when the brain doesn’t get the body’s signals that control breathing.
  • Complex sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Anyone can get sleep apnea, even children. But it’s more common in men than women. The most common symptoms include:

  • Loud snoring
  • Gasping for breath during sleep
  • Headaches in the morning
  • Waking up with a dry mouth
  • Insomnia
  • Excessive sleepiness during the day
  • Shortened attention span
  • Irritability

All of this may sound frightening, and it can be. But there is hope, too, because sleep apnea can be treated with an oral appliance from Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park. Patients from Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI come to our office for treatment, for our comprehensive general and family dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. If you think that you may have sleep apnea, please contact 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 7586

Is A Tooth Implant The Same As A Dental Crown?

tooth implants and crowns Comstock Park

What’s the difference between a dental implant and a crown? The relationship between a dental implant and a crown can be confusing. They can be combined in one procedure. At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, both can be used with other dental restorations.

Let’s clear up the confusion.

1. A tooth implant can work as a foundation for a crown.

A complete dental implant restoration includes the implant itself – a strong metal post (artificial root) – a connecting piece (abutment), and a crown.

2. A crown can be used to protect a weakened tooth.

Removing tooth decay weakens the tooth. Once the decay is removed, a filling may not be enough to restore necessary strength. Likewise, after a root canal procedure, the remaining tooth may need strengthening. A crown may be used in both of these circumstances. A strong, natural looking crown protects the remaining tooth and functions like a natural tooth.

3. A crown can be attached to a dental bridge.

When a tooth has been taken out, a dental bridge may be used to restore part of it. The reason we say ‘part’ is because a dental bridge does not restore the root of the tooth. A crown can be attached to a dental bridge to restore the visible part of the missing tooth. A dental bridge used to replace one tooth requires the removal of tooth structure from adjacent teeth. With a bridge, it commands three crowns to replace one missing tooth!

Do you think there can be issues with this type of restoration? You are correct. A dental implant makes much more sense for most patients. Talk to Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry for more details about why this is true.

 

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 8099

Are Dentures Inevitable?

Implant Anchored Dentures in Comstock Park

Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and with good dental hygiene at home and regular checkups at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, they should. But even with the best intentions things sometimes go wrong. Implant-supported dentures are an ideal solution for anyone who has lost their natural teeth.

Dental implants are titanium posts that are inserted into the jawbone, where they fuse with the bone. Once they do, they become rock-solid supports for replacement teeth.

Those posts are what make all the difference. Conventional dentures rest on top of the gums, with only a little adhesive paste to keep them in place. Consequently, biting and chewing is not very easy. They can also cause sore spots on the gums.

Furthermore, bone recession is often associated with conventional dentures. That means the jaw bone shrinks, because there aren’t any teeth to stimulate it. An unfortunate by-product of this is a sagging appearance in the face.

Since they are physically attached to the jaw, dental implants prevent bone recession. The implants act as new tooth roots and provide the stimulation needed for healthy bone. They also don’t slip, giving you virtually normal biting and chewing ability.

Properly cared for, implant-supported dentures from Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park can last for decades. Along with custom dentures, they are among our many restorative dentistry options. Please 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

 

ArticleID 1234

Gap-Tooth Smiles Aren’t Quite As Adorable Anymore

dental implant cost Rockford missing teeth

Have you lost teeth recently? It’s a lot different than when you lost your baby teeth way back in the day. Unfortunately, these don’t grow back and a gap-toothed smile doesn’t look as adorable as it did when you were in elementary school. If you have had teeth extracted or if your teeth are compromised by staining, decay, chipping, or brittle aging, then it’s time to visit Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry.

When it comes to the prospect of losing your adult teeth, the preference is always to save your natural teeth. If this is not viable, we offer several ways to maintain your ability to eat, drink, speak, laugh, and smile with confidence.

Dental Veneers
If you still have your teeth but are not satisfied with them, these might be your answer. Stunning porcelain veneers offer a reasonably-priced approach to cosmetic adjustments—uneven color, size, or shape. These are very thin shells bonded to the front of the teeth. They improve unattractive, but structurally sound teeth.

Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is used where a tooth is missing. It “bridges” a gap between teeth. It is a restoration with a false tooth attached to the surrounding teeth. Dental bridges have been used successfully for decades.

Dental Implant
A dental implant is a more extensive replacement for a missing tooth. An implant consists of an artificial tooth plus an artificial root. With local anesthesia, the artificial root is actually inserted into the jaw bone where it integrates with the bone tissue. An implant is often the prime restoration as it offers beauty, strength, natural function, and protection from bone recession that often occurs at the site of a missing tooth.

Dentures
A denture is a plate holding artificial teeth that can be removed by the wearer. These are custom-made and can contain varying numbers of teeth. Sometimes the entire set of upper and lower teeth have to be pulled and a denture created. Modern dentistry offers a myriad of custom dental implant-denture combinations to restore missing teeth.

Don’t worry about losing the adult teeth you’ve been enjoying all these years. Schedule your initial consultation at 616-784-2377 or visit us at 769 York Creek Dr NW in Comstock Park, Michigan We are perfectly situated for our neighbors throughout the Grand Rapids area. Your consultation will include a customized treatment plan for restoring teeth, an outline of associated costs, and a schedule for completing the work. Come with questions and leave with answers.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321