Repeating a hit from last year, Dr. Bruce Stewart’s office had a staff outing to Chicago last weekend. The staff took the train to Chicago early Friday morning and returned later Saturday night. The weather cooperated and added to the enjoyment of all as we checked out some of Chicago’s newest and oldest stores, looking for bargains and unusual items for children and grandchildren back home. Friday night we gathered for a delicious dinner at an Italian restaurant. After hours of conversations and laughter, the trip back was much quieter than the trip down. A great time was had by all!
Blog
What’s the deal with mouthwash?
Categories: Oral Health
While mouthwash is not an alternative to regular brushing and flossing, it can help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. There are several different types of mouthwashes available, and all of them will help do different things for your smile. The most common types of mouthwashes are:
• Fluoride – fluoride is the most used type of mouthwash available, and is used to strengthen the enamel of the teeth while preventing cavities and tooth decay.
• Antiseptic – an antiseptic mouthwash is used to kill bacteria and germs in the mouth. Most commonly used before and after a dental surgery, antiseptic mouthwashes can also help to fight gum disease, and halitosis (chronic bad breath). Antiseptic mouthwashes can affect your sense of taste and may stain the teeth, so it is recommended that you consult your dentist before using this type of mouthwash.
• Combination – a combination mouthwash is designed to help prevent tooth decay, freshen the breath, and maintain the health of your smile.
• Prescription – for patients with gum disease, or any signs of gum disease, you may need a prescription mouthwash. Prescription mouthwashes, like Peridex of PerioGard, are used to treat gingivitis, and other forms of decay.
There are also many different brands of mouthwash. Some common brands include:
• Scope
• Listerine
• Act
• Crest
• Tom’s of Maine (all-natural)
• Plax (anti-plaque rinse)
• Breath Rx
• Orajel
• Targon (special mouthwash made for smokers)
• Rembrandt (whitening mouthwash)
If you are curious about which kind of mouthwash would work best for you, be sure to ask us at your next appointment. If you have a favorite mouthwash, let us know by posting a comment for others to read!
– Dr. Bruce Stewart & team
Ask Dr. Stewart: If I have braces, do I still need a dental checkup every 6 months?
Categories: Oral Health
Thanks for the question! Yes! In fact, it’s even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit our office regularly. When you’re wearing braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush normally can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care. Our staff at Dr. Bruce Stewart’s office will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.
If it has been more than six months since your last visit to our Grand Rapids dental office, please give us a call! We look forward to your next visit!
The trouble with bottled water
Categories: Oral Health
Our team at Dr. Bruce Stewart’s office know that as more families turn to bottled water and away from the traditional tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride!
For more than 60 years, water fluoridation has proved to be a safe and cost-effective way to reduce dental caries. Today, water fluoridation is estimated to reduce tooth decay by 20- to 40 percent in children who have access to fluoridated toothpaste.
Bottled water, however, which remains one of the more popular drinks in the world, may not contain any fluoride, which is known to help prevent and even reverse the early stages of tooth decay. The majority of bottled waters on the market do not contain optimal levels (0.7-1.2 ppm) of fluoride, according to our friends at the American Dental Association, or ADA. Many dental health specialists suspect bottled water’s increased popularity as the culprit behind rising rates of cavities.
Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. So if bottled water is your water of choice, be sure to check the label to make sure that your brand contains fluoride. As of a 2006 decision, the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, allows bottled water containing .6 to 1.0 milligrams per liter (parts per million) of fluoride to carry a label stating that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay. The ADA has backed this decision.
Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your pearly whites in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake and visiting Dr. Stewart and our team at the office regularly.
What, exactly, is a root canal?
Categories: Dentistry
At Dr. Bruce Stewart’s office we know one thing no patient likes hearing when visiting our office is “root canal.” But what, exactly, is a root canal, and when might you need one? A root canal is a treatment Dr. Stewart uses to repair and save a tooth that is infected or badly decayed to the point where the nerve is involved. In the past, if a patient had a tooth with a diseased nerve, dentists in most cases would recommend an extraction. Today, however, with a procedure called root canal therapy, available at our office, you may save that tooth—and your beautiful smile—after all!
Here are some symptoms that indicate a decayed or infected tooth, courtesy of WebMD:
• Severe toothache pain upon chewing, biting or application of pressure
• One tooth consistently more sensitive to hot or cold than other teeth
• Pain that hurts without any stimulus, keeps you awake or wakes you up at night
• A tooth that feels loose
• Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth
• Pain that persists weeks following a filling or replacement of a filling
• Chronic pain and/or pressure that may extend to the ear, eye or neck
If any of these symptoms apply to you, we recommend you schedule an appointment with Dr. Stewart.
The best way to avoid a root canal is to practice good oral hygiene at home, and that includes brushing at least twice a day and flossing to reduce plaque and bacteria. For more tips on how to avoid root canal therapy or for general questions about your dental treatment, we invite you to ask Dr. Stewart during your next visit at our convenient Comstock Park office! We also invite you to ask us on Facebook!
Have you had a check-up lately?
Categories: Dentistry
Even if you brush and floss daily, it is still important to see us at Dr. Bruce Stewart every 6 months, or as recommended.
Why?
• We can detect and treat tooth and gum problems that you may have never felt or noticed.
• Even thorough daily oral care may not be enough to prevent cavities and oral decay.
• Frequent visits can allow us to treat a problem early to prevent future complications.
If you are overdue for an appointment with us, please give us a call today!
— Dr. Stewart & Team
This Year, Make a New Year’s Resolution to Smile About!
Categories: Oral Health
Let’s face it- when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? We at Dr. Bruce Stewart’s office believe the key to sticking to a goal is picking one that is both reasonable and attainable. If you haven’t yet picked a New Year’s resolution, consider setting one that will improve your oral health!
For example, resolve to brush twice and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health and overall health too! For more oral health-themed resolutions for you and your family, check out this article.
We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2012!
-Happy New Year, from your friends at Dr. Stewart’s office
Happy Holidays! From Dr. Stewart and team
Categories: Contests and Events
In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as Dr. Stewart and our team reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2012? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?
We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!
Emergency Care at Dr. Bruce Stewart’s office
Categories: Dentistry
At Dr. Bruce Stewart’s office we know dental emergencies are never convenient or timely. If you are a patient of record, we are committed to your dental health and are more than willing to see you.
We are here to help you, any time, any day, and when your dental health is at risk, we’ll do everything we can to make sure that you’re treated as soon as possible. While dental emergencies are rare, we know they can happen at any moment, and it’s important to know how to take care of your teeth no matter what.
Common dental emergencies include:
• A bitten lip or tongue
• Broken or cracked tooth/teeth
• Broken jaw
• Permanent tooth that has been knocked out
• Object caught between teeth
• Severe toothache
If you have a dental emergency after regular office hours, please give us a call. If you are calling us after hours, please follow the emergency prompts to contact Dr. Stewart. We proudly serve patients from Grand Rapids, among other surrounding communities.
Dr. Stewart’s Office Has A Magical Christmas Party
Categories: Contests and Events
On Sunday, December 4th, Dr. Bruce Stewart’s office had our annual Christmas party, but with a magical twist! Usually an adult affair, the party this year was for families. Our staff brought either their children or grandchildren, and we had 17 adults and 25 children in attendance. Stormy the Magician made an appearance at the party and entertained young and old with his tricks and jokes. After the 45 minute Magic Show, Stormy made animal balloons for all the children. We all left with warm smiles and happy memories of children laughing and being awed by the magic.
We wish you all a very happy holiday season!
