Dentist Blog - Grand Rapids Dentist | Eric Hull DDS Aesthetic and General Dentistry

Mar29

Fluoride – Not Just for Kids

Almost everyone is aware of the benefits of fluoride for children. Tooth decay is way down since fluoride was introduced into the water supply in Grand Rapids in 1946. However, are you aware that fluoride can be equally important for aging adults? As we age our gums receed and dentin is exposed near the gum line, increasing the risk of root surface decay. Application of fluoride during your hygiene visit will dramatically reduce this root surface decay, as well as make these exposed areas more comfortable. Ask your hygienist about the benefits of adult fluoride for you at your next visit.

Mar22

Invisalign — Exciting Changes

I want to make you aware of some exciting changes with Invisalign, the clear trays (aligners) used to straighten teeth. I’ve been using Invisalign for almost eight years with good success and predictability.

Invisalign has an engineering team and they have redesigned their use of attachments and how they redirect single teeth. Engineers are trained in studying forces, speed, movement and shape. Who would be better suited to study tooth movement? By analyzing tooth shape from millions of case submissions, the engineers can move teeth with greater predictability. This is done in the laboratory and translated to the software.

Invisalign formerly offered two levels of straightening: Full Case, 11 or more aligners, and Express Case, 10 or fewer aligners. They have added a new level, Express 5, 5 or fewer aligners for minor tooth correction. Aligners are changed every two weeks, so an Express 5 Case would be complete in ten weeks.

Invisalign was a good product, but now it is an even better product. If you have been considering straightening your teeth, come in for a consultation and see what Invisalign can do for you.

– Dr. Bruce Stewart

Mar22

The Scoop on Dental X-rays

Dental X-rays are an essential and invaluable tool to help assist us in evaluating your oral health. With X-rays, we can see what’s happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums and identify oral health issues otherwise hidden during a visual exam, including:

• small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing restorations (fillings)
• infections in the bone
• periodontal (gum) disease
• abscesses or cysts
• developmental abnormalities
• types of tumors

If left untreated, these problems can lead to expensive, time-consuming, and painful conditions, so it’s important to find and treat them early.
Dental X-rays are extremely safe, and our team is certified in the proper use of our digital X-ray equipment. The amount of radiation that you are exposed to from dental X-rays is very small compared to your daily exposure from things like atmospheric radiation and naturally-occurring radioactive elements, as well as medical X-rays you may have gotten at your doctor’s office or hospital. In fact our digital system dramatically decreases the already minimal amount of exposure even further. We try to be as conservative as possible when prescribing x-rays but do need them to see what is going on where our eyes can’t see.

Mar15

Check Us Out on Facebook – Enter to Win a Kindle Fire!

Whether you’ve just come in as a new patient or your family has been visiting our office for years, did you know that you can “Like” us on Facebook and visit our blog? There is always something interesting happening at our office and when the months pass between your appointments, catching up can be difficult. But thanks to Facebook and our blog, staying in touch is so much easier! We’ll be posting news about our latest dental purchases, staff updates, and dentistry and dental products in the news. We hope you will find the postings informative and useful.

This April 30th we’ll be giving away a Kindle Fire to one lucky patient who connects with our office on Facebook. The drawing will take place at 3:15pm, so we have time to contact our winner before the end of the day.

Good luck to all!

Mar8

Don’t skip your oral exam, from Dr. Stewart

Today I would like to address the importance of the oral exam you receive as part of your hygiene visit. In today’s challenging economic times some patients try to save money by requesting to skip their doctor exam.

During the exam I will read your x-rays to check for cavities between the teeth or under old restorations. I also do a visual inspection of your mouth, including the roof and floor of your mouth, the tongue, cheeks, and gums. If there is anything that looks unusual we refer patients to an oral surgeon for a biopsy. I palpate your neck and feel for any swelling in glands in that region. In addition, I check your temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) to make sure you are not developing joint problems.

Over the course of my career I have seen four patients with oral cancer. One of these cases was caught early and the patient had surgery and is cancer-free. The other three patients who did not come in regularly had advanced cancer by the time I examined them. Please do not take your oral exam lightly. If you notice changes in your mouth and neck, don’t wait for your next scheduled appointment; contact us immediately. It could be life saving.

–Dr. Bruce Stewart

Mar1

Toothpaste and Abrasion

Toothpaste is a great product that we all use several times a day. Unfortunately, some toothpastes can be detrimental to your teeth. Many of the “whitening” toothpastes are abrasive and remove enamel as well as stains. Our recommendation from Dr. Bruce Stewart’s office is that you stay away from highly abrasive toothpastes because they can remove the polish and luster of porcelain veneers and are not good for natural teeth.

The Federal Drug Administration and the American Dental Association have come up with a system to measure the abrasive level of toothpastes, which is called the RDA value. The lower the RDA value, the gentler the toothpaste is on your teeth. If a toothpaste has an RDA rating over 100 it is considered to be abrasive. Below are the RDA values for some toothpastes. If you would like more information on this, we have a longer list at the office. We can provide more detailed scientific information about the RDA ratings to those who may be interested, just ask your hygienist about the study the next time you are in the office.

Toothpaste / RDA Value

Straight Baking Soda / 07
Arm & Hammer Tooth Powder / 08
CloSYS / 53
Colgate Regular / 68
Colgate Total / 70
Sensodyne / 79
Aim / 80
Aquafresh Sensitive / 91
Crest Regular / 95
Sensodyne Extra Whitening / 104
Crest Sensitivity / 107
Aquafresh Whitening / 113
Colgate Whitening / 124
Crest Extra Whitening / 130
Colgate Tarter Control / 165
Colgate 2-in-1 Tarter Control/White / 200

Feb22

A New Face at Dr. Stewart’s office

We have a new face around Dr. Bruce Stewart’s office, Kimberly. She is our new Dental Team Assistant and is working with the hygienists and assistants to keep things running smoothly in the clinical area.

In addition to working with us, Kimberly is a wife and a mom to three children who keep her very busy with her activities. Their household also includes a black lab. As if that were not enough, Kimberly is also going to school to become a dental assistant.

Welcome Kimberly. We are delighted to have you on our team!

Feb17

Presidents’ Day Fun Facts!

Monday, Feb. 20 marks Presidents’ Day, a day known for celebrating of both George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s combined Birthdays. Presidents’ Day was created in 1971, when President Richard Nixon combined the birthdays of two of our most well-known presidents into one single federal holiday. Presidents’ Day also marks a hard-earned day off from work and school for a lot of our patients at Dr. Bruce Stewart’s office.

Here are a few fun facts about our nation’s presidents:

*Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, carried letters, bills and notes in his tall stovepipe hat.

*George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.

*Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, broke the so-called “20-year curse,” in which every president elected in a year ending in zero died in office.

*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents, measuring 6’ 4” tall.

*Virginia is the birthplace of more United States presidents than any other state, followed by Ohio and Massachusetts.

*Harry S. Truman was the first president to have his Inauguration and speeches televised.

Feb8

Fun in Chicago with Dr. Stewart and staff!

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!

Feb2

What’s the deal with mouthwash?

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

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