cosmetic dental Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry

Oct11

Cavity Fighting Chewing Gum For Our Comstock Park Patients?

Our Comstock Park and Rockford area patients often ask us if chewing xylitol gum is an effective substitute for tooth brushing and regular dental exams.

Before we answer that question, let us tell you about xylitol:

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that was first discovered in birch tree bark but is also found in many fruits and vegetables. Unlike most other sweeteners (natural or synthetic), xylitol is actually good for your teeth. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that xylitol prevents the growth of the bacteria that initiates decay. It also reduces plaque and strengthens tooth enamel.

Xylitol has other benefits, as well. Because it is low on the glycemic index, many of our Grand Rapids diabetic patients enjoy it as a healthy alternative to sugar. If our Rockford MI cosmetic dentistry patients complain about frequent dry mouth, we recommend Xylitol gum or mints to stimulate saliva production without promoting tooth decay.

Now, is xylitol gum just as effective as brushing your teeth and seeing your Rockford MI family dentist regularly? Absolutely not! If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, chewing xylitol gum for five or ten minutes is probably a good idea. However, you should still brush your teeth thoroughly (with a soft brush) after meals and get regular oral exams and deep cleanings at your Comstock Park dentistry office to take care of your dental health.

At Stewart & Hull, our goal is to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life by preventing dental problems before they start. If you postpone Comstock Park dental visits until you feel pain, you risk losing teeth and most certainly will require more extensive treatment than if the problem was caught earlier. Is it time for a dental exam? Call us at 616-827-7019 to book an appointment. Our very friendly and thorough staff is waiting to take care of all your general and cosmetic dental needs.

Sep27

Comstock Park and Rockford MI Area Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry not only perfects your smile, it helps to improve the health of your teeth. Using cosmetic dentistry, your face and smile can be more attractive, TMJ issues can be helped, and your self-esteem can be increased.

Regardless of the number of teeth affected, Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull re-invent smiles and correct problems by skillfully performing cosmetic dental treatments. With your input, they can design the smile of your choosing.

Invisalign and Six Month Smile Orthodontics can be the answer for misaligned teeth. We have Grand Rapids area and Comstock Park orthodontic clients of all ages. It’s never too late to straighten your teeth! Not only are straight teeth attractive, they are easier to keep clean, they function better and can make chewing more comfortable.

If you have teeth that are decayed or otherwise damaged, there are several remedies. Porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, dental bonding, inlays and onlays are some of the effective procedures.

What if a tooth is missing entirely? A dental implant is a complete restoration, including a new root! It replaces missing teeth and helps to maintain the bone levels in that area.

Please call 616-827-7019 to schedule a smile analysis consultation today. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull will explain how your smile can be transformed both esthetically and functionally.

Sep6

Looking to Improve Your Smile? Get a Cosmetic Dentist

Would you go to a motorcycle mechanic to get your car fixed? The answer is probably not. When you have a tooth that is in the front of your mouth that needs dental work, you don’t want to horse around. It is very important to find a dentist who has a lot of experience with cosmetic dental cases. Here are some examples of what can go wrong if you don’t choose an experienced cosmetic dentist.

Shading: It’s important to select the right color of porcelain veneer or crown to make sure it matches the rest of the teeth. This is why it is important to choose a dentist with extensive education and abundant experience in cosmetic dentistry and one that uses a quality lab that considers shape, shade, and translucency.

Staining: There are times when simple teeth bleaching will not take away the stains in your teeth. This can sometimes require more extensive work with a combination of teeth whitening and porcelain veneers or crowns.

Soft Tissue: Many times we forget about the importance of the gum as part of a beautiful smile, but it is very important. If you lose a tooth, the gum tissue can recede. Consequently, simply placing a dental implant or bridge may not fix the aesthetic concern. Tissue grafts and other methods may need to be performed.

Whatever the concern you may have with your mouth, there is usually a universal consensus—it should look great and natural when it is finished. Please call Dr. Bruce A. Stewart and Dr. Eric D.Hull today to set up a consultation. They will happy to discuss your concerns and options to improve your smile.

Aug23

Keep Teeth Healthy During Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, your dental health may be the last thing on your mind. However, many Rockford area women experience an increase in dental problems during pregnancy. This article contains important information for expectant Comstock Park and Grand Rapids area mothers and those planning to become pregnant.

Dr. Stewart & Dr. Hull recommend having a thorough dental cleaning early in your pregnancy. Lying in a dentist’s chair can be uncomfortable during the last trimester. A professional cleaning performed by one of the skilled dental hygienists at Stewart & Hull, along with diligent brushing and flossing, helps prevent gum disease that is often triggered by hormonal changes. The American Dental Association has found a positive correlation between periodontal disease and preterm deliveries and low birth weight.

If you are currently pregnant and have sore, swollen or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment today by calling 616-827-7019. Once the baby is here, it will probably be harder for you to make time for a dental visit.

If you receive dental treatment at Stewart & Hull during your pregnancy, be sure to inform Drs. Drs. Stewart & Hull that you are expecting. This will affect decisions about X-rays, pain relievers, antibiotics, and elective cosmetic dental procedures.

Hormonal changes cause an increase in plaque production which can lead to decay. If you are eating many small meals during the day, take care to brush after eating. If you avoid sweet snacks, your teeth will be less likely to develop cavities.

Remember, your oral care, nutrition and lifestyle affect your baby. It is essential that you eat a healthy diet with a variety of foods. A poor diet can harm your baby’s tooth and bone development. Be sure to get enough calcium, iron, vitamins A, D and C, protein, and phosphorus. Your Rockford MI Ob/Gyn can give you specific recommendations for your age, height, weight and medical conditions.

At Stewart & Hull, we take special care of our clients who are expecting.

Aug16

Smokeless Is Not Harmless For Comstock Park Tobacco Chewers

Today’s topic is ‘The Dangers of Smokeless Tobacco’

Cigarette sales at most Comstock Park stores have decreased in the past decade, but some Comstock Park tobacco consumers have switched to smokeless products. This can cause irritation, gum disease, and in many cases, chronic use will lead to oral cancer.

There is a common misconception in the Rockford MI area (especially among teens) that smokeless tobacco is harmless. This is absolutely not true. Regardless of the specific type: spit tobacco, snuff, chew, or pinch; this form of tobacco is as deadly as conventional cigarettes.

At Stewart & Hull, we encounter serious consequences of smokeless tobacco use because many occur in the mouth. Oral cancer, mouth lesions, gum disease and tooth decay are the most common dental problems caused by smokeless tobacco in Michigan.

Keeping a pinch between your cheek and gum all day is worse than keeping a sucker in your mouth all day. The tobacco contains almost as much sugar as the candy but delivers harmful chemicals as an added bonus. The dangers are two-fold: the tobacco erodes the teeth and causes the gums to pull away from teeth.

Precancerous Mouth Lesion Screening in Michigan: Mouth Lesions are painful sores that could eventually become cancer. If smokeless tobacco use is stopped, the lesions often disappear within a year for Michigan cosmetic dental patients.

Oral Cancer in Comstock Park: Smokeless tobacco use in the Comstock Park and Rockford increases the risk for several types of life-threatening cancers including those of the mouth, gums, lips, tongue, and throat.

Oral cancers can be as deadly as lung cancer and usually require surgery. If the Michigan patient is fortunate and the cancer is successfully removed with surgery, the collateral damage to the face, neck, or jaw is often significant.

At Stewart & Hull in Comstock Park, we perform oral cancer screenings and mouth lesion examinations. To schedule an appointment, call 616-827-7019.

If you want to quit using smokeless tobacco products, we recommend that you consult Dr. Stewart & Dr. Hull at Stewart & Hull, your Comstock Park primary care dentist, or your Comstock Park pharmacist.

Stewart & Hull https://www.greatmismiles.com/
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan 49321
Oral cancer screenings, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry

Jul5

This Is The Year For A New Smile!

I have a passion for cosmetic dentistry and I receive huge emotional rewards when I create total smile makeovers for my patients. If you are not familiar with the latest dental advances, you may not realize what cosmetic dentistry can do for you. I have spent hundreds of hours studying cosmetic dentistry so that I can create life changing smiles. If you are not satisfied with your smile, or are embarrassed by the condition of your teeth, I hope you will call to schedule a consultation. Our phone number is (616) 723-8651. The truth is: you don’t have to go through life with an unattractive smile. When I talk with Comstock Park patients who have had a smile makeover in our office, it is gratifying to see the confidence they exhibit and that their teeth still look beautiful. Because the art and science of cosmetic dentistry procedures advance with the speed of technology, the smile makeovers I perform now are more efficient and less invasive. The materials for fillings, crowns, veneers, and dental implants are incredibly strong, translucent, and beautiful in every way. There are few investments in life that bring daily appreciation like cosmetic dentistry and attractive smile. To schedule a cosmetic dental consultation today, call (616) 723-8651 or visit Stewart & Hull is located at 769 York Creek Dr NW in Comstock Park, Michigan. We offer the full spectrum of cosmetic dental procedures. You can read more about our smile makeovers and general dental procedures at https://www.greatmismiles.com/dental-services. Make this year special with a beautiful new smile!

May17

Grand Rapids Dentist: Calming Root Canal Fears

In the Grand Rapids area, a dentist’s office is sometimes seen as a painful and scary place. Stewart & Hull, located at 769 York Creek Dr NW Comstock Park, Michigan 49321, tries to discourage that image with a very friendly and thorough staff and qualified dentists. However, endodontic therapy, a dental procedure commonly known as a root canal, still carries a strong association with pain that sometimes keeps people from regularly visiting the dentist and tending optimally to their dental health.

When a tooth becomes badly infected or decayed, a qualified family dentist in Grand Rapids or the surrounding areas, can clean the inside of the tooth by removing the bacteria, soft tissue (called pulp), decayed nerve tissue, and any debris that may be causing the tooth infection from the inside of the tooth. Your dentist will then seal the tooth to prevent further decay and finish by applying a dental crown or filling. This is the process and purpose of a root canal. The process can be completed, typically, in one or two visits to our cosmetic dental and general dental practice. In many cases, a root canal procedure is a better option than removing the infected tooth since it allows you to keep your natural tooth. Your natural tooth supports the surrounding teeth and bone density.

Teeth that are more prone to requiring a root canal procedure are cracked or chipped, have received repeated dental procedures, have been damaged by trauma to the face, or are suffering from deep tooth decay. Wearing a mouth guard can help prevent damage sustained to teeth and practicing good oral hygiene habits, such as daily flossing and brushing, coupled with regular dental visits, can reduce the possibility of needing a root canal.

Though a root canal can be intimidating or scary, educating yourself and talking to Dr. Bruce Stewart or Dr. Eric Hull can relieve much of your anxiety. Our patients rarely experience pain during a root canal procedure; their pain comes from the infection experienced before their treatment and is relieved once the treatment is complete.

If you are in the Grand Rapids area, you can give Stewart & Hull a call at 616-827-7019 to see what we can do for your oral health.

Lighting Up Rooms One Smile At A Time

Don’t forget to visit us at our dentistry website at: https://www.greatmismiles.com/.

May3

Healthy Teeth and Your Rockford MI Diet

Maintaining healthy teeth is an important concern for our local general dentistry patients. As your family dentists, it’s our job to help you understand how to care for your teeth and to keep them healthy. Everyone in the Grand Rapids area knows that maintaining healthy teeth requires regular daily brushing and flossing. Regular visits to your local family dentist are also necessary to keep watch for cavities and to help you maintain proper dental hygiene. We often forget that maintaining a healthy diet can also be beneficial for the health of your teeth.

A diet that includes foods that help your muscles and bones will also help you develop healthy gums and healthy teeth. Some examples are foods that are rich in vitamin B, such as breads and cereals, and foods rich in vitamin C, usually fruits and vegetables. Both help improve the health of your gums. Zinc and magnesium are also good for the health of your teeth and are found in lean beef, fish, and poultry.

All foods increase the production of saliva. Saliva is important for healthy teeth because it helps to maintain the pH balance in your mouth. Maintaining this balance helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. Foods high in fiber also encourage saliva production as does the chewing of sugar-free gum. Gum, however, can damage unhealthy teeth or pull out dental fillings, so always use caution when deciding whether to chew gum and which brand to chew.

Just as certain diet choices in the Rockford MI area can be beneficial to your dental health, others can be detrimental. Foods and drinks that are high in sugars are more likely to form the acids that attack your teeth and result in decay. And while table sugar is often associated with the formation of cavities, other sugars such as glucose, fructose, and maltose are also causes, and are often found in juices and sodas. Limiting the consumption of sugars to mealtimes lessens the amount of time your healthy teeth are exposed.

Making good diet choices and limiting between-meal sugar consumption can improve the health of your teeth and gums.

If you would like to learn how to better care for your healthy teeth in the Rockford MI, Grand Rapids, Comstock Park or surrounding areas, contact our cosmetic dental practice: Stewart & Hull at 616-827-7019. We would love to hear from you.

Mar29

The Dangers of Oral Piercing

If you live in Rockford MI or the surrounding areas and are considering puncturing your lip or tongue, read this:

Infection
Your mouth is full of bacteria. Any opening in the tissue carries the risk of infection. The germs from your tongue and mouth can easily get into your bloodstream. Dentists and doctors in the Rockford MI, Comstock Park and Grand Rapids areas are continually treating serious infections caused by oral piercings. Oral infections can be a real problem, and should be a major consideration before getting an oral piercing.

Tooth Damage
It should come as no surprise that having a piece of metal bang around in your mouth can easily chip tooth enamel. Though tooth enamel is amazingly strong, once it’s chipped or cracked, it can only be restored with artificial material. Fortunately, Stewart & Hull in Comstock Park offers many tooth restoration options such as dental crowns and fillings, but our advice is to avoid the problem if you can.

Prolonged Bleeding and Swelling
The blood vessels in the tongue are often damaged when the tongue is pierced, causing prolonged bleeding and possible build-up of scar tissue. In some cases, the tongue swells up enough to block the airway.

Gum Recession
A number of periodontal disease studies have shown that wearing oral jewelry is linked to periodontal disease which can result in tooth loss. Periodontal disease, or ‘gum disease‘, can cause gum recession and expose the roots of your teeth, potentially causing hyper sensitivity and pain. Again, our advice is to avoid the problem right from the start.

These are just a few of the dangers. Dr. Bruce Stewart and Dr. Eric Hull can give you more information about the risks of oral piercings. If you already have damage, call 616-827-7019 to schedule a cosmetic dental consultation.

Are you on following us on Facebook? View our post from March 22nd or click this link to win 2 tickets to hear University of Michigan Football Coach Brady Hoke speak in Grand Rapids on May 13th!

You can be one of four lucky patients to be our guest to have lunch, listen to Coach Hoke and get fired up for the coming football season! This contest ends April 30th, 2013.

Feb15

Tooth Restoration in Comstock Park

At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we use a variety of techniques to restore damaged teeth. Most family dentistry patients in the Comstock Park and Rockford MI area are familiar with fillings. Traditional fillings are also called ‘direct restorations’ because they are applied to the tooth, shaped and polished in one visit.

Another type of filling is called an ‘indirect restorations’ and is fabricated in a dental lab. There are two types: inlays and onlays.

When a tooth needs more extensive dental restoration, a dental crown is often used. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull create strong, natural-looking crowns from a variety of materials.

What if the tooth is damaged beyond repair? There are a number of functional replacements for missing teeth. Dentures are not the only option. Talk to us about dental implants.

Call 616-827-7019 to learn about the restoration options available. We have been improving smiles for Rockford MI and Grand Rapids area patients since 1974.

Whether the damage is caused by decay, injury, bite problems, or natural wear; Dr. Bruce Stewart and Dr. Eric Hull will choose the best cosmetic dental treatment plan for your tooth restoration needs. Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry is conveniently located at 769 York Creek Dr NW in Comstock Park. We provide quality dental care for Grand Rapids and Comstock Park families.

Bruce A. Stewart, DDS, FAGD
Eric D. Hull, DDS
616-827-7019
https://www.greatmismiles.com/
Lighting Up Rooms One Smile At A Time

cosmetic dental