oral health

May20

Stick Out Your Tongue In Rockford, MI!

Categories: Oral Health

 

mother and daughterAs health professionals, we know that Rockford, MI dentists diagnose and treat conditions of the teeth and gums, but we sometimes overlook the importance of the tongue.

Have you ever considered all the amazing things your tongue can do? It helps us talk, perceive the texture and flavor of food, chew, and swallow. This strong and nimble gymnast is in near-constant motion during our waking hours. It is a wonder that we don’t accidentally bite it more often as we smile, chew, drink, breathe, swallow, cough, and laugh.

Your tongue can also reveal problems with your health, including digestive problems, infections, and diseases of the blood.

When Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull perform oral exams, the tongue is always checked for signs of oral cancer and other serious diseases.

Here are some tongue abnormalities and possible causes:

  • Swollen tongue: reaction to food/drink/medication, strep infection, leukemia, hypothyroidism
  • White tongue: dehydration, yeast infection, irritation to tobacco, enteritis, gastritis, colitis, anemia or other nutritional deficiency
  • Canker sores: may be triggered by stress or reaction to food, toothpaste, or mouthwash.

If you have persistent canker sores, you may want to try eliminating products that contain sodium lauryl (or laurel) sulfate (SLS). SLS is a cheap foaming agent that is found in many personal care products. It can be difficult to find SLS-free dental products in Belmont, Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI. The following brands have previously offered SLS-free versions but check labels carefully every time you buy a new tube.

If you can’t find an SLS-free toothpaste at your local grocery store, we would suggest trying health food stores, specialty drug stores, or trusted online sites.

Many of our Rockford, MI patients have asked about tongue-scraping. We recommend thorough dental hygiene including cleaning the tongue. To schedule a consultation to discuss any dental health issues, please call our office at 616-784-2377.

Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull DDS
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
We can whiten, brighten, and straighten your smile!

Sep11

The Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry Guide to Dental X-Rays

Categories: General Dentistry

The Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry Guide To Dental X-Rays

Don’t know a periapical from a bitewing? Today’s dental blog takes a look at dental

x-rays.

Panoramic
If you have ever stood in a huge camera apparatus and struggled to stay motionless while an automated camera made one slow pass around your head, then you have had a panoramic x-ray taken of your mouth. These pictures help dentists see everything in one image: the complete upper and lower jaw. These are often taken during a patient’s first visit to Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry. They are also very helpful for evaluating jaw injuries, calcification in the carotid artery, tumors and seeing emerging teeth in children.

Bitewing
Bitewing x-rays help Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull see what’s going on between teeth and evaluate the bone levels supporting the teeth – something that is always needed but impossible with a visual exam.

Periapical
These are similar to bitewing x-rays but they can get a clearer picture of the tooth roots and bone. These are often used to help diagnose an abscess in the root of a tooth.

Full-Mouth Series 
This is a combination of periapical and bitewing x-rays that gives a comprehensive picture of all the teeth and surrounding bone structure.

If you are pregnant and need a dental x-ray at Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry, it is essential to let Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull know this before x-rays are taken. X-rays are not necessarily dangerous for pregnant women, but they are often postponed until after delivery as a precaution. If you are pregnant but have a dental issue, call our office right away. We can be reached at 616-784-2377.

We hope you have learned a little bit about dental x-rays, one of Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull’s indispensable tools in providing unsurpassed dental care in Comstock Park. Check back often for more specifics about dentistry at Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry.

Aug28

Can You Handle A Dental Emergency?

Categories: Oral Health

Stweart & Hull after hours dental

Can You Handle A Dental Emergency?

At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry, we hope you never experience a serious dental emergency. It’s important, however, to know what to do in such a situation. Here is a quiz on dental emergencies.

  1. Your five year-old falls off his bike, hits his face on the sidewalk, and knocks out one of his front teeth. What do you do before driving immediately to Dr. Stewart & Dr. Hull’s office or the ER?
  2. Put the tooth back in the socket.
    b. If the tooth is dirty, scrub it with a brush.
    c. Put the tooth in milk.

The answer depends on whether it is a permanent tooth or a baby tooth. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, it may be successfully re-implanted if done quickly. Make sure you only hold the tooth by the crown, never touch the root. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with water being cautious not to brush off any tissue attached. It is best to reinsert the tooth into the socket. This may not be possible with younger children. Because it is essential to keep the tooth from drying out on your way to our office or the emergency room, you can put the tooth in a cup of milk. Baby teeth should not be reinserted because it can potentially damage the emerging tooth.

  1. One of your teeth suddenly darkens. What are the possible causes?
  2. The nerve inside the tooth is damaged.
    b. It is side effect of a medication you are taking.
    c. Gum disease.
    d. An infection.

The answer is all of the above.

For any dental emergency or other oral condition, call Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park. We have been providing quality dental care for Belmont, Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI residents since 1974. If you add our address and phone number (616-784-2377) to your phone contacts right now, you won’t have to search for it in the case of an emergency. When trying to save a knocked-out tooth, every minute counts.

Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan 49321
https://www.greatmismiles.com/meet-dr-bruce-stewart

 

Aug21

Why Is Dry Mouth Dangerous For Comstock Park Dental Patients?

Categories: Oral Health

Why Is Dry Mouth Dangerous For Comstock Park Dental Patients?Hello, welcome to the Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry blog. Today we are going to talk about Dry Mouth, an unpleasant condition that can actually endanger the oral health of Comstock Park Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry dentistry patients.

Reduction of saliva flow resulting in a dry mouth is a more common problem among older Comstock Park adults, however, people of all ages in the Rockford, MI area may experience the symptoms of dry mouth at one time or another. These symptoms include a dry, red tongue, difficulty swallowing, and persistent sore throat.

Sometimes dry mouth in Comstock Park dental patients is caused by a disease or infection, but a more frequent cause of dry mouth for patients in Rockford, MI is prescription medications.

Decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and painkillers (all used extensively in Comstock Park) are just some of the drugs that list ‘dry mouth’ as a common side effect.

It is common for allergy-prone Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry dental patients to complain of dry mouth when they start taking antihistamines during the Rockford, MI hay fever season.

Aside from being an uncomfortable nuisance, untreated dry mouth can cause tooth damage for Comstock Park dental patients. Adequate saliva is necessary to keep the mouth lubricated, wash the food from teeth, and neutralize the acidic environment caused by plaque. Extensive tooth decay can occur in the absence of saliva for Rockford, MI dental patients with chronic dry mouth.

If you are unsure of the cause of your dry mouth, or if you are looking for dry mouth treatments, call Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry to schedule an appointment with Drs. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull.

When you visit Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park, please be sure to bring a list of medications you are taking so Drs. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull can give you an accurate diagnosis.

Drs. Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park Michigan
616-784-2377

Meet Dr. Bruce Stewart

Jan10

Visit Your Dentist At Least Twice A Year And Save Money

Categories: Family Dentistry, General Dentistry, Oral Health

Visit Your Grand Rapids Dentist At Least Twice A Year And Save MoneyVisiting your family dentist regularly is a great way to save money. You may initially think that avoiding your local dentist will save money in the fees that are charged for x-rays and cleanings, but in reality, these simple procedures will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. This will save you money in the long run. Just think how much more expensive a root canal and crown can be.

Find A Dental Home: Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull have a convenient location and hours to fit your schedule. Call for an appointment and to establish yourself and your family as one of our valued patients.

Get A Professional Cleaning At Least Twice A Year: This is a time for you to get a 360-degree examination of your teeth and gums.  In some cases the doctor may diagnose the need for a filling, but left untreated, a root canal and crown may be necessary.  A cleaning will help prevent gum disease, and it is a great time for you to review your oral hygiene habits.

Follow The Dental Professional’s Advice: When your dentist and hygienist examine and clean your mouth, they are able to see what you cannot, and offer insightful tips to help prevent cavities and gum disease.