How old is your toothbrush? Have you replaced it recently? What kind of toothbrush do you buy? Believe it or not, your toothbrush is important to your health, and not just your dental health, but your overall health. But, you probably don’t give it much thought. For instance, are your bristles worn? Is your toothbrush comfortable in your mouth? If your toothbrush is not comfortable and you are not brushing effectively then you are doing yourself a disservice. We brush our teeth not only to keep them clean and healthy, but to prevent periodontal disease. Periodontal disease affects your overall health, so it’s best to keep it at bay. In today’s blog,your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart discusses the importance of your toothbrush.
Are There Oral Health Differences Between Men And Women?
You all know that men and women are different. You figured that out at an early age. Not only do men and women look, act, and communicate differently, they show their emotions differently, and they even take care of themselves differently. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart explains oral health differences between men and women.
Keep Your Body Healthy: July 2014 Kids Night Out In Livonia, MI.
Parents, need a break? Enjoy a night to yourselves while the Livonia Parks and Recreation Department gets your kids up and moving. Exercise is important and today too many people sit in front of the computer or TV for hours at a time. Looking for something to get your kids moving? Your Livonia, MI dentist Dr. James Stewart suggests Kids Night Out! and Rock Wall Climbing Social! this coming Friday at the Community Recreation Center in Livonia, MI.
Your Tongue Is An Interesting Muscle
Some people brush their tongues. Some people pierce their tongues. Some people don’t pay any attention to their tongues. Does your tongue affect your oral health? Find out by taking your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart’s true or false quiz below.
Can Hydrogen Peroxide Be Used For Oral Care?
Hydrogen peroxide is a staple in everyone’s bathroom cupboard. You probably remember your parents cleaning your cuts and scraped knees with hydrogen peroxide when you were a kid. You probably thought it was cool the way it foamed up when it came into contact with your cut. But what exactly is hydrogen peroxide and can it benefit your teeth? If you want to know more about hydrogen peroxide and dental health contact your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, he will be happy to discuss the dental benefits associated with hydrogen peroxide.
Is Xylitol A Chemical?
Xylitol is a100 percent natural sugar substitute derived from fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, berries, and lettuce. Your body also produces xylitol from other food sources. An average adult with a normal metabolism can produce up to 15 grams of xylitol a day. Xylitol is not a chemical like aspartame, Splenda® or sucralose, and although it may be difficult to tell the difference taste-wise, it contains 40 percent fewer calories than sugar. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, will discuss how xylitol can benefit your dental health.
Electric Toothbrush or Manual: Which Should You Use?
Did you know the electric toothbrush was invented in Switzerland in 1939? It wasn’t introduced to the U.S. until the1960s. Some of you reading this were probably born in that decade. Today, electric toothbrushes have risen in popularity. They are affordable and easy to use. Children tend to enjoy brushing with electric toothbrushes over manual ones. They find them fun and even say they tickle. There is an ongoing debate, however, as to whether they are more or less effective than a manual toothbrush. If you have questions regarding the use of electric toothbrushes your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, will be happy to answer them for you.
Misaligned Bite
Does your child have a misaligned bite? The technical name for a misaligned bite or “bad bite” is malocclusion. Malocclusion can be caused by genetics, mouth breathing, or bad oral habits such as thumb sucking. Most people, children and adults, have some level of malocclusion, but nothing that usually warrants treatment. Research indicates that 90 percent of school-aged children present with some sort of malocclusion, but only 10 to 15 percent of those children require treatment. If your child’s bite appears misaligned, if they have trouble chewing or speaking, or are embarrassed to smile, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart can evaluate their bite and recommend appropriate treatment that may help prevent future problems.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Were you one of those kids that dreaded going to the dentist? You did not want to find out that you had cavities and needed your teeth filled. Was it one of your greatest fears? Well, you were not alone. Over 90 percent of the population has cavities and 78 percent of the population experienced their first cavity before the age of 17. Not only did we not want to have our tooth drilled, or be trapped in the dentist chair for a long period of time, we didn’t want people to see our silver fillings when we opened our mouth. If you or your child needs a filling your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of tooth-colored filling materials.
Understanding Tooth Anatomy
When you visit your dentist, do you feel like you’re in the dark? You don’t need to know what’s going on. You open your mouth, say “Ah,” and your dentist takes it from there. He or she knows what they are doing and we trust our dentist. It may be helpful, however, to be familiar with the anatomy of a tooth in case you need to make a decision concerning treatment. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, is going to explain the basics of tooth anatomy.