The History of Dental Hygiene

Posted October 31, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

You use dental products every day to keep your teeth and gums healthy. The dental cleaning tools and techniques we use today are much different than those our ancestors used. Let’s take a look at the history of dental hygiene.

Toothbrush

According to historians, the first people to use a toothbrush were the Hindus, in India, in about 4000 B.C. They chewed the frayed end of a twig to remove food particles and plaque from their teeth.
In 1780, William Addis created the first toothbrush while he was in jail. He tied horsehair into tufts and glued them to a small animal bone.
The design of the modern toothbrush was patented by H.N. Wadsworth in 1857.
In 1938, nylon bristles and plastic handles were invented. Nylon was less damaging to teeth and gums than was animal hair.
In 1939, Dr. Phillippe-Guy Woog invented the first electric toothbrush, called the Broxodent.
Today’s standard toothbrush has more than 25,000 bristles tied together in 40 groups of tufts.

Toothpaste

Dental toothpaste has been used in China and India since 500 B.C.
In 1824, a dentist named Dr. Peabody added soap to toothpaste for the foaming and cleansing action.
During the 1850s, chalk, flavoring agents, and other compounds were added to toothpaste. Fluoride was added after World War II.

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Operation Gratitude: Halloween Candy Buy Back

Posted October 26, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

Save your unopened Halloween candy and help Dr. Stewart give back to our troops overseas!

As an active member in his community, Dr. Stewart honors the sacrifice our service men and women make every day on the battle field. That is why he is participating in Halloween Candy Buy Back again this year. Read on to discover how you can join in the effort.

What is Operation Gratitude?

Operation Gratitude sends care packages to the deployed soldiers in high risk combat zones and to those rehabilitating in transition units. From their small beginnings in 2003, Operation Gratitude has sent a total of 660,000 packages to the self-less members of American military. During the Halloween season, Operation Gratitude collects unopened candy bag donations through the Halloween Candy Buy Back event to include with their shipments. Dr. Stewart and dentists from across the United States come together to protect little trick-or-treaters from sick tummies and cavities, to show their appreciation for our armed forces.

How can you help?

Bring your unopened Halloween candy packages to Dr. Stewart’s Livonia location, during regular business hours, the week after Halloween. Dr. Stewart will buy back the bags for $1 per lb., up to 5.
Get your children involved, too! Have them pose for a picture in their Halloween costumes, or ask them to write a letter of thanks to the man or woman who receives their leftover candy.
You can donate toothbrushes also! The goal is to 100,000 toothbrushes, one with every package.
Go to www.operationgratitude.comto read further on how you can help all year round.

Dr. Stewart’s Livonia dental practice serves families in Lovi, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, and surrounding communities. Call (734) 425-4400 to reserve an appointment or go to www.JamesStewartDDS.com to read about the services we offer.

Young Musicians, Healthy Smiles

Posted October 24, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

Is your child learning to play an instrument? So much has been said about the importance of wearing an athletic mouth guard during sports, but other extra-curricular activities can affect your child’s teeth, including band and orchestra.

Problem Instruments

Instruments played by biting onto a mouthpiece can cause problems with upper teeth alignment. The clarinet, especially, has the potential to cause a strain on the front two teeth, over time positioning them forward in an overbite.

Woodwinds are not the only sources of hazard. The violin, played with the chin tucked to the end of the instrument, can cause undue stress on the jaw. The position may eventually cause complications with your child’s bite.

Thankfully, dental health and musical appreciation can be achieved at the same time if several precautions are taken.

Things to Keep in Mind: (more…)

Livonia, MI Dentist Explains Conservative Cosmetic Dentistry

Posted October 20, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

You might not think about Dr. Stewart as an artist, but one look at his smile makeover patients would change that. Dr. Stewart offers general dentistry, children’s dentistry, and even sleep apnea treatment. Many people don’t know that he’s a talented cosmetic dentist, as well. At Dr. Stewart’s Livonia dentist office, you have access to dentist-prescribed teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, hand crafted porcelain veneers, tooth-colored fillings and crowns, and even full smile makeovers.

When you look in the mirror, what’s eating you?

Stains – Ask about teeth whitening, bonding, or veneers.
Crooked teeth – Ask about veneers.
Chipped teeth – Ask about bonding, white crowns, or veneers.
Gaps and spaces between teeth – Ask about bonding or veneers.
Metal fillings and crowns – Ask about tooth-colored fillings and crowns.
Too-small teeth – Ask about veneers and gum reduction.
Oddly shaped teeth – Ask about bonding, crowns, or veneers.
Missing teeth – Ask about bridges or dental implants.

Want to learn more about cosmetic dentistry?

Call Dr. James Stewart at 734-425-4400 to schedule your cosmetic consultation. Located in Livonia, MI, our general dentist office serves families from Farmington Hills, Lovi, Plymouth, Dearborn Heights, and surrounding communities.

Livonia, MI Halloween Candy Buy Back

Posted October 19, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

Halloween Candy Buy Back

Dr. Stewart and our team are happy to announce that we will host another year of Halloween Candy Buy Back. The week following Halloween, any time our office is open, bring your child up with his or her unopened, leftover Halloween candy. Dr. Stewart will pay $1 per pound (limit 5 lbs.) for the goodies. Your child will leave with a little spending money, and you can have peace of mind that you’re doing all you can to thwart overindulgence. Also, your family can feel good about the program because all of the candy collected will be shipped, along with toothbrushes, to US Military serving overseas. Halloween Candy Buy Back supports Operation Gratitude.

Help Your Child Enjoy a Healthy Smile

With Halloween closing in, Mom’s and Dad’s thoughts may turn to the dentist as their kids’ thoughts turn to candy! It’s no mystery; kids love sweets, and so do the germs that cause cavities. Parents usually try to be vigilant in getting kiddos to brush after meals and limit their intake of sweets. As a family dentist, Dr. James Stewart offers tips to help parents keep cavities out of children’s mouths, and start kids on a lifestyle that includes good oral habits. (more…)

Oral Appliance Therapy vs. CPAP for Sleep Apnea

Posted October 12, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

If you’re one of the approximately 18 million people that suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you might have already seen a doctor for treatment. OSA occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the throat obstruct breathing to prevent continuous airflow during sleep. “Apnea” means a cessation of breathing. This interruption in breathing causes the individual to partially awake repeatedly throughout the night, thus disrupting proper sleep cycles. The sufferer awakes feeling unrested.

Left untreated, sleep apnea can give way to other serious health issues, including depression, high blood pressure, irritability, sexual dysfunction, learning or memory problems, and falling asleep at inappropriate or dangerous times. Recent studies show resultant sleep deprivation from sleep apnea can lead to brain damage.

Sleep apnea has captured public awareness in recent years, fortunately, and science has devised effective measures to counteract this serious malady. Perhaps the most common solution for OSA is CPAP [continuous positive airway pressure.] CPAP devices are typically worn like breathing masks you might see on a patient at a hospital. The CPAP mask utilizes an air hose to direct constant airflow through the nose, preventing collapse of soft tissues so that breathing remains consistent. CPAP devices are very effective when used properly. (more…)

Sleep Apnea and Brain Damage

Posted October 9, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

Awareness about the detrimental effects of sleep apnea is increasing. Sleep apnea is responsible for a growing list of health problems for millions of individuals. Some of these troubles are less urgent, but some are life threatening.

James Stewart, DDS, is a sleep apnea expert, and he offers various treatment options to help his patients lead healthier, more rewarding lives.

So what kind of connection does a sleep disorder have on the brain, and why are dentists playing such a huge role in the fight against it?

There are three kinds of sleep apnea:

1) Central Sleep Apnea [CSA]. This occurs when neurological mechanisms controlled by the brain fail to signal the body to inhale, resulting in missed breathing cycles. The lapse in breathing happens again and again throughout the night.

2) Obstructive Sleep Apnea [OSA]. The most common form of sleep apnea. OSA is caused by upper airway obstruction preventing airflow. The disruption causes the individual’s sleep pattern to become broken, and natural, critical sleep cycles cannot run their course.

3) Complex or mixed apnea. A combination of the two disorders.

The result of sleep apnea through the night is significant sleep loss. Other problems include:

Low productivity during the day.
Irritability, forgetfulness, and poor concentration.
Dangers of sleepiness when alertness is critical, such as when driving or operating dangerous machinery.
Health problems, including heart attack, stroke, impotence, and depression.
Comparable disturbed sleep for sleep partners.

But science is showing the deeper connotations are much more serious. Consequential sleep deprivation can eventually cause brain damage, with reduced gray matter density. Sleep scientists assert that sleep apnea sufferers’ brains eventually lose ability to rejuvenate and maintain plasticity, meaning accelerated aging of the brain. (more…)

Deadly Tooth Decay?

Posted October 4, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

When was the last time you had a cavity? Many people today—adults in particular—cannot distinctly recall the last time they had one. Fortunately, resources for taking care of our teeth are better than ever…

Many water supplies have adequate fluoride to strengthen teeth against decay.
New technology and materials have improved toothbrushes, floss, and other home care tools.
Superior oral rinses that kill harmful bacteria and protect teeth are available over the counter.

Can you imagine how bad oral care must have been thousands, or even hundreds, of years ago? Scientists say, the famous Egyptian emperor, Ramses II, died from heart disease caused by gum disease. Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease can be deadly if dental hygiene is neglected. But don’t worry. Access to professional dental care is much better than it was in King Ramses’ time. Furthermore, you know that if your gums are red, tender, or bleed, you need to see a dentist, right? (more…)

You Might Be Affected by Bruxism

Posted September 30, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

What is bruxism?

Bruxism, simply put, is when you grind, clench, click, or “drum” your teeth. Anywhere from 10 to 50 percent of the population are affected by it. Most people who engage in this largely involuntary habit do so while asleep. However, plenty of individuals that grind (or clench) their teeth do so while awake. It’s a damaging habit that can cause problems not only with your teeth, but also your gums, your jaw, and even your heart.

So if it’s such a bad habit, why do so many people engage in it? Because bruxism is mostly involuntary, like so many bad habits, the indications often stem from any number of causes. These include:

• Depression.
• Stress.
• Earache.
• Eating disorders.
• Tooth sensitivity.
• Jaw pain.

And these are just a few. The seriousness of this tendency cannot be understated. And whereas most people who have been clenching or grinding their teeth for years would rather they did not, few ever do anything to end the practice. Sadly, it often takes severe consequences to bring about a desire strong enough to lead to action sufficient to break the habit. Since knowledge and awareness help to bring about renewed determination, consider some of the costs: (more…)

What Kind of Brusher Are You?

Posted September 30, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

What kind of tooth brusher are you? Do you scrub vigorously, like you’re scrubbing tile grout to make it gleaming white? Do you spend 5 or 10 minutes to “really do a good job?” Or do you quickly whisk across your teeth, taking less than a minute?

Chances are, no matter how much time you spend brushing your teeth you’re most likely brushing too hard. Nearly 70% of the people that do brush are applying too much pressure. And the problem is much more serious than you might even realize.

There can’t be too much emphasis on the detriment of brushing too hard. The two, immediately obvious problems that will occur from brushing too hard are: (more…)