12 Steps to Sleeping Better

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Dr. James Stewart is more than just a family dentist. While caring for the smiles of families from Livonia, Michigan and the surrounding areas is one of Dr. Stewart’s top priorities, he is also a healthcare provider with a special interest in sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.

In fact, Dr. Stewart is considered to be an expert in the field. With extensive technology at his dental office to help diagnose and treat patients with sleep apnea, Dr. Stewart has treated countless individuals with varying forms of dental-related sleep conditions. From diagnosing the problem with a sleep study, to getting to the root of the condition, to treating it using a sleep apnea device or other solution, Dr. Stewart provides his patients with the best care in an effort to overcome this debilitating condition.

Because of this, Dr. Stewart knows the importance of a good night’s sleep. Follow these tips to sleep more soundly and get the rest that you deserve:

  • Pick a relaxation ritual. Engaging in a relaxing activity, preferably with dim lighting, helps separate sleeping times from times that elicit excitement, stress, or anxiety. Don’t tackle anything that is too physically or emotionally stimulating right before bedtime. Instead, turn to soothing activities like talking a warm bath, meditating, or reading. Whatever you do, stay away from bright light because it signals the brain that it’s time to awaken.
  • Turn everything off. If you can view a clock from your bed, move it. In fact, getting rid of the clock is effective for 90 percent of people who have difficulty sleeping. Also, be sure to turn off all other electronics and other items that could distract you or wake you from sleeping. If it’s necessary to leave something turned on, be sure it’s dimmed and the volume is turned down.
  • Stick to a schedule. Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day, and even on weekends when possible. This practice is all about circadian rhythms, which means that sleep, like other homeostatic processes, is regulated by our daily patterns.
  • Create a safe haven. Sleeping soundly requires the right environment- dark, quiet, comfortable, and cool. It helps if distractions, including exposure to light, uncomfortable temperatures, poor air circulation, or a snoring partner, are limited, as well. While some potential sleep disturbers are beyond your control, blackout shades, earplugs, humidifiers, and fans can help block out the major offenders.
  • Get comfy. When it comes to sleep, comfort is key. To ensure optimal comfort, make sure your mattress is in good shape, your sheets are a comfortable thread count for you, and your pillows are your preferred firmness.
  • Write it down. Instead of dwelling on the day’s drama right before bed, set aside a “worry time” earlier in the day. This frees you from having to think about those concerns when you get in bed at night. Writing, drawing, or listening to music often helps people deal with stress and worry.
  • Watch what and when you eat. Don’t eat anything two to three hours before your regular bedtime. The same rule applies to liquids. You don’t want to disrupt your slumber because of the need of a bathroom trip. If you suffer from heartburn, avoid eating spicy foods for dinner, as they may prevent you from lying down and sleeping comfortably.
  • Set the stage for sleep. Keep work, computers, TVs, and other distractions out of the bedroom. Reserving the bedroom for sleep and sex actually helps strengthen the association between bed and sleep. Reading in bed, for example, is fine if it helps you fall asleep, but the bottom line is: When you’re in the bedroom, engage in activities that help you relax.
  • Use your imagination. Your typical waking and sleeping times are programmed in your subconscious mind. Instead of counting sheep, try resetting the program. Hypnosis and guided imagery- even listening to an imagery CD as you fall asleep- can help you change negative sleeping patterns and achieve more restful slumber.
  • Fit in fitness. Fitness is important, but don’t partake in physical activity right before bed. Studies show that people who are more physically active get better sleep. A good time for exercise is during the late afternoon, especially since it takes your body a while to fully cool down, and a cooler body temperature is associated with the onset of sleep.
  • Say no to smoking. If you need one more reason to stop smoking, here it is: Nicotine disrupts sleep. So do caffeine, alcohol, and chocolate. These substances, plus certain medications, activate and mobilize your system, making it harder for you to fall asleep.  If you must consume these substances, do so earlier in the day.
  • Enjoy the daylight. The body’s natural sleep hormone, melatonin, is secreted in darkness and inhibited in light, so getting sufficient exposure to light during the day can help you stay awake and alert. On the same token, Keeping your bedroom as dark as possible at night can help promote the production of melatonin and the onset of sleep.

If you suffer from snoring and sleepless nights, call Dr. Stewart at (734) 425-4400 to schedule an appointment. With years of experience helping patients overcome sleep apnea, Dr. Stewart can examine your sleeping habits and determine the right treatment to help you reclaim your life and sleep better.

filed under: About Sleep, Healthy Living

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The Whole Picture: Dental X-Rays

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Dental inspection technology has come a long way. It’s now possible to find tooth decay, even in its early stages, using  DIAGNOdent laser cavity detection; digital cameras allow us to magnify and zoom in on problems invisible to the naked eye. However, early tooth decay and periodontal disease may escape detection during a routine exam. That’s why dental radiography is an irreplaceable diagnostic tool.

Many patients express concern about exposure to radiation during dental imaging, especially when they see technicians and dentists leaving the room! While no radiation exposure is ever completely safe, dental x-rays emit very little radiation – about as much as you get from flying cross-country. You’ll also wear a lead apron to block any x-rays that scatter during the procedure. Technicians spend all day around x-rays, so they need to minimize their exposure.

If you have orthodontia, you’ll need regular imaging to check on your progress. You might also need more regular x-rays if you smoke, have periodontal disease, or have chronic dry mouth. New methods use less radiation, and newer films have shorter exposure times. Digital radiography now allows dentists to take x-rays without using film. A sensor similar to those in digital cameras captures an image, which can be stored securely and sent electronically to other dentists and health care professionals.

Before implants, surgery, or extractions, you may need to have new exposures taken. You might also need x-rays to check on restorative work, the progress of periodontal disease, or to determine if certain symptoms indicate a dental problem or other health concern. We can answer your questions about dental x-rays. Contact our office today at (732) 425-4400 for information or to schedule an appointment.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants, Dental Reconstruction, Dental Technology, Restorative Dentistry

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Say Goodbye to a Gummy Smile with Gum Recontouring

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Have you ever looked in the mirror only to think that your smile was too gummy and that not enough of your teeth showed? If so, gum recontouring may be for you.

Gum recontouring, also known as gum lifting, does just what its name implies. With the use of a dental laser, Dr. James Stewart, a Livonia, Michigan cosmetic and restorative dentist, can quickly, safely, and effectively alter the placement of your gum tissue. The end result is a more attractive and even-looking smile.

Until recently, gum lifting was used as a treatment for periodontal disease, but cosmetic dentists quickly realized the esthetic effect the procedure could have on smiles.

While those with large teeth, weak or thin dental roots, and severe staining at the gum line aren’t candidates for gum lifting, patients looking for a simple way to improve their smile now have another option to add to the already extensive list of smile makeover procedures. Depending on your needs, Dr. Stewart will use his smile design expertise to create a beautiful smile for you.

In fact, the number of people having their gums lifted has increased over 60 percent in the past five years alone. Dr. Stewart recommends the procedure to his patients looking to enhance their smiles without the help of prosthetics, like veneers, and extra materials, as used for procedures like dental bonding. Call (734) 425-4400 for more information or to reserve your consultation appointment.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry

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Your Dentist and Your Sleep Apnea

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Dr. James Stewart has many years of experience helping patients overcome sleep apnea and sleeping disorders, but how exactly does he do it? How do dentists treat patients with sleep apnea?

Theoretically, you should visit your dentist every six months for routine checkups and cleanings. This means that you may see your dentist more frequently than you see your general physician. Dentists are often the first medical professionals to become aware of a potential problem, like sleep apnea, simply because they see their patients more often than doctors in other medical fields.

Snoring is a common indicator of sleep apnea, but not all symptoms are as obvious. Dr. Stewart is trained in dental sleep medicine, and he can detect the less evident symptoms of sleep apnea through a conversation with you about your sleeping habits and daytime behavior. If you complain about lethargy, morning headaches, dry mouth, daytime fatigue, or a number of other factors, Dr. Stewart may send you to a sleep lab or recommend a home sleep study. If you are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an oral appliance might be needed to treat the condition.

Dr. Stewart and his team have undergone special training for the treatment of sleep apnea and are skilled in recommending appropriate treatment, like behavior modification or an oral sleep appliance. He may suggest altering your sleep position, losing weight, or quitting smoking as conservative treatment options. Additionally, you may need to wear an oral appliance, such as a CPAP device, while you sleep to reposition your jaw and tongue to improve your airflow.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, Dr. James Stewart invites you to schedule an appointment at his dental office in Livonia, Michigan by calling (734) 425-4400.

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Dental Crowns Offer Attractive and Durable Restorations

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Cracked, broken, decayed, and worn teeth can be a source of embarrassment and discomfort. If you’ve had dental work to correct these problems, you may be self conscious about dark patches and restorations in your smile.

To treat all of these problems with one solution, Dr. James Stewart may recommend dental crowns.

Dental crowns are a durable, long-lasting, and comfortable way to restore a tooth with extensive damage. Generally, crowns cover the entire damaged tooth, so it’s important for your restorations to blend in with your natural teeth. That’s why Dr. Stewart uses dental porcelain and zirconia for dental crowns. These materials are tooth-colored and provide strong restorations while leaving your beautiful smile intact.

If you have damaged teeth or are unsatisfied with your previous dental work, call Dr. Stewart’s dental office in Livonia, Michigan at (734) 425-4400. Providing comprehensive dental care for patients in Livonia, Farmington, and Farmington Hills, Dr. Stewart offers personalized service and patient-focused care for smiles that last.

filed under: Restorative Dentistry

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Advanced Technology Provides Better Dental Care for You

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For Dr. James Stewart, a dentist in Livonia, Michigan, staying on the cutting edge of technology helps him provide his patients with the highest quality dental care.

For diagnostic precision and patient comfort, Dr. Stewart uses DIAGNOdent during dental checkups. This advanced technology allows Dr. Stewart to detect tooth decay by passing a “wand” over the teeth. A laser in the wand’s tip scans the teeth and delivers information to a main computer, which then reports any tooth decay or demineralization (the early phase of tooth decay). A digital readout is printed to show the extent and exact areas of the decay, helping Dr. Stewart target and treat the condition more precisely and effectively.

Digital photography has come a long way in the past decade, and intraoral cameras are a reflection of this. These cameras allow Dr. Stewart to take a picture of your teeth and then zoom in digitally to see the fine details that can’t be seen by the naked eye. These pictures are a fantastic learning aid and are immensely helpful for patients considering cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Stewart can focus on one specific area and, thanks to digital imaging, show you the anticipated result of your smile makeover.

If you’ve ever been in Dr. Stewart’s dental chair, you’ve probably wondered why he wears funny-looking glasses while he works on your teeth. These glasses are actually surgical telescopes, and they allow Dr. Stewart to see and evaluate intricate details of your teeth, gums, and oral cavity while he works. Magnification also gives Dr. Stewart the ability to make tiny, but crucial, adjustments to procedures, which can result in better and more comprehensive dental care for you.

To see all of this technology in action, call Dr. Stewart’s dental office at (734) 425-4400 to schedule an appointment.

filed under: Dental Technology

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Rocking Into the Night: Can Swaying Motions Improve Sleep?

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Is there anything better than taking a nap in a hammock on a breezy summer day? As far as naps go, the answer could be “no.” A group of Swiss scientists observed an interesting phenomenon: rocking motions, specifically in hammocks and cradles, are universally seen as soothing across cultural lines. Those researchers decided to search for scientific evidence behind this phenomenon.

Studying the Effects of Rocking on Sleep

To conduct the study, the scientists created a custom bed that created a gentle swaying motion to lull their subjects to sleep. The 12 participants, all men, good sleepers, and in the age range of 22 to 38, took 45-minute afternoon naps in the bed, while it was rocking and while it was stationary. (more…)

filed under: Healthy Living

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Looking for migraine relief? Maybe you need a dentist!

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If you experience nagging discomfort in your temples and jaws, or if your migraines simply won’t go away, you might suffer from TMJ disorder.

What is TMJ?

The acronym TMJ stands for temporomandibular joints. These small joints hold the jaw to the skull and allow us to move our mouths when chewing and speaking. Unfortunately, when teeth become misaligned, the joints can become unbalanced. Stress, heredity, and physical abnormalities can also contribute to TMJ disorder.

Why is TMJ disorder painful?

A complex system of nerves and muscles surround the temporomandibular joints.  The muscles must compensate for misaligned joints by holding the mouth in proper position. Over time, jaw muscles become fatigued. Nerves send pain signals to the brain.  It’s not uncommon to experience chronic earaches, tingling extremities, and head, neck, and shoulder pain with TMJ disorder.  Some patients even complain of back pain. Jaw muscles may also spasm at night, causing you to clench and grind your teeth while sleeping. This condition, called bruxism, leads to further pain and dental trauma.

Well what can I do about it?

Dr. James Stewart will thoroughly examine your jaws, head, neck, and teeth to determine if you suffer from TMJ disorder. He may suggest an oral appliance to reposition your jaw and eliminate bruxism.  The appliance can be comfortably worn in your mouth at night and/or during the day.

Don’t let TMJ disorder disturb your life. Call Dr. Stewart’s dental office in Livonia, Michigan at (734) 425-4400, and schedule an appointment in our Livonia dental office. Pain-free living may be just a dental visit away!

filed under: TMJ

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How A Sleep Disorder Impacts Your Overall Health

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Are you getting the sleep you need every night? If not, you’re not alone.

The National Sleep Foundation estimates that at least 40 million people in America suffer from sleep disorders, and 60 percent of adults have sleepless nights at least a few times every week.

More than 40 percent of adults experience daytime exhaustion that interferes with daily activities at least a few days per month, with half of those adults reporting these problems with daytime tiredness a few days each week or more. Additionally, 69 percent of American children experience some form of sleep disturbance at least a few nights every week.

Out of these 40 million people with sleep issues, most of them let their issues go undiagnosed or untreated. At Dr. James Stewart’s dental office in Livonia, Michigan, we want you to understand how important sleep is for your health so that you will no longer leave your symptoms untreated.

How Sleep Disorders Can Hurt Your Health

A lack of sleep can impact different aspects of your life, from your interactions with others, to your job performance, to your safety. According to Harvard Health News, a lack of sleep can impact:

  • Brain function: Sleeping properly helps you learn and remember new information through a process called “memory consolidation.” Studies have shown that people can do better on tests when they sleep after learning new information.
  • Metabolism: A lack of sleep can affect your hormone levels and the way that your body processes and stores carbohydrates, which can lead to weight gain.
  • Safety: Sleep deprivation can lead to daytime lethargy and even daytime sleep, which in turn leads to accidents, as well as other repercussions. Medical errors, traffic accidents, and harm to others and yourself can occur because of a lack of sleep.
  • Mood: As you’re probably aware, sleep issues can lead to irritability, impatience, concentration problems, and overall moodiness. A bad mood is detectable by everyone you come in contact with, including coworkers, superiors, etc.
  • Heart health: Severe sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, are linked to hypertension (high blood pressure), an increased level of stress hormones, and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).
  • Immunities: Sleep loss impacts your immune system, including the functions of your white blood cells. The amount of sleep you get could also affect your ability to fight cancer.

Don’t let sleep have a negative say in your health any longer. Call Dr. Stewart’s dental office at (734) 425-4400 so he can diagnose and treat your condition.

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Dental Implants Let You Kiss Slippery Dentures Goodbye

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As you age, your teeth fall victim to the aging process, just like every other part of your body. For many people, losing teeth is a part of this process.

For some, dentures are a great way to complete your smile once again. For others, however, dental implants offer a much more stable and permanent solution. Dr. James Stewart, a dentist in Livonia, Michigan has been able to combine the two procedures into one substantial, esthetically appealing solution: Implant-retained dentures.

To maximize stability of your dentures, Dr. Stewart may suggest implant-retained dentures to restore your smile. Traditional dental prosthetics replace only the crown portion of missing teeth. Natural teeth, however, extend below the gum line and into the jaw. Implants are designed to imitate teeth roots and anchor dental crowns, which imitate natural teeth, to the jawbone. In turn, your dentures can be secured to dental implants for a solid, secure set of teeth that look, feel, and function just like natural teeth.

To find out if dental implants and implant-retained dentures are right for you, call Dr. Stewart’s dental office at (734) 425-4400.

filed under: Dental Implants

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