As a kid, did you always fight over the turkey wishbone so you could pull it apart and make a wish? This common Thanksgiving tradition has a story behind it.
What is the wishbone?
The v-shaped bone rests over the breastbone of a bird, like the collarbone in a human. It is most commonly found in the chicken and turkey. When one person pulls on each side of the bone, it will break and one piece will usually be bigger.
Why do we break the wishbone?
The tradition follows the idea that whomever gets the bigger piece of the bone gets “the lucky break,” or a wish that will come true. The ancient belief was that chickens were fortune tellers, and wishing on their clavicle would bring good luck. (more…)
This is a patient story that we are really excited about! Our patient, Ron, expressed a desire to improve his smile. A thorough exam and analysis revealed that Ron had some issues with his bite that had to be addressed for his cosmetic treatment to be stable and successful. We made impressions of his teeth and took bite measurements so that we could plan his treatment using an instrument that simulated his chewing motions.
We bonded Ron’s teeth according to the plan. This allowed him to evaluate his smile and for us to determine the stability of his new bite. After getting Ron’s approval and noting how well his new bite was working, he said “it feels so much better than my old bite,” we started his final cosmetic work, which was to place porcelain crowns on his front teeth.
Ron’s treatment was completed over several years, making it easy on his budget and his schedule. Next, he wants to start working on making his back teeth look better!
Proper analysis and planning are essential in achieving a result like Ron’s. His case is an example of the type of care that our office provides.
“Dr. Stewart and Staff: I’m sending this to thank you for the outstanding job that you did on my teeth. Your expertise in dentistry shows in my smile. My teeth are absolutely perfect; strangers approach me and comment on my teeth. You have already been recommended to many people. My crowns look like real teeth only better. Again, to all of you I thank you for your expert care and follow up. Sincerely, Ron”
Dr. James Stewart aims to provide the best care possible for his patients. In addition to taking continuing education courses, he stays active in the dental community and dentistry organizations. Dr. Stewart was recently awarded fellowship with the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
The Pierre Fauchard Academy is an international dental organization. The Academy was named after the “Father of Modern Dentistry,” Pierre Fauchard. The historic French dentist wrote the first complete scientific description of dentistry, which outlined basic oral anatomy, periodontal disease, restoration, orthodontics, and replacing teeth. (more…)
We all cringe at the thought of having bad breath. It can be embarrassing and unhealthy. You may do what you can to avoid it, but how do you know if you actually suffer from halitosis? Cupping your hands and breathing into them is an old trick, but it doesn’t really work. The bad odor of your breath hides in the back of your mouth and comes out when you speak. Try these tricks to give you a hint of how your breath smells.
Wipe the back of your tongue with a clean cotton swab for about 15 minutes. Wait a few seconds and sniff the cotton swab. This sample is what your breath may smell like.
Floss a few of your back teeth with a piece of unflavored dental floss. Wait a few seconds and smell the floss. Since the back of your mouth is the source of halitosis, this is a good preview of what your breath smells like.
Lick your wrist. Wait a few seconds for the saliva to dry a little, and then smell it.
Ask a trusted friend or family member for the truth. It can be embarrassing, but then you’ll know for sure how your breath smells when talking to other people.
If you notice a frequent bad taste in your mouth, you could have bad breath. In addition, if your mouth is dry, you don’t have enough saliva to help clean the bacteria from your mouth, and it could cause a bad odor. (more…)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…)
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…)
As a kid, did you always fight over the turkey wishbone so you could pull it apart and make a wish? This common Thanksgiving tradition has a story behind it.
