Rocking Into the Night: Can Swaying Motions Improve Sleep?

Posted July 12, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

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…)

Looking for migraine relief? Maybe you need a dentist!

Posted July 11, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

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!

How A Sleep Disorder Impacts Your Overall Health

Posted June 30, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

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.

Dental Implants Let You Kiss Slippery Dentures Goodbye

Posted June 27, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

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.

Oral Cancer Screenings Can Save Your Life

Posted June 20, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

The best way to protect yourself from serious and debilitating oral and overall health problems is to have dental checkups every six months.

These visits allow Dr. James Stewart and his team to prevent dental issues or, if caught in the early stages, treat them in the most conservative way possible. Gum disease, dental decay, bite problems, as well as other dental problems will not heal naturally, but will continue to worsen over time.

Ultimately, without regular, routine, dental checkups and cleanings, you will experience more pain and expenses, and suffer from more dental health problems.

An important part of every checkup you have with Dr. Stewart is your oral cancer screening. Oral cancer is one of the most dangerous and fatal forms of cancer, yet it is one of the least known forms for the disease. To screen your mouth, Dr. Stewart will use laser technology to look for changes in color, consistency, and any abnormalities in the tissue of your oral cavity.

If you are due for a dental cleaning and checkup, or if you think something has changed with your teeth, gums, or tongue, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Stewart’s dental office in Livonia, Michigan at (734) 425-4400.

Breathe Fresh, Livonia

Posted June 16, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

Bad breath can be detrimental to your professional, social, and romantic pursuits, not to mention embarrassing. Fortunately, Dr. James Stewart has the solution.

BreathRx is a specially formulated, professional breath treatment system that conquers bad breath at the source. Each of the unique BreathRx products contains Zytex, an exclusive ingredient with zinc, eucalyptus oil, and thymol. This mixture neutralizes volatile sulpher compounds, which are the main cause of oral malodor.

The BreathRx mouth rinse and breath spray take this step one step further by eliminating bacteria. This makes it harder for plaque to accumulate, preventing your chances of developing gum disease and tooth decay.

In addition to the power of the product itself, BreathRx is the only anti-bacterial mouth rinse that is 100 percent alcohol-free, which makes it safe for long term use.

If you suffer from bad breath and want a solution that works, contact Dr. Stewart at his dental office in Livonia, Michigan by calling (734) 425-4400.

Dental Care for Kids

Posted June 13, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

Children are special people that have special needs, including special dental needs. With a young patient, Dr. Stewart and his team have the opportunity to lay the foundation for lifelong dental health. We teach our children patients about the importance of taking care of their teeth, gums, and entire mouth.

Most of all, we try to make our children’s appointments fun, so that your child will want to come to the dentist and will see the value of having a healthy smile.

The American Dental Association recommends that children attend a first dental visit by the age of one, and Dr. Stewart agrees. Your child’s first visit can simply be coming along for a parent’s checkup. Be sure to let us know if you plan to bring your little one to a checkup, and we’ll set aside time to take a quick peak inside your child’s mouth. Dr. Stewart will check to make sure that everything looks normal and will ask you if you have any questions about your child’s oral health or development.

Once your child’s first teeth start to come in, regular six-month checkups become a necessity. At these short visits, we try to get your child used to being in the dental chair, teach them about the dental tools, and introduce them to the team members so they begin to recognize and trust them. Dr. Stewart will check your child’s mouth, explain how you should care for your child’s teeth at home, and answer any questions you may have at each and every one of your child’s dental checkups.

As your child grows, he or she will have different dental needs at every stage. Regular six-month dental cleanings should begin anytime between ages 3 to 5. Dr. Stewart suggests dental sealants and fluoride treatments to protect your child’s teeth from tooth decay.

Whether you’re expecting your first child or have a houseful, Dr. Stewart and his team at his dental office in Livonia, Michigan want to see you and your kiddos in our office. To find out more about family dentistry or to schedule an appointment, please call (735) 425-4400.

Livonia Dentist Offers Compassionate and Complete Care for Aging Patients

Posted June 9, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

Aging impacts every aspect of a person’s physical being. Sometimes, these changes can create challenges that were not there in younger years.

As a dentist, Dr. James Stewart understands these challenges and provides compassionate and complete dental care for aging patients. No two patients are the same, so Dr. Stewart and his dental team take the time to get to know all patients so that we understand and can effectively treat their needs and concerns.

A patient with arthritis, for example, may struggle with daily at-home dental hygiene, namely brushing and flossing, due to movement problems. Additionally, many senior patients take medications that can cause side effects, such as dry mouth, which can lead to tooth decay. Some patients may have not seen a dentist in years simply because getting to the dentist’s office is a task in itself.

Dr. Stewart and his team have been treating aging patients for years, so he understands the challenges commonly associated with senior dental health. These include:

Inability to brush and floss properly: Medical conditions that affect movement, such as arthritis, can make daily brushing and flossing difficult. It’s essential that patients who have difficulty practicing quality at-home dental hygiene habits see their dentist regularly for thorough cleanings and exams.
Dry mouth: Medications, cancer treatments, and certain diseases can contribute to dry mouth, which increases a person’s risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Dr. Stewart will provide thorough exams to detect early signs of dry mouth, offer hygiene tips, and diet counseling that will help to restore moisture.
Dentures: Dr. Stewart is a denture expert. At dental appointments, he will check to make sure dentures fit properly, are comfortable, and check for signs of wear and tear. Aside from general discomfort, ill-fitting dentures can lead to more serious oral health concerns.
Implants: Dr. Stewart is trained in the placement of dental implants and mini-implants, which can help, stabilize and secure loose dentures.

Call our dental office in Livonia, Michigan at (734) 425-4400 to schedule an appointment.

Regular Checkups with Your Livonia Dentist Can Protect You from Serious Oral and Overall Health Problems

Posted May 26, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

You’ve seen how periodontal disease can lead to arthritis, but this oral condition can also lead to other serious health problems, including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, birth complications, heart problems, osteoporosis, certain cancers, and strokes.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and, therefore, the perfect time to explore just why gum disease can lead to an increased chance of strokes.

A stroke occurs for two reasons: when a ruptured blood vessel or impaired blood flow causes brain hemorrhaging, or when a clot blocks a blood vessel. Dr. Wu, a stroke expert from the State University of New York at Buffalo says that bacteria are to blame. Harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream through the mouth, stimulating blood clotting, damaging the lining of blood vessels, and increasing the risk of stroke.

Additionally, gum disease is twice as likely to cause strokes as it is to cause diabetes, and it is equally as likely to cause strokes as it is to cause high blood pressure.

Gum disease is present in the mouths of approximately 80 percent of American adults, yet many don’t even know they have it. It’s imperative that you have regular dental checkups and cleanings every 6 months so that I can screen for early signs of this disease and other oral health conditions.

I’m Dr. James Stewart, and I invite you to call my dental office in Livonia, Michigan, at (734) 425-4400 to schedule an appointment. My team and I look forward to keeping your smile healthy for years to come.

Be Like Shaq and Give Sleep Apnea the Attack

Posted May 23, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

Even celebrities and athletes aren’t perfect. People in the spotlight get sick, go grocery shopping, and walk their dogs just like us. Some even snore, and Shaquille O’Neal is one of those snorers.

If you, like Shaq, snore, or if you sleep with someone who does, you know how annoying and frustrating the habit can be. Whether you’re the one fighting to keep your airways open or fighting to get some shut-eye, snoring can be a disturbance. Then, it can turn into a life-threatening problem.

Snoring is one of the tell tale signs of sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing while sleeping becomes difficult because your airways are slightly or severely obstructed. Often, breathing can stop completely, sometimes for as many as 10 seconds. In addition to not breathing several times throughout the night, you’re not getting the sleep you need because your body wakes you every time your breathing stops.

Attack sleep apnea and reclaim your life and a good night’s sleep. That’s what Shaq did! After years of snoring and freight-train-turned-silent nights, the basketball star decided to take part in a sleep apnea study sponsored by Harvard University. Hear about Shaq’s experience here.

I’m Dr. James Stewart, and I urge you to make an appointment at my Livonia, Michigan, dental office at (734) 425-4400 to find out more about sleep studies and sleep apnea treatments. I’ve helped countless patients stop snoring, sleep comfortably, and achieve a higher quality of life. I want to help you do the same.