The Truth About Gum Disease

Posted March 11, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) estimates that three out of four Americans have some sort of gum disease. Despite this high number, only three percent of those suffering from gum disease will seek treatment. Since studies have shown that gum disease is linked to potentially life-threatening diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, certain forms of cancer, maintaining healthy teeth and gums is essential.

I’m Dr. James Stewart, a dentist in Livonia, MI, and I want to address some common misconceptions about oral health.

Bleeding gums are normal: Red, swollen, and bleeding gums are signs of a problem and could indicate periodontal disease. You should not dismiss these warning signs. It is important to treat periodontal disease as soon as possible. If your lips were swollen, red, and bleeding, would you ignore them?

Flossing daily is unnecessary: A recent study shows that only 13.5 percent of Americans floss daily. Flossing should be part of your daily oral hygiene. It removes food particles and plaque lodged between teeth, and reduces the potential for bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. (more…)

Vegetarians May be Prone to Tooth Decay

Posted March 8, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

With obesity in America on the rise, many people are trying new diets, and many are becoming vegetarians. As with all dieters, vegetarians run the risk of taking in insufficient nutrients essential for healthy teeth.

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) warns vegetarians that they may increase their risk of periodontal disease from lack of Vitamin D and calcium. Calcium and Vitamin D are essential for maintaining strong teeth. Vegetarians can increase their Vitamin D supply by sitting with sun exposure. Read Vitamin D Deficiency and Periodontal Disease for more information.

Vegetarians, especially vegans, who do not consume any food of animal origin, are at a greater risk of depleting their bodies of not only calcium and Vitamin D, but also of Vitamins B2 and B12. Mouth sores can develop when you do not get enough Vitamin B2 and B12.

Studies have shown that many of the body’s essential nutrients can come from a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Vegetarians should add vegetable margarines, soy milk, nutritional yeast, and extra servings of green leafy vegetables to their diets to decrease the risk of vitamin deficiency. It is also recommended they should take a supplemental daily vitamin.

The AGD suggests that you consult with a physician and nutritionist prior to adopting a vegetarian lifestyle. I can also provide you with smart food substitutions to ensure you the necessary nutrients. I’m Dr. James Stewart, a Livonia dentist, and I believe that a healthy diet and good oral health care habits are the best defense against problems with gums and teeth. If you are starting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, call my Livonia dentist office at (743)425-4400 to schedule a consultation. I want to help you maintain a healthy, well-rounded diet and most importantly, a healthy smile.

Stressed out in Livonia?

Posted March 4, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

Approximately 20 percent of adults clench or grind their teeth to extent of causing permanent tooth or jaw damage. Teeth grinding may be a sign of too much stress, TMJ disorder, or other underlying conditions. While it’s important to address the core cause of teeth grinding, there are a few things you can start doing right now, even before you visit my office.

I’m Dr. James Stewart, a Livonia dentist, and I can help. There are ways to prevent bruxism (teeth grinding) and protect your beautiful smile:

Recognize symptoms: If you have worn or chipped teeth, jaw pain, earaches, and sensitivity to hot or cold, there is a strong possibility that you are grinding or clenching your teeth. You may not even be aware…

Relieve stress: When you feel yourself in a stressful situation that is causing you to clench your jaw, take a few minutes to breathe and relax. Try to schedule time to exercise or participate in an enjoyable hobby regularly. Prior to going to sleep, do deep breathing exercises, or hold a warm washcloth against your jaw for 10 minutes to relax your facial muscles.

Decrease caffeine and alcohol: Alcohol and caffeine, especially near bedtime can contribute to teeth grinding.

Train yourself: When you notice that you are pressing your teeth together, stop. Place your tongue between your front teeth to control the clenching. Be careful not to bite your tongue.

Seek help: If you are grinding your teeth at night, talk to your dentist about a night mouth guard. If you are one who grinds their teeth during the day, talk to your physician about ways to control stress or anxiety that may be the cause of your grinding.

Your teeth are meant to last you a lifetime. If you find that your grinding or clenching is causing dental damage or pain, call my Livonia dentist office at (734)425-4400 to schedule an appointment.

Cavity-Fighting Vaccine

Posted March 1, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

Is it possible that a vaccine could make cavities a thing of the past? Right now, the answer is no! However, there could be hope in the future. I’m Dr. James Stewart, a Livonia dentist, and I would like to see an end to cavities and tooth decay.

Studies are being conducted at the Forsyth Institute in Boston on a vaccine to end tooth decay in children. Martin Taubman and Daniel Smith, Forsyth researchers, state that their vaccine could prevent decay-causing bacteria from accumulating on the teeth.

Tooth decay is symptom of the chronic infectious disease call dental caries. Bacteria (mutans streptococci) gather in significant numbers in the presence of sugar. As bacteria break down the sugar, lactic acid is produced. The lactic acid eats away tooth enamel and eventually produces cavities. (more…)

Healthy Foods for a Healthy Mouth

Posted February 25, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

They always say that you are what you eat! In today’s health conscious society, people concentrate on healthy foods to help them lose weight. But shouldn’t we also concentrate on the health of our teeth as well?

I’m Dr. James Stewart, and I would like to show you some healthy foods that promote good oral health.

Dairy – This includes cheese, milk, and plain yogurt. Most dairy products are low in carbohydrates and high in calcium and phosphate. Cheese helps balance the pH level in your mouth and also preserves and rebuilds tooth enamel. Dairy products add minerals to your teeth — minerals stripped away by starches, sugars, and other foods. Keep in mind, demineralization is the precursor to tooth decay.

Celery – Celery protects your teeth by increased chewing and chomping. The chewing causes saliva production which neutralizes bacteria that cause cavities. The chomping on celery massages the gums and cleans between the teeth. (more…)

Vitamin D Deficiency and Periodontal Disease

Posted February 21, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

How Vitamin D Deficiency Affects the Health of Your Teeth

Vitamin D is essential in helping your teeth remain anchored into their sockets. Research has shown that people with Vitamin D deficiency are more likely to develop periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the weakening of the supporting tissues that anchor the teeth. This includes gums, bone, and connective tissue. Untreated, gum disease leads to redness, bleeding, and inflammation of the gums and eventually leads to tooth loss.

So what role does Vitamin D play in the prevention of periodontal disease?

Our bodies host genes that are responsible for the expression of periodontal disease. Vitamin D regulates these genes. Vitamin D acts as a controller of genes in almost every cell. When Vitamin D levels are too low, the genes responsible for a number of problems, such as periodontal disease, get switched on and allow the disease to develop.

Vitamin D has not been tested as a treatment for periodontal disease. However, sustaining proper Vitamin D levels may help prevent periodontal disease. While it does not treat periodontal disease, Vitamin D may reduce gingivitis because of its anti-inflammatory effects. (more…)

Timely Tidbits for Presidents’ Day

Posted February 18, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

The third Monday in February represents the combined birthday celebration of our first and sixteen presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, along with recognizing all former presidents. Lincoln’s birthday is February 12^th, and Washington’s Birthday is February 22^nd. While George Washington’s Birthday was a federal holiday, Abraham Lincoln’s was a state-recognized holiday only. Presidents’ Day is still officially in the congressional book as George Washington’s Birthday. Advertisers made the push in the 1980s to call it Presidents’ Day.

Here are some other interesting facts about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln that you may not know:

1. Washington’s teeth were not made out of wood, but instead out of ivory, gold, lead, and human or animal teeth.

2. Lincoln hated his nickname “Honest Abe.” His friends called him either Mr. Lincoln or Lincoln. (more…)

Lack of Sleep is a New Risk Factor of Colon Cancer

Posted February 14, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

In a ground-breaking study, researchers from University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have found that individuals who average less than six hours of sleep a night are 50% more like to increase their risk of colorectal adenomas than those individuals who get at least seven hours of sleep a night. Adenomas are precursors to cancer tumors, and if left untreated, they turn malignant.

According to Dr. Li Li, the study’s principal investigator, this is the first study to report the association between sleep duration and colorectal adenomas. “A short amount of sleep can now be viewed as a new risk factor for the development of colon cancer,” Dr. Li explained. (more…)

Valentine’s Day Around the World

Posted February 11, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

Have you ever wondered how other countries celebrate Valentine’s Day? Love is a universal theme, but not everyone follows the American tradition of giving their sweetheart chocolates and roses.

Scotland: On Valentine’s Day, a festival is held with an equal number of unmarried men and unmarried women. They write their name on a piece of paper and put in it a hat. Both the men and women pull a name out of the hat. It is rare that the names will match up, so it is usually expected that the man will partner with the woman that pulled his name. After the names are drawn and the couples are paired, the man gives a gift to the woman. The woman then pins the man’s name to her sleeve and they go to a dance. At times, a wedding ceremony will take place after the dance. (more…)

Maintaining Your Teeth for a Lifetime

Posted February 7, 2011 by Dr. Stewart

In a 2006 report, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published,

“…the baby boomer generation will be the first where the majority will maintain their natural teeth over their entire lifetime.’

“Over the past 10 years, the number of adults missing all their natural teeth has declined from 31 percent to 25 percent for those ages 60 years and older, and from 9 percent to 5 percent for those adults between 40 and 59 years.’ However, 5 percent means a surprising 1 out of 20 middle-aged adults are missing all their teeth.”

The general improvement in tooth retention began with the fluoridation of drinking water in 1945. Today, more than 171 million Americans drink water with added fluoride. “Fluoridation safely and inexpensively benefits both children and adults by effectively preventing tooth decay, regardless of socioeconomic status or access to care. Fluoridation has played an important role in the reductions in tooth decay (40 percent – 70 percent in children) and of tooth loss in adults (40 percent – 60 percent),” the CDC reported.

I’m Dr. James Stewart, and I believe that patients are maintaining healthier teeth and experience less tooth loss due to keeping regular check-ups, eating healthier foods, and exercising regularly. In general, people are taking better care of themselves.

Technology advancements also allow dentists to save more teeth with root canals, crowns, and periodontal therapy. Fortunately, advances in dentistry have significant benefits for elderly patients. Oral sedation allows for even the most complex procedures while patients sleep. Less invasive procedures minimize recovery time. Even patient education has improved with new tools to help illustrate oral care techniques for both patients and caregivers.

If you want to learn about ways to maintain your natural teeth, contact my Livonia office at (734)425-4400.