Learn How to Properly Apply Denture Adhesive from Your Livonia Dentist

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shutterstock_114440662Many mature adults sport dentures as a popular dental replacement. Typically, if the denture isn’t implant supported, an adhesive is used to secure the teeth in place. However, many people don’t know the proper method for applying denture adhesive. For this reason, Dr. James Stewart, your Livonia senior dentist, has formulated a step-by-step guide for a successful denture adhesive application.

The Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Use a small amount. A single dab of adhesive about the size of an eraser—the ones on the back of a wooden pencil—should do trick. Then, apply this amount on the center groove of your dentures. Most importantly, don’t spread the adhesive around.
  2. Apply the same amount to the left side. Apply the same aforementioned amount of adhesive on the left side of the denture groove; repeat this step for the right side. Should you have larger dentures, you may need two dabs on either side of the center groove.
  3. Ensure the fit. After the adhesive has been applied, your Livonia senior dentist recommends testing the dentures. Position the dentures on your gums and check the fit. You shouldn’t feel any discomfort or looseness. If your dentures don’t feel quite right, simply remove them and apply more adhesive; continue this process until the denture is secured in place.
  4. Secure the denture plate. Once your dentures feel comfortable, move on to adjusting the plate. Add a number of dabs of adhesive onto your denture plate and place it in the mouth. Check the fit and make sure the plate is snug, secure, and doesn’t cause any discomfort. If your denture plate doesn’t seem to fit properly, apply more denture adhesive.
  5. Store the adhesive. Immediately after use, replace the cap to the denture adhesive. This prevents the product from drying out. Take care to store the adhesive in a cool, dry place until the next application.

Your Livonia Dentist offers Senior Dentistry

For more helpful tips and hints on denture care, talk to Dr. Stewart. He can offer you suggestions for the most effective cleaning methods and general denture maintenance. To schedule an appointment with your Livonia senior dentist, call our office at (734) 425-4400. Also, visit our website to view services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.

filed under: Restorative Dentistry, Senior Dental Care

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Livonia Dentist Suggests Tips for Proper Porcelain Veneer Care

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girl smiling beautifullyFor patients who want to completely alter the appearance of their smiles, porcelain veneers offer drastic results. The porcelain-made shells cover your existing teeth after some preparatory work. While the difference in your smile is hard to beat with any other procedure, veneers have a certain fragility to them. Veneers require diligent and gentle care and changing a few habits will produce long-lasting results. For this reason, your Livonia general dentist, Dr. James Stewart, offers a few hints to maintaining your smile and veneers beautiful.

Proper Care Determines Veneer Longevity

  • Watch what you eat. The average lifespan of veneers is up to 15 years; however, the longevity is dependent upon at-home care. If your natural teeth can stain, veneers can too. For coffee, red wine, and sodas drinkers, take care to watch how many of these beverages you’re consuming to avoid heavy stains. Additionally, hard foods can crack and chip porcelain veneers. Therefore, try chewing harder foods with your back teeth to keep the pressure off the veneers.
  • Continue a teeth cleaning regimen. Veneers require as much care as natural teeth. Daily cleaning that includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing can’t falter. Furthermore, visiting the dentist twice-a-year is still necessary. During visits the dentist can detect any issues with your veneers and provide treatment before the problem worsens.
  • Change toothpastes. Though patients can use any toothpaste they desire, some people have concerns about surface scratches. To avoid any surface damage, use a toothpaste that isn’t very abrasive. Also, if you’re using a toothpaste that’s free of fluoride, use a separate fluoride product at least once a day.
  • Protect your smile from damage. As with natural teeth, protecting your veneers is crucial, especially during contact sports. If you play particularly rough sports, use a mouthguard. With knocking elbows, knees, and collisions your veneers become more susceptible to chipping.
  • Have maintenance polishes. Should your veneers become stained, ask your Livonia general dentist for a polish. This may not remove all surface stains, however, it will improve the appearance of your veneers.

Consult Your Livonia Dentist for Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Your Livonia general dentist can make your smile look beautiful and natural with the help of veneers. If you’re considering getting veneers, talk to Dr. Stewart about the procedure. Together, you can decide whether veneers will provide the most successful results. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (734) 425-4400. Also, visit our website to view services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.

filed under: General

Some Habits Can Worsen TMD Symptoms, Says Livonia Dentist

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Clenching teethMillions of Americans suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The most common signs of the disorder include: headaches, ear aches, and a popping jaw. TMD causes great discomfort, yet some patients worsen their syndrome with a few unhealthy habits. In fact, many TMD sufferers developed the disorder because of their persistent teeth grinding. To fully take control of the symptoms, you should complete daily jaw exercises and end any detrimental jaw habits. In this informative blog, Dr. James Stewart, your Livonia dentist, explains which tendencies worsen TMD.

Recognize the Habits and Put an End to Them

  • Clenching and grinding teeth. People usually clench their teeth mindlessly. The habit can occur if certain emotions arise, such as: joy, anger, and even during strenuous exercise. This results in a tired, overworked, and sore jaw. If you’re prone to clenching your teeth, set a timer to massage your joints and relax the jaw to prevent additional damage to the socket.Moreover, some patients grind their teeth, which is typically a nighttime habit. Oftentimes, a person becomes aware of their tendency when their jaws pop periodically and the associated pain also settles in.
  • Biting your lip. Alongside nail biting, biting your lip can ruin your jaw. The TMJ wasn’t meant to experience that kind of downward pressure. Lip biting puts great strain upon the joint, muscles, tendons, and surrounding tissues. If you frequently bite your lip, take to notice when the habit occurs. This will help you recognize the triggers to prevent you from biting your lip.
  • Gum chewing. As a culprit to popping jaws amongst patients, chewing gum can reek havoc on your jaw. The constant chewing and gnashing causes your jaw to tire easily. For those who chew gum regularly, your Livonia dentist recommends reducing the amount of gum chewed daily.

Get TMD Treatment from Your Livonia Dentist

You can improve your popping jaw by following these daily strengthening techniques. To schedule an appointment with your Livonia dentist call our office at (734) 425-4400. Also, visit our website to view services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.

filed under: TMJ

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Mouthguards Can Help Protect Your Child’s Teeth, Says Livonia Dentist

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Boy placing a mouthguardDo you have children involved in sports? Then you should seriously consider the health of their teeth. Rigorous sports can reek havoc on teeth, if they’re not properly protected against brunt forces. In this helpful blog, Dr. James Stewart, your 48154 dentist explains available mouthguard varieties and how each function.

The Three Mouthguard Types

  • Stock mouthguards. This type of mouthguard is ready-to-wear. You can find stock mouthguards at virtually any sporting goods store. Additionally, stock mouthguards don’t cost very much—between $5- $15 per mouth piece. The downside to stock mouth pieces is the sizing. Typically, stock mouthguards comes in small, medium, or large. However, everyone’s mouth differs and using a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t as effective.Furthermore, these mouthguards tend to feel bulky and can make breathing a difficult task. Though some protection is better than none, stock mouthguards may not necessarily work best.
  • Boil-and-bite mouthguards. Also available in sporting goods stores, these mouthguards have more flexibility in terms of fit. It’s made from a thermoplastic material that softens in hot water. Once the mouthguard is malleable, it’s placed on the teeth and contoured to fit your mouth’s structure. Moreover, this option is still quite affordable in the $20 to $50 range.As with anything, the downfall of this protective mouth piece is that adjusting the shape requires some finesse. If you’re considering this option have your 48154 dentist help you create the first set.
  • Custom-fitted mouthguards. A custom-made mouthguard is the best way to protect your child’s teeth; yet, it’s the most expensive. These can price in the hundreds of dollars, depending on the dentist. To have one made, the doctor takes impressions of your child’s teeth and sends the model to a lab. Once there, a technician manufactures the mouthguard mold from a specialized material and returns it to the dentist for patient use.

Sports that Require the Use of a Mouthguard

If your child partakes in any of the following activities, they should have some kind of protective covering over their teeth.

  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Rugby
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
  • Soccer

Visit Your Livonia Dentist for Children’s Dentistry

Your kids can have healthier smiles with the help of your Livonia 48154 dentist. With a mouthguard, your child can play sports without having to worry about the integrity of their oral health. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (734) 425-4400. Also, visit our website to view services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.

filed under: Children's Dentistry, Oral Health

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Livonia Dentist Suggests Exercises to Improve Sleep Apnea Symptoms

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Woman having trouble sleepingFor patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (or OSA), sleep is more of a luxury than a daily occurrence. To combat symptoms, one could alter dietary choices, lose weight, and even become a side sleeper. However, few people know that specific exercises can improve sleep apnea symptoms. In fact, those exercises can widen and strengthen the throat and the surrounding tissues, which helps the airways stay open during sleep. In order to provide simple, at-home sleep apnea relief, your Livonia dentist, Dr. James Stewart offers OSA treatment.

These Exercises May Help You Sleep Better

  • For your throat.
    • Pretend you’re chewing gum, while making sure your mouth remains closed. Furthermore, add a mmm sound to widen the opening in your throat. After beginning with a few minutes a day, increase the amount of time to build endurance.
    • Mimic a yawn, while making sure your mouth is opened as wide as possible. To increase the effectiveness of the exercise, thrust your tongue outward.
    • Swallow quickly five times or more while biting your tongue; repeat this several times throughout the day.
  • For your tongue.
    • Lick your lips in a circular, clockwise motion then switch to a counterclockwise movement.
    • Stick your tongue out as far as you’re able to and hold the position for a few seconds. Repeat this exercise several times during the day.
    • Place your tongue on the back of your upper teeth and make tsk tsk sounds. After completing a minute’s worth, stop to relax and repeat.
  • For your jaw.
    • Before going to sleep, your OSA Livonia dentist suggests clenching a pencil between your teeth for 10 minutes or more to strengthen the muscles in your jaw.
    • Move your jaw all the way to the right and hold the position for 30 seconds; repeat the same motion for the left side.

Visit Your Livonia Dentist for Sleep Apnea Treatment

If you need some relief from your sleep apnea symptoms, visit your Livonia OSA dentist for treatment options. Dr. Stewart can discuss which method will suit you best. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (734) 425-4400. Also, visit our website to view services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.

filed under: Sleep Apnea

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Learn How to Floss Under a Dental Bridge with Your Livonia Dentist

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Dental bridgesWhen patient has one or a few missing teeth, a dentist may recommend a dental implant. While an implanted tooth does prove quite beneficial, the process is a lengthy one. Though the implantation procedure isn’t time consuming, the recovery could take up to six months. Moreover, a patient may have to wait up to year before their dental restoration is fully-functioning.

As a quicker, more affordable alternative, patients could opt for a dental bridge. Though a bridge and an implant have similar benefits, a drawback to a bridge is the differing cleaning method. An implant doesn’t require a special cleaning regimen since it mimics natural teeth; yet, a bridge traps food particles beneath the spaces that lack teeth. To help his patients maintain optimal oral health, Dr. James Stewart, your Livonia dentist, offers a few tips for flossing with a dental bridge.

Just a Few Steps to a Cleaner Smile

In order to floss beneath your bridge properly, use the following steps as part of your daily oral care regimen.

  1. Use a sufficient piece of floss—about 14 to 16 inches. Then, thread roughly one-third of the floss through the hole of the floss threader.
  2. With the opposite end of the threader, find the portion of the dental bridge sans a tooth and insert the threader until the floss reaches the other side. Then, gently grab the floss and remove the threader.
  3. Wrap the floss ends around two fingers and move the floss across the bridge. Make sure to clean between the grooves of the false teeth on the bridge since bacteria easily lingers in these places.
  4. When you’re finished, remove the floss. Your Livonia dentist instructs his patients to repeat these steps for any remaining dental bridges in your oral cavity.

Visit Your Livonia Dentist for Dental Bridge Care

For more helpful tips and hints on dental bridge care, talk to Dr. Stewart. He can offer you suggestions for the most effective cleaning method for your bridges. To schedule an appointment with your Livonia dentist, call our office at (734) 425-4400. Also, visit our website to view services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.

filed under: Dental Reconstruction, Restorative Dentistry

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Routine Dental Checkups Can Prevent Dental Issues, Says Livonia Dentist

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Couple brushing their teethEvery dentist urges his or her patients to receive dental checkups at least twice-a-year. Without regularly inspecting your oral health, minor dental problems can worsen and become increasingly difficult to treat. By offering exceptional dental services, your Livonia dentist, Dr. James Stewart, can help you preserve your beautiful smile.

The Importance of Dental Checkups

Going to the dentist regularly is simply a precautionary measure. Similar to visiting a physician for a physical, a dental checkup helps the dentist detect any oral issues. For example, discomfort during chewing could indicate an infection within the root canal. In which case, root canal therapy would relieve the symptoms by removing the infected pulp. Moreover, headaches and jaw pain could mean issues with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). For which Dr. Stewart would prescribe a mouthguard to eliminate further damage to the joint and surrounding tissues. Regardless of the necessary treatment, your Livonia dentist has solution to help you sustain a healthy smile.

Maintaining Top-Notch Oral Health

To offer the finest dental care, your Livonia dentist uses the following dental technology during your dental checkups:

  • DIAGNOdent. To precisely detect cavities, Dr. Stewart uses the DIAGNOdent unit. This unit comes complete with a wand that’s passed over teeth to measure the amount of demineralization. With a final beep, the reading is displayed on the unit; the dentist then determines whether a filling is necessary.
  • Intraoral cameras. This digital camera takes detailed pictures of your teeth to accurately diagnose dental issues. With a zoom-in feature, the dentist can spot any troublesome areas he might have missed on sight alone.
  • Magnification. These surgical telescopes allow Dr. Stewart to make nearly microscopic changes during certain procedures. With magnification, the doctor can provide more thorough dental checkups and treatments.

Visit Your Livonia Dentist for Preventative Care

Your Livonia dentist has the expertise and knowledge to provide you and your family with excellent preventative care. If you’re looking for a friendly dental office to fulfill your dental needs, then Dr. Stewart is the dentist for you. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (734) 425-4400. Also, visit our website to view services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.

filed under: Dental Technology, General, TMJ

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Use an Electric Toothbrush for a Cleaner Smile, Says Livonia Dentist

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ToothbrushesDo you ever wonder if you’re brushing correctly? This concern may arise often amongst manual toothbrush users. As a matter of fact, those still using manual brushes probably have issues reaching their molars. Without proper brushing in that area, bacteria lingers and cavities can begin to develop. Instead, your Livonia dentist, Dr. James Stewart suggests switching to one of these electric brushes to achieve the healthiest smile.

Try Out These Electric Toothbrushes

  • Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean. This powerful, yet gentle, five-mode toothbrush is one of the best electric toothbrushes currently available. With an extra toothbrush head and a charging station included, this brush can maintain your smile cleaner by brushing more effectively than manual toothbrush. Though the initial cost is a little high ($220 per set), the replacement toothbrush heads only cost $25 per two pack. Additionally, with the purchase of two replacement heads, you receive roughly six months worth of daily brushing.
  • Oral-B Professional Care SmartSeries 5000. This brush comes with a timer to ensure the user is brushing for at least two minutes. As the cheaper option to the Sonicare brush ($160 per set), the Oral-B brush is popular amongst users; however, the handle is slightly heavier than the Sonicare one. Concerning replacement head cost, a set of two costs less than $20. This round, soft-bristled toothbrush is affordable and effective.
  • BrushPoint Oscillating Clean Power. If you’re considering switching from a manual to an electric toothbrush, you Livonia dentist recommends using this brush as tester. With a small price tag ($4 per brush), there isn’t a huge commitment to an expensive, electric toothbrush. Essentially, BrushPoint created a simple toothbrush to clean the hard-to-reach areas in the mouth. Moreover, there isn’t a need to buy replacement heads and toothbrush is battery operated.

Visit Your Livonia Dentist for Great Dental Care

For more helpful tips and hints on everyday dental care and oral hygiene, talk to Dr. Stewart. He can offer suggestions the oral care products that suit you best. To schedule an appointment with your Livonia dentist, call our office at (734) 425-4400. Also, visit our website to view services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.

filed under: Healthy Living, Just for Fun

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Livonia-based General Dentist Offers BreathRx for Bad Breath Sufferers

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Woman with bad breathDid you know that at any one time over 50% of Americans experience bad breath (or halitosis)? This common ailment frequently settles in our mouths while we sleep since dry mouth is one of many causes of bad breath. In fact, halitosis can also spring from food and medication. Thankfully, for patients who need to alleviate their bad breath, Dr. James Stewart, your Livonia general dentistcan help with the BreathRx system. This oral care method can resolve your halitosis and produce great smelling breath throughout the day.

A Breakthrough in Halitosis Treatment

BreathRx is different because the odor-eliminating system contains Zytex. This special ingredient is actually a combination of zinc, eucalyptus oil, and thymol. These three elements counteract volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). Those compounds often appear in foods, such as garlic, onions, and liver; however, VSCs have also been found in patients with gum disease.

Additionally, the BreathRx mouthwash and breath spray contain cetylpyridinium chloride, a destroyer of oral bacteria. Furthermore, this system provides one of the few rinses on the market that can prevent the development of plaque. As one of the most effective methods for halitosis treatment, your Livonia general dentist can prescribe you the system.

Curing Bad Breath in Three Simple Steps

  • Brush. Use the BreathRx gel toothpaste daily. The Zytex formula paired with fluoride and advanced whitening power begin the fresh breath process.
  • Scrape. After brushing, use the tongue scraper and daily tongue care spray to clear out any lingering odors that attach to the soft tissue found on the tongue.
  • Rinse. The anti-bacterial mouthwash finishes the process to give your fresh breath all day long. Overtime, you’ll notice a significant difference in your breath.

Visit Your Livonia General Dentist for Halitosis Relief

Your Livonia general dentist has the answer to your bad breath problems. If you’ve tried every a bad breath treatment to no avail, visit Dr. Stewart. With this product, he can make your breath minty-fresh put an end to your halitosis. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (734) 425-4400. Also, visit our website to view services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.

filed under: Bad Breath, General, Oral Health

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Livonia Children’s Dentist Reports: Dental Products for Kids

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Kids smilingAs adults, we understand the importance of maintaining our teeth and gums clean to avoid dental health issues. Yet, as children, teeth brushing may seem bothersome or boring. Moreover, to educate a child in any area, the proper stimulus must exist. In other words, the child has to enjoy the manner in which they learn. The same concept is necessary to establish an oral care regimen with your children. Dr. James Stewart, your children’s dentist in Livonia, offers a few dental products that will improve the oral health of your child, while still making the activity fun.

Dental Products Your Kids Will Love

  • MAM Oral Care Rabbit. This baby-friendly, soft cotton terry glove helps your little one adjust to a dental cleaning. The glove fits perfectly on either parent, and the plush bunny ears massage the baby’s gums to relieve some of their teething discomfort.
  • Tom’s Brand Strawberry Toothpaste. This strawberry-flavored toothpaste works wonders for the brushing needs of a toddler. This formula contains calcium and silica to fortify their baby teeth. Though the toothpaste is not edible, swallowing a small amount is harmless to your child.
  • Firefly Toothbrush. A light-up tooth can help motivate your child to brush more often. With handles that come in variety of colors and cartoon characters, and a 60-second timer to manage their brushing time, your child can begin sound brushing habits.
    For older children (preteens and early teenagers), your     Livonia children’s dentist recommends Brush Buddies instead. These brushes come complete with a two-minute timer, a removable head and only require a couple of batteries. Additionally, the toothbrush plays music from different artists, such as Justin Bieber to make brushing even more entertaining.
  • Cavity Fluoride Rinse. To provide extra protection against cavities, this berry-flavored fluoride rinse is just right. The mouthwash will not only encourage regular rinsing, it also cleans hard-to-reach areas, such as back molars.

Visit Your Livonia Dentist for Children’s Dentistry

Your kids can have healthier smiles with the help of your Livonia children’s dentist. With these products, your children will look forward to caring for their teeth. Establishing good oral habits is the key to ensure your child will continue a life-long commitment to oral care. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (734) 425-4400. Also, visit our website to view services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.

filed under: Children's Dentistry, Family Dentistry

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