Spooky Sugar Facts from Your Livonia Dentist

Tomorrow is Halloween, and today, fittingly enough, happens to be National Candy Corn day. Perhaps Candy Corn deserves its own day, considering the fact that those orange, yellow, and white kernels of super sweetness are the top selling Halloween candy.  All told, an estimated 600 million pounds of Halloween candy are purchased each year in America. Have you ever looked at a child’s trick-or-treating haul and had a sudden toothache from the visual association? Yes, candy and dentistry go hand-in-hand in some people’s minds – veritable devils and angels on a child’s costumed shoulders.  Livonia dentist, Dr. James R. Stewart, offers some facts about candy, both good and bad. (more…)

Livonia Dentist Discusses Sleep Apnea in Pregnant Women

Q)        What is sleep apnea?

A)        Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes sufferers to experience snoring, along with pauses in their breathing during sleep, sometimes up to 100 such pauses during the night. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – a form of the condition in which excess fat issue narrows the inside of the airway – is prevalent in the obese. Although OSA can occur in non-obese individuals, this discussion focuses on obese patients. Not all women gain significant weight during pregnancy, but many do. For these women, OSA may be an issue.

Q)        Isn’t sleep apnea more prevalent in men than in women?

A)        In previous studies of sleep apnea, eight or nine men were diagnosed with OSA for each woman with the condition. Recent studies indicate a substantial shift in that thinking, however. The actual ratio is closer to two to three men with OSA for each woman with the condition.

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When a New Filling Causes Discomfort

Let’s say you visited your Livonia Dentist to have a cavity filled. Your mouth felt fine (although numb from the Novocain) when you left the office. Later that day, or maybe the next day, however, you begin to feel discomfort at the filling site. If this happens, you may have what is known as a high filling.

Q)        What is a high filing?

A)        A high filling occurs when too much composite resin projects from the tooth cavity.

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How Dental Implants Can Save Your Oral Health

Losing one or more teeth can be a tragic experience for some people. For others, it may seem inconsequential, perhaps even slightly humorous. Pride and confidence in one’s smile plays a role in both reactions; while one person may be so proud of their smile that the loss of a tooth can generate feelings of insecurity, another may be so self-confident that losing a mere tooth does not affect their self-esteem. Your body, however, has a few reactions of its own to tooth loss, and no amount of pride or confidence can directly affect them. Livonia dentist Dr. James Stewart explains the devastation that tooth loss can wreak on your oral health, and how dental implants can help halt the destruction.

The Visible Effects of Tooth Loss

The most obvious result of tooth loss is the noticeable gap left between the remaining adjacent teeth. As testament to the complexities of the human body, your normally-stationary teeth will begin to shift to try and take up the slack left by their fallen brethren. This shifting can throw off the natural balance of your bite (occlusion) and lead to many other oral health issues, including bruxism and TMJ disorder. Traditional tooth replacements, including bridges, partials, and full dentures, are designed to fill the empty space to prevent your remaining teeth from shifting to take up the slack. These solutions, however, do not address the second, and perhaps more damaging, result of tooth loss. (more…)

Livonia Dentist Can Help Ease Your Headache Pain

Finding the Source of Headache Pain

Are you suffering from regular, relentless headaches? You may want to visit your Livonia dentist, Dr. James Stewart, as well as your doctor to determine the source of your pain, particularly if jaw pain accompanies your headaches.

Due to the close anatomical link between the head, jaw, and neck, the root cause of your pain can be difficult to discern. The pain and tension you’re experiencing may cause you to clench your teeth and tighten your jaw muscles, thereby exacerbating your headaches and setting up a cycle of pain. (more…)

How Fish Oil Can Alleviate Gum Disease Symptoms

Fish OilWhile fish products might not be the best path to good breath, recent work by Dr. Alison Coates from the University of South Australia suggests that it might be a beneficial therapy for gum disease. Over half of all American adults suffer from some degree of periodontal disease, and the disease itself has been linked to a number of other health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and oral and pancreatic cancers.  (more…)

Affordable Sleep Apnea Treatment From Dr. Stewart

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can result in anything from snoring and mild morning headaches to poor mental health and memory impairment. For the loved ones of patients who suffer from sleep apnea, the snoring associated with the condition can deprive them of their sleep, as well. Your Livonia dentist is committed to finding the sleep apnea solution that fits best fits your needs, without causing you to lose sleep over the expense.

Sleep Apnea Treatments

The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or “CPAP.” The breathing machine is effective at alleviating the breathing issues associated with sleep apnea, but only about half of the patients that try it stick with it. The noise emitted by the machine keeps some from being able to sleep, and others complain of a claustrophobic feeling due to the mask. For mild to moderate cases of obstructive sleep apnea, Dr. Stewart offers an alternative to the CPAP machine. (more…)

Dental Insurance and End-of-Year Considerations

For most patients with dental insurance, dental plans will expire at the end of the year. With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s more important than ever to schedule your appointments. Livonia dentist Dr. Stewart explains why you should take advantage of your dental benefits before the end of the year.

Delaying Dental Care

If visiting Dr. Stewart is something you’ve been meaning to do, but just haven’t quite got around to it, now is the time to schedule your appointment. Your wallet and your teeth will thank you. We recommend that you come in for professional dental checkups and cleanings at least twice a year, to supplement your daily brushing and flossing routine. If you haven’t managed to make it to your first visit, better late than never. If you’re due for your second visit, then now is the time, before your insurance benefits expire. (more…)