Halloween Candy Buy Back

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 youre 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, Moms and Dads thoughts may turn to the dentist as their kids thoughts turn to candy! Its 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 childrens mouths, and start kids on a lifestyle that includes good oral habits. (more)

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 .

Youve seen how periodontal disease can lead to arthritis , but this oral condition can also lead to other serious health problems, including Alzheimers 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 dont even know they have it. Its 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.

Im 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.

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and University Hospitals of Cleveland reported that patients reduced arthritic pain and the number of swollen joints after treating their dental problems.

It was exciting to find that if we eliminated the infection and inflammation in the gums, then patients with a severe kind of active rheumatoid arthritis reported improvement on the signs and symptoms of that disease. Stated Dr. Nabil Bissada, chair of the schools Department of Periodontics.

This study was not the first to link gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatologists and other clinicians have studied the how gum disease may lead to systematic disease. Dr. Ali Askari, chair of the department of rheumatology at University Hospitals, states that historically, arthritic patients felt better when teeth were pulled or received antibiotics used to treat periodontal disease.

Askari and Bissada worked together, studying 40 patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease and severe rheumatoid arthritis. These inflammatory diseases share similarities in the progression of the disease over time. In both diseases, inflammation caused by toxins from bacterial infection destroys hard and soft tissue. One common toxin revealed in the study, called, tumor necrosis factor-alpha , can initiate new infections or aggravate sites where inflammation already exists. (more)

With proper oral hygiene, teeth can last a lifetime. Today, more than ever before, people are keeing their natural teeth throughout life. When it comes to care and maintenance of teeth, here are some interesting dental health facts to keep in mind:

• 50 percent of people polled state they notice a smile before any other feature .
• 80 percent of men and women feel guilty when they forget to brush their teeth. However over 75 percent of American adults have some level of gum disease.
• Three out of four people admit, they dont change their toothbrushes as often as they should. Toothbrushes should be replaced every six to eight weeks or immediately after an illness.
• While brushing your teeth, maintain a six-foot distance from the commode. Airborne particles from flushing can travel up to six feet.
• The average woman smiles approximately 62 times a day, while a man generally smiles only eight times a day.
• Children laugh 400 times a day, and adults only laugh about 15 times a day.
• Adults lose more than 164 million hours of work annually due to dental visits and oral health problems.
• 44 percent of dental expenses are paid out-of-pocket.
• The most popular color of toothbrush is blue.
• The average toothbrush contains 2,500 bristles.

To maintain teeth for a lifetime, brush twice a day, floss once a day, rinse after meals, and visit your dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning and checkup . Contact Dr. James Stewart at (734)425-4400 to schedule your semi-annual dental visit. Dr. Stewart maintains healthy teeth for residents of Livonia, Farmington, Farmington Hills, and surrounding areas.

Saliva plays an important role in maintaining good oral health. It washes away food particles, cleans teeth, and neutralizes harmful acids. Without saliva, the risk of tooth decay and gum disease increases. When your mouth doesnt produce enough saliva, you suffer from xerostomia or dry mouth.

To determine the cause of dry mouth, your dentist will review your health, habits and medication list. Certain prescription and nonprescription medications can dry out your mouth. Some mouth-drying medications are: anti-depressants, antihistamines, decongestants, diet pills, bronchodilators, and muscle relaxers.

Infections, different diseases, and medical treatments can also lead to dry mouth. People who suffer from diabetes, anemia, HIV, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis may exhibit signs of dry mouth, as well. Chemotherapy and radiation have also been known to damage salivary glands and cause dry mouth. (more)

Research shows that maintaining proper diet and exercise can increase your overall well-being and life expectancy. Dentists encourage their patients to eat a healthy diet, not only to prevent cavities and gum disease, but also to promote good overall health. Studies show good oral health contributes to good overall health.

While the road to better health can seem like an uphill battle, the outcome is the prize. Taking small steps towards a healthy lifestyle will allow you a better opportunity for success. Making small changes in your diet will prove more effective than denying yourself of favorite foods completely then binging on sweet and fatty treats. Apply these three diet changes to set you on the path to healthy living:

Decrease alcohol consumption: Alcohol should be consumed in moderation, both for your overall and oral health. Alcohol contains empty calories that add up quickly. It alsocontains sugar and acid, which, combined with natural bacteria in the mouth, leads to a higher risk of tooth decay. Alcohol should be limited to two glasses a day for men and one glass a day for women. (more)

Easter is a great time for family and friends to gather and enjoy a feast. Since Americans are becoming more conscious of their oral and overall health, we look for deserts that are good for our bodies and teeth. Enjoy this low-fat carrot cake recipe for your Easter feast.

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple
• 2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup nonfat buttermilk
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated carrots (4-6 medium)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted (more)

Like our bodies, teeth need proper care to last a lifetime. Even though teeth are surprisingly resilient, everyday wear and tear and natural aging can take a toll. Along with following the American Dental Associations guidelines on proper dental care (brush twice daily, floss once a day, and visit a dentist every six months for thorough cleaning and checkup) here are some tips to keep your pearly whites healthy:

Prevent Acid Erosion: People assume that sugary candy is the biggest stumbling block for good oral health. However, colas harm your teeth worse than candy because carbonation increases acid levels in the mouth. Sports drinks also endanger oral health because they can deteriorate tooth enamel. Limit the amount of sugary foods you consume, including candy, colas, and sports drinks. Avoid frequent snacking, as it causes acid levels to remain high for an extended time. If you need something sweet, consider chewing sugarless gum, especially gum with xylitol as the main ingredient. Gum chewing causes the mouth to produce more saliva, which helps clean the mouth and lower acid levels.

Prevent Excessive Wear and Tear: Contrary to what many people assume, teeth do not become more brittle with age, states Steven Schonfield, Spokesperson for the ADA. However, teeth with fillings or root canals become more susceptible to chipping and cracking with age. Another cause of structural damage to teeth is bruxism, or the habit of grinding and clenching teeth. Over time, bruxism can wear down teeth and lead to breakage. Stop chewing ice and hard foods, and check for pits in olives, cherries, and other pitted foods. (more)

Studies have shown that poor nutrition increases a womans risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. When women typically diet, they may deplete their bodies of essential vitamins and minerals. Doctors and dentists recommend women incorporate foods full of vitamins and minerals because the body will use food-sourced vitamins more efficiently than supplements.

Our bodies are like luxury vehicles; you cant put low-grade nutrients in them and expect them to run well. Consume the following nutrients daily to maintain healthy oral and overall health:

Calcium: Women typically need 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium a day to maintain strong bones and teeth. Good sources of calcium are dairy and soy products. As women age, they need to increase their calcium intake to prevent osteoporis. (more)