Oral Hygiene with Bridges

Getting a fixed bridge does wonders for a patient’s bite and smile, but it requires a few changes to their hygiene routine. Since we value preventive care so highly at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton practice, we want to ensure that our patients with bridges know about all the tools available to them.

The gap between the bridge and the gum needs to be flossed. One way to get floss under the gap and loop it back around is with a threader, which is like a soft sewing needle and a familiar tool to anyone who has worn braces. There are also specialty brands of floss which have stiffened ends for sliding under bridges

Implant-supported bridges tend to have larger spaces beneath them due to implants being narrower than tooth roots. This may allow patients to remove debris with a proxy brush, which is also known as a Christmas tree brush. Proxy brushes can be mounted on normal-sized toothbrush handles. Some manufacturers of electric toothbrushes and water picks are now making adjustable heads for their products, as well, which are designed to be used on implants and the structures they support.

Eric M. Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit FullertonDental.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Intrinsic Stains

Did you know that root canals can be an important cosmetic procedure? Stains can be both extrinsic and intrinsic to a tooth, meaning they can affect the outer as well as the inner layers. At Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office, we offer several means of restoring teeth to whiteness, but for some intrinsic stains, a root canal is necessary.

Extrinsic stains are generally caused by repeated exposure to dark liquids such as coffee or red wine, or by smoke and tar. They can usually be fixed with bleaching. Intrinsic stains affect the dental pulp. They could be due to the tooth having been exposed to an excessive amount of fluoride or tetracycline antibiotics while it was developing, or by inflammation. Although an intrinsic stain can be covered with a veneer, inflamed pulp presents a health concern and should not be swept under the rug.

Although inflammation is part of the body’s immune response, the body does a poor job at fighting off tooth infections on its own and a root canal will probably be necessary. Typically, a root canal ends with the tooth being filled and sealed. But to reverse cosmetic damage, an entire new crown may be necessary.

Eric M. Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit FullertonDental.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Drink Water for Your Oral Health

Water is vital for us to survive, but did you know how much it plays a role in oral health? Those sugary beverages we consume may be tasty to wash down a meal with but they wreak havoc on the tooth enamel and gums. Water cleans your mouth with every sip, which is why Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS encourages all of his patients to stay hydrated if they want a healthy smile.

Drinking water that contains fluoride, also known as “nature’s cavity fighter” is one of the easiest things we can do to fight against cavities. This is because water washes away food particles that harvest bacteria. Though water dilutes the acids produced by these bacteria, you’ll still need to practice proper oral hygiene if you want to maintain a healthy smile. Aim for brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day.

If you have questions regarding how diet affects dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at the practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.

Importance of Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is divided into stages – it can either occur in the oral cavity (lips, cheeks, gums, and tongue) or in the back of the throat where the tonsils and larynx lie. Together, these cancers account for 2.9% cancers in the United States. Fortunately, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS has the tools to combat oral cancer and it begins with oral cancer screening.

Smoking and excessive drinking, especially in combination can significantly increase a patient’s risk for developing oral cancer. Prevention is key, so if you can cut out smoking completely your overall health and your mouth will thank you. During the oral cancer screening, Dr. Eric M Meyer will perform a thorough examination of the oral cavity. This allows him to search for cancer symptoms or precancerous lesions in the mouth. The purpose of an oral cancer screening is to identify mouth cancer early when there is a greater chance for a cure.

If you have further questions regarding oral cancer screening, please give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at the practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.