Foods for Optimal Oral Health

Prevention is important when it comes to protecting tooth enamel, periodontal health, and the overall health of your mouth. If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “You are what you eat” that is partially true, because what you eat reflects your oral health status. If you have a diet that is heavy in sugar and carbohydrates, Dr. Eric M Meyer DDS, hopes that your oral hygiene routine is up to par. If it’s not, then it’s time to put these foods on your plate.

Regular brushing and flossing help eliminate sugars that are in the foods and beverages that we eat. A healthy diet consists of eating foods from each of the five food groups. Also known as “functional foods” fruits and vegetables that have high water content keep the mouth clean and promote oral health. Dairy products such as cheese, sugar-free yogurt, and milk increase saliva production which help fight decay. Additionally, foods containing calcium such as almonds and leafy greens keep tooth enamel strong and healthy.

If you have questions or concerns regarding 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.

Proper Use of Mouthguards

An athlete’s mouth can take quite a battering during a match. When properly used, a mouthguard can make save someone’s teeth from traumatic injury, but many athletes opt not to use one. Their reasons for doing so are usually based on misconceptions which, at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office, we want to correct.

A common complaint about mouthguards is that they are excessively large, covering interior parts of the mouth that don’t need protection at the cost of gagging and difficulty speaking and breathing. This can happen if a mouthguard is not fitted properly, but a custom-fitted mouthguard would not cause these problems. Boil-and-bite mouthguards available at sports stores and through online vendors work alright, but the best option is a mouthguard made from a scan or impression of the athlete’s teeth.

Some people also avoid mouthguards because they consider them unhygienic. This depends on how often a mouthguard is cleaned. Ideally, it would be brushed after every use (with a different toothbrush than the wearer uses on their teeth). Like retainers and dentures, mouthguards should only be rinsed with cool or room-temperature water, for fear of warping them, and should be replaced by a professional if they lose their shape. Unlike dentures, mouthguards should be allowed to dry when not in use.

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.

 

Tooth Decay in Seniors

At Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office, we provide preventive care to ensure seniors have healthy, comfortable, good-looking teeth. Many people are aware that children are at risk for tooth decay and cavity formation, but they may not be aware that the risk returns late in life. There are a number of reasons for this which seniors and those caring for them need to look out for.

Declining dexterity and motor control can make oral hygiene difficult. Declining vision may also make it more difficult to target problem oral areas, but seniors are also likelier to simply forget to keep up their brushing. They may also have changed their diets to include softer foods with higher sugar contents that are likelier to get stuck between their teeth and feed more bacteria. Seniors also often make fewer trips to the dentist due to loss of employment benefits and are on medications that compromise their oral health, such as those which cause dry mouth.

On top of these complications, most seniors did not have access to fluoridated water growing up, making them more vulnerable to any adverse change in oral health. According to the most recent information from the Centers for Disease Control, one in five had untreated tooth decay. However, with fluoridated toothpaste and other products we can recommend for help with motor control problems and dry mouth, seniors can regain and even improve their oral health.

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.

 

Proper Use of Mouthguards

An athlete’s mouth can take quite a battering during a match. When properly used, a mouthguard can make save someone’s teeth from traumatic injury, but many athletes opt not to use one. Their reasons for doing so are usually based on misconceptions which, at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office, we want to correct.

A common complaint about mouthguards is that they are excessively large, covering interior parts of the mouth that don’t need protection at the cost of gagging and difficulty speaking and breathing. This can happen if a mouthguard is not fitted properly, but a custom-fitted mouthguard would not cause these problems. Boil-and-bite mouthguards available at sports stores and through online vendors work alright, but the best option is a mouthguard made from a scan or impression of the athlete’s teeth.

Some people also avoid mouthguards because they consider them unhygienic. This depends on how often a mouthguard is cleaned. Ideally, it would be brushed after every use (with a different toothbrush than the wearer uses on their teeth). Like retainers and dentures, mouthguards should only be rinsed with cool or room-temperature water, for fear of warping them, and should be replaced by a professional if they lose their shape. Unlike dentures, mouthguards should be allowed to dry when not in use.

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.

 

Soft Tissue Grafting

Soft tissue grafting is a simple procedure that dentists use to help patients overcome different issues with their teeth and gums.  Lacking gum tissue in certain areas can cause extra sensitivity, and if the gum line is very low the patient is at risk for infection.  Less gum tissue can also cause a smile to have the look of elongated teeth.  Depending on the case, a patient may need one small gum graft or enough for a whole gum line.

To place a soft tissue graft, a dentist harvests healthy tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth. Tissue can also be taken from the gums if the patient has excess gum tissue anywhere.  The grafts are then placed where gum tissue is lacking or has receded.  Gums will heal relatively quickly, and the grafts encourage growth of new tissue as they heal.  The result is an even ratio of tooth to gums throughout the whole mouth.  Don’t let your gums keep you from your best dental health, contact us if you think a soft tissue graft could help you.

To learn more about soft tissue grafting and all 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.

Crowns Save Teeth

Crowns are a common restorative option that the doctors and staff of Fullerton dental have used to help save many teeth.  Crowns are ideal for teeth with a significant amount of decay or that have been chipped. A crown fits over the damaged tooth like a little cap and covers it completely, acting as a replacement.  The safe and non-invasive procedure of installing a crown can be completed in as little as two appointments. 

The process begins with preparing the tooth by removing any decay, and to ensure a great fit for the crown your dentist may need to contour the tooth that remains.  When the tooth has been prepared, an impression of the mouth is taken and sent to a dental laboratory for the custom product to be fabricated.  Ask us about temporary options to wear while your new crown is being made.  Once your custom crown is made, the crown will be cemented into place by your dentist at a second appointment. 

To learn more about crowns and all 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.

Mini Dental Implants

The doctors at Fullerton Dental are excited to offer the latest dental products, and want patients to know that mini dental implants make treatments possible for patients who could not benefit from traditional implants.  Mini dental implants are about half the diameter of a traditional dental implant. This allows them to be used in narrow spaces where regular implants were not an option.  Mini implants are used both to anchor restorations and aid in installing a full set of dentures.

The small size of these new implants makes it possible for them to be inserted right through the gums into the bone. No incision means no stitches, and eliminates the need for a recovery period. This means the restoration or denture can usually be placed right away or shortly after.  Mini implants can also be used to install a full upper or lower denture. Between 4 and 6 mini implants are placed along the gum line to serve as the base for securing the denture. Any of our doctors can tell you a mini implant is the right solution for you. 

To learn more about mini implants and all 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.