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.

Oral Piercings and Teeth

Issues and complications with oral piercings can begin immediately after the piercing procedure. These can include swelling, infection, and discomfort. Oral piercings may look cool, but they can sometimes do more harm than good. Though Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS doesn’t want to hinder you from self-expression, he wants to explain the possible consequences that are associated with oral piercings.

Your mouth is full of bacteria and whether or not these bacteria decide to cooperate with a new piercing depends on the patient. For instance, if your body rejects an oral piercing such as a tongue ring, your tongue could swell so much that it blocks your airway. In some cases, the jewelry alone could crack or chip a tooth. It’s important to remove jewelry as it becomes a problem. If you notice signs or symptoms of an oral infection, contact us immediately to discuss your treatment options.

If you have questions or concerns about oral piercings and how they affect your oral 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.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth. If you’ve been told by Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS that you have gingivitis, periodontitis is what will happen if you’re gingivitis isn’t treated. Gingivitis is a mild inflammation of the gums, while periodontitis has the ability to result in tooth loss. Overall, periodontal disease is preventable and we encourage you to visit our office twice a year to keep your gums in tip-top shape.

With periodontitis, the gum and bone pull away from the teeth, forming large pockets. Bacteria such as plaque can linger in these pockets and infect the area. To avoid plaque from attacking your teeth, you simply have to maintain a proper oral hygiene routine. We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. If you have swollen, puffy gums, and/or gums that bleed easily or are tender to touch, you should visit us for a dental exam as soon as possible. The sooner you seek care, the more likely you are to prevent invasive dental procedures in the future.

If you have questions or concerns about periodontitis, 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.

Dry Sockets

At Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental practice, we have several doctors who are experienced in all manners of saving teeth. But when extractions are inevitable, we want our patients to know they can rely on us if complications from dry sockets arise during their recoveries.

We always ask about patients’ medications before performing surgeries. This is partly because medications which prevent blood clotting put that patient at a high risk of developing a dry socket. Blood clots protect an empty socket from dryness and infection during the time it takes for a socket to close. Patients also are advised not to sip through straws in the days following an extraction, as the suction may tear a clot loose.

If the patient’s bleeding never stops or they are still in severe pain two days after the extraction, we will see them during an emergency appointment. We have tools for cleaning sockets and medicated wound dressings for re-moisturizing them and fighting infection. We may also prescribe painkillers and will monitor the patient’s recovery while changing the dressings every few days. Dry sockets are most common following extractions which required incisions and sutures, and the appointment to remove the sutures provides us with a chance to ensure all is well.

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.