Infants Oral Health Care

There is a common misconception that baby teeth are less important to maintain because they are not permanent. The reality is baby teeth act as a place holder for permanent adult teeth, and it is important to keep decay off baby teeth otherwise it will be difficult for them to chew and speak clearly.

Caring for baby teeth won’t require a traditional toothbrush and floss at first; it will however require a soft moistened washcloth or piece of gauze. With the cloth you will wipe down the baby’s gums a minimum of twice a day and more importantly before feedings and when it is time for bed. Doing so will keep bacteria and plaque from forming on the gums.

Once baby teeth start begin to develop, parents should gently brush their teeth until their child is able to hold the toothbrush in which it is time to show them the proper oral hygiene procedures. Taking care of your baby’s gums prior to teeth care will help with the development of clean and healthy baby teeth.

Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. For more information on our services visit our website at www.fullertondental.com. To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit Fullerton Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Bad Breath

Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Foods with strong odors will also cause bad breath and will not go away until the foods have completely passed through your body. Not brushing and flossing daily leaves particles and other bacteria on your teeth, gums, and tongue which can lead to bad breath. Tobacco use of any kind also leads to bad breath and is damaging to oral hygiene.

Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque and bacteria creating toxins that irritate the gums. The cure to fixing bad breath is simple, maintain good oral hygiene, don’t smoke, and see your dentist regularly. While food with strong odors can cause bad breath, although it is temporary while gum disease is not.

Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. For more information on our services visit our website at www.fullertondental.com. To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit Fullerton Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Canker Sores

Canker sores, also called aphthous ulcers, are small, shallow lesions that develops on the soft tissue in your mouth and at the base of your gums. Canker sores aren’t contagious but are extremely painful when eating and drinking.

Canker sores are round or oval shape and have a white or yellowish color to them, usually lasting between 1-2 weeks. While eating and drinking a burning or tingling sensation can occur and is unpleasant. Larger canker sores may be a cause for concern and it is recommended you see a dentist for a diagnosis.

Because canker sores usually heal naturally after a week or two, there aren’t many cures but rinsing your mouth with warm salt water helps along with baking soda mix can help. The rinsing is most effective when done after eating and should be done a few times throughout the day.

There are no distinct cures for canker sores but food sensitivity and other disease can trigger canker sores.

Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. For more information on our services visit our website at www.fullertondental.com. To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit Fullerton Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Sealants

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are designed to protect the chewing surfaces of children’s back teeth from cavities, or tooth decay. Grooves form on the surfaces of children’s back teeth and create a rough and uneven surface. Dr. Eric Meyer suggests sealants for children with molars developed.

It is recommended that children get sealants as soon as their molars develop to prevent future decay on the teeth. Molars first come in for children around age 6 and the second set of molars come in at age 12. Adding sealants to teeth are quick and painless with a liquid coat put on the teeth and hardening over the teeth for protection.

Good oral hygiene habits start at a young age and sealants combined with brushing, flossing, and regular trips to the dentist, children develop a good foundation and healthy teeth for years to come.

Dr. Eric Meyer of Fullerton Dental offers sealants for children that can be done in one visit.

Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. For more information on our services visit our website at www.fullertondental.com To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit Fullerton Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is primarily used to treat receding gums, especially where tooth has been exposed. When plaque and bacteria build up at the gum line, the gums start to pull away from the teeth and stretch, forming little pockets around the buildup. Even when these little pockets are cleaned out, they remain at the gum line and cause the gums to recede. Dr. Eric Meyer, DDS can help you correct this by repairing deficient gums with a gum graft. 

A gum graft procedure consists of harvesting healthy tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth and transferring it to the site that needs reinforcement. This gives the deficient gum a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the graft.  Gum grafting can be performed when receding gums become unsightly, or to cover teeth that have been exposed by receding gums and become much more sensitive.  If you think you could benefit from a gum graft, please contact us.

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

Have You Had A Cleaning This Year?

At the dental practice of Dr. Eric Meyer, DDS we encourage all our patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for regular professional cleanings.  During the holidays, we want everyone looking forward to the New Year and maintaining great oral hygiene!  However much you brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional. 

It’s important to see a professional regularly not just to clean your teeth, but also to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, a hygienist thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist. Come see us for a cleaning to make a great impression during the holidays, and start the year off with your best smile!

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

Diabetes and Gum Disease

Diabetes is a metabolic condition that causes all sorts of other health issues, and unfortunately, the gums are not spared. As practitioners of dental sleep medicine as well as general dentistry, we’ve assisted a lot of diabetic patients at the Fullerton office of Dr. Eric Meyer. Our hope is that if people with diabetes are aware of their increased risk for gum disease, they will work with us more closely to protect themselves.

When people have uncontrolled high blood sugar, they are more prone to inflammation throughout their bodies. Although inflammation is a useful immune system response, chronic inflammation in response to a gum pocket infection will not remove a source of tooth decay. It will, however, make the gums painful, swollen, and red, and cause them to bleed. There are other causes of inflammation besides infections, but diabetic people with high blood sugar suffer from weakened immune systems and gum disease is the main cause of their higher rates of gum inflammation.

Recent studies have established that gum disease and diabetes exacerbate each other. As more pathogens grow and are inhaled, the body has more difficulty regulating blood sugar. But there is also some evidence that treating gum disease leads to better-controlled blood sugar, making it especially important for people with diabetes to brush, floss, and maintain regular dental appointments.

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