White Spot Lesions

Do you know what the first sign of tooth decay is? If not, we at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office are glad you found us. An incipient dental lesion is characterized by the white spot that develops on tooth enamel and its appearance means that the patient needs to improve their oral hygiene.

Enamel takes on an unnaturally white appearance when it is first exposed to acid. This can be observed in people with chronic acid reflux as well as those going through the early stage of tooth decay. Acid is a by-product of bacteria eating food debris, and it gets stuck in tartar. The enamel in contact with acid first loses minerals, and then develops pits and cavities unless the bacteria, its food source, and the acid are removed.

White spots most commonly form in the area surrounding orthodontic brackets. This can result in hollow rectangular stains on the teeth when they are removed. Good brushing is essential to preventing this, but if it does happen, the teeth may be able to remineralize naturally. Otherwise, we may remineralize them artificially or provide masking treatments, such as bonding or veneers.

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.

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gum Disease

People with autoimmune disorders need to be especially careful about maintaining their oral health. At the Fullerton dental office of Dr. Eric Meyer, we want our patients to understand their challenges as much as possible, which is why this week’s blog post is dedicated to the connection between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience inflammation in their joints as a result of the body’s immune system turning on a part of the joint called the synovium. The disease also harms the eyes, blood vessels, salivary glands, and, according to new research, the gums. Severe periodontal disease is six times as common in people with RA as in the general population. RA is believed to be largely caused by genetic factors, and scientists have determined that gum tissue has similar DNA and cellular mechanisms in common with synovium.

That periodontal disease is common even in people whose RA is in its early stage implies that the problem isn’t just caused by difficulty holding a toothbrush. However, people with RA should consider electric toothbrushes and other devices which make oral hygiene easier, as well as artificial saliva to compensate for damage to the salivary glands. People with RA still benefit from maintaining regular dental cleanings, and we have an experienced periodontal team dedicated to helping patients with RA.

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.

 

How to Pick Your Toothpaste

Your toothbrush is a powerful tool used to protect the teeth and gums from inflammation and decay but a toothbrush would be nothing without toothpaste. Brushing with toothpaste using the proper technique works to remove plaque, the sticky harmful bacteria that grow on the teeth and causes cavities, and gum disease. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, doesn’t want his patients using whitening toothpaste when they should be using desensitizing toothpaste, so use this guide when shopping for your next tube of toothpaste.

• Anti-cavity: This type of toothpaste contains fluoride. Fluoride plays an active role in preventing decay, and it actively strengthens tooth enamel.


• Anti-gingivitis: If you spit blood in the sink, this is an early sign of gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Anti-gingivitis toothpaste help reduces oral bacteria and can be very effective at stopping gingivitis in its tracks.


•  Desensitizing: If you’ve ever bit into an ice cream cone and felt a sharp pain in your tooth’s nerve, this type of toothpaste will provide relief by blocking the tooth’s pain signal to the nerve.


• Tartar-control: This toothpaste does exactly what it says, however, the best way to remove tartar is by scheduling a professional dental cleaning with one of our doctors.


• Whitening: This toothpaste contains chemicals that are able to help maintain the natural color of your teeth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care or dental hygiene, 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.

Fixed or Bonded Retainer

If you’ve recently completed orthodontic treatment through Invisalign or traditional braces, you’ll need to protect your investment with a retainer. Dr. Eric M. Meyer, DDS allows patients to choose from a removable retainer or a fixed retainer. A fixed retainer, also known as a bonded retainer, is applied to several teeth to help them stay in place. The type of retainer you choose will depend on your needs and preference.

Though a removable retainer is most common, patients don’t always remember to put them in. Meanwhile, a fixed retainer takes away the thought of remembering or forgetting to wear your retainer because it is bonded in place 24/7. A fixed retainer may take a little extra work to keep clean because it consists of a single wire that stretches across the back of several teeth. If you struggle with cleaning your fixed retainer, Dr. Eric M. Meyer, DDS can help you improve.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic options or retainer options, 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.