What Happens During a Dental Checkup?

According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education, a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year can improve your oral health. The professional dental cleaning reinforces the home-care oral health regimen of brushing and flossing and gives the dentist an opportunity to locate areas in the mouth that may need special attention. With the help of a dental hygienist, Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. will provide you with a dental checkup that you can trust.

Even if you follow a diligent home-care routine, regular dental checkups are still a must. Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. can watch for early signs of decay, gum disease, oral cancer, or other dental problems and take appropriate action. For most people, two checkups per year are sufficient. A routine visit will include a professional cleaning, an exam, and possibly X-rays.

During the cleaning, Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. or a hygienist will use a scaler (a small metal instrument with a bladelike end) to scrape off tartar above and below the gum line. He or she will then polish the teeth with a lightly abrasive paste and finish up with a flossing. During a dental cleaning, you’ll receive diagnostic and preventive services from Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. as well as any needed educational information.

If you are due for a dental checkup schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. in Fullerton, CA by calling 714-879-7943 or visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. 

Signs and Symptoms of Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness and swelling (inflammation) of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. However, it’s important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly. If you suffer from Gingivitis, Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. will provide you with an individualized treatment plan before it leads to periodontitis and eventual tooth loss.

Gingivitis – an inflammation of the gums – is the initial stage of gum disease and the easiest to treat. The direct cause of gingivitis is plaque – the soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms constantly on teeth and gums. If the plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis.

Classic signs and symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen, tender gums that may bleed when you brush. Another sign of gum disease is gums that have receded or pulled away from your teeth, giving your teeth an elongated appearance. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing.

During a professional tooth cleaning, Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. will show you how to brush and floss properly to help prevent gingivitis from taking over. To learn more about dental hygiene visit www.fullertondental.com for more information or call 714-879-7943 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. in Fullerton, CA.

Sealants from Dr. Eric Meyer

Although brushing and flossing are effective cleaning techniques for removing food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of our teeth, sometimes these methods are ineffective at thoroughly cleaning the nooks and crannies in our premolars and molars. Because molars are the hardest to clean and the teeth most used in the chewing process, they are the most susceptible to cavities and decay. This is why Dr. Eric Meyer recommends sealants soon after molars emerge when children are between the ages of 6 and 14.

Dental sealants are a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars to prevent cavities and tooth decay. The sealant is applied by Dr. Meyer, who first roughens the surface of the molar with acid and then paints on the sealant. The sealant bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, hardening and forming a shield over the enamel to protect it for approximately 10 years.

Sealants are normally applied to children’s molars because their teeth are especially susceptible to cavities. However, sometimes they are applied to adult molars if they have hard-to-clean grooves that are causing cavities.

To schedule an appointment in Fullerton, CA, call 714.879.7943. For more information, please visit www.fullertondental.com. 

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Oral and pharyngeal cancer (cancer of the mouth and upper throat) collectively kill nearly one person every hour. And in recent years, people without traditional risk factors associated with oral cancer have been experiencing an increase in occurrences. With only 60 percent of all those diagnosed with the cancer living longer than 5 years, everyone should be getting screened this April. At our office in Fullerton, CA, we take oral cancer seriously, and we are dedicated to keeping all of our patients safe with thorough cancer screenings.

While everyone is at risk for oral cancer, certain factors can increase your risk of developing the disease. Lifestyle choices, such as heavy drinking or smoking, can greatly affect the health of tissues in the mouth, so those that partake in these activities. If oral abnormalities are caught early, it will not only expand your treatment options, including less invasive and less radical treatments, but it will also increase your chances of beating oral cancer. 

Screening for oral cancer can be done during your routine checkup by Dr. Eric Meyer, and this month is the perfect time to come in. This Oral Cancer Awareness month, the dentist can look for abnormal or suspicious tissue in your mouth, and if he thinks it might be cancer, he will order a biopsy.

Oral cancer is a serious issue, and we are all at risk. To schedule an appointment, call 714.879.7943. For more information, please visit www.fullertondental.com.      

Gum Disease Treatment with Dr. Eric Meyer

While many people realize that taking care of their teeth is necessary for a good oral hygiene routine, they can often forget or neglect their gums, which are an essential part of maintaining oral health. To stay in peak condition, your gums require periodontal cleanings and early treatment if disease does develop, and with Dr. Eric Meyer, patients in Fullerton, CA can be sure that both their gums and teeth will be well cared for.

Since periodontal disease is responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, it is vital to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease develops due to plaque build-up. As it accumulates on teeth, bacteria is able to thrive, collecting around the tooth and attacking the soft tissue. In its early stages, this disease is called gingivitis, and it can cause swollen or tender gums that bleed after regular brushing and flossing. If left untreated, gingivitis can become periodontis, a much more severe gum infection that causes inflammation and damages the soft tissue and bone supporting the tooth. If periodontis is not treated, it can cause tooth loss and even a loss of bone mass in your jaw.

It is important to prevent periodontal health or catch it in its early stages, and Dr. Meyer is extremely knowledgeable and experienced with helping patients maintain healthy smiles. He will work closely with you to ensure that you maintain optimal oral health

The state of your gums affects the health of your entire body, and our office works hard to make sure you receive the dental care you need. Call 714.879.7943 to schedule an appointment. For more information, please visit www.fullertondental.com.    

Panorex Imaging in Fullerton, CA

The dental industry has seen many advancements in technology over the years, and these advancements have improved every step of the dental process. Some of these new technologies have even enhanced the way that dentists are able to view patients’ teeth, improving both diagnostics and dental procedures. At our office, we have embraced this technology, using Panorex imaging to provide superior dental care to our patients in Fullerton, CA.    

Panorex is an X-ray machine that is capable of capturing more of the mouth structure than a traditional, dental X-ray and can, therefore, identify many issues. To take the X-ray, patients sit in a chair with their chin on a small ledge. Once positioned, the machine rotates 360 degrees around their head, capturing images of their teeth, head, sinuses and bone. This allows Dr. Eric Meyer to see any potential problems and ensure that everything is functioning properly. From orthodontic assessments and diagnosis of periodontal disease to the diagnosis of wisdom teeth impaction and the assessment of other disorders, Panorex can view specific types of structural problems to help ensure you receive the best dental care available. 

With Dr. Meyer, you know that you will receive the best dental care available with state-of-the-art technology. Panoramic, digital X-rays are only one way that we act with our patients’ best interest in mind. Schedule an appointment by calling 714.879.7943. For more information, visit www.FullertonDental.com.

A Healthy Smile is a Beautiful Smile with Dr. Eric Meyer

Regular checkups and dental cleanings are a part of any good oral hygiene routine, and at our office in Fullerton, CA, we provide dental care services of the highest quality to ensure that our patients’ smiles stay healthy year after year.

Plaque is a soft and sticky film of bacteria that can build up on your teeth despite regular brushing and flossing. Because teeth are constantly bathed in saliva, which contains calcium and other substances to strengthen and protect teeth, tartar or calcium deposits can also build up over time. Dental cleanings work to remove both plaque and tartar from the teeth. If it is not removed and is allowed to accumulate, bacteria will be provided a perfect environment and thrive on the gums and teeth, which can cause cavities, infection and gum disease.

While good for maintaining oral health between dentist visits, at-home brushing and cleaning are not enough to make sure teeth stay clean; regular dental cleanings are required. At our office, we can clean and polish your teeth, leaving the surface clean and smooth. The smoother the teeth, the more difficult it is for bacteria to stick to them and the more effective at-home brushing will be.

We recommend checkups and dental cleanings every six months for optimum oral health. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Meyer, call 714.879.7943. For more information, visit www.fullertondental.com.

Waterlase Technology in Fullerton, CA

In order to provide our patients with a comfortable and stress-free dental experience, our practice uses top-of-the-line dental instruments during procedures. One such instrument that has allowed us to ease patient anxiety and deliver more comfort during corrective dentistry is the Waterlase®. By utilizing YSGG laser energy and a water spray, this technology allows the dentist to use fewer shots and less anesthesia, making it a preferred instrument for both patient and doctor.

Waterlase® technology can be used to remove gum tissue, bone and decay in the tooth enamel, which is the hardest substance in the human body. It can do so without affecting surrounding areas, which means that patients will be able to keep more of their healthy tooth structure if decay does need to be removed. The technology can also be used for root canals, smile design and bone and gum surgery. When used in preparation for cavity fillings, it can actually result in longer-lasting fillings.

Waterlase® technology is able to bypass the pain caused by other dental tools because it forgoes the use of heat, pressure or vibration, allowing Dr. Eric Meyer to cut teeth, gums and bone with less trauma. The benefits of the technology include less post-operative pain, bleeding and swelling. There is also usually less of a need for pain medication, and because it requires less anesthesia, the dentist can perform the procedures instead of referring you to an outside specialist.

For comfortable dental experience, schedule an appointment at our office in Fullerton, CA by calling 714.879.7943. For more information about our dentists, visit www.fullertondental.com.