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.

Types of Cavities and Treatment

Cavities or tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. The three types of cavities include a smooth surface cavity, root cavity, and pit and fissure cavity. If you are experiencing tooth discomfort, here at the dental practice of Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, we can help identify the cause, determine whether or not you have a cavity, and provide treatment as needed.

Smooth surface cavities occur on the smooth sides of your teeth, while root cavities develop on the surface over the roots. Pit and fissure cavities occur on the chewing surface of your teeth. Neglecting your oral hygiene, along with frequent snacking and sipping sugary drinks are the main culprits behind cavities. When a cavity advances deep into the tooth, it may produce increased sensitivity to foods that are cold, hot, or sweet. There are three things to consider in the treatment of dental cavities: prevention, remineralization, and restoration. Treatment depends on how bad the cavity is.

If you are experiencing tooth discomfort, 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.

Peri-Implantitis

For years, patients at Fullerton Dental have received dental implants from our highly trained doctors. Dental implants are among the safest surgeries, and are successful in nearly all cases. But because implants require life-long maintenance, it is occasionally possible for them to fail as the patient’s situation changes. The most common cause of implant failure is peri-implantitis.

Peri-implantitis is when the gum tissue surrounding an implant becomes inflamed. This sometimes occurs immediately after an implant is placed if dental cement leaks onto the gum, but this problem will usually be caught right away, and the cement can be easily cleaned away. More commonly, the gum tissue decays due to normal gingivitis, trapping acids at the base of the implant. Though implants are usually made of a titanium-nickel alloy, they are not immune to acidic corrosion, and their structure can be compromised. The zone at which they fuse with the surrounding bone tissue can also disintegrate, requiring the implant’s removal.

Proper oral hygiene is usually enough to prevent peri-implantitis, but this can be difficult if the patient has a disability or is on a medication which causes dry mouth or otherwise creates a risk of gingivitis. Anybody who notices the area around an implant becoming inflamed should schedule an appointment immediately.

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.

 

Electric toothbrush apps

Manufacturers of dental products are making their wares smarter, so we thought we’d held guide our customers through their ever-expanding options for maintaining oral hygiene at home. Particularly interesting are efforts by electric toothbrush makers to integrate smart phone and tablet apps into their products. This kind of software is mostly marketed towards parents and people with disabilities.

Electric toothbrushes don’t require as much dexterity as manual toothbrushes and don’t require the brusher to use them for as long during each session (actually, it’s best not to). But some people still don’t reach every surface of every tooth. Some of the new apps provide feedback on which parts of the mouth the user has missed, whether they have brushed for long enough, and whether they need to adjust the toothbrush’s settings. Apps geared toward kids contain reward systems for brushing properly, and likewise provide feedback to adjust their technique. Progression through simple video games is the most common kind of reward, with success meant to instill good habits.

The new apps don’t do much to make electric toothbrushes more affordable, so whether they are worthwhile will depend a lot on each patient’s situation. But for people who haven’t gotten good results with manual toothbrushes, they might provide an extra incentive to give hi-tech home products a try.

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.

 

Oral Cancer and HPV

At Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton Dental practice, we’ve paid close attention to the latest research into oral cancers. The good news is that scientists have recently made progress identifying how cancers spread between different organs, which is relevant to a group of cancers which affect everything from the hard palate to the tonsils. The bad news is that, while overall cancer rates have declined, new diagnoses of oral cancer have skyrocketed in the United States and United Kingdom. Researchers believe this is due to the human papillomavirus (HPV).

In the past, most oral cancers were caused by nicotine use, so anti-cancer efforts focused on smoking. While these efforts successfully caused tobacco use to decline, they may have unintentionally created a false sense of security among young people which led them to forego oral cancer screenings. In fact, risky sexual practices have led to widespread oral HPV, particularly among young men, and while most strains of the virus have no known effect, there are at least nine which cause some kind of cancer.

HPV-related oral and oropharyngeal cancers usually develop further back in the throat than nicotine-related related cancers and are less likely to be noticed by patients before becoming extremely dangerous. Therefore, it is of crucial importance for sexually-active people of all ages to get oral cancer screenings regardless of their smoking or drinking habits.

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.

 

Cavity Prevention

At Fullerton Dental, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS has a wide variety of filling materials to use when cavities arise. However, a cavity is a serious form of tooth decay that causes a hole in your tooth and he would rather you prevent them instead of accrue them. Combining all the steps in your oral hygiene routine to form a comprehensive regimen can make it easy to help prevent cavities.

Cavity treatment depends on how bad the cavity is, but to prevent them you can start by brushing your teeth after every meal, using dental floss daily and rinsing your mouth to prevent the formation of plaque. When foods with carbohydrates like bread, cereal, milk, soda, cake, or candy stay on your teeth they can lead to tooth decay because the bacteria in your mouth turn them into acids. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and your saliva combine to form plaque, which clings to the teeth. When left untreated, the acids in plaque dissolve the enamel, creating holes called cavities. It’s important to eat foods that increase saliva flow to reduce the acid.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. For more information about oral health, as well as 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.

Pregnancy and Your Oral Health

Control of oral diseases in pregnant women has the potential to reduce the transmission of oral bacteria from mothers to their children, which is why maintaining healthy teeth and gums is especially important during this time. At Fullerton Dental, it’s important to visit us during pregnancy for checkups and cleanings, along with brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth once a day.

Women are more likely to develop gingivitis during pregnancy. Gingivitis is an infection of the gums that can cause swelling and tenderness. Left untreated, gingivitis can affect the supporting tissues that hold your teeth in place. Sometimes lumps may even develop along the gum line and between teeth. These swellings are harmless, but bleed easily and are characterized by a red surface. Although these growths are typically called “pregnancy tumors,” they are not cancerous and usually go away on their own after pregnancy. If you are pregnant, or suspect you are pregnant, it’s important to talk to your dentist about any concerns you may have about your dental treatment.

If you are an expectant mother, please notify us before your next appointment. For more information about oral health, as well as 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.

Foods That Promote Healthy Teeth

Regular brushing and flossing help keep teeth healthy by getting rid of sugars and food particles that team up with bacteria to form plaque. However, to prevent cavities and maintain good oral health, what you eat and how often you eat are important factors. At Fullerton Dental, we love to see you at our office, but we care about you and encourage you to eat these fortifying foods for your teeth.

Cheese lovers can rejoice, because research studies have proven that eating cheese raises the pH level in the mouth and lowers the risk of tooth decay. Cheese also contains calcium and protein nutrients that strengthen tooth enamel. Other phosphorus foods that are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth include, chicken, nuts, and milk. Other food choices include firm/crunchy fruits (apples and pears) and vegetables (carrots and celery). These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain, and stimulate the flow of saliva which helps protect against decay by washing away food particles and acid.

For more information about oral health, as well as 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.

How Invisalign Moves Teeth

At Fullerton Dental, Dr. Eric M Meyer wants you to have the healthiest smile achievably possible, and sometimes that may require straightening your teeth. Unlike traditional braces, the Invisalign straightening method includes no irritating brackets in the mouth; however, they do have attachments known as “bumps.” These bumps assist the aligners in moving the teeth to where they need to be once the treatment plan is completed.

These “bumps” are small tooth-colored dots of dental bonding (white filling material) that are placed on specific locations on specific teeth. They may be rectangular, square, circular, or triangular in shape. The shape and orientation of a button is dictated by the purpose it serves, such as tooth rotation, translation, intrusion or extrusion.

These attachments assist with the process, as well as how they’re placed and what they look like. As you wear each set of aligners, your teeth gently and gradually begin to shift into place. Approximately every two weeks, you will begin wearing a new set of aligners, discreetly advancing you to the next stage of your treatment.

If you are searching to straighten your smile, give us a call to discuss your orthodontic treatment options. For more information about Invisalign, as well as 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. 

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.

ZOOM! Whitening

Keeping our teeth their whitest is a lot harder than it sounds. With all the coffee, wine, smoking and other foods that have the ability to stain our teeth on a daily basis, even proper maintenance sometimes leaves them discolored. To accomplish the whitening of your teeth, Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. utilizes a product called ZOOM!.

ZOOM! is a bleaching process widely used throughout the country and around the world to lighten discoloration of enamel and dentin. The ZOOM! in-office tooth whitening procedure uses the ZOOM! Advanced Power Chairside Lamp – said to accelerate the bleaching process- to activate the 25 percent hydrogen peroxide whitening. As the hydrogen peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin to bleach the stained substances, leaving the structure of the tooth unchanged. This combination allows us to provide you with teeth that are 6-10 shades whiter in about an hour.

Before deciding whether ZOOM! in-office whitening is right for you, Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. will conduct a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums to ensure proper health, as well as talk with you about your oral hygiene and lifestyle habits to determine if you will benefit from whitening. To learn more about ZOOM! visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. in Fullerton, CA, call 714-879-7943.

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. 

Crown Lengthening in Fullerton, CA

A dentist’s first goal is always to save your teeth, which means that dental professionals have developed many dental procedures that help prevent tooth extraction. One such procedure is crown lengthening, which we use in cases where decay has decimated a tooth to a point where there is not enough tooth structure left upon which to fix a crown.

If a tooth has broken below the gum line or if decay has developed underneath an existing crown or filling, crown lengthening allows a new crown to be placed rather than extracting the tooth.

While called crown lengthening, this common surgical procedure does not actually lengthen the crown. What it does is lower the gum line, and it does this by removing gum tissue, bone or both to expose more of the tooth and provide a foundation for the crown.

The procedure is performed with a local anesthesia to numb the area. When the area is fully numb, Dr. Eric Meyer will pull the gums away from the teeth and expose the roots and surrounding bone. In some cases, removing a little of the gum tissue will expose enough of the tooth for placing a crown. However, it is more likely that some bone will also have to be removed from around the roots of the teeth. After removing the necessary amount of tissue and bone, the area will be washed and the gums stitched.

Our office works hard to always protect your teeth and to provide the best quality of dental care available. To schedule an appointment at our practice 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.      

Metal-free Fillings from Dr. Eric Meyer

At our practice, Dr. Eric Meyer offers metal-free fillings to restore teeth to normal function without taking away the beauty of the patient’s smile. Unlike amalgam fillings, metal-free fillings match the color of the patient’s teeth and contain no mercury, making them a safe and attractive way to achieve optimum oral health.

The majority of patients and dentists prefer these fillings to mercury amalgam fillings, for both their look and function. Not only are metal fillings dark and noticeable, the can also contract with cold and expand with heat to cause cracks that will let bacteria into the tooth and eventually require further dental work down the line. Tooth-colored, composite fillings, on the other hand, both look natural and feel natural. You won’t even be able to tell that you have a filling!

Metal-free fillings are made of a strong resin composite material that the dentist bonds directly to the surface of the tooth, allowing Dr. Meyer to increase its durability and stability. At our practice, we strive to keep as much of the natural tooth structure as possible to prevent fracture, and metal-free, composite fillings help us do that.

To achieve the healthy and natural smile you desire in Fullerton, CA, contact our office by calling 714.879.7943. For more information about the practice, 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.