Tooth-Friendly Holiday Food

Candy canes and other sugary snacks are everywhere you look this time of year, and that’s not great news for your teeth. We at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office want our patients to enjoy the holidays, but getting tooth decay or gum disease is no fun. Fortunately, most sources of tooth decay have a healthier alternative.

When food debris and sugary residue is stuck to our teeth, bacteria consume it and secrete acid as their waste product. The acid is what causes dissolution of enamel and other oral tissues. Bacteria can eat starches as well as simple sugars, but leaving easily-digested simple sugars on the teeth for a long time will give bacteria lots of time to eat and produce acid. Two of the most common sources of sugary residue are hard candies and sugary drinks. Both of them are consumed slowly and dry out the mouth, leaving it with less saliva to wash sugar away. Of course, if debris from a starchy food such as potatoes gets stuck between the teeth, it could be a source of tooth decay, too.

Alternating sips of sugary beverages with drinks of water is a good way of rinsing them and keeping up saliva levels. Another idea is to replace hard candy with sugar-free versions, which can also stimulate additional saliva production. Brushing and flossing soon after eating is the best defense against tooth decay, but in a situation where a person is snacking over a long period, they could also try removing some food by chewing sugar-free gum.

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.

 

National Dental Hygiene Month

We know that patients at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental practice understand the importance of oral hygiene. But are you sure you’re up to speed on your technique? Since October is National Dental Hygiene Month, we thought it would be a good idea to remind patients of brushing and flossing protocol so they will be less likely to develop tooth decay during the holiday season.

Parents should begin brushing their babies’ teeth from the moment the first tooth emerges. With proper care, teeth can last a lifetime, and dentures need to be brushed twice a day, as well. Both manual and electric toothbrushes can be used to prevent tooth decay, but hard bristled toothbrushes are likely to damage the gums and should be avoided. Brushing sessions with a manual toothbrush should last for two minutes each. It is of vital importance to cover every tooth surface and to get close to the gum lines, where calculus accumulates.

Flossing has to be done properly to have any effect. Slide the strand all the way along the side of each tooth and use it to catch plaque with a shoeshine motion. Simply moving floss through the gap between teeth won’t accomplish anything. Another mistake is to not floss the backs of the back molars. Mouthwash can be used in combination with other hygiene products to combat bad breath, but people should brush their tongues and use a tongue scraper every day.

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.

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.

 

Fluoride Toothpaste

As part of our patient education program, we at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office want our patients to understand how to use fluoride toothpaste. A proper tooth brushing is an especially important skill for children to master because it is often one of the first things they do to maintain their own health.

Tooth decay is caused by acidic secretions from bacteria that eat food debris. Fluoride is a mineral that makes tooth enamel more resistant to acid. It is commonly applied to the tops of teeth by dentists and government health initiatives supply it in many places through the drinking water. Fluoride toothpaste also helps to reinforce teeth but works best when the teeth are brushed properly. A session of brushing should last for two full minutes and cover every dental surface.

Toothpaste should be spat instead of swallowed because excessive intake of fluoride can cause enamel discoloration. It should also not be used on oral appliances such as dentures because fluoride can scratch plastic.

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.

 

Tooth Decay in Seniors

At Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office, we provide preventive care to ensure seniors have healthy, comfortable, good-looking teeth. Many people are aware that children are at risk for tooth decay and cavity formation, but they may not be aware that the risk returns late in life. There are a number of reasons for this which seniors and those caring for them need to look out for.

Declining dexterity and motor control can make oral hygiene difficult. Declining vision may also make it more difficult to target problem oral areas, but seniors are also likelier to simply forget to keep up their brushing. They may also have changed their diets to include softer foods with higher sugar contents that are likelier to get stuck between their teeth and feed more bacteria. Seniors also often make fewer trips to the dentist due to loss of employment benefits and are on medications that compromise their oral health, such as those which cause dry mouth.

On top of these complications, most seniors did not have access to fluoridated water growing up, making them more vulnerable to any adverse change in oral health. According to the most recent information from the Centers for Disease Control, one in five had untreated tooth decay. However, with fluoridated toothpaste and other products we can recommend for help with motor control problems and dry mouth, seniors can regain and even improve their oral health.

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.

 

Causes of Bleeding Gums

With expert periodontists on staff at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton office, there’s no need for patients to tolerate bleeding gums. Although a bit of blood seeping out during brushing and flossing may be a normal sight to some people, it’s a sign of a problem which may require a dentist’s attention.

Bleeding gums are generally due to the accumulation of plaque and tartar on patients’ teeth near the gum line. The bleeding is caused by irritation to soft tissue by acid stuck to the tartar. Tartar should only be scraped away by a dental hygienist, but patients may be able to prevent further bleeding or plaque accumulation by brushing for a full two minutes with fluoridated toothpaste twice each day, which is recommended for everybody. However, it is possible that the toothbrush is contributing to the problem if its bristles are too hard; only soft-bristled toothbrushes should be used on teeth.

Gingivitis is especially likely to develop if the patient suffers from dry mouth. There are medications which can cause this, as well as ones which are blood thinners, which weakens gum tissue. Smokers are also at increased risk for bleeding gums, as are pregnant women.

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.

 

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.