Sugar and Your Smile

There’s a sweet tooth that lies in most of us, but it can lead us down a dangerous road if we don’t take care of our teeth. Too much sugar can lead to tooth decay, but few are aware of how it happens. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS would like to explain the chain of events that occur after you reach for that extra piece of cake or that sugary beverage that you’ve been craving.

Your teeth are frequently under attack by acid and bacteria, but there are good bacteria and bad. Harmful oral bacteria feed on the sugars you eat to create acids that destroy the tooth enamel through a process called demineralization. This process occurs when a patient indulges in soda, energy drinks, and starchy snacks. Fortunately, the natural process of remineralization replaces the good minerals to strengthen your teeth all over again. Fluoride is your friend in this case because it not only prevents tooth decay, but it can reverse it in the early stages. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS can discuss fluoride treatment with you and as always he encourages you to brush at least twice a day and floss once a day to keep your smile healthy.

If you have concerns about your oral 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.

Fluoride Treatment

Without practicing proper oral hygiene habits and scheduling regular dental visits, teeth become more vulnerable to cavities. Cavities are caused by acid-producing bacteria that collect around the teeth and gums or plaque, as we like to call it. Brushing twice a day and cleaning between teeth with floss helps remove this plaque. However, another key to excellent oral hygiene is fluoride, a mineral that helps prevent cavities and can repair teeth in the very early, microscopic stages of the disease. Here at the dental practice of Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, we can discuss professional fluoride treatments with you to see if you are a prime candidate.

Depending on your oral health status, fluoride treatments may be recommended every three, six, or twelve months. The fluoride preparation used in the dental office is a much stronger concentration than that in toothpaste or fluoride mouth rinses that you may find in the store. The fluoride may be in the form of a solution, gel, foam, or varnish and is typically applied with a cotton swab or a brush. It can also be used as a rinse or placed in a tray that is held in the mouth for several minutes. After the treatment, you may be asked not to rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride to start the tooth repair process.

If you have further questions about fluoride treatments, please give us a call. To learn more about services we provide at our 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.

Enamel Erosion and Fluoride

Tooth enamel is the semi-translucent, hard, outer layer of the teeth, and although it is the strongest substance in the human body, it is not impervious to everyday wear and tear or acid erosion. Tasked with protecting our teeth from the daily damage of biting and chewing, as well as from the temperature extremes of hot and cold foods, tooth enamel is important for keeping our teeth free of decay and pain. But if the enamel begins to erode, intervention is necessary for protecting your oral health.

Tooth enamel erosion can be caused by a number of factors, from drinking too many soft drinks or fruity juices to not cleaning your teeth often enough. Other contributing factors include eating lots of sour foods or candy, dry mouth, acid reflux disease, bulimia, teeth grinding, heaving drinking and even brushing teeth immediately after consuming acidic food or beverages. When the tooth enamel erodes, you may experience sensitive teeth, irregular or rough tooth edges, yellowed teeth and cupping or dents.

At our practice in Fullerton, CA, Dr. Eric Meyer recommends fluoride treatment to strengthen teeth and prevent decay. Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in our water and many of our foods and can help remineralize tooth enamel that has eroded and protect it from acid in the future. Especially important to children between the ages of 6 and 16, fluoride treatment is a common part of dentistry. The mineral can be applied as a foam, gel or varnish and is a much stronger dose than found in toothpastes and mouthwashes.

To see if fluoride can help you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Meyer by calling 714.879.7943. For more information, visit www.fullertondental.com.