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.

Have You Had A Cleaning This Year?

At the dental practice of Dr. Eric Meyer, DDS we encourage all our patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for regular professional cleanings.  During the holidays, we want everyone looking forward to the New Year and maintaining great oral hygiene!  However much you brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional. 

It’s important to see a professional regularly not just to clean your teeth, but also to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, a hygienist thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist. Come see us for a cleaning to make a great impression during the holidays, and start the year off with your best smile!

To schedule an appointment with Eric Meyer, DDS at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835, call 714-879-7943 or visit Fullerton Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Diabetes and Gum Disease

Diabetes is a metabolic condition that causes all sorts of other health issues, and unfortunately, the gums are not spared. As practitioners of dental sleep medicine as well as general dentistry, we’ve assisted a lot of diabetic patients at the Fullerton office of Dr. Eric Meyer. Our hope is that if people with diabetes are aware of their increased risk for gum disease, they will work with us more closely to protect themselves.

When people have uncontrolled high blood sugar, they are more prone to inflammation throughout their bodies. Although inflammation is a useful immune system response, chronic inflammation in response to a gum pocket infection will not remove a source of tooth decay. It will, however, make the gums painful, swollen, and red, and cause them to bleed. There are other causes of inflammation besides infections, but diabetic people with high blood sugar suffer from weakened immune systems and gum disease is the main cause of their higher rates of gum inflammation.

Recent studies have established that gum disease and diabetes exacerbate each other. As more pathogens grow and are inhaled, the body has more difficulty regulating blood sugar. But there is also some evidence that treating gum disease leads to better-controlled blood sugar, making it especially important for people with diabetes to brush, floss, and maintain regular dental appointments.

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-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.

 

Drinking Water for Oral Hygiene

Drinking water is important for your health at all ages.  Fullerton Dental has seen adult patients that are guilty of not drinking enough water, so we know it can be tough to monitor if kids are getting enough too.  We want to encourage you and the kids in your family to stay hydrated and healthy!

We all know kids love drinking juice and soda, but we forget that these beverages leave unwanted sugar behind on the teeth.  The type of bacteria that causes cavities feeds on sugar, and produces acid that wears away enamel. Enamel is not replaceable, so it’s important to take care of it even from a young age.  When kids drink juice or soda, it is helpful just to drink some water afterwards to dilute acids and wash away food particles and residue. You and your children should be drinking at least eight 8oz glasses of water each day.  Drinking tap water with fluoride is important to help prevent cavities.  If you’re worried that your children may not be drinking enough water, come see us to discuss tips that might help them drink more!

We love to see good oral hygiene habits formed early, and make lifetime patients out of kids from our community!  To learn more about the services we offer, 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 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.

Importance of Biannual Cleanings

It is recommended by the Academy of General Dentistry to have a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months.  Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS encourages all his patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for regular professional cleanings.  However much you brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional.

It’s important to see a professional regularly to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, a hygienist thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist.

To learn more about teeth cleanings and all the services we provide 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.

Take Care of Your Toothbrush

It’s important to take care of your teeth, gums, and tongue, but it’s just as important to take care of your toothbrush. Without your toothbrush, you may suffer from periodontal disease, bad breath, mouth sores, and oral discomfort overall. This is why Dr. Eric M. Meyer, DDS, wants patients to clean and replace this optimal oral care instrument when needed.

Each time we use our toothbrush, it becomes filled with bacteria. It is especially important to replace a toothbrush after you’ve contracted a virus, as to not become re-infected. Toothbrushes should always be stored in open space and never in a closed container. A moist environment will cause these bacteria to multiply and may be a cause for concern. You should never share your toothbrush with a loved one, as doing so may increase a person’s risk of infection. A toothbrush should always be replaced every 3-4 months or when bristles become frayed.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care, 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.

Are You Flossing Correctly?

The doctors at Fullerton Dental like to see our patients maintain a great oral health routine at home, and the staff here likes to see patients set themselves up for a lifetime of good oral health.  Regular flossing is essential to maintaining oral health and you should floss once a day, either before or after brushing. Remember these tips to help you floss effectively:

• ·        A strand of dental floss about 18 inches long allows you to wrap the ends of the floss around a finger on each hand. This gives you excellent control over the portion of floss you are using.


• ·        The proper technique to flossing is sliding the floss between the teeth and rubbing the floss back and forth up until you reach your gums.


• ·        Pushing at your gums too hard with floss can damage your gum line and isn’t necessary to floss properly. Think of a small swooping motion as you rub the floss up to one gum, then down and back up towards the other.


• ·        As you move on to the next tooth, adjust the floss to expose an unused portion. Repeat this rubbing motion between each tooth and dispose of the floss once you are finished.

To learn more about oral hygiene and the services we provide, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.

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.

 

Oral Hygiene with Bridges

Getting a fixed bridge does wonders for a patient’s bite and smile, but it requires a few changes to their hygiene routine. Since we value preventive care so highly at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton practice, we want to ensure that our patients with bridges know about all the tools available to them.

The gap between the bridge and the gum needs to be flossed. One way to get floss under the gap and loop it back around is with a threader, which is like a soft sewing needle and a familiar tool to anyone who has worn braces. There are also specialty brands of floss which have stiffened ends for sliding under bridges

Implant-supported bridges tend to have larger spaces beneath them due to implants being narrower than tooth roots. This may allow patients to remove debris with a proxy brush, which is also known as a Christmas tree brush. Proxy brushes can be mounted on normal-sized toothbrush handles. Some manufacturers of electric toothbrushes and water picks are now making adjustable heads for their products, as well, which are designed to be used on implants and the structures they support.

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 Piercings and Teeth

Issues and complications with oral piercings can begin immediately after the piercing procedure. These can include swelling, infection, and discomfort. Oral piercings may look cool, but they can sometimes do more harm than good. Though Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS doesn’t want to hinder you from self-expression, he wants to explain the possible consequences that are associated with oral piercings.

Your mouth is full of bacteria and whether or not these bacteria decide to cooperate with a new piercing depends on the patient. For instance, if your body rejects an oral piercing such as a tongue ring, your tongue could swell so much that it blocks your airway. In some cases, the jewelry alone could crack or chip a tooth. It’s important to remove jewelry as it becomes a problem. If you notice signs or symptoms of an oral infection, contact us immediately to discuss your treatment options.

If you have questions or concerns about oral piercings and how they affect your oral health, 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.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Childhood is the period in life when people are most vulnerable to cavities, and very young children often experience what dentists call Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. We want the families visiting Dr. Meyer’s Fullerton office to understand this problem so they can better care for their children’s oral hygiene.

When babies feed from bottles, sugar tends to accumulate on the fronts of their incisors. Although milk and formula may not be particularly sugary compared to juice, if the sugar they do contain remains stuck to babies’ teeth for too long, the teeth will be at risk for decay. Unfortunately, the sugar often does remain when babies are given bottles of milk or formula to swig from for hours but have no opportunity to rinse their mouths by drinking water. Older children and adults are also at a higher risk for tooth decay if they snack throughout the day, but they can choose when to brush their teeth or chew sugar-free gum, whereas babies are dependent on others to brush their teeth for them.

The easiest way to avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is to limit the amount of time babies are allowed to keep bottles. But for nutritional as well as dental reasons, children should transfer to drinking from cups around the time of their first birthdays.

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.

 

Brush Your Teeth Before Bed!

It’s nighttime and you want to pour yourself into bed after a long day. Understandable, but don’t forget to brush your teeth first. A nighttime oral hygiene routine is important to implement into your schedule because while we’re sleeping, we’re not swallowing, so the bacteria increases until the morning. The three basic steps to nighttime hygiene are brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS wants to tell you more about why you should brush before bed.

When you hit the hay without brushing your teeth, plaque turns into tartar that can only be removed by a dental hygienist. Left untreated for too long, tartar buildup can lead to gingivitis, which is the first stage of periodontal disease.  Though gingivitis is reversible, we’d rather you prevent this condition altogether. If you’re too exhausted to brush before bed, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS encourages you to keep a toothbrush in the drawer of your nightstand. A simple dry brush is better than not brushing at all, but be sure to brush those pearly whites the minute you wake up.

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.

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.

How to Care for Dentures

Dentures need to be cared for differently than normal teeth, and we want to ensure that our patients understand how to make the most of them. The trick to maintaining them is that they have to be kept moist at all times, but must also be kept clean to prevent plaque or fungus build-up. Below are some helpful rules.

Each night, patients should remove their dentures and brush them with a soft-bristled brush and toothpaste made specifically for dentures. (Soft-bristled toothbrushes are the only kind anybody should use for oral hygiene, but the special toothpaste is necessary because dentures don’t have a biological covering to protect them from grit.) Dentures should be left overnight in room-temperature water or cleaning solution unless they have exposed metal which could rust. Hot water will melt and reshape the plastic.

Before putting their dentures back in, patients should brush their gums and tongue. This will stimulate blood flow, which will preserve the mouth’s health and feeling. Patients with implant-supported dentures should brush in between their abutments. Any damage to the denture should be reported immediately to a professional. Some refitting over the patient’s life is expected, but patients should not attempt to manipulate the shape of the denture on their own.

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.

 

The 2-Minute Brushing Rule

When we hit the snooze button in the morning, two minutes flies by like lightning, when we are waiting in traffic, two minute seems like an eternity. At the sink, two minutes is the time you need to spend brushing your teeth in order to clean them adequately and reduce plaque. At the dental practice of Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, we want you to understand why you should follow the 2-minute brushing rule.

Most people don’t even come close to brushing two minutes and if you don’t brush your teeth long enough, you may not be getting your teeth clean enough. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily establish the basics of good oral hygiene. Brushing helps to clear particles of food from the teeth, but a brush can’t reach between teeth, which is why flossing is also necessary. To make the two-minute mark seem like less of a lifetime, split the mouth into four quadrants. That way, it should take about 30 seconds each quadrant. The proper position of the brush head should be along the gum line, half on the gums and half on the teeth, pointing the bristles at a 45-degree angle. Don’t forget to brush every part of your mouth, including your tongue!

If you have questions about oral care, 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.

Toothbrush Care

Brushing your teeth plays an important everyday role for personal oral hygiene and effective plaque removal. You may not give much thought to cleaning your toothbrush; however appropriate toothbrush care and maintenance are important considerations for oral hygiene. At the dental practice of Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, we want you to know how and when to replace, clean, and store your toothbrush.

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush approximately every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed. However, toothbrushes will wear out more rapidly depending on factors unique to each patient. It is also important to never share a toothbrush because this practice could be a concern for people with compromised immune systems or existing infectious diseases. If your toothbrush comes in contact with another, thoroughly rinse the brush with warm tap water to remove any remaining toothbrush and debris. When you are done using the toothbrush, store it in an upright position and allow the toothbrush to air-dry until used again.

If you have further questions regarding toothbrush care, 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.

Choosing the Right Mouthwash

Mouthwash or rinses are used for a variety of reasons: to freshen breath, to help prevent or control tooth decay, to reduce plaque, to prevent or reduce gingivitis, to reduce the speed that tartar forms on the teeth, or to produce a combination of these effects.  Mouthwash has a few beneficial properties and Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, would like to explain some of them.

• Antimicrobial agents act directly on oral bacteria to help reduce plaque, decrease the severity of gingivitis and control bad breath.


• Fluoride helps reduce tiny lesions (tooth decay) on tooth enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay.


• Astringent salts can serve as temporary deodorizers that mask bad breath.


• Odor neutralizers act by chemically inactivating odor causing compounds.

If you have questions about dental health or oral care, 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.