Sedation for Dental Anxiety

Dr. Eric Meyer knows far too many patients put off dental work because of an anxiety or fear about the procedure. Some patients have had painful or traumatic dental appointments in the past that give them fear, and others have sensitive teeth or a sensitive gag reflex that has always made dental work dreadful. Anxieties like these are no reason to put yourself at risk by leaving dental issues untreated.

We strive to make the process as comfortable as possible for each patient. In addition to using local anesthetic in the area of a procedure, we are equipped to offer the following options for sedation:

• ·        Nitrous Oxide, also called laughing gas, is inhaled by the patient and causes a sleepy euphoria before the patient drifts off


• ·        Oral Conscious Sedation, or taking a sedative orally before the procedure, keeps the patient awake but they remain completely relaxed and experience no pain


• ·        Anxiolysis, also administered by taking a pill orally, is a lighter sedative recommended for moderately anxious patients


• ·        IV Sedation delivers medicine straight into your blood stream to work quickly, and the level of sedation can be adjusted during the procedure

Anyone experience anxiety-free dental appointments with our help. Sedation also presents an opportunity to condense complex procedures that would typically take multiple visits into one. If you think you could benefit from our services please give us a call.

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.

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.

 

Waterlase

One of the reasons we’re able to provide so many different kinds of treatments at Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office is that we have excellent tools. The Waterlase is our preferred brand of surgical laser. Though our doctors have many specialties, this water-guided handheld laser can be used for nearly all the operations on hard and soft tissue we perform.

Pain from the traditional dental drills had three main causes: heat, vibration, and pressure. The noise also tended to provoke a negative psychological reaction. Lasers produce no noise, pressure, or vibration, but early models still produced heat. The first generation of the Waterlase, which came on the market in 1998, fixed this problem by emitting a stream of water onto the surgical site. Not only was the water cooling, but it also caused the water molecules in the tissue to vibrate, lowering their resistance to the laser’s cutting.

Our periodontal specialist uses the Waterlase because it causes less bleeding than metal tools. We also use it for cutting away tooth decay because it is precise enough to minimize the risk of causing the tooth to crack. This means a more comfortable surgery for our patients and a shorter recovery time.

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.

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.

The Temporomandibular Joint: Explained

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the jaw joint. You have two of them which work together as a pair, one in front of each ear. Without this joint, you would not be able to chew your food, yawn, or even speak. The joints connect the lower jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones of the skull on each side of the head. When this joint begins to cause facial pain, headaches, and/or jaw muscle stiffness, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, can develop a treatment plan.

When you open your mouth, the rounded upper ends of the mandible on each side of the jaw glide along the joint socket at the base of the skull. They slide back to their original position when you close your mouth. This joint is unique in the sense that the articular surfaces of the bones never actually come in contact with one another – they are separated by an articular disk. This disk splits the joint into two synovial joint cavities, each lined by a synovial membrane. It is important to keep in mind that occasional clicking or discomfort in the jaw joint or chewing muscles are common, but if you have a serious concern for TMD, you should schedule a consultation with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS.

If you have questions about the temporomandibular joint or TMJ/TMD, 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.

Pediatric Tooth Extraction

At the dental practice of Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, pediatric tooth extraction may be suggested if your child has teeth that are potentially problematic, cannot be restored, or are not necessary to restore. Additionally, tiny teeth may need to be extracted for orthodontic treatment. Your child may be frightened about the procedure itself, but it is our promise to make him or her as comfortable as possible.

Prior to the surgery, Dr. Meyer will take an X-ray of the patient’s mouth. The X-ray allows him to determine the severity of the tooth’s damage. If it’s been determined that a tooth cannot be repaired, you will need to schedule an appointment for extraction. Once sedation options are discussed, Dr. Meyer will use the appropriate tools to extract the tooth. When the procedure is complete, it is critical that your child obey post-op instructions such as changing the gauze when necessary and feasting on only soft foods for the first 24 hours.

If you have questions about pediatric tooth extraction, 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.