Caring for Invisalign

Fullerton Dental offers Invisalign, the clear aligner system that straightens teeth without the metallic look of braces. Another perk of Invisalign clear aligners is that they require less maintenance and won’t prevent you from eating certain foods.  Although you won’t have to make too many changes, there are still guidelines you should follow to wear and care for your aligners!

You should remove Invisalign each time you eat, but if you do eat anything while wearing the aligners make sure to clean them thoroughly afterwards. It is also best to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.  Ideally when wearing clear aligners, you would only drink water. Colorful drinks can stain the aligners and too many hot drinks can eventually warp the plastic.  If you do drink anything other than water while wearing the aligners you should rinse them with warm water afterwards. 

Cleaning the clear aligners regularly is important for your teeth and straightening treatment.  Clear aligners can become discolored over time without losing their effectiveness, but the color can show on your own teeth and continue to darken.  Invisalign offers its own brand of cleaning solution, and there are several soaking solutions available over the counter, but brushing the aligners is also a sufficient cleaning option.  Do not use toothpaste to brush the aligners because subtle abrasive properties of toothpaste could harm the aligner.  It is best to use mild dish soap and a soft bristle brush to clean the aligners each time you brush your teeth.

To learn more about Invisalign and all 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.

Regular Teeth Cleanings

The doctors and staff of Fullerton Dental want you to know that it is recommended by the Academy of General Dentistry recommends to have a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months.  We want 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.

Nocturnal Bruxism

Do you wake up with a sore jaw and have no explanation for it? Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS does because you may be what the dental world calls, a bruxer. A bruxer is someone who falls under the category of nocturnal bruxism, a condition in which a person grinds or clenches his or her teeth during sleep. Although the causes of bruxism are unknown, scientists have linked it to stress and anxiety. Fortunately, there are measures that can be taken to cope as well as treat the problem.

Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS may suggest a night guard as a method of treatment once a diagnosis has been given. This is because the action of grinding and clenching can put unwanted pressure on the jaw and teeth, causing enamel to become worn down and ultra-sensitive. People who suffer from nocturnal bruxism may notice frequent headaches, earaches, and jaw pain.

If you have questions or concerns regarding nocturnal bruxism, 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.

Dangers of Habitual Snoring

Occasional snoring isn’t serious, but when a person is constantly getting kicked in the middle of the night for disrupting their partner's sleep, then it becomes a problem. Habitual snorers not only disrupt the sleep of their partner, they risk developing cardiovascular disease, falling asleep at the wheel due to constant fatigue, and increase their chances of developing sleep apnea. If you don’t feel like you are getting the quality of sleep that you deserve, schedule a consultation with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS.

Sleep apnea creates several problems, including interruptions of breathing during the night. When the airway is physically obstructed, this can cause a delay in breathing during sleep or it can make a person stop breathing altogether. Sleep apnea additionally puts a strain on the heart because the lack of sleep can result in higher blood pressure and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. If you experience drowsiness during the day, it may be time to discuss your treatment options.

If you have questions or concerns regarding sleep apnea, 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.

Use Your Benefits Before Year End

It’s almost time to ring in the New Year, which means it is time to use your remaining dental insurance benefits. Dr. Eric Meyer of Fullerton Dental wants each of his patients to understand that doing so, could actually save patients hundreds of dollars. While some dental insurance plans run on a fiscal year, many others run on a traditional calendar year. Once you confirm which category you fall under, call us so you can begin 2018 with a healthy smile.

If you’ve been putting off needed dental work, now is the time to schedule your appointment. If you opt to receive dental procedures now and have benefits left, they will be covered and you will not have to add the costs to next year’s maximum benefit amount. Since insurance benefits for dental rarely roll over, we encourage you to use them or lose them. Remember, your dental insurance is in place to maintain your good oral health, so be sure to take full advantage of it!

If you have questions or concerns regarding insurance, payment, or scheduling, 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.

Foods for Optimal Oral Health

Prevention is important when it comes to protecting tooth enamel, periodontal health, and the overall health of your mouth. If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “You are what you eat” that is partially true, because what you eat reflects your oral health status. If you have a diet that is heavy in sugar and carbohydrates, Dr. Eric M Meyer DDS, hopes that your oral hygiene routine is up to par. If it’s not, then it’s time to put these foods on your plate.

Regular brushing and flossing help eliminate sugars that are in the foods and beverages that we eat. A healthy diet consists of eating foods from each of the five food groups. Also known as “functional foods” fruits and vegetables that have high water content keep the mouth clean and promote oral health. Dairy products such as cheese, sugar-free yogurt, and milk increase saliva production which help fight decay. Additionally, foods containing calcium such as almonds and leafy greens keep tooth enamel strong and healthy.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental 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.

Proper Use of Mouthguards

An athlete’s mouth can take quite a battering during a match. When properly used, a mouthguard can make save someone’s teeth from traumatic injury, but many athletes opt not to use one. Their reasons for doing so are usually based on misconceptions which, at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office, we want to correct.

A common complaint about mouthguards is that they are excessively large, covering interior parts of the mouth that don’t need protection at the cost of gagging and difficulty speaking and breathing. This can happen if a mouthguard is not fitted properly, but a custom-fitted mouthguard would not cause these problems. Boil-and-bite mouthguards available at sports stores and through online vendors work alright, but the best option is a mouthguard made from a scan or impression of the athlete’s teeth.

Some people also avoid mouthguards because they consider them unhygienic. This depends on how often a mouthguard is cleaned. Ideally, it would be brushed after every use (with a different toothbrush than the wearer uses on their teeth). Like retainers and dentures, mouthguards should only be rinsed with cool or room-temperature water, for fear of warping them, and should be replaced by a professional if they lose their shape. Unlike dentures, mouthguards should be allowed to dry when not in use.

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.