Dry Mouth Discomfort

Dry mouth may occur for a variety of reasons. Some of these include a change in medication or a lack of saliva flow from an underlying condition. Also known as xerostomia, dry mouth can be uncomfortable and no matter how much you hydrate, you may not be able to get rid of the feeling. If dry mouth has you concerned, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS can provide treatment to fix the problem.

Saliva protects the teeth from tooth decay that causes cavities. Saliva also helps wash away food particles that linger on the teeth after a meal. If your mouth isn’t producing enough saliva, you may notice an increase of bad breath, dry throat, or a dry/grooved tongue. Treatment for dry mouth will depend on the cause but may include various methods to restore moisture.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dry mouth, 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

Restore Smiles with Dental Implants

Dr. Eric Meyer, DDS replaces teeth and restores patient smiles with dental implants. Implants are a permanent restorative option for teeth that are missing or have been extracted.  They look and feel like natural teeth, and are the most permanent and efficient means of replacing lost teeth.

Implants are titanium screws inserted into the jaw bone. Over a period of 3-6 months, the jaw bone heals around the implant to become a solid, stable base for the new tooth. During this time a patient is fitted with a temporary crown, and a custom crown is created to match their smile perfectly.

After the jaw bone and gums have healed appropriately, the custom crown is placed in a second appointment. Sometimes, the doctor may need to expose the head of the implant in a second minor surgery.  When everything is healed, the crown will be screwed or cemented to the top of the implant.  When this is complete the tooth looks like part of the natural smile, and with proper care will last for decades!

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.

Smoking with Sleep Apnea

Smoking will exacerbate any respiratory condition, and it is proven to cause snoring and lead to obstructive sleep apnea.  Patients struggling with sleep apnea should see Dr. Eric Meyer, DDS and his staff for evaluation. We can help patients find relief from sleep apnea, but quitting smoking is up to you!

Smoking causes upper airway inflammation, meaning the swelling causes the airway to narrow and disrupts the flow of air to the nasal passage and throat.  This causes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.  Cigarettes are highly addictive, and some smokers seek treatment for sleep apnea but continue to smoke. Smoking with sleep apnea not only puts more stress on the heart every day, but negates any treatment a sleep apnea patient is undergoing.

Habitual smokers may feel relaxed by one last cigarette for the day, but it actually creates more complications for restful sleep. Smokers can experience nicotine withdrawal overnight, causing more waking up and restlessness.  Quitting smoking cold turkey is very difficult, but even lessening the amount of cigarettes or avoiding smoking at nighttime can help you achieve more restful sleep.  Most smokers cannot quit on their own or on their first attempt, so don’t get discouraged!

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.

Gum Disease and Cirrhosis

Patients suffering from gum disease can find quality care at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental practice. Although many people think of bleeding gums as normal, that is only because gum inflammation is so common. One group that is at greater risk for gum disease is people with cirrhosis. However, new research has shown that periodontal therapy can help mitigate the symptoms of cirrhosis patients in unexpected ways.

Cirrhosis is a disease in which chronic inflammation of the liver causes it to scar over, reducing its effectiveness at filtering harmful chemicals from the bloodstream. People with cirrhosis commonly suffer from cognitive decline and inflammation throughout their bodies. Smoking and alcohol use are two well-known causes of cirrhosis as well as gum disease, so it is unsurprising that the diseases would often occur in the same people. But gum disease is also unusually common in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which prompted scientists to investigate how one disease impacts the other.

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University divided people with cirrhosis and gum disease into a control group and a group that got periodontal treatment. They found that in the treated group, cognitive skills improved and bacteria that combat inflammation became more common. Scientists speculated the difference could be caused by people without gum disease being less likely to inhale harmful bacteria. In any case, we’re glad to see more people recognizing the importance of 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 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.

Stop Smoking for Healthier Gums

It’s no secret that smoking is a bad habit for your overall health. Smoking is also one of the leading causes of periodontal disease. If a smoker doesn’t practice proper oral care habits, he or she risks tooth loss in the long run. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS can give you the tools to stop smoking and improve your oral and periodontal health in the long run.

If you are a tobacco user, the symptoms of periodontal disease will increase. You may notice bleeding gums while brushing, red, swollen, or tender gums, as well as persistent bad breath. Periodontal disease is a serious infection and smokers have twice the risk of developing this condition as nonsmokers. The more cigarettes a person smokes, the greater his or her risk for developing periodontal disease. If you stop smoking, your gums will begin to heal, and you can improve periodontal health with good dental habits.

If you have questions or concerns regarding smoking and periodontal 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.

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.