Signs and Symptoms of Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness and swelling (inflammation) of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. However, it’s important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly. If you suffer from Gingivitis, Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. will provide you with an individualized treatment plan before it leads to periodontitis and eventual tooth loss.

Gingivitis – an inflammation of the gums – is the initial stage of gum disease and the easiest to treat. The direct cause of gingivitis is plaque – the soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms constantly on teeth and gums. If the plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis.

Classic signs and symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen, tender gums that may bleed when you brush. Another sign of gum disease is gums that have receded or pulled away from your teeth, giving your teeth an elongated appearance. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing.

During a professional tooth cleaning, Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. will show you how to brush and floss properly to help prevent gingivitis from taking over. To learn more about dental hygiene visit www.fullertondental.com for more information or call 714-879-7943 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. in Fullerton, CA.

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you were over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. plans out for you.

To begin the Invisalign treatment process, Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. will take pictures and impressions of your teeth, which Invisalign will use to create a digital 3-D image of them. From these images, he will map out a precise treatment plan including the exact movements of your teeth, and tell you the approximate length of treatment. Using the same technology as the Invisalign lab, Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. will be able to show you a virtual representation of how your teeth will move with each stage of treatment. Over the course of treatment, you will be supplied with a series of aligners. When the aligners are placed on the teeth, they cause the teeth to gradually shift from their current position. After approximately two weeks, you will begin using the next set of aligners, which will continue the teeth straightening process.

To learn more about Invisalign visit www.fullertondental.com for more information or call 714-879-7943 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Meyer, DDS in Fullerton, CA. 

ZOOM! Whitening

Keeping our teeth their whitest is a lot harder than it sounds. With all the coffee, wine, smoking and other foods that have the ability to stain our teeth on a daily basis, even proper maintenance sometimes leaves them discolored. To accomplish the whitening of your teeth, Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. utilizes a product called ZOOM!.

ZOOM! is a bleaching process widely used throughout the country and around the world to lighten discoloration of enamel and dentin. The ZOOM! in-office tooth whitening procedure uses the ZOOM! Advanced Power Chairside Lamp – said to accelerate the bleaching process- to activate the 25 percent hydrogen peroxide whitening. As the hydrogen peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin to bleach the stained substances, leaving the structure of the tooth unchanged. This combination allows us to provide you with teeth that are 6-10 shades whiter in about an hour.

Before deciding whether ZOOM! in-office whitening is right for you, Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. will conduct a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums to ensure proper health, as well as talk with you about your oral hygiene and lifestyle habits to determine if you will benefit from whitening. To learn more about ZOOM! visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Meyer, D.D.S. in Fullerton, CA, call 714-879-7943.

The Effects of Bad Oral Hygiene

Keeping good care of our teeth is vital to keep them healthy. We brush and floss for this purpose. Dr. Eric M Meyer wants our patients in the Fullerton, CA area to know the importance of keeping healthy teeth and gums and what can go wrong if we do not take care of them.

Brushing two or three times daily as well as flossing once daily is important for removing plaque. Plaque is a bacterial film that starts to build up a few hours after brushing. Plaque is a thin substance, but can harden and turn to tartar if it is not removed. Tartar is a mineral deposit that can only be removed by dentists. Plaque and tartar both trap in bacteria. When bacteria sit on the teeth, it weakens the enamel and creates cavities, or decay of the tooth. When bacteria sit around the gums, it irritates them and can lead to infection. Gum disease is a long process to get rid of and if not taken seriously, can result in the loss of a tooth. When gums become irritated, they begin to recess from the teeth and create deep pockets where more bacteria can collect. This will start to decay the roots of the teeth. Along with loosing teeth, gum disease can cause pain, unsightly looks, and bad breath.

A proper routine of brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist will ensure healthy teeth and gums. To schedule a cleaning with Dr. Eric M Meyer here in Fullerton, CA, call us at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

Sealants for Extra-Protecton

Protecting our teeth is what helps us keep them for a lifetime. This is why we brush, floss, and see our dentist regularly. This is also why Dr. Eric M Meyer provides dental sealants to his patients in our Fullerton, CA dental practice. Sealants help block food and debris from the grooves of the molars and protect them from bacteria build-up.

Sealants are great for adult teeth in children between the ages of six and fourteen, in what is known as the cavity-prone years. Sealants are also great for adults who have not had any cavities or fillings in the past. Baby teeth that have deep grooves also benefit from sealant protection, as healthy baby teeth are important for the spacing of adult teeth.

Sealants are placed after the tooth is cleaned. An acid solution is placed onto the tooth where the sealant is to be placed. The acid roughens up the surface of the tooth which creates a stronger bond for the sealant. The teeth are rinsed and dried before the sealant is placed. The plastic material is then painted into the grooves of the molar and allowed to harden. The teeth are now protected for up to ten years. If additional protection is needed, the sealants may be reapplied.

Sealants protect vulnerable teeth from decay when a toothbrush may not reach the area. To find out if sealants may be right for you or someone you know, schedule a consultation at our Fullerton, CA office by calling Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS or visiting our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

Flossing Your Way to Healthy Teeth and Gums

Healthy gums and teeth allow for a healthy mouth and a healthy body. Flossing is part of an oral hygiene routine that should be done every day to keep away cavities and infection. Dr. Eric M Meyer of Fullerton, CA wants to remind our patients of the proper way to floss so optimal gum and teeth health can be attained.

Flossing can be done before brushing or after brushing. It can be done morning, afternoon, or at night. The most important timing for flossing is to just do it once per day. There are a few types of floss, and everyone has their preference. Any type of floss will do the trick, but picking one you enjoy may entice you to make sure you floss every day.

Make sure to floss every space with a new section of floss. Pay extra attention to the molars, which are the main chewers, and teeth with tight spaces. When flossing, slide the floss between your teeth and create cupping around the teeth while scrubbing both sides of the space. Make sure not to hit your gums with the floss too hard, as this could injure them. For those with braces or a permanent retainer, a floss threader may be needed to floss the entire length of the space.

Along with home care, a good routine involves regular visits to your dentist. For more information about periodontal and dental care, call Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS of Fullerton, CA at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

Britesmile for Dramatic Whitening Results

Are you looking to whiten and brighten your smile? Whitening with a professional whitening system often creates the best results. This is why Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS of Fullerton, CA offers Britesmile whitening to our patients looking for fast and dramatic results.

Britesmile whitening can provide patients with teeth that are six to ten shades whiter within one visit! Results will depend on the current staining of teeth and how much whiter they are desired to be. Dr. Meyer will also choose which level of Britesmile whitening gel to use to each individual patient’s case.

The process of whitening teeth with Britesmile will begin with a standard cleaning of the teeth. This will allow balanced whitening. Next, the whitening gel is applied to the teeth and the Britesmile blue light will be aimed at the teeth. This light combines with the hydrogen peroxide in the whitening gel to produce accelerated results. This gel and light combination will last about twenty minutes before the gel is reapplied and under the light for another twenty minutes. A third and final round will be performed before the process is complete. The results are dramatically whitened teeth for a smile you can be proud to show off!

If you are interested in learning more about the Britesmile whitening process, call Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS of Fullerton, CA at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com.