Sensitivity Solutions

Sensitive teeth can be a real pain, especially while enjoying your favorite hot or cold beverages. Sensitive teeth usually need to be checked by your dentist, but there are ways to avoid it. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS of Fullerton, CA wants his patients to be aware of what can cause sensitive teeth and what they can do about it.

Sensitive teeth are often caused by worn down tooth enamel; exposing the dentin. The dentin contains tiny tubes that lead to the center of the tooth where all the nerves are. To avoid wearing down your enamel, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, plaque comes off your teeth with a light touch so you do not have to scrub hard. Secondly, if you grind or clench your teeth, you may want to consider wearing a night guard.

Enamel can also be worn down by brushing too soon. Yes, it is true, you can brush too soon! The foods we eat contain acids that can soften enamel. Wait at least thirty minutes after eating to brush so the enamel can re-harden. In addition, very acidic foods and drinks should be enjoyed in moderation.

If you are experiencing sensitive teeth, it could be as simple of a fix as changing a habit. However, you should get sensitivity checked by Dr. Meyer to ensure you do not have a cavity or a fracture. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS of Fullerton, CA, call our office at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website,  www.fullertondental.com. 

Habits That Are Bad For Teeth

Do you use your teeth as tools? For example, maybe you use them to open a bag of potato chips, uncap a bottle of nail polish, or to rip a price tag off a piece of clothing. If you do, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS suggests that you break these habits immediately. This is because these patterns can be hard on your teeth, traumatizing them or causing the edge of a weakened tooth to chip off or even fracture.

Other habits that are bad for your teeth include brushing them too hard, chewing ice cubes and even nail-biting. Would you believe that the Academy of General Dentistry estimates that frequent nail biters may rack up $4,000 in additional dental bills over the course of their lifetime? That’s a lot of money to spend on something that could be avoided. We understand that breaking bad habits are hard. However, you can take steps to reduce them by simply being aware that you are doing them.

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

Beware of Plaque

Plaque is a soft, sticky film that builds up on your teeth and contains millions of bacteria. These bacteria develop when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches), such as milk, soft drinks, or candy are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. This is why it’s important to visit Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS for professional cleanings.

Plaque can also develop on the tooth roots under the gum and cause breakdown of the bone supporting the tooth. When this happens, the gum tissue can become red, swollen, and possible bleed when you brush your teeth. This is called gingivitis, an early stage of periodontal (gum) disease. To prevent plaque buildup and gum disease, brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft, rounded tip bristled toothbrush. You should also floss between teeth at least once a day to remove food particles and bacteria.

If you have plaque buildup or are due for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS here in our Fullerton, CA office, call 714-879-7943.

Implant Retained Dentures

When you think of dentures, unfortunately, you may think of ill-fitting dentures that slip around when you talk or eat. However, with advancements in dentistry, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS is able to offer a more stable way to use dentures here at our Fullerton, CA dental practice. Dr. Meyer utilizes mini dental implants to give dentures the strongest, most stable base they have ever had.

Mini dental implants are placed along with upper and lower jaw lines. Usually, between four and six are used per jaw line. The dentures are then modified so that they clip right into the mini implants. They are easy to clip in for patients, so their dentures are still just as removable as before. The difference, however, is a stable base that fits well, feels good, and doesn’t move around. Laughing, smiling, talking, and chewing are all the better with dentures that fit. Implant-retained dentures also help keep the jawbone from degenerating as quickly! So your dentures will fit better for longer.

Mini dental implants are about half the size of traditional dental implants, so they take much less time to heal. There is no actual surgery needed. Dentures are often able to be placed the same day as the mini implants!

If you are looking for a tooth replacement option or looking for a better option for your dentures, mini dental implants may be perfect for you! To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS here in our Fullerton, CA office, call us at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

Cosmetic Dentistry Options for a Beautiful Smiles

When meeting someone new or facing any ordinary day, you want to be able to put your best smile forward! A beautiful smile gives us confidence and reasons to flash those pearly whites! Here in our Fullerton, CA dental office, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS offers several cosmetic dentistry options to bring your smile up to where you want it!

If you are looking for bright, white teeth, look no further than our professional whitening systems; BrightSmiles, ZOOM!, and take-home custom whitening trays. Depending on your current level of staining and your lifestyle, Dr. Meyer will choose the system that will work best for you. Our patients often receive smiles 4-10 shades whiter!

If you are looking for a total smile overhaul, we have veneers and Lumineers available. These are thin, ceramic shells that are bonded to your existing teeth. They are fantastic for fixing the look of gapped teeth, misaligned teeth, chips, cracks, discoloration and much more. They are also durable and stain-resistant!

Teeth are not the only part of our mouth that can affect a smile. Gums are also part of our aesthetics. For those who deal with “gummy smile”, the excess gum tissue may make their teeth appear shorter. In this case, we can perform a crown lengthening. This procedure takes away excess gums, uncovering more of the tooth and creating a nice, even gum line.

If you are hiding your smile because of cosmetic issues, be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer to learn about your options! To schedule an appointment at our Fullerton, CA dental practice, call our office at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

Brushing and Flossing With Braces

Brushing and flossing are essential for clean, healthy teeth. With braces, proper brushing and flossing are a little more complicated, but still vitally important. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS of Fullerton, CA wants all of his patients to have their own action plan for great oral care.

When wearing braces, it means that you have brackets that can collect plaque and wires that can prevent you from reaching areas of your teeth. This means you will need to implement some new dental supplies. Make sure you own an interdental cleaner. These are those little tree-like brushes that will allow you to go under the wires to clean the sides of your brackets. Then make sure you are also brushing along the tops and the bottoms of your brackets with a regular toothbrush. You want to be able to see all four sides of a bracket clearly when you are finished; no plaque in sight.

When it comes time for your daily flossing, purchasing Superfloss or floss threaders will help. They help you get the floss underneath your wire easier and faster. Flossing is very important to avoid cavities between teeth. It will also help avoid staining.

Brushing, flossing, and visits to your dentist for a cleaning and examination are all important parts of proper oral health. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, call our Fullerton, CA office at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

What to Expect After a Crown Application

Any dental procedure will probably introduce some changes in your mouth. Maybe it is just healing time or maybe it is getting used to the feeling of a newly restored tooth. When a dental crown is applied, there are several things you will need to be aware of that Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS of Fullerton, CA wants you to know.

During the process of applying a crown restoration, you will most likely wear a temporary crown while your permanent crown is being created. We take impressions of your tooth and the surrounding area so that a laboratory can create a custom crown, so it may take a few weeks for the crown to be ready. During the time you are wearing the temporary crown, you want to be careful when eating and cleaning your teeth. Stay away from especially hard or sticky foods, as this may pull on the crown or make it pop off. When brushing and flossing, be gentle on the tooth (you should be brushing gently anyway). When flossing, do not pull up on the floss. Instead, move the floss upward gently by moving the floss back and forth.

After your permanent crown is cemented into place, the gum tissues in the area will need some time to heal. They may feel sore or irritated and there may be some swelling. You can take ibuprofen or rinse with salt water to help with swelling and pain. After a while, the new crown will feel like one of your own teeth.

For more information about dental crowns, feel free to visit our website. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, of Fullerton, CA, call us at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com.