Dental Wax for Traditional Braces

If you have a mouth full of wires and brackets, then this must mean that you decided to go the traditional route on your orthodontic journey. Traditional braces are one of the fast methods used to straighten teeth because of the fixed position that the metal is placed in. Though traditional braces straighten teeth in no time, they may cause discomfort to the patient. Fortunately, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, has a solution – dental wax.

Dental wax is a safe, non-toxic wax, which is used to protect the lips, cheeks, and gums from the metal in the mouth. Dental wax makes the first few months of orthodontic treatment bearable as your mouth gets used to the equipment inside. If you have pain and irritation that is caused by the sharp end of your appliance, talk to Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS about getting it fixed or simply ask for dental wax the next time you are in the office.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontics or traditional braces, 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.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth usually erupt during the ages of 17-22 but the thing is that they don’t always erupt. When wisdom teeth are impacted, the patient may notice symptoms developing over time, which worsen as the wisdom teeth continue to develop. Impacted wisdom teeth lie below the gum line and don’t have room to grow in the mouth. When a patient has impacted wisdom teeth, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS will likely suggest extraction.  

Extracting wisdom teeth does more good than harm. This is because they really don’t serve any purpose in the mouth. Extraction is recommended to avoid throbbing pain in the back of the mouth, swelling around the jaw, tender gums, and/or headaches. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause damage to surrounding teeth, forcing them out of place, and also increase a patient’s risk of developing an infection. If you still have your wisdom teeth intact, and they are causing you discomfort, discuss extraction with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS.

If you have questions or concerns regarding wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth 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.

Fluoride Toothpaste

As part of our patient education program, we at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office want our patients to understand how to use fluoride toothpaste. A proper tooth brushing is an especially important skill for children to master because it is often one of the first things they do to maintain their own health.

Tooth decay is caused by acidic secretions from bacteria that eat food debris. Fluoride is a mineral that makes tooth enamel more resistant to acid. It is commonly applied to the tops of teeth by dentists and government health initiatives supply it in many places through the drinking water. Fluoride toothpaste also helps to reinforce teeth but works best when the teeth are brushed properly. A session of brushing should last for two full minutes and cover every dental surface.

Toothpaste should be spat instead of swallowed because excessive intake of fluoride can cause enamel discoloration. It should also not be used on oral appliances such as dentures because fluoride can scratch plastic.

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.

 

Research into Filling Failure

People who need dental fillings are in good hands at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton office. For more than twenty-five years, we’ve been repairing peoples’ teeth so that they can chew, speak, and smile again comfortably. But we’re always trying to improve, which is why we wanted to pass along new information about dental filling failure.

A filling will usually last for ten years before the bonding holding it in place cracks and needs to be replaced. The new study looked for common factors among people whose fillings did not even last for five years. It turned out that one of the most reliable predictors was smoking. Alcohol use was a common factor among people whose fillings did not even last for two years.

The researchers also found that risk of premature filling failure was higher for people who had a family history of it and that there are certain genes that may make people predisposed to it. It is especially important for these people to maintain regular appointments so the stability of their fillings can be checked. White resin fillings do not have a higher rate of failure than amalgam fillings, so replacing older fillings can also make a patient’s smile more beautiful.

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.

 

ADA Seal of Acceptance – What It Means

When you shop for oral care products, do you look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance? When a product has been stamped with the American Dental Association seal of approval, this simply means that it has been scientifically evaluated by independent experts to be safe and effective to the patient. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS encourages patients to use oral care products that advertise that they are from the American Dental Association to guarantee optimal oral health.

Not every dental product possesses the ADA seal of approval, but this doesn’t mean that it won’t get the job done. When a product has the ADA seal of approval, this just means that the company selling the product may or may not have submitted their product for review. There are thousands of products on store shelves from white strips, to flossers, and toothbrushes, that can help protect your mouth and prevent oral diseases.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care products, 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.

Are You Flossing Correctly?

The doctors at Fullerton Dental like to see our patients maintain a great oral health routine at home, and the staff here likes to see patients set themselves up for a lifetime of good oral health.  Regular flossing is essential to maintaining oral health and you should floss once a day, either before or after brushing. Remember these tips to help you floss effectively:

• ·        A strand of dental floss about 18 inches long allows you to wrap the ends of the floss around a finger on each hand. This gives you excellent control over the portion of floss you are using.


• ·        The proper technique to flossing is sliding the floss between the teeth and rubbing the floss back and forth up until you reach your gums.


• ·        Pushing at your gums too hard with floss can damage your gum line and isn’t necessary to floss properly. Think of a small swooping motion as you rub the floss up to one gum, then down and back up towards the other.


• ·        As you move on to the next tooth, adjust the floss to expose an unused portion. Repeat this rubbing motion between each tooth and dispose of the floss once you are finished.

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

When Your Kid Loses the First Tooth

If your kid is turning into a big kid, losing the first baby tooth is on the horizon.  It’s an exciting sign of growing up, but many kids still feel anxious or uncomfortable dealing with the unfamiliar sensation of a loose tooth.  The doctors at Fullerton Dental want kids and parents to be prepared and understand why this pain occurs so your child can still have a positive tooth loss experience.

Before a baby tooth is lost, it begins to break free of its nerve endings.  This is the natural process that makes the tooth feel loose and wobbly at the gums, and the area will become swollen and red.  It can be painful, and for kids a great way to soothe tooth pain is applying a cold compress to the outside of the mouth in the affected area.  Children may complain that they find it hard to bite or chew with loose or missing teeth.  It’s still important to keep eating healthy while they grow new teeth so encourage soup, pureed fruits, and cooked vegetables.  A few tales of the tooth fairy can usually ease a little pain, too!

If you have questions about pediatric dental care, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.