Dental Crowns to Restore Function and Smiles

An injured tooth due to damage or decay should be saved, if it can be. It is always ideal to have your natural teeth. This is why at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, we can provide dental crowns for patients who have damaged teeth with an intact root.

A cracked or weakened tooth can be painful and it can lead to infection. Not to mention, they will often turn dark or make your teeth appear unhealthy looking. Dental crowns are like a cap that goes over the whole tooth to strengthen it, repair the look of it, and protect it from further damage. It fully restores the function of the tooth while repairing the look of your smile. The crown can be made of gold, porcelain-covered metal, or all porcelain. The options with porcelain are what give you the natural-looking crown.

To create the crown, first any decay is removed from the tooth and the tooth will be reshaped for the crown to fit. An impression is then taken so a dental laboratory can use it to create your custom crown. When the crown is placed, it may feel odd in your mouth; however, after a few days of getting used to the new structure, it will feel just like the rest of your teeth.

Do not let damage or decay completely ruin an otherwise healthy tooth. To schedule an appointment with All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call our office at (858) 270-4904. More information about our practice can be found on our website, www.allcoastdental.net. 

If is Isn't Decay, Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?

Sensitive teeth can be a real pain, especially when you are trying to enjoy your favorite frozen treats during summer.  While sometimes sensitive teeth can mean there is a cavity or worse, an infection, often it is just simple habits that create the problem. At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, we want our patients to come in for an examination if they are having sensitivity to make sure it is not decay. We also want patients to know what can cause sensitivity when it is not decay.

Sensitive teeth are often caused by worn down tooth enamel. When enamel is worn down, the dentin shows through which 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. The first thing you want to remember is to not brush too harshly. To remove plaque, all it takes is a soft toothbrush with a light touch.  In addition to abrasive brushing, grinding your teeth is another common culprit. Ask us about a night guard if you suspect you grind or clench your teeth at night.

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 acidic foods before brushing so the enamel can re-harden. In addition, very acidic foods and drinks like soda pop should be limited.

Sensitivity can often be resolved by changing your habits. To schedule an appointment with All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call our office at (858) 270-4904 or visit our website, www.allcoastdental.net. 

Foods to Avoid with TMJ Pain

When dealing with a TMJ flare-up, it is nice to know which foods to avoid as to not aggravate the condition. It is also good to know what to avoid to stop a flare-up from happening in the first place. At All Coast Dental, we know how frustrating TMJ pain can be. Steer clear of these certain types of foods to keep a pain-free jaw.

Hard and Crunchy

Hard and crunchy foods are more difficult for the jaw to chew through than softer foods. Because of the force the jaw needs to exert to bite through them, hard and crunchy foods can irritate the TMJs and lead to pain. Stay away from crunchy foods like chips and popcorn as much as possible. Harder foods like raw vegetables are also difficult on the jaw joints. However, since veggies are still an important part of your diet, just cook them so they are softer.

Chewy

Chewy food is another common culprit for jaw pain. Caramels, chewing gum, and even tougher cuts of meat are irritating because of the amount of chewing needed to break them down. The constant chewing motion can easily cause a TMJ flare-up. Stay away from chewy candies. If you use gum to freshen your breath, think about trying mints. Also, stick to tender cuts of meat and if you want seafood, choose fish instead of chewy shellfish.

TMJ pain can be frustrating and it can feel like eating makes it worse. However, just changing your eating habits can make a big difference. To schedule an examination with All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call our office at (858) 270-4904 or visit our website, www.allcoastdental.net.