Night Guards for Bruxism

Bruxism is the term for any regular grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw.  Chronic teeth grinders often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases tooth loss can occur, and partial or complete dentures may be needed.  Some teeth grinders only grind their teeth while they sleep at night and may not be aware of it.  Waking up with a stiff or sore jaw could be a sign you are grinding your teeth at night and shouldn’t be ignored.  Nocturnal bruxism can be caused by underlying medical conditions such as sleep apnea. For a proper diagnosis, visit All Coast Dental for a consultation.

A custom night guard is the best way to protect your teeth from the negative effects of teeth grinding.  We provide patients with custom night guards by first taking an impression of the mouth.  This impression is used to fit a custom product that protects the grinding surfaces of the teeth and aligns the jaw, which also helps improve sleep.  Night guards are durable and with proper care can last 10 years!

To learn more about night guards and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904.  

Caring for Clear Aligners

All Coast Dental offers ClearCorrect, the clear aligner system that straightens teeth without the metallic look of braces. Another perk of ClearCorrect clear aligners is that they require less maintenance and won’t prevent you from eating certain foods.  Although you won’t have to make too many changes, there are still guidelines you should follow to wear and care for your aligners!

You should remove the aligners each time you eat, but if you do eat anything while wearing the aligners make sure to clean them thoroughly afterwards. It is also best to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.  Ideally when wearing clear aligners, you would only drink water. Colorful drinks can stain the aligners and too many hot drinks can eventually warp the plastic.  If you do drink anything other than water while wearing the aligners you should rinse them with warm water afterwards. 

Cleaning the clear aligners regularly is important for your teeth and straightening treatment.  Clear aligners can become discolored over time without losing their effectiveness, but the color can show on your own teeth and continue to darken.  There are several soaking solutions available over the counter, but brushing the aligners is also a sufficient cleaning option.  Do not use toothpaste to brush the aligners because subtle abrasive properties of toothpaste could harm the aligner.  It is best to use mild dish soap and a soft bristle brush to clean the aligners each time you brush your teeth.

To learn more about ClearCorrect and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904.  

Dental Phobia

A phobia is defined as a paralyzing fear and when patients suffer from dental phobia, our doctors at All Coast Dental will do everything we can to make them as comfortable as possible. Most people can live with dental anxiety, but when a fear of the dentist keeps a person out of the chair, it can be detrimental to their oral health and can lead to tooth loss down the road.

People develop a fear of the dentist for different reasons. Dental phobia can stem from a bad experience, fear of drills, or a fear of not having control. Patients who suffer from dental phobia suffer from poorer health because chances are they haven’t been to the dentist in years. Dental phobia can be treated, and if you are willing to discuss your concerns and fears with us, we are determined to help you achieve optimal oral health.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental phobia, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904.  

Celebrate Oral Health Day Everyday

World Oral Health Day is celebrated all over the world on March 20^th to highlight the importance of keeping your mouth healthy and free of bad breath, periodontal disease, decay, and other dental diseases. Though our doctors at All Coast Dental want you to practice oral health day, every day, it’s never too late to improve your oral care habits.

A healthy body and a healthy mouth go hand-in-hand which is why if you brush your teeth, your body will thank you. Brushing and flossing your teeth thoroughly will prevent oral diseases and can offer clues to what else is going on with your body. To maintain optimal oral health, it’s important to brush thoroughly at least twice a day, floss at least once a day, use a mouth rinse to improve bad breath, and visit our office twice a year for oral exams.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904.