Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

TMJ is the acronym for the temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw to your skull at the temporal bone. The TMJ is necessary for tasks such as eating and speaking. At All Coast Dental, Drs. Julie Boulos, D.D.S. and Joseph Boulos, D.D.S. can provide a thorough examination of your TMJ. If your chewing muscles or the joint itself are causing you pain, you may have a temporomandibular disorder or TMD.

Common symptoms of TMD are:

• Pain when opening or closing the mouth 


• Problems chewing


• Jaw sticking open or shut


• Ear pain and headaches


• Clicking or popping when opening your mouth


• Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Because these symptoms are often associated with other health problems, only a medical professional such as Drs. Boulos can give you an exact diagnosis. Out of all the symptoms, teeth grinding or bruxism is one of the most significant dental health problems. Prolonged grinding will wear the enamel off of teeth and expose the dentin. Dentin is softer, and thus more susceptible to decay and bacteria. Sleep Apnea and chronic pain are serious conditions that are also be caused by TMD.

For relieving your pain symptoms, talk to our staff to determine a treatment plan that’s best for you. Pain relievers and hot/cold compresses are good short term methods. A night guard can be worn during sleep to stop bruxism. In very rare cases surgery may be required for TMD.

If you have any questions or concerns about TMJ/TMD or are interested in other aspects of our services, feel free to contact All Coast Dental today. Located in Pacific Beach, CA, schedule an appointment with Dr. Julie Boulos, D.D.S. or Dr. Joseph Boulos, D.D.S. Visit our website to schedule online, or call 858-270-4904.

Bacteria Prevention Tips

Our team here at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach have a few tips to make your February perfect this year. Drs. Julie Boulos, D.D.S. and Joseph Boulos, D.D.S. believes that healthy mouth, gums, and teeth will help make every day a special one.

1. Sharing a straw over a milkshake made for two might seem harmless, but in reality, is a great way to share bacteria. Saliva contains bacteria that can cause cavities. All forms of germs can be transferred through saliva too. Make sure your romantic partner doesn’t have a stuffy nose, or you might be next! Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes will help keep any and all bacteria away.


2. Worried about your breath? Don’t be! Invest in some mouthwash in order to stay fresh. Bacteria is the biggest culprit of bad breath. Over-the-counter antimicrobial mouthwash or sugarless chewing gum should do the trick.


3. If you’re staying over at someone’s place, always remember to bring your own toothbrush. If your significant other doesn’t have a spare, they can be bought relatively cheap at most stores. Sharing toothbrushes is a sure fire way to also share germs.


4. If you’re worried your smile’s not up to par, contact our team at All Coast Dental to talk about teeth whitening. Drs. Boulos use what is referred to as a tray whitening system. There are two steps to this process. First, an impression of your teeth is taken. With this mold, custom reusable whitening trays are created for you. At home, place whitening gel into your trays and place on the teeth for a short period of time. Results will begin to appear over the following days. Don’t be afraid to show off that smile!


5. Show your teeth some love and quit smoking. Not only is it bad for your breath and your teeth, but it’s terrible for your overall health. Smokers are more at risk for oral cancer and gum disease.

The best holiday actually comes twice a year: your bi-annual dental appointment! Visit All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, or call us today at 858-270-4904 to set up an appointment with Drs. Julie Boulos, D.D.S., and Joseph Boulos, D.D.S. You can also make an appointment on our website, www.artisandentalmn.com.

Smoking and Dental Pulp

Toothaches are often caused by problems in dental pulp. We at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach are happy to assist patients and would rather save a tooth by performing a root canal then extract and replace it. But there are certain circumstances in which the internal health of a tooth may be compromised, and new research indicates that one of those circumstances is if the patient smokes.

Dental pulp inflammation (pulpitis) occurs when a tooth is injured or infected. The inflammatory response is triggered by the immune system as a means of limiting the spread of infection, concentrating white blood cells, and making cell membranes more permeable to antimicrobial peptides. An antimicrobial peptide is a molecule that latches onto and kills disease-causing bacteria, including the ones that secrete acid in the mouth. But smoking makes the immune system less effective. It was long-established in medical literature that smokers have high rates of gum disease, and now it appears that their dental pulp also lacks antimicrobial peptides.

Root canals are generally successful at removing infected dental pulp, but smokers’ suppressed immune systems make it easier for infections to return. We’ll use antibacterial treatments to increase a root canal’s likelihood of success, but we also want to share with patients that the study found antimicrobial peptides sometimes return when a patient stops smoking.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a great way to restore your teeth to their natural color. At All Coast Dental, we use a two-step tray whitening system to whiten your teeth.

Over time, teeth can stain even if you are practicing good oral care. To help prevent teeth discoloration, we encourage our patients to avoid drinking coffee, wine, and soda, which can stain your teeth. Patients who use tobacco have a greater chance of experiencing teeth discoloration and more serious health problems.

To whiten your teeth, our dentists make an impression of your teeth into whitening trays that can be re-used. After the whitening trays are made, you will put a whitening gel inside the tray that is worn for a couple of days in increments of a few hours. After the process is complete, you can see your teeth become 4-8 shades whiter!

Our dentists advise patients to follow a healthy diet to keep your teeth healthy. When you practice good consistent oral hygiene, your teeth are whiter and healthier.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors please call us at 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.