All Coast Dental

Thursday, June 20, 2019

What Are Canker Sores?

They’re some of the most dreaded and feared mouth-related problems: Canker Sores. These are small yellow or white sores that appear on your lips and gums. They can make it hard to go about your everyday life, including eating, speaking, and drinking. Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos of All Coast Dental have put together a guide for treating canker sores. Learn more by contacting our office in Pacific Beach, CA.


 


Before we discuss treatment, it’s important to understand what exactly canker sores are. They come in three types: herpetiform, minor, and major. Minor sores are small, healing between a week or two. Major is extensively bigger. These take up to six weeks to heal. Herpetiform come in clusters of ten to one hundred. They are tiny, about the size of a pinprick. It’s important to visit your Pacific Beach dentist if this is your first time experiencing a canker sore. Severe or recurring sores should also be checked out by a medical professional.


 


Many patients find relief in home remedies or holistic treatments. With all injuries, applying ice to the corresponding area of the face reduces swelling. You can also try placing a wet tea bag on the sore. Of course, you can’t go wrong with salt water or a baking soda rinse. Combine a mixture of water and either substance. Swish that around your mouth for one to two minutes. Nutritional deficiencies may cause outbreaks. Your diet should include foods that are rich in iron and B vitamins.


 


Over-the-counter treatments yield positive results. Most grocery stores or supermarkets sell a variety of canker sore treatments. Many offer numbing agents that contain Benzocaine. Dabbing a small amount of the gel on the sore provides temporary relief. Canker sore patches create a gel-based barrier on top of it. Invest in some antibacterial mouthwashes that target canker sores. These clean the ulcer while soothing it.


 


Schedule an appointment at All Coast Dental if you or a loved one are struggling with canker sores. Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos are here to help. Our office is located in Pacific Beach, CA. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 858-270-4904.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Dry Mouth Treatment

Does your mouth or throat feel dry all the time? Do you always feel thirsty, no matter how much you drink? Is it impossible to eat, speak, or even chew? If any of these symptoms ring a bell, schedule an appointment with All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA. You might be experiencing a condition known as Dry Mouth or Xerostomia. Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos can help you get the treatment you need.


 


Saliva is needed for eating and speaking. It keeps your mouth clean and free of bacteria. Besides a lower quality of life, a salivary shortage leads to extensive dental issues like plaque and decay. Your Pacific Beach dentists need to determine the cause before they can treat you. Discuss any medications that you take daily or frequently. There are over five-hundred medications that cause dry mouth. Even something as simple as allergy medication may be at fault. Autoimmune disorders, like Sjögren's syndrome, results in dryness. This systematic disease attacks your salivary glands. Other medical treatments may be at blame. Chemotherapy or cancer treatments create such side effects. Not only is smoking bad for your health, but it’ll dry out your mouth too.


 


Treatments vary greatly from patient to patient. It all depends on the root of your dryness. Eliminating sugary foods and drinks reduces symptoms. Sugar naturally dries out the mouth. This means cutting back or even avoiding drinks like tea, coffee, soda, and alcohol. Meet with your doctor to discuss alternative medications. Increase your water intake exponentially as well. This should help moisten your mouth. Most stores sell over-the-counter dry mouth treatments. There are dry mouth gels for symptom relief, along with certain brands of toothpaste and mouthwash.


 


Don’t wait to reach out when experiencing dry mouth. All Coast Dental is here to help. Contact our office in Pacific Beach, CA. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Joseph or Julie Boulos, visit our website or call 858-270-4904.

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

When it comes to your dental health, every decision is important. Even the ones that may not seem like it. Take your toothbrush, for example. Picking a toothbrush that’s either too large or too small makes it nearly impossible to use. Same goes for the hardness of the bristles. That’s why Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos of All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach have provided this toothbrush guide.


 


The majority of dentists agree that soft-bristled toothbrushes are the best. Your Pacific Beach dentists are no exception. Continually using a harder bristled brush can actually do more harm than good. It can irritate the gums, affect the enamel, and cause teeth sensitivity. Soft-bristled toothbrushes are perfect for removing plaque and food debris.


 


Try to find a toothbrush head that works best with your teeth. It’s important that bristles are large enough to clean all teeth surfaces. The smaller the head, the easier it can maneuver around your mouth. Make sure you can comfortably reach your back molars.


 


Electric or powered toothbrushes are just as good if not better than manual toothbrushes. They provide an even and thorough level of brushing. If you struggle to reach certain areas of your teeth or brush the whole two minutes, an electric toothbrush can curve your bad habits.


 


Remember to replace your toothbrush every 3 months. Do so sooner if the bristles begin to deteriorate. Also, invest in a new toothbrush after you’ve recovered from a cold or illness. Bacteria can linger within the bristles.


 


All Coast Dental is located in Pacific Beach, CA. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Joseph Boulos and Julie Boulos, visit our website or call 858-270-4904.