All Coast Dental

Thursday, December 24, 2020

How Stress Affects Your Dental Health

 

When it comes to stress, mental or emotional strain may be the first thought to come to mind, but stress also greatly impacts a person’s dental health. At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos pride themselves in treating all things teeth, including any stress-induced condition you may face. Here are a few ways stress affects your dental health. 


Teeth Grinding

Bruxism or clenching and grinding of the teeth can be caused by stress and anxiety. Oftentimes, you’re unaware you’re even grinding since occurs during sleep, leading to enamel damage and even jaw soreness and headaches. To protect your teeth from the damaging effects of grinding, your Pacific Beach, CA dentists recommend a dental night guard to wear. 


Gum Disease

Another condition potentially caused by stress is gum disease. If you’re under extreme stress, you are more inclined to snacking on sugary food or even forgetting to take care of your teeth. Failure to brush or floss regularly increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.


Canker Sores

Wondering why those pesky and painful spots appear in your mouth? Canker sores or mouth ulcers are also thought to be triggered by stress or a decreased immune system. These shallow wounds occur around the insides of your lips and make it difficult to eat or talk. These sores naturally disappear after 7-10 days, but if your sores are recurring, your dentists at All Coast Dental located in Pacific Beach, CA will provide other forms of treatment.


To learn more about how stress impacts your oral health, visit Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos at 2180 Garnet Avenue, Suite 1-K Pacific Beach, CA 92109.




Saturday, December 19, 2020

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

 

If you’ve ever had an issue inside your mouth, you’re most likely aware of the varying degrees of pain that come with it. Mouth pain ranges anywhere from mild discomfort to feeling like your head is exploding, just from a toothache and tenderness. All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, is committed to correcting the problem in your mouth and helping you manage any pain associated with it. This includes Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS). Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos take pride in educating patients about how to prevent future oral problems. 


MPS commonly occurs in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The pain is caused by tension, fatigue, or spasms in the jaw muscles. MPS is usually triggered by bruxism, a condition where a person clenches or grinds their teeth during sleep. Nightguards are a great way to prevent bruxism and ultimately the jaw soreness that is felt in the morning. MPS is not limited to just the jaw muscles, it can occur anywhere in the body including the back and neck muscles. 


Other treatments and preventions of MPS include:


- Splint guard, mouthguard, or nightguard

- Mild analgesics

- Physical therapy modalities

- Anxiolytic before bed


Are you suffering from MPS? Come in for a checkup. Drs. Julie or Joseph Boulos will assess the problem area in your mouth and get you started on a treatment plan. All Coast Dental is located at 2180 Garnet Ave., Suite 1-K, in Pacific Beach, CA 92109. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit allcoastdental.net or call 858-270-4904.




Thursday, December 10, 2020

Reasons for Wisdom Teeth Extractions

It’s common for dentists to recommend that people have their wisdom teeth removed, but you might not understand why this is. It’s not because dentists perfunctorily recommend extractions; although safe, those aren’t a first resort. Instead, it’s because wisdom teeth often put a patient at risk for gum disease and misalignment. At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, we provide care to patients of all ages and provide wisdom teeth extractions as well as gum disease treatment, so we wanted to explain to patients the danger of pericoronitis.


The wisdom teeth are the largest molars, and they usually don’t erupt until a person is on the cusp of adolescence. This is a problem because modern people’s mouths usually aren’t large enough to allow their wisdom teeth to erupt fully. Instead, the wisdom teeth become impacted, which is what dentists call a tooth that is stuck and only partially exposed. This creates problems for the other teeth because the wisdom teeth are pushing on them, moving them out of place. The partly-erupted teeth also tend to be difficult to clean. Food debris gets trapped under the gum flap partially covering the teeth, which is called an operculum, and bacterial infections result. “Pericoronitis” is the term we use to refer to inflammation in the area surrounding a tooth’s crown.


During a routine cleaning, we can remove food debris from the operculum and prescribe antibiotics for an infection. But the problem is likely to recur, and even if the operculum is removed, the impacted tooth is still hard to brush and puts pressure on other teeth. Extracting an impacted tooth might be more complicated than a regular extraction if we need to make an incision in the gum, but in those cases, we will monitor the patient’s recovery and help them to understand how to care for themselves during the short period of recovery.


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.

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Benefits of Implants

If you need to get teeth replaced, you’ve come to the right place at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach. Our family practice offers several options for dental restorations, allowing us to treat patients in a wide variety of circumstances. But for long-lasting stability, one of the best treatments is a dental implant. These devices not only replace teeth, they also help restore the jaw bone, and can prevent a lot of other oral health problems.


An implant is like an artificial tooth root. It inserts in the jaw bone and supports an artificial crown. This differs from traditional dentures, which only replace the visible parts of teeth, in that the implant is immobile and spurs the growth of new bone tissue. When a tooth is lost, the jaw bone that used to surround its root recedes, causing the patient’s face to shorten. This can lead to temporomandibular joint pain and cause a person to grind their remaining teeth, further destabilizing them. But when an implant is inserted, new bone grows to surround it, in a process called osseointegration that takes a few months. When osseointegration is complete, a ceramic crown can be cemented onto the implant head and cared for like a normal tooth.


A patient will need to have some remaining jaw bone tissue to be a good candidate for an implant, and we’ll monitor the osseointegration process to ensure it’s working. But even if they lack bone tissue, it may be possible for a patient to get additive treatment. Implanted artificial teeth are still vulnerable to decay, and if the area around an implant becomes inflamed, the implant may have to be replaced. But most people can prevent this through regular brushing and flossing, and implants often last for over ten years.


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.

Friday, November 27, 2020

Flossing Technique


Brushing and flossing are the two most important parts of oral preventive care, but many people misunderstand them. Flossing, in particular, is easy to do badly if you don’t know the right technique. At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, we work hard to provide restorations to people suffering from tooth decay, but in order for our work to last, a patient must understand how to floss properly. We thought it would be helpful to describe the process.


Flossing is supposed to remove debris from your teeth, not move it from one tooth to another. You’ll need to use long strands of floss, of at least fifteen inches, and wrap each end around your middle finger. You’ll be able to manipulate the taunt floss with your index fingers and thumbs, and as you floss each tooth, you’ll unspool a bit more floss from one finger and wrap the other end around the middle finger on the other hand.


To floss well, you need to scrape the floss along the side of each tooth. A common mistake is to simply slide it into the gap between the teeth, but you’ll actually need to pull it into a c-shape against each tooth and slide it a little way into the gingival margin. You’ll then rub the floss back and forth as you lift it back out, and do the same with the other side of the tooth. Doing this shouldn’t hurt or cause bleeding, and if it does, you’re going too far into the gum or you already have a mild gum infection. Sugar-free chewing gum can help remove food debris when you aren’t able to floss immediately after a meal, but flossing needs to be done daily, and be done on both natural and prosthetic teeth.


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.




 

Thursday, November 12, 2020

Diabetes and Gum Disease

If you have diabetes, you probably know that you’re at increased risk for gum disease. But if you don’t, did you know that by preventing gum disease, you can also lower your risk for developing diabetes? November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and in honor of it, we at All Coast Dental want our patients to know more about the relationship between diabetes and gingivitis, and why daily oral hygiene is so important to your overall health.


People with uncontrolled diabetes are generally at greater risk for developing infections. Gum disease is an infection of the gum pockets, which become inflamed in response to the acid produced by bacteria’s respiratory process. A diabetic person’s immune system is less able to fight off the infection, and the cellular damage caused by unprocessed sugars in the bloodstream makes the gum tissue more prone to bleeding. The increased sugar in a diabetic person’s saliva would also provide more nourishment to oral bacteria, although lack of saliva would deprive the teeth of their protection against acid. There is also emerging evidence that the damage caused to gum tissue by bacterial acid inhibits the body’s ability to process sugars and disrupts its immune response, forming a vicious circle between the two diseases.


Keeping the gum pockets clear of food debris is essential for everybody’s health, but especially that of people who have difficulty controlling their blood sugar levels. Everybody should brush their teeth twice a day and floss at least once. It’s also especially important for people on medication to prevent dry mouth. They may use an artificial throat moisturizer, or try producing more saliva by chewing sugarfree gum. But regularly drinking unsweetened water throughout the day is also an important means of removing food debris and bacterial acid, and can also combat the bad breath gum disease sometimes causes.


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.

Thursday, November 5, 2020

What Tools do Dentists Use?

How do you feel when you see dental instruments? Apprehensive? Curious? We hope it’s not the former. At All Coast Dental, we’re a family practice that provides general and dental care to the Pacific Beach community. We want our patients to feel comfortable talking to us about their oral care and to feel informed about their treatment decisions. To that end, we thought it would be helpful if our patients knew how to talk about the instruments we use the most frequently, and had a firmer idea of what they’re for.


The tool we use the most during a routine cleaning is the probe. This metal wand has a hook on each end and serves a variety of purposes. It is most often used to break up tartar, the hardened plaque that forms on teeth and causes gum recession. But it is also used to test the hardness of enamel and, in a specialized form called a scaler, to remove debris from a patient’s gum pockets. The probe is paired with a handheld mirror, which besides allowing us to see the backs of teeth, allows us to hold back the patient’s cheeks. As we remove debris, we’ll also use a tube called an evacuator to clean out the patient’s mouth with suction.


If a patient is suffering from tooth decay, our instruments will allow us to treat them with minimal discomfort. We use a syringe to inject anesthetic and modern dental drills emit water to prevent overheating. Fillings are sculpted with rounded instruments called burnishers to ensure the patient can close their teeth together completely. When teeth need to be extracted, we’ll remove them by wiggling them with flattened spoons called elevators, until they can be lifted out with reverse-action forceps. Some of these tools come in different shapes for more specialized procedures, which we’ll be happy to explain to any patient who’s curious.


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.

Monday, October 12, 2020

4 Reasons to Clean Your Tongue

Brushing and flossing shouldn’t be the only steps included in your dental hygiene routine. Recent studies suggest tongue cleaning reduces harmful bacteria in your mouth. Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos of All Coast Dental located in Pacific Beach, CA are passionate about dental hygiene, including the importance of tongue cleaning. Here are four reasons to clean your tongue.



Combat Bad Breath


Do you suffer stinky breath and have tried everything from special toothpaste to mouthwash with no results? A 2014 study by the Journal of Periodontology revealed that cleaning your tongue is one solution to reduce bad breath. The study discovered tongue cleaning removes up to 75 percent of the compounds that cause bad breath versus a toothbrush only removes 45 percent of the tongue’s compounds.




Eliminate White Tongue


A white tongue is a condition that results from poor hygiene, trapping bacteria and debris into the tongue’s tiny bumps, or papillae. Your Pacific Beach, CA dentists advise a gentle scraping of the tongue to solve this usually harmless condition.




Reduce Plaque


Plaque is a thin sticky film of bacteria typically found on your teeth and tongue. Regular flossing and brushing removes this bacteria on your teeth, but what about your tongue? That’s why tongue cleaning is important for removing these harmful bacteria and preventing plaque from spreading across your body through your saliva. 




Improve Taste


It’s no wonder your tongue’s build-up of bacteria and plaque has a profound effect on taste. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, taste sensations improved significantly after two weeks of tongue cleaning using a tongue scraper. 




Drs. Joseph and Julie 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.




4 Reasons to Clean Your Tongue

Brushing and flossing shouldn’t be the only steps included in your dental hygiene routine. Recent studies suggest tongue cleaning reduces harmful bacteria in your mouth. Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos of All Coast Dental located in Pacific Beach, CA are passionate about dental hygiene, including the importance of tongue cleaning. Here are four reasons to clean your tongue.


Combat Bad Breath

Do you suffer stinky breath and have tried everything from special toothpaste to mouthwash with no results? A 2014 study by the Journal of Periodontology revealed that cleaning your tongue is one solution to reduce bad breath. The study discovered tongue cleaning removes up to 75 percent of the compounds that cause bad breath versus a toothbrush only removes 45 percent of the tongue’s compounds.


Eliminate White Tongue

A white tongue is a condition that results from poor hygiene, trapping bacteria and debris into the tongue’s tiny bumps, or papillae. Your Pacific Beach, CA dentists advise a gentle scraping of the tongue to solve this usually harmless condition.


Reduce Plaque

Plaque is a thin sticky film of bacteria typically found on your teeth and tongue. Regular flossing and brushing removes this bacteria on your teeth, but what about your tongue? That’s why tongue cleaning is important for removing these harmful bacteria and preventing plaque from spreading across your body through your saliva. 


Improve Taste

It’s no wonder your tongue’s build-up of bacteria and plaque has a profound effect on taste. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, taste sensations improved significantly after two weeks of tongue cleaning using a tongue scraper. 


Drs. Joseph and Julie 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.


Monday, October 5, 2020

Laser Dentistry

Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos of All Coast Dental located in Pacific Beach, CA are proud to offer laser dentistry to treat patients with periodontal disease. To find out if this revolutionary technology is the right treatment plan for you, contact our office today. 




What is Periodontal Disease?


Periodontal disease or gum disease is an infection that targets the tissues holding your teeth in place. Periodontal disease develops when plaque, a type of bacterial film, accumulates, and hardens on the teeth. The primary cause of this condition is poor dental hygiene, particularly a lack of brushing and proper flossing.




How Laser Dentistry Works


At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, we pride ourselves in making every experience pleasant and comfortable for our patients. Our laser treatments are no different. Your trusted dentist will use a dental laser to remove infected tissue from the root of your teeth. One the infected tissue is removed, your dentist begins root scaling or scraping off the built-up plaque in your gumline. After the root is smoothed down to prevent future infections, the pocket is sealed using laser energy.




Benefits of Laser Dentistry


Treating periodontal disease with laser dentistry has a variety of benefits such as:


-Non-invasive procedure


-Minimal pain


-Short recovery period


-Preserves healthy parts of the teeth


-Lowers risk of bacterial infections


-Limits bleeding




Drs. Joseph and Julie 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.




Laser Dentistry

Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos of All Coast Dental located in Pacific Beach, CA are proud to offer laser dentistry to treat patients with periodontal disease. To find out if this revolutionary technology is the right treatment plan for you, contact our office today. 


What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease or gum disease is an infection that targets the tissues holding your teeth in place. Periodontal disease develops when plaque, a type of bacterial film, accumulates, and hardens on the teeth. The primary cause of this condition is poor dental hygiene, particularly a lack of brushing and proper flossing.


How Laser Dentistry Works

At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, we pride ourselves in making every experience pleasant and comfortable for our patients. Our laser treatments are no different. Your trusted dentist will use a dental laser to remove infected tissue from the root of your teeth. One the infected tissue is removed, your dentist begins root scaling or scraping off the built-up plaque in your gumline. After the root is smoothed down to prevent future infections, the pocket is sealed using laser energy.


Benefits of Laser Dentistry

Treating periodontal disease with laser dentistry has a variety of benefits such as:

-Non-invasive procedure

-Minimal pain

-Short recovery period

-Preserves healthy parts of the teeth

-Lowers risk of bacterial infections

-Limits bleeding


Drs. Joseph and Julie 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.


Monday, September 28, 2020

Types of Clear Braces

Gone are the days of “brace face,” or the traditional aesthetic of metal and wire braces crowding around your teeth. Today, clear braces are a growing trend, with both adults and teens using this treatment to transform their smiles. At All Coast Dental located in Pacific Beach, CA, Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos offer a variety of options for clear braces to empower patients during their smile journey.



What Are Clear Braces?


Clear braces are any types of braces that are more discreet and almost invisible in contrast to traditional metal braces. Today, more people are opting for clear braces because they’re less noticeable, less painful than traditional braces, and allow patients to feel confident while wearing them.


 


Types of Clear Braces


Clear braces usually refer to three types of braces: ceramic braces, Invisalign, and lingual braces.




Ceramic Braces


Ceramic braces are similar to traditional metal braces, but with a twist. While these braces still use metal, the brackets in ceramic braces utilize ceramic which is clear. Ceramic braces have many benefits, one of them being a shorter treatment plan. Some ceramic brace treatments last almost six months, while metal braces generally take 12 to 24 months. Your Pacific Beach, CA dentists provide consultations to determine if ceramic braces are for you.  




Invisalign


Considered the most recognized brand for clear aligners, Invisalign is comfortable to wear long-term. Made of flexible plastic, aligners have the unique advantage of being removable. Unlike traditional braces that stay on your teeth until treatment is over, you can remove your aligner to eat, brush, or floss your teeth. This means no more struggling to floss between brackets! When it comes to caring for your aligner, these devices are also so much easier to sanitize before each use.




Lingual Braces


Lingual braces are the most discrete type of braces on the market. Instead of braces on the front of your mouth, metal brackets are bonded to the back surface of the teeth. Since lingual braces have such a low profile, they are virtually impossible to notice. 




Drs. Joseph and Julie 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.




Types of Clear Braces

Gone are the days of “brace face,” or the traditional aesthetic of metal and wire braces crowding around your teeth. Today, clear braces are a growing trend, with both adults and teens using this treatment to transform their smiles. At All Coast Dental located in Pacific Beach, CA, Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos offer a variety of options for clear braces to empower patients during their smile journey.


What Are Clear Braces?

Clear braces are any types of braces that are more discreet and almost invisible in contrast to traditional metal braces. Today, more people are opting for clear braces because they’re less noticeable, less painful than traditional braces, and allow patients to feel confident while wearing them.


Types of Clear Braces

Clear braces usually refer to three types of braces: ceramic braces, Invisalign, and lingual braces.


Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are similar to traditional metal braces, but with a twist. While these braces still use metal, the brackets in ceramic braces utilize ceramic which is clear. Ceramic braces have many benefits, one of them being a shorter treatment plan. Some ceramic brace treatments last almost six months, while metal braces generally take 12 to 24 months. Your Pacific Beach, CA dentists provide consultations to determine if ceramic braces are for you.  


Invisalign

Considered the most recognized brand for clear aligners, Invisalign is comfortable to wear long-term. Made of flexible plastic, aligners have the unique advantage of being removable. Unlike traditional braces that stay on your teeth until treatment is over, you can remove your aligner to eat, brush, or floss your teeth. This means no more struggling to floss between brackets! When it comes to caring for your aligner, these devices are also so much easier to sanitize before each use.


Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are the most discrete type of braces on the market. Instead of braces on the front of your mouth, metal brackets are bonded to the back surface of the teeth. Since lingual braces have such a low profile, they are virtually impossible to notice. 


Drs. Joseph and Julie 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.


Monday, September 21, 2020

Oral Cancer Screening


No one wants to hear the word cancer. At All Coast Dental located in Pacific Beach, CA, Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos believe early detection is essential for increasing the survival rate of oral cancer. That’s why we provide regular dental screenings for oral cancer at our office.




Causes


Oral cancer develops when cells that grow abnormally invade other cells and damage surrounding tissues. 




According to the American Cancer Society, men over the age of 50 face the greatest risk of developing oral cancer. If you are a smoker or heavy drinker, your Pacific Beach, CA dentists advise regular screenings along with your dental checkup at our office. Other risk factors include people who have human papillomavirus (HPV), excessive sun exposure, and a history of cancer in the family.




Symptoms


Ear pain


Abnormal bleeding in the mouth


Numbness


Soreness in throat


Red or white patches inside the mouth


Persistent growth or sore in the mouth


Trouble swallowing and chewing


Weight loss


Chronic sore throat


Change in teeth alignment




Oral Cancer Screenings


At All Coast Dental, we use ultraviolet light to view any red or white patches, sores, or growth inside of your mouth. Using gloved hands, your dentist will also check for lumps or sores inside your mouth. Oral cancer screenings save lives by detecting the condition early. To learn more, visit our website today. 




Drs. Joseph and Julie 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.



Oral Cancer Screening

No one wants to hear the word cancer. At All Coast Dental located in Pacific Beach, CA, Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos believe early detection is essential for increasing the survival rate of oral cancer. That’s why we provide regular dental screenings for oral cancer at our office.


Causes

Oral cancer develops when cells that grow abnormally invade other cells and damage surrounding tissues. 


According to the American Cancer Society, men over the age of 50 face the greatest risk of developing oral cancer. If you are a smoker or heavy drinker, your Pacific Beach, CA dentists advise regular screenings along with your dental checkup at our office. Other risk factors include people who have human papillomavirus (HPV), excessive sun exposure, and a history of cancer in the family.


Symptoms

Ear pain

Abnormal bleeding in the mouth

Numbness

Soreness in throat

Red or white patches inside the mouth

Persistent growth or sore in the mouth

Trouble swallowing and chewing

Weight loss

Chronic sore throat

Change in teeth alignment


Oral Cancer Screenings

At All Coast Dental, we use ultraviolet light to view any red or white patches, sores, or growth inside of your mouth. Using gloved hands, your dentist will also check for lumps or sores inside your mouth. Oral cancer screenings save lives by detecting the condition early. To learn more, visit our website today. 


Drs. Joseph and Julie 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.


Thursday, August 20, 2020

Periapical Abscesses


It’s never good to see signs of a gum infection. But a particular kind of infection called a periapical abscess is especially dangerous and requires urgent treatment. All Coast Dental is a provider of general and cosmetic dentistry in Pacific Beach and can assist people suffering from gum and tooth pulp problems, and we want everyone to know how to recognize the signs of advanced disease.


When a tooth is cracked or badly enough decayed, bacteria are able to enter the pulp at its center. They could then spread to its root(s) and create an abscess. An abscess is a pocket filled with pus, which is a mixture of dead material and bacterial secretions. The abscess may cause a fever, swelling, and bad taste, in addition to the pain and sensitivity in the infected tooth. Abscesses don’t heal on their own, and if the infection spreads, the patient could get sepsis.


We can safely drain an abscess and clean it out. But removing the infection will require a root canal. This means that the pulp chamber will be cleaned out and filled with sealant. In severe cases, saving the tooth might not be possible and it will have to be removed. We’ll discuss with the patient what kind of restoration would best suit their needs, but we hope everyone takes to heart the importance of preventing periapical abscesses by cleaning their teeth and protecting them from injury.


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.




 

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Advice on Cleaning Dentures


When dentures are well-cared for, they’re comfortable, good-looking, and usable substitutes for natural teeth. But when they aren’t they smell bad and pose a health risk to the patient. As general dentists who frequently work with patients to restore their bite function, we at All Coast Dental are especially concerned with the longevity of our patients’ dentures, so we wanted to take some time to address their proper maintenance.


To clean a denture it’s not enough to brush the parts that resemble teeth; you have to clean the whole thing. It’s also not a good idea to use normal toothpaste, since dentures are much softer than enamel, and will be scratched by fluoride particles instead of reinforced. You’ll need to scrub the entire denture with a specialty toothpaste, and you may want to use separate brushes for your denture and the rest of your oral hygiene. (People with dentures are advised to brush their gums before putting their dentures in, and everybody is advised to brush or scrape their tongue.) People with implant-supported dentures also need to brush around their abutments, and to remove the denture to clean its underside every day.


Dentures should be kept in liquid when they’re not in use. The American Dental Association approves several cleaning solutions that can be used at least once a week, although soap is often sufficient for an overnight soak. But it is very important that a denture not be placed in boiling water or otherwise subjected to extreme heat (such as being left out in the sun). Patients will naturally need their denture refitted and relined from time to time, but they should not attempt to modify it themselves.


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.




 

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Dentures


All Coast Dental located in Pacific, CA, takes pride in helping patients achieve their best, confidence-boosting smile. For patients with missing teeth, we offer both full and partial dentures. Dentures are designed to replace missing teeth as well as the surrounding tissues. They are custom made, removable, and significantly improve the function and appearance of your smile. You can even eat and sleep with them! Your trusted Pacific dentist will ensure that your new dentures fit your mouth properly and comfortably.


 


Full dentures are either “conventional” or “immediate.” Conventional dentures are made after the teeth have been completely removed from the gum tissue and the healing process has had a chance to begin. After that time, this type of full denture is placed in the mouth for eight to twelve weeks. Immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. This is a great alternative to conventional dentures because the wearer doesn’t have to go without teeth during the healing process. Partial dentures are also removable and are used when one or more teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. This type of denture requires crowns on the teeth on either side of the space to attach artificial teeth and a cemented-in bridge. Partial dentures fill in the open spaces so that the remaining teeth cannot shift, and they appear more natural-looking than full dentures.


 


Other benefits of full and partial dentures include:


 


- Facial muscle support


- Allows patients to eat food they couldn’t eat without teeth


- Improves the ability to chew, eat, and speak


- Improves appearance and smile


- Improves self-esteem and confidence


 



Do you think you could benefit from dentures? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. All Coast Dental is located at 2180 Garnet Ave., Suite 1-K, in Pacific, CA 92109. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit allcoastdental.net or call 858-270-4904.