Orthodontics before Implants

At All Coast Dental, we’re proud to be able to offer patients a number of services for their dental needs, including implants and the ClearCorrect invisible aligners. However, when patients have multiple dental problems, they may not know which to address first. In most cases, orthodontic corrections should be made prior to placement of implants.

In the first place, until tooth alignment is corrected, there may not even be room for an implant, let alone another crown. But even when there is, it is important that the teeth be in as good alignment as possible before the implant is placed, because once it’s in, it’s (hopefully) not going to move. An implant is a titanium screw which the jaw bone tissue has fused with. It’s not going to be pushed around like natural teeth, and ClearCorrect is for mild cases of misalignment.

None of this is to say that a person who already has an implant has no hope of receiving orthodontics. It will depend on the position of the teeth and whether the implant-supported crown is in the front or back of the mouth. Sometimes implants can even be useful anchors for corrected dental arches.

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 AllCoastDental.net and fill out a contact sheet.

 

How to Reduce Dental Plaque

Plaque develops when foods containing carbohydrates, such as soft drinks, cakes, candy, etc. are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acid as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. This is why our doctors at All Coast Dental want patients to know how they can reduce dental plaque to avoid dental decay in the future.

To prevent cavity causing plaque you must first pay attention to your diet. Since plaque needs carbohydrates to form acid, the fewer carbs you eat as in between meal snacks, the better. Avoid candy, cookies, and other sweet things as much as possible in order to prevent plaque from producing acid which demineralizes tooth enamel. If you need a snack, choose nutritious foods such as plain yogurt, nuts, cheese, fruit or raw veggies. Vegetables such as celery help remove food and help saliva neutralize the acids made by plaque.  In addition, the best thing you can do to reduce dental plaque is brush and floss twice a day. Brushing removes plaque that has built up on your teeth while flossing removes plaque from between your teeth. Last but not least, you should be scheduling professional cleanings with us twice a year.

If you are due for a dental checkup, 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.  

What is a Tooth-Colored Filling?

Fillings help restore teeth that have been damaged due to decay. Therefore, if you’ve ever had a cavity, to treat it, your dentist removed the decayed portion of the tooth and then “filled” the area on the tooth where the decayed material once lived. At All Coast Dental, we utilize white (tooth-colored) fillings. Composite resins or tooth-colored fillings provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing.

Fillings help restore teeth damaged by decay back to their normal function and can prevent further decay. When a dentist gives you a filling, they first remove the decayed tooth material, clean the affected area, and then fill the cavity with a filling material. Composites are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth. Aesthetics are the main advantage of composites since dentists can blend shades to create a color nearly identical to that of the actual tooth.

If you have questions regarding dental bonding and/or white fillings, 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.  

Electric Toothbrush Apps

We’ve talked before about the differences between electric and manual toothbrushes, but manufacturers are constantly coming up with new special features. All Coast Dental treats patients with a variety of needs, and it’s possible that some of them might benefit from the smart phone apps now being programmed.

Manual toothbrushes require users to brush for two whole minutes twice a day. People who do so get the same result as electric toothbrush users, but most people do not brush nearly that much. Of course, for people with disabilities who are unable to brush normally, an electric toothbrush may be worth it. Some of the apps provide feedback on how long a patient has been brushing, which parts of their mouth they frequently miss, and whether they ought to adjust the toothbrush’s settings.

There are also a number of apps meant to develop healthy habits in children. Some apps allow them to play video games while they brush, in order to get them to do it longer. Others provide a reward system or an educational video. Whether these apps are useful depends a lot on the user, but they could potentially be a big help for parents who have had difficulty getting their children to brush normally.

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 AllCoastDental.net and fill out a contact sheet.

 

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Hundreds of different types of bacteria live on our teeth, gums, tongue and other crevices in the mouth. Some are helpful, but some can be harmful such as those that play a role in the tooth decay process. At All Coast Dental, we want our patients to know that good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay.

When a tooth is exposed to acid frequently – for example, if you frequently eat foods or drinks containing sugar and starches – the repeated cycles of acid attacks cause the enamel to continue to lose minerals. This will cause a white spot to appear if the minerals have been lost. When this happens, this is a sign of early decay.

You can help prevent tooth decay by following these tips:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.


• Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.


• Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking.


• Visit us for professional cleanings and oral examination.

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, 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.