Keeping Up With Cleanings

The Academy of General Dentistry recommends having a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months.  At All Coast Dental, we want patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for regular professional cleanings.  However much you brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional.

It’s important to see a professional regularly to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, a hygienist thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist.

To learn more about teeth cleanings and all the services we provide at the 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.  

Tooth Sensitivity

Teeth can grow to be sensitive for a variety of reasons, but the most common is lack of proper oral hygiene habits. Sensitive teeth may also be caused by poor dietary habits, and from brushing the teeth too hard. If your oral care routine isn’t up to par, or you that your gums are a little more tender than usual, our doctors at All Coast Dental can assist you in getting your periodontal and oral health back on track.

If you cringe while sipping hot or cold beverages, or become afraid to bite into an apple, you are likely a victim of tooth sensitivity. Sensitive teeth develop when the enamel that protects our teeth becomes thin, or when gums begin to recede from periodontal disease. Tooth sensitivity may come and go, but if it’s causing you pain, it’s important to seek help from one of our doctors at All Coast Dental to fix the problem.

If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth sensitivity, 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.  

Diode Laser (Sol)

Dental diode lasers, sometimes called soft-tissue lasers, are utilized by our doctors at All Coast Dental to aid in cutting or contouring oral soft tissues. These types of lasers are capable of creating precise cuts in the gum tissue and other soft tissues while also eliminating bleeding at the site and reducing the healing time for the patient. The SOL Diode Laser is designed with the patient in mind.

Dental lasers such as the SOL is safe and effective for managing gum tissue during impressions for crowns or other procedures, removing inflamed gum tissues and aid in the treatment of gum disease. There are many advantages of laser dentistry because lasers allow for a more relaxed experience in the dental chair. Additionally, lasers can reduce symptoms and healing times as opposed to using dental drills and other traditional therapies.

If you have questions or concerns regarding laser dentistry, 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.  

Alcohol and Oral Cancer

We’re proud to provide oral cancer screenings at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach. Dentistry is an important component of overall health, and dentists are a key part of oral cancer patients’ care team. Recently, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released some new findings about the relationship between oral cancer and alcohol which we want our patients to be aware of.

Alcohol had long been associated with several types of cancers. But it was unclear from past research how much of an issue it presented to the organs along the airways independent of tobacco. After reviewing the research, the ASCO found that alcohol consumption causes about 5% of new cancers each year, including oral cancer cases. It is unclear why—perhaps alcohol damages the lining of the mouth, and there is a risk of DNA being miscopied each time the lining rebuilds. What was clear was that the type of alcohol consumed was irrelevant and that light and moderate drinking also posed a risk, although heavy drinking is the most dangerous. The study also found that, while other types of damage alcohol does to the body may be long-lasting, if a person stops drinking, their risk of contracting cancer along their airways declines to the level of people who never drank.

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.

 

Dental Anxiety in Children

Patients who feel anxious about seeing the dentist have nothing to worry about at All Coast Dental. We offer anesthetic and sedation options that are safe for all ages and ensure everyone will have a pain-free appointment. However, the thought of going to the dentist is often stressful, especially for children, which is why we wanted to offer some guidance.

Dentists typically recommend that a child’s first dental appointment be made when their first tooth begins to erupt and be scheduled for every six months thereafter. Nevertheless, some psychological preparation is usually necessary when children are old enough to know about the appointment ahead of time. The best advice is to keep things casual. If a parent repeatedly tells a child to be brave or that there will be a reward later, they are sending the message that they expect the appointment to be difficult. Children tend to pick up most of their attitude from their parents, so if a child is nervous, the parent may need to ask their partner to accompany the child instead. It is not usually necessary to explain any more than that the doctors and hygienists want to help keep people’s teeth clean and healthy. We can give provide the child with more thorough explanations for what we are doing, if they want, and provide them with an opportunity to explore the chair and learn about our tools.

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.