All Coast Dental

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Understanding Mouthwash

Mouthwashes are popular products, and many of them are approved by the American Dental Association as safe and effective. But as with toothpaste, there are so many varieties available that a person may be confused about which they should use. At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, we can provide patients with more individualized advice, but there are a few things about using mouthwash everyone should understand.


No mouthwash is meant to replace brushing and flossing, but when used to supplement ordinary oral hygienic care, mouthwash can reach places that are difficult for toothbrushes. Over-the-counter mouthwashes may be therapeutic, meaning that they help remove plaque and kill harmful bacteria, or they may be cosmetic, which means they only reduce bad breath. Stronger therapeutic mouthwashes may require a prescription and would be used in cases such as when a patient has a dry socket.


Most mouthwashes contain alcohol and are not recommended for children under the age of six. They may also contribute to dry mouth. However, many mouthwashes also contain fluoride and can help prevent tooth decay by reinforcing enamel. People who have oral lesions may also benefit from using mouthwashes that are approved as pain relievers. As with brushing and flossing, the key to success with mouthwash is to use it frequently, rather than trying to cram a day’s worth of benefit into a single dose.


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, May 21, 2020

Preventing Osteonecrosis

Complications following tooth extractions are rare, but to prevent them, we at All Coast Dental require the cooperation of our patients. If a patient is taking certain medications, one of the potential hazards of a tooth extraction is osteonecrosis of the jaw. This does not mean those patients cannot receive treatment, but we need everyone to understand why it is so important for them to disclose their medical history and medication use to us.


Osteonecrosis is the death of bone tissue from lack of blood supply. It can occur in the jawbone when the gum is unable to close over an empty socket, leaving the bone at the base of the socket exposed. A person may experience it if they are taking large doses of antiresorptive medications, which people usually take intravenously for cancer. There is a lesser, but possible risk to people taking oral antiresorptives for osteoporosis. Smokers and people with diabetes are also at greater risk.


If a person develops osteonecrosis, we can provide antibacterial washes and painkillers until their healing process is complete. Usually, conservative treatments are all that are necessary. But osteonecrosis is painful, and we want patients to be able to avoid it. If they have an infected tooth and have already started antiresorptive medication, we may be able to save the tooth with a root canal instead of extracting and replacing it. We may also want to stagger tooth extractions in patients who are getting extensive restorations, or use bridges or partial dentures to avoid extractions entirely.


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, May 14, 2020

Sealants for Extra Protection

We highly value preventive care at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach. Since children are especially at risk for developing caries, they are often provided with sealants to protect their teeth. But sealants can work for people of any age, which is why we want our patients to understand what they are and why they may need them.


Tooth decay is caused by bacteria consuming food debris and excreting acid. The longer food remains in contact with the teeth, the more decay can occur. Our chewing teeth, the molars and premolars, are especially at risk because food gets lodged in the indentations in between their cusps. Although regular brushing should be sufficient to remove the food debris in most people, children are not always good brushers, and people with certain conditions, such as dry mouth, may experience tooth decay at faster rates.


A sealant is a plastic coating that protects the enamel from acid. After the patient is numbed and their teeth are mildly etched to increase their surface area, the liquid coating can be painted on. It is then hardened with a blue light, and the patient can expect to resume eating normally the following day. A person still needs to brush and floss their teeth thoroughly to avoid tooth decay, but sealants are also effective against the acidic content of drinks such as soda and citrus juices and can provide supplementary protection for years after being applied.


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.