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.

 

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.