The Importance of Replacing Teeth

Usually, people don’t need much persuading to get missing front teeth replaced. The improvements in appearance, speaking, and bite function are obvious, and the implant is easy to place. However, people may struggle to understand why it is also critical to their oral health to replace missing molars. At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, we’re experienced providers of dental implants and general dental care, and we want to make sure our patients understand the relation between teeth and head shape.

Molars are held in place by ligaments and, depending on whether they are in the lower or upper jaw, two or three roots. They are well-secured, but the jaw depends on the teeth to stimulate its growth of new tissue. When a tooth is missing, the nearby jaw bone will recede, often losing as much as twenty-five percent of its width within just the first year. As the jaw continues to lose tissue, the patient’s face will lose height. This could put excessive force on the temporomandibular joints, which connect the lower jaw to the skull, and can result in bite collapse. If a person attempts to use their front teeth for chewing, they risk pushing their front teeth outwards and causing further jaw pain.

The good news is that an implant can prevent further bone loss. The implant post stimulates the growth of new bone tissue through a process called osseointegration, and it can last for over ten years. Patients who have already lost a large amount of bone tissue may require a bone graft before they can receive an implant, but the completed prosthetic will allow them to chew 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 All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

TMJ is the acronym for the temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw to your skull at the temporal bone. The TMJ is necessary for tasks such as eating and speaking. At All Coast Dental, Drs. Julie Boulos, D.D.S. and Joseph Boulos, D.D.S. can provide a thorough examination of your TMJ. If your chewing muscles or the joint itself are causing you pain, you may have a temporomandibular disorder or TMD.

Common symptoms of TMD are:

• Pain when opening or closing the mouth 


• Problems chewing


• Jaw sticking open or shut


• Ear pain and headaches


• Clicking or popping when opening your mouth


• Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Because these symptoms are often associated with other health problems, only a medical professional such as Drs. Boulos can give you an exact diagnosis. Out of all the symptoms, teeth grinding or bruxism is one of the most significant dental health problems. Prolonged grinding will wear the enamel off of teeth and expose the dentin. Dentin is softer, and thus more susceptible to decay and bacteria. Sleep Apnea and chronic pain are serious conditions that are also be caused by TMD.

For relieving your pain symptoms, talk to our staff to determine a treatment plan that’s best for you. Pain relievers and hot/cold compresses are good short term methods. A night guard can be worn during sleep to stop bruxism. In very rare cases surgery may be required for TMD.

If you have any questions or concerns about TMJ/TMD or are interested in other aspects of our services, feel free to contact All Coast Dental today. Located in Pacific Beach, CA, schedule an appointment with Dr. Julie Boulos, D.D.S. or Dr. Joseph Boulos, D.D.S. Visit our website to schedule online, or call 858-270-4904.

Bite Checks

We provide comfortable, comprehensive care to patients of all ages at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach. Regular pediatric check-ups aren’t just a chance to provide a professional cleaning and sealants; they’re also a chance to do a bite check. This part of the examination helps us to determine whether a child will need orthodontic work.

Malocclusions, or dental misalignments, are often related to issues such as temporomandibular joint disorder and bruxism. If someone clenches or grinds their teeth in their sleep, they may not be aware of it. But dental hygienists are trained to look for distinctive signs of erosion in enamel that could indicate bruxism, and they’ll ask children whether they’ve experienced soreness in their jaws or necks. In addition to using x-rays to inspect children’s bites, we’ll ask them to demonstrate how they close their teeth together.

A child’s first orthodontic assessment may take place when they are about seven years old, but orthodontic therapy doesn’t usually start until a few years later. By that time, more permanent teeth will have grown in and the jaw bones will be more solidified. If bruxism is a problem, it may be relievable with custom-fitted night guards that can be professionally adjusted as a child grows and their teeth change positions.

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.

 

What Is TMD?

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.  All Coast Dental can help patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain, or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locks’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer with discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and 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.  

Night Guards for Bruxism

Bruxism is the term for any regular grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw.  Chronic teeth grinders often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases tooth loss can occur, and partial or complete dentures may be needed.  Some teeth grinders only grind their teeth while they sleep at night and may not be aware of it.  Waking up with a stiff or sore jaw could be a sign you are grinding your teeth at night and shouldn’t be ignored.  Nocturnal bruxism can be caused by underlying medical conditions such as sleep apnea. For a proper diagnosis, visit All Coast Dental for a consultation.

A custom night guard is the best way to protect your teeth from the negative effects of teeth grinding.  We provide patients with custom night guards by first taking an impression of the mouth.  This impression is used to fit a custom product that protects the grinding surfaces of the teeth and aligns the jaw, which also helps improve sleep.  Night guards are durable and with proper care can last 10 years!

To learn more about night guards and all the services we provide 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.  

Foods to Avoid with TMJ Pain

When dealing with a TMJ flare-up, it is nice to know which foods to avoid as to not aggravate the condition. It is also good to know what to avoid to stop a flare-up from happening in the first place. At All Coast Dental, we know how frustrating TMJ pain can be. Steer clear of these certain types of foods to keep a pain-free jaw.

Hard and Crunchy

Hard and crunchy foods are more difficult for the jaw to chew through than softer foods. Because of the force the jaw needs to exert to bite through them, hard and crunchy foods can irritate the TMJs and lead to pain. Stay away from crunchy foods like chips and popcorn as much as possible. Harder foods like raw vegetables are also difficult on the jaw joints. However, since veggies are still an important part of your diet, just cook them so they are softer.

Chewy

Chewy food is another common culprit for jaw pain. Caramels, chewing gum, and even tougher cuts of meat are irritating because of the amount of chewing needed to break them down. The constant chewing motion can easily cause a TMJ flare-up. Stay away from chewy candies. If you use gum to freshen your breath, think about trying mints. Also, stick to tender cuts of meat and if you want seafood, choose fish instead of chewy shellfish.

TMJ pain can be frustrating and it can feel like eating makes it worse. However, just changing your eating habits can make a big difference. To schedule an examination with All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call our office at (858) 270-4904 or visit our website, www.allcoastdental.net. 

TMJ/TMD

TMD can be a very painful condition to deal with. It can also be frustrating, but there are treatments for it. At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, we are relieving our patients of pain by providing them with custom night guards.

The TMJ is the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull. Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), is a condition where the temporomandibular joint (the TMJ), is dysfunctional. The joint can become enflamed, swollen, and tender. It can cause aching around the ear and face, difficulty chewing, and a clicking or popping sound. The joint may also lock the mouth open or closed.  

There are several things that can contribute to TMD. If the TMJ disc is eroded or moved out of place, it can cause TMD. Arthritis or damage by injury can also cause TMD. Often, grinding the teeth or clenching the jaw can also lead to TMD. Grinding and clenching is especially a problem at night, when a patient may not know he or she is doing it.

A night guard is available less the effects the pressure put on the jaw by TMD. Surgery for TMD is sometimes needed, but often just changing the way the jaw muscles are used through behavioral treatment is enough to provide relief. Our night guards are made completely custom from an impression of your teeth, so it will provide you with the best possible relief.

If you are experiencing a sore jaw, clicking sounds, or suspect you grind your teeth at night, come in for an evaluation. To schedule with All Coast Dental of Pacific Beach, CA, call our office at (858) 270-4904 or visit our website, www.allcoastdental.net.