How Sugar Affects Your Teeth

Sugar impacts your teeth in a big way. All Coast Dental in Pacific, CA, takes pride in educating patients about the importance of restricting sugary foods and drinks. It’s ideal to cut out this kind of food from your diet completely, but we understand that sometimes there’s nothing better than a crisp soda on a hot day. More attention should be paid to, say, how many sugary beverages you consume in a day or week. Is it really adding up? If so, consider restricting your intake for the sake of your teeth.

 

Sugar easily coats the surface of your teeth and attracts the “bad bacteria,” such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. These destructive bacteria feed on the sugar and disturb the natural pH of your mouth, to the point where the acidity is too much for your teeth. Over time, the enamel on your teeth is broken down little by little. This isn’t ideal since tooth enamel cannot be replaced. Once that natural barrier is gone, it’s gone for good. Improper dental hygiene only speeds up this destructive process.

 

If you can’t give up sugar completely, then consider these tips to fight tooth decay:

 

-Watch what you eat and drink. Make sure to incorporate healthy options, such as fibrous vegetables.

-Restrict the sugar. Try drinking more water, your teeth will thank you (and so will your body).

-Practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing two to three times a day.

-Visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist will be able to take a closer look inside your mouth, monitor anything suspicious, and give your teeth a good professional cleaning. 

 

Do you need a routine checkup or cleaning? We are happy to assess your mouth and advise you on your dental health. All Coast Dental is located at 2180 Garnet Ave., Suite 1-K, in Pacific, CA 92109. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit allcoastdental.net or call 858-270-4904.

 

 

 

 

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

This April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month here at All Coast Dental. Drs. Julie Boulos and Joseph Boulos want our patients to be healthy and thriving. That’s why we encourage being proactive about your oral health. Besides your bi-annual visits, prevention is the key to staying healthy. If you experience any strange or unusual mouth symptoms, make your appointment today.

 

Book an appointment with Drs. Boulos when experiencing anything unusual in your mouth that doesn't clear up within two to three weeks. This can be an indicator of something serious, especially if the problem is reoccurring. Be on the lookup for these symptoms:

 

Sores that don’t heal within 14 days, odd coloring of the soft tissue, abnormalities that bleed easily, bumps or hard spots in the mouth, a lump on the outside of the neck that has been present for at least two weeks.

 

Symptoms may vary when it comes to HPV-caused oropharyngeal cancer. A patient might experience hoarseness or a sore throat, constant coughing, lump on the neck, problems swallowing, or an ache in one or both ears.

 

There are many risk factors for oral cancers. These include heavy drinking and smoking, along with HPV16 or the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus 16.

 

Do not wait to book an appointment this April. Your health might depend on it. Drs. Julie Boulos and Joseph Boulos are located at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 858-270-4904.

Drinking Water for Oral Health

Drinking water is important for your health at all ages.  All Coast Dental has seen adult patients that are guilty of not drinking enough water, so we know it can be tough to monitor if kids are getting enough too.  We want to encourage you and the kids in your family to stay hydrated and healthy!

We all know kids love drinking juice and soda, but we forget that these beverages leave unwanted sugar behind on the teeth.  The type of bacteria that causes cavities feeds on sugar, and produces acid that wears away enamel. Enamel is not replaceable, so it’s important to take care of it even from a young age.  When kids drink juice or soda, it is helpful just to drink some water afterwards to dilute acids and wash away food particles and residue. You and your children should be drinking at least eight 8oz glasses of water each day.  Drinking tap water with fluoride is important to help prevent cavities.  If you’re worried that your children may not be drinking enough water, come see us to discuss tips that might help them drink more!

We love to see good oral hygiene habits formed early, and make lifetime patients out of kids from our community!  To learn more about the services we provide, 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.  

Celebrate Oral Health Day Everyday

World Oral Health Day is celebrated all over the world on March 20^th to highlight the importance of keeping your mouth healthy and free of bad breath, periodontal disease, decay, and other dental diseases. Though our doctors at All Coast Dental want you to practice oral health day, every day, it’s never too late to improve your oral care habits.

A healthy body and a healthy mouth go hand-in-hand which is why if you brush your teeth, your body will thank you. Brushing and flossing your teeth thoroughly will prevent oral diseases and can offer clues to what else is going on with your body. To maintain optimal oral health, it’s important to brush thoroughly at least twice a day, floss at least once a day, use a mouth rinse to improve bad breath, and visit our office twice a year for oral exams.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care, 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.  

New Year, New Smile

It’s time for 2017 to come to an end and it’s time to ring in 2018 with a new perspective. We tend to set goals and resolutions around this time of the year, but have a hard time putting them into play when New Year comes. If you’re looking for a goal to commit to, our doctors at All Coast Dental suggest putting the focus on your oral health. It’s a new year, so give you a new smile.

Our doctors at All Coast Dental can assist with all of your oral health needs. Whether you desire to whiten your teeth, enhance their appearance through cosmetic procedures, or wish to straighten them through orthodontic treatment. We always welcome new patients and do our best to answer any questions you may have. If you wish to discuss your smile goals, schedule a consultation as soon as possible.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, 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.  

Brush Your Tongue

When you’re brushing and flossing your teeth do you show your tongue any toothbrush love?  If not, you should start. Food particles that form plaque buildup don’t just sit on your teeth, they harbor on your tongue as well. To improve your dental health, finish your dental care routine with a tongue cleaning. Our doctors at All Coast Dental recommend investing in a tongue scraper to reap the maximum benefits.  

Brushing your tongue is effective in reducing bad breath and even tooth damage. However, a tongue scraper provides a more thorough cleaning. Tongue scrapers are affordable and can be purchased at your local drugstore. This tool is used to scrape the bacteria that food leaves behind on the tongue. Cleaning your tongue is just as important as cleaning your teeth because you are removing harmful bacteria that can lead to decay.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral hygiene and dental health, 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.