What Tools do Dentists Use?

How do you feel when you see dental instruments? Apprehensive? Curious? We hope it’s not the former. At All Coast Dental, we’re a family practice that provides general and dental care to the Pacific Beach community. We want our patients to feel comfortable talking to us about their oral care and to feel informed about their treatment decisions. To that end, we thought it would be helpful if our patients knew how to talk about the instruments we use the most frequently, and had a firmer idea of what they’re for.

The tool we use the most during a routine cleaning is the probe. This metal wand has a hook on each end and serves a variety of purposes. It is most often used to break up tartar, the hardened plaque that forms on teeth and causes gum recession. But it is also used to test the hardness of enamel and, in a specialized form called a scaler, to remove debris from a patient’s gum pockets. The probe is paired with a handheld mirror, which besides allowing us to see the backs of teeth, allows us to hold back the patient’s cheeks. As we remove debris, we’ll also use a tube called an evacuator to clean out the patient’s mouth with suction.

If a patient is suffering from tooth decay, our instruments will allow us to treat them with minimal discomfort. We use a syringe to inject anesthetic and modern dental drills emit water to prevent overheating. Fillings are sculpted with rounded instruments called burnishers to ensure the patient can close their teeth together completely. When teeth need to be extracted, we’ll remove them by wiggling them with flattened spoons called elevators, until they can be lifted out with reverse-action forceps. Some of these tools come in different shapes for more specialized procedures, which we’ll be happy to explain to any patient who’s curious.

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 Phobia

Our doctors at All Costal Dental want our patients to feel comfortable when they visit. Going to the dentist can be an overwhelming and uncomfortable experience. Maintaining good oral hygiene includes visiting us twice a year for a cleaning and a checkup. With estimated 9% to 15% of people suffering from dental phobia, is it important for you to be able to cope with your dental fears.

Patients who suffer from dental phobia have a greater chance of developing gum disease and tooth decay. Some signs that you might have dental phobia include tense or nervousness, sleepless nights before the dentist, and the thought of the dentist makes you feel sick.

We encourage our patients to ask us questions before your appointment so we can make you feel more comfortable. Your concerns are our number one priority and we are happy to discuss what can help to ease your fears.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, please call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Dental Phobia

A phobia is defined as a paralyzing fear and when patients suffer from dental phobia, our doctors at All Coast Dental will do everything we can to make them as comfortable as possible. Most people can live with dental anxiety, but when a fear of the dentist keeps a person out of the chair, it can be detrimental to their oral health and can lead to tooth loss down the road.

People develop a fear of the dentist for different reasons. Dental phobia can stem from a bad experience, fear of drills, or a fear of not having control. Patients who suffer from dental phobia suffer from poorer health because chances are they haven’t been to the dentist in years. Dental phobia can be treated, and if you are willing to discuss your concerns and fears with us, we are determined to help you achieve optimal oral health.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental phobia, 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.  

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.