Common Reasons for Tooth Extractions

Although permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime, having a tooth pulled is sometimes necessary. At All Coast Dental, our doctors would like you to know that before he or she considers extraction, every effort will be made to try to repair and restore your tooth.  You’re probably most familiar with wisdom teeth extractions, but other reasons for the procedure may include:

• Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible.


• Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


• Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore, will require extraction.

If you have a tooth that is causing you pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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.

The Three Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three types that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with our doctors at All Coast Dental twice a year to avoid them. 

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – Some patients with untreated gingivitis will subsequently develop periodontitis. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


•  Advanced Periodontitis – This is a significant cause of tooth loss.  In this later stage of the disease, there is destruction of the fibers and bone supporting your teeth. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you experience gum inflammation of any kind, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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. 

Why is it Important to Replace Missing Teeth?

When a tooth is lost or is extracted, it may seem okay to leave the space open if it is not bothering you, but it is actually very important to fill that space quickly. At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, we offer several options for tooth replacement and we want our patients to know why it is important to replace a missing tooth sooner rather than later.

When a tooth is lost, the bone in the jaw begins to deteriorate. As we get older, the deterioration speeds up. Bone loss can hinder the success of replacement in the future. When a single tooth is lost, the other teeth will shift towards that open space. This creates differences in your bite. This can also introduce gaps between teeth which can become hard-to-reach areas that collect bacteria. Gums can also become irritated if the matching tooth on the opposite set of teeth clacks up against it instead of the tooth that used to be there.

If multiple teeth are missing, the jaw can actually change shape as it deteriorates which will change facial structure. When most or all teeth are missing, facial muscles can begin to sag which makes a person appear older than they are.

At All Coast Dental, we have several options for tooth replacement including dental implants, bridges, and dentures. To schedule an appointment at our Pacific Beach, CA office, call us 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. 

Dental Exam for Seniors

We only get one set of permanent teeth; therefore, it’s important that they last a lifetime. Good dental hygiene and oral care habits are important at any age. But as we all grow older, certain health concerns earn our full attention, especially the importance of oral health for seniors. Whether you have all of your original teeth, some of them or a full set of dentures, our staff at All Coast Dental can help you keep your mouth healthy.

If you’re a senior headed for a checkup, one of our doctors will conduct a thorough history and dental exam. During the oral exam, he or she will check the following: your face and neck, your bite, your jaw, your lymph nodes and salivary glands, your inner cheeks as well as the inside of your oral cavity. It is important for us to check for signs of infection and oral cancer so that if something is wrong, we can catch it in the earliest stage when it is the easiest to treat. If you wear dentures or other appliances, we will also ask about when you wear them as well as if you are experiencing any problem areas in the mouth.

To learn more about 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 858-270-4909.

Dental Crowns

Weak teeth can cause pain, further injury to the tooth, cause soft tissue injury, and decay. When a tooth is weakened, it must be protected and re-strengthened so it can continue a functional life. Here at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, we utilize dental crowns for this purpose.

A dental crown is like a cap that goes on a tooth. The entire part of the tooth that is visible outside of the gums is covered by the crown. At All Coast Dental, we are able to make a dental crown look just like one of your natural teeth; no one will be able to tell the difference.

Crowns may be made of gold, porcelain fused to metal, or full porcelain. The options with porcelain are made to look and feel like one of your own teeth. To ensure that the crown is exactly right for you, we take impressions of your tooth after it is carefully prepared for the crown. These impressions are sent to a dental laboratory where the custom crown will be created.

To prepare your tooth for a crown, we will first remove any decay. We will then reshape the tooth by filing down the sides. While the tooth is being created by the laboratory, you will wear a temporary crown.

Crowns are durable, long-lasting, and they look great. If you are experiencing pain to a tooth, call All Coast Dental to set up an appointment. Our Pacific Beach, CA office may be reached at (858) 270-4909. Appointments may also be made through our website, www.allcoastdental.net. 

The Proper Flossing Technique

There is a right way and a wrong way to do something and the same method applies to flossing. Every six months when you visit our staff at All Coast Dental for a professional cleaning, you’re likely to hear a lecture on flossing. More importantly, we are more likely to hear excuses about why you aren’t doing so.  Proper flossing removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush cannot easily reach – under the gum line and between your teeth. If you’re curious about the proper flossing technique, follow these tips!

• Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with.


• Holding the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth.


• Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gum line.


• Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.

If you have further questions about oral hygiene, please give us a call. To learn more about 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 858-270-4909.