Custom Take-Home Teeth Whitening

Have you ever tried store-bought whitening kits only to find that they did not get you the results you desire? It may be time to try a professional approach. Here at All Coast Dental, we make it easy. You can take home our custom teeth whitening trays to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home and on your own time.

When dark foods and drinks like cola, blueberries, or coffee have left teeth darker than you would like, we have a solution. We can create you a set of custom trays that you take home and wear for a short period of time over a few days. This system has the professional strength that works while still keeping the convenience factor of at-home whitening. To ensure the perfect fit, we use impressions of your teeth to create the custom trays. We give you a whitening gel that is placed into the trays and worn for your recommended amount of time. They are able to be worn at day or night, depending on what works the best for your schedule. Using our professional system, our patients often see smiles four to eight shades whiter.

Stained or discolored teeth can really bring confidence down. Stop hiding your smile and make an appointment with us for our custom take-home whitening trays. To schedule an appointment in our Pacific Beach, CA office, call All Coast Dental at (858) 270-4904. More information about teeth whitening can be found on our website, www.allcoastdental.net. 

Dental Crowns to Restore Function and Smiles

An injured tooth due to damage or decay should be saved, if it can be. It is always ideal to have your natural teeth. This is why at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, we can provide dental crowns for patients who have damaged teeth with an intact root.

A cracked or weakened tooth can be painful and it can lead to infection. Not to mention, they will often turn dark or make your teeth appear unhealthy looking. Dental crowns are like a cap that goes over the whole tooth to strengthen it, repair the look of it, and protect it from further damage. It fully restores the function of the tooth while repairing the look of your smile. The crown can be made of gold, porcelain-covered metal, or all porcelain. The options with porcelain are what give you the natural-looking crown.

To create the crown, first any decay is removed from the tooth and the tooth will be reshaped for the crown to fit. An impression is then taken so a dental laboratory can use it to create your custom crown. When the crown is placed, it may feel odd in your mouth; however, after a few days of getting used to the new structure, it will feel just like the rest of your teeth.

Do not let damage or decay completely ruin an otherwise healthy tooth. To schedule an appointment with All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call our office at (858) 270-4904. More information about our practice can be found on our website, www.allcoastdental.net. 

If is Isn't Decay, Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?

Sensitive teeth can be a real pain, especially when you are trying to enjoy your favorite frozen treats during summer.  While sometimes sensitive teeth can mean there is a cavity or worse, an infection, often it is just simple habits that create the problem. At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, we want our patients to come in for an examination if they are having sensitivity to make sure it is not decay. We also want patients to know what can cause sensitivity when it is not decay.

Sensitive teeth are often caused by worn down tooth enamel. When enamel is worn down, the dentin shows through which contains tiny tubes that lead to the center of the tooth where all the nerves are. To avoid wearing down your enamel, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The first thing you want to remember is to not brush too harshly. To remove plaque, all it takes is a soft toothbrush with a light touch.  In addition to abrasive brushing, grinding your teeth is another common culprit. Ask us about a night guard if you suspect you grind or clench your teeth at night.

Enamel can also be worn down by brushing too soon. Yes, it is true, you can brush too soon! The foods we eat contain acids that can soften enamel. Wait at least thirty minutes after eating acidic foods before brushing so the enamel can re-harden. In addition, very acidic foods and drinks like soda pop should be limited.

Sensitivity can often be resolved by changing your habits. To schedule an appointment with All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call our office at (858) 270-4904 or visit our website, www.allcoastdental.net. 

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. 

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.