What is a General Dentist?

General dentists are the primary dental care providers for patients of all ages. They can treat you and your entire family and care for your overall health. Dentistry is defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. When looking for exceptional and quality general dentistry services, look no further than All Coast Dental.

Instead of specializing in just one area of dentistry, general dentists, such as Dr. Julie Boulos, DDS and Joseph Boulos, DDS provide plenty of different services for you and your family, such as: cosmetic procedures, crowns and bridges, dental implants, dentures, gum disease treatment, home care instruction, root canal therapy, teeth cleanings and many more.

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. 

Teething Safety

We welcome children as patients at All Coast Dental, including those who are getting their first teeth. We understand that caring for babies is a nerve-wracking experience, especially with a parent’s first child, and parents are often looking for advice. We thought our patients would appreciate some information about how to soothe babies’ teething pain safely.

Giving babies something cool to gnaw on is one of the most reliable methods of comforting them; the main problems are that the item must not be a choking hazard or cold enough to hurt them. Generally, teething items should be chilled, not frozen. A large piece of rubber or plastic, such as a teething ring, may not warm quickly enough in a baby’s hands if it came straight from the freezer.  This is also true of metal spoons.

On the other hand, frozen washcloths provide babies with moisture to suck without presenting a choking hazard. Another consumable option is popsicles or ice cubes placed in a mesh bag. Some parents also get good results from pressing on their baby’s gums with their fingers. Teething usually starts when a baby is about six months old, and our hygienist and dentists can teach parents to brush their baby’s teeth as soon as the first one begins to erupt.

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 AllCoastDental.net and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Inlays and Onlays

Damage or decay to a tooth can cause weakness and sensitivity. Not to mention, it can also affect the appearance of your smile. Fortunately, there is a simple and attractive solution here at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA. Inlays and onlays are able to replace decayed or damaged tooth tissue when it is too much for a filling to hold.

Inlays are restorations that are for the chewing surface of a tooth, minus any cusps. Onlays are for the chewing surface of a tooth, plus one or more cusps. Inlays and onlays work well when there is too much damage or decay for a filling to hold but not enough that a full crown is needed. That is also why inlays and onlays are commonly referred to as partial crowns. Both inlays and onlays can be made of gold, porcelain, or a composite resin. The composite resin and porcelain options will be matched to the color of your tooth so it looks natural.

Inlays and onlays can not only restore the health of your tooth, but they can also help give you back a smile you are proud to show off. 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. 

Basics of Bruxism

Do you ever wake up from a night’s sleep with sore teeth and jaws? You could be grinding your teeth. The medical term for occasional teeth grinding is called bruxism and although this condition does not usually cause harm, when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and other oral health complications can arise. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, facial pain, or notice your jaw muscles being tired or tight, you may be a “bruxer.” If that is the case one of our doctors at All Coast Dental will develop an individualized treatment plan to help alleviate these symptoms.

Stress, anxiety, smoking, heavy alcohol, caffeine, depression and sleep disorders are all possible causes of teeth grinding. Treatment for teeth grinding depends on the cause. In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in fracturing, loosening or loss of teeth. Patients may benefit from a mouth guard to stabilize the jaw and prevent tooth damage that is caused by grinding.

If you suffer from symptoms of bruxism, 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.  

Banish Bad Breath

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be embarrassing and in some cases may even cause anxiety. It’s no wonder you may stock up on mints, gum, and other products designed to fight bad breath. But many of these products are only a temporary solution to the problem. In many cases, you can improve bad breath with proper dental hygiene. However, it’s important to schedule professional cleanings and regular dental checkups at All Coast Dental twice a year.

If you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. Bad breath odors vary, depending on the source or the underlying cause. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum disease. If you have bad breath, review your oral hygiene habits. If your bad breath persists after making changes, visit us as soon as possible.

If you are embarrassed by bad breath, 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.  

Cavity Characteristics

There are two main factors that contribute to cavities. One is bacteria in the mouth and the other is a diet that is high in sugar. It’s no surprise that cavities are common among children, but changes that occur with aging, make cavities an adult problem, too. To prevent cavities from occurring you should brush and floss on a daily basis, in addition to scheduling professional cleanings at All Coast Dental twice a year.

Cavities, or tooth decay, are the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Tooth decay is heavily influenced by lifestyle, what we eat, how well we take care of our teeth, and the presence of fluoride in our water and toothpaste. Only your dentist can tell for sure if you have one because sometimes cavities cause little to no pain at all. Regardless of how and where they occur, the best way to spot them and treat them before they become serious is by visiting our doctors at All Coast Dental for checkups.

If you are experiencing tooth pain 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.  

Electric vs. Manual Toothbrush

A good, old-fashioned toothbrush has been proven time and time again that it’s the right tool for the job, but in recent years, the electric toothbrush has become a serious competitor. The health of your teeth and gums depends in large part on regular and correct brushing. This is why at All Coast Dental it doesn’t matter what type of toothbrush you use, we just want you to brush properly.

Part of choosing the right toothbrush involves evaluating the differences between an electric toothbrush and a manual toothbrush. Many electric toothbrushes have added features, such as a timer that turns the toothbrush off after two to three minutes and pressure sensors that regulate the speed of the toothbrush and ensure you do not use too much pressure while brushing. A major benefit to using a manual toothbrush is cost.

The cost of an electric toothbrush can easily be more than $100. Another benefit to using a manual toothbrush is in the design of the brush. You can purchase a manual toothbrush in a number of styles and brush lengths, and those with flexible handles may make it easier to reach difficult areas of your mouth. Given that electric and manual toothbrushes are effective brushing tools, features that equate to benefits are more a matter of personal preference.

If you have questions about oral hygiene, 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.