Tooth Decay in Seniors

At All Coast Dental, we put particular emphasis on oral care for seniors. Children are the demographic cavities most commonly occur in, but seniors are the second-most vulnerable. According to the most recent information from the Centers for Disease Control, one in five seniors had untreated tooth decay, making this a vital issue for seniors’ comfort and health.

Members of older generations usually did not have access to fluoridated water while their teeth were developing, making them particularly vulnerable to tooth decay (also known as dental lesions or caries). However, cavities commonly develop in seniors who previously had good oral health, implying that something changed which made their oral hygiene more difficult. There are a number of possible causes: poor dexterity, forgetfulness, change in diet to foods that are stickier or likelier to get caught between the teeth, and loss of dental care coverage, for example. Seniors also are commonly on medications with side effects that put them at higher risk for tooth decay. Dry mouth is a common side effect of cancer medications which makes it more difficult for the body to remove food debris and keep bacteria growth under control.

Seniors benefit from using toothpaste with extra fluoridation and throat moistening products. We can also introduce them to products appropriate for their specific needs while carrying out regular cleanings.

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.

 

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that develop between the ages of 17-24. Wisdom teeth can either erupt or stay impacted (under the gum). When wisdom teeth are impacted, this increases a patient’s risk of developing an infection. The safest way to avoid this is to discuss extraction with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental.

While oral surgery is no picnic for anyone, having wisdom teeth extracted provides more benefits to the patient than leaving them intact. Wisdom teeth can lead to gum pain, headaches, and can cause damage to surrounding teeth. Before deciding if your wisdom teeth need to be extracted, our doctors will explain the procedure and assure that you are as comfortable as possible before proceeding.  

If you have questions or concerns regarding wisdom teeth extraction, 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.  

Seal Out Cavities with Dental Sealant

Children are prone to cavities but dental sealant can help prevent them. At All Coast Dental, our doctors use dental sealant – a thin coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth to protect against decay. Though brushing and flossing remove leftover food particles, it may not always be easy for your child to do a thorough job. Sealants are usually applied as a preventive measure to keep the mouth cavity free.

Brushing and flossing may remove plaque from the teeth, but sometimes extra measures need to be taken. Dental sealants add extra protection to vulnerable areas of the teeth that are prone to decay. When bacteria become trapped in these areas, cavities will develop. Dental sealant is a safe and effective way to stop them in their tracks. Don’t hesitate to ask about dental sealants during your child’s next checkup.  

If you have questions or concerns regarding pediatric dental services, 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.  

Oral Cancer Screenings

The doctors and staff of All Coast Dental take pride in serving the families from our community and looking out for the condition of your smiles and oral hygiene.  We also screen for oral cancer, and it is important that you and your family are aware of oral cancer and how to prevent it.  Oral cancer screening may not be the most common reason you’ve visited a dentist, but regular screenings are the best way to protect yourself.

Heavy smoking and drinking do increase the risk of oral cancer, but oral cancer can still occur if someone never smokes.  The human papilloma virus (HPV) was recently found to be responsible for most oral cancers that originated in the back of the mouth.  Because there is no way to predict cancer, you should ask about an oral cancer screening with each dental checkup.  Your dentist will conduct a visual exam, and may use an ultraviolet light to see any irregularities inside the mouth. Always contact us if you notice any inexplicable pain, swelling, or numbness in your throat or jaw.

To learn more about oral cancer screenings and all 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 858-270-4904.  

Causes of Bleeding Gums

Do you taste iron after you’ve chewed something tough or sticky? Do you see blood when you spit? These problems, caused by gingivitis, affect a lot of people, but they should not be accepted as normal. Gingivitis indicates health problems which could become more serious if they are not addressed.

Gingivitis is the result of acids produced by bacteria when they feed. Bacteria are present in a healthy mouth, but problems arise when they grow out of control. This can occur if there is a large amount of sugar available to them. The acids stick to plaque, the sticky substance on the outside of teeth which hardens into tartar. Trapped acid irritates the surrounding gum tissue, causing it to swell and turn red and making it bleed easily.

Most patients can combat gingivitis by brushing their teeth more regularly, although it is important that they do so for two full minutes during each session and that they only use soft-bristled toothbrushes (hard-bristled toothbrushes cause bruising). But patients cannot clean under their gum lines and require deep cleanings from professional dentists and hygienists to remove plaque on this level. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to gingivitis and should be especially sure to keep regular appointments.

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.

 

Problems with Fillings

One of the first dental procedures people learn about as children is the use of fillings to repair cavities. When patients suffer from small bits of decay (known as caries), a white-colored filling can repair the appearance of their smile and prevent bacteria from hiding in a cavity. But while the tooth may be sensitive immediately after the decayed material is removed, prolonged pain is not normal and is a sign that patients should come in for an examination.

When a filling is first placed, it may be shaped badly and prevent the patient from closing their jaws together. It also may not be large enough to fill in the gap. These are both rare events but need to be fixed immediately. More commonly, the filling becomes painful years after it was placed due to the normal wear and tear of chewing having worn out the seal holding it in place. Fillings are not permanent solutions; they usually last for about ten years. Of course, trauma could cause a filling to come loose sooner. When the area around a filling is painful, it is probably because bacteria has entered through the cracks in the seal and are causing more decay. The sooner an old filling is replaced, the less likely it is that a larger restoration will be necessary.

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.

 

Acid Reflux and Tooth Decay

Acid reflux is a painful condition, but most patients may not know how bad it is for their teeth. At All Coat Dental, we regularly see the ravages of this disease on enamel, and want our patients to better understand it and what can be done.

Stomach acid is extremely corrosive. The stomach has a thick mucus lining to protect itself, but when acid escapes into the esophagus, it causes burns which could turn into ulcers or tumors. If it gets as far as the mouth, the inward-facing surfaces of the upper teeth which are usually the most affected. Decay caused by acid reflux is a gradual process in which the teeth first appear glazed, then pitted and cracked. It painfully weakens enamel and reduces the teeth’s grinding surfaces, impeding their function.

Patients can reduce how frequently they suffer acid reflux by maintaining better diet and posture. Fried foods, garlic and onions, citrus juice, chocolate, and alcohol are known to be contributors to acid reflux. But to fix enamel erosion that’s already occurred, they may need restorations such as white fillings and partial crowns.

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.