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.

 

Drink Water to Save Your Teeth

Fluoride is nature’s natural cavity fighter and can be found in the water that we drink. Choosing water over sugary beverages is a much better decision for your teeth. Water cleans the mouth with every sip, and because of this, our doctors at All Coast Dental encourage you to drink more to protect your teeth from decay. Water not only strengthens teeth, it delivers healthy nutrients to our bodies to keep us healthy.

If your dental health is a cause for concern, drinking more water may be the solution. Sugary beverages may wash down your meal, but they provide no nutritional benefits for tooth enamel. Drinking water, however, washes away leftover food particles that have been left behind. It also dilutes the acids produced by harmful bacteria in the mouth. Drinking water may improve your smile, but it won’t protect against cavities alone. Be sure to maintain a rigorous oral hygiene routine to protect your teeth from decay.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, 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.  

Sugar and Tooth Decay

Most of us indulge in our fair share of sugary beverages, but those sugary drinks are harming our smiles with every sip. Considering that the average can of Coca-Cola have 10 teaspoons of sugar, our doctors at All Coast Dental encourages patients to limit sugar intake to avoid tooth sensitivity and to protect teeth from tooth decay.

Food and beverages that contain sugar create acid attacks that are harmful to tooth enamel. This is because the plaque that is left on teeth use sugar to thrive and stick to the tooth’s surface. Though children are more prone to cavities caused by sugar, this doesn’t mean adults are out of the woods. To protect teeth from decay, keep your mouth as clean as possible by drinking water, or low-acidic beverages such as milk. Additionally, you should be practicing proper oral hygiene and visit us twice a year for dental checkups.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, 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.  

Scaling and Root Planing

In its most advanced stages, gum disease can lead to gum recession and even tooth loss.  All Coast Dental wants to help you make sure it never gets to that stage.  When sticky bacteria called plaque builds up on a tooth, the gum starts to pull away from the tooth and form a pocket around the buildup.  This only leads to more gum recession.  Scaling and root planing are used to treat this bacterial buildup and prevent the later stages of gum disease.

Scaling and root planning are two parts of a deep cleaning procedure your dentist can perform to help repair gums. The procedure begins with scaling, the process of removing plaque from the surface of your teeth all the way down to your gums. This is followed by root planing, which involves minor contouring to smooth the surface of a tooth near the root.  Once the plaque has been removed and the tooth root has been smoothed, the gums that have pulled away have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to!

To learn more about scaling, root planing, 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.  

Mouth Guards for Sports

The doctors at All Coast Dental take a lot of pride in serving the families from our community.  With kids back in school and resuming activities, we want families to know we can help them take an important safety precaution for sports and physical activities.  Athletes participating in any contact sport are advised to wear some kind of mouth protection. Wearing a mouth guard during sports helps prevent damage to the teeth, jaw, cheeks, and even the tongue and lips.

Sporting goods stores carry mouth guards, but they are generic in size and fit.  These mouth guards often end up feeling bulky and uncomfortable, leading to child and teenage athletes in particular not wearing the protection at all. An ill-fitting mouth guard can even interrupt breathing and speaking.  Come see us and have a dentist perform a custom mouth guard fitting.  You’ll get a mouth guard made of thin, hard plastic that protects your teeth and still fits comfortably, and you can go right back to playing your best.

To learn more about mouth guards 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.  

Veneers

At All Coast Dental, our doctors can help give you the opportunity to totally makeover your mouth with veneers. Veneers are made from a thin ceramic shell and fit over your existing teeth, allowing you to completely change the appearance of your smile.  Patients with cosmetic issues like staining, cracked or chipped teeth, and even crooked teeth and small gaps can achieve a dazzling smile with veneers.

Our patients can have a new smile using veneers in as little as two visits. First you and your dentist discuss the shape and look you want for your new smile.  Once your teeth are prepared for the treatment, an impression of your teeth is taken. This impression is sent to a dental laboratory to make the final product.  Ask us about temporary cosmetic options for you to wear for the two weeks it may take for the custom product to be fabricated. On your final visit, the veneers are bonded to the surface of your teeth for you to wear home and wear forever.  Veneers let you make a dramatic change to the appearance of your smile and still look natural, so contact us for a smile makeover!

To learn more about veneers 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.