Aggressive Periodontal Disease

If you’re spitting a bit of pink in the sink while brushing your teeth then you may not be brushing enough. Bleeding gums are the first sign of gingivitis and though gingivitis is reversible, if left untreated it will advance to periodontitis. Periodontitis can affect one or many teeth and will cause inflammation around the tooth. Some people are more prone to periodontal disease than others, but our doctors at All Coast Dental encourage all of our patients to practice prevention.

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and bone that supports the tooth. If periodontitis is ignored the teeth may become loose and/or fall out. Periodontitis will cause the gum and bone to pull away from the teeth, forming large pockets. Bacteria leftover from food will then invade these pockets and infect the area. Periodontitis begins with plaque, so if your dental health is still in optimal condition, keep your teeth and gums as clean as possible by brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day.

If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease, 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.  

Tooth-Friendly Diet

At All Coast Dental, we see it as our responsibility to share information to help our patients make good choices regarding their dental health and good dental health begins with a well-balanced diet. While a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and unsaturated fats will benefit your overall health, there are a few stand out foods and nutrients that can really boost your oral health as well.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “milk builds strong bones and teeth.” This is true because calcium prevents against tooth decay. Calcium is found in foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt as well as in fish and some vegetables such as kale and broccoli. Crunchy fruits and vegetables – like apples, pears, celery, and carrots – act as a detergent on teeth, wiping away bacteria that can cause plaque. We don’t have to tell you to stay away from sugary snacks, but even healthy foods have sugars in them. Therefore, no matter what you eat it’s always important to brush and floss afterward and remember to visit us twice a year for 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.  

Drinking Water for Oral Health

Drinking water is important for your health at all ages.  All Coast Dental has seen adult patients that are guilty of not drinking enough water, so we know it can be tough to monitor if kids are getting enough too.  We want to encourage you and the kids in your family to stay hydrated and healthy!

We all know kids love drinking juice and soda, but we forget that these beverages leave unwanted sugar behind on the teeth.  The type of bacteria that causes cavities feeds on sugar, and produces acid that wears away enamel. Enamel is not replaceable, so it’s important to take care of it even from a young age.  When kids drink juice or soda, it is helpful just to drink some water afterwards to dilute acids and wash away food particles and residue. You and your children should be drinking at least eight 8oz glasses of water each day.  Drinking tap water with fluoride is important to help prevent cavities.  If you’re worried that your children may not be drinking enough water, come see us to discuss tips that might help them drink more!

We love to see good oral hygiene habits formed early, and make lifetime patients out of kids from our community!  To learn more about the services we provide, 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.  

Implants Replace Teeth

The doctors and staff of All Coast Dental have seen many smiles saved by single-tooth dental implants.  Implants are a permanent restorative option for teeth that are missing or have been extracted.  They look and feel like natural teeth, and are the most permanent and efficient means of replacing lost teeth.

An implant is placed over a series of appointments because of the healing time required.  Implants are titanium screws inserted through an incision in the gum. Over a period of 3-6 months, the jaw bone heals around the implant to become a solid, stable base for the new tooth. During this time a patient is fitted with a temporary crown, and a custom crown is created to match their smile perfectly.

After the jaw bone and gums have healed appropriately, the custom crown is placed in a second minor procedure.  The doctor may need to expose the head of the implant by removing some gum tissue, and the crown is screwed to the top of the implant.  When this is complete the tooth looks like part of the natural smile, and with proper care will last for decades!

To learn more about single-tooth implants and all the services we provide, 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.  

Benefits of Clear Orthodontics

The orthodontic options on the market today are endless. Traditional braces are still straightening teeth but the clear route has become much more popular. Clear aligners and clear braces eliminate metal mouth and the pain of brackets and wires. At All Coast Dental, our doctors can discuss which orthodontic appliance is best for you during a consultation.  

The benefits of clear braces extend far beyond a pretty smile. Depending on which option is best selected for you, clear aligners such as Invisalign are barely noticeable and can be removed when necessary to help patients clean their teeth a lot better than they could with wires wrapped around them. Another added benefit is that using clear braces to align adult teeth can prevent patients from the need to invest significant amounts of money in restorations in the long run. Overall, clear braces increase your self-esteem and allow you to straighten your teeth almost invisibly.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic options, 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.  

Immediate Dentures

For people who have lost their teeth due to gum disease, tooth decay, or injury, dentures can restore their smile and help them with everyday tasks such as eating and speaking. There are two main types of dentures: full and partial. Our doctors at All Coast Dental will help you choose the type of denture that’s best for you based on how many teeth are going to be replaced.

If a patient is faced with the loss of single or multiple teeth and will be replacing those teeth with removable or partial dentures, immediate placement may be an option. An immediate denture is a complete denture or partial denture inserted on the same day, immediately following the removal of natural teeth. As the healing process continues, the gums which support the denture will shrink. Changes can continue for several months. During this time, it is important to follow up with one of our doctors for adjustments. Not everyone is a candidate for an immediate denture.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dentures or restorative dentistry, 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 Conscious Sedation

The staff of All Coast Dental has seen many patients who experience some level of anxiety with each dental procedure or appointment. Some patients have had negative experiences with dental procedures that make them anxious, and others may have a sensitive gag reflex that has always made dental work dreadful.  We understand why a dental appointment could be intimidating, but do not want to see patients delaying treatment because of these fears.  Oral conscious sedation is an option we recommend for patients experiencing dental anxiety.  

Oral conscious sedation is administered by taking a pill orally (usually Valium) before a procedure.  The light sedative relaxes the patient but does not ‘knock out’ the patient, as they remain conscious.  They are brought to an extremely relaxed state, and when the dentist begins working, local anesthetic is still used at the site of the procedure.  The combination of oral conscious sedation and local anesthetic means the patient can stay relaxed and usually allows the dentist to complete more work in one session.  This makes a more pleasant experience for an anxious patient, and can even mean less dental appointments overall!

To learn more about oral conscious sedation and all the services we provide, 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.