Are you able to chew comfortably? Does your jaw move smoothly and evenly? And are you satisfied with the alignment of your teeth? If the answer to any of these questions is no, we urge you to schedule an appointment with All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach. Our doctors are committed to helping patients achieve the best oral health possible. But bite problems are easier to treat when they’re caught early, which is why we perform bite checks at regular dental appointments.
Dentists will examine your teeth visually and with the aid of an x-ray machine. But the actual bite check consists of feeling your temporomandibular joints, which are where your lower jaw connects to your skull, while you demonstrate biting down. In the best case, your teeth won’t tilt outward, but they will close together fully. Your jaw should be free of tension and popping noises. A visual inspection of your teeth will not only help us determine if they are misaligned, but if they are being worn down in a manner consistent with bruxism. Bruxism is when people grind or clench their teeth in their sleep, and besides being painful for the temporomandibular joints, it can cause teeth to be pushed out of position or break.
Sustained stress to the temporomandibular joints could result in pain radiating to the rest of the head and as far down as the shoulder. However, stretching exercises can loosen up the joints. We can also provide patients with custom-fitted removable appliances called night guards that will shield the teeth during sleep. We provide references for orthodontic work, and although children’s teeth can be moved more extensively, it is possible to provide bite alignment treatment to people of all ages.
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 All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.