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Community Services
One of Dr. Beck’s greatest passions is to give back to the community that she loves. She understands that the community helped turn her into the caring and generous person she is today, so it’s extremely important to her that she gives back to the community and helps people in need whenever she can. That is why she happily volunteers her time at a few different organizations.
Providing excellent dental care to her patients is of the utmost importance to Dr. Beck and she wants to extend that care to residents of San Diego who need it most.
Donated Dental Services Program
One of the organizations that Dr. Beck is proud to be a part of is the Donated Dental Services Program (or “DDS” for short). This wonderful program provides comprehensive and free dental treatments to patients with disabilities or who are elderly or medically fragile. Since its inception in 1985, the Donated Dental Services Program has helped change the lives of over 117,000 people.
You can learn more about the Donated Dental Services Program and other amazing programs offered by Dental Life Network by visiting their website, https://dentallifeline.org.
UCSD School of Medicine – Department of Family Medicine & Public Health
In addition to volunteering for DDS, Dr. Beck is also proud to be a part of the UCSD School of Medicine. She is a Volunteer Clinical Instructor with the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health. As a clinical instructor, Dr. Beck helps mentor new pre-dental college students while providing free specialty dental care for our underserved community.
Gary and Mary West Senior Center Dental Clinic
Despite significant advances in dentistry and our ability to prevent many oral healthcare issues, dental disease remains a significant and widespread problem in America, particularly for low-income seniors. If improvements in access, affordability, education and awareness do not occur, oral disease and related health issues will become an increasingly prevalent and costly public health issue for our aging population.
Establishing and maintaining good oral healthcare is critical to successful aging. The mission of the Gary and Mary West Senior Dental Center is to provide affordable, high-quality oral healthcare with comprehensive education, clinical, and wellness services for seniors in need, enabling them to live healthy and productive lives. The Senior Dental Center links high-quality and affordable oral healthcare with a suite of nutrition, case management and wellness services offered through the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center, creating a one-of-a-kind, integrated community-based system of care for older adults. Dr. Beck is proud to be a volunteer dentist at the clinic and provide much needed dental care to our senior community.
The Dangers of Gum Recession
While many patients focus on preventing cavities, there is an even greater and more silent threat to their oral health: gum recession. San Diego patients often come to our offices assuming their tooth sensitivity and pain is caused by a cavity only to find out it’s because of receding gums. If you’ve started to notice that your teeth look “longer” or if you have sensitivity to cold and hot drinks, it could be because your gums have started to recede. In this blog post, we’re going to look at some of the causes of gum recession and what the dangers are of this condition. If you’re ready to end the tooth sensitivity and get a more attractive and confident smile, call Dr. Beck today at (858) 635-6700. In the meantime, take a look through our gallery of Before-and-After pictures to see the beautiful and natural-looking results that our patients love.
What Happens to Untreated Gum Recession
San Diego patients often assume that gum recession isn’t a big deal since there isn’t any apparent infection and it often does not even produce any pain. However, gum recession can wreak havoc on your oral health. Here’s how.
- No protection – Enamel is the hardest substance your body can make. It covers the very caps of your teeth so we can enjoy all kinds of hard and sticky foods. It also protects against cavities. But deep below the surface of the gums, the roots of your teeth are not protected by enamel. When the roots are exposed, decay can happen very quickly and cause the need for costly and painful procedures like root canals.
- Sensitivity – We already mentioned sensitivity to hot and cold foods. This is caused by the exposure of the nerve endings in the root.
- Long teeth – When more of your teeth are exposed they start to appear longer. This can give you a very “toothy” smile and can also cause gaps between your teeth. The longer the recession is allowed to progress untreated, the more cosmetic compromise it can cause.
- Gum disease – Gum disease (periodontal disease) is one of the most dangerous causes of gum recession. Some San Diego patients that suffer from recession are actually seeing the effects of bone damage caused by chronically inflamed and infected gum and bone. Left untreated, this can lead to tooth loss.
How to Get Started with Dr. Beck
Whether it’s replacement of missing teeth with dental implants, cosmetic gum recontouring, or treatment for gum recession, San Diego patients love the experience they have with Dr. Beck. Just read a few of the rave reviews our patients have left on our review page. Not only is Dr. Beck one of the most “in-demand” periodontists in the state, but she is also one of the most respected by her peers. She specializes in multiple different techniques to reverse gum recession, including the revolutionary and painless procedure called Pinhole surgery.
The first step is to contact our San Diego offices at (858) 635-6700. When you call, you’ll always be greeted by one of our friendly and highly-trained staff. Getting calls from new patients is something we look forward to. We love answering your questions and talking with you about your concerns. The next step is to get you into our modern and cozy office for an in-person meeting with Dr. Beck. During this meeting, you’ll get to talk with Dr. Beck about any dental concerns you may have. She’ll perform a thorough examination, which may include some x-rays to learn more about the structure of your teeth, identify any other potential problem areas, and answer any questions you may have. Already seen another dentist or periodontist about your receding gums but still unsure about getting treatment? We are happy to provide a no-obligation second opinion. We may have alternative options to what you’ve already been told.
Call us today to get started!
Why Should I Replace My Missing Tooth?
When we get calls from patients that are missing teeth they often assume that they’re one of the only people suffering from it. But you’d probably be surprised to learn that 178 million Americans are also missing at least one tooth. This is actually one of the most common dental issues, and it often impacts our patient’s sense of confidence and self-esteem. As if improving one’s self confidence isn’t reason enough to replace your missing teeth, there are also several health-related reasons to replace those missing chompers. In this blog post, we’ll look at a few of those reasons, and discuss replacement options, particularly dental implants; the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. San Diego patients that are ready to get a beautiful, comfortable, and confident smile should call Dr. Beck today at (858) 635-6700. You can also check out our gallery of Before-and-After dental implants pictures to see what you can look forward to.
Benefits of Replacing Your Missing Teeth
Other than simply filling in the missing space between your teeth, there are several other benefits to getting your teeth replaced–especially if you get them replaced with dental implants. Many San Diego patients have already understood the many benefits of dental implants including some of the following:
- Speaking and eating – When you are missing teeth it can hinder your ability to pronounce certain words or phrases. You may also notice difficulty biting or chewing some of your favorite foods. If your missing tooth is in the back, you may have trouble eating some of the most nutritious food including vegetables and proteins. Until you are missing a tooth, you might not appreciate how critical they are to chewing some of your favorite foods.
- Malocclusion – When you have a gap between your teeth, the two teeth on either side will begin to tip towards each other to fill the gap. This tipping of your teeth can be like a sink-hole in your bite and cause you to shift all your chewing to the opposite side. This is called malocclusion and can cause alterations and pain in your jaw joints (TMJ). As if that isn’t enough reason to replace your missing tooth, the opposing tooth can also begin to grow into the empty space and cause additional problems with your bite, especially if you plan to fill the space later on.
- Bone loss – This is a big one. The roots of your teeth are embedded in your jaw bone, and without the tooth root to stimulate the jawbone, it will start to weaken and resorb. But with dental implants, San Diego patients can prevent this bone loss. Dental implants serve as a replacement root which anchors the replacement tooth to the jawbone and prevent additional bone loss.
How to Get Started with Dr. Beck
Dr. Beck is one of the leading and most well-respected periodontists in Southern California. Not only has her research into new treatment methods been published in some of the most prestigious medical journals on earth, but she is also a Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology: the highest academic achievement in her field. Even more importantly, our patients absolutely love how gentle, caring, and compassionate she is–especially when it comes to dental implants.
San Diego patients hoping to get some of the finest dental care for their missing teeth should contact us today at (858) 635-6700. We would love to talk to you about your questions, your concerns, and learn more about how we can help you get the smile of your dreams.
Is Gum Disease Bad for My Health?
When patients suffer from gum disease, they often assume that any negative consequence will be limited to just the mouth. After all, when you get a cavity all you have to do is drill out the infection, fill the void, and the problem is solved! But with gum disease, the problem can cause a whole host of other very serious and potentially deadly health issues and requires immediate gum disease treatment. San Diego patients that have swollen, red, or bleeding gums should contact Dr. Beck immediately at (858) 635-6700. In this blog post, we’re going to look what gum disease is and examine some of the methods that are used to treat it.
What is Gum Disease?
While cavities can cause huge problems for patients, the foundation of your oral health is being free of gum disease. Without treatment, San Diego patients can expect their gum disease to not only cause tooth loss, but it can also cause major problems in other areas of the body. Here’s how it happens.
- Bacteria – Your mouth is home to billions of bacteria–some are good, and some are bad. Throughout the day these bacteria will collect on your teeth and form a sticky film called plaque. Without removal by brushing and flossing, the bacteria will continue to grow, forming a small ‘colony’ on your tooth that releases damaging toxins into the surrounding gum tissue. The longer the plaque remains undisturbed, the more damaging the toxins become.
- Immune response – In response to the bacterial toxins, your immune system attacks and causes inflammation, causing your gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily; the hallmarks of gum disease. Without treatment, the gums begin to pull away from the tooth causing a ‘pocket’ to form beneath the gums, which allows the bacteria to grow down the side of the tooth deeper into the gum tissue, closer to the bone. Eventually the bacterial toxins reach the surrounding bone and the resulting inflammation causes the bone to begin deteriorating around your tooth. Eventually the tooth becomes loose due to the extensive damage, even though there is often no pain or discomfort.
- The fallout – Without treatment, the bacteria can start to enter your bloodstream, traveling throughout your body, including your heart, liver, kidneys, and other organs. Even more damaging is the effect of your constantly activated immune system. Inflammatory cells and proteins become highly elevated and begin damaging many other areas of your body, exacerbating the effects of other chronic inflammatory conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, as well as causing their own damage and increasing your risk of many other disease including early onset dementia, parkinsons, several kinds of cancer, pregnancy complications, and even erectile dysfunction.
To prevent that from happening, patients need to get treatment for their gum disease and commit to the recommended maintenance program to prevent it from recurring. San Diego patients have a few different treatment options depending on the severity of their gum disease. While some patients just need a thorough cleaning–called “scaling and root planing”–others may require minor surgical procedures or even have teeth removed if they are beyond saving. Once the gums have become healthy, any missing teeth can be replaced with dental implants.
Why Work with Dr. Beck for Gum Disease Treatment
San Diego patients absolutely rave about how gentle, kind, compassionate and knowledgable Dr. Beck and her team are during all of their visits. From day one, Dr. Beck has made it her goal to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for her patients. She is also one of the most respected periodontists in her field. Her research into new treatment methods has been published in some of the most prestigious medical journals in the world. She is also a Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology, the highest academic achievement in her field. As a San Diego native, Dr. Beck is passionate about helping her community stay healthy.
Make sure you contact us today at (858) 635-6700 to get started. You can also check out our online reviews to see what our incredible patients have to say about their experience with Dr. Beck.
How To Avoid Gum Recession
Have you ever heard the old adage, “Death and Taxes?” Well there are some things in life that you have no control over. But one thing that you may be able to prevent is gum recession. Some San Diego patients may experience gum recession, even if they follow every recommendation for oral hygiene suggested by their dentist.
However, there are some things you can do to slow down this process and we’re going to look at a few of those here in this blog post. But if you’ve started to notice that your teeth are more sensitive to cold and hot foods, or if you can see that your gums are receding, make sure you give us a call today at (858) 635-6700. You can also take a look at our gallery of Before-and-After pictures of our patients who have had their receding gums corrected.
Easy Strategies to Prevent Gum Recession
San Diego men and women can use a few simple tactics to stop their gums from receding.
- Re-evaluate your toothbrush – If you have noticed your gums receding, it imperative that you use the softest brush you can find to prevent unnecessary damage to your weekend gum tissue. The pressure the you use to brush is also very important; if the bristles of your toothbrush ever flare out or become worn down, this may be a sign that you are using too much pressure to clean your teeth. The gums were not designed to be scrubbed and they often aren’t strong enough to resist this type of repetitive trauma. Electric brushes are ok too, but it is even more important that very light pressure is used and that the teeth are never scrubbed.
- Toothpaste matters- If you think your gums are receding, consider using a mild toothpaste like Sensodyne to minimize the risk of physical trauma from harsh abrasives or irritating chemicals like those found in whitening toothpastes.
- Night guard – Grinding your teeth at night is called bruxism, resulting in constant and intense pressure on your teeth and may stress your gums as well and worsen your recession. A night guard can absorb some of the pressure on your teeth so that your gums don’t start to recede.
- Stop gum disease – One of the most destructive forces on your gums is gum disease. It can irritate your gums very quickly if left untreated and cause severe, non-repairable bone loss. Regular brushing and especially flossing in combination with professional dental cleanings can help prevent gum disease and severe recession.
- See your dentist – One of the major common causes of gum disease is failure to see the dentist. Regular dental visits can not only catch gum recession and gum disease early, but they can often help prevent them.
How to Get Started with Us
If you think you’re experiencing gum disease or recession, San Diego patients first need to call our offices at (858) 635-6700. You’ll always be greeted by one of our well-trained and very friendly staff. We always look forward to talking with new potential patients! We’re more than happy to talk with you about your concerns and do our best to answer your questions. From there we’ll schedule a convenient time for you to come into our office for a consultation with Dr. Beck. During this visit, Dr. Beck will perform a comprehensive oral examination to evaluate your oral health. She will also talk with you about any pain you’re experiencing and any areas of sensitivity that you might have. After that, Dr. Beck will develop a customized plan to help you address any areas of concern. We can’t wait to hear from you!
5 Dental Implant Aftercare Tips
No matter the cause is of your missing teeth, the best possible treatment option to replace your missing teeth often includes the use of dental implants. San Diego patients that are suffering from missing teeth can get beautiful, natural-looking and feeling teeth that perform just as well (and sometimes better) than your natural teeth. Feel free to take a look through our stunning gallery of Before-and-After patient pictures to see some examples of Dr. Beck’s skill. If you’re ready to finally get a smile that you love showing off, then call our San Diego office at (858) 635-6700. In this blog post, we’re going to look at 5 dental implant aftercare tips that are critical to ensuring that your dental implants last for as long as possible.
What Are Dental Implants?
San Diego men and women that come to our office with missing teeth often experience some degree of anxiety or embarrassment about their smile. This can sometimes keep them from eating and smiling with confidence. But with dental implants, patients can replace their teeth without having to worry about all of the inconveniences of removable dentures or extensive bridge work. Here’s how they work.
- Anchored to the bone – Dental implants serve to replace the root portion of the missing tooth and are actually anchored into the jawbone with a small medical-grade titanium post.
- Abutment – After the implant is in place, the jawbone fuses to the it (this can take several weeks or months). Once healed, an even smaller attachment, called an abutment, is connected and secured to the healed implant. This abutment provides a foundation for a crown to attach to.
- The crown – Dr. Beck works closely with your general dentist to fit the replacement crown so that the finished product is virtually indistinguishable from your other natural teeth and is easily cleaned with normal brushing and flossing.
Caring for Your Dental Implants
San Diego patients need to follow Dr. Beck’s aftercare instructions to make sure that their dental implants last for as long as possible. While dental implants won’t get cavities, gum disease can be a very real concern.
- Healthy foundation- It is very important that your other teeth are healthy prior to completing dental implant treatment. Any areas with gum disease, decay, or simply poorly positioned will be examined and may need to be corrected prior to beginning your dental implant procedure.
- After implant placement – Immediately after your dental implant surgery your job of caring for your implants begins. Make sure you take it easy for the first day or so and avoid exercising for 2 or 3 days. You’ll get a full list of instructions from Dr. Beck.
- Keep your mouth clean – Your mouth is home to billions of bacteria and not all of them are good. Make sure you brush and floss regularly to keep your gum lines clean and free from infection. Rest assured that Dr. Beck will provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for your new implant.
- Get checked up – Patients with dental implants need to make sure they see their dentist at least twice a year for check-ups. Not only will this give you the chance to have your teeth cleaned, but your dentist can also examine your oral health to ensure that your implant remains in excellent condition.
- Be smart – While dental implants are incredibly strong, you should avoid crunching on ice and hard candies to avoid any damage. Many people also unknowingly grind or clench their teeth at night and may be recommended to wear a custom fit appliance called a night guard to protect their teeth and implant crowns.
Why Our Patients Recommend Dr. Beck
Dr. Beck is a leading specialist in dental implants. San Diego patients absolutely rave about how gentle, kind, and skilled she is. Just take a second to read a few of the hundreds of reviews that our patients have left. There are few doctors in San Diego that have her education, experience, and passion for this specific treatment. Dr. Beck’s techniques have even been published in some of the world’s leading medical journals.
If you’re hoping to get your dental implants done by one of the most “in-demand” surgeons in the state, then get in touch with us today at our San Diego office by calling (858) 635-6700.
3 Reasons You May Need Crown Lengthening
One procedure that is not very well known by many of our patients is something called “crown lengthening.” San Diego patients that suffer from several common tooth and gum ailments are often the perfect candidates for crown lengthening. In this blog post, we’re going to look at what the procedure entails. But more importantly, we’ll also examine 3 of the most common reasons why our patients require crown lengthening. If you have any questions or if you are suffering from any of the issues below, make sure that you get in touch with us today at (858) 635-6700. Also, we have a terrific gallery of Before-and-After pictures that you can browse through to get a better idea of the world-class results that our patients enjoy.
What Is Crown Lengthening
San Diego patients that are in need of a crown, have deep cavities, or may have had some kind of trauma to their teeth are often candidates for crown lengthening. Here’s how it works.
The basic idea of crown lengthening is very simple: Dr. Beck removes part of the gum to expose more of the tooth below. She does this using a series of small incisions around the tooth to remove excess gum tissue. Oftentimes minor reshaping of the bone beneath the gum is also required to allow the gum tissue to stay permanently in the new position. Crown lengthening can be done on one tooth, or multiple teeth. Although the procedure can usually be completed in just 60-90 minutes, Dr. Beck also offers a wide range of sedation options from local anesthetic (numbing) to full sedation, depending on the desires of the patient. Now let’s look at 3 reasons why a patient might need crown lengthening. San Diego patient often ask us why this treatment is performed and we’re excited to get this information out to you.
3 Reasons Why Patients Get Crown Lengthening
While crown lengthening might seem like a simple procedure, there are several very important reasons why our patients need it.
An Introduction to the Pinhole® Technique
