Cleanings & Prevention
Dental Cleanings & Prevention in Inglewood
Preventative dental care helps you avoid serious and costly problems and is the key to having a healthy, confident, and beautiful smile. You can help prevent dental disease at home with good oral hygiene habits and regular visits to our office every six months. Dr. Sabet and his team promote, restore, and maintain your oral health with regular exams, x-rays, and cleanings. Sealants and fluoride are also used as preventive treatments that help protect your teeth.
We strive to develop a trusting, long-term relationship with you and your family and keep everyone on track for maintaining a lifetime of optimal oral health.
CALL US: (310) 215-1455 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What is Gum Disease?
Caused by the buildup of plaque, gum disease occurs in three phases. During the first, known as gingivitis, bacteria fostered by plaque accumulation begin to irritate the gums, causing redness and minor bleeding. As the condition progresses into periodontitis, the bacteria start to cause the gums to separate from the teeth, creating pockets in which more bacteria and debris become trapped. In cases of advanced periodontitis, the bacteria begin to attack the connective tissue and bone below the gum line. Given the bone deterioration that occurs during this final stage of gum disease, some patients may experience tooth loss as the jaw bone, gums, and tissue can no longer support the teeth.
Education is the Key to Prevention
At Airport Center Family Dental with Dr. Joseph Sabet, DDS, we work hard to educate and motivate you to take the best possible care of your oral health. We spend time during every visit to explain dental hygiene habits and tips and give you all the tools and directions you need. In today’s fast-paced world, it can be a challenge to maintain a consistent hygiene routine, but we strongly encourage you to have a solid at-home routine. To keep your teeth healthy and strong, you should:
- Brush at least twice a day
- Floss at least once a day, more if you can
- Use fluoride mouthwash
- Use a protective mouthguard if you grind your teeth
- Minimize your intake of sugary and unhealthy foods that damage your teeth
What to Expect
When you visit our office, you can expect a comprehensive exam by Dr. Sabet and his team. We will collect your health history and evaluate your needs and design an individualized treatment plan that will address any restorative or cosmetic needs, and a hygiene diagnosis. You will then be assisted by one of our expert hygienists to start you on your way to better oral health.
Joseph Sabet, DDS, is a family dental office that invests in your knowledge and education each time we conduct an examination. It’s up to us as dental professionals to improve your oral health, and we do so by looking at the big picture. Preventive dentistry is the practice of using dental techniques that shield you from future harm with practical procedures. Dr. Sabet and his team want everyone to benefit from these preventive steps.
Periodontal Care to Restore Gum Health
Gum disease can have a severe impact on your teeth and overall health. Left untreated, it can cause chronic bad breath, damaged jaw tissue, and lost or unstable teeth. It can also elevate your risk of diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. You may have an increased risk of periodontal disease if you:
- Have poor oral hygiene habits
- Are over 70
- Grind your teeth
- Smoke regularly
- Have diabetes or heart disease
- Take medication
- Have not visited a dentist in a while
What Are the Different Cleaning Treatments?
A prophylaxis cleaning is done on patients with a healthy mouth, and all the cleaning and polishing is done ABOVE the gum line. We check your gums and teeth for overall health and make any needed adjustments to your homecare routine.
A periodontal maintenance treatment is for those who already have periodontal disease, either active or inactive, to support the progress from previous periodontal procedures (scaling and root planning, tissue grafts, etc.). We clean ABOVE and BELOW the gum line in combination with a thorough tissue evaluation and polish of your teeth. Your oral hygiene will be carefully assessed, and any adjustments in care recommended. Oral hygiene tips and tools that may be beneficial will be introduced and demonstrated.
A Scaling and Root Planing (deep cleaning) appointment, usually takes place in two visits that are 1.5-2 hours each. For your comfort, we offer sedation options at the start of the procedure. We will then use a combination of specialized tools to remove any deposits on the roots and disrupt the bacteria underneath the gumline. We may also use an antibiotic wash in any deep pockets to help in the healing process.
Depending on your age and overall oral health, we may also include the application of dental sealants, fluoride, or bleaching procedures once your gums heal.
What’s Involved in a Dental Exam?
After your cleaning, Dr. Sabet will perform a thorough examination, which involves checking your dentition for any underlying health concerns. We will address any cavities and assess your gum health and conduct an oral cancer screening if necessary.
Our examinations are designed to identify and diagnose any health problems that may have progressed since your last appointment. Our goal is to be as proactive as possible when treating dental issues, which is why we will start treatment before any problems get worse.
Your dental exam is also the perfect time to talk about any cosmetic concerns you have with your smile. Together, you and Dr. Sabet can map out a treatment plan and find the procedures that fit within your time-frame, budget, and goals.
The Purpose of Fluoride
Every day, you take in fluoride through the foods you eat and water you drink. You can lose fluoride through the demineralization of your teeth when plaque bacteria build-up and attack tooth enamel. You can add fluoride back into your body by eating healthy foods and drinking fluoridated water. Another way you can replace more fluoride is through treatments at Joseph Sabet, DDS in Los Angeles
Fluoride is a natural mineral that strengthens the enamel of teeth, making them resistant to bacteria, and reversing minor decay through remineralization. While anyone can benefit from fluoride, it is often a crucial part of children’s dental care, as they are more susceptible to tooth decay than their parents.
We offer a fluoride application for all ages as part of our standard dental exams and cleanings. For children, we recommend limiting their fluoride consumption to these appointments to prevent overexposure. Adults can have more fluoride in their diet, which is often included in city water supplies.
How Do Sealants Help?
In addition to fluoride treatments for stronger teeth, our team provides sealants to prevent decay. Children benefit the most from sealants for the same reason they need fluoride, though adults can be helped by the treatment as well.
Cavities are caused by the acids that oral bacteria produce. This acid is a byproduct of the bacteria feeding off of food debris, especially foods high in sugar. Even if you consistently perform your oral hygiene routine, the pits and fissures of your molars and premolars can be difficult to thoroughly clean. Dental sealants get into these crevices and prevent the entry of food particles and plaque. They are especially helpful for children with erupting teeth and those currently experiencing decay.
By sticking with a thorough hygiene routine, rinsing after meals and sugary drinks, and keeping your biannual dental appointments, you can help prevent decay and preserve long-term oral and overall health. Sealants, along with the intake of fluoride, can further secure your teeth. Best of all, sealants tend to last up to a decade and are easy to replace, meaning you will have plenty of time to enjoy a healthy smile.
How is Sealant Applied?
Applying a sealant takes only a few minutes for each tooth. First, the tooth needs to be dried. Then, the dentist or hygienist paints on the material, following that up with a curing light to harden the sealant. After the curing process, you can eat and drink with no waiting time needed.
Solutions for Complications Caused by Periodontal Disease
Gum disease can have far-reaching effects on your oral health and appearance. When caught early, gum disease can be prevented, but for those with moderate or advanced periodontitis, complications have already set-in and started to cause problems. If you are struggling with any of the following effects of gum disease, you do have options.
Damaged or Loose Teeth – Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of debris and plaque, which hardens into tartar, below the gum line, and around teeth. Tartar is dangerous because it’s difficult to remove and can eat into dental enamel, weakening teeth and causing them to loosen. In these instances, if teeth cannot be saved, it’s often recommended that they are extracted and replaced with healthy alternatives, like dental implants. Implants become a permanent part of the bone in your jaw, as real teeth would be, and provide natural stability.
Increased Pocket Size – When bacteria and debris collect below the gum line, as mentioned above, they form pockets of infection around teeth. Pockets can increase in size and cause the tissue to pull away from teeth, eventually exposing roots – in cases of extreme periodontal disease – and weakening supporting oral structures. When these pockets begin to develop, therapies to reduce their size include root scaling and planing (deep cleaning) or pocket reduction surgery, in some cases.
Gum Recession – Gum recession is a concern for cosmetic and oral health reasons, as less soft tissue around teeth means that there less support for teeth to remain strong and healthy. Recessed soft tissue also makes teeth look long, off-setting the appearance of your smile. Gum grafts are often used to replenish these supportive tissues and allow your smile to look naturally healthy.
Bacteria Build-up – It’s essential to clean away any bacteria that could cause symptoms to return. Root scaling and planing help smooth the roots of teeth to prevent bacteria from sticking, and anti-bacterial treatments help flush away any remaining bacteria, so your soft tissue has a chance to recover.
Improve Your Oral Health with Advanced Cleaning & Preventive Services
At Joseph Sabet, DDS, we use modern technology to provide comfortable cleanings and preventive dental care. We help you find solutions to complex oral health problems and regain a strong and healthy smile. If you have any questions about any of our services, please contact our office today for more information.
CALL US: (310) 215-1455 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
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