Hygiene and Preventative Dentistry in West Hollywood, CA

At West Hollywood Dental Studio, we’re dedicated to providing prevention-focused dental care that keeps your smile healthy for a lifetime. Through proactive, prevention-based strategies, we can help you reduce your risk of decay, periodontal disease, and tooth loss in the years ahead.

Because most dental concerns are preventable, we offer a wide range of preventative dental services, ranging from checkups and cleanings to periodontal therapy and oral cancer screenings.

Preventative Dental Cleanings

It’s recommended that most people receive a professional dental cleaning twice a year. At our West Hollywood office, our skilled hygienists will carefully remove plaque and tartar –  the main cause behind cavities, gum disease, and infections. If you have healthy teeth and gums, a cleaning every six months is usually perfect. Those with a history of gum disease may need more frequent visits for optimal oral health.

During your cleaning appointment, we’ll give you personalized tips on cleaning those hard-to-reach spots where buildup hides. We’ll polish away any surface stains and offer you a fluoride treatment to help keep your teeth strong. 

Dental Exams

At each visit, our dentist in West Hollywood will examine your mouth to see if there are any problems like tooth decay, cracked or broken teeth, worn dental work, and periodontal infections.

As part of your exam, we’ll also screen for early warning signs of oral cancer. This means we’ll look at all the parts of your mouth, inside and outside, to see if there’s anything unusual. This helps us detect any issues early,  improving treatment outcomes. If we find anything that needs treatment, we will review our findings with you and discuss the best options for restoring your smile.

Digital X-Rays

We use digital X-rays to screen for areas of decay, bone loss, and dental infections that may not be visible during a clinical exam. Digital X-rays are extremely safe and help us ensure the best diagnosis and treatment plan. Most of our patients get a set of X-rays once a year as part of the diagnostic process, with full-mouth X-rays taken at periodic intervals to monitor major changes in their oral health.

X-rays are extremely important, as they allow us to visualize areas of your mouth that might otherwise go overlooked, such as abscesses or bone resorption. We’ll share the images with you so that you can see the same thing(s) we do during your dental exam.

Early screening and diagnostics help us offer less invasive and cost-effective treatments while issues are smaller and simpler to handle.

Fluoride Treatments

A topical fluoride treatment after your dental cleaning will helps strengthen tooth enamel, reduce symptoms of tooth sensitivity, and protect exposed root surfaces. We recommend fluoride for all children after every checkup, as well as adults with a history of enamel demineralization or highly acidic diets.

If you’re currently wearing braces or struggle with dry mouth, we may recommend a prescription-strength fluoride to use at home between checkups.

Dental Sealants

Protective dental sealants are a great way to help keep your smile cavity-free. They’re especially helpful for your back teeth, called molars, where deep grooves and pits can easily trap food and bacteria. In most cases, we recommend placing sealants as soon as those teeth erupt. For most children, this is around age 6 and 12, respectively.

Sealants only take a few minutes to apply and can last for years. The thin, protective covers help seal out bacteria in hard-to-clean surfaces, reducing the chances of tooth decay forming in those areas. No numbing is required, and most dental sealants are covered by insurance for young children.

Periodontal Therapy

Did you know that gum disease is the main cause of tooth loss? For this reason, we routinely screen for periodontal infections as part of your routine checkup. Symptoms frequently include:

• Bleeding gums
• Gum recession
• Spaces between teeth
• Bad breath
• Tartar buildup
• Tooth mobility
• Visible bone loss on X-rays
• Deep “pockets” around teeth

During your periodontal assessment, we will measure the attachment levels of the gum tissues around each of your teeth. When areas of tissue pull away from the tooth, it creates a “pocket” that harbors plaque bacteria, eventually leading to bone loss and tooth mobility. Areas of deep pocketing also tend to experience tartar buildup, which cannot be cleaned off with regular brushing and flossing.

Treating periodontal disease is essential to stop the advancement of bone loss or potential tooth mobility. During these deep cleaning appointments, we will gently numb the teeth being cleaned and provide therapeutic measures to help stop the spread of disease. Most scaling and root planing appointments involve cleaning one side of the mouth at a time, then placing the patient on a maintenance schedule where we provide therapeutic cleanings that reduce the risk of periodontal relapse.

Gum disease is also connected to overall health. If left untreated, it can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia, and reproductive health issues. Since the bacteria can travel through your bloodstream, it’s best to treat this infection as soon as possible.

The sooner periodontal disease is addressed, the less likely you are to experience additional bone and tooth loss.

Sport Mouthguards

Most dental injuries and emergencies can be prevented, especially if you are an athlete or involved in contact sports. If you or your child are athletes or involved in contact sports, we highly recommend wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard. A custom-fitted mouthguard provides the best protection against dental injuries and can be tailored to fit comfortably and securely in the mouth. Additionally, it can help absorb impact and reduce the risk of traumatic injuries to the teeth, lips, and gums. 

Nightguards and Bruxism Mouthguards

Bruxism, also known as tooth grinding, can lead to dental work damage and various types of pain, such as headaches, ear discomfort, or TMJ pain. Wearing a custom mouthguard or bite splint is the best way to protect your teeth, relax your jaw, and reduce strain on your tooth enamel and TMJ joint. These handy devices create a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, helping to minimize the impact and reduce uncomfortable symptoms. They’re made from durable materials that provide cushioning and support, so you can rest easy knowing that your dental structures are being protected from further damage

Dental Checkups in West Hollywood, CA

Preventive care is the key to a healthy, happy smile. If it’s been six months or longer since your last dental cleaning or checkup, it’s time to see your dentist. Contact our office in West Hollywood to reserve your next appointment.

---

Questions Answered on This Page

• Preventative Dental Cleanings
• Dental Exams
• Digital X-Rays
• Fluoride Treatments
• Dental Sealants
• Periodontal Therapy
• Sport Mouthguards
• Nightguards and Bruxism Mouthguards

Related Topics

• Dental Exams
• Teeth Cleaning
• Digital X-Rays

---

Frequently Asked Questions

---

---

Helpful links: WebMD (Oral Guide) | ADA (Glossary of Dental Terms)