Remember to Brush and Floss Every Day

November 30, 2013

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:37 am

You know that taking care of your smile is important, but do you know what a good oral health routine should look like? In today’s post, we’d like to take a moment to explain what a really good oral health regimen looks like, and encourage you and your family to follow it.

First, how often should you brush?

At least twice a day, but after every meal, if possible. Brushing removes bacteria and plaque, which are what cause common oral health problems, like cavities and gum disease. We understand that it’s not always possible to brush after every little snack, but at least make a habit of starting and ending your day in front of the sink.

What about flossing?

In addition to brushing, you should floss at least once a day. Flossing help you remove food and bacteria from in between teeth, reaching areas that it can be hard for a brush to reach. Flossing also help you keep bad breath in check.

Use a mouthwash

There are at least two types of mouthwash that you can add to your daily routine: antibacterial mouthwashes and fluoride mouthwashes. The antibacterial kind helps you kill bacteria, which is responsible for decay and gum disease. The fluoride kind helps strengthen teeth to protect them against cavities. Patients who are prone to cavities may want to incorporate a fluoride mouthwash into their routine, while a patient who struggles with gum disease may want to opt for an antibacterial one.

Be careful about what you eat

Your diet will also play a role in what happens to your smile. Enjoy better oral health by making wiser decisions about what you and your family eat every day.

Do you want to know more about brushing and flossing? Call Westside Dental Associates today for an appointment with Dr. Latner. We’re happy to offer brushing and flossing advice to patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, and beyond.

Start Setting Goals for Your Smile Now

November 26, 2013

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,General Dentistry,Restorative Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:24 am

We still have some time before 2014 arrives, but now is still a good time to start thinking about your smile goals for next year.

Your goals could be simple or they could be more complex. For example, maybe you haven’t been very good in the past about coming to see Dr. Latner for regular checkups and cleanings. In that case, your goal might be as simple as seeing our team at Westside Dental Associates twice a year.

But maybe you’d like to make more extensive cosmetic or restorative changes to your smile. To plan extensive care, you can start by exploring our cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry pages. Here, you’ll find solid information about what we offer and how we can help.

To understand which service (or services) is truly right for you, though, you’ll need to visit Westside Dental Associates in person for a consultation with Dr. Latner. Our promise, to every patient, is to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your individual needs. What’s more, we can explain how every service works, so that you’re completely comfortable with what we recommend. We don’t want any patient to agree to a treatment plan they don’t understand or aren’t fully comfortable with.

Call us today for an appointment with Dr. Latner. Our Los Angeles team is looking forward to helping you.

Zoom! Whitening In Time for Christmas

November 19, 2013

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:16 am

teeth whiteningDo you want to have a whiter smile in time for the December holidays? At Westside Dental Associates, we’re happy to help you with that goal.

Teeth whitening is among the most popular services we offer, and that includes single-visit whitening with Zoom! Whitening. This in-office bleaching method is designed to help patients penetrate stains caused by foods, beverages, and other causes to reveal a brighter, more dazzling smile in a single hour.

Zoom! uses a professional strength whitening gel, plus a special light to activate it, and can be used safely to ease the appearance of stains. In just a short time, your visit will be over and you can leave our Los Angeles dental office with the dazzling results you’ve wanted.

Don’t spend another holiday season hiding your smile because of staining. Let Dr. Latner help you create the smile you’ve always wanted with Zoom! Whitening.

Call us today to schedule an appointment. During your visit, we can explain how Zoom! works and help you decide if it’s the best cosmetic option for your smile. We understand that every patient has different needs, and that not every treatment option will work for every patient. Our team at Westside Dental Associates will help you decide on a plan that works for you and put it into action.

We’re happy to create beautiful smiles for patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, and surrounding areas.

Use Your Dental Benefits Before You Lose Them

November 12, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 1:16 pm

dental benefitsAs the clock ticks down on 2013, you have less and less time to use your current dental benefits for important care. Once 2014 arrives, your current benefits will be replaced by a fresh deductible and yearly maximum, and possibly new co-pays and premium too.

But right now, there’s still time to take advantage of the benefits you have left to get help paying for an important general or restorative service. Patients who have only seen Dr. Latner once, or not at all, this year should especially think about setting up an appointment.

Why are regular appointments so important?

Because when bacteria and plaque are allowed to build up around teeth, they can cause cavities and gum disease. Regular checkups give Dr. Latner of Westside Dental Associates a chance to get rid of this buildup so teeth are better protected. Routine visits also make it possible for Dr. Latner to diagnose common oral health problems before they have a chance to become serious.

Do you have dental benefits you haven’t used yet? Call Westside Dental Associates today to schedule one more appointment for 2013. We serve patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, and surrounding areas.

Have Questions? Get Answers.