Have You Scheduled Your Second Annual Visit Yet?

July 31, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:26 am

CalendarHow many times should you see Dr. Latner in a single year? We recommend coming in twice for a checkup and dental cleaning. Why twice? Because our goal isn’t just to help you treat common oral health problems—we want, as much as possible, to help you prevent them too.

Dental cleanings are a preventive measure; they let us clean away plaque and bacteria you couldn’t clean away on your own. Checkups are also preventive in that they let us diagnose conditions early, when we can provide more conservative care for them. Conservative dentistry is all about preserving as much of your natural smile as possible.

How many times have you visited Westside Dental Associates this year? If you had your first appointment back in January or February, now is the perfect time to consider seeing Dr. Latner for a follow-up.

Call us today to reserve your appointment for July or sometime in the coming months. We offer general and preventive care to patients from Los Angeles, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, West LA, and surrounding communities.

The Connection between Oral and Overall Health

July 24, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:23 am

health and wellbeingWould it surprise you to learn that there’s a connection between your oral and overall health? We tend to think that what happens with our mouths is separate from what happens with our total health and wellbeing, but it’s not.

Medical studies have shown that there’s a link between a common oral health problem like gum disease and a range of health problems in the rest of the body. These health problems include:

 

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Diabetes
  • Pre-term birth or low birth weight

But how does gum disease increase your vulnerability to these conditions? It may be a result of bacteria entering the bloodstream via the pockets between the teeth and gums. Once bacteria gains access to the bloodstream, it can travel to the heart and all around the body.

To protect your oral and overall wellbeing, make sure that you’re brushing and flossing on a daily basis. You should also visit Westside Dental Associates twice a year for checkups and dental cleanings. By committing to a healthy smile, you can protect your smile and support your total wellbeing.

Call Westside Dental Associates to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Latner. We’re happy to serve patients from Los Angeles, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, West LA, and beyond.

Advanced Care for Gum Disease with Arestin

July 17, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:22 am

In our last post, we talked about the connection between bad breath and gum disease. We also talked about other symptoms of gum disease. Today, we want to highlight one of the most effective tools in the fight against gum disease and its unpleasant symptoms today—an antibiotic known as Arestin.

Arestin is a topical antibiotic that’s placed below the gumline, in the pockets that have formed between the teeth and gum as a result of gum disease. It’s often administered at the same time as a deep cleaning procedure, but not always. Since Arestin is a topical treatment, it can be placed exactly where it’s needed, giving it a big advantage over treatment with antibiotic pills.

What’s more, Arestin keeps working for days after it’s been applied. That’s because Arestin is made up of many tiny microspheres that gradually release the powerful antibiotic instead of releasing it all at once. Over a period of days, the medicine inside will kill bacteria and promote healing, so you can enjoy good oral health and wellbeing again.

Don’t let gum disease ruin your smile. If you’re struggling with any of the symptoms of gum disease, visit Westside Dental Associates for help. We will be happy to assess your needs during a consultation.

Call us today to schedule your appointments. We serve patients from Los Angeles, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, West LA, and all surrounding areas.

Bad Breath and Gum Disease

July 10, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry,Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:52 am

bad breathDo you struggle with bad breath on a regular basis? Your diet may not be the culprit. Other causes of bad breath include sinus trouble, dry mouth, and smoking. A few medications can also play a role. The specific cause we want to address today, though, is gum disease.

Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of bacteria and plaque around your teeth and gums. When gum disease is first developing, you may not have any noticeable symptoms. When they do start developing, though, one that you may experience is frequent bad breath, also known as halitosis.

Other gum disease symptoms include:

  • Red, swollen, or tender gums
  • Gums that bleed when brushed
  • A receding gumline
  • Loose teeth

When gum disease becomes more advanced, it can lead to tooth loss. Studies have also shown that it can make you more vulnerable to other kinds of health problems, including stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and pre-term birth or low birth weight.

Have you experienced any of these symptoms? Dr. Latner can help you treat them. At Westside Dental Associates, we’re happy to provide customized care to help you enjoy good health and wellbeing again. For some patients, treatment may only involve spending more time brushing and flossing each day. Other patients may need more advanced help, which may involve treatment with Arestin.

Call our Los Angeles dental office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Latner. We’re happy to serve patients from Brentwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Rancho Park, Mar Vista, West LA, and all surrounding areas.

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