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Use Your Dental Benefits Before You Lose Them

November 12, 2013

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.

Advanced Care with DIAGNOdent

October 31, 2013

general dentistryIn our last post, we talked about air abrasion, a unique tool that lets Dr. Les Latner treat decay without needles or a drill. Today, we want to focus on another innovative tool that’s helping us provide patients with forward-thinking care—DIAGNOdent.

As a preventive tool, DIAGNOdent lets Dr. Latner diagnose decay early, before a serious cavity has had a chance to form. It does this using a laser diode to look for weaknesses in the chewing surfaces of teeth.

An exam with DIAGNOdent begins with Dr. Latner taking a reading of healthy enamel, which the rest of your smile will be measured against. If we come across any amount of decay during your exam, this useful tool will make a sound, alerting us to an area that needs our attention.

Why is this beneficial for your oral health? Because treating any oral health issue early on will prevent the need for more invasive care later on.

We recommend that our patients visit us twice a year for regular checkups, including exams with DIAGNOdent. With this kind of regular care, Dr. Latner and his Los Angeles dental team can help you stay a step ahead of one of the most common oral health problems any patient can face.

To experience a checkup with DIAGNOdent, call Dr. Latner’s Los Angeles dental office today for an appointment. We serve patients from Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, and beyond.

Air Abrasion—An Alternative to Drilling

October 25, 2013

Many patients avoid care because of a fear of needles or drills. But unique technique is helping Dr. Les Latner deliver care without having to use either. With air abrasion, our Los Angeles dental team can help patients overcome decay simply with a combination of air and a very fine powder.

Air abrasion was made specifically for treating small cavities. The high-powered stream of air and powder emitted by Dr. Latner’s tool will remove slight decay from the chewing surfaces of back teeth so that a white filling can be applied.

Because air abrasion doesn’t use needles or drilling, patients can look forward to a more comfortable, and more relaxing, experience. However, if you’re still nervous about getting treatment for your filling, Dr. Latner can talk to you about oral conscious sedation.

With our wide combination of services, we’re confident we can help you get the important help you need before it requires more invasive care.

Do you have questions about how air abrasion works or whether it’s right for you? Call Westside Dental Associates today for a consultation with Dr. Latner. During your visit, we can help you understand your oral health needs and propose a treatment plan that will help you meet them.

Air abrasion is offered to our patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, and beyond.

Substitute Sugar for Xylitol This Holiday Season

October 18, 2013

xylitolAs Halloween and the rest of this year’s holidays get closer, the temptation to indulge in a variety of treats will grow. But sugar, as you know, can negatively affect your oral health.

In today’s post, we want to explain how sugar can cause cavities and let you know about an alternative to sugar that will let you enjoy all of your favorite holiday goodies.

How Sugar Damages Your Smile?

For as long as you’ve been going to the dentist, you’ve been told that sugar is bad for your teeth. But why is that? It’s because of how sugar interacts with your teeth.

When certain bacteria in the mouth come into contact with sugar, a feeding frenzy ensues, leading to the creation of acid. This acid makes it easier for bacteria to cling to teeth and it also weakens tooth enamel, creating cavities.

Xylitol—A Natural Substitute to Sugar

Thankfully, you don’t have to give up on your favorite treats this holiday season. With xylitol, a natural sweetener, you can still enjoy your favorite goodies. That’s because xylitol doesn’t interact with your teeth the way sugar does.

Instead of sparking the production of acid, xylitol creates a neutral environment, in which bacteria have a hard time sticking to teeth. With fewer bacteria in your mouth, you have a decreased chance of developing cavities.

Candy sweetened with xylitol can be found online and in natural food stores. Xylitol can also be used for baking, with a substitution ratio of 1:1.

Do you want to learn more about xylitol and how it can benefit your smile? Call Westside Dental Associates today for an appointment. Dr. Les Latner serves patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA and Mar Vista.

Is It Time for Your Home-Stretch Checkup?

August 15, 2013

general dentistryIf you had a checkup with Dr. Latner earlier this year, it may already be time for your second annual visit with Westside Dental Associates. That’s because we’re past the half-way point in 2013 and are entering the home-stretch. Over the next few months, you can only expect life to get busier as the kids return to school, and major holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the hustle and bustle of December gets underway.

Right now, with summer vacation slowly winding down, is the perfect time for you to see our Los Angeles team for regular care. During your appointment, Dr. Latner will take a close look at your smile and assess your current health. If we see any signs of tooth decay or gum disease, we can put a treatment plan together right away to help you address whatever your needs are.

Dr. Latner can also talk to you about the cosmetic and restorative services he offers. With cosmetic and restorative care, you can enjoy better oral health and better confidence—and sometimes in as few as one or two visits. We’ll develop a personalized plan to help you with your specific needs.

Is it already time for your second checkup? Call Westside Dental Associates today to schedule your appointment. Dr. Latner provides excellent general, cosmetic, and restorative care to patients from all around the Los Angeles area, including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, and Mar Vista.

Risk Factors for Cavities

August 1, 2013

general dentistryYou’ve heard all your life that keeping your teeth healthy means avoiding sugary foods and brushing twice a day. But in fact, when it comes to cavities, there are other risk factors besides sugary foods and not brushing that you should be aware of. In today’s post, we’d like to go over some of those. We hope you find them informative, and if you have any questions about what you see, don’t hesitate to give our Los Angeles dental office a call.

Already having cavities

All patients face a risk of developing cavities, but patients who have had cavities in the past are more likely to develop new ones in the future. That’s because cavities weaken the protective outer layer of teeth, known as enamel. If you’ve had cavities in the past, make good oral habits a priority to protect your smile going forward.

Lack of fluoride

Why is fluoride added to toothpaste and community water supplies?  Because it supports oral health. Specifically, it attracts important minerals, ensuring that the enamel stays strong in the face of bacteria and acid. Not getting enough fluoride means your enamel will be weaker and more vulnerable to decay. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste, drinking tap water, and including a fluoride mouthwash into your daily routine will all help you prevent cavities.

Family history

Not every family makes brushing and flossing a priority, but that’s not the only way family history can contribute to cavities. For some patients, an increased risk of cavities comes down to genetics. If the members of your family seem to be naturally susceptible, make regular home care and checkups a priority.

Dry mouth

Saliva has at least two important functions: it helps us flush bacteria out of our mouths, and it neutralizes acid to protect teeth from decay. If you struggle with dry mouth, it’s important that you stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day, or you may want something like xylitol mints or gum, which promotes a neutral pH.

These are just a few of the possible risk factors associated with cavities. To learn more, or to come in for a consultation, call Westside Dental Associates to reserve an appointment. Dr. Les Latner provides comprehensive dental care to patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, and Mar Vista.

How Saliva Protects Your Smile

July 30, 2013

general dentistryAs we indicated in our last post, saliva can play an important role in protecting teeth from decay. Specifically, saliva helps neutralize the acid created by bacteria in the mouth. But that’s not all it does.

Saliva is 99% water, and water—as we said last time—helps keep teeth clean. The other 1% of saliva is made up of electrolytes, mucus, glycoproteins, enzymes, and antibacterial compounds. As you eat, saliva breaks down food particles around teeth and offers your enamel special protection. What’s more, because saliva contains calcium and phosphates, it helps with the re-mineralization process, too.

It’s because of saliva’s benefits to oral health that dentist will recommend chewing gum after a meal. Not only will it help you clean your teeth, but it will prevent bacteria from getting out of control and creating destructive acid.

Want to know more about how saliva can help you support your oral health? Call Westside Dental Associates today for an appointment with Dr. Latner. We provide great general, cosmetic, and restorative care from patients in and around Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, and Mar Vista.

Improving Your Oral Health with Food

July 23, 2013

general dentistryYou already know how important brushing, flossing, and regular checkups are for a healthy smile, but what about your diet? While foods high in sugar can have a negative effect on oral health, there are other foods that are more beneficial. Some of those include:

Fruits, veggies, nuts, and more

Vegetables that take some considerable chewing, like carrots and celery, are good for your smile because the more you chew the more saliva your body produces. Why is that good? Because saliva is known for neutralizing acid, which is what causes decay.

Meanwhile, foods like garlic, apples, grapes, cocoa, and nutmeg are beneficial for another reason. Instead of increasing saliva production, they make it more difficult for bacteria to stick to teeth. That will help you protect your teeth from acid and decay.

Dairy foods, like milk, cheese, and yogurt

These foods provide the body with calcium, which strengthens the bones and teeth. They’re also a source of casein, which provide additional protection from decay and cavities.

Beverages like water and tea

Drinking water throughout the day will help you keep your teeth clean, and it will prevent dry mouth. Avoiding dry mouth is one way of preventing bad breath and cavities. As for tea, it contains important antioxidants plus polyphenols, which help prevent inflammation and the growth of bacteria.

Do you have questions about what foods you should add to your diet? Let Dr. Latner talk to you. At Westside Dental Associates, we’re committed to offering great care. Call us today to schedule an appointment. We serve patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, and beyond.

Have You Ever Wondered What Causes Tooth Sensitivity? Here Are Four of Them

July 16, 2013

general dentistryIt’s not uncommon for patients of Westside Dental Associates to ask us about tooth sensitivity. Many experience it, but few know why. In today’s post, we’d like to look at the topic of tooth sensitivity and explain just a few of the things that can cause it.

Gum Disease/Gum Recession

One of the primary causes of tooth sensitivity is gum recession, which itself if caused by gum disease. When gum disease isn’t treated, it can cause the gums to recede, exposing more of the tooth and increasing one’s sensitivity to things that are hot or cold. Treating gum disease early, before it has time to become more developed, will help patients prevent gum recession and the sensitivity related to it.

Brushing Techniques

Are you brushing correctly? If you’re not, that could be what’s causing your tooth sensitivity. Brushing aggressively with a hard-bristled brush can harm both your teeth and your gums. If you have questions about how to brush correctly, Dr. Latner would be happy to demonstrate the next time you come to our Los Angeles dental office.

Teeth Damaged by Grinding or Clenching

Bruxism, a stress-induced condition that involves teeth grinding, can lead to cracked teeth. When that happens, bacteria can get inside the tooth to the nerve, causing tooth sensitivity. Clenching, biting your teeth extremely hard, can do similar damage as bruxism and cause tooth sensitivity. An oral appliance can help patients stop teeth grinding and prevent cracks from forming.

Age

Some patients who are between the ages of 25 and 30 will experience an increase in sensitivity. If you are between these ages and have noticed a change, talk to Dr. Latner.

Don’t live with uncomfortable tooth sensitivity. Call Westside Dental Associates today to schedule an appointment with our Los Angeles team. We provide care to patients from Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, and beyond.

Xylitol: A Sweetener that Will Actually Help Your Smile

July 9, 2013

xylitolDentists are always encouraging their patients to avoid sweets and eat healthy foods, but there’s one sweetener that’s actually good for your smile—xylitol.

Xylitol is derived from the fibers of plants and promotes a neutral pH when consumed. Compare that to what happens with normal sugar. When bacteria in the mouth come into contact with sugar, a feeding frenzy ensues, resulting in the production of harmful acid. But bacteria don’t interact with xylitol the way they do with sugar. In fact, xylitol makes it more difficult for bacteria to cling to teeth, resulting in an overall reduction of bacteria in the mouth.

The benefits of xylitol don’t stop there, though. This natural sweetener has 40% fewer calories and 75% fewer carbs. What’s more, it doesn’t raise blood sugar the way normal sugar does, making it a great substitute for patients with diabetes.

Enjoy Guilt-Free Treats!

Look for treats sweetened with xylitol at your nearest grocery store, especially if they specialize in natural foods. You can also find products like Xlear and Ice Chips online. And for patients who want to brush with toothpaste that contains xylitol, look for products by Tom’s of Maine, among others, in your nearest pharmacy or grocery store.

Do you have questions about xylitol? Call Westside Dental Associates with your questions. Dr. Latner would be happy to talk to you about the benefits of xylitol, in addition to completing a regular exam and cleaning. We provide great services to patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, and beyond.