The Connection between Oral Health and Heart Health

February 7, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:54 am

oral and overall healthOn February 14, couples across the country celebrated another Valentine’s Day. Given how important the heart is to that day—or at least cartoonish version of one—we decided to use our first post of the month to talk about the connection between heart health and oral health.

You might be surprised to hear that your smile and your heart are connected, but recent data indicates that they are. How exactly? That’s not entirely clear, but it seems to involve gum disease, a very common oral health problem.

Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of bacteria and plaque around the gum line. If left untreated, pockets can form between your teeth and your gums, giving bacteria and plaque a way into your bloodstream and other parts of the body as well, like the heart. Once there, they can contribute to clotting and even heart attack.

But heart health isn’t the only thing gum disease can affect. Other health problems include:

  • Alzheimer’s
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Pre-term birth
  • Pneumonia

If you struggle with gum disease, or you want to prevent it, there are a couple of steps you can take to protect your smile and your overall wellbeing. First, make sure you’re brushing and flossing on a regular basis. An antibacterial mouthwash will also help you control bacteria and stop gum disease from forming. Second, make sure you’re visiting Westside Dental Associates for regular appointments with Dr. Latner. During a regular checkup, Dr. Latner can look for gum disease and help you treat it if he finds anything. Treating gum disease early is important for enjoying good oral and overall health.

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

Enjoy a Diverse Range of Foods with Dental Implants

December 23, 2013

Filed under: Restorative Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:07 am

dental implantsOne of the biggest downsides to losing one or more teeth is that it becomes difficult to enjoy your favorite foods. And even with conventional restorative services, there are still foods you may have to avoid. Besides taking some of the fun out of eating, this can also mean that you’re not enjoying the kind of diverse diet you probably should be.

But there is one restorative service that will let you enjoy a comprehensive diet without fear—dental implants. This revolutionary restorative dentistry service uses metal implants as prosthetic roots, creating a stable foundation for a new crown, bridge, partial, or full denture.

Your tooth roots are important. In addition to anchoring your teeth to your jaw, they also encourage new bone growth so that your jaw stays strong throughout your life. When you lose a tooth and the root underneath it, your jaw may weaken over time, possibly contributing to the loss of other teeth.  The implant posts that come with dental implants will take on the role your natural roots once did, including promoting new bone growth. As a result, patients can enjoy their favorite foods again.

Not every patient is a good candidate for dental implants, though. To find out if this great service is right for you, call Westside Dental Associates today for a consultation. We offer excellent restorative dentistry to patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, Culver City, Rancho Park, Westwood, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista and beyond.

Didn’t Get All Your Appointments In? Make a Resolution to Do It Next Year!

December 16, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:07 am

Dental AppointmentTo enjoy good oral health, our dental team at Westside Dental Associates recommends coming in for care at least twice a year for regular exams and cleanings. But we understand how hard it can be to fit multiple visits in during the year. For some patients, seeing the dentist takes courage. For others, it may be that a busy schedule makes it difficult to plan far in the future.

Whatever your situation, the good thing about the brand new year coming up is that you can make a fresh commitment to seeing us for regular care at least twice. Don’t live with your frustrations of missing an appointment this year—but do start thinking about how you can make regular care a priority in 2014.

For patients who have put off care because of anxiety, conscious oral sedation can help. Using conscious oral sedation, Dr. Latner can help patients experience comfortable, anxiety-free care.

For other patients, it may be helpful just to consider how important a healthy smile is. Your oral health doesn’t exist in a bubble; problems in your mouth can potentially contribute to problems in the rest of the body. But through regular exams and cleanings, Dr. Latner can help you enjoy better oral health and overall wellbeing.

Are you ready to schedule your first appointment for 2014? Call Westside Dental Associates today. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since you’re last appointment—we won’t judge! What’s important is making sure 2014 is a banner year for your smile. We offer comprehensive general dentistry to patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, Culver City, Rancho Park, Westwood, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista and nearby areas.

Give Your Smile a Fresh Start in 2014

December 9, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 2:01 pm

Winter SmileWhen we think of January and the New Year holiday, we think of fresh starts. Very often, those fresh starts are thought of in terms of resolutions. But what about the idea of giving your smile a fresh start? Using any combination of Dr. Latner’s general, cosmetic, and restorative services, the team at Westside Dental Associates can help you create a healthy, beautiful smile for the beginning of 2014.

Whatever kind of treatment you’re seeking, your plan will begin with a consultation and oral exam at our Los Angeles dental office. Your appointment will let Dr. Latner get a grasp of your current health and your needs. You can also talk to him about specific changes you’d like to make.

Based on the results of your exam, we’ll create a completely personalized plan using one or more of our Los Angeles office’s great services. If you have any questions about that plan, we’ll be happy to answer them.

Depending on what your plan includes, completing work on your smile may take just a single appointment, or it could take two or more. Regardless, we’ll make sure that you’re completely comfortable with the proposal we put forward before beginning work.

Do you want to give your smile a fresh start in 2014? Call Westside Dental Associates to see how that’s possible. We’re happy to serve patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, Culver City, Rancho Park, Westwood, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista and beyond with excellent general, cosmetic, and restorative care.

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.

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.

Advanced Care with DIAGNOdent

October 31, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:14 am

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

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 7:13 am

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

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — Les Latner @ 1:56 pm

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.

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