Maintain My Smile

Our patients often have lots of questions when it comes to their own dental care. We cover dental care, diseases and procedures in our common questions. Hopefully you can find the answers you seek, but if you still have questions call us at 818-502-9990.

Bacteria lives in your mouth and is the cause of plaque, plaque can then lead to cavities and gingivitis, which can lead to periodontal disease. In order to keep your mouth clean and the bad bacteria down to a minimum you must practice good oral hygiene every day.

New patients receive a comprehensive examination which includes a screening for oral cancer, gum and bone disease, blood pressure, and systemic disorders. A routine oral exam is performed on established patients to determine any changes in dental and health status since the previous visit.

Periodontal diseases are infections of the gums, which gradually lead to the destruction of the support of your natural teeth. These diseases effect more than 80% of Americans by the age of 45.

Sealants are a proven way to help prevent cavities. Although sealants do not take the place of proper oral hygiene, they do prevent bacteria from getting into the deeper crevices in a tooth's biting surface and therefore keeping the tooth cavity-free.

Tooth scaling removes plaque, tartar and hard crusty calculus deposits, which are loaded with bacteria. After scaling the tooth roots may need to be planed to smooth the root surface so the soft tissue will re-attach itself to a smooth tooth surface.