The power of prevention: Protect your health, smile with regular dental cleanings and exams

The power of prevention: Protect your health, smile with regular dental cleanings and exams

One in four Americans experienced oral pain over the past year. Problems with the teeth, gums, and mouth also account for between 9% and 27% of all sickness-related work absences, and approximately 2.1 million annual hospital emergency room visits. At the office of Arnold Rifman DDS, we know it doesn’t have to be this way. Many oral problems that cause pain and lead to work and school absences are preventable with routine, professional care.

Dentist examining a patient’s teeth in Hollywood, CA

What professional care do I need?

You need to visit our office in Hollywood, California, for dental cleanings and exams, regardless of how well you brush and how healthy you are – everyone benefits from these routine visits. They present an opportunity for us to identify problems early, before they cause pain and other symptoms that interfere with your life. It is also far less costly to address early-stage issues before they turn into full-blown problems that may require aggressive or extensive restorative dentistry care. The professional services done during these appointments also reduce your risk of developing destructive conditions like tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.

How do routine visits reduce my risk?

Let’s look at plaque. It’s the sticky bacterial film that is constantly forming on our teeth. Plaque is problematic because it erodes the tooth’s structure and releases toxins that inflame the gums and lead to gum disease.  While brushing tooth surfaces, the tongue, palate, and other areas that harbor bacteria help to keep plaque from building up, even the most diligent and consistent “brushers” cannot possibly remove all of the plaque that forms.

With professional cleanings, our skilled hygienists use special tools to catch what may be missed with your toothbrush and floss. They can really get into those nooks and crannies to remove lingering food particles, bacteria, plaque, and stains. Our hygienists can also remove plaque that has hardened into calculus or tartar. This substance is impossible to remove with your toothbrush, floss, and other oral care products on their own.

Will you take X-rays?

X-rays and other technologies are helpful tools. They help our team to see “hidden” areas of decay and other problems, and we can magnify even the tiniest and most hard-to-see spots and details in your mouth. Our ability to care for your mouth is only as good as our understanding of the condition of your teeth and gums. For this reason, we regularly take X-rays during routine “checkups.” We may also order X-rays when there is a problem that needs to be solved, such as when you are experiencing unexplained swelling, pain, and other changes. Our digital X-rays produce high-quality, crystal-clear images. They also emit very low-dose radiation. In turn, this service supports a sound diagnosis and understanding of your needs, as well as your safest dental visit.

Woman sitting in a dental chair and showing a thumbs-up in Hollywood, CA
Happy male patient sitting in a dental chair in Hollywood, CA

What if you find something wrong with my mouth?

We can discuss treatment options with you. Additionally, some services may be easily incorporated into your regular dental checkup. For instance, we may place dental sealants to “seal out” bacteria that cause decay on back teeth. These thin coverings may be placed in just minutes.

If you are concerned about changes in your mouth or it has been longer than six months since your last dentist visit, please contact the office of Arnold Rifman DDS today. Serving the greater Los Angeles area, our Hollywood, CA, team can be reached at 323-466-2937.