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Visit Your Dentist Regularly, and Not Just for Cleanings!

July 31, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS. ,

westladentalcare-office-002All too often we here at West LA Dental care find ourselves treating patients who don’t fully comprehend how integral a part of overall care their oral healthcare really is. If you had a broken wrist or a strange, irritating rash or had suffered from days of nausea, you wouldn’t shrug and hope those afflictions just got better on their own, would you? Of course not! Leaving a wound or skin condition or internal issue untreated only makes it get worse.

Well ignoring a persistent toothache or jaw pain or numbness or any other unusual condition in your mouth can be just as irresponsible as leaving another part of your body untended. If you have never heard the phrase “Good overall health starts with good oral health,” then let your friendly West Los Angeles dentists here be the first to drive that one home, because it is one old saying that couldn’t be much more true!

Your mouth is good for more than talking, smiling, and eating: it is also one of your body’s first lines of defense against potentially harmful things trying to enter your system. Good, healthy saliva flow along with proper chewing by strong, healthy teeth breaks down foods for easier digestion. This process also starts to break down any harmful bacteria that could be coming along for the ride!

But beyond helping to keep your body safe from potential “invaders” and helping you get the nutrients you need, you need to make sure to come and see your dentist in West LA for another reason: the mouth is not only an important part of your body in and of itself, but it is also a crucial place for diagnosing other maladies that could be taking place in your body. An experienced oral healthcare professional can learn much about the state of your overall physical wellbeing by conducting a thorough oral examination. Even serious diseases that seem totally unrelated to the mouth, such as certain cancers, can give clues to their presence in your mouth.

At West LA Dental Care we treat each and every oral examination we conduct as a chance to examine our patient’s overall health through the window of oral health. If you go to a random Santa Monica dental office or find some Los Angeles dentist based off their ads for this or that cosmetic treatment, chances are good that you will get a quick checkup, a quick cleaning, and be billed and sent on your way. We feel that our dental patients should see us not just as hygienists or providers of cleaning and cosmetic services, but as part of a team committed to their long-term, even lifelong health. We want you to see your dentist for more than just those twice annual cleanings or when you have a cavity; we encourage you to visit your dentist the same way you would visit your internist for a physical. The best time for your West LA Dental Care professional to make sure your in great shape, after all, is when you feel like you and your mouth are in great shape!


Talking to Your Santa Monica Dentist About Oral Cancer

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

Oral cancer is something that no one wants about, but it can be a very important subject to discuss with your Santa Monica dentist. Oral cancer refers to a disease in which cancer cells develop in the oral cavity or in the area of the lip or mouth. The oral cavity refers to the upper and lower gums, the lining of the inside of the cheeks and lip, the front two thirds of the tongue, the part of the mouth underneath the tongue, the bony palate at the top of the mouth, and the area behind the wisdom teeth. If any of these areas develop cancer cells, oral cancer is the result.

Oral cancer most often affects people who are over the age of 45, but it can affect much younger patients as well. Like most cancers, oral cancer is most easily treated when it is discovered early. There are many stages to this type of cancer:

1. Stage one: In stage one oral cancer, the cancer cells cover an area of no more than 2 cm and have not spread to the lymph nodes.

2. Stage two: In stage two oral cancer, the cancer covers an area of more than 2 cm but less than 4 cm. Again, at this stage the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.

3. Stage three: In stage three oral cancer, the cancer may have spread to one lymph node, generally on the same side of the face as the cancer cells. The cancer may also be more than 4 cm in area in order for the cancer to be considered that stage three.

4. Stage four: In this stage of oral cancer, the cancer may spread to tissues beyond the oral cavity or lip. The lymph nodes may contain cancer cells at this stage of the cancer.

Oral cancer is most common in men, although women can also develop the disease as well. People who have been in the sun a lot and who have light-colored skin are more likely to get this type of cancer. Smokers and those who smoke pipe and chew tobacco are more likely to suffer from this type of cancer.

In many cases, a dentist is the first to notice signs of oral cancer. A dentist carefully examining your mouth can notice lumps in or around the gum, mouth, or lip area. A sore in the mouth that does not heal can also often tip off a dentist that you may have oral cancer. If you notice any of these signs of oral cancer yourself, be sure to visit your doctor right away. He or she can perform a biopsy to determine whether you have cancer. However, it is also important to visit your dentist regularly, as he or she will often notice small bumps or lumps before you do. Another common sign of oral cancer is that dentures no longer fit very well. If your dentures do not fit well, you dentist can not only make sure that your dentures fit well again, but he or she can also ensure that you are not developing any of the symptoms of oral cancer.

Visiting your dentist regularly can do a lot more than just keep your smile bright. Visiting your dentist regularly can also actually save your life. If it has been a while since you last saw your dentist, contact West LA Dental today for an appointment.


When Your Santa Monica Dentist Tells You That You Need Oral Surgery

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

In some cases, if your teeth have been impacted by an accident, have not grown correctly, or other problems have not been fixed in time, you may require minor oral surgery in order to correct the problem. Once your Santa Monica dentist has performed the surgery, you may experience swelling, bleeding, and some aching in the mouth area. Before you go home following your surgery, you will want to speak to your Santa Monica dentist to ensure that you understand the treatment and the procedures you should follow at home so that you recover as quickly and as fully as possible.

After any sort of oral surgery, it is important that you keep an eye out for any dangerous symptoms. The following symptoms can indicate a complication and if you experience any of these, you should contact your doctor or surgeon immediately:

  • Four or more hours after your surgery, you’re still bleeding profusely.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • A day or more after your surgery, your pain has not subsided even a little bit.
  • Fever.
  • Swelling continues to get worse or does not heal two days or more after surgery.

If at any point you have any questions or you’re concerned about the way you are healing, be sure to contact your doctor or you surgeon right away. Your Santa Monica surgeon is there to help.

During surgery, you will be given a local anesthetic so that the surgeon can perform the procedure. Depending on how much anesthetic and the type of anesthetic you’ve been given, your mouth may stay numb for several hours or just a few hours. While your mouth is numb, take care not to bite your tongue, lip, or cheeks. After the freezing leaves, you may find this very painful.

What’s the anesthetic wears off, and once the numbness goes way, it is normal to have some pain. The first 24 to 40 hours after oral surgery you will experience the most intense pain. You may continue to experience some discomfort and aching right in the surgery site up to five days after the surgery. How much pain you are in will depend on how healthy you are and the type of surgery you’ve had. Depending on how active you are, you may experience more or less discomfort. If you move around a great deal, you may find that you are in more pain, which is why additional rest after your surgery might be a good idea.

One thing you can do to ensure that to you heal properly after oral surgery is to choose your dental professionals carefully. Qualified, experienced dental professionals can ensure that you get the right treatment and that that treatment is performed correctly. A good professional also takes the time to explain the procedure and its aftermath to you, so that you can be fully prepared. If you need a good dentist to treat a current condition or to offer you a checkup, contact West LA Dental today.


Oral Hygiene Tips from Your Santa Monica Dentist

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

Oral hygiene is an important part of your oral health. When you follow these oral hygiene tips from your Santa Monica dentist and you will enjoy a brighter smile and better overall health:

  • Watch your intake of processed, sugary foods. Foods with a lot of acid and sugar can help promote tooth decay and can have a negative impact on tooth enamel. Read labels to find out how much sugar and acids a food has – taste alone does not always tell you.
  • Brush in the morning and at night. During the nighttime, any food particles in your mouth can decay and bacteria can build up in your mouth. Brushing in the morning ensures that you get a fresh start to your day while brushing at night ensures that you get rid of any food particles that can decay and breed bacteria in your mouth at night. Brush with soft, nylon bristles for at least five minutes. If you need a refresher as to the best way to brush, get your Santa Monica dentist to show you how.
  • Floss daily. Flossing once a day can get rid of plaque and food between the teeth – where toothbrushes cannot reach. Flossing also stimulates your gums and keeps them healthy. Wrap waxed or unwaxed floss around two fingers and slip it between the contacts of your teeth. Use the floss in an up and down motion to remove plaque.
  • Visit your dentist twice a year. This is essential, since regular cleanings remove plaque and other build-up that regular brushing cannot remove.
  • Get enough fluoride. Fluoride in toothpaste and in drinking water has been shown to reduce cavities.
  • Eat well. Healthy food, such as low-fat dairy products and fresh fruits and vegetables ensure that your teeth and bones have the nutrients needed to stay strong and healthy.
  • Avoid placing foreign objects in your mouth. Foreign objects – including pens and paperclips – may have germs on them that can be transferred to your mouth. These objects can also cause injuries inside your mouth. When chewed on, foreign objects can wear down the enamel on your teeth.
  • Know your teeth and gums well enough to note any changes – and get any changes checked out. If you notice any symptoms, have them checked out by a dental professional. Some gum diseases, when left untreated, can cause serious pain and can even endanger your overall health.

Contact West LA Dental today if you want to learn how to care for your gums and teeth. Our dentists have years of experience in dentistry. We can help safeguard the health of your smile.


Your Santa Monica Dentist and Gum Treatments

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

While many patients worry about having white teeth and a great smile, many do not give much thought to their gums. However, gums are a very important part of your oral health and can affect your appearance very much. Healthy gums mean fresh breath and healthy teeth. Gum disease such as gingivitis can develop into the more severe periodontitis, causing all sorts of problems

Your Santa Monica dentist has many types of gum treatments that can help you enjoy a healthy smile. These treatments include:

1. Scaling and root planing

This procedure is in fact a form of deep cleaning and is a useful way of treating gum disease without surgery. In this process, plaque and tartar deposits are removed and your dentist may also give you medication to help your gum pockets shrink and to help your gums heal.

2. Periodontal Surgery

If the gums are severely infected, the dentist may operate un order to get under the gum and along the roots to clean the tartar and plaque.

3. Bone Surgery or Bone Grafts

If an infection has progressed far, it may destroy part of the bone. In this situation, your dentist will operate in order to rebuild and reshape the bone.

4. Gingival Grafting

If infection has been left untreated, the gum tissue may be so damaged that it cannot be sewn back together during surgery. If this happens, your dentist may be able to remove healthy tissue from another part of your mouth and attach it to your gums. This will help set the teeth and will make the visible parts of your gums far more attractive.

As you can probably tell from these descriptions of treatments, the best gum treatment is prevention. The longer you wait to treat gum disease, the more invasive and complicated the treatment will be, because more damage will have to be repaired. Early stages of gum disease do not always have obvious symptoms, so your best option is to visit your dentist every six months for treatment and cleaning. Regular brushing, flossing, and dentist visits are a must for healthy teeth and gums. Contact West LA Dental today if you want to start taking care of your gums and teeth the proper way. Our dentists have years of experience in treating gums and preventing gum disease. We can help safeguard the health of your mouth.


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