Dental Cleanings & Exams

We all know that regular brushing and flossing is important, but it is not enough to keep our teeth strong and healthy. Regular visits to the dentist for dental exams and cleanings are a must for anyone who wishes to keep their teeth at their healthiest for a very long time. It is essential that you visit the dentist for a cleaning and exam at least twice a year, but Dr. Parsa T. Zadeh recommends that you try to get a cleaning three to four times a year in order to ensure that your teeth, gums, tongue and mouth are at their healthiest.

Clean Teeth for a Clean Bill of Health

Good dental hygiene is a major part of your overall medical health. Many people believe that simply providing good at-home care by brushing, flossing and using mouthwash regularly will provide them with adequate dental care. This is false. In order to provide comprehensive care for your teeth and to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, regular cleanings and exams by a dentist are necessary.

Taking care of your teeth involves a lot more than just brushing twice and flossing once a day. Getting a dental exam to check for tumors or abnormal bone development, oral cancer, problems with your TMJ, and cavities can help ensure your mouth remains its healthiest. Most people will also experience periodontal (gum) disease at some point in their lives. If caught early, periodontal disease can be treated and is harmless, but if left to fester, it can cause severe, permanent damage and can interfere with pregnancy, cause complications with diabetes and lead to heart conditions. Not to mention, it can also cause you to lose your teeth. These problems do not sound like a winning combination!

A lot can happen in six months, and you would not want to lose a tooth or let gum disease go unnoticed for that long. We actually recommend getting a teeth cleaning every four months. Many patients are surprised to hear our advice, but those who stick with it are pleased with the results. Several of our patients who had previous dental problems, such as frequent cavities, mild to moderate staining, or persistent, low-grade gum disease found their problems cleared up while undergoing our regimen of three cleanings a year.

Exams and Cleanings Worthy of a Celebrity

Dr. Zadeh will provide you with the gentlest, yet most thorough, teeth cleaning in the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills area. If it is your first visit with us, he will perform a detailed exam with the help of his assistants. This includes checking the face, lips, tongue, throat and gums for any abnormal growths and signs of oral cancer.

After all, dentistry is not just about your teeth — it is about your overall oral health. We will also examine your gums and the surrounding bones for signs of periodontal disease, such as gingivitis. All surfaces of your teeth will be examined for decay or weakness, and any existing dental fillings, crowns, bridges or other dental work will be examined to make sure that they are in good repair and working properly. You will receive exams, including X-rays, every year thereafter and a comprehensive exam every two to three years. This way, Dr. Zadeh can track your dental health, identify problems before they start and develop treatment plans to keep your teeth, mouth and gums at their best.

After the thorough examination comes the cleaning. Usually one of Dr. Zadeh’s highly trained and knowledgeable hygienists will perform the cleaning. If you want your cleaning to be done by our dentist, Dr. Zadeh will happily perform your cleaning himself at your request. First, we will remove any tartar from your teeth. Tartar is any substance that has been left on your teeth long enough to harden and is usually caused by a buildup of plaque.

Spaces behind the back molars and just along the gumline tend to be missed even during the most careful brushing session, so tartar builds up quickly. This makes these areas prone to cavities, decay and gum disease. The cleaning process also removes developing plaque. Plaque is the stage after tartar and is the buildup of bacteria that gets left over in your mouth from food and saliva. Once it hardens, only a dental hygienist can remove it during your cleaning. After all tartar and plaque is removed, your teeth are polished to remove stains and any remaining debris. And with a fluoride rinse, your teeth will be given the extra protection they need until your next appointment.

Maximum Comfort and More Than Your Average Cleaning

No one usually enjoys visiting the dentist, but Dr. Zadeh goes the extra mile to make sure that you are relaxed and comfortable. Our office provides blankets if you are cold or nervous, as well as music to listen to or movies to watch while we perform your exam and cleaning. We have hundreds of titles to choose from, including some of the latest Academy Award winners! You are also welcome to bring your own. Our comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, combined with the friendly demeanor of Dr. Zadeh and his staff, is sure to put you at ease, no matter what the reason for your visit.

The truth is that many people actually do feel better after going to the dentist. This is because their teeth have been cleaned and the anxiety of the exam and subsequent treatment plan have passed. You may feel relief at having passed what feels like an ordeal with no major problems. This may be the wrong way to look at it, however, as Dr. Zadeh and his team go above and beyond in their cleanings to ensure that you have the healthiest and cleanest smile possible.

If it turns out you have a large amount of buildup or moderate to severe gum disease, you will be recommended a deep cleaning. This can be uncomfortable, but it will help keep your teeth and gums healthy. A standard cleaning will generally remove most, if not all, tartar and plaque on the surface of your teeth, but a deep cleaning goes into your gum pockets and removes any colonies of bacteria and debris that may be stuck there. This is generally done in stages due to the rigor and extent of the treatment. You can opt to have your mouth finished in one session, but many patients find this exhausting and prefer to have one half or a quarter of their mouth done in one or two hour sessions. During a deep cleaning, you will be given local anesthesia to reduce discomfort while we clean beneath the gumline and near the sensitive root structures. This is often the only treatment for severe gingivitis as the inflammation is caused by deep set colonies of bacteria and debris. Afterwards, you will be given recommendations on how to improve your hygiene and ensure that your gums heal properly. If you have severe or advanced gum disease, you may also be recommended further treatments to restore receding gums and repair damaged teeth.

If you are an anxious patient, we do offer sedative treatments to help alleviate your anxiety, especially if we determine a deep cleaning would be in your best interest. While many other dentists claim to be gentle and painless, we actually follow up on that promise and pay close attention to your state while we perform your cleaning or any other procedure for that matter. Our patient and caring staff will always have your comfort, well-being and health in mind, and we will work with and around any anxieties and sensitivities that you may have.

Dr. Zadeh and his staff will be happy to discuss dental exams and cleanings in Beverly Hills, California, with you. Please call us at 310-273-2020 or email our appointment coordinator to schedule your appointment today.