Protect and Enhance Your Healthy Smile
While regular brushing and flossing are key to keeping your smile free of bacteria, sometimes it isn’t enough to prevent oral health issues. Complications like cavities, decay, and even gum disease may develop from even one uncleaned tooth. Your back molars in particular are difficult to reach with a toothbrush and may be at risk. Thankfully, our Woodland Hills dentist Dr. Fredericks has the skill and specialized dental tools to ensure your mouth is free of plaque, tartar, and unhealthy bacteria.
At Southern Cal Smiles, we encourage patients from the West Hills, Tarzana, Calabasas, and the surrounding Southern California communities to schedule biannual dental cleanings and exams at our Woodland Hills office. These regular visits can help you better maintain your smile’s health, appearance, and functionality than brushing and flossing alone.
Dental Exams and Cleanings
We encourage our Southern California patients to schedule a routine dental visit once every six months. These visits will include a thorough teeth cleaning, full-mouth examination, and other preventive treatments.
Depending on the state of your oral health, Dr. Fredericks will begin cleaning your teeth with an ultrasonic instrument that helps loosen bacteria-filled plaque and tartar. She’ll then use fine hand tools to carefully scale or scrape buildup from the gum line and enamel. Once bacteria deposits are removed from the teeth, Dr. Fredericks will polish the teeth using special toothpaste.
We’ll also examine your mouth for any underlying oral health issues. The earlier we can detect issues such as tooth decay or gum disease, the quicker we can create a treatment plan to help avoid any other complications from arising.
Oral Cancer Screening
During an oral cancer screening, Dr. Fredericks will closely examine your mouth for any oral cancer symptoms. With our advanced technology, we’re able to detect even the earliest signs of oral cancer. Early detection leads to a higher survival rate, so don’t hesitate to schedule a screening appointment if you suspect you may have oral cancer.
If we notice any signs of possible oral cancer, we’ll immediately perform more tests before confirming a diagnosis. If further steps must be taken, Dr. Fredericks will discuss effective oral cancer treatment options and help determine which option is best for you.
Diagnosing Periodontal Disease
At your biannual appointment, our Woodland Hills general dentist can also conduct a thorough inspection of your gums to check for signs of gum disease. If gum disease is present, we’ll conduct further examinations before making a diagnosis.
Some additional signs we look for during a gum disease examination include:
- Gum Recession: The amount of recessed gum can indicate how much bone has been lost.
- Tooth Mobility: Loose teeth may indicate a gum issue and possible bone loss.
- Occlusion: Excessive force on teeth may increase the risk of bone loss, such as how hard you bite down. Grinding your teeth and not wearing a nightguard can also significantly contribute to gum disease and teeth becoming loose.
- Attached Gingiva Amount: Gum recession may occur without an adequate amount of gingiva, which is where gingivitis gets its name.
Oral Hygiene Maintenance
Dental care shouldn’t begin and end at our Woodland Hills office. It’s important to practice daily oral hygiene maintenance to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. The best methods include brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing with mouthwash between meals. We recommend brushing for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste to strengthen your enamel.
Regular oral health care in combination with professional cleanings from Dr. Fredericks will help you achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.
Will Insurance Cover Regular Dental Cleanings?
Because biannual dental cleanings are considered necessary preventative care, most dental insurance carriers will cover the full dental cleaning costs. We recommend contacting your dental insurance provider ahead of time to learn what your plan will cover. If you don’t have dental insurance, we encourage you to visit our financing page to learn more about our affordable payment plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scheduling regular dental exams and cleanings at our Woodland Hills office is crucial to maintaining good oral health. It’s recommended that you visit a dental professional at least once every six months. At these visits, Dr. Fredericks will thoroughly clean your teeth and check for any signs of oral health complications like gum disease and oral cancer.
Regular six month maintenance cleanings apply to the average person. If you already have gum disease, you may need to come as frequently as four times a year, to manage and control the disease, so it doesn’t become worse. Gum disease is a chronic condition, like high blood pressure. We can’t cure it but we can help you manage it.
Neglecting to schedule regular cleanings and exams may result in poor oral health and the development of easily preventable conditions. We’re proud to provide service to patients in Southern California areas like Chatsworth and West Hills.
Professional teeth cleanings are essential to maintaining good oral health. Dr. Fredericks uses dental-grade tools to remove hardened plaque and tartar that can’t be removed by normal means. If left untreated, a build-up of plaque and tartar may lead to oral health complications like cavities and tooth decay.
Dental cleanings are generally painless, but if you have sensitive teeth or gums, Dr. Fredericks can apply a topical numbing cream. If you struggle with dental anxiety or a strong gag reflex, we also offer mild sedation options. Your health and safety are our top priority, so we’ll work with you to find the best solution.