Enjoying a beautiful, healthy smile begins with regular care from Dr. Les Latner and the team at Westside Dental Associates. We recommend that patients of all ages come to us for a checkup and cleaning at least twice in a single year. That might sound like a lot, but there’s a good reason for it. The quicker we can diagnose issues like gum disease, tooth decay, teeth grinding, TMJ dysfunction, or oral cancer, the sooner we can offer care—which is exactly what general and preventive dentistry is all about. With early care, we can help you preserve the smile you have and prevent new issues from developing in the future.

Gum disease in particular is a very common issue and can dramatically affect oral health and overall wellbeing. Besides the swelling, bleeding and persistent bad breath that come with it, gum disease also causes tooth loss and may increase your risk for other kinds of health problems, like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and preterm birth. By offering a service like periodontal therapy, in addition to regular cleanings and exams, we can help our Los Angeles-area patients in a wide variety of ways.

But before we design any kind of advanced treatment plan, we have to know what your oral health is currently like. During your visit, Dr. Latner will look closely for signs of gum disease or tooth decay. We’ll also look for wear and tear that might indicate a struggle with bruxism or TMJ dysfunction. We’ll even look for signs of oral cancer. For every patient, we want to make an early diagnosis so we can provide truly preventive care.

Has it been more than six months since your last visit with Dr. Latner? Call Westside Dental Associates for an appointment. We’re happy to offer excellent general and preventive dental care to patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Mar Vista, Culver City, Rancho Park, Westwood, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, and beyond.