Preventive Dentistry Services

Dental Checkups

At MacArthur Park Dentistry, our goal is always to help our patients keep their smiles whole and healthy for life. One key way we achieve this goal is by preventing major oral health issues via regular dental exams every six months. During these routine dental checkups, our hygienists remove plaque and tartar buildup, and our dentist carefully examines patients’ smiles and screens for signs of common oral health issues. We will also create an ongoing dental care plan to help you keep your smile healthy.

Flossing & Brushing

The American Dental Association recommends brushing at least twice daily and cleaning between your teeth daily with an interdental cleaner, like floss. Bacterial plaque is constantly forming on our teeth, and if it is not removed daily with a thorough cleaning, the bacteria release acids that eat away at our tooth enamel and can cause cavities.

Plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing eventually hardens into a very tough substance called tartar, or calculus. Tartar builds along your gum line and can lead to gum disease. Once tartar forms, it cannot be removed by brushing or flossing, and only a dental professional can remove it using tools and techniques suited for the process.

Oral Cancer Screenings

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 51,540 people in the US will be diagnosed with oral cancer and 10,030 people will die of these cancers each year. That is about 6 people diagnosed every hour, and one life is taken every hour. And according to the Oral Cancer Foundation, "historically the death rate associated with this cancer is particularly high not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development."

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Oral cancer screenings can be done during your routine 6-month exams, and simply involve our dentist checking for any signs or symptoms of oral cancer, such as red or white patches, mouth sores, lumps, or other abnormalities. It is quick and painless, and early detection during regular dental exams can quite literally save lives.

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At MacArthur Park Dentistry, we always encourage our patients to be open about any oral health concerns so that we can ensure that all your experiences with us are comfortable and beneficial to you and your oral health.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel and making teeth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It can also reverse very early tooth decay.

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​Professional fluoride treatments generally take just a few minutes for application. The fluoride may be in the form of a solution, gel, foam, or varnish. Depending on the type of fluoride medium, we may apply the fluoride with a cotton swab or brush, apply a fluoride gel to a tray that is held in the mouth for several minutes or provide a fluoride rinse. After the treatment, we may ask you not to rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes to allow your teeth to absorb the fluoride and help repair microscopic areas of weakened enamel. Depending on your oral health status, fluoride treatments may be recommended every three, six, or 12 months.