Century Smile Family Dentist Culver City

Pediatric Family Dentist Culver City

Children should start visiting the dentist as soon as baby teeth come in to start getting them acclimated to the process of oral health.  We encourage mothers to bring their babies in so early because the fear of the dentist will not develop if the first experiences are pleasant. Another reason is that we can catch conditions soon enough to limit the need for treatment.

In some cases, Dr. Talaie will refer a child to a pediatric specialist and or orthodontist.  Specialized pediatric dental offices are set up to make a child feel more at ease. They can also sedate a child who may need extensive dental work done, limiting the number of visits. If a child experiences long and or painful dental trips, he or she may have trouble making and keeping dental appointments as adults.  We take each patient on a case by case basis but the younger they are seen, the easier the visits will be for the child and conditions and issues will be caught.

X-rays

Children should have a limited set dental x-rays taken every year.  Changes in the mouth of children occur more rapidly than an adult, so prevention is the key to understanding your child’s susceptibility to cavities and other dental conditions as well as monitor the development of their jaw, teeth and bite. All x-rays at Century Smile are low radiation and digital.

Sealants

Sealants are a resin coating placed on the biting surface of molar to protect the tooth from trapped food particles-which harbor bacteria that cause cavities. Food gets stuck in these deep crevices and grooves and bacteria feeding on the left over food particles, release acid-that cause holes or cavities.  Filling in these areas with resin dental material (no drilling) protects the tooth. According to the American Dental Association, sealants can reduce the risk of cavities by up to 80%. Children or adults without any cavities on their molars are excellent candidates for sealants. It is a quick and painless process that can be done during any routine dental visit.

Fluoride treatment

Fluoride treatments in children are controversial as there is a lot of miss information floating around on the internet designed to scare parents but fluoride is a natural element found in some level in all natural water sources. Along with the anti-vaccine movement, the anti-fluoride movement has picked up steam over the past few decades. The majority of fluoride use in dentistry is to prevent cavities from forming or growing, and it works.

Fluoride treatments work by strengthening the enamel, making it harder for acid from bacteria to cause cavities. Fluoride treatments are one of the best ways to prevent or neutralize tooth decay-even in adults.

Here is a great source of more information related to fluoride use and children’s oral health: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/babies-and-kids/moms-guide-to-fluoride

Fillings for primary (baby) teeth

A common question from parents is whether or not it is worth filling a cavity on a baby tooth. Unless the tooth is on the verge of coming out, the answer is always ‘yes’. Children keep their baby teeth until age 12 or 13. A child who is eight years old with a cavity on a molar should have it taken care of since they will have that molar for another four to five years. Decay on baby teeth can also affect the heath and growth of the corresponding adult teeth not yet erupted.

Braces (orthodontics)

During routine dental exams, your child’s teeth and facial bone development will be monitored for the need of orthodontics.  Dr. Talaie works in conjunction with the best orthodontists in West Los Angeles to provide optimal long-term results.

Oral Appliances

Space maintainer
Retainer
Athletic guard

Seniors

Older Americans are more susceptible to oral conditions due to age, illness and medications. Some medications can exacerbate dental problems.  Seniors also have a hard time flossing and brushing due to arthritis or forgetfulness. It is important to help our parents or grandparents keep up with a healthy diet and oral hygiene by visiting the dentist at least twice a year. Neglect can cause tooth loss, depression, pain, and inflame heart disease.

Seniors are keeping their teeth much longer than the generation before them; however, there are still a lot of older folks in need of teeth replacement.

Dentures & partial dentures

All acrylic, comfortable and natural looking dentures and partial dentures made here.

Fixed implant dentures

There are other options! The idea and reality of removable dentures is not pleasant. It can be difficult to get use to dentures and hard to keep up with oral hygiene. Fixed implant dentures are dental implants that screw into the denture or partial denture-permanently.