What is a regular checkup? It is advised that kids and adults see the dentist every six months. This is important in order to get the teeth checked for new decay and to have a regular cleaning.



Decay is the destruction of tooth structure. Tooth decay comes about when plaque, which is the sticky material that forms on teeth, mixes with sugars and/or starches of food. Together they form an acid that can eat through the hard outside of the tooth, referred to as enamel.

This, then, is why it is important to brush teeth at least twice a day and to use floss before bedtime. Decay may also be prevented by eating healthy foods and avoiding high-sugar drinks and snack. If decay reaches the pulp of the tooth, then a root canal may be needed to save the tooth.

Getting a cleaning from the dental hygienist is recommended twice a year. There is plaque that is not easily removed with a toothbrush or floss, and the special tools the hygienist uses remove this difficult plaque. The teeth usually look noticeably cleaner after a visit with the hygienist. Also, most hygienists will educate you on how to better take care of your teeth.

Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, feels it's important for his patients to understand the theory behind dentistry, ?Periodontal treatment is that branch of dentistry dealing with the health and care of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. The word literally means around the tooth, from peri- which is around and odontos, which is tooth. Bacteria inflaming the tissue housing the roots of the tooth are known as periodontal disease. Treatment is in the form of regular dental cleaning and, in less healthy instances, full tooth scaling (scraping bacterial plaque and calculus from the tooth). State of the art ultrasonic scaling equipment is more thorough and less invasive than scraping; however it is not as comfortable a procedure for those patients with sensitivity issues.?

Poor dental hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more. Regular check ups and cleanings can prevent these problems as well as provide you with good oral hygiene.

Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, has been specializing in creating beautiful, natural smiles and superior dental health for 20 years and is located in Beverly Hills at 436 N. Roxbury Drive, Suite 202 and can be reached at 310-888-7797.