Cavity Prevention
Removing bacterial buildup on schedule eliminates the deposits responsible for most decay between and around your natural teeth over the following months.
Maintaining a regular teeth cleaning schedule (preventive care) is important to keep your mouth healthy and prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. At West Hollywood Dental Studio, we offer both preventive cleanings and deep cleanings, depending on the health of your gums.

A dental prophylaxis, commonly called a regular cleaning, removes plaque and tartar deposits from the tooth surfaces above the gumline and just along the gum edges. A deep cleaning, known as scaling and root planing, goes further and cleans the root surfaces below the gumline when periodontal disease is present.
Removing bacterial buildup on schedule eliminates the deposits responsible for most decay between and around your natural teeth over the following months.
Cleaning along and just below the gum edges reduces the inflammation that leads to bleeding, recession, and eventual bone loss in the years ahead.
Polishing lifts the surface stains from coffee, tea, and red wine that daily brushing at home is unable to fully remove from your enamel.
Your hygienist points out the specific spots you keep missing, which makes your brushing and flossing far more effective at home between appointments.
What happens at your appointment depends on whether you need a preventive cleaning or periodontal therapy, and our hygienist explains the plan before starting.
Request an AppointmentWe measure the attachment levels around each tooth to determine whether a regular preventive cleaning or a deep cleaning is appropriate for your gum health.
For deep cleanings, we apply a local anesthetic to numb the area, which keeps the appointment comfortable from beginning to end of your appointment.
Specialized instruments lift plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces, and for deep cleanings, from the root surfaces below the gumline where bacteria collect.
We polish away surface stains, then offer a topical fluoride treatment to strengthen your enamel and reduce any lingering sensitivity after your cleaning.
Your hygienist shows you how to reach the areas where buildup hides and recommends specific products suited to your situation at home each day.
A preventive cleaning suits healthy gums, while these findings usually indicate that periodontal therapy is the appropriate treatment instead.
Deep Pockets — Tissue that has pulled away from the tooth creates spaces that trap bacteria in places a toothbrush is unable to reach with normal brushing.
Bleeding Tissue — Gums that bleed during brushing, flossing, or eating are showing active infection rather than a minor passing irritation that will clear up.
Heavy Tartar — Hardened deposits along and beneath the gumline cannot be brushed away and will continue to feed the underlying infection without professional help.
Gum Recession — Roots that have become visible indicate attachment loss, which raises your risk of sensitivity and decay on the root surface along the gumline.
We provide both preventive prophylaxis and scaling and root planing, so the cleaning you receive always matches the actual condition of your gum tissue at that appointment.
We treat one half of your mouth at a time using local anesthetic, which keeps each appointment shorter and considerably more comfortable for you than a single long visit.
Our office contacts your insurer before treatment begins to confirm your coverage, so you know your expected out-of-pocket cost well ahead of time rather than afterward.
Rather than generic advice, you receive specific guidance about the hard-to-reach spots where buildup keeps returning in your own mouth month after month.
Real Patients, Real Stories
I reached out to Dr. Rivas regarding the extraction of my number 16 wisdom tooth. My previous dentist referred me to an oral surgeon who wanted to extract the other three wisdom teeth even though I am not experiencing any issues and during that time I never had any consultative discussions with the surgeon. I connected with Dr. Rivas and she was thorough and transparent when speaking over the phone and she shared that she would be able to extract my tooth. During the procedure, she was extremely caring, asked if I was numbed properly, and checked in with me frequently during the procedure. I did not feel a thing and I was shocked on how fast she was able to successfully extract my tooth. I highly recommend Dr. Rivas and her staff and I commend them for their professionalism and caring nature. I live in the Inland Empire and will be driving to West Hollywood since Dr. Rivas will be my dentist moving forward.
I’m enormously happy with Dr. Rivas! My parents, my kids, my wife — all of us know we can rely on Dr. Rivas to do a great job in addressing our dental needs. Dr. Rivas used Invisalign to make my teenage daughter’s teeth look beautiful, whereas many other dentists would have referred us to an expensive outside orthodontist. One of my family members has a rather serious dentistry anxiety disorder, and Dr. Rivas is invariably kind and patient with him, always using every tool at her disposal to make sure he’s fully comfortable before she gets down to business with all her drills and scalpels and other instruments and hardware. Recently, on a Saturday, I suspected I had a dental emergency, and even though Dr. Rivas was practically certain there was no problem based on the photo I texted to her, she nevertheless trudged to her office just to meet me in person to reassure me that everything is ok. Most dentists wouldn’t have accommodated me that way. In this town, most dentists seem to be off somewhere playing golf on the weekends out of town. It’s often challenging to find a good dentist, someone whom you can trust to be gentle and patient and good natured and fully competent. But you’re in luck; you need look no further. Please believe me when I say Dr. Rivas and her team will take excellent care of you!
Dr. Rivas is an amazing, kind, and patient dentist. I let my teeth slide into chaos, and Dr Rivas helped me get my mouth back in working order. Also I’m a huge baby that constantly complains about pain and squeals just from looking at a drill. She made me feel comfort like I thought I could never feel at the dentist. Please go see her for your own teeth health and mental stability!
Dr. Rivas and her staff are unbelievable and personable. They helped me throughout the whole process from parking to cleaning and suggestions as to how I can help mitigate my grinding. Overall an amazing experience!
Don't see the answer you're looking for? Call us at (310) 278-9121.
The American Dental Association recommends at least two professional cleanings each year. Patients with a history of gum disease often need a more frequent schedule.
Regular Cleanings: Most insurance plans cover the cost of regular dental cleanings twice a year for healthy gums, usually every six months. Regular cleanings help prevent cavities and gum disease and keep gums and teeth healthy, so it's good for you and your insurance to have these visits covered by your benefits. Deep Cleanings: In some cases, a deep cleaning may be necessary. Deep cleanings focus on the area between your gums and teeth where gum disease already exists. If you have gum disease, a deep cleaning is necessary to get rid of bacteria and reduce inflammation, and a preventative cleaning will not be appropriate. This involves the hygienist scaling down into the pockets around the teeth and roots, removing tartar and bacteria from the area. Deep cleanings are usually partially covered by most insurance plans, though there may be some out-of-pocket costs. Depending on your policy, you may have a copay or deductible to meet in addition to the patient percentage not covered by your insurance policy. Checking Your Benefits: To find out if your insurance plan covers dental cleanings, West Hollywood Dental Studio will contact your insurer to check your policy details. Knowing whether or not your regular dental cleanings are covered by insurance and by how much can help you budget for your visits and stay on top of your oral health.
You may feel minor discomfort, which passes soon after the appointment. Local anesthetic is available to numb the area and keep you comfortable throughout.
Look for an experienced, welcoming local practice, and if you have children, one that is comfortable caring for the whole family on the same schedule.
When it comes to dental cleanings, there are two main types: prophylaxis (regular cleaning) and deep cleaning. Regular cleaning is a preventive measure that helps to keep teeth healthy, while deep cleaning is a more intensive treatment option for those with gum disease. Both are recommended depending on your current oral health status. Join us for regular dental checkups and learn how to practice good oral hygiene at home. Together, we can keep your smile happy and healthy for years to come! Regular Dental Cleaning: A regular dental cleaning, or prophylaxis, removes plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums to prevent dental problems. It is a non-invasive procedure that helps keep teeth clean and healthy. Sometimes, there is a little plaque and minor gum inflammation, so our hygienist will talk to you about how to take care of your teeth at home. Deep Dental Cleaning: Deep dental cleanings, also known as periodontal therapy, are an invasive gum disease treatment that can often go unnoticed. It involves scaling and root planing, which cleans below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar from the tooth roots. This is done when the gums have detached from the teeth, and the bone is deteriorating. It also helps prevent further gum disease and is often recommended for those with existing gum issues.
Find out which type of cleaning is best for your smile. Schedule your dental exam and cleaning with our hygiene team today. Request a cleaning online and let us know if it has been more than a year since your last visit.
Request a time using the form, or prefer to talk it through? Call us at (310) 278-9121.
We'll reach out to confirm your time.