
The best dental treatment is the kind you never need. At Cherry Dental, our preventative care is built to protect your smile, catch concerns early, and keep you confident in your oral health for years to come.

The foundation of a lasting smile
What is preventative dentistry?
Preventative dentistry is care designed to stop problems before they start. At Cherry Dental, we believe a consistent preventative routine is the single most important investment you can make in your long-term oral health. Through regular cleanings, comprehensive exams, and proactive screenings, our team works to identify and address concerns early, before they become costly or complicated.
We have been caring for families in Long Beach for over 35 years, and we have seen firsthand how a simple, consistent routine can make a lifetime of difference. Whether you are coming in for your first cleaning or you have been with us for decades, you will always leave with a clear picture of where your oral health stands and what we recommend to keep it there.
Why it matters
The benefits of preventive care
Prevention is the most powerful tool in dentistry. A consistent routine protects your health, your time, and your smile.
Catch problems early
Small concerns caught early are almost always simpler and less expensive to treat. Regular exams allow us to identify issues like cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer when they are most manageable.
Protect long-term health
Your oral health is directly connected to your overall wellbeing. Conditions like gum disease have been linked to heart disease and diabetes, making preventative care about far more than your smile.
Save time and your smile
A routine cleaning costs a fraction of what restorative treatment does. Consistent preventative care means fewer surprises and fewer procedures down the line.
Our preventative dentistry treatments
Dental cleaning and hygiene
professional cleaning is the cornerstone of any preventative routine. Even the most diligent brushing and flossing leaves behind buildup that only a professional cleaning can remove. At Cherry Dental, our hygiene appointments are thorough, comfortable, and tailored to your specific needs. We remove plaque and tartar from areas that are difficult to reach at home, polish your teeth, and send you home with personalised guidance on maintaining your results between visits. We recommend cleanings every six months for most patients, though we will always let you know if your needs call for a different schedule.
Fluoride treatment
Fluoride is one of the most effective tools available for protecting teeth against decay. At Cherry Dental, we offer professional fluoride treatments that strengthen enamel and help your teeth resist the acids that cause cavities. The treatment takes just minutes and the protection it provides can last for months. We offer fluoride to patients of all ages and recommend it often, particularly for patients who are prone to cavities or who have sensitive enamel.
Dental sealants
The back teeth have deep grooves that are notoriously difficult to clean thoroughly, even with careful brushing. Dental sealants are a thin protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of these teeth, sealing out food and bacteria before they can cause decay. The application is quick, painless, and completely non-invasive. At Cherry Dental, we offer sealants to patients of all ages and find them to be one of the most effective preventative measures available, particularly for younger patients who are still developing their brushing habits.
Periodontal care
Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile. Periodontal disease is one of the most common dental conditions in adults and one of the most commonly overlooked. At Cherry Dental, our periodontal care includes comprehensive gum assessments, deep cleanings, scaling and root planing, and ongoing maintenance to keep your gum health on track. We identify the extent of any concerns, walk you through your options clearly, and work with you on a plan that fits your needs and your schedule.
Oral cancer screening
Oral cancer is among the most treatable cancers when caught early. At Cherry Dental, oral cancer screenings are a routine part of every comprehensive exam. We examine the soft tissues of your mouth, throat, and jaw for any signs of abnormality and take the time to discuss any findings with you clearly and thoroughly. It takes just minutes and we recommend it for every adult patient at every visit.
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Exceptional care within reach for all
We believe everyone deserves access to dentistry they can feel good about. Cherry Dental accepts a wide range of insurance plans and offers flexible financing options to make your care as seamless as possible.
Not sure if we accept your insurance? Check your coverage with a quick questionnaire.
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Financing Options
Frequently asked questions
We believe informed patients make confident decisions.
Still Have Questions?
We are always happy to talk through anything on your mind.
For most patients, we recommend visiting every six months for a routine cleaning and comprehensive exam. That said, every patient is different. Some individuals with a higher risk of gum disease or decay may benefit from more frequent visits, while others with excellent oral health may be comfortable coming in once a year. We will always let you know what we recommend based on what we see at your appointment.
In most cases, yes. The majority of dental insurance plans cover routine preventative care including cleanings, exams, and X-rays at little to no cost to you. Cherry Dental accepts HMO, PPO, and Medicare plans. If you are unsure what your plan covers, our front desk team is happy to help you navigate your benefits before your appointment.
A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth above and just below the gumline. It is designed for patients with healthy gums and is part of a standard preventative routine. A deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, goes further, cleaning below the gumline to address the root surfaces of your teeth. It is typically recommended for patients showing signs of gum disease. We will always explain which type of cleaning we are recommending and why before we begin.
First, no judgement. We hear this more than you might think and our job is to help you get back on track. If it has been a while since your last visit, we will take a thorough look at where things stand, address any concerns we find, and build a plan that gets you back to a healthy baseline at a pace that works for you. The most important thing is that you are here now.
We generally recommend bringing children in for their first dental visit around their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing, whichever comes first. Starting early helps children get comfortable with the dental environment, allows us to monitor their development, and establishes healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Cherry Dental welcomes patients of all ages and families who have been coming to us for generations.
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