Local dentist cleans vets’ teeth for free
Los Alamitos dentist Dr. Seza Barsamian hosted her eighth annual Veterans Day event on Nov. 11. The staff provided free comprehensive dental exams, X-rays and regular dental cleanings to local retired veterans.
“These past 18 months have been very hard on everyone,” said Barsamian. “Stress plays a major role in the overall health and well-being of teeth and jaw bones in general. The two major consequences we have experienced in our office is stress-induced dry mouth, which causes a lot of decay on otherwise-healthy individuals.
“The second effect of stress is grinding, which is another major cause for enamel loss and cracks in teeth,” she continued. “Fabrication of a night guard is one of the common ways to prevent damage due to grinding. In 2020, we ordered more night guards than in the previous three years combined.”
Some of the scheduled veterans were already regular patients of Dr. Barsamian, while some were returning from previous years. When asked when they had their last teeth cleaning and checkup, many would reply, “Last year on Veterans Day!”
The ages of the veterans ranged from 60-97 years old. One World War II veteran was 97 and hadn’t had his teeth checked in almost a decade. “Professional teeth cleaning is important, and veterans appreciate it so very much,” said Barsamian. “Without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Gum disease and other oral conditions might affect, be affected by, or contribute to various diseases and conditions.”
The staff reports that a couple of veterans showed up with candy bars and chocolate boxes for them, while one special veteran who is 91.5 years old brought multiple photos from when he was 19 and in full uniform. Dr. Barsamian’s office is located at 4022 Katella Ave., Ste. 206, Los Alamitos. People can find more information about the general, cosmetic and implant dentistry practice at www.sezabarsamiandds.com or by calling (562) 596-4439.
