Cleaning and Prevention: Protecting Your Oral Health

Losing teeth as we age is not an inevitability.

You don't need to end up in complete dentures by the time you reach your later senior years. With prevention, you can keep most - if not all - of your teeth for a lifetime.

Why Prevention Is so Important

Preventative treatment, which includes regular cleanings and exams, can serve you in a multitude of ways.

Prevent Dental Decay

Like losing your teeth, dental decay is also preventable. With daily home care practices and regular visits to your Santa Barbara dentist, you can significantly reduce your risk of getting a cavity.

Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease doesn't just leave you with bad breath, it can also cause you to lose bone around your teeth, resulting in:

Gum infections
Tooth loss
Extractions

Daily home care and twice-yearly cleanings can keep your gums and bone healthy.

Even if you develop early-stage gum disease, you can reverse it with flossing, brushing, and professional cleanings, thereby preventing the disease from progressing.

Catch Issues Early

Your Santa Barbara dentist can catch potentially dangerous conditions early with an annual dental exam, oral cancer screening, and digital x-rays. If Dr. Omid Barkhordar does find an issue, he can treat it early, helping you avoid painful conditions, like toothaches and abscesses. And in the case of oral cancer, catching it early could save your life.

Preventative Treatment Options Will Cover All Your Dental Care Needs

Prevention is a huge part of what we do here at See Me Smile Dental. When you visit us, Dr. Omid will provide you with a custom treatment plan that will include the following preventative treatment:

Dental Check-Up

A dental exam is the foundation of this practice. Through a comprehensive dental exam, Dr. Omid can check for:

Dental decay
Gum disease
Oral cancer
TMJ disorder
Bite misalignment
Jawbone anomalies
Soft tissue conditions/diseases

During your exam, he'll perform an oral cancer screening, in addition to checking your teeth, gums, throat, head, and neck.

Digital X-Rays

During your dental exam, Dr. Omid will likely recommend digital x-rays. While he can evaluate you for many issues during your dental exam, there are some areas that he can't see with the naked eye such as your bones, inside your teeth, and in between your teeth. Digital x-rays allow him to perform a thorough examination.

Routine Cleaning

Getting a cleaning at least twice a year will help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Home care is vital to the health of your teeth. However, plaque can build up quickly and eventually calcify into calculus (tartar), which is impossible to remove on your own.

During your dental cleaning, your hygienist uses special tools - including an ultrasonic scaler - to safely and effectively remove the tartar from the surface of your teeth.

Deep Teeth Cleaning

An important part of prevention is reversing or arresting periodontal disease. We do this with a deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing. You'll be numb for this treatment so that the hygienist can clean below the gumline.

After your cleaning, you may need to take antibiotics to eliminate the harmful bacteria associated with gum disease.

Patients who undergo deep teeth cleaning will need to receive a dental cleaning more frequently than most - approximately three to four times per year.

Fluoride Treatment

During your dental cleaning appointment, Dr. Omid might recommend a fluoride treatment. He'll recommend this for children, as well as those who are more prone to dental decay.

A fluoride treatment can take around three to five minutes but will provide you with ongoing protection. Fluoride strengthens the enamel and helps it withstand attacks from sugary, acidic foods.

Home Care

Home care is vital for the prevention of dental decay and periodontal disease. To help you, Dr. Omid and his team will regularly review with you the proper way to brush and floss, particularly if they notice an increase in dental decay, the development of early-stage gum disease, or a progression of periodontal disease.

Oral hygiene instructions will consist of the best techniques for brushing and flossing and the frequency with which you do these activities. Your dental team will also recommend tools that will help as well. Tools for better home care include:

Floss aids
Electric toothbrush
Rubber tips
Sulca Brushes

Our dentist can even point you in the right direction when it comes to the best toothpaste and mouthwash products.

Take Action Today to Prevent Problems Tomorrow

You can keep all of your teeth for your entire lifetime. With proper home care and regular preventative treatment from your Santa Barbara dentist, you can avoid painful dental conditions. Take steps to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong both now and into the future.

Has it been a while since your last dental exam and cleaning? Call our Santa Barbara dental office to schedule an appointment today!

Meet Dr. Omid

Dr. Omid Barkhordar, DDS has earned his reputation as a leading family and cosmetic dentist in Santa Barbara, the Central Coast, and Southern California. He is committed to providing patients of all ages with compassionate care.

From general dentistry to advanced procedures, Dr. Omid uses innovative technology and gentle techniques to deliver safe and stress-free dental care so patients can enjoy a painless, healthy, and gorgeous smile.

Dr. Omid earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Southern California (USC) School of Dentistry in one of the best dental programs in the United States. His dedication to helping patients achieve their perfect smile has earned Dr. Omid the continued trust and recommendation of many clients.

No matter the age or needs of the patient, Dr. Omid is committed to helping you discover the benefits of a healthy, beautiful smile.

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