Prevention
Prevention
Your teeth are meant to be with you for life, which is why preventive care is so important when it comes to maintaining good oral health. Sanaz Khoubnazar, DMD, at Smiles Santa Monica, provides many preventive treatments, including dental cleanings, sealants, and fluoride. To schedule an appointment for preventive care, call the office or book an appointment online today.
If you have ever wished that your smile were whiter and brighter, teeth whitening might be right for you. Through professional teeth whitening, we can lighten staining and discoloration caused by various factors, such as:
- The natural aging process
- Poor dental hygiene habits
- Consumption of certain drinks and foods, including tea, wine, coffee, and soda
- Smoking and other forms of tobacco use
- Illness
- Certain medications
- Fluorosis
Our dentist will work with you to determine the right type of treatment and treatment length to achieve the smile aesthetic you desire. To learn more about professional teeth whitening and to set up your consultation at our office, please call us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Khoubnazar understands every person is different and has different needs when it comes to preventive care. She offers a full array of preventive care options, including:
- Fluoride treatment
- Dental sealants
- Routine exams, including cleaning
- Deep cleaning using root planing and scaling
Dr. Khoubnazar also provides lifestyle and nutritional guidance and advice to help you keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
While routine cleanings are ideal for every patient, other preventive care options might not be suited to your needs. Dr. Khoubnazar recommends the most appropriate preventive treatments during your office visit based on what she encounters during your oral exam.
Dental sealants are clear, protective coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth or molars to protect them from wear and to prevent tiny cracks and fissures that provide places for decay-causing bacteria to enter. Sealants are applied as a liquid but soon dry to a hard, protective coating designed to last for years, and they can be reapplied as necessary.
During placement of your sealants, your teeth are first thoroughly cleaned and dried. Before the sealant is painted on your teeth, an acid is applied to your teeth to help the sealant adhere. Dr. Khoubnazar uses a curing light to help harden the sealant.
Fluoride treatments help strengthen tooth enamel, the strong coating on the exterior surfaces of your teeth, so they’re not as likely to be damaged by acids from sugary or starchy foods or bacteria. When applied regularly, fluoride treatments can help reverse decay in its earliest stages and speed remineralization in teeth that have become “etched” or damaged by plaque, acids, and bacteria.
Fluoride treatments are especially effective in children, but they can be helpful in protecting adult teeth as well. Ask Dr. Khoubnazar if fluoride treatments are a good choice for you.
Dr. Khoubnazar wants to help you maintain good oral health to prevent decay and disease. To schedule a preventive appointment today, call Smiles Santa Monica or use the online booking feature.