Cleaning & Prevention Services

Award-Winning Dentist in Ventura County

Cleaning and prevention are essential when it comes to avoiding gum disease and tooth decay. While maintaining sufficient at-home oral care can keep teeth and gums healthy and clean, it is always beneficial to schedule routine visits to the dentist for deep teeth cleaning.

At Mark Weitzman D.D.S., we stay up-to-date on the latest cleaning procedures, materials, and techniques in the industry. Our patients' oral health is our main priority, and we utilize only the most advanced technology to ensure that your smile stays vibrant and your mouth is healthy.

Schedule an appointment for your deep cleaning today!

Over the years, our award-winning team has gained a reputation for delivering excellence because of our ability to provide the utmost patient satisfaction and professionalism. In fact, our office has been rated Best of Ventura County in 2011, and Dr. Weitzman has been ranked as the Top Dentist in Ventura County from 2012-2013.

At-Home Preventative Care

Prevention begins by controlling the spread of plaque and calculus-the main sources of tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque is a colorless film that sticks to the surface of teeth and contains bacteria, while calculus is a harder mineral deposit. Sufficient, at-home methods can be used as a way to control the spreading of plaque and calculus.

Since plaque deposits build up on the teeth rather quickly, brushing at least twice a day after eating and drinking is very important. Flossing can be used to get in between teeth and gums to clean areas that a toothbrush cannot get to. Mouth rinses can also be helpful for fighting bad breath, removing loose food particles after brushing the teeth, and freshening the mouth.

Keep up with Your Routine Dental Exams & X-Rays

Even if you maintain your at-home dental care regimen, it is still essential to get a dental exam and cleaning at least twice a year. Exams are essential when it comes to early detection of more serious problems. Early detection is an effective way to simplify treatment, as well as make your visits to the dentist less expensive and more effective.

Dental exams are beneficial because they:

• Assess gum health and check for gum disease
• Diagnose existing tooth decay
• Take and analyze X-rays (which are used to reveal decay, bone loss, abscesses, tumors, cysts, and other problems)
• Detect oral cancer
• Observe the stability of an existing filling or restoration

During your exam, we will utilize modern digital X-ray technology to get a clear image of your mouth, making it easier to detect any issues that otherwise may not have been seen.

The Importance of Fluoride

Every day, minerals are added to and lost from our teeth's enamel layers through the processes of demineralization and remineralization. During demineralization, minerals lost from the enamel layer are lost when acids that are formed from plaque and sugars in the mouth erode the enamel. During remineralization, calcium, phosphate, and fluoride are redeposited to the enamel layer from the foods and waters consumed.

Fluoride is used to help prevent tooth decay by making teeth more resistant to acid attacks. Fluoride can also be used to:

• Reverse early decay
• Help speed up remineralization
• Disrupt acid production in already-erupted (teeth that have broken through the gums) teeth of children and adults.

In addition to being found in foods and water, fluoride can be found in certain types of toothpaste and mouth rinses. It is important for infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years old to get exposure to fluoride, because this is the timeframe during which primary and permanent teeth come in.

Beyond At-Home Care: Schedule a Deep Cleaning

While most oral disease can be prevented by maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, deep cleanings and exams are one of the most effective forms of prevention. If you have experienced certain symptoms of oral problems, it is highly recommended that you schedule a deep cleaning service.

Signs that you may need a deep cleaning include:

• Continuous bad breath
• Gingivitis or other dental disease
• Mild or severe toothaches
• Noticeably discolored teeth
• Plaque or other bacteria
• Sensitivity caused by heat or cold
• Tooth decay or rot

During a deep cleaning, our team will remove all traces of plaque and tartar, thus improving oral health and reducing the risk of gingivitis and gum disease. The cleaning will then end with a polish, which is used to clean the surface of teeth, remove stains, and leave the mouth feeling fresh.

What is a dental sealant?

Dental sealants act as barriers to prevent cavities from forming. Sealants are usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where decay is most likely to form. While brushing and flossing does remove food and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, the bristles cannot effectively reach or clean the depressions and grooves. Sealants are used to protect these areas by "sealing out" plaque and food.

Sealants are simple to apply-we paint them onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. The sealant then acts as a barrier, protecting the enamel from plaque and acids. Sealants can withstand normal chewing and can last up to several years before a reapplication is necessary.

We care about your smile and oral health!

Whether you are getting a cleaning, exam, X-ray or sealant, our Ventura dentist and hygienists always deliver the highest level of standard and clinical care. Make sure you are taking the necessary steps to maintain your ultimate oral health and hygiene!

Contact our office to learn more about our cleaning and prevention services. Or, schedule your free consultation during your call. We are proud to offer a free whitening card to each new patient who comes in for an exam, cleaning, and X-ray. Call today!