Smile Rejuvenation in Arroyo Grande, CA
Come in to refresh your smile.
Advocates of Oral Health Prevention
At Village Creek Dental, Dr. Ulep and Dr. Hernandez advocate for proactive dental care and oral health prevention.
Prevention strategies need to be personalized, reviewed and adjusted as necessary. Our team takes into account gum health status and your unique blend of risk factors. These factors include your dental history, lifestyle, habits, dietary patterns, and inherent biological factors.
In partnership with their dedicated Smile Rejuvenation and Smile Enhancement teams,
Dr. Ulep and Dr. Hernandez meticulously design and implement unique prevention programs for each patient. This personalized approach begins during the evaluation process of your first visit, ensuring all aspects of your oral health are taken into consideration.
How to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy for Life
A robust prevention program outlines your individual needs in detail, covering essential aspects such as:
- The current status of your gum and bone health (pre- gum disease or active gum disease)
- The type of hygiene therapy you require (prophylactic cleaning for pre-gum disease or deep cleanings for active gum disease)
- The frequency of your hygiene therapy sessions which can vary from 3, 4, or 6 months based on your gum and bone health as well as build-up levels in between sessions
- The need for annual x-rays and intra-oral photographs
- Assessment of your cavity risk
- Fluoride vs. Non-fluoridated treatment recommendations
- Application of sealants
- Nutritional counseling to support oral health
- Review and continued support of your oral hygiene practices and routine
- Regular oral cancer screenings
- Recommendations for at-home supplemental care, such as gum health trays, dry mouth rinses, or additional oral health instruments
Family Preventive Dental Care
Oral health starts during infancy and persists across all stages of life, extending into the senior years.
Each stage necessitates tailored dental care and maintenance, all contributing to sustained oral health for a lifetime.
Dr. Ulep and Dr. Hernandez
are excited to be a part of your family oral health journey and welcomes your family to join ours.
Hygiene Therapy, Prophylactics, and Deep Cleanings
Hygiene therapy aids in prevention and treatment of gum diseases, tooth decay, halitosis (bad breath), and promotes oral health.
At-home hygiene therapy can involve regular tooth brushing, flossing, and in some cases, the use of mouthwash to reduce plaque and bacteria in between sessions with your hygienist.
Professional hygiene therapy involves a more thorough cleaning that smoothens and polishes your teeth and their roots using specialized dental instruments. A deep cleaning is a more involved hygiene therapy above and below the gum line where bone loss is present.
Radiographs & Intra-Oral Photos
Radiographs (x-rays) and intra-oral photos are the most important diagnostic tools used in dentistry. Dental radiographs provide images of the internal structures of the teeth and jaw, helping dentists detect issues like cavities, bone loss from gum disease, and infective lesions in the jaw bones.
Intra-oral photos, on the other hand, are detailed images taken inside the mouth. They help in documenting dental conditions, planning treatments, and providing visual aids for patient education and insurance narratives.
Fluoride & Non-Fluoridated Prevention
Fluoride and hydroxyapetite (non-fluoride) are simple, yet impactful, active ingredients in oral health products to strengthen your teeth from the inside out. Talk to Dr. Ulep and Dr. Hernandez to determine which is the right fit for your optimal oral health.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants can be a non-invasive, conservative treatment to help prevent tooth decay in one of the most cavity-prone areas of your teeth.
Ask
Dr. Ulep and Dr. Hernandez if this is a good option for you to reduce your risk for cavities.
Assessment of Cavity Risk
The assessment of cavity risk is a critical component of dental care that helps identify an individual's susceptibility to tooth decay.
During this evaluation,
Dr. Ulep and Dr. Hernandez take into account factors such as your oral hygiene habits, diet, fluoride use, and history of cavities.
Saliva tests may also be conducted, as saliva composition and amount can lesson the risk of decay. This proactive approach enables the development of personalized preventive strategies to maintain optimal oral health.
Nutritional Counseling
Nutritional counseling is a key aspect of responsible oral health care because what we consume has a significant impact on our oral health.
Certain foods and drinks, especially those high in sugars and acids, can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Nutritional counseling helps individuals understand the correlation between diet and oral health, guiding them towards choices that not only promote overall health, but also help to prevent dental issues. It's a proactive strategy to ensure optimal oral hygiene and health.
Review of Oral Hygiene Practices
Your dental hygienist consistently reviews oral hygiene practices to ensure you are effectively cleaning and caring for your teeth and gums.
This process typically involves discussing your current routine, demonstrating correct brushing and flossing techniques, and suggesting improvements or modifications if necessary.
The review is vital because even minor missteps in daily oral care can lead to plaque buildup, tooth decay, and gum disease over time. By assessing and enhancing a patient's oral hygiene practices, your dental hygienist helps rejuvenate and maintain your smile and oral health.
Oral Cancer Screenings
In 2023, an estimated 54,540 adults (39,290 men and 15,250 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with an oral or oropharyngeal cancer.
Oral cancer screenings are an essential element of your routine hygiene session performed by
Dr. Ulep and Dr. Hernandez. This screening check for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in the oral cavity early, when it is most treatable, making regular visits essential.
The process involves a visual inspection of the mouth, including the lips, tongue, and inner cheeks, and palpation of the jaw and neck to detect any abnormal lumps.
Dental Emergency
Dr. Ulep and Dr. Hernandez are ready to provide prompt and effective dental emergency treatment, relieving pain and restoring your oral health when unexpected situations arise.
Whether it is a broken tooth, a toothache, a funny taste in your mouth, you name it, we are here for you.
Hours & Address
Monday - Closed
Tuesday to Thursday - 8 am to 5 pm
Friday - 8 am to 12 pm by appt. only
Saturday to Sunday - Closed
Lunch Daily 12 pm - 1 pm