Life happens and people move, change careers, simply forget, or have more pressing issues and don’t get their teeth cleaned for while. It’s never too late to work on having great oral health and we have dental appointments specifically designed in order to get patients back on track with their oral health. Sometimes, it is little more than just getting a dental cleaning, x rays, and an exam to get back to healthy. However, just like your car, the longer you wait between getting it serviced can also create a little more work to get it where you want it to be. Don’t be embarrassed or feel guilty, we are here to help you achieve your dental goals and get you back on track with what you want. Dentistry is a life long process and can go in many different directions depending upon the patient. If you have questions or want us to take a look, check out our website at www.drkutsch.com Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist
Posts Tagged ‘Prophy’
Haven’t been to the dentist in a while?
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010Keeping your teeth clean may just save your life
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010One of the best investments in life is in your own health. How much would any of us give to be in optimal health until the day we cease to exist? With heart disease being the number one cause of death in the United States, there are ways to decrease your risk with your oral health. Did you know that periodontal disease (gum disease) is directly related to health problems such as heart disease, strokes, and diabetes? It can also adversely affect people that are pregnant, immuno-compromised, or those with cancer. Keeping your teeth clean is important in decreasing the amount of inflammation and infection in the gum tissue, thus, putting less stress on the rest of the body. There is never a better time than now to get your teeth cleaned and work toward optimal oral health. You deserve it! Dr. Carson Kutsch DDS Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
How often should you get your teeth cleaned?
Monday, May 3rd, 2010Most patients get their teeth cleaned two to three times per year. However, there are numerous types of “teeth cleaning.” Patients with mild gingivitis get a different type of treatment (prophy) than those with periodontitis (gum disease). The primary reason for having your teeth cleaned is to decrease your risk of gum disease, thus also reducing your risk for other systemic problems such as heart disease, diabetes and various forms of cancer. So, how many times per year should you get them cleaned? This depends upon the patient’s long term goal for their teeth and their overall health. Some patients do just fine with having their teeth cleaned twice per year while others prefer to be seen four times per year. If it has been quite a while between cleanings, this is not to worry but it can take a little extra work to get everything back to healthy. It is not uncommon to fall out of routine cleanings with changes that happen in life such as moving, changing jobs, etc. We are here to help you achieve great oral health not to lecture people about missing their cleanings! Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
How often should you get your teeth cleaned?
Monday, April 12th, 2010Not every patient has the same requirements to maintain optimum oral health, thus, some patients have their teeth cleaned twice per year, four times per year, once per month, and once every five years. However, most patients typically fall within two to four times per year. Many things can affect how often you may want to get your teeth cleaned including gum disease, genetics, diet, home oral hygiene, and the patients goals for their teeth. The basis for determining a healthy maintenance schedule is determined by the patient based on the information found at each cleaning appointment. The better a patient gets with their home oral care, diet, etc. can often lead to a decrease in the frequency of professional dental cleanings. Whether a patient’s risk be to gum disease (periodontal disease), dental decay (caries), oral cancer, or TMJ pain, each of these conditions can be assessed on a regular basis to determine the best routine for having an exam and a professional cleaning. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
What is a “deep cleaning?”
Monday, November 9th, 2009One of the most common reasons that patients visit our office is to get their teeth “cleaned.” However, there are many different types of services that include cleaning the teeth. For those without any bone loss or inflammation of the gum tissue, this is usually accomplished with what is called a “prophy.” This appointment typically lasts one hour and doesn’t require getting numb or using a laser. When a patient has lost bone and has periodontal disease (a more advanced form of gingivitis) it becomes more difficult to clean the teeth. The gum tissue around the teeth gets pocketing on the roots and allows the bacteria a perfect place to live and produce tartar. Thus, periodontal treatment or a “deep cleaning” may take more time, may require numbing for patient comfort, and sometimes we will utilize a laser to accomplish adequate cleaning of the root surfaces. In our practice, we routinely check the pockets on a yearly basis. Depending upon the results, we provide options of treatment that range from the most basic to the most thorough in order to accomplish the patient’s goals. Carson Kutsch www.drkutsch.com