My job is to visit dental offices where procedures are underway. I observe. That’s a big part of my job. I’m a trained observer. Then, I gather what I hear and see and put into a report virtually anyone can read and understand. I’m hired many times because the doctor wants to make changes and improvements.

You’d be amazed at what I see. Or, then again, maybe you wouldn’t be.

Let me give you an idea: Shag carpet from 1975. Stained floors and walls. Unkept restrooms. Red décor. Old furnishings that should have been retired years before. I could go on and on.

You have to wonder, “Is the doctor really up-to-par on recent innovations and advancements in dentistry if they’re hesitant to keep things up?”

It’s a valid question.

On occasion, I also manage to accidentally overhear patients instructing the dentist or the hygienist when they think they should be seen. Usually the conversation goes like this, “I don’t want to have an exam two-times a year. My physician said once time is enough.”

Your physician? Huh? Since when did they spend 4 years and hundreds and hundreds of hours of ongoing continuing education specializing in oral health? Pretty sure, never.

That’s like a dentist giving you advice on cardiology and heart disease.

(I’m not even a dentist – just someone that has seen first-hand what can happen to someone that “skips” appointments or sets their own re-care schedule!)

Did you know oral cancer (cancer of the mouth) is normally only detected by dentists and hygienists?

That means since more than 50% of Americans don’t see the dentist, 50% of our country will never know they have or at high-risk of developing a severely painful and tough-to-treat disease.

And, pulling all your teeth probably isn’t the best solution. Sadly, sometimes, it’s the only one. Being “edentulous” or without teeth, poses its own unique set of undesirable health problems.

Here’s another one I’ve overhead more than once: “Periodontal disease? My teeth are fine. The bleeding stops by mid-morning. I don’t have any disease. That’s hogwash.”

According to the website, http://www.answers.com, 80% of Americans have gum disease (Periodontal Disease). If you know 10 people, chances are, 8 will have gum disease. EIGHT!

Bottom line: If you choose to skip your bi-annual exams, you put yourself at risk. If you choose to ignore regular cleanings or, for someone already “perio involved” (they have the disease) ignore your SRP visit (that means, perio scaling and root planing), you’re putting yourself further at-risk for bigger, body-wide or systemic problems.

For the price of a dinner out at Olive Garden, you can find out what kind of health your mouth is in. It’s likely the best investment you’ll ever make. Don’t ignore your oral health. It can be a silent killer.

Why the “silent killer?” According to the ADA: “It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs. That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important.”

Call today. Don’t wait. Health has to be a top priority.

What condition is your mouth in? We hope it’s 100 percent healthy! But if you’re like most people, you’ll probably suffer from at least one dental condition at some point in your life. Dental conditions cover a wide range of mouth problems, from cavities to gum disease to jaw abnormalities. Some dental conditions are preventable, some aren’t. But the more you know about dental conditions, the better chances you have of preventing them — or at the very least, correcting them early.

With so many types of dental conditions that can affect your life, it’s natural that you’d want to know more. If you suffer from tooth decay, gingivitis or any other dental condition, we can help you understand your symptoms and explore your treatment options. No matter what type of dental condition you’re curious about, we have the information you need to help you maintain a healthy smile.

Keep in mind that if you think you have a dental condition, it’s important not to self-diagnose. Only a dentist can determine what type of dental condition you have — and only a dentist can give you the right dental treatments! If you’re prone to putting off treatment, remember: Without treatment, dental conditions can become a painful problem. Dental conditions happen to the best of us, so click on the appropriate link to learn more about what’s plaguing your mouth. Staying informed can help put you on the right track to optimal dental health!

Salem, Oregon – The dentists and staff from SofTouch Family dental are happy to announce the launch of the practices new website, http://SofTouchDentalSalem.com.

The Website is designed to make it easier for patients to learn about the dental services offered by SofTouch as well as to inform people of the many ways to take care of their smile and keep it beautiful.

The new website contains a blog and links to articles on Facebook and Twitter, as well as videos posted by the dentists and staff at SofTouch to YouTube.

 

 

 

It is estimated that 80% of adult Americans have a fear of the dentist. Though this fear decreases a little every year, it is still prevalent in 2013. The question people, dentists included, should concern themselves with is not whether they still have some fear about going to the dentist, but why aren’t at least 50% of Americans having aregular dental exam every six months?

Not having enough time and money are probably reasons one and two for not going to the dentist. Time was, is and will always be money; that is both the beauty and the beast of capitalism. The best way to address this particular issue is to imagine what will happen if after twenty years of not going to the dentist a sudden and very sharp pain overtakes the senses.

At this point all that can be done is an emergency dental visit, which will be expensive with both time and money. A regular checkup may have foretold of the impending pain. Lastly, in regards to time and money, many employers have or will be forced to have medical insurance by 2014; if one has dental coverage as part as their health coverage it is better to be checked out sooner rather than later.

Don’t let lack of dental insurance prevent you from a visit. We offer new patient specials and, work with patients that are without insurance. It’s estimated that over half the patients seeing a dentist regularly do not have insurance.