Our dental family partners with generations of families as needs evolve
It is Innovative Dental Care’s great joy and privilege to treat multi-generational households. We know we are doing something right when our existing patients recommend their parents or grandparents to us. Or, when the child grows up to select our Omaha, Nebraska office as their dental “home” and our team, led by Dr. Summer Gutschow, as their dental “family.” Our approach to dentistry is one where you rarely have to worry about being referred to a costly specialist that you don’t know, nor do you ever have to worry about you or a loved one “graduating out” of our practice. We enjoy and have considerable experience treating patients of all ages, from infants to seniors!
Routine, proactive care across the generations
It’s generally recommended that patients from school-aged children to seniors have check-ups and cleanings every six months. Plus, visits to our practice ideally start relatively young, usually by no later than a baby’s first birthday. That way, we can assess developmental problems early, and we can get children used to us well before they even have the motor skills to handle a toothbrush properly. These earliest visits are also about equipping you with all the knowledge to clean little mouths even before a tooth has erupted properly.
These consistent visits are fundamental to the “best medicine”: preventive care. Dr. Gutschow applies her visual acuity and precision, safe diagnostics to pinpoint early-stage problems as they arise. Often, gingival inflammation or enamel erosion doesn’t produce symptoms. But just because you don’t have an aching tooth or blood on your toothbrush or floss doesn’t mean your mouth is healthy! The sooner we can attack the problem, the better. You avoid symptoms such as pain and preserve your natural tissues.
Our dental hygienists are also trained and equipped with specialized instruments to remove substances that can’t be removed with even the best home care, such as hardened plaque (tartar or calculus). When tartar is not present, it can’t inflame the gums or trigger a process that erodes the tissues that “anchor” your teeth and the supporting bone. Furthermore, simple adjustments may be recommended during these visits. And they can make a big difference. For instance, we may find that you are brushing your teeth too hard. All it takes is a gentle touch. Or we may encourage you also to brush your tongue and gums. These areas harbor germs, too. We also stay up-to-date on any medical changes that can affect the health of your mouth, knowing that oral health also presents challenges to conditions that may develop over time (such as Type 2 diabetes). Sometimes, the medications we take to control these chronic conditions can threaten our oral health by suppressing a natural cleanser: saliva. We’re happy to recommend products and lifestyle modifications to address new challenges. We may also integrate professional preventive services into these visits. For example, pediatric and adult patients can benefit from dental sealants, coverings designed to protect grooved back teeth from decay.
We look forward to seeing you (and your child or parent!) soon-Call (402) 933-8005 to schedule an appointment at our office, conveniently located off West Dodge Corridor. We offer morning and afternoon appointments most days of the business week to fit your busy schedule and accommodate urgent needs or questions.