General Dentistry

General Dentist in Waco, TX

Waco, TX, restorative and cosmetic dentist, Dr. Steven Cutbirth, DDS, is passionate about dental excellence. Dentistry is sensitive to both good technique and high quality materials. He ensures that patients achieve good oral health and function so that they can avoid:

• Tooth pain
• Discomfort
• Invasive dental work
• Expensive dental work
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Cosmetic imperfections
• Tooth loss

Dr. Steven Cutbirth, DDS, offers a comprehensive approach to dentistry. This means that Dr. Cutbirth performs a comprehensive exam with radiographs and scientific photographs of your teeth before he performs any definitive dental procedure—unless it is to get you out of immediate pain. 

Once Dr. Cutbirth performs a comprehensive exam, we’ll schedule a separate appointment to discuss the clinical findings with you. At this appointment, Dr. Cutbirth will discuss your treatment options. It is up to you whether or not you choose to have any work performed.

What Happens at a General Dentistry Checkup?

A routine dental checkup is a crucial part of maintaining oral health and preventing potential dental problems. Typically scheduled every six months, these appointments involve a series of procedures designed to assess and maintain the overall well-being of the teeth, gums, and mouth. 

Let’s delve into what typically happens during a routine dental checkup.

1. Medical History | The first step involves a discussion about your dental history, any concerns you might have, and your oral hygiene routine. This conversation allows Dr. Cutbirth and our team to gather relevant information and understand your specific needs.

2. Oral Examination | Next, Dr. Cutbirth and our clinical staff will examine your mouth, starting with a visual inspection of the teeth and gums. They look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, or other abnormalities. They also check the alignment of the teeth, jaw, and bite, paying attention to any signs of malocclusion or misalignment.
   
3. Professional Plaque Cleaning | Following the visual examination, the dental hygienist performs a thorough cleaning, also known as dental prophylaxis. This involves removing plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and gum line using specialized instruments. The dental hygienist may also use a gritty toothpaste and a high-powered electric toothbrush to polish the teeth, leaving them smooth and shiny.

4. Check-in With the Dentist | After the cleaning, Dr. Cutbirth will perform a detailed examination of your teeth and gums, using dental tools like a periodontal probe to measure the depth of gum pockets. He’ll look closely at any problem areas the hygienist might have seen and also do his own detailed check for oral health concerns.

5. Follow-up Patient Consultation | Dr. Cutbirth will sit down with you in his private office and discuss his findings. He’ll show you these concerns with detailed photos of your teeth and provide examples of clinical pathology to explain any issues and potential restorative treatments. Dr. Cutbirth stands on the shoulders of the founders of modern dentistry and has many years of experience. He will present treatment options for you to consider whether or not you choose to move forward with any procedure.

Regular checkups allow Dr. Cutbirth to detect and address any dental issues early on, promoting long-term oral health and preventing more serious problems in the future. Remember, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to maintaining a healthy smile!

Preventative Dental Care

Preventative care in dentistry is an essential part of maintaining your smile for a lifetime. Preventative dentistry includes teeth cleanings, dental examinations, and any other dental treatments used to prevent oral health problems. 

Brushing and flossing at home are a great start—and the professional oral health team at Steven T. Cutbirth DDS will keep your mouth and your smile in tip-top shape while being able to identify any oral health hazards before they become painful or costly.

Watch this video by Dr. Cutbirth on YouTube:

• How to Keep Your Teeth for a Lifetime

Oral Cancer Screenings

People who are diagnosed with oral cancer often discover it after it has moved from the mouth to a different part of the body. With oral cancer screening from Dr. Cutbirth and his team, we focus on catching any warning signs earlier. Once a year, adult patients should schedule a general dentistry visit that includes an oral cancer screening. This screening can protect your health by providing early detection that can make treatment more effective.

Mercury-Free Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are critical for repairing chipped teeth, broken teeth, or decayed teeth. Our dental fillings are mercury-free and colored to match your teeth with precision. We make sure our dental filling process is comfortable for every patient.

Click here to learn more

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants smooth out the teeth and prevent the buildup of bacteria in deep tooth anatomy. Tooth sealants are a great dentistry tool because they deter gum disease and tooth decay by protecting teeth that are most vulnerable to those health issues. Placing dental sealants requires precision and a totally dry oral environment. 

Watch Dr. Cutbirth’s video on YouTube: 

• Why You Lost Your Dental Sealants

Gum Disease Treatment

Periodontal care is a pivotal part of general dentistry. Periodontal disease (or gum disease) refers to inflammation and infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Poor oral hygiene can result in gum disease. 

Unhealthy gums result in:

• Reddish or purplish gums
• Bleeding
• Soreness
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Pain when chewing
• Swollen gums
• Loose teeth
• Tooth loss
• Jawbone dysfunction (TMJ)
• Potential heart problems from bacteria buildup

Periodontitis can also lead to life-threatening endocarditis. Endocarditis is a deadly inflammation or swelling of the lining of your heart caused by infection.

Stages of Gum Disease

Healthy gums are firm to the touch, and they don’t bleed or swell. However, periodontal disease can cause discolored (reddish or purplish), swollen, and bleeding gums. Left untreated, gum disease can cause destruction of your underlying jawbone, leading to possible tooth loss.

The breakdown of tissues around your teeth happens gradually. In fact, most people don’t experience pain with gum disease—especially during the early stages. So, it’s important to know the warning signs:

1. Gingivitis: This is the earliest stage of gum disease. It starts with red, puffy gums that may bleed when you brush or floss. At this stage, there’s no bone loss. As a result, gingivitis is totally reversible with proper treatment.
2. Mild periodontitis: The bacteria have seeped beneath your gums, affecting the supporting bone. Your gums may pull away from your teeth, creating pockets around them. Plaque and bacteria like to hide in these pockets, where your toothbrush and floss can’t reach.
3. Moderate periodontitis: Left untreated, bacteria begin to erode the ligaments, soft tissues, and bones that hold your teeth in place. You may notice bad breath and pus (infection) around your gum line. Some people develop pain at this stage.
4. Advanced periodontitis: As periodontal disease worsens, bone loss continues. This can cause your teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. 

What Causes Periodontal Disease?

A buildup of dental plaque is the number 1 cause of periodontal disease. Plaque contains many different kinds of bacteria that can potentially infect your gums. That’s why you’re more likely to get gum disease if you have poor oral hygiene. 

Is Periodontal Disease Contagious?

Bacteria causing gum disease can be transmitted between individuals through saliva, especially during repeated or prolonged kissing. However, brief casual contact is unlikely to result in catching gum disease.

Are There Long-Term Complications of Periodontal Disease?

Unless you get treatment, gum disease continues to worsen, wreaking havoc on your oral health. It leads to a vicious cycle of infection that can end in tooth loss.

Research has also proven that gum disease has a direct impact on your overall health and well-being. There’s a link between gum disease and other health issues like heart disease and stroke.

• Alzheimer’s: Emerging research suggests a link between gum disease and Alzheimer’s, with the theory that harmful bacteria in the mouth can enter the brain and cause inflammation and nerve damage. 
• Respiratory infections: If bacteria build up in your mouth, they can transfer to your throat, lungs, and nasal passages, causing infection.
• Cardiovascular disease: Poor oral hygiene can also transfer bacteria to your bloodstream, allowing plaque to build up in your arteries.
• Prostate issues: Periodontitis, or gum disease, puts people with prostates at a higher risk of prostatitis. 
• Rheumatoid arthritis: Excessive bacteria in your mouth can lead to inflammation all throughout the body. 
• Kidney disease: People with periodontitis typically have weaker immune systems, leaving them open to infections.

How We Treat Gum Disease in Our Waco, TX, Practice

We provide effective gum disease treatment options like scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is similar to routine dental cleaning, but it cleans deeper beneath your gums, removing plaque and bacteria that your toothbrush and floss can’t reach. If you have swollen gums that bleed easily, you should ask Dr. Cutbirth about gum disease treatment at our Waco, TX, dental practice.

We Care for Your Smile!

Dr. Cutbirth is the Director of the Center for Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry and is constantly active in continuing education. You can trust him with your smile and the smiles of your loved ones.

We provide patient amenities like noise-canceling headphones and dental sedation at our Waco dental office because we want your visit to be enjoyable.

To schedule your next appointment, call our Waco office today!