Who is a dentist?
Dentists are medical professionals who help prevent and treat oral diseases. Dental care is provided for teeth and gums and the supporting structures and soft tissues of the mouth. The primary responsibility of a dentist is to promote good oral health. Moreover, dentists can easily communicate with their patients and carry good judgment skills. They have mastery in critical thinking and maintain manual dexterity, with further expertise in eye-hand coordination.
Dentists implement safety and hygiene measures while diagnosing or operating on patients. They use protective equipment such as gloves, masks, and safety glasses, which are essential to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Also, dentists are always up-to-date with modern technology and employ equipment like X-ray machines, lasers, drills, brushes, scalpels, and other medical tools while treating oral disorders.
Here are some everyday tasks of dentists:
- Educating people about dental hygiene
- Filling cavities
- Removing buildup or decay from teeth
- Repairing or removing damaged teeth
- Reviewing X-rays and diagnostics
- Giving anesthesia
- Putting in fillings or sealants
- Checking the growth of teeth and jawbones
Lastly, dentistry is all about working in a team where the dentist acts as the leader. Other team members include dental assistants, hygienists, and lab technicians. The team approach makes it possible for patients to get top-notch dental care.
Educational qualifications of a dentist
Since dentists are doctors, they follow a similar educational path to medical doctors. The first step is to complete an undergraduate degree and obtain a bachelor of science in a related subject, such as chemistry, health, math, or biology. The next step is the dental admissions test, which is necessary to pass for applying to dental schools. The training procedure further consists of the following:
- Studying biomedical science for two years
- Two years of clinical practice
- Obtaining a degree in Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM)
- Passing written and practical tests to get a dental license
Some dentists may then opt to get certified by taking the National Board Dental Examination.
Depending on the specialty, dentists may have to complete a postgraduate residency. The residency program lasts for one to three years. Multiple specialties within dentistry are:
- Dental public health
- Endodontics
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
- Pediatric dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
Choosing a dentist near you according to your condition can help in better treatment and quick recovery.
Conditions that dentists treat
According to the World Health Organization, oral conditions and disorders impact up to 3.5 billion people worldwide. Here are the most common ones that dentists treat daily:
- Cavities: A fairly common disease known as caries or tooth decay, cavities refer to the areas of the tooth that become damaged or develop holes. They result from the plaque on your teeth, a buildup of germs, food, and acid. Your tooth enamel is first dissolved by the acid, which then progresses to the connective tissue beneath, called dentin.
- Gum disease: Also called gingivitis, it typically occurs due to improper brushing and flossing techniques that allow plaque to accumulate on your teeth. If you have gingivitis, brushing and flossing may cause your gums to swell and bleed. Periodontitis, a more dangerous infection, can develop from untreated gingivitis.
- Periodontitis: It is a kind of mouth infection that spreads to your jaw and bones if left untreated. Furthermore, it may result in an inflammatory reaction throughout the body.
- Broken teeth: A tooth may crack or break due to mouth injury, chewing hard foods or nighttime teeth grinding and can be extremely painful.
- Sensitive teeth: Sensitive teeth may cause pain or discomfort after having cold or hot foods and drinks. Another term for tooth sensitivity is dentin hypersensitivity. It sometimes occurs temporarily following a root canal or a filling. Additionally, it could result from gum disease, receding gums, a cracked tooth, or worn-down fillings or crowns. Some people are born with thinner enamel and have sensitive teeth naturally. Natural tooth sensitivity is curable by altering everyday dental care routines, for example, using specific toothpaste brands and mouthwash.
- Oral cancer: It refers to cancer occurring in any part of the mouth or oral cavity. It can develop on the inner lining of the cheeks, lips, gums, tongue, roof, and the floor of the mouth (under the tongue). A major cause of oral cancer is tobacco use, including smoking and chewing.
What treatments does a dentist provide?
Some of the treatments offered by a dentist near you include:
- Cleanings: Dental hygienists typically conduct professional cleanings. They remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing may miss. This process includes high-powered toothbrushing, flossing, and rinsing to eliminate debris. For more extensive tartar removal, a deep cleaning targets areas below the gumline.
- Fluoride treatments: After a cleaning, your dentist may apply a fluoride treatment. This treatment strengthens the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics are effective in cases of gum infections or tooth abscesses. They can come in various forms, including mouth rinses, gels, tablets, or capsules.
- Fillings, crowns, and sealants: Fillings repair cavities or damaged teeth. Crowns are employed when a substantial portion of a tooth is lost. Dental sealants applied on molars help prevent cavities, especially in children.
- Root canal: When decay reaches the tooth's nerve, a root canal may be necessary. This procedure involves removing the nerve and filling the tooth with biocompatible materials.
- Probiotics: Emerging research suggests probiotics can aid oral health by preventing plaque, addressing bad breath, reducing inflammation, and preventing oral cancers. While further research is needed, probiotic supplements or probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut can be beneficial.
- Changing daily habits: Maintaining oral health requires a daily commitment. Dental hygienists can guide effective daily care, which includes brushing, flossing, using mouthwash, and potentially using tools like a water flosser.
How is oral health related to general health?
In recent years, the importance of oral health has grown due to discoveries linking it to overall systemic well-being. A healthy mouth is equal to a healthy body. Various studies conducted over the years indicate that oral bacteria and inflammation may have associations with:
- Heart disease
- Endocarditis (an inflammation of the heart's lining)
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
Oral bacteria can potentially enter the bloodstream, causing a life-threatening heart valve infection known as infective endocarditis. To prevent this, your dentist may recommend antibiotics before dental procedures that could dislodge oral bacteria.
Finding qualified dentists near you in Athens, Ohio
Dental and general health go hand-in-hand since poor oral hygiene can lead to acute and severe conditions. The earlier you master proper oral hygiene habits, the easier it becomes to avoid costly dental procedures and long-term health issues. Besides, some conditions, like a cracked tooth or periodontitis, call for immediate dental attention, but finding trustworthy dentists is challenging. But not for Zocdoc users!
To find the best-qualified dentists in Athens, Ohio, just visit the Zocdoc website and enter your location, preferred date and time, and insurance details. You may also filter your search by gender, hospital affiliations, languages spoken, and whether or not a practitioner treats children.
Once you have a list of potential matches, click on the profiles to access detailed information about each dentist. Learn more about their services offered, gender, achievements, qualifications, areas of expertise, languages spoken, and more. For further information, you can also look at the ratings and reviews from previous patients. This will help you make a wise decision. Plan a virtual appointment or consult the doctor in person. You can even book appointments on weekends and after 5 p.m., depending on the doctor's availability.
All Zocdoc bookings are secure, easy, and 100% free!
Dental health statistics for Ohio
In Ohio, almost 65.3% of adults reported visiting a dentist or dental clinic in 2020. More females (68.3%) reported seeing a dentist than males (62%). Furthermore, most patients were between the ages of 45-64 (66.3%). People aged 65 plus and 18-44 followed closely with 65.7% and 64.3%, respectively.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, from 2017-18, 48% of school-aged youngsters reported a history of dental decay, and one in five had untreated cavities. Children with Medicaid, those from lower-income families, and those who lived in Appalachia had higher dental decay, caries history, and untreated cavities. In addition, according to the Ohio Annual Cancer Report, 2022, the incidence of oral cavity and pharynx cancer among males was 19.7, and among females, it was 6.8.
Sources
WebMD
American Dental Education Association
World Health Organization
Healthline
Mayo Clinic
America’s Health Rankings
Cleveland Clinic
