Who is a dentist?
The mouth is one of the most integral parts of our body. Yet, we often ignore the oral health issues that may seriously affect our fitness. It requires special care and attention to ensure our physical health is not affected by the same.
A dentist is a provider who diagnoses, treats, operates, or prescribes for any pain, injury, deformity, or physical condition of the oral cavity, including the bones and tissues of the jaw and face. They play a crucial role in maintaining and restoring dental health. A well-maintained mouth can help reduce risks for multiple severe health conditions related to the mouth or other body parts.
Dentists must complete a four-year university-based dental program after finishing their undergraduate degree. The first two years of dental school emphasize classroom and laboratory studies, whereas the last two years focus on clinical practice. Almost all states in the US require dentists to hold a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. After dental school, all US licensing boards require the dentist to pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) and a clinical examination specific to the state to gain licensure.
Roles and responsibilities of a dentist
A dentist has varied responsibilities; however, they all focus on promoting good oral care and hygiene. A dentist is not only responsible for diagnosing a dental condition but also for treating teeth, gums, and other parts of the mouth. Depending upon the condition and requirements, dentists use X-ray machines, lasers, drills, brushes, scalpels, and other medical tools to perform multiple dental procedures. They typically work with a team of dental professionals who help manage complex dental procedures under their supervision to provide appropriate treatment to each patient. A dental team includes a dental hygienist, a nurse, a technician or a technologist, and a dental therapist, which the dentist leads.
Everyday dentistry tasks include:
- Treating cavities
- Reviewing diagnostic tests and X-rays
- Treating decays or removing plaque build-up
- Removing or repairing damaged teeth
- Filling and repairing cavities
- Educating patients about oral hygiene
Causes of dental issues
While highly preventable, oral diseases pose a significant burden and affect people throughout their lifetime. Oral diseases impact around 3.5 billion people globally, causing pain and discomfort.
Most oral conditions and diseases share modifiable risk factors like tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and unhealthy diet with high sugar content that are common to leading 4 NCDs (chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer).
Common causes of dental issues include:
- Dental plaque formation: Plaque is a transparent sticky film that coats your teeth. Dental plaque commonly appears due to the intake of sugars and starches. The plaque on your teeth can harden above or under your gum line into tartar (calculus). This tartar makes it more difficult to remove plaque and creates a shield for bacteria, causing further dental problems.
- Poor diet: Frequent snacking on food with high sugars increases the time your teeth get exposed to the dissolving effects of various acids in your mouth. It makes you more susceptible to tooth decay and gum diseases. You can replace packaged snacks with high nutritional value and health benefits such as fruits and calcium-rich foods that promote strong bones and teeth.
- Smoking and tobacco use: Tobacco use can increase the risk of gum diseases, including a severe gum condition called periodontitis. Smokers are at double the risk of having gum disease than a non-smoker. Smoking also weakens your immune system and makes it less effective in fighting infections. It also makes the recovery process slow, making it harder for your gums to heal.
When should you visit a dentist near you?
It is widely advised not to wait for a toothache to visit a dentist. Visiting your dentist once a year for a general checkup and staying updated on your dental conditions and requirements is a good practice. Additional underlying conditions can result from oral health issues and can easily be managed in their early stages through regular dentist visits. For instance, if you experience any discomfort in your jaw, head, or neck, the pain might be related to a tooth problem.
Visit a dentist for any of the following reasons:
- As a part of preventive measures
Timely checks on oral health can help identify signs of serious issues like cancer, gum infection, or dental decay and aid in their prevention. Additionally, as a preventive measure, a dental cleanup is an excellent option to remove plaque build-up or fill up cavities.
- When you experience pain or discomfort
People often prefer to use home remedies to tackle dental issues. However, visiting a dentist is the right thing to do for long-lasting relief from the problem that may persist. You must see a dentist if you experience pain in the teeth, mouth, jaws, or gums. Any signs of bleeding gums or aches while chewing food also indicate the need for a dental visit.
- For general maintenance and health
You may have had a recent dental procedure. However, it is crucial to ensure that you visit your dentist for regular follow-ups. These maintenance checkups are essential to ensure the good health of your teeth. Pregnant women and people who consume tobacco regularly must go for routine checkups, as they are at high risk of developing a dental issue.
What entails a dental emergency?
A dental emergency involves any issue requiring immediate dental attention. A dental emergency includes situations such as:
- Intense toothache
- Severely cracked tooth
- Knocked-out tooth
- Partially dislodged (extruded) tooth
- Dental abscess causing facial and jaw swelling
- Lost or broken dental restoration
- Severe soft tissue injury; this could include a busted lip or deep cut
If you encounter a dental emergency, promptly contact a dentist near you for guidance, as many provide an emergency contact number for after-hours assistance. If you do not have a dentist, ensure that you visit an urgent care center to get immediate help.
What are some tips to prevent sports-related injuries?
- Wear mouthguards: The most effective way to protect your teeth and mouth, especially when you're a sportsperson, is to wear a mouthguard.
- Avoid hard foods and objects: Teeth weakening often occurs from eating hard foods like nuts, candy, or ice and chewing on objects like pencils or cans. Avoiding these habits can help prevent tooth injuries while playing.
How do you keep your teeth healthy?
Good oral health and dental hygiene can help you prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. Here are some tips that can help prevent tooth decay and cavities.
- Rinse your mouth: If your dentist feels you are at high risk of developing cavities, they might recommend fluoride mouth rinse.
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste: Brush your teeth twice daily, ideally after every meal, using fluoride toothpaste. To clean between your teeth, use floss or an interdental cleaner.
- Avoid frequent sipping and snacking: When you eat or drink any beverage apart from water, your mouth releases saliva containing various dissolving acids that can destroy tooth enamel. Frequent snacking and sipping can keep your teeth under constant attack.
- Drink tap water: Tap water contains added fluoride that helps reduce tooth decay significantly. If you only drink bottled water that doesn't contain fluoride, you can miss out on fluoride benefits.
- Visit your dentist regularly: Many dentists recommend scheduling dental checkups at least twice a year. Get oral exams and professional dental cleanings to prevent problems or spot them early. If you don't have a dental provider, use Zocdoc to find a dentist near you accepting new patients.
Finding a dentist near you in the Bronx, New York
The impact of COVID-19 has been severe, highlighting the need to keep our oral health in check. Routine dental checkups and following dental hygiene practices help promote better overall health. There are several aspects, like the location, expenses, and the dentist's work ethic, to consider when looking for a suitable dentist—but finding a trusted and qualified dentist who suits your unique needs can be time-consuming. Thankfully, you have Zocdoc to the rescue!
Zocdoc is a platform where you can find the best dentist near you accepting new patients. Simply sign in with Zocdoc and get access to a non-exhaustive directory of dentists across the US. Visit our homepage and start your search by condition, symptoms, or specialization. Our user-friendly search engine allows you to filter your search based on area, city, state, zip code, and preferred appointment date. You can also choose your insurance plan or carrier from the drop-down menu to filter out the in-network dentists.
If you have your insurance card with you, you can find your insurance plan information on either the front or back of the card.
Alternatively, you can also add an image of your medical insurance card to your Zocdoc account. While this feature is not available for dental or vision plans, Zocdoc will scan the card to identify and display your likely plan. In case of any further queries, please visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
Once you have set your preferences, Zocdoc will curate a list of provider profiles matching your criteria. The Zocdoc provider profiles are unique to each provider, with information about their educational qualifications, expertise, years of practice, additional certifications, languages they speak, and whether they provide pediatric care.
Zocdoc understands that credibility is of utmost importance in medical health. Hence, our provider profiles include the most recent and verified patient reviews and ratings to help you understand the dentist's mannerisms and work ethic.
Once you have found the right dentist near you accepting new patients, you can go ahead and book an offline appointment or go for a video consultation. Find a purple video icon on the dentist's profile to check if they provide online consultation services.
Booking appointments with Zocdoc is simple, secure, and free!
Dental statistics in Bronx, New York
If we look at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene statistics, in New York City (NYC), more than 1 in 3 third-grade students face the problem of untreated tooth decay. When we consider adults, about 9 in 10 adults in the US experienced some amount of tooth decay, and close to half of the adults have issues related to gums. It also shows that smoking or using tobacco products kills nearly 12,000 New Yorkers yearly, and many more suffer daily from tobacco-related illnesses. More than two-thirds of smokers in New York City try to quit every year. Smokers face higher rates of oral conditions that can complicate their health and are likely to develop periodontal disease and oral cancer.
Adults aged 65 plus are at higher risk for oral diseases, including infections, cavities on the roots of the teeth, tooth loss, and oral cancer. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, nearly 25% of adults in NYC aged 65 and above have their permanent teeth extracted due to some dental disease.
The lack of awareness about oral health leads to ignorance of serious dental issues. Data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that New York State observed around 33% of older adults (65+) did not visit a dentist in 2020, and nearly 13% lost their teeth as a result of tooth decay and gum disease. Almost 50% of adults aged between 25 and 34 have reported not visiting a dentist in 2020.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic[1]
WebMD
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene [1]
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene [2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mayo Clinic
World Health Organization
MVP Family Dental
Cleveland Clinic[2]
