Who is a dentist?
A dentist is a certified health professional specializing in diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions affecting the teeth, gums, and oral cavity. Their primary role encompasses ensuring optimal oral health by addressing various dental issues and promoting preventive care.
Dentists have many duties and responsibilities regarding patient care and management. Some general duties of a dentist include the following:
- Spreading awareness among people about maintaining oral hygiene
- Cleaning teeth by removing plaque build-up or decay
- Performing root canal treatments
- Use fillings and sealants for cavities
- Reviewing X-rays
- Extracting the wisdom teeth
Educational qualifications of a dentist
To be eligible to enroll in dental school, students must have a bachelor's degree in science or a closely related field. In their first two years, students take biological science subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, etc. Then, they prepare for clinical practice in their second and third years by diagnosing and treating oral health issues under supervision.
After graduating, students receive a D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or D.D.M. (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. To get a practicing license, they must pass a national and a state or regional clinical licensure exam.
The National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards (NCRDSCB) recognizes twelve dental specialties. Numerous dentists pursue further education to earn certification in one of the following specialties:
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics: They straighten and realign your teeth using braces and other dental tools.
- Periodontist surgeons: They look after and cure conditions related to gums.
- Pediatric dentists: They treat patients and children with special needs.
- Endodontists: These professionals care for dental pulp and tooth nerves and perform procedures like root canals.
- Prosthodontists: They use bridges, crowns, and dentures to treat patients with missing or broken teeth.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons: They perform procedures to treat conditions in the oral and maxillofacial regions (oral cavity, face, jaw, and neck) and perform aesthetic surgeries to enhance the beauty of these areas.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathologists research disorders affecting the salivary glands, temporomandibular joints, facial muscles, and perioral skin.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiologists: They review and interpret diagnostic and imaging tests.
- Dental public health specialists: Promote dental health awareness through research and community outreach.
- Orofacial pain specialists: Diagnose and treat pain conditions in the teeth, mouth, face, and neck regions.
- Oral medicine specialists: They use medication to treat oral issues.
- Dentist anesthesiologists can control a patient's pain, discomfort, and anxiety and ensure general well-being during the procedure.
Dentists must continue to educate themselves to maintain their licenses, provide adequate care, and stay up-to-date on the latest medical developments.
Five common dental problems
Per the World Health Organization, dental problems are reportedly among the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. Dental issues include toothache, sensitivity, discolored teeth, broken teeth, swollen and bleeding gums, gum pain, swollen cheeks, and a clicking jaw. The five most common dental problems are:
- Tooth decay or cavities due to erosion by bacteria
- Gum disease due to plaque build-up
- Sensitivity to cold or hot food/drinks
- Cracked tooth due to injury or decay
- Hyperdontia (having extra teeth)
What are cavities, and what are their symptoms?
Cavities are small areas of decay on the tooth's hard surface. They can potentially result in infections and even tooth loss. They affect individuals of all age groups, including infants. Factors contributing to cavities include oral bacteria, frequent consumption of sugary snacks and drinks, and insufficient dental hygiene.
The symptoms of cavities can range from subtle in the initial stages to more pronounced as the decay advances. Early on, individuals might not experience any evident signs. However, as the condition worsens, symptoms may manifest as toothaches, heightened sensitivity, discomfort when consuming hot, cold, or sweet foods, visible pits or holes in the teeth, and discoloration marked by brown, black, or white spots. Additionally, experiencing pain while biting down can be a notable indicator. A dentist near you can help you detect and treat any dental problems.
Tooth decay begins with plaque formation, a transparent sticky film, due to inadequate cleaning after consuming sugars and starches. Plaque acids then erode the tooth's hard enamel, creating openings or holes known as cavities. If left untreated, the decay reaches more profound layers of the teeth.
What are the risk factors and complications of cavities?
Several factors increase the chances of developing cavities, including the location of teeth (back teeth are more prone), certain foods and drinks that stick to teeth, poor brushing habits, lack of fluoride, and frequent snacking or sipping sugary drinks. Some common risk factors that cause cavities are discussed below:
- Bedtime baby feedings with sugary liquids like milk, formula, or juice can also contribute to cavity formation. Such liquids allow sugar to linger on teeth overnight, promoting bacterial growth.
- Both young children and teenagers commonly face cavities, while older adults, with age-related tooth wear and gum recession, also face heightened risks.
- Dry mouth also causes cavities. It results from reduced saliva production, which is vital in combating tooth decay as it rinses away food particles and plaque while neutralizing acids.
- Deteriorated fillings or dental devices, acid reflux, and specific eating disorders also cause cavities.
Complications from cavities can be severe, including swelling, pain, or pus around a tooth, damaged or broken teeth, chewing problems, and shifting of teeth positions. Abscess, a bacterial infection, causes a pocket of pus to form in a tooth. Severe pain can impact daily life, leading to weight loss or nutrition problems and, ultimately, tooth loss, affecting appearance and confidence.
How do you keep your teeth healthy?
Maintaining healthy teeth requires a lifetime of special care, including using the best products for your teeth. Following are some healthy habits to adopt for your oral health:
Brushing regularly and effectively: Since childhood, we have learned that brushing twice daily is essential for maintaining oral hygiene. However, brushing is only effective when performed using the correct technique. Brushing your teeth in small circular motions instead of swaying back and forth would be best. In addition, make sure that you use a very gentle brush with soft bristles for your teeth.
Aggressive brushing or a toothbrush with stiff bristles can damage the gums and enamel. The American Dental Association recommends changing toothbrushes every three months and using soft-bristled toothbrushes.
- Flossing: Flossing helps eliminate foul odor by removing the food debris stuck between teeth, which is not removed by brushing. Most dental specialists advise carefully guiding the floss to the gum line before cleaning the tooth's side with soft up-and-down motions. Using the floss by snapping it up and down between the teeth may cause pain and is ineffective in removing plaque.
- Using a mouthwash: Mouthwash serves different purposes based on its ingredients. For instance, mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine (an antibacterial) help control gingivitis and plaque. It is important to remember that mouthwash can not replace brushing or flossing but is an additional step toward maintaining good oral hygiene. You may ask your dentist to recommend a mouthwash suited to your needs.
- Visiting a dentist regularly: You should see a dentist near you every six to eight months for a regular checkup, cleaning, and checking for any signs of cavities, gum diseases, or mouth cancer. Your dentist will recommend the time for your next visit according to your dental needs.
- Avoid or limit smoking, sugary drinks, foods, and starches: Smokers are more prone to yellow teeth and foul breath. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies smoking or chewing tobacco as a risk factor for gum diseases. Sugar in foods and drinks may also lead to cavities. In addition, starchy foods, such as bread and pasta, cause tooth decay as they stay in our mouths longer, break into sugars, and act as food for bacterial growth.
You can adopt these five straightforward habits to maintain good oral hygiene.
What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns help improve the tooth's appearance, size, and strength. These are tooth-shaped dental caps that fully cover the visible part of a tooth and are cemented into place. Dental crowns are used for several purposes, such as protecting a weak tooth or holding positions of a cracked tooth together. If a tooth is already broken or severely worn down, a dental crown can restore it. It can cover and offer support to a tooth with a large filling. Dental crowns can even hold a dental bridge into place, cover dental implants, and enable cosmetic modifications.
Dental crowns can even protect children's primary teeth from cavities. It can help children who are at a higher risk of tooth decay and who have difficulty maintaining daily oral hygiene. Crowns can also help save a primary tooth with severe decay that cannot support a filling from further damage.
Permanent dental crowns comprise stainless steel, porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin, ceramic, or metals such as gold or other alloys. Many people choose to have a temporary dental crown until their customized permanent crown is ready to use. Here are some tips that dentists suggest on how to care for your temporary crowns and prevent them from coming off:
- Avoid chewing from the side of the mouth that has the temporary crown. Use the other side of the mouth to do most of the chewing.
- Avoid sticky and chewy food, such as caramel or chewing gum, which can pull the crown off the tooth.
- Avoid hard food like raw vegetables or candies that can dislodge and break the crown.
- Be careful while brushing your teeth with floss to avoid removing the crown.
Finding dentists near you in Brookline, Massachusetts
If you experience discomfort while chewing or a sudden toothache, visit a dentist as soon as possible. Even without symptoms, visiting a dentist every six months is advisable for regular checkups and cleaning.
You can use the Zocdoc website or app to search for the best dentists in Brookline. It is an online platform that shows complete details of the best healthcare professionals. To book an appointment with a dentist using Zocdoc, you must register your account on the Zocdoc website or app.
Enter your symptoms or the specialty you are looking for, such as "dentists," Zocdoc will provide a comprehensive list of profiles of the best dentists in Brookline. A doctor's profile includes age, gender, expertise, years of experience, achievements, and reviews and ratings from previous patients. The profile also mentions whether the dentists treat children.
If you want to find a dentist who accepts your insurance, add your insurance information (your insurance provider and plan) on the Zocdoc search. It will help you see in-network providers who accept your plan. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
The reviews and ratings from previous patients who used Zocdoc to book an appointment will help you choose the doctor that suits your needs. You can also see the real-time availability of dentists.
Depending on the dentist's availability, you can book appointments before, during, or after office hours. You can book appointments even on weekends and holidays if the dentist's schedule permits. Some dentists also offer online video visits before in-person appointments. These doctors will have a purple video icon on their profiles.
Booking appointments with dentists near you through Zocdoc is safe, quick, and free!
Statistics of Dentists in Massachusetts
As per a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics study, there were around 108,680 dentists in May 2021.
According to a report published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, there were nearly 5,747 dentists in Massachusetts in 2019, 83.38 per 100,000 resident population.
Massachusetts has an average of 2,883 residents per general dentistry practice, which is lower than the current national average of 3,502. Massachusetts has an average of 2,820 residents per specialist practice, which is lower than the current national average of 4,152.
Other reports state that around 500,000 citizens in Massachusetts live in areas with a shortage of dentists, making it necessary to know good dentists around you. Moreover, nearly 59% of Massachusetts senior citizens in long-term facilities had untreated tooth decay in 2019.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Medical News Today
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Dentagraphics
Health Resources and Services Administration
Webster Dental
Mayo Clinic
