What does a dentist do?
A dentist is responsible for people's complete oral health. They diagnose and treat many dental conditions related to the teeth, gums, and mouth. They also promote preventive dental care and guide their patients on maintaining good dental hygiene that helps avoid future problems with the mouth and other body parts.
Dentists interpret X-rays and other diagnostic tests for dental problems. They also perform oral surgical procedures on the teeth, gums, jaws, and other structures and safely administer anesthesia. Common oral surgeries include tooth extraction, bone graft, dental implants, and gum surgery.
Education, training, and specialties of dentists
Dentists typically undergo eight years of education and training. They start by completing an undergraduate program in science fields such as biology, chemistry, or health. After getting their bachelor of science degree, they apply to dental schools. Once they clear the admission tests, they undergo four years of training to achieve a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.
After their studies, they acquire a dental license to start their dental practice. Others who want to specialize further do a postgraduate residency of one to three years in any of the following 12 dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA):
- Dental anesthesiology uses general anesthesia, sedation, and pain management to facilitate dental and oral surgery treatment.
- Dental public health aids in the prevention of dental diseases as well as the promotion of overall oral health
- Endodontics is a specialized dentistry field that treats and prevents disorders affecting the dental pulp and surrounding tissues.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology is crucial in managing problems affecting the maxillofacial and oral regions, which encompass the face, jaw, and mouth.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology involves studying and interpreting radiographic images of the face, jaw, or mouth.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery involves diagnosing and surgically managing diseases affecting the face, jaw, or mouth, ensuring comprehensive care for needy patients.
- Oral medicine comprises diagnosing and treating disorders of the mouth and face.
- Orofacial pain aims to treat the orofacial region pain disorders, including the jaw, mouth, face, head, and neck.
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics aid in the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal bite patterns, including misaligned jaw and teeth
- Pediatric dentistry involves diagnosing and treating dental health problems and comprehensive oral care for children and adolescents.
- Periodontics is about diagnosing, treating, and preventing periodontal or gum disease.
- Prosthodontics specializes in the treatment of missing or damaged teeth using replacements.
What are the common dental problems treated by a dentist?
A lack of dental hygiene can cause many problems. Dental issues can cause pain and discomfort, make eating difficult, and affect overall health. However, you can prevent them by following a proper dental routine and visiting a dentist near you every few months. Here are some common dental problems:
- Cavities, or dental caries, are among the most common dental problems. They cause permanent damage to the enamel, leading to tiny holes and common symptoms such as toothache, sensitivity, and dark stains.
- Tooth erosion, a persistent dental condition, occurs when acid exposure leads to the wearing away of the outer teeth covering, known as enamel. Those who experience acid reflux, dry mouth, or sugary and acidic drinks can sustain tooth erosion.
- Gingivitis is a mild gum disease; it is caused by plaque buildup on the teeth. It affects the gums at the base of the teeth, causing pain, inflammation, and redness.
- A more severe form of gum infection called periodontitis causes symptoms such as bleeding gums, difficulty eating, and tooth loss. They can also treat cracked or chipped teeth that occur with old age, biting into hard foods, grinding teeth, chewing gum, or accidents.
These common dental problems can cause tooth sensitivity, leading to pain or discomfort when eating hot or cold foods. Some people have aesthetic dental issues such as crooked, gapped, or stained teeth. It can be embarrassing and lower self-esteem. Dentists can use different procedures to improve the appearance of these teeth.
Oral cancer is a more serious dental problem that can cause tumors in any part of the mouth, including the tongue, inside of the cheeks, roof of the mouth, lips, or gums. Common risk factors include excessive tobacco and alcohol use, sexually transmitted infections, and a weak immune system.
Why should you consult a dentist regularly?
Regular dental checkups go beyond just teeth cleaning; they play an important part in maintaining oral health. Dentists ensure your teeth are in good shape, keep a close eye on your gums, identify potential oral abnormalities, and even spot signs of serious health problems. Making a habit of visiting your dentist at regular intervals is crucial for upholding excellent oral hygiene.
The significance of these checkups includes the following:
- Early detection of oral cancer: Early-stage oral cancer can be difficult to detect, posing a challenge for timely diagnosis. However, by visiting your dentist regularly, any signs of this disease can be identified promptly, enabling effective management and treatment.
- Plaque and cavity prevention: Even with diligent brushing/flossing, plaque and tartar can collect over time. Cavities often remain asymptomatic until they've caused significant tooth decay. Regular dental cleanings prevent plaque, tartar, and cavities, safeguarding teeth from deterioration.
- Gum disease prevention: Plaque and tartar affect the teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues. Tartar buildup can lead to an infection called gingivitis, which gradually causes the gums to recede from the teeth. In severe cases, this may lead to tooth loss due to weakened support.
- Monitoring harmful habits: Your dentist can observe and help you break addictive or detrimental practices that harm your oral health. Through regular consultations, you can become aware of unhealthy habits such as chewing ice, consuming hard sweets, drinking coffee and red wine, nail-biting, and smoking.
- Detection of hidden issues: Equipped with advanced tools like X-rays, scanners, and lasers, your dentist can spot oral problems that might not be visible to the naked eye. These issues could be symptomatic of underlying conditions that require attention.
Are dentists and endodontists the same?
No, dentists and endodontists are not the same. While both are dental professionals, endodontists undergo additional specialized training after dental school for two or more years. Endodontists diagnose and treat tooth pain, mainly through root canal treatment. Their expertise lies in handling complex cases and providing specialized care.
On the other hand, dentists practice general dentistry and can also perform root canals. However, their training may not be as extensive as that of endodontists, and they typically handle fewer root canal treatments than endodontists. Endodontists are called "tooth savers" because of their ability to treat and save diseased teeth effectively. If a dentist identifies a case that requires specialized treatment, they may refer the patient to an endodontist to ensure the best possible care.
What is a dental emergency, and how do we handle it?
A dental emergency refers to any urgent dental issue that demands immediate attention. Not all dental concerns qualify as emergencies; however, situations involving uncontrollable bleeding, persistent pain unresponsive to medication, or fractures in facial bones necessitate immediate dental care.
In a dental emergency, the initial step is to contact your dentist promptly for guidance. Many dentists offer emergency contact numbers for after-hours assistance. If you do not have a regular dentist, you should go to an emergency dentist in your vicinity.
Regarding where to seek treatment, most dental emergencies, such as fractured or dislodged teeth, can be addressed at your dentist's office. However, for severe injuries such as fractures in facial bones, seeking immediate attention in the emergency room is recommended.
Here are steps to manage various dental emergencies until you can see your dentist -
- Toothache - Rinse your mouth with water and then use dental floss to remove debris. Apply a cold compress if it's swollen, and take over-the-counter pain relievers. Seek dental care promptly.
- Badly cracked tooth - Save broken pieces, rinse your mouth, apply gauze if bleeding, and use a cold compress for pain and swelling. See your dentist as soon as possible.
- Broken tooth - Handle the tooth by the crown, rinse it without scrubbing, try reinserting it gently, or store it in milk or a special solution. Visit your dentist urgently for the best chance of saving the tooth.
- Extruded tooth - See your dentist immediately, apply a cold compress, and take pain relievers.
- Dental abscess - This serious infection requires prompt dental attention. Rinse with a salt-water solution to alleviate pain and reduce swelling until you can see your dentist.
- Lost or broken dental restoration - Use sugarless gum or over-the-counter dental cement for temporary relief and see your dentist promptly.
- Severe soft tissue injury - Rinse with salt water, apply pressure with a gauze or a tea bag, use a cold compress, and seek immediate dental or medical attention if bleeding persists.
These steps offer temporary relief and help manage the pain or bleeding until you can visit an emergency dentist near you.
How can you maintain good oral health?
Following simple dental routines and adopting a healthy lifestyle and diet can help you maintain good oral health for a lifetime. In addition, here are a few tips to follow:
- Brush teeth at least twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste
- Floss daily to remove dental plaque
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly after every meal
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake
- Avoid sugary food and drinks
- Stay hydrated by drinking ample water and maintaining a balanced diet with nutritious foods.
- Keep your chronic conditions under control, such as diabetes
- Go for routine dental checkups every few months
- Consult your dentist immediately if you notice symptoms such as toothache, sensitivity, sudden changes in taste and smell, and more
- Protect your face to prevent facial injuries
What should you expect during a visit to a dentist?
Visiting the dentist doesn’t have to be intimidating. Dentists and hygienists prioritize your comfort, often offering options like TV or movies during the appointment and pain relief or sedation for procedures. Whether it’s a routine checkup or your first visit, a trip to the dentist is a step toward improving oral health and a brighter smile.
To ease any anxiety, plan ahead by allowing sufficient time off from work or school. When booking, ask about the duration of the cleaning and exam and allow extra time if it’s been a while since your last visit. Scheduling an end-of-day appointment can help you relax afterward. If you have dental insurance, confirm whether your dentist is in-network to save on costs and check for any out-of-pocket expenses. Arrive early to complete the paperwork and bring your driver’s license and insurance card for check-in.
During a routine visit, the hygienist will clean your teeth, removing plaque and tartar with specialized tools. Inform them if you experience discomfort so they can pause as needed. After cleaning, the dentist will get busy polishing your teeth with a spinning tool and flavored paste, followed by a rinse. The dentist may take X-rays to find hidden issues. They will subsequently check your teeth and gums using a periodontal probe to check for concerns. Afterward, they will discuss their findings and recommend next steps.
If it’s been a while since your last visit, expect a more intensive cleaning and possibly additional procedures. The dentist may take X-rays to view your teeth, gums, and bone structure comprehensively. Removing accumulated tartar may be uncomfortable but is essential for a healthier mouth. Don’t feel discouraged if the dentist finds issues—they will guide you in addressing them effectively.
Where can you find a qualified dentist near you in Broomfield, CO?
Dental problems can cause eating difficulties, decreased appetite, poor sleep, and reduced school and work performance, which can lower one's overall quality of life. However, it is possible to prevent these problems through routine dental care. So, if you haven't been going for regular checkups with a dentist, it is about time you started now. Zocdoc can help you find the best dentists in your area—Broomfield, CO.
Finding one dentist from the extensive list can seem challenging, but you can make this task easy using Zocdoc filters. Visit the Zocdoc website and enter your location and symptoms in the search bar. You can also specify your preferred consultation date and insurance details to find only in-network providers.
Our online patient support center helps you locate dentists who accept your insurance. Using Zocdoc, you can connect your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, although you can use only one plan per appointment.
You can add secondary insurance details in the appointment notes if you have multiple insurance plans. Additionally, if your provider utilizes Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can conveniently input secondary insurance information during booking.
Furthermore, you can locate dentists based on gender and language on Zocdoc. Another benefit of booking through this platform is getting relevant information about every expert before your consultation. You can get details about their education and training, board certifications, awards, expertise, experience, etc. Read the verified patient reviews to get a personal take on the dentist's professional conduct.
Once you find a dentist in your vicinity, book your appointment immediately! Although in-person meetings are better for dental consultations, you can opt for video visits if necessary.
Booking with Zocdoc is easy, secure, and 100% free.
Statistics on dental problems in Colorado
According to a 2015 report on oral health and well-being in Colorado by the American Dental Association, around 9% of adults had a poor overall mouth and teeth condition. When looking at data on dental problems experienced very often for 12 consecutive months, about 11% of adults reported dry mouth, around 12% had difficulty biting or chewing, nearly 8% had dental pain, and about 7% had problems sleeping. Oral health also impacted mental wellness as approximately 12% of adults avoided smiling, about 22% felt embarrassed, and nearly 23% experienced anxiety.
The 2018 Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment released statistics on Colorado children's oral health between 2016-17. Based on that, cavities were the number one chronic disease of childhood both nationally and locally, with around 31.3% of kindergarten students and about 47.3% of third-grade students having caries experience. Roughly 17.5% of kindergarten students and about 15.2% of third-grade students had untreated decay. Approximately 3% of children from kindergarten and 3.3% from third grade needed urgent dental care.
The 2022 American Cancer Society compiled cancer-related data on Colorado. Between 2014 and 18, there were around 10.8 oral cavity and pharynx cancer cases per 100,000 population in Colorado. This cancer affected more men (about 16.3 per 100,000 males) than women (about 5.8 per 100,000 females). The same dataset estimated approximately 790 new oral cavity and pharynx cases and nearly 110 related deaths in 2022.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Webster Dental
Medical News Today
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Dental Association
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
American Cancer Society
123DENTIST
American Association of Endodontists
