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Who is a dentist, and what do they do?

A dentist is a healthcare expert trained in diagnosing and treating oral health conditions. They can help you care for your teeth and mouth to ensure optimal oral health. Dentists can recommend practicing dental hygiene, monitoring jaw and tooth growth, and performing dental procedures. You can see a dentist for teeth cleaning, extraction, filling cavities, and repairing damaged teeth.

Dentists receive training in performing surgery on the oral cavity's teeth, soft tissues, and bones. After completing an undergraduate course, they are medical doctors with at least four years of focused training in an accredited dental school. A dentist uses advanced technology and equipment to provide the best care possible. They usually work as a team with dental assistants, lab assistants, and hygienists. 

Regularly visiting a dentist for routine checkups and cleanings to remove buildup can positively impact your overall health. They can also interpret X-rays and diagnostic tests and administer anesthesia safely. They can handle emergencies and oral trauma. Additionally, if your condition requires the attention of a specialist or other healthcare providers, your dentist will provide a referral.

Education and training

A dentist undergoes a curriculum akin to that of a medical doctor. After completing an undergraduate program in a related field like health, biology, chemistry, or math, one ultimately receives a Bachelor of Science degree. The subsequent step involves taking the dental admissions test, a prerequisite for applying to dental schools.

The training process involves the following steps:

1. Completing two years of biomedical science studies and two years of clinical practice
2. Obtaining a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or Dental Surgery (DDS)
3. Earning a dental license by successfully passing both written and practical exams

Following this, dentists may pursue certification by sitting for the National Board Dental Examination. Depending on their chosen area of specialization, dentists might also need to complete a one—to three-year postgraduate residency.

Different subspecialties in dentistry

Dentists can choose from a variety of areas to further specialize in specific fields. Here are some of the most common subspecialities in the field of dentistry:

• Orthodontists address teeth and jaw issues such as poorly positioned teeth, tooth spacing, and bite problems.

• Endodontists focus on treating and preventing diseases in the dental pulp and surrounding tissues to preserve the natural tooth.

• Periodontists identify and manage conditions affecting the bones and gums supporting the teeth.

• Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform surgery to address soft and hard tissue problems in the mouth, jaw, or face.

• Oral and maxillofacial pathologists deal with the nature, identification, and treatment of disorders affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions.

• Dental anesthesiologists specialize in alleviating anxiety and pain and managing patient health during diagnostic or surgical procedures.

• Oral and maxillofacial radiologists produce and interpret imaging tests to diagnose and manage facial, jaw, and mouth conditions.

• Dental public health specialists promote dental health through public education, community efforts, program administration, and applied research.

• Pediatric dentists provide preventive oral care and treatment to infants, children, and adolescents.

• Oral medicine specialists diagnose and manage oral diseases and conditions in medically complex patients.

• Orofacial pain specialists diagnose, prevent, and treat pain in the face, teeth, jaws, and head.

• Prosthodontics specialists deal with replacing teeth and restoring missing tooth structures.

How is oral health linked to your overall health?

Like other areas of your body, your mouth is full of germs. While these germs are mostly harmless, they can sometimes travel to and cause disease in different parts of your body. Additionally, medications like decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, and antidepressants can decrease your flow of spit (saliva). Saliva is crucial to help maintain the balance of acids made by germs in your mouth. This prevents germs from affecting other body parts.

Listed below are some medical conditions linked to your oral health:

• Diabetes: Diabetes reduces your body's natural ability to fight infection, putting your gums at risk. Gum disease seems to be more frequent and severe in people who have diabetes.

• Cardiovascular disease: Research shows that stroke, heart disease, and clogged arteries might be linked to infections and inflammation caused by oral germs.

• Pneumonia: Certain germs can travel from your mouth to your lungs, which might result in respiratory diseases like pneumonia.

• Endocarditis: Endocarditis is an infection of the heart chambers' inner lining. It typically happens when germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, transmit through the blood and attach to certain parts of your heart. 

Reasons to see a dentist near you

Under normal circumstances, your dentist will ask you to visit for routine checkups, maybe once or twice a year. However, there may be some reasons you need to see your dentist more frequently. These include:

• Swelling or pain: If you are experiencing toothaches, numbness in the mouth or teeth, or tender gums, you may need to see your dentist. Sensitivity to heat and cold is another reason to seek an appointment as quickly as possible. 

• Pregnancy: Pregnancy-induced hormonal shifts can increase your susceptibility to gingivitis or tooth decay. To safeguard against this, you should get your teeth cleaned more frequently when pregnant. 

• Stiffness in the jaw: A temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) can cause pain or stiffness. Symptoms to watch out for include popping or pain when you open or close your jaw. A dentist can diagnose this condition and suggest a suitable treatment.

• Existing medical conditions: If you have chronic ailments such as diabetes, HIV, or cardiac problems, you may need to see your dentist frequently. Taking prescription drugs and undergoing medical treatments such as hormone replacement therapy and prescription drugs can make you susceptible to oral health issues.

• Gum problems: Multiple conditions may cause gum problems, but these often show similar or overlapping symptoms. Conditions like receding, sensitive, or bleeding gums can be severe if left untreated. If your gums are painful, puffy, or swollen, they might also indicate a problem. A regular dental checkup can help you know about your condition and receive proper treatment.

• Trouble eating: Difficulty chewing or swallowing is among the first signs of oral or dental issues. The dentist will assess your symptoms, detect the problem, and provide effective treatment to cure the ailment holistically.

• Loose teeth: You must see a dentist if your teeth feel loose or do not fit together when you bite. Increasing gaps between the teeth also deserve attention.

• Dry mouth: A moist oral cavity lubricated by saliva indicates a healthy mouth. If your mouth feels dry, it can harm your oral well-being and lead to diseases. Dentists help diagnose the cause of mouth dryness and provide effective treatment to relubricate your mouth with natural saliva.

• Avoid smiling: A smile is a natural way to express human emotion. If you avoid smiling for fear of embarrassment due to plaque accumulation or misaligned or discolored teeth, then a dentist can help. They can conduct cosmetic dental procedures to remove plaque, clean the teeth, and whiten them. They can even suggest proper treatment to rearrange your teeth to give you a bright and confident smile. 

• Dental procedures: If you have fillings, dental implants, crowns, or dentures, you must see the dentist regularly to ensure the artificial structures are in good shape.

• Sores and bumps: Most sores and spots heal without medications in a few days or weeks. However, some sores, lumps, or lesions need proper treatment. Candidiasis, a common fungal infection, often develops as white sores on the upper part of the mouth, tongue, inner cheek, or tonsils. A qualified dentist helps identify and treat sores, bumps, and infections.

Which food items are harmful to dental health?

Some foods make your teeth vulnerable to decay and can cause gum disease. Avoiding foods that encourage the growth of bacteria and plaque can help you maintain healthy teeth and strengthen the enamel. 

Hence, one must avoid sweets and sticky candies, particularly those that remain in the mouth for a long time. It is best to avoid cough drops, caramel, and lollipops, and you could substitute them with chocolate. You are also better off without potato chips and soft bread. Sugary and starchy foods can mix with the plaque in the mouth to create acids that weaken the enamel. Carbonated soft drinks also threaten the enamel for these same reasons. 

How can you maintain oral hygiene?

Following a strict and thorough oral care regimen can help reduce the risk of teeth and gum disease. Using a fluoride-based toothpaste, brush your teeth twice a day and remember to floss. Fluoride fights decay-causing bacteria and provides a protective barrier for your teeth. 

Take your time (at least two minutes) while brushing. Start with cleaning the outer surfaces of each tooth. Next, tilt your brush at a 45° angle and brush against the gumline to remove any food debris. Make sure to brush the inner and chewing surfaces of your teeth as well as the tops of your back teeth. Finally, brush your tongue to remove plaque buildup and odor-causing bacteria.

How can you find an experienced dentist near you in Canton, GA?

Good dental health and hygiene are integral to your overall health. If oral diseases and conditions of the mouth are left unresolved, they can cause various other complications. For instance, oral bacteria can cause cardiovascular diseases or pneumonia. If the hassle of finding a qualified dentist in your area has kept you from seeking dental care at the right time, Zocdoc can help.

The first step is setting up a free account on our platform. Log in to your account and use the convenient filters to search for dentists meeting your requirements. Refine your search based on gender, location, and hospital affiliations. Our advanced algorithm combs through an extensive database of medical and healthcare professionals to see a list of possible matches.

If you want to find a dentist who accepts your insurance, add your insurance information (your insurance provider and plan) to the Zocdoc search. It will help you see providers who accept your plan. You can find accurate results from in-network dentists. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance. 

You can then click on individual profiles to learn more about each practitioner. You can check their areas of expertise and educational qualifications, and see whether they treat children. In addition, our regularly updated patient ratings and reviews give you insights into firsthand experiences to help you make an informed choice.

Once you pick a dentist near you, you can make a virtual appointment before scheduling an in-person session. The easy booking process lets you choose slots based on the dentist's availability and your convenience. Some dentists may be available on weekends and outside of regular business hours. All bookings made on Zocdoc are simple, free, and secure!

Statistics on dentists and dental health in Georgia

Periodontal disease or gum disease is a cause for worry across the United States, and Georgia is no exception. As per oral health data (2020) compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, close to 60.7% of adults aged 18 and older in Georgia saw a dentist or visited a dental clinic within the past year. Further statistics for the same period show that among all adults aged 65 and above in Georgia, around 41.0% of adults have lost six or more teeth, and around 17.3% have lost all of their natural teeth owing to gum disease or tooth decay.

A report by the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce states that approximately 5,212 dentists were practicing in the state in 2021. Between 2019 and 2021, the number of dentists in the state increased by an average of 1.3%. Additional data from the same source shows that in 2019, the rate of dentists practicing per 100,000 people was about 48.43. This figure is much lower than the national average of 61 per 100,000 for 2018. The same source found the prevalence of dentists in Cherokee County (where Canton is a city) to be around 54 per 100,000 population (a total of 144 dentists). 

Sources

WebMD

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Mayo Clinic

University of Rochester Medical Center

MouthHealthy

Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Webster Dental

Healthline

Colgate

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.