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On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a Dentist in Chevy Chase, book an appointment, and see the Dentist within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Dentists in Chevy Chase who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Chevy Chase Dentist who takes your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find Dentists in Chevy Chase and book appointments instantly. You can search for Chevy Chase Dentists by symptom or visit reason. Then, choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
When you search for Chevy Chase Dentists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Dentists in Chevy Chase who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Chevy Chase Dentists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Dentists in Chevy Chase who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, they’re invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdoc’s guidelines.
Dentists in Chevy Chase on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only Dentists who offer video visits.
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Dentists in Chevy Chase who accept your insurance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Dentist who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.
Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for Dentists in Chevy Chase. Many Dentists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
A dentist is a medical expert with extensive education and comprehensive oral health management training. They cater to patients of all ages in private clinics, hospitals, schools, or other healthcare settings. They perform several everyday responsibilities, including:
To become a dentist, students require extensive education and training similar to that of a medical doctor. The initial step is completing an undergraduate program in a related field, such as biology, chemistry, health, or mathematics, earning a bachelor of science degree. Following this, aspiring dentists must undergo a dental admissions test as a prerequisite for dental school applications.
The comprehensive training process includes the following:
This educational foundation leads to a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree. Subsequently, obtaining a dental license is crucial, necessitating success in both written and practical exams.
After completing these fundamental steps, dentists may enhance their expertise by becoming certified through the National Board Dental Examination. Specialization is also a familiar route, with dentists choosing from various fields, each requiring a one- to three-year postgraduate residency.
These specialized areas include:
Each of these specializations demands a commitment to further education and hands-on training to refine skills and knowledge in the chosen field. Through this structured and rigorous process, dentists become equipped to provide specialized care to address a diverse range of oral health needs.
Dental anxiety is the fear/stress of dental settings and procedures. Many people of all ages experience it. But, when it is extreme, you may regularly avoid or miss your appointments, which can harm your oral health. Common symptoms of dental anxiety include sweating, palpitations, low blood pressure, fainting, crying, or panicking during dental visits.
If you have dental anxiety, ensure you talk to your dentist about it. They will help you feel at ease and be more patient and cooperative throughout your dental checkups and treatments. You can also manage your anxiety using different coping strategies, such as:
Most people visit a dentist only when they experience troublesome dental symptoms such as toothache, sensitivity, bleeding gums, or mouth sores. Often, the diagnosis reveals a complex dental condition, resulting in challenging and expensive procedures. One of the best ways to avoid this situation is routine visits with your dentist.
Then, the question arises: How many dental appointments are ideal in a year? According to general guidelines by the American Dental Association, everyone should meet their dentist at least once every 6-12 months. With routine dental exams and cleanings, the dentist can detect and treat dental or oral health issues early before they worsen further. They can also provide tailored suggestions to prevent future problems. With appropriate preventive dental care, dental health costs will remain much lower.
However, various factors such as your age, health status, family history, lifestyle, and diet can influence your dental appointment schedule. You may require more frequent dental checkups if:
In conclusion, your dentist is in the best position to advise you on the number of dental visits that are most appropriate for you. So, please discuss this with your dentist during your next visit, schedule your appointments according to their recommendations, and ensure optimal oral well-being for a lifetime.
You can ensure good oral health for a lifetime if you incorporate the following simple yet effective changes in your routine:
Apart from these general measures, you must follow your dentist's recommendations that they provide based on your situation.
Bad breath, or halitosis, can come from more than just poor oral hygiene. Here are ten surprising culprits:
1. Alcohol – While it's a liquid, alcohol dries out your mouth, reducing saliva and allowing odor-causing bacteria to thrive. Caffeine, spicy foods, smoking, and even sleep-related dry mouth can have similar effects.
2. Tongue bacteria – The tongue harbors the most bacteria in your mouth. Regular cleaning with a toothbrush or tongue scraper helps avoid brittle plastic or sharp metal scrapers.
3. Low-carb diets – When your body burns fat for energy, it produces ketones, which cause an unpleasant smell. Since this isn't a hygiene issue, sugar-free gum may help.
4. Colds – Respiratory infections increase mucus, a favorite food for bacteria. Nasal congestion can also lead to mouth-breathing, which dries the mouth further.
5. Ulcers – Helicobacter pylori, which can cause ulcers, is also linked to bad breath. Treating the infection may improve your breath.
6. Medications – Many drugs, including allergy medications and antidepressants, reduce saliva. Stay hydrated and chew sugarless gum; special rinses may also help.
7. Tonsil stones – These smelly clumps form in your tonsils from trapped food and bacteria. Gargling salt water may help dislodge them.
8. Dried fruit – It's sugary and sticky, encouraging bacterial growth. Always brush and floss after snacking.
9. Acid reflux – GERD can bring up undigested food or cause throat irritation, leading to bad breath. Consult your doctor for treatment.
10. Cracked teeth/fillings – These can trap food and bacteria, leading to bad breath. Routine dental visits are essential.
Many people feel nervous about visiting the dentist, but understanding what happens during a routine checkup can make the experience less daunting.
At your appointment, your dentist will:
Before you leave, your dentist will let you know when to come in for your next visit. While this is usually every six months, the timing may vary based on your oral health and personal risk factors.
Poor oral health can result from several factors, including poor oral hygiene, aging, genetics, smoking, alcohol use, an unhealthy diet, and lack of dental checkups. It can result in dental problems like tooth decay, bad breath, gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer. These conditions can also impact your mental health and cause low self-esteem, embarrassment, and social isolation.
Regular checkups with the best dentist are the best way to maintain good oral health. On Zocdoc, you can find the desired dentist in any part of the U.S., including Chevy Chase, MD, who accepts your insurance. You can also enter your preferred consultation dates, location, conditions, and symptoms in the search bar to match with providers per your availability.
You can still book appointments if you do not have dental health insurance coverage. All you need to do is specify "I'll pay for myself" in the search bar and click the 'find' button. You will receive a directory of dentists in your vicinity accepting patients without asking for insurance information. For more clarification on health insurance, you can go through the FAQs listed on Zocdoc's patient help center.
If the list of dentists is too extensive, you can use Zocdoc filters to make your search easier. You can specify the reasons for your visit, consultation time, and preferred travel distance, and you can even choose the provider's gender and language. Although dental visits are mostly in-person, you can look for dentists offering online consultations in the video visits tab if necessary.
Zocdoc believes every patient has the right to know about the provider they will consult with. You can check their profile pages to learn more about their education, training, board certifications, professional memberships, practice names, and hospital affiliations. You can also read verified patient reviews to understand their professional conduct.
When you find the best dentist near you, you can quickly book your first appointment via Zocdoc—it's easy, secure, and 100% free!
A 2020 report on oral health by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that in Maryland, about 9.7% of females and 7.8% of males aged 65+ had lost all their teeth from gum disease or tooth decay. The percentage of adults aged 65+ who lost six or more teeth because of gum disease and tooth decay is 26.4% for females and 27.4% for males.
According to the American Cancer Society, Maryland's average annual oral cavity and pharynx cancer rate between 2015 and 2019 was 11.2 cases per 100,000 people. This cancer resulted in around 2.5 deaths per 100,000 population annually between 2016-2020. As per the statistics, around 890 new oral cavity and pharynx cancer cases and about 200 associated deaths may occur in 2023.
According to an America's Health Rankings report, in 2020, around 66.2% of Maryland adults reported visiting a dentist or dental clinic. Approximately 70% of the patients were females, and 62.1% were males. Adults aged 65+ made the maximum number of dental visits—nearly 70.78%, followed by around 69.5% from the 45-64 age group and about 61.6% from the 18-44 age group.
Based on data from a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, there were about 2050 practicing dentists in Maryland as of May 2021.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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.