About dentistry and dentist
Dentistry refers to dental or oral medicine, the medical branch that concerns everything related to teeth, gums, and mouth. A dentist is a trained professional specializing in oral health. They are committed to promoting the best health standards through early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases and conditions. Dentists are doctors, scientists, and clinicians.
Dentists play an important role in identifying early signs of oral cancer and other systemic body conditions in the mouth. You can improve your dental health by seeing a dentist regularly. It directly or indirectly influences your overall well-being.
What do dentists do?
An essential duty of dentists is to advocate for excellent oral hygiene. It lessens the likelihood of issues developing in your mouth or other body parts. Other standard dental routines are:
- Educating people about dental care
- Carrying out surgical procedures such as examinations, fillings, crowns, implants, extractions, and corrective surgery
- Examining diagnostic tests and X-rays
- Giving anesthetics
- Monitoring the development of the jawbones and teeth
Dentistry works on team effort, and the dentist is the leader. Dental hygienists, lab techs, and assistants all work alongside the dentist. The staff works as a unit to guarantee that patients receive top-notch dental care.
Dentists employ modern equipment and technology for dental operations, such as X-ray machines, lasers, drills, brushes, and scalpels. They also wear protective gear, such as masks, gloves, and safety glasses, to prevent germs and bacteria from spreading.
Further, dentists can diagnose and treat a variety of oral conditions. These include:
- Toothache: A broken or cracked tooth can cause a sharp ache. If your teeth are sensitive to certain temperatures, having hot or cold food can also cause pain and discomfort. Another reason for toothache is dental abscesses, which are pus-filled pockets in the gums and teeth caused by bacterial infections. Untreated oral injuries can cause tooth abscesses; hence, you must see a dentist immediately after suffering an injury.
- Bad breath: Halitosis is another term for bad breath. It can be brought on by gum disease, dental cavities, dry mouth, oral germs, etc. While mouthwash can only mask the odor, it is not a permanent solution for chronic bad breath. Also, since halitosis can result from non-oral diseases like sinusitis, tonsillitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), visiting a dentist will help you identify the exact cause and seek proper treatment.
- Tooth decay: Tooth decay, or dental cavities, occurs when plaque combines with the sugar and starch from your food. It causes an acidic reaction and negatively affects the enamel of your teeth. Cavities are common; proper oral hygiene habits can keep them at bay.
- Gum disease or periodontal disease refers to infection and swelling of the gums and the supporting bone of your teeth. Its symptoms include reddish and purple gums, bad breath, experiencing pain while chewing, bleeding, and swollen or sore gums. Further, gum disease is a significant cause of tooth loss in adults. Gum disease has four stages: gingivitis, mild periodontitis, moderate periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. If detected and treated in the early stages, it can be reversible.
- Oral cancer: Oral cancer, while fatal, is curable if detected early. Soreness and lumps in your mouth and difficulty chewing or moving your tongue are some of the main signs of mouth and throat cancer. Making certain lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding tobacco consumption and limiting alcohol intake, can reduce the chances of oral cancer.
What are the qualifications of a dentist?
Since dentists are doctors, they follow a similar educational path to medical doctors. The first step is to obtain a bachelor of science degree in a relevant field—such as math, biology, chemistry, or health—by completing an undergraduate program. The dental admissions test is the next challenge for applying to dental schools.
The training procedure for dentists includes:
- Two years of biomedical science education
- Two years of clinical practice
- Attending dental school and graduating with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree
- Passing both written and practical tests to earn a dental license
Dentists must get certified by the National Board of Dental Examination. After passing the exam, they can pursue specialized training by completing a postgraduate residency. Based on their preferred specialty, the program can take 1-3 years to complete. The twelve dentistry specialties are:
- Dental anesthesiology: Dental anesthesiologists specialize in administering anesthesia and offering sedation for dental procedures. They collaborate with other dental specialists to ensure patient comfort and safety before and during procedures.
- Dental public health: Specialists here aim to prevent and control oral conditions in the population instead of individual patients. They work in community health programs, schools, government agencies, and other settings.
- Endodontics: Endodontists diagnose and treat ailments and injuries related to the dental pulp and other surrounding tissues. They are experts in performing procedures like root canals.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology: This specialty deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases of the oral and maxillofacial regions.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Specialists here specialize in surgically treating oral and maxillofacial diseases and injuries. They also treat defects of the jaws, head, neck, face, and other surrounding tissues.
- Oral medicine: It is the specialty that manages the oral healthcare requirements of complex patients and diagnoses medical-related diseases, disorders, and conditions.
- Pediatric dentistry: Pediatric dentists specialize in treating the dental needs of children (infancy through adolescence), including preventive and therapeutic care.
- Periodontics: Periodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating the issues affecting the gums and teeth's supporting structures. They also perform cosmetic periodontal procedures.
- Prosthodontics: Prosthodontists' area of expertise involves replacing missing teeth and streamlining other oral structures. They use bridges, dentures, and dental implants.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology: This specialty is concerned with creating and interpreting images and data produced by various modalities of radiant energy. These are used to diagnose and manage ailments, concerns, and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region.
- Orofacial pain: As the term suggests, specialists here diagnose, manage, and treat pain disorders of the mouth, jaw, face, head, and neck.
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics: This specialty includes diagnosing and correcting malocclusion and neuromuscular and skeletal issues of the developing or mature orofacial structures.
General tips to avoid dental problems
As small as they might appear, dental problems can hamper your daily activities. However, you can prevent most dental issues by following these healthy habits:
- Brushing your teeth twice daily
- Floss every day
- Avoid smoking
- Get regular dental check-ups
It is always advisable to consult an expert if you face any health issues. Delaying can make the condition worse. A qualified dentist is always the best person to consult when experiencing dental discomfort or sensitivity. Seeking immediate assistance for dental emergencies can help prevent chronic disease and save time, effort, and money.
When should you see a dentist?
Even though visiting a dentist every six months is ideal, we must remember it. Adding the pandemic to the mix, it's no wonder many still need to make our scheduled check-ups. To avoid that, look up dentists near you accepting new patients and schedule bi-yearly appointments with them beforehand.
Here are some reasons you need to book a dental appointment at the earliest:
- Preventive care: Your dentist will initially look for oral cancer, gum disease, or tooth decay symptoms. Regularly checking on these things helps avoid more significant future issues. Dental hygienists clean your teeth to remove plaque and tartar accumulation, which can lead to gum disease and tooth damage. Your dentist and hygienist can also offer advice on effectively caring for your teeth at home.
- Pain and discomfort: Visit a dentist immediately if you experience pain or discomfort in your gums, teeth, jaws, or mouth. Signs of something being wrong could include pain or inflammation in the neck, mouth, or face. Similarly, you should book a dental care appointment if your gums are bleeding or you have difficulty chewing or swallowing to determine the potential causes.
- Maintenance and health: If you have already undergone dental work, ensure everything is still in the proper place. Similar to your medical doctor, a dentist can help you monitor your health if you're pregnant or actively smoking cigarettes. They can also help if you have other chronic medical conditions.
Seeing a dentist near you can help prevent future tooth-related issues. Nevertheless, finding a proficient dentist who understands your worries and welcomes your queries takes time and effort.
Dental procedures conducted by general dentists
General dentists perform essential procedures to maintain oral health and enhance dental well-being. These procedures include:
- Conducting dental X-rays: Dentists utilize dental X-rays as a crucial diagnostic tool to assess the structure of teeth and jaw bones. These images reveal signs of decay, damage, or disease not readily visible during a standard visual examination. Detecting oral issues on time helps prevent more severe problems in the future.
- Applying porcelain veneers: Porcelain veneers are increasingly popular for enhancing teeth' aesthetics. These tiny porcelain shells cover the front surface of teeth, significantly improving their color, shape, and size.
- Performing extractions: Tooth removal, or extractions, ranks among the most frequent procedures conducted by general dentists. Dentists carefully extract teeth using local anesthetics and sometimes sedation, ensuring minimal patient discomfort. This procedure is crucial for addressing various dental issues effectively.
- Conducting teeth cleaning: Regular dental cleanings are vital for oral health maintenance. During these appointments, dental hygienists eliminate plaque and tartar buildup; this helps in preventing gum disease, tooth decay, and halitosis. Maintaining clean teeth is essential for overall oral hygiene.
- Providing partial dentures: Partial dentures, also termed removable partial dentures, offer a solution for missing teeth. These prostheses consist of an acrylic base with artificial teeth, filling gaps caused by missing teeth while preserving remaining natural teeth. Partial dentures improve speech, chewing ability, and appearance, promoting overall dental well-being.
Dentists vs. dental hygienists: What is the difference?
While both dental hygienists and dentists are oral health professionals, their training and work scopes differ. Here are three critical differences between them:
- Education: While dentists must obtain a bachelor's degree and graduate from dental school, dental hygienists must complete an associate degree. They can achieve this by enrolling in dental hygiene courses in community colleges, technical schools, or dental schools. Overall, dentists train for longer than dental hygiene specialists.
- Certification: Dental school graduates must pass state-administered licensure exams and get certified by the American Board of General Dentistry before practicing as dentists. On the other hand, dental hygienists have to only obtain state licensure by passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
- Responsibilities: Dental hygienists are part of dentist-led teams that offer preventative care and help you maintain good oral health. During your appointment, they will clean and polish your teeth and scrape off any plaque or tartar. They are also trained to take X-rays of your teeth and gums, give you a fluoride rinse, and apply sealants to prevent cavities. On the contrary, dentists diagnose and treat oral health conditions. They can also offer specialized care for different age groups, body parts, or medical conditions.
How do you find the best dentist near you in Cliffside Park, New Jersey?
Experts suggest seeing dentists twice a year. Routine dental checks ensure preventative care, pain relief, and general dental health maintenance. It can also help you avoid needing severe dental surgeries in the future. A long-lasting relationship with your dentist can make things easier since they are already well-versed in your dental health history, needs, and conditions. There's no better place than Zocdoc to find such trustworthy providers.
To find dentists near you accepting new patients, enter your location or symptoms in the Zocdoc finder. You'll get a list of suitable practitioners with relevant details listed. Browsing through it will help you know about their educational background, experience, awards, licensure, accreditations, ratings, and more.
You can find in-network doctors on Zocdoc who accept your insurance. If you wish to simplify this process, just add an image of your medical insurance card to your account, and we will help you select your insurance plan. However, this is optional. You can also manually add your insurance information to your account by picking your plan from the list. For any insurance-related queries, visit Zocdoc's patient help center. Additionally, you can search for doctors using advanced filters based on factors like language, gender, hospital connections, whether or not they can treat children, etc.
Verified reviews left by previous patients are reliable sources for helping you make an informed decision. Once you've chosen the best dentist near you in Cliffside Park who fulfills your needs, you can use Zocdoc to schedule a consultation. Book a virtual or in-person appointment at your convenience at no additional cost.
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Statistics for dental health in New Jersey, USA
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared alarming data on dental health and treatment in the USA. It stated that nearly one in every four adults in the US has cavities. One in four people has untreated dental decay, and over half of all adults exhibit symptoms of gum disease. Gum disease is said to be at increased risk due to diabetes and tobacco usage.
More than 40% of adults report having felt pain in their mouth within the last year, and more than 80% of people will have had at least one cavity by age 34.
According to United Health Foundation data, as of September 2023, 74.1% of adults in New Jersey had visited the dentist.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
American Dental Education Association
Verywell Health[1]
Verywell Health[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
America's Health Rankings
Indeed
Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
Cielo Dental & Orthodontics
Aimst University
National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards
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