Who are dentists, and what do they do?
Dentists are medical practitioners who assist with oral care. One of their essential responsibilities is to promote excellent dental hygiene, which helps prevent issues in the mouth or other regions of the body. A dentist also diagnoses and treats gum, tooth, and oral disorders. They undertake dental procedures using modern technology and equipment, such as X-ray machines, lasers, brushes, drills, scalpels, and other medical tools.
Some everyday tasks undertaken by dentists include:
- Educating individuals about dental hygiene
- Cavity filling
- Eliminating dental plaque or deterioration
- Examining X-rays and diagnostic tests
- Ensuring the safe administration of anesthesia
- Installing fillings or sealants
- Examining the development of teeth and jawbones
- Performing surgical treatments on the mouth cavity's bones, soft tissues, and teeth
- Managing oral trauma and other emergencies
What are the different types of dental subspecialists?
After completing the four-year program and earning a DDS/Doctor of Dental Surgery or DMD/Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, a dentist can specialize in specific areas of dentistry. This additional training lasts two to three years, after which they are often referred to as subspecialists. If a general dentist thinks you need special care, they may refer you to one such subspecialist.
Some dental subspecialties you may come across include the following:
- Orthodontics: This field primarily provides corrective treatments to align your bite and straighten your teeth. Orthodontists check your bite by the way the top and bottom rows of your teeth meet. Bad bites or "malocclusion" can lead to functional problems with chewing or speaking or even increase your risk for cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. Orthodontists also treat crooked, overlapping, rotated, and crowded teeth and ease pain in patients who have temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD). They offer treatment options like retainers, braces, palate expanders, and clear aligners.
- Periodontics: Periodontists are specialists who treat diseases that affect the gums, the tissues supporting the teeth, and the jawbone, such as bone loss, gum recession, and periodontal disease. Patients who need temporary services outside the scope of a general dentist, such as a gum graft, bone graft, or frenectomy, may be referred to a periodontist. Patients prone to gum disease and those genetically predisposed to gum disease generally need periodontal cleanings in addition to routine cleanings.
- Pedodontics: More widely known as pediatric dentistry, this branch of dentistry involves treating teeth and gum diseases in infants, adolescents, teenagers, and children with special needs. Experts in this specialty provide services like infant oral exams, risk assessments for the mother and the child, counseling for habits like thumbsucking and using pacifiers, and diagnosing oral conditions associated with diabetes, congenital conditions, asthma, and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).
- Cosmetic dentistry: This branch of dentistry only focuses on enhancing your teeth and smile's appearance. This may be a treatment option for those who have crooked, chipped, discolored (stained), or misaligned teeth. Cosmetic dentists provide treatments like teeth whitening, dental bonding, and veneers. These treatments can bring balance and symmetry to your smile and boost confidence.
- Endodontics: Dentists specializing in endodontics focus on treating complex issues affecting the tooth pulp, which is made of blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues deep inside the teeth. They are skilled at preserving natural teeth, even those severely decayed or damaged. Endodontists provide root canal treatment (RCT), endodontic surgery, and tooth extractions. While a general dentist can also perform RCTs, endodontists receive additional training and perform root canals more often than general dentists.
- Oral surgery: Oral surgeons treat injuries, diseases, and abnormalities in the teeth, gums, jawbone, and other orofacial structures. Common oral surgeries include- wisdom teeth removals, tooth extractions, oral cancer surgery, and dental bone grafts. Oral surgery may also overlap with maxillofacial surgery. Maxillofacial surgeons often perform the same procedures as oral surgeons. Some common maxillofacial surgeries include- cleft lip and palate repair, jaw surgery, cosmetic facial surgeries, and reconstructing broken facial bones.
Common dental issues
Many individuals suffer from various dental problems that affect oral health. Some common dental issues are:
- Bad breath: Gum diseases, cavities, oral cancer, dry mouth, and bacteria on the tongue can lead to bad breath.
- Tooth decay: Plaque mixes with the sugars and starches in your food to cause tooth decay. The combination generates acids that erode tooth enamel.
- Gum (Periodontal) disease is an inflammation and infection of the gingiva surrounding teeth. Some symptoms are bad breath, swollen or bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, and pain in the mouth while eating.
- Oral cancer is a dangerous and fatal disease. Regular dental appointments can help in the early detection of oral cancer.
- Tooth erosion, also known as tooth wear, refers to the loss of tooth structure. Acid attacks the enamel, causing it to erode. Symptoms might range from sensitivity to more severe issues like cracking.
- Tooth sensitivity is a common issue among many individuals. Sensitivity refers to pain or discomfort caused by sweets, cold air, hot beverages, ice cream, and cold drinks.
Foods to avoid for healthy teeth
Foods and beverages can create plaque buildup, which can harm your teeth. Plaque causes gum disease and tooth decay. When you eat a sugary snack or meal, sugar triggers bacteria to generate acids that destroy tooth enamel. Cavities can then form as the enamel deteriorates. Cavities lead to issues such as pain, chewing difficulties, and tooth abscesses. If you do not brush your teeth daily, plaque will harden and turn into tartar. Tartar formation above the gum line can cause gum diseases or gingivitis.
Try to avoid consumption of the foods listed below (especially if you already have any oral issues):
- Sour candies
- Bread
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Carbonated drinks (soda)
- Ice
- Citrus
- Potato chips
- Dried fruits
You should consult a dentist near you on what to eat and avoid when dealing with dental diseases.
Common general dentistry procedures
The following are some standard general dentistry procedures that dentists carry out:
- Implants and extractions: Dentists remove teeth that are too damaged or decaying to be repaired using extractions. They use implants to replace missing teeth. Biocompatible titanium implants fuse with the jawbone to support a dental prosthesis. The tooth is removed from its socket during an extraction, and the surrounding region is cleaned and sealed.
- Root canal therapy treats infections at the tooth's root. After the dentist extracts the unhealthy tissue, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Recurrent dental discomfort, gum swelling or tenderness, temperature sensitivity, and discolored teeth are all signs that point toward the need for root canal therapy.
- Sealants and fluoride treatments: Dentists use sealants on the molars to stop tooth decay. Sealants are clear, white plastic substances that solidify to form a shield against crumbs and must be routinely inspected. Fluoride treatments—such as gels, varnishes, foams, or rinses—help prevent cavities by strengthening teeth against acid attacks. Dentists or dental hygienists should supervise the use of fluoride products.
- Dental veneers, crowns, and bridges: Dentists use these restoration and enhancement techniques. Crowns, which resemble teeth, cover damaged teeth. Veneers are cosmetic veneers made of thin bits of resin bonded to the front of teeth. Bridges, which consist of crowns on either side of a gap and a prosthetic tooth in the middle, replace one or more missing teeth.
- Oral cancer: Oral cancer, which can appear in the tongue, lips, gums, and mouth, is detectable by dentists. For early detection, routine exams are crucial, especially for smokers and anyone over 40. A biopsy confirms the diagnosis if oral cancer is thought to be present.
- Invisalign braces and orthodontic treatment: Dentists offer Invisalign braces and orthodontic treatments to straighten teeth and enhance the bite. Custom-made, clear, and nearly undetectable plastic aligners are called Invisalign braces. Metal or transparent braces are another option for orthodontic therapy.
How frequently should you visit the dentist?
You should schedule periodic dental checkups and cleaning as recommended by the dentist. Practicing best practices for at-home dental hygiene can help people maintain optimal oral health. However, you may benefit from regular dental visits if you are more susceptible to cavities or gum disease.
How do you improve your child's oral health?
Dental cavities, or tooth decay, are children's most common dental ailments. If not treated, cavities can cause dire consequences, such as infection and toothache, resulting in eating, speaking, and learning issues. Further, children with poor oral health miss school more often and achieve lower grades in exams than those with no dental problems.
According to the data published on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, about 50% of those in the 12-19 age group have cavities in at least one of the permanent teeth. More than 50% of children in the 6-8 age group have holes in at least one of the primary or baby teeth. Fortunately, fluoride varnish or treatment reduces the risk of cavities in baby teeth by almost 33%.
Establishing healthy oral practices in young children can easily prevent dental cavities before their first permanent tooth appears. If a child is made aware at an early age of the causes of holes in teeth, their harmful effects, and how to avoid them, it can help the child prevent cavities from developing in the teeth in the future.
Best practices to follow and ensure child oral hygiene
For babies
- Wipe their gums twice daily with a clean, soft cloth after the first feeding and before sleep; this will remove the sugars and bacteria that may cause cavities.
- After the teeth come out, brush them twice daily with a soft baby toothbrush and plain water.
- Visit a pediatric dentist near you when your baby completes one year to check for any signs of cavities.
- When the first set appears, discuss applying fluoride varnish to your child's teeth with a dentist. If your child is under two years old, consult the pediatric dentist about using fluoride toothpaste for brushing.
For children
- Brush teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
- Parents must help their child brush their teeth until they learn proper brushing skills. If the child is under six years old, parents must watch them brush their teeth and teach them the best brushing practices.
- Please encourage your child to drink tap water, as it contains fluoride.
- Ask the pediatric dentist to apply dental sealants to your child's teeth when required.
Find the top-rated dentists near you in East Islip, New York
Finding an "in-network" dentist can be difficult. Consulting one that won't accept your insurance will undoubtedly result in massive bills you must pay out of pocket.
To find the best "in-network" dentists in East Islip, visit the Zocdoc website. First, create an account on Zocdoc and search through our database of millions of dentists using information about your symptoms, location, or insurance plan to find the best doctors for your needs.
With Zocdoc, you can instantly make an appointment with a medical professional who accepts your insurance. Selecting the appropriate insurance plan is easier when you upload a picture of your health insurance card to Zocdoc. It is optional, though. You can choose your insurance plan from the list if you don't want to upload a photo. Please contact the patient help center at Zocdoc if you require any assistance.
Once you have narrowed your choices to a few physicians, consider visiting their profile pages. Each physician profile contains detailed information about their qualifications, accreditations, experience, areas of expertise, hospital affiliations, and licensure. Profiles also offer details about the physicians' gender and the languages they can speak. You can even read the reviews and ratings of patients who have previously visited each healthcare provider. It will help you find a dentist near you who can fulfill your requirements.
After choosing your dentist, you can schedule an in-person or online appointment facilitated via a video call. You can select the date and time of the meeting as per your schedule and the doctor's availability.
All bookings on Zocdoc are easy, safe, and 100% free!
Dental health statistics in New York
According to data published by America's Health Rankings, there were about 65.8 dental care providers, which included general dentists and advanced practice dental therapists per 100,000 U.S. population as of September 2024. In New York, the number of general dentists and advanced training dental therapists per 100,000 population of New York was around 72.9 in 2024, approximately 69.4 in 2019, about 70.3 in 2020, roughly 70.1 in 2022, close to 68.3 in 2021, and 71.6 in 2023. New York ranks 13th among all U.S. states in terms of the number of dental care providers.
America's Health Rankings also reported that approximately 66.0% of all American adults visited a dentist or dental clinic in 2022. During the same year, 64.3% of adults had a dental visit in New York, which ranks 30th among all U.S. states in dental visits. These statistics highlight that though most people in New York understand the importance of dental health, there is still scope for improvement in addressing oral health needs.
Sources
Verywell Health
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
Red Oak Family Dentistry
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Cleveland Clinic[4]
Cleveland Clinic[5]
