What does a dentist do?
A dentist is a specialist who looks after gums, teeth, and mouth problems. One of their most important responsibilities is promoting good dental hygiene. They use equipment such as X-ray machines, lasers, drills, scalpels, and other tools while performing dental procedures. They also wear protective equipment like gloves and masks to prevent any spread of bacteria and germs.
A dentist has many responsibilities, some of which are:
- Reviewing X-rays
- Repairing and removing damaged teeth
- Filling cavities
- Removing decay and buildup
- Promoting dental hygiene
Dentists undergo extensive training similar to that of a medical doctor. The first step is to complete a Bachelor of Science degree program. They then apply for dental school through a dental admissions test. The training process in a dental school includes earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree and a license to practice. They may also take the National Board Dental examination to acquire board certification.
Each specialty area requires a postgraduate residency of about one to three years. Some of these are:
- Endodontics
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
Dental Specialties
A dentist can assist you in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. However, some dental specialists focus on treating particular disorders. A dentist can specialize in a variety of fields, including:
- Pedodontics - Also known as pediatric dentistry, pedodontists or pediatric dentists near you treat children, adolescents, and teens. They conduct infant oral health exams, which include risk assessment. They also offer habit counseling (thumb sucking and pacifier use), care for dental injuries, look after cavities, management of gum diseases, and overall preventive care.
- Orthodontics - The field of dentistry focuses on aligning your bite and teeth for improved health and function. Orthodontists provide braces, clear aligners, retainers, and other customized products.
- Endodontics - This branch of dentistry focuses on root canal treatment. Many general dentists also conduct root canals. In more complex conditions, a dentist may send you to an endodontist.
- Periodontists - These specialists diagnose and treat gum disease and other disorders that affect the tissues around your teeth.
- Prosthodontics - These dentists create natural-looking dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, and dentures.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery - Oral surgeons diagnose and treat diseases, abnormalities, and injuries to the jaws and other orofacial (mouth and face) structures. They typically remove wisdom teeth, but they also provide various additional services.
- Dental anesthesiologists - These specialists provide advanced pain control services to patients undergoing dental or oral surgery.
- Oral medicine dentists - They specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of people with chronic dental problems.
- Orofacial pain management dentists focus on diagnosing, treating, and preventing pain in the teeth, jaws, head, and face.
- Cosmetic dentistry is a process of improving your teeth's structure for cosmetic reasons. The various treatments include gum contouring, porcelain veneers, and tooth whitening. Many cosmetic dentists also provide preventive and restorative care.
- Reconstructive dentistry - Some dentists specialize in full-mouth reconstruction or rehabilitation. It includes treating patients with significant cavities or gum disease. Treatment generally consists of several treatments, which may take multiple consultations to reach the intended outcome.
- Forensic dentistry - Forensic dentists examine teeth and analyze dental records for legal purposes. For example, if law enforcement discovers human remains, a forensic dentist can examine teeth and jaw bones to identify the victim.
What are some standard services provided by a dentist?
A dentist undergoes training to provide various treatment services, some of which are:
- Dental implant - It is used to support false teeth. The dentist places a titanium screw (the implant) in the jawbone to replace the root.
- Dentures - With missing teeth, the gaps could affect your teeth spacing and eating habits. It could also cause damage. Dentures are made using acrylic or metal and help fill in the gaps. With partial or complete dentures, you can feel more comfortable and confident.
- Orthodontic treatment - A dentist can straighten or move teeth to improve functioning and appearance.
- Root canal treatment - This is required when an injury or decay of the tooth causes infected blood or nerve supply. You may notice your tooth darken in color, indicating that the tooth's nerve is dying or has died. In such cases, a dentist will perform root canal surgery.
Depending on the nature of your problem, a dentist will accurately diagnose and customize a treatment plan for you.
Why should you visit a dentist?
It would help if you went for a routine check-up to a dentist every six months to maintain good oral health. With the global pandemic, most of us have yet to be regular with our visits.
Here are reasons why you must schedule your dentist appointment at the earliest:
- Your oral health impacts your overall well-being. Regularly visiting a dentist can help you keep your teeth in check. A dentist can provide early assessment and care for serious oral health problems like cancer.
- You may be unaware that a lot is happening inside your mouth. There can be decay or tartar hiding somewhere; a dentist can ensure it does not go unseen.
- Regularly visiting a dentist near you helps deal with minor issues before they become more significant. If you treat a problem soon enough, you most likely won't have to lose a tooth later. Generally, dental treatment and preventative care by an in-network provider can be covered by your health insurance. Otherwise, early treatment will save you some money.
- Any pre-existing pain or discomfort in the teeth or gums may make it difficult to enjoy your favorite foods. You may stop chewing on one side or skip eating what you like. Instead, a dentist could quickly solve this problem so you don't have to worry about the pain again.
Visiting a dentist can help avoid tooth-related problems in the future. It would help to find a skilled dentist who understands your concerns and encourages you to ask questions.
How does pregnancy affect your dental health?
When you are pregnant, dental health becomes an essential part of your prenatal care (the medical care you receive during pregnancy).
Pregnancy can expose you to oral health problems, which in turn may affect your pregnancy. For instance, research suggests a link between gum disease and preterm birth (the baby is born before the mother completes 37 weeks of pregnancy). Babies born prematurely may face more health challenges at birth and later in life compared to those born full-term.
Caring for your mouth, teeth, and gums as part of your oral health during pregnancy can contribute toward a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Changes in your body when you are pregnant can influence your dental health. For example:
- Pregnancy increases levels of certain hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen, which can raise the risk of oral health issues.
- Your eating habits may shift. You might consume more specific foods during pregnancy, and your choices could impact your dental health. Some individuals develop a condition called pica, which leads them to eat non-food items or large amounts of ice, potentially harming their oral health.
- You might brush and floss less often due to tender gums or nausea triggered by these routines.
Pregnancy hormones can also put you at risk of gum problems, including:
- Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums): This often occurs during the second trimester. Symptoms include swollen gums and bleeding, particularly during brushing or flossing.
- Periodontal disease: This infection affects the structures supporting the teeth (gums, ligament, and bone). It develops from untreated gingivitis and can result in tooth loss.
- Pregnancy epulis or pyogenic granuloma: This is a red, round growth that forms on the gums and bleeds easily.
If you experience gum problems during pregnancy, consult a dentist near you before giving birth. While most gum issues caused by pregnancy hormones resolve postpartum, a small number of individuals may develop persistent gum disease, requiring treatment after pregnancy.
If your gums bleed, do not stop cleaning your teeth. Continue using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush at least twice a day, and thoroughly clean between your teeth with either floss or interdental brushes.
Dental care for children
Pediatric dentists provide holistic oral care for children from infancy to adolescence. They possess the expertise and credentials to address the evolving dental needs of children as they grow.
Children typically get their primary teeth within the first six months of life. Around 6 or 7, they start shedding these primary teeth to make way for their permanent set.
Lack of proper dental attention can expose children to the risk of oral decay and related diseases, leading to potential lifelong discomfort and complications. Early childhood dental cavities, a contagious condition, are significantly more prevalent in children than common ailments like asthma and hay fever. According to an article published in the Indiana University School of Medicine, approximately one in five children between the ages of 5 and 11 has at least one untreated cavity. It is better to visit a pediatric dentist near you for a regular check-up and to spot any dental issues in their nascent stages.
Your child's first dental visit is recommended within six months of their first tooth appearing, ideally before they turn one. During this visit, the dentist can offer guidance on preventing baby bottle tooth decay, proper feeding practices, oral hygiene, teething, and habits like pacifier use or finger-sucking.
To ensure a smooth visit, it is beneficial to schedule appointments in the morning when children are more alert. It can also be helpful to prepare your child for the visit by explaining its importance and what to expect, fostering excitement and understanding.
Parents should address their concerns with the dentist while not conveying their dental anxieties to their children. Remaining calm during the dental exam can provide moral support and prevent children from becoming anxious. So, be attentive to your child's needs and behaviors while visiting a pediatric dentist.
During the first visit, provide the dentist with your child's complete health history and inform them of any behavioral tendencies your child may have, particularly if they tend to be stubborn or anxious in other situations. Observing your child's reactions can also give insights into how they might respond to the dental visit. Different age groups may exhibit varying attachment levels and ability to cope with separation from parents during the appointment.
How to find a qualified dentist near you in Englewood, New Jersey?
Have you been considering scheduling a check-up with a qualified dentist? Did you know that you can book all your medical appointments online? With Zocdoc, you can find the best dentists in your area for free.
When you open the Zocdoc portal, you can find the search bar where you fill in your symptoms or the specialist you wish to consult. Add your location and mention a date for the appointment that is convenient for you. Choose your healthcare plan from the dropdown section so Zocdoc can find you an in-network provider.
Adding a photo of your health insurance card will help you find the right insurance plan on Zocdoc, but it is not essential. If you do not want to upload an image of your card, manually enter your insurance information into your account by selecting your plan from the selection. Reach out to Zocdoc's patient help center for queries on health insurance.
Tap the search bar to find a curated list of dentists near you in Englewood, NJ, that fit your preferences. You can filter these results by choosing from criteria such as gender or the language they speak. For your convenience, you can also add filters such as distance and
time of day.
Each profile tells you about the dentist's educational and training qualifications, professional
history, and everything you need to know. You can also find user ratings and verified ratings. Using Zocdoc to book an appointment with qualified health providers is simple, secure, and free. Create your Zocdoc account today.
Statistics on dental healthcare in New Jersey, United States
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides data on dental care and treatment in the United States. It reported that about 1 in 4 adults in the United States have cavities. Nearly 1 in 4 have untreated tooth decay, and almost half of all adults show signs of gum disease. It is said that tobacco use and diabetes are risk factors for gum disease.
It is also reported that about 34 million school hours are lost due to dental emergencies, and the United States spends more than $124 billion on dental care every year.
According to the New Jersey Department of Health, 67.6% of adults in New Jersey visited a dentist in 2020.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as of September 2023, there were 74.1 dental care providers in New Jersey for every 100,000 population.
Sources
WebMD
American Academy of Pediatrics
Oral Health Foundation[1]
Oral Health Foundation[2]
Oral Health Foundation[3]
Oral Health Foundation[4]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
United Health Foundation
New Jersey Department of Health
Cleveland Clinic
Stanford Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
March of Dimes
Better Health Channel
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