Who is a dentist?
Dentists are healthcare professionals who study dentistry and specialize in treating and diagnosing oral conditions. These conditions relate to the mouth, teeth, gums, and sometimes the jaw. The primary responsibility of a dentist is to treat dental ailments and ensure that you take good care of your mouth. Not all dental checkups are painful, and most routine checkups only require cleaning. In some cases, dentists may have to perform surgical procedures. Conditions that require such intervention are:
- Gum disease
- Decayed or broken teeth
- Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD)
- Tooth decay
- Dental implants
- Palate repair
- Dental bone grafts
- Misalignment of teeth
These situations can lead to root canal treatments, cavity fillings, or tooth extractions. Dentists use various surgical instruments during treatment, such as an ultrasonic scaler, mouth mirror, dental elevators, air-water syringes, pliers, extracting forceps, etc. They sometimes work alone but generally have a team of nurse practitioners, dental lab assistants, hygienists, and nutritionists assisting them. Dentists can work in various settings, such as private practices, hospitals, outpatient care centers, nursing homes, schools, and surgical clinics.
Education and clinical training of dentists
Dentists require years of study, practice, and training. The first step is completing a 4-year bachelor's degree, preferably in science, biology, or math. Then, they must clear the Dental Admission Test (DAT) with an average passing score of 17. After passing the test, they can apply to dental school and obtain a four-year DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) or DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree. Both degrees have the same curriculum set up by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
After acquiring a dental degree, dentists must pass written and practical examinations to receive licensure from the American Dental Association (ADA). These exams test their dental knowledge and clinical skills. Some dentists strive to focus on a subspecialty for which they must complete a post-graduate residency program of 1-3 years. Common sub-specialties include endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, dental anesthesiologists, and oral and maxillofacial surgery.
The years of study depend on the specialty chosen and the clinical practice. This residency program is optional, and dentists can work as licensed professionals even without completing the program.
What are the most common dental procedures?
You are not alone if you have found a dentist near you accepting new patients but are confused about visiting them. Dental anxiety is common among patients across age groups and can cause troublesome symptoms such as sweating, heart palpitations, low blood pressure, crying spells, and even fainting.
Dental settings may appear intimidating due to the fear of pain, injections, or embarrassment, among other reasons. One of the ways to better your experience is by knowing what to expect during the appointment. You can ask your queries about the procedure to your dentist so you are well prepared. In the meantime, here is some information on the most common dental procedures that can help you:
- Teeth cleaning: Dentists recommend this procedure at least once every 6-12 months as an essential part of oral hygiene. It is generally painless and involves removing plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth.
- Fillings: Dental fillings are made of gold, silver amalgam, porcelain, and tooth-colored resin, the most popular materials these days. Dentists use fillers to cover cavities after clearing out the decay and restore cracked or broken teeth.
- Root canal: Usually done under anesthesia, this procedure allows the removal of the infected or abscessed pulp (tissues) in the tooth and seals the area using filling.
- Crowns: The tooth-shaped caps are placed over severely decayed, broken, or weakened teeth to restore function. Dental crowns are present in various materials, such as porcelain, metal, and resin.
- Tooth extractions: The dentist may recommend a tooth extraction when the situation is beyond repair, such as severe decay, fracture, or gum disease. They will pull out the tooth after numbing the region with anesthesia.
- Dentures: These are customized, removable oral appliances made in case of partial or complete loss of the teeth in the upper and lower jaw.
Why is it necessary to maintain good oral health?
Oral health and hygiene directly reflect our overall health. The mouth is the entry point for our respiratory organs, so it is more vulnerable to bacteria traveling in the air. Some bacteria are good and harmless, while others can cause chronic oral diseases.
Here are some other reasons to maintain good oral health:
- Prevents tooth loss, cavities, and the need for root canals
- Early detection of oral diseases
- Reduces pregnancy complications such as the risk of low birth weight and premature babies
- Lowers the risk of oral cancer
- Maintain a brighter and shinier smile.
- Boosts your self-confidence and enhances your personality
Preventive measures for your mouth, teeth, and gums are essential to avoid painful and occasionally life-threatening diseases.
Oral hygiene concerns the mouth, teeth, and gums; therefore, keeping them all clean and healthy is necessary. Maintaining good oral health requires a lifetime of care and consistency.
Here are some steps you can include in your daily habits to preserve healthy and shiny teeth:
- Always go to bed after brushing your teeth.
- In a circular motion gently brush your teeth to remove plaque.
- Drink enough water to keep your mouth hydrated.
- Avoid mushy food items and eat crunchy and hard-to-chew items.
- Skip the consumption of sugary and acidic drinks.
- Use toothpaste containing fluoride, as it works best in fighting germs and avoiding tooth decay.
- Avoid smoking as it leads to yellow teeth, and when treated, one may experience slower healing.
- Never have your breakfast without brushing and rinsing.
- Do not brush immediately after having sugary food or drinks such as tea, coffee, or cold beverages.
- Change your toothbrush once every 2-3 months.
- Schedule dental appointments every six months.
How often should you go for a dental checkup?
You should see a dentist near you even if you are not experiencing any dental problems. Only a dentist can detect any issues with your teeth early on and help you get appropriate and timely care. Several medical conditions can have an effect on your dental health and vice versa. For example, diabetes makes the body less resistant to infection and, therefore, can lead to gum disease. Other conditions like cancer of the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and breast, eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease can also have a negative impact on oral health.
The number of visits you have with your dentist really depends on your specific needs and preferences. Not everyone requires the same dental treatment. In general, you may visit your dentist once every year or once every six months for a dental checkup. However, some people need to see a dentist more frequently. It will be beneficial to discuss the frequency of visits with your dentist.
What happens during a dental checkup?
A routine dental checkup begins like any other doctor's appointment. Your dentist will first understand your medical and family history and take note of any medications you have been taking.
During the dental checkup, a dental hygienist will then place a plastic cover or paper on your chest after you have been seated in a dental chair. Your dentist or dental hygienist will examine the mouth and ask about where you've been experiencing pain as well as other symptoms.
A dental exam is part of the checkup and involves examining the teeth for any cavities, decay, tartar buildup, and gaps between your teeth, as well as checking your bite, i.e., the way your top and bottom fit together in the mouth. Your dentist or dental hygienist will likely do a dental cleaning if they find hard tartar buildup. Your dentist will look and feel for unusual lumps in the mouth, including those that may be present on the lips and tongue. They will also take an X-ray to further understand and diagnose your condition. X-rays help them take a complete look at your mouth and identify issues within the supporting bone structures, gums, and teeth. In case of deep cavities, you may require a filling. A root canal treatment may be necessary for infection in the roots of a tooth.
Depending on your specific condition, a general dentist may refer you to a specialist, such as an endodontist or orthodontist. During a regular checkup, you can also talk to your dentist about improving the overall appearance of your smile by cosmetic procedures like cosmetic bonding, veneers, and shaping.
How to improve your oral hygiene?
Here are a few simple tips that help maintain and improve your oral health:
Use a fluoride toothpaste as well as a soft-bristled toothbrush to protect your gums and teeth. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle toward your gum line to effectively remove plaque and bacteria. Be sure to clean all surfaces of your teeth, including the backs and sides.
To floss properly, take a small section of the floss, wrap the ends around your fingers, and then gently guide it between your teeth using your forefingers and thumbs. Bend the floss into a "C" shape around each tooth and slide it up and down several times before moving to the next tooth. If flossing is difficult, consider using dental picks or interproximal brushes. Water flossers can help remove larger food particles but are not a substitute for traditional flossing, as they do not effectively remove the thin layer of bacteria (biofilm) on your teeth.
Since bacteria can accumulate on your tongue, cleaning it whenever you brush your teeth is important. You can clean the tongue with a toothbrush or a tongue scraper, which is available in most oral care aisles.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash
Using an antibacterial mouthwash daily can help reduce harmful bacteria, wash away food debris, and minimize plaque buildup. Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent dryness in your mouth.
Smoking is a significant contributing factor to gum disease and oral cancer. It is recommended that you refrain from using these products entirely. If you need help quitting smoking, consult your healthcare provider for guidance on available treatment options and support programs.
Maintaining good oral hygiene requires consistency. Establish daily habits that you can follow, and consult your dentist for personalized care recommendations.
Find the best dentist near you accepting new patients in Forest Hills, Queens, NY
People primarily delay or miss their dental appointments due to fear. You can always visit a general dentist if you are looking for regular checkups. But if you have a critical condition, it is essential to identify it first. A general dentist can help you detect the problem and recommend you to a specialist. However, finding a good dentist with hands-on experience and knowledge may take time and effort. If you are having a problem locating the best dentists in Forest Hills, NY, Zocdoc has the solution for you.
The easy-to-use platform allows one to quickly register and use various filters to curate a list of specialists matching your preferences. The filters include condition type, locality, preferable appointment slots, and insurance coverage plan. Each doctor's unique profile highlights specializations, fluent languages, gender, verified patient reviews, certifications, and in-network insurance. One can go through these profiles to select a suitable doctor.
Zocdoc recommends you cross-check the list of accepted insurances mentioned in the doctor's profile to see if it matches your plan. If you are not able to find your insurance plan, you can utilize the option of uploading your insurance card. Zocdoc will then scan the image of your card and display your plan. Note that this service is available only for medical insurance cards, not dental or vision. If you need assistance uploading your medical insurance card, you can reach out to Zocdoc's service team, available via chat or email.
When booking an appointment on Zocdoc, you'll need to either enter your insurance details or confirm that you're paying out-of-pocket. Some healthcare providers ask for your insurance information before you can schedule an appointment with them. If you do not have insurance or prefer not to use it, you can just look for another provider on Zocdoc who accommodates your preferences. Further, if you have other insurance-related queries, you can visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
Once you have found a dentist near you who matches your needs, you can book an in-person or video-call visit. If you want to book an online appointment, search for a purple video icon on the doctor's profile.
All the bookings on Zocdoc are accessible, 100% free, and secure!
Oral health statistics in Forest Hills, NY
Poor oral healthcare leads to cavities, and sometimes, it can take the form of oral cancer. As per the American Cancer Society, in 2022, there were 2,900 new cases and 580 deaths associated with oral cavity and pharynx cancer in New York. The risk of developing oropharyngeal cancer is approximately 1.7% in males and 0.71% in females.
Tooth decay is quite common in kids, adults, and aged people. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13.2% of children aged 5-19 years, 25.9% of adults aged 20-44 years, 25.3% of adults aged 45-64 years, and 20.2% of elders aged 65 years and over had untreated dental caries between 2015-2018 in the US.
Maintaining good oral health should be of prime importance for everyone. Oral problems give you pain, and the per sitting and surgery costs are soaring. Going for regular checkups and cleaning every six months is essential. If you experience tooth pain, headache, swollen gums, bleeding while brushing, or sensitivity, immediately book an appointment with your dentist.
Sources
Smile Arizona Dentistry
Mayo Clinic
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Best Accredited Colleges
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Healthline
Cancer Statistics Center
American Cancer Society
Oral Health Foundation
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Crescent Heights Dental Clinic
Isaacson Gentle Dentistry
Better Health Channel
MouthHealthy
WebMD[2]
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