Who is a dentist?
Dentists are doctors specializing in oral health and oversee the treatment of teeth, gums, and the bone and soft tissues in the mouth. They also care for the muscles in the neck, head, and jaw; tongue; upper nervous system (neck and head); and salivary glands. Moreover, they track the development and growth of the teeth and jaws and create treatment plans to restore and maintain oral health. They look for ulcerations, discolorations, swellings, lumps, or any abnormality in the mouth and treat them. Dentists diagnose issues by interpreting X-rays and perform surgical procedures by ensuring the safe administration of anesthetics. They also manage emergencies and oral trauma.
Dentists usually work with and oversee a team that includes lab technicians, dental assistants, and dental hygienists. They use contemporary technology and apparatus for dental operations, including X-ray machines, drills, lasers, scalpels, brushes, and other medical tools. A dentist can advise patients on dental hygiene, fill cavities, remove buildup or decay from teeth, repair or remove damaged teeth, and put sealants or fillings.
Furthermore, dentists perform tests for infections or chronic diseases, biopsies, and screenings for oral cancer. By checking your mouth, they can detect early warning signs of illness in other body parts. If they notice anything abnormal, they may refer the patient to dental specialists or other physicians.
What kind of education and training do dentists receive?
After graduating in science, students need to enroll in a dental school, where they receive education and clinical training for four years. The first two years teach them the basics of human anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry; the next two years focus on diagnosing and treating oral diseases. Once they complete dental school, they earn a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.
Dentists must pass a stringent national examination and a state or regional licensing exam to practice. They must also continue learning throughout their careers to maintain their license and remain updated with the latest clinical and scientific developments. Dentists can also get board certification by passing the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE).
Some dentists specialize further by doing a postgraduate residency for another two to six years, depending on their specialty. Some specializations that dentists can take up are pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral and maxillofacial radiology, oral and maxillofacial pathology, endodontics, and dental public health.
When to see a dentist?
Most people go to a dentist only if they have a problem with their teeth or gums. However, visiting a dentist every six months for preventive care is ideal. Regular checkups can mean preventing severe issues later. Moreover, it helps in saving medical expenses in the long run. The dentist checks for signs of dental decay during a regular checkup and will clean your teeth by removing plaque and tartar. They also check for signs of mouth cancer or gum disease.
Besides preventive care, you should visit a dentist near you if your gums are bleeding or you have trouble swallowing or chewing food. You can do this even if you have discomfort or pain in your jaws, gums, teeth, or mouth. You can see a dentist to check on previous dental procedures, which may need monitoring. If you actively use tobacco, have chronic medical issues, or are pregnant, a dentist can help monitor your health.
What are the types of dental specialties?
A dentist operates primarily in three specific dentistry areas: preventive dentistry, restorative dentistry, and emergency dental care. You may be provided a treatment in either of these categories based on your dental condition.
Dentists provide a variety of treatment options, and hence, there are multiple dental specialties, as given below:
- Orthodontics - This specialty focuses on realignment or straightening your teeth for better oral health or function. Recommending braces or aligners is a task of this specialty.
- Periodontics - This specialty is focused on gum health and diagnosing issues related to gum problems and tissues around your teeth.
- Pedodontics - This specialty focuses on protecting children's teeth and takes extra care to target good oral health in children and adolescents.
- Endodontics - A common yet one of the most effective oral treatments is a root canal. This specialty focuses on performing complex cases of root canals.
- Prosthodontics focuses on dental restorations, including crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Other specialties include:
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology
- Public health dentistry
- Dental anesthesiology
- Oral medicine
- Orofacial pain management
- Cosmetic dentistry
Is a dentist and an endodontist the same?
Endodontists and dentists are different. Endodontists are dentists who have studied for another two or more years after dental school and specialize in endodontics. These specialists are trained in performing root canals and other procedures in the mouth and can sometimes even save a diseased tooth with their expertise. Around 3% of dentists are endodontists and are commonly sought after by patients for root canal treatments.
What conditions do dentists treat?
Dentists diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, including the following:
- Halitosis (bad breath): Bad breath can result from several dental concerns, such as cavities, gum disease, dry mouth, and oral cancer. Lifestyle choices (the food you eat, whether you smoke, and how frequently you brush your teeth) and non-oral conditions (diabetes, poor digestion, chronic kidney failure, etc.) can also cause halitosis. While mouthwash can mask bad breath temporarily, you should see a dentist if it persists. They can identify what is causing the problem and devise a treatment plan accordingly.
- Tooth decay (cavities) is the most prevalent health concern in the US. It occurs when plaque combines with the starches and sugars in food, producing acids that harm tooth enamel. To prevent tooth decay, brush twice daily, floss, get regular dental checkups, and avoid high-sugar foods.
- Mouth sores: Mouth sores are lesions in your oral soft tissues. Its symptoms include pain, redness, inflammation, blistering, and difficulty swallowing. Thrush, canker sores, and fever blisters are common mouth sores. While the sores can subside without treatment, you should see a doctor if they last for over two weeks. They can prescribe pain relief medications, steroid gels, etc., to ease your symptoms.
- Periodontal (gum) disease: Gum disease, a leading cause of tooth loss in adults, refers to an infection in the gums around your teeth. It is most prevalent among people over 30, people with dry mouths, smokers, and people with diabetes. The symptoms of periodontal disease include teeth sensitivity, bad breath, and red and swollen gums. Maintaining dental hygiene and regularly seeing a dentist can help prevent this condition.
- Root infection: Persistent, throbbing tooth pain is a sign of an infection in the affected tooth's root. It occurs when tooth decay or damage is not treated appropriately, allowing bacteria to weaken the root. If you have a root infection, you will need root canal treatment, during which your dentist will remove the bacteria from the canal and seal the tooth using a crown or filling.
What is the link between oral and general health?
In recent times, the significance of oral health has increased due to the discovery of a link between poor oral health and underlying systemic conditions. It has been found that maintaining good oral health can also aid in maintaining a healthy body. The Mayo Clinic has stated that there could be a relationship between oral bacteria and inflammation with the following conditions:
- heart disease
- endocarditis (inflammation of the heart's lining)
- premature birth
- low birth weight
Oral bacteria can spread to the bloodstream and cause infective endocarditis, a dangerous infection of the heart valves. Dentists may recommend taking antibiotics as a preventive measure to prevent the dislodging of bacteria from the mouth during dental procedures.
What to expect during your first dentist appointment?
If it has been some time since you visited a dentist near you, you can expect similar care to a regular checkup and a few additional steps.
Appointments for new patients or those returning after a long gap, typically over two years, often include X-rays. These allow the dentist to examine the entire structure of your teeth, gums, and underlying bone for a thorough assessment.
Prepare for an in-depth cleaning session with the hygienist, especially if it's been a while since your last visit. Over time, hard tartar can accumulate on teeth and along the gumline. For those with sensitive teeth, let the hygienist or dentist know—they may offer numbing options to make the cleaning more comfortable. While removing tartar can cause some discomfort, the smooth, clean feel of your teeth and fresher breath afterward make it worthwhile.
When the dentist checks for gum pockets and inspects your teeth, you might feel some discomfort or light bleeding, but any pain should be brief.
Don't be discouraged if issues are identified. Attending this appointment is a positive first step, and your dentist will work with you to address any concerns. Establishing good oral care habits will make future visits much easier.
If you feel sore after your appointment, over-the-counter pain relievers can help. Between regular checkups, contact the office if you have questions, experience tooth pain, or notice swelling. Emergencies like a broken tooth should be reported to your dentist immediately.
Once your mouth is healthy, regular cleanings and exams every six months are recommended. If additional issues are found, your dentist will outline a treatment plan prioritizing immediate needs, with potential follow-ups scheduled before your next routine visit.
How can you find a good dentist in Garland, Texas?
Regular checkups with a dentist near you can aid in the early identification of any health issue, including one that could be fatal, such as cancer. Regular oral cavity checkups are as essential as annual physicals with your primary care physician.
However, finding the ideal dentist can be difficult and time-consuming. Your search is made easy with the Zocdoc website. Schedule an online or in-person consultation with your specialist on Zocdoc, and you can avoid standing in line for hours at the clinic or hospital.
The search results are filterable by distance, spoken languages, gender, time of day, hospital affiliation, and whether or not a practitioner sees children. Enter your insurance carrier and plan in the drop-down at the top of the page to see if a provider accepts it. Zocdoc will filter your search results to show only in-network providers. Suppose your insurance plan isn't listed on Zocdoc. In that case, you can upload a photo of your medical insurance card (this feature is currently available only for medical insurance, not dental or vision insurance plans). Zocdoc will then scan the image to identify your likely plan. If you have any questions about the insurance process, you can refer to the Zocdoc Help Center.
By presenting the medical background of each dentist near you in Garland, Texas, including their clinical training, licenses, certificates, awards, and accreditations, Zocdoc aids users in making an informed decision. Additionally, customers can choose a provider based on sincere and legitimate patient evaluations and reviews. You can book appointments on the same day, 24 hours in advance, after business hours (after 5 p.m.), or even on the weekends, according to the provider's availability. Zocdoc also offers a service team to assist you in the process or if you encounter any difficulties.
On Zocdoc, all appointments are quick, cost-free, and secure!
Statistics on dental health in Texas
According to a United For ALICE analysis of 2024 data from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), approximately 39% of adults in Texas had lost at least one permanent tooth due to tooth decay or gum disease. About 11% of Texas adults had lost six or more permanent teeth as a result of these dental diseases. The figures highlight the continuing burden of tooth decay and periodontal disease among adults in the state.
According to an America’s Health Rankings analysis of 2024 data from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), approximately 58.1% of adults in Texas visited a dentist or dental clinic within the previous year, compared with 67.5% of adults nationwide. Dental care utilization varied by age, with 53.9% of Texas adults ages 18 to 44 and 60.3% of those ages 45 to 64 reporting a dental visit. Differences were also observed by gender, with 60.3% of women and 56.0% of men in Texas reporting a dental visit within the previous year.
According to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drinking fluoridated water keeps the enamel strong and reduces cavities by about 25% in children and adults. Water fluoridation is the most efficient and effective mechanism for providing fluoride to everyone in a community. The report stated that 20,215,247 people in Texas, which amounted to 70.7% of the population, had access to community water systems with fluoridated water.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Nemours Kids Health
Maine Dental Association
United For ALICE
America’s Health Rankings
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Healthline
Verywell Health[1]
Verywell Health[2]
