What can dentists do for you?
Oral health is vital for living a healthy life. Dental issues such as bleeding gums, cavities, tooth decay, and discomfort can affect your eating habits and cause bad breath. People are often unaware that poor dental health can result in other problems such as indigestion, plaque, chronic inflammation, etc.
Dental issues may even affect the heart. Regular dental appointments are essential to ensure good oral health and brighter smiles; they can help prevent future harm. Dentists play an important role in preserving oral hygiene.
Dentists are specialists who diagnose and treat dental health issues. They hold advanced degrees, such as a Doctor of Dental Medicine and a Doctor of Dental Surgery. Board-certified dentists can treat dental diseases, fill cavities, remove rotting teeth, realign misaligned teeth, and more.
Dentists undertake dental operations using modern techniques and technology, such as lasers, X-rays, brushes, drills, scalpels, and other gadgets. Dental professionals often specialize in root canal therapy, oral and maxillofacial surgery, dentofacial orthopedics, orthodontics, periodontics, or prosthodontics.
Dentists wishing to operate in the United States need to complete a four-year undergraduate degree. Subsequently, they must undertake four years of dental school. After dental school, many complete a one—or two-year residency program to master a dental specialty.
The dental school curriculum includes coursework in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, immunology, pharmacology, and other basic sciences. Students also receive dental materials, tooth structure, and teeth development education. In addition, they take courses in oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, pedodontics, and prosthodontics. Dentists also receive clinical training, which involves gaining hands-on experience treating patients in dental school clinics.
After graduating from dental school, students must pass a written and clinical examination to receive a license to practice in a state of their choice. Dentists who want to subspecialize must finish an additional two to three years of training in a recognized residency or fellowship program.
Types of dental specialties
The National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards (NCRDSCB) recognizes the following dental specialties:
Endodontics is a dental specialty focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing infections and injuries in the dental pulp or tooth nerve. Root canal treatment is a common treatment procedure performed by an endodontist.
Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and correcting malocclusion (bad bites) and neuromuscular or skeletal abnormalities in orofacial structures. Orthodontists straighten teeth by moving them through the bone structure using braces or other corrective devices.
Periodontics focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum diseases and issues affecting the supporting structures of teeth, whether natural or artificial. A periodontist addresses conditions like gingivitis (gum inflammation) and periodontitis (gum and bone disease).
Prosthodontics specializes in diagnosing and treating issues related to missing or deficient teeth and oral or maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible materials. Prosthodontists repair natural teeth and replace missing ones using dentures or crowns on a larger scale than general dentists.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
Oral and maxillofacial surgery addresses diseases, injuries, and irregularities in the oral and maxillofacial region from both functional and aesthetic aspects. These surgeons perform procedures on the face, mouth, and jaw and may treat tumors, masses, or cysts in the jaw area.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiologist
Oral and maxillofacial radiology is a specialty combining dentistry and radiology. It focuses on interpreting images and data produced by various radiant energy modalities to diagnose and control diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial region.
- Dentist anesthesiologists
Dental anesthesiology specializes in managing pain, anxiety, and overall health during dental, oral, maxillofacial, and related surgical or diagnostic procedures throughout the perioperative period. The emphasis is on enhancing patient safety, with some specialists conducting research in anesthesiology.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathologist
Oral and maxillofacial pathology focuses on understanding, identifying, and managing conditions in the oral and maxillofacial region. This specialty investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases.
- Pediatric dentist or pedodontist
Pediatric dentistry, or pedodontics, is an age-focused specialty that provides oral health care for infants, children, and adolescents, along with those with special health care needs. These dentists address issues like decay, crowding, and misalignment in developing teeth.
Orofacial pain is a specialty dedicated to diagnosing, managing, and treating pain disorders in the jaw, mouth, face, head, and neck.
Oral medicine specializes in providing oral health care for medically complex patients. They diagnose and manage diseases impacting the oral and maxillofacial region.
- Dental public health (DPH)
Dental public health works to prevent and control dental conditions. They also promote oral health through organized community efforts, including research and dental care programs.
Why is visiting the dentist so important?
Regular visits to the dentist help maintain oral health and keep you healthy. Dental care is also crucial because it helps prevent tooth decay.
- Regular dental visits can provide protection against gum disease that causes jaw bone loss and deterioration.
- Dentists can also help prevent bad breath issues and remove decaying teeth.
- Dental professionals can also suggest suitable daily dental care tips, such as flossing and careful brushing, which can help strengthen teeth and address specific issues, such as bad breath.
- Regular visits to the dentist can reduce bacterial growth in the mouth, which is a primary cause of tooth loss or gum disease.
- Dentists can also help to make your teeth look brighter, which can endow you with greater confidence.
Signs of serious dental problems
If you experience any of the following dental problems, you should see a dentist as soon as possible:
- Persistent or extremely painful toothache
- Persistent or painful sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- Swelling in the gums
- Swelling in the face
- Bleeding gums
- Red, white, or pus-filled bumps on the gums
- Loose teeth
- Changes in the alignment of your teeth
- Changes in the fit of your dentures
If you experience any of these dental problems, consider seeing a dentist as soon as possible. They could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Thus, the sooner you consult a dentist, the better.
What procedures can dentists carry out?
A visit to the dentist may be intimidating or frightening. The buzzing noises, X-ray machines, and oversized chairs can be daunting. However, your experience can be better and less intimidating if you know about specific procedures beforehand. Some of the most common ones include:
- Dental cleanings: Many people visit dentists for dental cleanings. Your toothbrush will never be as effective as the equipment these experts use to clean your teeth. Dentists prescribe cleanings once after six months or one year to keep your teeth healthy, strong, and shiny.
- Teeth whitening: Whitening, like cleaning, is another painless dental procedure. At-home teeth whitening kits require a significant amount of extra time and work. However, whitening is faster and safer in a dental office because professionals do it. Dentists use a special gel and a unique light source to whiten teeth faster.
- Extractions: Extraction may sound terrifying and painful to some individuals. They are not among the easiest dental treatments, but the dentist takes every step to make the procedure comfortable. When having a tooth extracted, you will most likely be either unconscious or numb, so you don't feel any pain. While you may be sore afterward, extractions help prevent further pain.
- Veneers: Your oral healthcare provider may suggest you get veneers for crooked or discolored teeth. Veneers are thin coverings placed over the front portion of a tooth or group of teeth. They're mainly used for correction, although your dentist may also use them for whitening. Most patients find the procedure simple and painless.
- Dental fillings: Cavities can easily dissolve tooth enamel when exposed to acids in food and your body. Thus, it is essential to get dental fillings. This procedure takes roughly an hour to complete, after which your affected tooth is as good as new. You will most likely be numb during the process, which may last several hours after your dentist completes the procedure.
What should you consider when choosing the right dentists?
There are several things to consider when choosing the right dentist for you and your family.
First, you must ensure that the dentist is licensed and accredited. You can find this information on the dentist's website or by asking the office staff.
Second, you must make sure that the dentist takes your insurance. This is essential because you want to avoid a massive bill after your appointment.
Third, you should ensure that the dentist has a good reputation. When choosing a suitable dentist, you can ask your friends and family for suggestions or read online reviews. Lastly, you should ensure that you feel comfortable with the chosen dentist. This is essential because you should be able to trust your dentist and feel comfortable asking questions.
How do you prepare for a visit to a dentist near you?
To prepare for a dentist visit, plan enough time off from work or school so you don't feel rushed or anxious. Ask the dentist's office how long your cleaning and exam will take, and assume some extra time over and above that. If it's been a while since your last visit, your time on the chair may be longer. Typically, an appointment at the end of the day is advisable so that you can go straight home.
Going to the dentist doesn't have to be scary. Dentists and other practitioners like hygienists are there to help and make your visit as easy as possible. They might split the work into multiple sessions, so it's manageable. They can also give you options to help with any pain or anxiety.
What should you expect during your first visit to a dentist?
The first visits are generally earmarked for preliminary checkups and rapport building. Thus, on the day of your appointment, arrive early to complete the paperwork or turn it in if you completed it online beforehand. Keep your documents, like your driver's license and insurance card, handy when you check in at the front desk.
For your first visit, expect extra care and the usual checkup. You'll likely need X-rays to give the dentist a complete picture of what's going on in your mouth. This helps them see inside your teeth, gums, and bones.
You may also have to undergo a deep cleaning session with the hygienist. The longer it's been since the last visit to your previous practitioner, the more buildup there might be on your teeth and gums. It might be uncomfortable, but your teeth will feel clean and fresh afterward. If the dentist finds any problems, don't worry. You're taking the first step toward fixing them.
How do I find a dentist near me in Germantown, Maryland?
Oral treatment is equally important as medical treatment of any other kind. As such, you must be able to choose the best dentist for your dental health. While considering your choices, choosing the right place to book an appointment with an experienced dentist is crucial. Zocdoc can help you find the best dentists accepting new patients near you in Germantown, Maryland.
Zocdoc is an online medical appointment booking service that connects individuals with doctors and healthcare providers. Zocdoc's mission is to make healthcare more accessible and convenient by offering a simple way to find and book appointments online with doctors and other healthcare providers.
Zocdoc provides a comprehensive search and comparison option, wherein you can identify a suitable physician based on their qualifications, specialty, and even languages spoken. People can find top-rated dentists accepting new patients near them based on their symptoms, location, and more. Zocdoc also offers verified reviews and ratings from other patients so that you can choose the best doctor to fulfill your needs. It is also possible to find dentists within your network and easily book an appointment based on their availability.
For more information on finding in-network dentists near you, visit our patient help center online. If you have multiple insurance plans, including medical, dental, and vision plans, you can add them to your Zocdoc account. However, you can only use one insurance plan at a time when searching for and booking appointments.
If you have multiple plans, you can mention your secondary insurance details in the notes for your provider during the booking process. If your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can add your secondary insurance information when completing the forms online.
Zocdoc even allows you to book virtual appointments if you require a consultation. Zocdoc is an easy-to-use service that makes finding and booking appointments with doctors and other healthcare providers very convenient.
Booking an appointment with a dentist near you on Zocdoc is safe, quick, and free!
Statistics about dentists in Germantown, Maryland
According to the 2021 Annual Oral Health Legislative Report of the Maryland Department of Health, there were approximately 4,211 dentists actively practicing in Maryland in August 2021, with about 181 being pediatric dentists.
Of these, about 1,465 dentists billed at least one Medicaid service, while around 1,138 dentists billed $10,000 or more to Medicaid. As per America's Health Rankings, full-mouth tooth extractions declined to nearly 38% between 2012 and 2020, from 14.5% to 9.0% among people 65 and older. The decrease in tooth extraction indicates a considerable increase in dental care therapy in Maryland in recent years.
Sources
Maryland Department of Health[1]
Maryland Department of Health[2]
America's Health Rankings
Cleveland Care
All Season Dental Care
Legacy Community Health
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Learn.org
Crescent Heights Dental Clinic
Webster Cosmetic Dental
