What is a dentist?
A dentist trains in diagnosing and treating oral health conditions. They can help if you think you have symptoms of an infection or disease of the mouth, teeth, and gums. They can offer guidance on oral hygiene, well-being, and the proper diet to keep up with your dental health goals. A dentist promotes oral health in the community and is a blend of a doctor, scientist, and clinician.
Filling cavities, removing decay, extracting or repairing teeth, administering sealants, and prescribing medications are some of the services dentists offer. They are qualified to give you anesthesia to reduce pain during dental procedures. A dentist can interpret diagnostic tests and X-rays and handle emergencies or trauma. They obtain training on using different tools and equipment to complete the work. Drills, forceps, X-ray machines, scalpels, and mouth mirrors are some things you might find at your dentist’s office.
They are medical doctors with extensive medical education and training that involves obtaining an undergraduate graduate degree and four years in an accredited dental school. After this, they will receive either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or a Doctor of Dental Medicine. Some dentists then pursue additional training in one of the dental specialties.
Specialties within dentistry
There are twelve recognized dental specialties, including:
- Orthodontics: Orthodontists specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and correcting malocclusions (misaligned teeth and jaws) using braces and other orthodontic appliances.
- Endodontics: Endodontists are experts in treating tooth pulp and nerve. They perform root canal procedures and other techniques to save damaged or infected teeth.
- Periodontics: Periodontists focus on preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum diseases (periodontal diseases) and placing dental implants. They usually treat periodontitis (gum and bone disease) and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Surgeons in this specialty focus on procedures related to the mouth, face, and jaw. These can include tooth extractions, jaw realignment, and treatment of facial injuries.
- Pediatric dentistry: Pediatric dentists are experts in caring for the teeth of kids and teens. They are skilled in addressing the unique needs of young patients. They have expertise in handling the specific needs of young patients. This specialty is also known as pedodontics.
- Prosthodontics: Prosthodontists are skilled in restoring and replacing missing teeth and oral structures. They use biocompatible substitutes and employ crowns, dentures, etc.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology: Dentists specializing in this specialty are called oral and maxillofacial pathologists. They diagnose and manage oral diseases. They are crucial in the early detection and treatment of oral lesions and abnormalities.
- Public health dentistry: Public health dentists work on community-based oral health programs and initiatives, focusing on preventive measures and improving oral health on a broader scale.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology: Oral and maxillofacial radiologists interpret and diagnose dental and maxillofacial radiographic images, such as CT scans and X-rays.
- Dental anesthesiology: Dental anesthesiologists are trained to provide various levels of anesthesia for dental procedures, ensuring patient comfort and safety during treatment.
- Oral medicine: Oral medicine is a newly recognized dental specialty. It focuses on diagnosing and managing complex oral and systemic medical conditions. It is a non-surgical specialty limited to minor excisions, diagnostic biopsies, therapeutic injections, and minor surgical interventions.
- Orofacial pain (OFP): This newly recognized dental specialty encompasses the treatment of discomfort or pain in the mouth, face, head, neck, and jaw regions.
Causes of some common oral diseases
Unhealthy habits like tobacco or alcohol use, poor oral hygiene, and consuming food or beverages with high sugar levels are the primary causes of oral disease. Heart disease and diabetes are chronic conditions that can put you at risk of oral problems. You can prevent most of these conditions with a little bit of care. Routine checkups with a dentist near you can also help detect these conditions in the early stages.
Other than that, here are some more causes:
- Gum disease or periodontal disease: When the gums and bone surrounding the teeth get infected or inflamed, it is called gum disease or periodontal disease. Early treatment can prevent bone loss and prevent teeth from weakening. If your teeth become weak, an extraction might be inevitable.
- Tooth decay: Also called cavities, tooth decay is the weakened enamel of teeth caused by acid-producing plaque along the gum line and in the gaps. It is possible to reverse cavities detected early with fluoride treatment. Fillings are another standard solution for repairing damage, depending on its severity.
- Trauma: Any injury to the teeth, mouth, or oral cavity can result in oro-dental trauma. Misaligned teeth and environmental factors such as accidents and lack of safety during sports are other causes of such trauma. Using appropriate safety gear when playing sports and using motorcycles or bicycles can help prevent some types of trauma.
Which oral health conditions are treated by dentists?
Besides cavities and gum disease, dentists diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases. Some of these are listed below:
- Bad breath (Halitosis): Everyone gets bad breath occasionally, but bad breath that does not go away could indicate an oral health problem or a condition affecting another part of your body. Halitosis can be a symptom of various illnesses, including gum disease, cavities, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and diabetes. While mouthwash can mask the odor, it is only a temporary solution. If you have chronic bad breath, see a dentist. They can determine its root cause and treat it accordingly.
- Teeth grinding (Bruxism): Bruxism occurs when you grind your teeth together, especially at night, without realizing it. The grinding exerts up to hundreds of pounds of force on your jaws and teeth, which can lead to dental problems as well as other health concerns over time. These conditions include cracked teeth, jaw and neck pain, tooth erosion, headaches, and sleep disorders.
- Tooth abscess: Tooth abscesses are pus-filled pockets in your gums resulting from a bacterial infection. They can look like a red swollen boil or bump. Symptoms of this condition include pain (throbbing, sharp, shooting, continuous, or radiating), heightened tooth sensitivity, bad breath, red and swollen gums, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated, a tooth abscess can spread to your jawbone, soft tissues supporting your face, and beyond. In very rare cases, it can also travel to your brain or heart.
- Mouth ulcers: Mouth ulcers are sore lesions that appear in any part of your mouth, such as your tongue, gums, palate, inner cheeks, and inner lips. These sores are usually white, red, or yellow; you can have multiple sores at a time. Different types of mouth sores include oral lichen planus, canker sores, leukoplakia, erythroplakia, and oral thrush. All mouth ulcers cause pain and discomfort. Other symptoms of this condition could include swelling around the ulcers and increased soreness while brushing your teeth.
How can you and your dentist work together to treat dental and oral problems?
Proper oral hygiene is vital to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Even if you brush and floss regularly, it's essential to have a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist bi-annually. During these routine visits, your dentist will also check for any signs of gum disease, infections, or other dental problems and recommend the proper treatments.
Routine professional cleanings effectively remove plaque and tartar deposits that regular oral hygiene practices may not fully eliminate. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) eliminates tartar from above and below the gum line, which regular cleaning may miss. After a cleaning, fluoride treatments may be applied to help strengthen tooth enamel and make it more resilient to bacteria and acid. If you have a gum infection or tooth abscess, your dentist might prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection.
Fillings, crowns, and sealants are other common dental treatments. A filling is used to repair a cavity or hole in the tooth, while a crown can either fit over an implant or a natural tooth to replace a large portion of it. Dental sealants are thin coatings placed on the back teeth to prevent cavities.
Root canal treatment may be required if tooth decay reaches the nerve inside the tooth. During this procedure, the nerve is removed, and a filling made of biocompatible materials is inserted.
Probiotics have been shown to have some benefits for oral health, such as preventing plaque, treating bad breath, and decreasing inflammation from gum disease. Foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh, and miso contain beneficial bacteria that can help improve oral health.
Finally, it's essential to make daily oral hygiene a habit. A dental hygienist can teach you proper brushing and flossing techniques, recommend mouthwash and oral rinses, and suggest tools like a water flosser to maintain oral health and cleanliness.
Pregnancy and oral health
During pregnancy, the body experiences significant hormone fluctuations that put women at higher risk of oral health problems. Oral health is essential to prenatal care, as poor oral health in pregnancy can adversely impact the overall health of both mother and baby. According to the data issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 60 to 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis. Gingivitis is an early-stage periodontal disease causing inflamed and swollen gums that can lead to premature births.
As eating habits often change during pregnancy owing to cravings and dislikes, pregnant women are at greater risk of dental cavities. Due to these reasons, you must continue getting adequate dental care during pregnancy.
How to find the right dentist near you in Henderson, Nevada?
Being diligent with your oral health care routine and watching what you eat can go a long way in avoiding dental issues. If, at any time, you experience symptoms such as swelling, pain, or bleeding in your mouth or oral cavity, seek immediate professional care.
With Zocdoc, you are assured of a hassle-free experience when looking for an experienced dentist in Henderson or elsewhere. You just have to create a free account on our platform and put in specific criteria using the available filters. You could search based on symptoms you experienced or parameters such as gender, location, and areas of expertise.
We understand that insurance coverage is an essential aspect of your healthcare decisions. Our insurance detector can help you find an in-network dentist. To select your insurance plan, enter your insurance company's name in the search bar. If you can't find your medical insurance plan on Zocdoc, upload a photo of your insurance card, and we'll find the most suitable plan for you. This feature doesn't work for dental or vision insurance cards. For assistance with uploading the image, contact Zocdoc's Service Team. Visit Zocdoc's Patient Help Center for more insurance-related queries.
After you give us your requirements, please relax while our advanced algorithm does the hard work. It searches an extensive database of healthcare professionals nationwide to bring you a list of possible matches. Hence, locating a top-rated dentist near you in Henderson, Nevada, is easier with Zocdoc!
Each profile on the list includes detailed information such as experience, board certifications, licensure, and educational qualifications. You also get access to verified patient reviews and user ratings that our team regularly updates. Go ahead and schedule a virtual appointment before setting up an in-person consultation.
You will likely find dentists who treat children and offer after-hours and weekend appointments. Bookings made on Zocdoc are free, secure, and simple.
The burden of oral disease in Nevada and the United States
Oral health is integral for overall well-being, and regular dental care can help achieve this. Dentists have a crucial role to play here, which is why they make up a significant proportion of the healthcare workforce in the United States. Data from the American Dental Association (ADA) for 2023 shows that there are approximately 202,304 dentists in the country who are professionally active. This statistic means that there are about 60.4 dentists per 100,000 population nationwide.
Frequent cleaning and checkups can prevent oral health issues from becoming complications requiring advanced treatments and even surgery. Statistics provided by America's Health Rankings show that in 2022, around 66% of adults in the United States visited a dental clinic or dentist the previous year. The same source shows that this figure was 60.8% for Nevada. The number of women seeking dental care was around 62.3% against the national average of approximately 66.6%. Only around 59.4% of men in the state and about 61.1% of men in the US sought dental care.
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