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Who are dentists, and how are they different from dental hygienists?

Dentists are healthcare professionals who prevent, diagnose, and treat conditions affecting the teeth, gums, jaws, and other parts of the mouth. All dentists in the U.S. go through four years of training in an accredited dental school and have the following titles after their names: DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). They are licensed to provide several preventive, restorative, and emergency oral health services such as fillings, extractions, bridges, crowns, and root canal treatments.

On the other hand, dental hygienists are healthcare professionals who often work under the supervision of a dentist and provide only preventive oral treatments such as teeth cleaning and the application of sealants and fluorides. A few states in the U.S. allow dental hygienists to get additional training in treatments such as the placement of temporary crowns and tooth extraction. They complete three years of associate's degree in dental hygiene before obtaining a license to practice.

When should you go to the dentist's? 

You may notice several signs in the teeth, gums, and mouth that could indicate a severe dental problem. It is, therefore, essential to know these warning signs and schedule an appointment with a dentist near you as soon as you or anyone you know experiences them. The problems to watch out for are the following:

• Pain in mouth and jaws: This often means tooth caries, gum diseases, sinus issues, or conditions caused by excess stress. But sometimes, the pain in the jaws could mean that you are going through a heart attack and, therefore, should never be ignored.
• Bleeding gums: Soreness, ache, and bleeding in the gums are primarily signs of gum infections. However, these symptoms could be severe and uncontrollable in diabetic patients despite practicing good oral hygiene. Diabetes lowers the body's immune response, so in these patients, bacteria thrive inside the mouth, causing severe damage to the gums and the surrounding tissues. Diabetic patients often complain of other problems such as foul breath, dry mouth, and fungal infections in the mouth.
• Sudden loss of teeth: Loose teeth typically indicate poor oral hygiene and advanced gum infections. However, they can also indicate osteoporosis, a condition that negatively impacts the bone’s density and strength throughout the body. The first signs are often seen in the jaws when patients complain of teeth unexpectedly falling out.
• Changes in the texture of the teeth: Erosion in the tooth enamel is commonly associated with vigorous brushing, excessive consumption of aerated drinks, and reduced fluoride levels in the drinking water. However, translucent teeth could also indicate an acid reflux problem or an eating disorder. Bulimic patients also complain of teeth sensitivity, constantly dry mouth and lips, and inflammation in the salivary glands.
• Halitosis: Persistent bad breath is often caused by foods and drinks we partake in and gum problems related to poor oral hygiene. However, in some patients, this could be a sign of other medical conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, chronic lung infection, kidney disease, sinus infection, or gastrointestinal issues.
• Lumps and sores in the mouth: Most lumps and sores found in the mouth are canker sores. These sores are caused by fungal infections in the mouth and are white or yellow. However, if you have oral sores that bleed easily, do not heal, have rough edges, suddenly grow in size, or are discolored, these could point towards oral cancer. Since oral cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., visit a dentist to get any suspicious patch, lump, or sore inside the mouth evaluated immediately.

What conditions do dentists treat?

Dentists treat a wide range of oral medical conditions, including the following:

• Tooth decay: Tooth decay (cavities) is the most common health concern in the U.S. It occurs when the sugar and starches in your food combine with plaque, creating acids that attack your tooth enamel. You should maintain oral hygiene, avoid high-sugar foods and drinks, and get regular dental checkups to prevent cavities.
• Periodontal disease: This condition results from gum infection around your teeth. While everyone is at risk for this disease, it is more prevalent among people above 30, people with diabetes, dry mouth, and a habit of smoking. Symptoms of periodontal disease include tender, red, swollen, or bleeding gums, bad breath, and teeth sensitivity. Depending on the symptoms and the severity of the condition, treatment can comprise dental cleaning, scaling, root planing, pocket reduction surgery, bone grafting, etc.
• Tooth abscess: A tooth abscess, a pus-filled pocket, damages oral tissues and can spread to the teeth around the infected one and the bones supporting them. Three types of tooth infection - periodontal, gingival, and periapical - can cause abscesses. Its symptoms encompass sharp, throbbing pain, fever, increased tooth sensitivity, bad breath, a bitter taste in your mouth, and swollen jaws and lymph nodes. Typically, your dentist makes a small cut in the abscess to drain the pus and treat the infection. Antibiotics, root canals, and tooth extraction are other treatment options.
• Mouth sores: Mouth sores refer to painful lesions in your oral soft tissue. They can occur in your lips, tongue, gums, inner cheeks, and the roofs and floors of your mouth. Mouth sores are of various types - cold sores, canker sores, thrush, oral lichen planus, etc. While the exact symptoms depend on the type of sore, common signs include pain, inflammation, and redness in the affected area. Medications like painkillers, steroid gels, and anti-inflammatories help heal mouth sores.
• Root infection: Root infection results from untreated tooth decay or damage. Its primary symptom is persistent, throbbing tooth pain. Your dentist performs a root canal to treat the condition, during which they remove the infection-causing bacteria from the canal and seal the tooth with a dental filling. 

How can you ensure good oral health?

Maintaining proper oral hygiene can help prevent problems like cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. Additionally, oral health is linked to your overall health. Several oral health concerns contribute to serious illnesses like stroke, pneumonia, and cardiovascular disease.

Listed below are some easy, actionable tips to ensure good oral health:

• Stay hydrated: Various foods and drinks can leave unwanted sugar residues on your teeth, causing your tooth enamel to erode. Drink water after every meal to wash the sugar residues away and dilute the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. Water can also prevent dry mouth, a common concern that puts you at risk for tooth decay.
• Brush properly: Brush at least twice a day. Take your time while brushing. Move your toothbrush in small, gentle, circular motions, and avoid back-and-forth motions. The entire process should take 2-3 minutes. The American Dental Association recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush and replacing it every three months. 
• Use a fluoride toothpaste: Fluoride, a common component of many oral care products, strengthens your teeth. Using a fluoride-based toothpaste can help reduce your chances of getting cavities, remineralize your tooth enamel, and prevent the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.
• Clean your tongue: Bacteria accumulate in different parts of your tongue, and rinsing with water or mouthwash cannot help eliminate this build-up. To get rid of it, brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth. Make sure you brush side to side and back and forth, and then rinse your mouth with water. Be careful not to brush too rigorously, as that might break the skin on your tongue's surface.
• Remember to floss: Floss once daily. While brushing cannot remove plaque and bacteria from between your teeth, flossing can. While flossing, gently push the floss down to your gumline before cleaning the sides of your teeth with up-and-down motions. Make sure not to snap the floss up and down between your teeth, as that can be painful and ineffective in clearing plaque.

What to expect at a dental checkup? 

You should visit your dentist even if you do not have any oral issues. Routine dental checkups are necessary not only for preventing problems like cavities and decay but also for the early detection of oral diseases. Moreover, dentists can detect conditions like diabetes or heart disease that increase your risk of oral health problems. Continuity of dental care also ensures that you get treatment at the right time when it is simpler and more affordable. 

There is no one-size-fits-all approach regarding the number of times you should visit a dentist each year. Your oral health depends on how frequently you see a dentist or get a routine dental checkup. Some people need to go only once or twice a year, while others may need to visit their dentist more frequently. Babies should see a dentist as soon as they get their first tooth or turn a year old. Talk to your dental care team about how often you need to see your dentist for a routine checkup. 

Your dentist or dental hygienist may perform your routine dental examination. In the case of children, you can see a pediatric dentist for developmental issues or abnormalities. A routine checkup usually includes an examination of your entire mouth and a dental cleaning. You will also be asked about your overall health status, including your medical history, recurrent symptoms, and any medications you've been taking. At this point, you should also tell your doctor if you have any other health conditions. Individuals with an immune system disorder or heart disease may be asked to take antibiotics (to prevent infection) before coming to their dentist's office. 

During your oral exam, your dentist will assess your gums and teeth to see if there are signs of inflammation or tooth decay. To screen you for oral cancer, your dentist will examine your lips, tongue, and the roof of your mouth. They may check your bite to see if your top and bottom teeth meet correctly. They may also use X-rays to analyze your bite, hidden cavities, and bone loss. During the dental cleaning process, your dentist will remove any tartar (a mineral deposit that gets trapped at the bottom of the teeth) or plaque buildup. They may also provide other preventive services like dental sealants and fluoride treatments. 

Your dentist will also guide you on how to maintain or improve oral hygiene by recommending proper brushing and flossing techniques. They may ask you to avoid or limit certain foods. If you have dentures, implants, or bridges, your dentist will tell you how to care for them. 

Relationship between Human papillomavirus (HPV) and oral cancer

In the U.S., genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, and around 7% of Americans also have the oral version of the disease. While HPV infection often goes symptom-free and the virus is cleared from the patient's body within two years, some turn cancerous and affect head and neck regions. 

Of the 40 known varieties of HPV, the one commonly associated with cervical cancer is HPV16. This form is often linked with head and neck cancers as well. The commonly affected region is the oropharyngeal region, including the back of the throat, the base of the tongue, and the area around the tonsils. It can take even ten years for the virus to physically alter the cells in parts of the body and form tumors, while the virus can silently remain in the patient's body.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers are commonly seen among adults in their 30s and 40s. The organization estimated that every year, close to 11,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer caused by HPV.

HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers commonly show up as a hoarse voice, sore throat, sudden weight loss, pain when swallowing, and swelling in the lymph nodes. While most doctors believe that the infection generally transmits via oral sex, some believe that smoking and consumption of tobacco are risk factors that make HPV infection turn cancerous.

The HPV vaccine, commonly used to prevent cervical cancers, is believed to act against oropharyngeal cancers. While the vaccine can prevent new infections, it cannot work on existing ones. The CDC recommends taking the HPV vaccine well before the first exposure to the virus, between 11 and 12 years of age.

To prevent oropharyngeal cancers, dentists often advocate safe sex practices with condoms and dental dams. Quitting harmful habits such as smoking and usage of smokeless tobacco removes the risk factors associated with this form of cancer. Other advice includes having a healthy diet, a regular exercise regimen, and sleeping well.

Locating the best dentist near you in Herndon, Virginia

Whether it is a sore mouth, bleeding gums, or toothache, oral issues are often painful, and because they affect eating, talking, and the aesthetics of the face, they are quite bothersome. Finding a dentist with your best interests in mind and aptly qualified to treat you is difficult, but Zocdoc makes this journey easy. With Zocdoc, you can look for dentists based on your requirements. The application allows you to filter dentists based on your symptoms, the type of dentist you wish to consult, your current location (home or office), and the date and time for an appointment. Once you enter your details, Zocdoc's powerful algorithms sift through all the dentists and present you with the ones best suited for you. 

If you are still unsure, click the doctors' names to access a detailed profile with information regarding their training, experience, certifications, awards, and affiliations. The profile also tells you about the gender, languages the dentists are fluent in, and cultural background. You can also check out verified patient reviews and ratings to obtain a more objective view of the doctors. You can even use the contact details on Zocdoc, directly call the dental office, and clarify your doubts before booking an appointment with a dentist near you.

With Zocdoc, you can book in-person and online appointments and even do it on the day of the appointment if the dentist is available. If you have troubles with the financial part of the treatment, Zocdoc helps you know which dentists accept your insurance. Once you choose your current insurance policy and plan from the drop-down menu on Zocdoc, the application will give you a list of in-network dentists. If you are unable to find your specific healthcare plan, you can upload a photo of your insurance card. Once you upload a photo, Zocdoc will scan the image of your card and show you your likely plan. Note that you can use this option for medical insurance cards only. Dental and vision are excluded. If you need help uploading your insurance card, contact Zocdoc's service team. You can also visit Zocdoc's patient help center for answers to other insurance-related queries. 

All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!

Oral health statistics for Herndon, Virginia

A report on America's Health Rankings stated that as of September 2024, for every 100,000 people residing in Virginia, over 66.1 general dentists and other advanced practice dental therapists were legally allowed to diagnose and treat dental problems. Another report on the same website stated that in 2022, around 68.4% of adults in the state visited a dental clinic. A comparison among different age groups of patients divulged that adults over 65 (72.2%) visited a dentist the most during this year. A gender comparison revealed that women (71.6%) saw a dental healthcare professional much more than men (65.1%) in Virginia. 

The Cancer Statistics Center presented the statistics for the estimated number of new cases and expected deaths due to oropharyngeal cancer in 2023. According to the report, there will be approximately 1,520 new cases and 360 deaths from oropharyngeal cancer in Virginia. 

Sources

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

WebMD[3]

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Cleveland Clinic[3]

Cleveland Clinic[4]

Cleveland Clinic[5]

America’s Health Rankings[1]

America’s Health Rankings[2]

Cancer Statistics Center

Verywell Health

MouthHealthy 

MedlinePlus[1]

MedlinePlus[2]

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.