Who are dentists, and what do they do?
Dentists are medical doctors who look after oral health and diagnose and treat problems related to teeth and gums. Through regular checkups, dentists aid in maintaining oral hygiene, preventing cavities, and averting the necessity for intricate procedures such as root canals. Dentists typically conduct their practice in dental clinics, sometimes collaborating with other specialists to enhance their expertise. Dentists have many responsibilities, such as:
- Defending practices that can improve a patient's oral health
- Promoting the rights of their patients
- Providing safe and high-quality oral care to each patient
- Improving patients' oral health and contributing to their overall health and well-being
- Maintaining open communication with their patients
Education and training of a dentist near you
It generally takes about eight years to become a dentist in the U.S., which includes four years to acquire a bachelor's degree and another four to earn one of the following degrees from a reputable dental school:
Both these degrees are equal and have the same accreditation body and curriculum.
After dental school, aspirants must complete a residency program and have the option to specialize further in more specific fields. They may then get certified by appearing for the National Board Dental Examination. Some of the dental specialties are:
- Pedodontics: Pediatric dentistry focuses on treating children, adolescents, and teenagers.
- Orthodontics: This branch focuses on realigning your bite and straightening teeth for optimal function.
- Periodontics: Specialty for diagnosing and treating gum disease and other conditions.
- Prosthodontics: This branch of dentistry specializes in creating dentures and crowns.
- Endodontics: It is a specialized field dedicated to performing root canal procedures, particularly in cases of significant complexity.
- Cosmetic dentistry: It encompasses the use of porcelain veneers, gum contouring, and teeth whitening techniques to enhance the aesthetics of one's smile.
- Implant dentistry: Specialists place dental implants, which are a popular, long-term teeth replacement option.
- Reconstructive dentistry: Involves full mouth reconstruction or rehabilitation and treating people with extensive cavities and gum disease.
What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?
Dentists look after oral health conditions of the teeth, gums, and mouth. While they can clean your teeth, dental hygienists usually take care of that. Dentists receive extensive training to provide the following care:
- Fill cavities
- Repair cracked teeth
- Extract teeth
- Conduct and interpret dental X-rays
- Prescribe treatment
- Install crowns or veneers
- Treat gum disease
- Perform oral surgery
- Whiten teeth
- Oversee the development of children's teeth
Orthodontists specialize in tooth and jaw alignment. While they can also diagnose and treat oral health conditions of the teeth, gums, and mouth, they focus on alignment issues and provide the following care:
- Oversee the growth of jawline and bite in children
- Treat misaligned teeth and jaws
- Provide treatment plans, including braces and retainers
- Perform teeth straightening surgery
- Fitting dental appliances like palatal expanders, braces, or orthodontic headgear
Dentists are general practitioners, while orthodontists are specialists. Most dental problems, such as tooth pain and decay, can be resolved by visiting a dentist near you. You should see a dentist if you notice symptoms such as a toothache, bleeding gums, abscessed teeth, broken or chipped teeth, persistent bad breath, and sores in your mouth. Remember to visit your dentist for regular exams and cleanings to help them detect issues before they worsen.
Sometimes, the dentist near you would refer you to an orthodontist for tooth crowding and palate expansion. If you suspect you have teeth that need to be aligned, you can skip the dentist and approach an orthodontist by yourself. Children should also see an orthodontist before age 7 to see if they require braces.
What happens during a dental checkup?
Many adults downplay the importance of dental checkups and have poor oral health. The best step here is to be proactive and visit a dentist for regular checkups, where they can find problems before they fully develop or worsen. Letting your dentist conduct a complete oral checkup can help prevent numerous dental issues. They can also advise and guide you on improving and maintaining oral health.
People often feel anxious before visiting a dentist as they fear the painful procedures that may take place. Knowing what generally happens during a dental checkup can help calm people down. Following are the general activities carried out by a dentist during consultations :
- They ask questions relevant to your dental health, understand your lifestyle, and then consider the diseases you may be susceptible to.
- They perform a rigorous examination of your mouth, teeth, and gums.
- They ask whether you drink alcohol or use any tobacco products.
- They advise you on improving your oral hygiene and can introduce you to new teeth-cleaning techniques to help you.
- They recommend a treatment plan if it is necessary for you.
- After the appointment, your dentist will provide you with actionable insights and may suggest a date for your next meeting. Before they schedule the next visit, they will consider your oral health and plan your appointments accordingly.
How often should you see your dentist near you?
While several people make regular dental visits, their frequency depends on different factors, such as:
- Lifestyle: People who smoke or regularly consume alcohol should schedule more frequent dental appointments due to their heightened risk of developing dental issues.
- Schedule: Some people brush and floss twice daily, whereas others brush once daily. People who are passive while taking care of their teeth are likely to have more appointments with the dentist.
- Medical history: There are a few things about your dental health that you cannot change. Some people can be more prone to getting cavities or other dental diseases because of their genes. If you know that most people in your family have dental problems, you should take care of your teeth as a precaution. You can take the help of your dentist, who can ensure that you do not get those diseases by providing additional care.
- Dental care access: Preventive methods are a great way to ensure that you do not have to suffer from any dental disorder. However, it is not easy for some people to access products or services that lead to better oral health. You will likely need regular dental checkups if you are from a similar group.
- The dentist: The main person on whom the frequency of visits depends is your dentist. If you are going through a procedure, they will set dedicated visits within a specific period. However, if you visit them for preventive care, they will plan your next consultation based on your teeth, gums, and mouth condition. If they find them in optimal health, they may even ask you to wait six months to a year.
Foods to avoid for healthy teeth
Here are some foods to steer clear of for maintaining optimal dental health:
Any type of candy is unhealthy for the teeth and gums. Sour candies contain different acids that can affect your teeth. They are chewy and can stick to the teeth for extended periods, causing plaque build and tooth decay.
Carbonated soda increases the acidity levels in the mouth, affecting the tooth enamel. Moreover, the mouth becomes dry, increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Dark color soda can even stain or discolor your teeth.
Biting into hard objects can harm the enamel and increase the likelihood of dental issues like cracked, chipped or broken tooth, as well as loose crowns.
While it is tempting to chew ice in your cold beverages, it is best to avoid this habit. Instead, consider opting for chilled water or drinks without ice to prevent potential damage to your teeth.
Bread and saliva mix in the mouth to form a gummy or sticky substance that could enter the crevices between the teeth. The saliva also breaks down the starch into sugar. If the mouth is not cleaned correctly after eating, the leftover sugar deposits on the teeth can cause cavities.
Alcohol is unhealthy for the body, including the teeth and gums. Saliva keeps your teeth healthy by washing away leftover food particles and preventing foods from sticking to the teeth. Alcohol intake makes the mouth dry, which increases the chances of gum disease, oral infections, and tooth decay.
Potato chips contain a lot of starch, which sticks to the crevices between your teeth, forming plaque and resulting in tooth decay. Therefore, avoid eating chips or other fried products.
What are some rare dental diseases?
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)
TMD affects the jaw joint, including the disc, muscles, and ligaments, leading to pain and difficulty in jaw movement. Teeth grinding (bruxism) and arthritis can increase the risk of developing this condition. Additionally, an uneven bite caused by misaligned teeth can put extra strain on the jaw, contributing to TMD.
Hyperdontia
Hyperdontia occurs when extra teeth develop in the mouth, leading to overcrowding and misalignment of the permanent teeth. This can cause problems with chewing and may even result in a crooked jaw as the mouth adjusts to the additional teeth. To prevent complications such as jawline changes, dentists often recommend removing the extra teeth before they cause significant issues.
Geminated teeth
Geminated teeth occur when two teeth share a single root, leading to an abnormal tooth structure. This condition can result in overcrowding and may create gaps between teeth, making them more susceptible to damage and decay. If left untreated, geminated teeth can weaken the overall dental structure. Seeking prompt dental care is crucial to prevent further complications.
Thrush
Thrush is a fungal infection that happens when there is an overgrowth of Candida albicans in your mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth, bacterial issues, or wear dentures, you are at a higher risk of developing thrush. Elderly patients and children are particularly vulnerable to this condition. It could be a sign of thrush if you notice white spots on your tongue or a white film on its surface.
Finding a dentist in Hollywood, CA
Good oral health can lead to more confidence and comfort in your daily life. Dentists ensure that you do not fall prey to problems like cavities or sensitivity, which is why it is advisable to visit a dentist. However, finding a skillful and reliable dentist near you can take time and effort. Zocdoc can help you locate some of the best dentists in Hollywood, California, within just a few minutes.
Enter details like the type of doctor you want to visit and location to receive a list of top-rated professionals matching your criteria. You can browse these results and filter them based on gender, language, hospital affiliations, and whether they treat children. Each listed provider has a unique profile with their qualifications, accreditations, awards, areas of expertise, experience, licensure, and ratings.
If you want to find a doctor who accepts your insurance, add your insurance information (your insurance provider and plan) on the Zocdoc search. It will help you see in-network providers who accept your plan. You can see accurate results of in-network dentists in Hollywood. When you book an appointment on Zocdoc, you'll need to either provide your insurance details or confirm that you're paying out-of-pocket. Some doctors require insurance information to schedule an appointment. If you don't have insurance or prefer not to use it, you can look for another provider on Zocdoc. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
To help you make a more informed decision, Zocdoc provides you with access to verified testimonials from previous patients of the specialist. After selecting the best dentist near you, you can instantly schedule a virtual or in-person appointment according to their availability. All bookings on Zocdoc are easy, free, and secure!
Statistics on dentists and children’s oral health in California
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that as of May 2023, the USA had around 121,640 active dentists. Of these, approximately 18,820 were employed in California alone, making it the state with the highest employment of dentists.
According to a California Department of Public Health report for 2018-2019, tooth decay remained a significant health problem in the state. By the third grade, approximately 61% of the children had experienced tooth decay, and for 22% of them, it remained untreated. California third-graders had a higher proportion of tooth decay than the national median of about 53% that year. Around 48% of children under 21 were enrolled in the Medi-Cal dental program in 2018. This percentage significantly increased from just 28% in 2006.
Sources
FDI World Dental Federation
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Glassdoor
Shemmassian Academic Consulting
California Department of Public Health
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Cleveland Clinic
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
District Dentistry
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