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Who is a dentist?

A dentist is a trained and certified doctor who specializes in dental and oral health conditions. They diagnose and treat issues in the teeth, gums, and mouth and promote good dental hygiene to prevent medical complications. A dentist's role also includes caring for the muscles in the head, jaw, and neck, the head's nervous system, the salivary glands, and the tongue. Additionally, they look for swelling, lumps, ulcers, discoloration, or any abnormalities in the gums and teeth.

Dentists can perform oral cancer screening tests, diagnostic examinations for infectious or chronic diseases, and biopsies. They can detect early symptoms in the mouth that may indicate a condition elsewhere in the body. They also receive training to recognize medical cases that require referrals to dental specialists for further advice and treatment.

Good dental health directly influences overall health and well-being. It reduces the risk of severe and chronic health conditions like stroke or heart disease. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings keep teeth, gums, and oral cavities healthy, which can help you lead a good quality of life.

What kind of education and training do dentists receive?

The first step towards a dental degree is obtaining a bachelor's degree. Although no specific pre-dental major is required, taking subjects like science, biology, or math is recommended. After four years of dental school, students acquire a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Following this, dentists can choose from nine specializations and receive their licenses from the American Dental Association (ADA). Depending on their chosen specialty, they may need to learn and practice for an extended time.

The most common dental specializations are as follows:

• Periodontics deals with conditions affecting the bones and gums that support the teeth. It takes around 35 months to finish this course.
• Pediatric dentistry revolves around children's dental health from infancy to age 21 and typically takes around 25 months to complete.
• In prosthodontics, artificial devices replace or restore natural teeth or oral tissues. This specialization takes roughly 32 months to master.
• Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics deal with dental and facial anomalies; their training takes around 30 months.
• Endodontics necessitates around 26 months of study and training. This field of medicine focuses on treating the dental pulp, the soft center of a tooth, and performing root canals.
• Dental public health makes use of community activities to prevent dental disease. For this specialty, dentists must complete a 37-month training program.
• Maxillofacial or oral surgery is a 54-month training program that treats illnesses and mouth injuries.
• Oral and maxillofacial radiology deals with imaging procedures for the mouth and face.

Are dentists and endodontists the same?

The short answer is no –dentists and endodontists are not the same. Endodontists are dentists who have undergone an additional two or more years of specialized training after dental school. They concentrate on diagnosing and treating tooth pain and performing root canal treatments. On the other hand, dentists practice general dentistry and can also perform root canals. 

Conversely, endodontists are trained to handle more complicated cases. While a dentist may perform two to three root canals weekly, endodontists average around 25 root canal treatments in the same period.

Endodontists are also known as "tooth savers," as they can treat and save a diseased tooth. A dentist may refer a patient to an endodontist if they feel the patient can benefit from specialized treatment. 

Common dental problems 

Some of the most common dental problems people face include:

• Tooth decay: This condition is also called a cavity or dental caries. Teeth start decaying when bacteria cause plaque build-up on the tooth surface. Eating and drinking sugary or carbohydrate-rich foods makes the bacteria produce acids that eat away and permanently damage the outer layer of the tooth, called the enamel. These acids further attack the softer dentin layer beneath the enamel, causing tooth breakdown. This leads to holes/cavities in the teeth, causing persistent toothache while drinking or eating cold, hot, or sweet items. 

Tooth decay is a preventable oral condition, but it is still the most common dental issue in the U.S. Symptoms may include an unpleasant taste in the mouth, brown or black spots on the tooth, and bad breath. Untreated cavities can lead to severe gum infections that can spread throughout the whole body, resulting in serious health complications. If they suspect a cavity, dentists will first analyze the extent of tooth decay and then recommend appropriate treatment procedures, such as root canals, crowns, or dental fillings. Depending on the severity, they may recommend tooth extraction, dentures, or dental implants.

• Gum disease: Gum or periodontal disease mainly occurs from inflammation or infection in the gums and bones that support and surround the teeth. Common symptoms include swollen or red gums that bleed easily. Other signs could be bad breath or sensitive teeth that hurt while chewing. Poor toothbrushing habits can lead to gum disease. Some chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, genetics, weak immune systems, and poor oral hygiene, along with tobacco use, also increase the risk of gum disease. If not treated on time, this disease can cause gum infection, which may even damage the bones that support the teeth, eventually resulting in tooth extraction. Unaddressed gum disease can also lead to inflammatory reactions throughout the body. 

Gingivitis is a mild and early form of gum disease. It is usually painless, and you may not notice the symptoms in the initial stages. Regular dental check-ups can help diagnose the issue early on, and thorough dental cleaning can prevent bone damage or tooth extraction. Additionally, brushing twice daily and flossing can help maintain good dental health and hygiene and prevent the recurrence of gum disease.

• Sensitivity: A worn-out tooth enamel and exposed dentin can cause this issue. In such cases, your teeth become sensitive to drinks and foods that may be too cold or hot. This is because the deeper nerves in the tooth are connected by tubes found in the dentin. When the dentin is exposed, cold or hot sensations travel along these tubes and reach the nerves, causing intense pain. 

Receding gums, enamel erosion, root infection, gum disease, worn-out fillings, and broken or cracked teeth can also cause tooth sensitivity. The enamel layers could sometimes be naturally thin, resulting in sensitive teeth. After a thorough dental examination, the dentist can diagnose the root cause of tooth sensitivity and recommend the appropriate treatment. They may prescribe specific kinds of mouthwash or toothpaste for sensitive teeth. They may also suggest a fluoride treatment, gum graft, crown fitting, or root canal procedures. 

How can you prevent dental conditions and enjoy good oral health for a lifetime?

Poor oral health causes pain and discomfort, low self-esteem, speech problems, eating difficulties, and hesitance to participate in social activities. Dentists recommend following oral hygiene tips for years to maintain strong teeth. These tips may vary based on particular aspects of a patient's life. Read on to learn more about ways you can safeguard your oral health:

General tips for individuals of all ages:

• Brush your teeth for at least two minutes every morning and night with fluoride toothpaste. 
• Regularly floss your teeth, clean your tongue, and rinse your mouth using a mouthwash. 
• Eat a balanced diet comprising fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, nuts, and seeds. 
• Avoid increased consumption of sugary foods and drinks. 
• Visit a dentist near you every six months for preventive dental exams and cleanings.
• Quit the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs. 
• Drink safe levels of fluoridated water. 
• If you experience toothache, sensitivity, discoloration, loss of taste and smell, mouth sores, bleeding gums, or other dental symptoms, schedule an appointment with your provider immediately. 

Tips for children:

• For infants without teeth yet, wipe their gums twice daily with a clean, soft cloth. 
• For teething children, use a baby toothbrush dipped in water to clean their teeth. Once they learn to spit, you can introduce them to using fluoride toothpaste. 
• Try to avoid putting them to sleep with a bottle.
• Take them to a pediatric dentist near you within 6 to 12 months after teething begins. 

Tips for pregnant women:

• Consult the dentist regularly while pregnant, as hormonal changes increase the risk of developing gingivitis, dry mouth, benign growths, and tooth decay. 

Tips for postmenopausal women:

• Estrogen decline after menopause increases the risk of periodontal disease, so watch out for its signs.  
• A burning tongue, dry mouth, and altered taste could also be symptoms of burning mouth syndrome (BMS) that one must spot. If these occur, immediately consult the dentist.

Tips for older adults:

• Ask caregivers for help if you cannot brush and floss your teeth independently. 

Finding the best dentist near you in Hyattsville, MD

Routine dental health check-ups help maintain good dental hygiene, detect dental conditions early, and ensure early treatment. But how do you find a qualified and experienced dentist from an endless list of online profiles, directories, and websites? The answer is simple - via Zocdoc.

With Zocdoc, you can easily find the best and most experienced board-certified dentists in Hyattsville, MD. The website has a detailed list of qualified dentists near you. 

The process is straightforward:

• Create a free account on Zocdoc.
• Choose your specialty or condition, location, date, and insurance plan. For example, if you have a child and need to partner with a pediatric dentist to maintain their oral health, you can search for pediatric dentists near you.

A comprehensive list of doctors based on your search criteria will appear. You can use the insurance detector if you need clarification on your insurance or want to search for doctors who accept your health plan. Gender is another convenient search filter if you're specifically looking for a female or male dentist near you.

Zocdoc only partners with qualified and experienced dentists who provide comprehensive advice and treatment to patients. Each board-certified dentist on the platform has a profile with a brief introduction, educational qualifications, practice location, and visit reasons. Thus, you can learn about a particular dentist on a single platform.

After a scheduled appointment, Zocdoc asks patients to leave a review. Therefore, the best way to find the most trusted dentist in Hyattsville, Maryland, is to read updated patient comments. Additionally, you can book video appointments on Zocdoc before an in-person visit to better understand your dentist. Look for a purple video icon on dentists' profiles, or use the video appointment selection filter.

With Zocdoc, you can book appointments with dentists near you who accept your insurance plan in real-time.

You can add secondary insurance details to the appointment notes for those with multiple insurance plans. You can enter your secondary insurance information if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms.

If you need help finding dentists who accept your insurance, our online patient help center can assist you. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. Remember, each appointment can only use one insurance plan.

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

Oral health statistics in Maryland, US

According to the May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages report published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 121,640 dentists practiced nationwide in the same year. Industries with the most dominating levels of employment in dentists included offices of dentists with around 109,280 practitioners, offices of physicians with 3,360, outpatient care centers with 3,240, general medical and surgical hospitals with 2,080, and employment services with almost 760 practitioners. Maryland was one of the states with the highest concentration of jobs and regional quotients in dentists, with nearly 2,970 practitioners.

America's Health Rankings data states that, in 2022, about 66.7% of adults in Maryland reported visiting the dental clinic or dentist within the past year. This figure is slightly higher than the U.S. average of approximately 66.0%. The female population had more dental visits, at about 69.6%, compared to the male population, at nearly 63.5%. Additionally, dental visits for the 65+ (69.9%) and 45-64 (70.4%) age groups in Maryland were higher than the U.S. rate (67.2% and 65.6%, respectively). Moreover, almost 8.8% of adults aged 65 and older had all teeth removed due to tooth decay or gum disease.

According to the National Cancer Institute’s State Cancer Profiles, Maryland recorded an average of approximately 192 deaths from oral cavity and pharynx cancer each year from 2019 to 2023, with an age-adjusted mortality rate of 2.5 deaths per 100,000 people. The latest available incidence data also show that 65% of oral cavity and pharynx cancers in Maryland were diagnosed at a late stage, corresponding to an average of 544 late-stage cases annually.

Approximately 185 people in the state died due to oral cancer. The 2018 age-adjusted mortality rate for oral cancer in Maryland was 2.4 per 100,000 population, accounting for 1.7% of Maryland cancer deaths in 2018. Maryland had the 28th highest oral cancer mortality rate among the states and the District of Columbia for the period from 2014 to 2018.

Sources

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

Cleveland Clinic

Kneib Dentistry

Healthline

American Association of Endodontists

Mayo Clinic

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

America's Health Rankings[1]

America's Health Rankings[2]

National Cancer Institute’s State Cancer Profiles

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.