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What does a dentist do?

A dentist diagnoses, treats, and prevents oral health issues. They have the following responsibilities:

• Identifying oral illnesses
• Making treatment plans for their patients
• Maintaining and restoring oral health
• Interpreting diagnostic test results 
• Ensuring the safe administration of anesthetics
• Tracking the development of teeth and jaws
• Performing surgical procedures
• Attending to injuries of the mouth and other emergencies

Education and training of dentists

Dental schools must meet rigorous academic standards comparable to those of medical schools to prepare their students for the effective and safe practice of modern oral health care. These requirements include the provision of extensive lectures and clinical experience.

Aspiring dentists must have a Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent and pass rigorous admissions exams to enter medical school. Aspiring dentists must finish biomedical science courses during their first two years of medical school study. Other necessary courses include anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, immunology, and pathology. Students spend the second and third years of dental school preparing for clinical practice, which involves identifying and treating oral disorders.

After earning their undergraduate and medical degrees, many dentists continue their study and training to acquire certification in a recognized dental specialty. Dentists must then pass a national written exam and a state or regional licensure exam to practice dentistry. Dentists must be able to diagnose, treat, and manage various illnesses and problems, some of which could be fatal.

Procedures performed by dentists 

A dentist near you can perform different procedures to help diagnose, treat, and prevent any dental issues you might face.

• Dental Check-up - Routine dental check-ups are crucial in preserving oral health. During these appointments, the dental team will:

1. Identify any issues that might not be immediately noticeable.
2. Detect cavities and other indicators of tooth decay.
3. Examine the teeth and gums for signs of gingivitis and periodontal disease.
4. Provide a comprehensive cleaning of the teeth.

• Bonding - Dental bonding offers a conservative solution for fixing minor chips, discoloration, or misalignment in teeth. This procedure involves applying a white filling to the affected tooth to enhance its appearance. The filling sticks to the tooth, and with various tooth-colored shades available, it closely resembles the natural appearance of the teeth.
• Dental Bridge - A dental bridge can be utilized to replace missing teeth, support your face shape, and reduce stress on your bite. Filling the gaps left by any missing teeth with artificial teeth, a bridge not only restores function but also enhances appearance. It can be crafted from gold, porcelain, alloys, or a combination of these materials and is bonded to the surrounding teeth for stability.
• Root canal - In the past, a tooth with a diseased nerve often needed extraction. However, saving the tooth is now possible with modern root canal treatment. When a tooth is cracked or deeply decayed, bacteria can infiltrate the pulp tissue, leading to an infection. In a root canal procedure, the dentist extracts the infected tissue, cleans and seals the tooth's interior, and fills it with a dental composite. If the tooth is severely affected, a crown might be recommended to strengthen and protect it from breaking. The restored tooth can sometimes last a lifetime with proper oral care, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups.

How are oral health and overall health linked?

Like all other parts of your body, your mouth has germs, most of which are harmless. However, some bacteria can spread disease since your mouth is the door to your digestive and respiratory systems.

Typically, your body's natural defenses and good oral habits like frequent brushing and flossing keep bacteria under control. But without appropriate dental hygiene, bacteria can build up to a point where they cause oral infections, including tooth decay and gum disease.

According to some studies, oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with severe gum disease (periodontitis) play a role in various disorders. Likewise, conditions like diabetes and HIV/AIDS can make it difficult for your body to fight against infections, exacerbating your oral health issues.

Signs of poor oral health

There are several indicators signifying oral health issues, the most typical of which include the following:

• Dental decay
• Persistent foul breath
• Tooth loss
• Gum recession
• Mouth ulcers that do not heal
• Toothache
• Swelling of the jaw

How do you maintain oral hygiene?

Maintaining oral hygiene involves keeping your mouth clean and disease-free; it entails frequent dental checkups by a dentist near you, including cleanings, exams, X-rays, tooth brushing, and flossing. Properly caring for the teeth and gums prevents oral health problems like cavities, bad breath (halitosis), and other issues before they occur. Here are some things you must do to keep your teeth strong and mouth healthy:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily to remove dental plaque.
• Schedule an annual appointment with your dentist even if you wear dentures or do not have natural teeth.
• Avoid smoking and consumption of tobacco products.
• Limit your alcohol intake.

Benefits of maintaining proper dental hygiene

While your dentist may repair teeth damaged due to decay or gum disease, it is always preferable to prevent such issues from developing in the first place. There are several advantages to maintaining oral hygiene, including the following:

• Better oral and gum health. 
• A lovely smile.
• An improved breath. 
• Fewer dental procedures like fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, or dentures.
• Lower the risk of health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, or stroke.
• The lower possibility of mouth cancer.

When should you book an appointment?

You may need to see a dentist if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Inflamed, red, or bleeding gums: If these symptoms are noticed every time you brush or eat, it can be associated with gum disease. Dentists can treat gum disease at an early stage with a clean and scale by removing built-up plaque. But if left untreated, it can deteriorate the gum tissue and cause loss of teeth.
• Chipped or cracked teeth: If you chip, crack, or lose a tooth, an emergency trip to the dentist helps avoid extreme pain, sensitivity, and the possibility of an infection. 
• Pus in the mouth: A pus is the first sign of infection or gum abscess, which can spread and cause severe problems if left untreated. In some cases, the bacteria may spread to other body parts, causing fatal sepsis. Generally, treatment for infections includes antibiotics and root therapy. 
• Consistent bad breath: While embarrassing, it may indicate a severe health issue such as gum disease, an infection, acid reflux, or cancer. 
• Constant bad taste in the mouth: In many cases, a continuous foul taste not from food or drink can result from infected teeth, gum disease, or respiratory infections. Infections emit toxins from the tooth, which cause bad taste. 
• Discolored tooth: Teeth turning yellow or discolored can be common with teeth-staining drinks like coffee and tea, which can be fixed with teeth whitening. However, if you notice your teeth changing to a darkish brown or gray color, the pulp inside your tooth is decaying and can be infected. 
• Sharp pains: Depending on the severity, you may have a cavity or an abscessed tooth. An infected tooth requires immediate medical treatment, as you may need a tooth extraction, cleaning, or draining of the infected area. 

Ignoring these signs will result in costly dental treatments in the future as well as health risks. You must book an appointment when you notice these symptoms and seek timely treatment.

How do you find top-rated dentists in Kirkland, Washington?

To maintain oral health, you must find the right dentist to provide the required preventive care and treat oral concerns effectively. You can rely on Zocdoc to find experienced dentists near you in Kirkland, Washington.

Scheduling a consultation is now extremely easy. Visit the Zocdoc website and sign up for free. Search for physicians by writing down your symptoms, a particular treatment, or the specialist you want to consult. Using its algorithm, Zocdoc will list top-rated dentists in your locality. You can schedule an offline or online appointment with your preferred dentist just a few minutes from home! 

You can also narrow your list based on criteria such as languages spoken by the doctor, typical wait time, location, whether they treat children or adults, availability, etc. You can also learn about their medical background, certifications, awards, clinical experience, or licensures earned. To make the right choice and ensure you are comfortable with a dentist, you can also review patients' verified reviews and ratings on their profiles. 

Zocdoc also has an insurance filter that allows you to view the dentists near you who accept your insurance. Uploading a photo of your medical insurance card can aid in accurately selecting your insurance plan on Zocdoc, though it’s not mandatory. If you do not want to upload the photo, you can still add your insurance details by manually selecting your plan from the provided list. If you face any issues during the process, you can reach out to the Zocdoc service team. The Zocdoc website helps users find competent medical specialists anywhere easily, quickly, and cheaply.

Dental health statistics in the U.S. and Washington

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data between 2011 and 2016, more than 1 in 4 American adults had untreated cavities. Similarly, according to a national survey conducted between 2009 and 2014, nearly half of adults (46%) aged 30 years or more showed signs of gum disease, while around 9% of adults are dealing with severe gum disease. In 2019, approximately 86.9% of children and 65.5% of adults (18-44 years) had a dental visit. 

As per a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, there were about 120,740 dentists in the U.S. in 2022. The state of Washington had over 2,780 practicing dentists in May 2022. The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area in Washington - where Kirkland is located - had approximately 1,450 practicing dentists during the same period. The Journal of Dental Hygiene states that 53% of adults surveyed in Washington had lost at least one permanent tooth because of periodontal disease or dental caries.

Sources

Mayo Clinic

Cleveland Clinic

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]

Maine Dental Association

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[2]

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[3]

The Journal of Dental Hygiene

Alpha Dental

Branford Dental Care

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.