What is the role of a dentist?
A dentist’s role is not limited to treating gums and teeth issues. It also includes comprehensive care for muscle problems related to the neck, jaw, head, salivary glands, and tongue. During a detailed oral examination, apart from gum and teeth examination, the dentist also looks for swellings, lumps, ulcers, and any abnormality or discoloration in the mouth.
Under appropriate conditions, the dentist can perform diagnostic tests for infections and chronic diseases, biopsies, oral cancer screenings, and tests for optimal salivary gland functions. The dentist is equipped with adequate training to spot early signs or symptoms in the mouth that may indicate the presence of disease elsewhere in the body. Plus, they can identify situations or conditions in patients that may require referring them to a dental physician or specialist for specialized care.
Unlike other specialists in medical science, a dentist works with a team that includes dental assistants, dental hygienists, and lab assistants. The dentist can provide preventive oral health services, guide patients and children on optimum oral health practices, and diagnose and treat dental issues in time. Such continual, comprehensive, efficient, and cost-effective dental care will help adults and children maintain optimum oral health.
What kind of education and training do dentists receive?
Dentists follow a study path similar to that of a medical doctor. First, they complete an undergraduate program in a related field, such as biology, chemistry, health, or math, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. Next, they must take an admission test to apply for dental schools.
At a dental school their curriculum involves:
- Completing two years of biomedical science studies, followed by two years of clinical practice
- Earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree
- Obtaining a dental license by passing written and practical exams
Dentists may choose to get certified by taking the National Board Dental Examination. Depending on their chosen specialty, they may need to complete a one- to three-year postgraduate residency. Dentists can specialize in various areas, each requiring a postgraduate residency.
What are some specialties in dentistry?
A dentist helps maintain the health of your teeth and gums, but some dental specialists focus on treating specific issues. After graduating from dental school, these specialists undergo an additional two to three years of education and training in their chosen field.
There are several areas of focus that a dentist may pursue, including:
- Pedodontics: Also known as pediatric dentistry, this specialty focuses on treating children, adolescents, and teens.
- Periodontics: Periodontists diagnose and treat gum disease as well as other conditions affecting the tissues around your teeth.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery: These surgeons treat diseases, defects, and injuries of the jaws and other orofacial structures. They commonly remove wisdom teeth and perform other surgical procedures.
- Orthodontics: This branch focuses on realigning your bite. Orthodontists can also straighten your teeth for optimal health and function. Orthodontists provide braces, clear aligners, retainers, and other custom-made appliances.
- Endodontics: Endodontists specialize in performing root canal therapy. While many general dentists perform root canals, they may refer complex cases to an endodontist.
- Prosthodontics: Prosthodontists create natural-looking dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, and dentures.
When to see a dentist?
It is essential to know about your oral and dental health and not ignore any minor issues. An early diagnosis can help you receive proactive treatment to cure the ailment and avoid severe pain, discomfort, swelling, and infection. Primary reasons to visit a dentist include:
- Aesthetic concerns: Smiling comes naturally to every human being. If you avoid smiling due to plaque accumulation or discoloration of your teeth, then a dentist can help. They can conduct cosmetic dental procedures to clean teeth, remove plaque, and whiten them. They can even suggest proper treatment to rearrange your teeth and give you a bright and confident smile.
- Gum problems: If your gums are painful, puffy, or swollen, they might indicate a problem. Additionally, brushing or flossing, which results in bleeding or receding gums, may indicate gum diseases.
- Pain: Severe facial, jaw, or neck muscle pain can be signs of an oral health disorder. Some possible issues are cavities, broken teeth, nerve damage, and teeth grinding. Dentists detect the root cause of the pain and prescribe medications to cure the ailment effectively.
- Dry mouth: A moist oral cavity, lubricated by saliva, indicates a healthy mouth. If your mouth stays dry, it can harm your oral well-being and lead to diseases. The dentist will diagnose the cause of mouth dryness and provide effective treatment to relubricate your mouth with natural saliva.
- Loose teeth: If any of your teeth feel loose or you think they do not fit together when you bite, it is good to seek a dentist’s opinion. Increasing gaps between the teeth also deserve attention.
- Sores and bumps: Most sores and spots heal without medications in a few days or weeks. However, some sores, lumps, or lesions need proper treatment. Candidiasis, a common fungal infection, often develops as white sores on the roof of the mouth, tongue, inner cheek, or tonsils. A dentist's expert diagnosis helps to identify and treat such sores, bumps, and infections.
- Trouble eating: Difficulty chewing or swallowing are among the first signs of oral or dental issues. The dentist will assess your symptoms, detect the problem, and provide effective treatment to cure the ailment holistically.
How can one choose the right dentist?
Having an accessible dental provider in your area or neighborhood is imperative to maintaining oral health hygiene and overall health. The mouth can be an entryway for certain unhealthy bacteria, which can reach the respiratory and digestive systems and lead to diseases like pneumonia. Some oral issues, such as gum disease, are also related to cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Whether you are changing providers or wish to consult a dentist near you accepting new patients, you need to find one suited to your needs. The following tips may help you choose the right dentist:
- Depending on your dental health, you might have to visit a dentist more than twice a year for a routine visit. Therefore, you must look for a dentist whose office you can quickly reach from home or your job.
- Choose a qualified dentist. All licensed dentists have a DDS or DMD title next to their names. Specialists complete additional training. You should be able to find these qualifications listed at the dentist’s office or online.
- Check if the dentist’s office accepts your insurance plan.
- If you cannot find one alone, ask a friend or family member near you for a good dentist recommendation.
- If you are visiting a dentist, determine whether they are the right provider for you by checking whether their office is neat, clean, and orderly, if the staff is helpful and friendly, if your medical and dental history is recorded correctly, and if they are transparent about all fees and payments.
- A good dentist should ideally assist you in finding the best treatment options, advise you on the best hygiene practices, listen to your issues in detail, examine you, and help ease your dental concerns.
- A good dentist promotes only what is medically necessary. When seeking care, a dentist should not try to upsell products or treatments you do not need before an examination.
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 each 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.
How to find a good dentist near you in Lake Forest, IL?
With Zocdoc, you can easily find the best and most experienced board-certified dentists in Lake Forest, Illinois. Our website has a detailed list of qualified dentists.
The process is simple: Create a free account on Zocdoc. Next, choose your specialty or condition, location, date, and insurance plan. A comprehensive list of doctors based on your search criteria will appear. Zocdoc has partnered with qualified, experienced dentists in Lake Forest, Illinois, who provide comprehensive patient advice and treatment. You can even use the Zocdoc insurance detector if you need clarification on your insurance plan.
Each board-certified dentist on Zocdoc has a profile that includes a brief introduction, education qualification, practice location, patient reviews, and visit reasons. Therefore, you get to know everything you need about a particular dentist in your vicinity on a single platform!
After completing an appointment, Zocdoc asks the patient to leave a review. Therefore, the best way to find the best dentist in Lake Forest, Illinois, is to read updated patient reviews on Zocdoc. You can even add filters to your search results by gender if you’re looking for a female dentist in Lake Forest, Illinois.
You can also book video appointments on Zocdoc before an in-person visit to better understand your dentist. Look for a purple video icon on the dentists’ profiles or filter the video appointment selection. If you want to switch dentists, Zocdoc can help locate dentists who are accepting new patients. Click on a dentist’s profile and check the “I’m a new patient” box. You can also scroll down to the FAQs to see if your selected provider sees new patients.
If you need help finding dentists who accept your insurance, our online patient help center is here to assist. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. Remember that each appointment can only use one insurance plan.
You can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes if you have multiple insurance plans. Furthermore, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can enter your secondary insurance information for easy access.
You can book appointments with the right dentist near you who accept your insurance plan in real time using Zocdoc. Booking appointments is simple, secure, and free!
Dental health statistics for Illinois, US
According to America’s Health Rankings, Illinois had approximately 77.6 general dentists and advanced practice dental therapists per 100,000 population as of September 2025, compared with 66.3 per 100,000 nationwide. An America’s Health Rankings analysis of 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data also found that 65.7% of Illinois adults visited a dentist or dental clinic within the previous year, compared with 67.5% nationwide. Dental care utilization varied substantially by income: 83.5% of Illinois adults ages 25 and older with annual household incomes of $150,000 or more reported a dental visit, compared with only 41.1% of those with household incomes below $25,000.
Key findings from the Healthy Smiles Healthy Growth survey conducted in Illinois indicated that caries experience or the presence of treated or untreated decay has decreased from about 54.2% in 2013-2014 to about 41.6% in 2018-2019. While the declining percentage of 21% was a considerable improvement, tooth decay or cavities was still a significant public dental health problem affecting almost two out of five children in Illinois.
In 2018-2019, about 53% of third-grade children in Illinois reported having one or more dental sealants in their permanent molar, approximately 6% higher compared to the rate of 50% in 2013-2014. About 4% of third-grade children in Illinois in 2018-2019 underwent immediate dental treatment due to oral infection, swelling, or pain. It equates to more than 5,600 third-grade children suffering from illness or pain due to a dental issue. The need for immediate dental treatment among third-grade children has almost doubled compared to the 2013-2014 survey findings.
Sources
Maine Dental Association
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
WebMD[3]
Aetna
America’s Health Rankings
Illinois Department of Public Health
Mayo Clinic
MouthHealthy[1]
MouthHealthy[2]
MouthHealthy[3]
MouthHealthy[4]
MouthHealthy[5]
Colgate
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
American Dental Association
MedicalNewsToday
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
