Who is a dentist?
A dentist is a medical professional who prevents, diagnoses, and treats all oral health conditions affecting the jaw, teeth, oral cavity, and gums. They can also perform dental procedures, such as placing dental implants, bridges, and crowns. Dentists can also administer or recommend diagnostic tests such as X-rays. Further, they use equipment like scalpels, drills, lasers, and brushes to examine the oral cavity and teeth. They are also licensed to prescribe medications. Further, dentists may offer emergency dental care and treat tooth injuries, such as knocked-out or chipped teeth due to falls.
Besides diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries, an essential part of dental care involves educating patients and families on oral hygiene and avoiding tooth decay. Dentists also examine developing children to check if their jawbones and teeth are growing correctly.
Dentists typically work in private practices at a clinic. Dental care requires a team approach. Thus, dentists may collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including dental hygienists, assistants, nurses, and lab technicians.
Is a dentist a doctor?
Dentists are not conventional doctors of medicine or MDs. However, they follow a career path similar to that of a traditional doctor. Dentists undergo extensive training to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. They must also complete an undergraduate program in biology, chemistry, health, or math before this.
In the United States, dental licensure requirements vary from state to state. However, each dentist must meet three criteria to obtain licensure: educational, written, and clinical examinations.
Dentists may also specialize in one or more areas of dentistry, requiring them to undergo two to three years of additional post-doctoral education. Some specialties of dentistry include endodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics.
Specializations within dentistry
The National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards (NCRDSCB) recognizes dental specialties to ensure public safety, advance the field of dentistry, and improve patient care. Currently, twelve specialties are recognized.
- Dental anesthesiology manages pain, anxiety, and overall patient health during dental, oral, maxillofacial, and supplementary surgical or diagnostic procedures throughout the perioperative period.
- Dental public health is a para-clinical branch that helps prevent dental disorders through organized community efforts. These dental specialists identify critical oral health issues and formulate effective strategies to overcome them.
- Endodontics treats dental pulp disorders, including the nerves, blood supply, and other fibrous tissue of the tooth. A root canal is a common teeth-saving procedure practiced by endodontists.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology focuses on diagnosing and treating ailments that affect the mouth, teeth, and surrounding regions. This field involves studying these conditions' causes, mechanisms, and effects to better understand and manage them.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology uses X-rays, imaging techniques, and scans to diagnose and manage oral disorders. It aids dentists in developing effective treatment plans for their patients.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery provides surgical interventions for mouth-related diseases and injuries. It especially emphasizes the treatment of oral cancer and other head and neck cancers.
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics specialize in correcting dental and facial irregularities. It involves correcting misaligned teeth and jaws with orthotic devices such as braces, aligners, retainers, etc.
- Periodontics treat diseases related to the gum tissues and the bone supporting the teeth. Often, cavities can erode the gums and cause bone loss, requiring the care of a periodontist.
- Prosthodontics provides facilities for restoring natural teeth and oral structures with artificial devices like dentures or replacing missing teeth. It is instrumental in the geriatric population.
- Pediatric dentistry centers on the prevention and treatment of dental problems in children, including those with special medical needs, from infancy through adolescence.
- Orofacial pain specialty focuses on diagnosing, managing, and treating pain disorders of the jaw, mouth, face, head, and neck.
- Oral medicine focuses on providing oral health care for patients with complex medical conditions. It involves diagnosing and managing diseases that affect the oral and maxillofacial region.
What does a dentist treat?
Dentists can treat various oral health issues depending on their specialty. Some commonly diagnosed dental problems include the following:
- Tooth decay: Cavity formation can lead to tooth decay. Cavities result from plaque that eats away at the hard surface of the teeth (enamel), causing holes in the teeth.
- Gingivitis is a form of gum infection caused by poor dental hygiene. It causes plaque (a sticky material of bacteria, mucus, and food debris) to build up on the teeth. Gingivitis results in inflammation and infection of the gums, bone, and periodontal ligaments.
- Oral cancer: A dentist can help prevent mouth and throat cancers by screening patients during regular checkups. People who drink alcohol excessively, smoke, or have a history of excessive sun exposure are at high risk of oral cancers.
- Malocclusion (misaligned jaw): In a standard jaw, the upper teeth sit over the lower teeth; the points of the upper molars fit the lower molar grooves. Malocclusion causes an underbite, overbite, or even crowding of the teeth. Treatment of a malocclusion involves surgery, braces or aligners, or tooth removal if required.
Which foods are bad for your teeth?
Certain foods and beverages can cause plaque buildup, eventually causing cavity formation and tooth decay. While you need not avoid these foods, eating them in moderation can help prevent tooth erosion.
Some common foods considered bad for your teeth include the following:
- Sodas and sweet beverages: All carbonated drinks, including diet sodas, contain sugar, which allows plaque to produce more acid in the mouth, leading to tooth enamel erosion. Sodas also tend to dry the mouth, leading to lesser saliva production and triggering the decay process.
- Sweet, sticky, and sour candies: These candies have added sugars that feed damaging bacteria in the mouth and break down the enamel. Sour candies may also contain acids that are tougher on the teeth. Sticky candies tend to remain on the teeth if not brushed out properly. These factors lead to cavity formation and tooth decay.
- Sugary cereal and baked goods: These products contain high sugar, which may not be the best way to start the day. Instead of eating ready-to-eat breakfasts and cereals, you can switch to a low-sugar breakfast like oatmeal and fruit.
- Refined foods and white bread: When we chew bread, the saliva in our mouth breaks down the starches into sugar, which can cause cavities. Furthermore, starchy foods tend to get stuck between teeth, so less refined carbs, like whole grains, are a better choice.
- Citrus fruit juices: These include lemon, grapefruit, and orange juice containing vitamin C. Even though these are healthy to consume, citrus juices are highly acidic, and this can cause the tooth enamel to erode. Rinsing the mouth after drinking acidic fruit juices can help avoid cavities.
- Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can dry out the mouth and lessen saliva production, which is required to wash away food particles and prevent them from sticking to teeth.
Your first dental appointment: what to expect and how to prepare
If you have found and chosen to visit a dentist near you, learning what to expect before an appointment and going in prepared can help you get the most out of your consultation. Preparing a list of queries and consulting your dental specialist about your doubts about a routine exam or procedure will help them understand your dental anxiety and find ways to make you feel comfortable. In case your dentist plans a procedure, ask them about every step involved so that you can mentally prepare for your next visit.
A dentist will first record your basic health information during a typical routine checkup. This information includes your medical history, any previous surgeries, tests, and medicines you are taking (including over-the-counter medications). You should also inform your dentist about your chronic health ailments like diabetes and heart disease.
Before your dentist examines your teeth, a dental hygienist will place a plastic cover or paper on your chest after you are seated in a dental chair. Your dentist will then view the inside of your mouth and ask about where you've been experiencing pain and other symptoms. A routine checkup involves examining the teeth for cavities, decay, or gaps between your teeth.
Your dentist may also try to identify other oral problems, such as those within the supporting bone structures, gum disease, or tartar buildup. Tell your dentist about jaw pain or chewing and swallowing difficulties. They may take an X-ray to understand your condition further and accurately diagnose it. Dental cleaning involves removing plaque buildup. In case of deep cavities, you may require a filling. A root canal treatment may be necessary for infection in the roots of a tooth. Depending on your condition, a general dentist may refer you to a specialist, such as an endodontist or orthodontist.
Going for a routine dental checkup every six months can help determine your risk for oral conditions, especially if you have a family history. It also allows patients and families to learn proper oral hygiene habits from their dentists and manage their dental conditions appropriately. Depending on your diagnosed oral condition, your dentist may ask you to schedule more frequent follow-up visits.
Common dental emergencies
Dental emergencies can occur unexpectedly and require prompt attention. Below are some of the most frequent dental issues that require urgent care.
Sudden toothache without a clear cause
If you experience a sharp, unexplained toothache, it could signal an issue with your tooth, gums, or root. This type of pain should never be ignored. While waiting for a consult with an emergency dentist, over-the-counter pain relievers, cold compresses, or a warm saltwater rinse can provide temporary relief.
Gum bleeding and swelling
Minor bleeding during flossing can be normal, especially if you've just started flossing. However, spontaneous bleeding combined with swelling or discomfort might point to an underlying gum infection or other serious condition. Emergency dental care is strongly recommended.
Unusual swelling in the jaw or mouth
Seek urgent dental care if your face, jaw, or mouth becomes swollen without an apparent cause. Such swelling may indicate an infection or lymph node problems that need immediate evaluation.
Exposed nerves
Exposure to a dental nerve is often intensely painful. It may result in an infection or permanent damage if not addressed promptly. Quick dental intervention can minimize complications.
Tooth loss
If a tooth is knocked out, time is critical. Hold it by the crown, rinse carefully without scrubbing, and attempt to place it back in the socket if possible. If not, keep it moist in milk or your mouth and get to a dentist quickly—ideally within 30 minutes.
Lost filling or crown
A missing filling or broken crown leaves a tooth vulnerable to further damage or decay. Prompt dental attention is needed to restore protection and function.
Dental abscess
It is a severe infection that may result in facial swelling, fever, and pus-filled bumps on the gums. It must be treated promptly to prevent spreading to other body parts.
Object stuck between teeth
If flossing doesn't dislodge a stuck item, don't try to force it. A dentist can remove it safely to avoid gum damage or infection.
Infections
If ignored, dental infections can rapidly escalate. Pain, swelling, and fever are signs that should never be dismissed, as untreated infections can become life-threatening.
Find a dentist near you in Lake Worth, Texas
Going for regular dental checkups helps prevent tooth decay and maintain a healthy smile. Oral health is also a clear indicator of your overall well-being and is linked with severe conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
And if you are searching for a top-rated dentist in the Lake Worth, TX, area, Zocdoc is here to help. On the Zocdoc online platform, users can book video or in-person consultations with dentists in their neighborhood within minutes. This way, you can avoid long hours of sitting in waiting rooms and book a consultation from the comfort of your own home.
On Zocdoc, you can book appointments with dentists within 24 hours, on the same day, before 10 a.m., after work hours (after 5 p.m.), and even on the weekends, depending on your provider's availability. Moreover, you can use Zocdoc's health insurance locator to connect with an in-network provider.
Furthermore, if you have multiple insurance plans, you can include dental, medical, and vision insurance plans in your Zocdoc account. However, you can only search for and schedule appointments with one insurance plan at a time. If you possess multiple insurance plans, you can specify your secondary carrier and plan for the provider in the notes section during the final step of the booking process. Moreover, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you may add secondary insurance while filling out your forms online. For further insurance-related FAQs, refer to Zocdoc's patient help center.
To book an appointment on the Zocdoc website, enter your symptoms or condition, location, and insurance plan. You may also narrow down the results by applying filters based on gender, hospital affiliation, languages spoken, distance, office location, wait time, and whether the dentist treats children.
Under the "view profile and reviews" tab, you can view a provider's educational background, clinical experience, specialties, awards, licensures, and certifications. Further, Zocdoc also lists honest and verified patient reviews. Each profile also details FAQs and whether doctors are currently accepting new patients.
Remember that bookings made on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure, making it the best platform for finding dentists near you.
Oral health statistics in Lake Worth, Texas
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Texas employs approximately 10,190 general dentists (as of May 2023). Texas ranks second in the top five states with the highest number of employed dentists, following California.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), Texas estimates 4,160 new oral and pharynx cancer cases in 2024. The incidence rate of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx per 100,000 people was considerably higher in men (≈17.5) than in women (≈5.8).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, roughly 57.5% of all adults in Texas had visited a dental clinic or seen a dentist in the previous year. Of those who visited the dentist, the majority (≈60.6%) were females, while the rest (≈54.3%) were males. Individuals with education levels greater than high school, i.e., about 71.5% of college graduates, visited the dentist more frequently when compared to those who did not graduate high school (≈38.2%). Of all Texas adults aged 65 and above, nearly 13.7% had lost all of their natural teeth, and around 32% had lost six or more teeth due to gum infection and tooth decay.
Research suggests that individuals who drink fluoridated water are less likely to develop oral cavities and tooth decay. In 2020, the CDC Water Fluoridation Reporting System (WFRS) reported that approximately 71% of Texas residents received fluoridated water from the Community Water Systems (CWS).
Sources
WebMD[1]
Healthine[1]
Healthine[2]
American Dental Association
MedlinePlus[1]
Mayo Clinic
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Cancer Statistics Center
WebMD[2]
WebMD[3]
MedlinePlus[2]
Webster Dental
Absolute Dental
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