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Who is a dentist?

Oral health reflects internal body health, and thus, it requires our undivided attention. A dentist is a healthcare practitioner who can help you maintain oral health. Dentists dedicate themselves to the highest health standards through diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral conditions and diseases.

A dentist has many responsibilities, the most important of which is promoting dental hygiene. Regular appointments with a dentist near you can prevent numerous health issues and may directly impact your overall well-being.

Dentists provide treatment in:

1. Preventive dentistry: Dentists offer treatment in preventive dentistry to shield your teeth and gums against disease-causing bacteria, which helps stop issues before they can start. It includes dental exams, cleanings, x-rays, sealants, and fluoride treatment.
2. Emergency dental care: Several dentists provide round-the-clock dental care, including root canals, tooth extractions, and care for teeth that have been knocked out or avulsed
3. Restorative dentistry: Dentists perform restorative procedures to replace or repair missing or damaged teeth. Their treatments include fillings, crowns, dental implants, and bridges.

Education and training of dentists

A dentist completes a study path similar to that of a medical doctor. They complete undergraduate degrees and take dental tests to apply to dental schools. The training process includes the following:

1. Completing two years of biomedical education followed by two years of clinical practice
2. Getting a doctor of dental medicine (DMD) or doctor of dental surgery (DDS)
3. Obtaining licensure by passing written and practical exams to practice in their state

Many dentists also get certified by passing the National Board Dental Examination. Based on their interests, dentists may also complete postgraduate residency training lasting one to three years in a specialized field.

Dentist Specializations

Dentists can specialize in one of the following areas:

1. Pedodontics, or pediatric dentistry, treats children, adolescents, and teens.
2. Orthodontics is a dental branch that centers on realigning your bite and straightening your teeth to optimize health and function with retainers and other custom-made appliances.
3. Endodontics, a specialized field, involves performing root canal therapy. Many general dentists perform root canals, but complex cases may require an endodontist.
4. Periodontics specializes in diagnosing gum disease and other issues that affect the tissues surrounding your teeth.
5. Prosthodontics creates natural-looking dental restorations, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures.
6. Oral and maxillofacial surgery encompasses the treatment of diseases, defects, and injuries of your jaws and other orofacial structures. This specialty commonly includes wisdom teeth removal and various other procedures.
7. Oral and maxillofacial pathology involves the study of the causes and effects of oral disease, providing diagnosis for complex cases.
8. Oral and maxillofacial radiology interprets dental X-rays, CT scans, and other dental imaging tests.
9. Public health dentistry aims to enhance oral health within communities by designing programs geared toward disease prevention.
10. Dental anesthesiology offers advanced pain management services for individuals undergoing dental or oral surgery.
11. Oral medicine specialists focus on diagnosing and treating individuals with chronic medical conditions.
12. Orofacial pain management dentists concentrate on diagnosing, treating, and preventing pain in your teeth, jaws, head, and face.
13. Cosmetic dentistry, which aims to enhance the appearance of your smile, provides teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and gum contouring. Some cosmetic dentists also offer preventive and restorative treatments.
14. Implant dentistry involves dental implant placement, a popular long-term teeth replacement option. Specialists like periodontists and oral surgeons often perform this procedure, but many general dentists do as well.
15. Reconstructive dentistry focuses on full mouth reconstruction or rehabilitation for individuals with extensive cavities or gum disease. Treatment typically involves extensive procedures and may require several appointments to achieve the desired outcome.
16. Forensic dentistry entails examining teeth and interpreting dental records for legal purposes. When law enforcement discovers human remains, a forensic dentist can assess teeth and jaw bones to identify the victim.

Causes of dental issues

While people can usually prevent oral diseases, these conditions impose a considerable health burden and cause pain and discomfort throughout individuals' lifetimes. Per the World Health Organization, oral diseases affect approximately 3.5 billion people globally.

Most oral conditions and diseases share modifiable risk factors like tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and unhealthy diet with high sugar content that are common to leading 4 NCDs (chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer). 

Common causes of dental issues include:

1. Dental plaque formation: Plaque is a transparent, sticky film that coats teeth. It commonly appears due to the intake of sugars and starches. The plaque on your teeth can harden above or under your gum line into tartar (calculus). This tartar makes it more difficult to remove plaque and creates a shield for bacteria, causing further dental problems.
2. Poor diet: Frequent snacking on food with high sugars increases the time your teeth get exposed to the dissolving effects of various acids in your mouth. It makes you more susceptible to tooth decay and gum diseases. You can replace packaged snacks with high nutritional value and health benefits such as fruits and calcium-rich foods that promote strong bones and teeth.
3. Chronic dry mouth: Saliva helps prevent tooth decay by washing out plaque and food stuck in your teeth. A lack of saliva causes dry mouth, which results in tooth decay, gum disease, and increased plaque. Causes of dry mouth can include dehydration, some medications, medical conditions, head and neck radiation, and certain chemotherapy drugs. 
4. Smoking and tobacco use: Tobacco use can increase the risk of gum diseases, including severe gum conditions called periodontitis. Smokers are at twice the risk of having gum disease than non-smokers. Smoking also weakens your immune system and makes it less effective in fighting infections. It also makes the recovery process slow, making it harder for your gums to heal.

Maintain healthy teeth

Good oral health can help prevent dental caries and gum diseases. Here are some tips.

1. Rinse your mouth: If your dentist feels you are at high risk of developing cavities, they might recommend fluoride mouth rinse.
2. Drink tap water: Tap water contains added fluoride, which helps significantly reduce tooth decay. If you only drink bottled water that doesn't contain fluoride, you can miss out on the fluoride benefits.
3. Brush with fluoride toothpaste: Brush your teeth twice a day, ideally after every meal, using fluoride toothpaste. To clean between your teeth, try a floss or an interdental cleaner.
4. Avoid frequent sipping and snacking: When you eat or drink any beverage apart from water, your mouth releases saliva containing various dissolving acids that can destroy tooth enamel. Frequent snacking and sipping can keep your teeth under constant attack.
5. Visit your dentist regularly: Many dentists recommend scheduling regular checkups at least twice a year. Get professional dental cleanings and exams to help prevent problems or spot them early.

How can dental pain and anxiety be effectively managed during dental visits?

Managing dental pain and anxiety is essential for improving patient comfort and encouraging regular dental care. Many people fear dental procedures mainly due to anticipated pain, but modern techniques now offer several ways to ease discomfort and reduce stress. At the dental office, topical anesthetics can numb the gum area before giving a local anesthetic such as Lidocaine. Advanced tools like laser drills help reduce pain while treating cavities, often lessening the need for anesthesia. Another method, electronically delivered anesthesia (e.g., TENS), sends mild electrical pulses to block pain, allowing patients to control the level of relief themselves.

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) helps patients relax and wears off quickly, making it suitable for those who need to drive afterward. Intravenous (IV) sedation, usually for extensive procedures or extreme anxiety, induces a very relaxed state. Oral sedation, such as Halcion, also promotes calmness but can cause prolonged drowsiness. General anesthesia, which puts patients fully to sleep, is reserved for complex procedures and must be administered in a monitored setting due to risks like low blood pressure or irregular heartbeat.

Aside from medication, mind-body techniques also play a role in managing dental anxiety. Distraction methods like listening to music or using virtual-reality goggles can divert attention from the procedure. Relaxation practices including deep breathing, guided imagery, as well as progressive muscle relaxation can help calm the nervous system. Biofeedback and hypnosis are additional strategies that teach patients to manage pain through awareness and mental focus.

Acupuncture or acupressure stimulates pain-relief responses in the body. Mental health therapy, including systematic desensitization and cognitive behavior therapy, helps patients address dental fears through gradual exposure and mindset shifts. Psychotherapy and dentophobia clinics offer specialized support for severe anxiety. Support groups can also help with coping strategies and emotional reassurance.

It’s important to talk to your dentist about any medical conditions, medications, or allergies you may have, as well as your comfort level with sedation methods. Some dentists may be licensed to offer only certain techniques. Together, you can decide on the safest and most effective way to manage pain and anxiety, ensuring a more comfortable dental experience.

What can you expect during your first appointment with a dentist near you?

When it comes to your first dentist appointment, being prepared can help alleviate any anxieties. Here are a few things to remember before heading to the dental office.

Before your appointment, consider listing any concerns or questions you may have for the dentist. This will ensure that nothing gets forgotten during your visit. Additionally, if you're experiencing discomfort or pain, communicate this to the dental staff so they can address it appropriately.

As physical preparation, brush and floss thoroughly before your visit. It will leave a good impression on the dental team and give a clearer view of your oral health.

When you arrive at the dental office, the staff will guide you through check-in. They may ask for some basic information and any relevant medical history.

Next, a dental hygienist will likely take you into a treatment room, where they will begin by examining your teeth and gums. This examination helps them assess your oral health and find any potential issues or areas of concern.

After the examination, the dentist will share their findings with you. Based on their evaluation, they may recommend further tests such as X-rays or suggest specific treatments. They can also manage any concerns or questions about your oral health if necessary.

The dentist may use local anesthesia to numb the treated area during procedures like cleanings or fillings. Before beginning, the dentist will explain each step of these procedures so that you know what to expect.

Throughout your appointment, feel free to communicate with the dentist if anything feels uncomfortable or if you have any questions. They are there to listen and ensure your experience is as positive as possible.

How can you find the best dentist near you?

Until now, we have understood how important it is to check your oral health and schedule routine checkups with your dentist. If you have never consulted a dentist before, now is the time. Zocdoc can help you find the best dentist in Manhattan Beach, California, and schedule your appointment in no time.

On the Zocdoc website, you can search for a dentist by entering details such as symptoms, specialty, location, or insurance type. If you can't find your insurance plan on Zocdoc, you can upload a photo of your medical insurance card (this feature does not apply to vision or dental cards). We'll scan the image of your card and show you a likely plan. If you're having trouble uploading a photo of your card, you can contact our service team. If you have more insurance-related queries, you can visit Zocdoc’s insurance page. 

A comprehensive list of nearby dentists will appear based on your search criteria. Zocdoc also helps you narrow down your search results to meet your requirements. Filter the results based on gender, language, visit type, and appointment date to find the best dentist for your requirements. 

Once you have shortlisted a dentist in your vicinity, you can review their profiles, including their education, training, certification, awards, and other details. You can also check user ratings and verified patients to compare the best providers. 

Zocdoc also offers video consultation services, which help you know your dentist better before the in-person consultation. The best part is that all appointments made through Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free!

Statistics on dentists and oral cancers in California, United States

According to the 2021 Occupational Employment and Wages Report published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are around 121,640 dental physicians in the United States and about 18,820 in California, making it the state with the highest number of dental professionals.

In 2023, the American Cancer Society's report projected that California could experience approximately 5,070 new cases of oral cavity as well as pharynx cancer, resulting in around 1,140 deaths.

The reports also show the incidence rate of about 10.2% of oral cavity and pharynx cancer cases between 2015 and 2019. The death rate due to the same between 2016-2020 was around 2.4%. 

The incidence rate of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer among men (15.4%) was significantly higher than in females (5.7%). According to the reports, cigarette smoking by the 18 and older population accounts for around 8% of cancer risk factors.

Sources

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

Cleveland Clinic

American Dental Education Association

Mayo Clinic

World Health Organization

American Cancer Society

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Royal Oak Family Dental

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.