What is a dentist?
Dentists are skilled medical professionals who help with dental and oral health issues. One of their most important responsibilities is to promote good oral hygiene, reducing the likelihood of problems with your mouth. They can diagnose and treat mouth, teeth, and gum problems and deal with oral traumas and other emergencies.
Dentists are skilled at extracting teeth, repairing cracked teeth, whitening, filling, and bonding teeth. They also supervise the growth of children's teeth and keep track of the growth and development of their jaws and teeth. In addition, they can fill cavities, treat gum diseases such as gingivitis, and place crowns and veneers.
Dentists also ensure the safe administration of anesthetics and can operate on the oral cavity's soft tissues, bones, and teeth. When performing dental surgery, they use modern instruments and technology, including X-ray machines, scalpels, drills, lasers, brushes, and other medical tools.
What conditions do dentists treat?
If you experience a toothache, abscessed tooth, swollen gums, or chipped teeth, you must promptly schedule an appointment with a dentist near you. Additionally, you should not ignore issues like teeth sensitivity, jaw pain, headaches, and teeth grinding (bruxism) and visit a dentist immediately.
A dentist's expertise extends beyond just teeth and gums; they also examine the muscles of the head, neck, and jaw, along with the tongue, salivary glands, and the head and neck's nervous system. During a comprehensive exam, they thoroughly assess for abnormalities, including lumps, discolorations, and ulcerations. Dentists may perform procedures like biopsies, diagnostic tests, and screening for minor or major problems such as oral cancer and other diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment can save time, money, and worry in the long run.
In addition to addressing oral health, dentists can identify signs in the mouth that may indicate underlying health issues elsewhere in the body. They can refer patients to dental specialists or physicians when necessary.
Educational background of a dentist
Aspiring dentists must complete a four-year pre-dentistry or pre-medical degree and opt for at least one year of college-level biology and general and organic chemistry courses. They then clear a Dental Admission Test (DAT) to enroll in an accredited dental school, which usually lasts four years, with the first two years spent in class and the dental laboratory. In their last two years of dental school, students gain clinical experience by handling patient cases under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
After graduating from dental school, aspirants receive a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DDM). They must then pass the National Dental Examination to become licensed professionals. Many dentists become general practitioners; however, some undertake more training to specialize in a specific field. Depending on their chosen specialty area, they must complete a postgraduate residency.
What are the different subspecialties of dentists?
The United States National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialities and Certifying Boards recognizes 12 dental specialties. Some typical sub-groups are:
- Endodontist: repairs your tooth's inner tissues, or "pulp," primarily composed of nerves and blood vessels. They use a combination of techniques and procedures targeting your root canal system.
- Orthodontist: straightens your teeth and jaws
- Periodontist: specializes in addressing gum diseases and disorders
- Prosthodontist: specializes in oral prosthetics and cosmetic dentistry, such as the placement of dental implants to replace missing or decaying teeth.
- Pediatric dentist: expert in caring for children's teeth and may collaborate with other specialists if the patient's condition involves other complications such as gum disease.
Other popular dental subspecialists are oral and maxillofacial specialists, including surgeons, pathologists, and radiologists. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons focus on providing surgical treatment for conditions involving tissues of the jaw, mouth, or face. Radiologists produce and interpret images to diagnose facial, jaw, and mouth conditions.
What are mouth ulcers, and what is the treatment?
Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, are those pesky little sores that pop up in your mouth and make everything from eating to talking a real pain. But what exactly causes them, and how can you treat and prevent them?
First off, let's talk about what causes mouth ulcers. The truth is, there's no one definite cause. They can be triggered by many things, like accidentally biting your cheek, brushing your teeth too hard, or even if you're stressed out. Certain foods, like acidic fruits or spicy snacks, can also irritate your mouth and lead to ulcers. Plus, if you lack certain nutrients like vitamins B12 and zinc, you might be more prone to getting them.
Most mouth ulcers go away within a week or two, even without any treatment. However, if you have a big one, or it's causing you a lot of pain, it's a good idea to see a doctor or dentist just to be safe.
Now, let's talk about treatment. You can try many things to help reduce the pain and speed up the healing process. Things like covering the ulcer with a paste made from baking soda, using a mouth rinse with salt water, or even applying ice to the sore can all help.
And finally, how can you prevent mouth ulcers from popping up in the first place? You can start by avoiding foods that irritate your mouth, like acidic fruits or spicy snacks. Maintaining good oral hygiene, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep can also help keep those pesky ulcers at bay. They might be a pain, but with the right treatment and prevention tips, you can keep them under control and get back to enjoying your favorite foods in no time.
When should you consult a dentist?
Regular oral checkups can help detect and treat painful oral health issues early. They also help patients maintain their dental hygiene routines. You can get a routine treatment consultation at a conventional dental office. If your primary healthcare provider or physician has diagnosed you with oral health issues requiring surgery, you must visit a dentist specializing in your unique case.
You should also see a dentist if you are pregnant, actively consume tobacco, or deal with oral illnesses like mouth cancer or mouth ulcers. You can consult an emergency dentist for urgent issues.
What should one expect during a visit to the dentist?
After being called in from the waiting room at the dentist's office, you will sit in a comfortable reclining chair with a place to rest your head and a small sink nearby. The dental hygienist or dentist will then clean and check your teeth. They will use dental tools to remove plaque and tartar, and also floss between your teeth, and polish them with a rotating brush. They may take X-rays to detect hidden problems. The dentist will also check for issues such as cavities or gum disease. If necessary, they may refer you to an orthodontist for bite-related concerns.
Routine visits are encouraged every six months, during which the dentist will recommend a treatment plan if there are any issues. This plan may involve fillings, crowns, cosmetic procedures, scaling, root planing, or even root canals and implants if needed. Regular follow-up visits to the dentist are necessary to ensure the success of any treatments. If you experience any pain or swelling after the visit, it's best to contact the dentist's office promptly. Dental care is essential because it helps you maintain a healthy smile and overall well-being.
How to maintain your child's oral health at home
Without the necessary dental care given during childhood, a child may experience tooth decay ​and gum disease at an early age. This may impact their overall learning abilities and performance at school. If left untreated for long periods of time, decayed teeth can also lead to infection and acute pain, leading to immense discomfort for the child and concern for their families. These issues can also make simple activities like eating and chewing difficult and cause feelings of embarrassment from discolored and damaged teeth.
Oral disease may also lead to early tooth loss, which can result in impaired speech development and reduce a child's self-esteem. It may also cause a child's appetite to decrease, which can result in nutritional deficiencies, thereby negatively impacting a child's performance in school, behavior and cognitive development, and ability to perform complex tasks.
One way of keeping your children's oral health in check is consistent dental care and visiting a dentist or a pediatric dentist for routine checkups. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) suggests that a child should ideally have their first pediatric dentist visit as soon as the first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. Generally, a child should have a checkup once every six months to prevent dental problems. However, you can discuss the exact schedule of visits with your pediatric dentist, depending on your child's specific health. In addition to checking for oral diseases and providing timely preventive care, a pediatric dentist educates parents and caregivers on how they can maintain their children's oral hygiene.
Here are some ways you can improve your child's dental hygiene at home:
- For infants or babies, parents can wipe their gums with a soft cleaning cloth twice a day after feeding and just before going to bed to wipe away sugars and bacteria that can cause cavities.
- When your baby's teeth start coming in, you may begin using a small and soft toothbrush to gently brush your baby's teeth in circular motions.
- If your baby is teething, gently rub the gums using your clean finger or give them a clean and cold object like a teething ring to chew on.
- For babies under the age of one, avoid sugary drinks, juice, water, or honey. Stick to breastmilk or formula.
- For toddlers and older kids, ensure they eat a balanced diet that includes raw, crunchy fruits and vegetables, milk, yogurt, or other dairy products, and meat or eggs.
- Avoid giving children gummy snacks or foods that can stick to their teeth for a long period of time.
- Thumbsucking and using a pacifier is normal unless they go on for an extended period of time. If your child is past the age of three and is still sucking on thumbs or fingers, your pediatric dentist may recommend a mouth appliance to stop this habit, as it could affect the child's permanent teeth as they grow.
- For children aged three and older, you can start incorporating a tiny amount or pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Encourage your kids to adopt good oral hygiene habits from a young age. Try making brushing and flossing fun for your kids. Help them to choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste color, flavor, and style. Reward them with things that motivate them, like participating in their favorite activities or playtime. You may also play music instead of setting a time and brush with them side by side.
- If your child wants to start a sport or is training to be an athlete, ensure they wear a plastic mouth guard to protect their teeth, lips, and cheeks from injuries. You may also ask your dentist to design a custom-fitted mouthguard that will protect your child from severe head injuries.
How do you find the best dentists near you in Marietta, GA?
Addressing your dental concerns in time is healthy and helpful in the long run. However, finding a skilled and experienced dentist can be challenging. Zocdoc can help you find the top-rated dentists and emergency dentists in your area in Marietta, Georgia, from the comfort of your home.
Enter your location, specialty, and preferred appointment date to receive a list of the top-rated dental specialists matching your criteria. You can sort the list of providers based on their gender, hospital affiliations, and whether they treat children. Every listed professional has a dedicated profile on Zocdoc, where you can view their educational qualifications, board certifications, clinical interests, specializations, practice history, certifications, and spoken languages. You can also see verified reviews and ratings by past patients; this will help you make a more informed decision.
Zocdoc also helps make your insurance submission process hassle-free by letting you filter dentists according to those who accept your plan. Add your insurance carrier's name in the search box to utilize the feature. If you need more clarification about your plan's coverage, our insurance detector can help you. You can use the insurance card capture feature to submit your medical insurance information before making an appointment. If you have multiple insurance plans, you may add all of them (medical, dental, and vision) to your Zocdoc account. In the last step of the booking process, mention your secondary carrier and plan in your notes for the provider. If your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you may add your secondary insurance plan while filling out your forms online. Note that while you can add your insurance plans to your account, you can search for and book an appointment with only one insurance plan at a time. For more insurance-related information, be sure to check out Zocdoc's patient help center.
Once you select the best dentist near you, you can instantly book a video appointment or an in-person visit based on their availability.
Booking appointments with any health professional, including emergency dentists, on Zocdoc is easy, free, and secure.
Statistics on the pharynx and oral cavity cancer in Georgia
According to data published by the American Cancer Society, there were over 1700 estimated new oral cavity and pharynx cancer cases in Georgia in 2022, causing over 350 estimated deaths.
Data from 2014 to 2018 by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) suggests that the average annual rate of oral cavity and pharynx cancer incidences per 100,000 population in Georgia is 12.8%.
A 2021 study by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) shows the statistical difference between the prevalence rate of oral cavity and pharynx cancer in men and women during the same period. According to it, between 2014 and 2018, the average annual rate of oral cavity and pharynx cancer incidences per 100,000 Georgia women stood at 6.9%, while the corresponding figure for men was over 19.8%, highlighting a staggering difference.
Data by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 2015 to 2019 suggests that Georgia's average annual death rate from oral cavity and pharynx cancer stands at 2.7%. The statistics based on gender show that the yearly death rate of oral cavity and pharynx cancer in Georgia women is about 1.5%, compared to men, which was around 4%.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Healthline
Mayo Clinic
American Cancer Society
Johns Hopkins Medicine
American Cancer Society
Cleveland Clinic
Maine Dental Association
KidsHealth
MouthHealthy
National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
