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Who are dentists, and what do they treat?

Dentists specialize in diagnosing, treating, preventing, and managing diseases and conditions of the mouth, teeth, gums, and craniofacial complex (which comprises the head, face, and oral cavity). This branch of medicine is commonly known as dentistry or dental and oral medicine. 

Routine dental checkups include conducting or ordering tests such as X-rays and using medical equipment and tools such as scalpels, brushes, lasers, and drills to check your teeth for cavities, decay, and gum or jawbone abnormalities. Dentists are also authorized to prescribe medications, administer anesthesia, and perform complex procedures.

Dentists can also offer restorative treatments, including fitting dental crowns, filling cavities with sealants, and placing dental implants. Some dentists also provide emergency dental care, which includes treating knocked-out or displaced teeth and conducting tooth extractions. 

Besides treating diseases, a dentist is also responsible for promoting good dental hygiene and educating patients on maintaining their teeth by recommending the proper brushing and flossing techniques.

Dentists typically collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as lab technicians, hygienists, and dental assistants. 

What kind of education is needed to become a dentist?

Aspiring dental students must complete their undergraduate biology, chemistry, physics, and English studies. Subsequently, they must take specific exams to secure admission to a dental school. To this end, the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is the primary exam they must clear. 

Typically, dental degrees - Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)- are completed in four years. The curriculum and techniques of practice are identical for both, and aspiring dentists may choose either.

Coursework is the primary focus of the first two years of dental school, while emphasis shifts to clinical training during the final two years. To practice dentistry, one must pass several exams to obtain the necessary licensure after completing their education. These may vary from state to state.

Lastly, dentists may choose to become specialists in a particular field of dentistry. They can do so by undertaking additional fellowship training. Read on to learn more about some typical oral health subspecialties.

What are some typical dental specialties? 

After dental school, they may specialize in one or more areas of dentistry, which requires two to three years of additional post-doctoral education. The National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards recognizes several dental specialties, some of which are:

• Endodontics: It focuses on treating the dental pulp (tissue in the center of the tooth encompassing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue). Endodontists perform root canal treatments to help protect the tooth from damage or decay.
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Dental surgeons perform this surgery to treat injuries and congenital abnormalities of the jaw, face, and mouth. These experts also treat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which affect the area where the lower jaw attaches to the skull. Maxillofacial surgery provides pain relief and improves jaw function.
• Pediatric dentistry: It focuses on treating cavities, tooth decay, and other oral issues in infants, adolescents, and teenagers. These experts provide comprehensive care for developing children and perform routine checkups, fluoride treatments, and teeth cleaning. They also discuss oral hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing with children and their parents.
• Periodontics: It is a specialization that treats and manages gum or periodontal disease. Periodontists also receive training in placing dental implants, cosmetic periodontal procedures, oral inflammation treatment, and scaling and root planing (where the infected surface of a tooth's root is cleaned).
• Prosthodontics: It focuses on creating artificial teeth or dental prosthetics to replace damaged or missing teeth. Prosthodontic appliances include crowns and bridges, full and partial dentures, and mouthguards for TMJ disorders and sleep apnea.

Common procedures performed by dentists

A dentist can perform various procedures to diagnose, treat, and prevent dental issues you might encounter.

• Dental checkup: Regular consultations with a dentist near you are essential for maintaining oral health. During these visits, the dental team will:
• Identify hidden issues.
• Detect cavities and signs of tooth decay.
• Examine teeth and gums for gingivitis and periodontal disease.
• Provide thorough teeth cleaning.
• Bonding: Dental bonding is a conservative approach to fixing minor chips, discoloration, or misalignment. This procedure involves applying a tooth-colored filling to the affected tooth, closely matching the natural tooth’s appearance.
• Dental bridge: This can replace missing teeth, support facial structure, and reduce stress on the bite. It fills gaps with artificial teeth, restoring function and appearance. Bridges can be made from porcelain, alloys, gold, or both, and dentists bond them to surrounding teeth for stability.
• Root canal: Previously, a diseased nerve often led to tooth extraction. Now, a root canal can save the tooth. When a tooth is cracked or deeply decayed, bacteria can infect the pulp tissue. The dentist gets rid of the infected tissue, cleans and seals the tooth, and fills it with a dental composite. The dentist may recommend a crown for added strength and protection if necessary. The restored tooth can last you a lifetime if you take proper care, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups.

Some tips for maintaining optimal dental health

You can visit any of the subspecialists mentioned above for biannual routine checkups or if an oral health concern arises. However, apart from proactively consulting dental practitioners, it is also essential to maintain your dental health by adopting healthy habits. Some of these may include:

• Brushing your teeth twice daily. 
• Cleaning the teeth properly, with gentle and circular strokes, and not in a hurry.
• Brushing the tongue gently to avoid poor mouth odor or plaque buildup.
• Using fluoride toothpaste to combat tooth decay.
• Flossing regularly helps remove plaque and excess food stuck between teeth and reduces inflammation.
• Using a mouthwash to clean hard-to-reach areas, remineralize teeth, and reduce acidity in the mouth.
• Drinking water after every meal frees up any food that may get stuck.
• Limit your intake of sugary, fizzy, or acidic drinks and food, as they can increase cavities, stain teeth, and erode enamel.

What is a dental emergency, and when should I visit an ER?

A dental emergency is any oral problem that necessitates immediate care, such as a severe toothache or a broken tooth. In such cases, contact your dentist right away. Many dentists offer an emergency contact number for after-hours assistance. If a dentist is not accessible, visit the nearest urgent care or emergency room.

Here are some ways to deal with some common dental emergencies until you are able to see your dentist:

• Severe toothache: Start by thoroughly rinsing the mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to help remove any stuck food particles. If you experience swelling, place a cold compress on the outside of the mouth or cheek. You can also consider taking non-prescription pain medications like acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen.
• Cracked tooth: Carefully rinse the mouth with warm water, apply a piece of gauze if there is bleeding, and use a cold compress on the affected area.
• Knocked-out tooth: Ensure you handle the tooth by the crown, rinse it with water (do not scrub), and try placing it back in the socket. If you are not able to reinsert the tooth in the socket, store it in milk or a cup of water mixed with some salt.
• Partially dislodged (extruded) tooth: Apply a cold compress to the outer part of the mouth or cheek where the pain is located to ease the pain. If needed, you may take an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen.
• Dental abscess: This is a pus buildup resulting from a bacterial infection. Rinse the mouth with mild salt water and see a dentist urgently.
• Lost dental restoration: If you have a broken or missing filling, place a piece of sugar-free gum into the cavity (sugar-containing gum may cause discomfort) or use an over-the-counter dental cement. It is advisable to consult your dentist as soon as possible.
• Soft tissue injuries: Injuries to soft tissues, including the tongue, cheeks, gums, and lips, may lead to bleeding. To manage the bleeding, one can rinse the mouth with a mild saltwater solution or apply a cold compress on the exterior of the mouth or cheek in the affected region for five to ten minutes.

You may manage the symptoms at home and schedule a regular dental appointment for non-urgent issues like dull toothaches, small chips, broken braces, or food stuck between teeth. 

If your pain is intense, swelling worsens, or there’s uncontrollable bleeding, and your dentist is unavailable, go to the ER. Though they may not be able to offer a permanent solution, they can provide antibiotics and pain relief until you are able to see a dentist.

In any dental emergency, timely care helps prevent complications and preserves your oral health.

Find a dentist near you in McLean, Virginia

Seeing a dentist for routine oral checkups can help in the early detection and prevention of many dental issues. Since the mouth serves as an entry point for bacteria and food, some of these bacteria can lead to respiratory and digestive problems. Dental issues may also be a sign of other severe underlying conditions. For example, gum disease has been linked to increased heart disease risk. Thus, you must make oral health maintenance a priority.

If you're looking for a qualified and reliable dentist in McLean, Virginia, to help you achieve good dental health, Zocdoc can help find the right one for you in your area or neighborhood within minutes. This way, you can avoid long waiting hours and book a video consultation or in-person appointment with a dentist from the comfort of your home.

On Zocdoc, users can schedule appointments in the morning before 10 a.m., on the same day, 24 hours in advance, after work hours after 5 p.m., or even on the weekends. To book an appointment, visit the Zocdoc website and enter your symptoms or condition, location, and insurance plan. Click on "Find" and choose a dentist based on gender, hospital affiliation, distance, wait time, languages spoken, time of day, and whether they treat children. To check a provider's availability, click the "Book online" tab and select "View all availability." You will see their calendar and availability throughout the week or month.

Zocdoc also allows all users to view provider profiles that display their medical education, including their clinical experience, specialties, awards, licensures, and certifications. Each profile also mentions the insurance plans they accept. With Zocdoc, you can conveniently add your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. While you can only search for and book appointments using one insurance plan at a time, you can mention your secondary insurance carrier and plan in the notes for your provider during the final step of the booking process. If the dentist utilizes Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can also include secondary insurance information when completing your forms online. You can refer to the Zocdoc patient help center for any other insurance-related queries.

You can also read honest and verified patient reviews to decide which practitioner you should choose. Booking appointments with the best dentists near you on Zocdoc is fast, free, and secure!

Oral health statistics for Virginia

As of May 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that Virginia employed nearly 3,500 general dentists.

A 2019 Individuals with Special Healthcare Needs (ISHCN) survey found that the top barriers to dental care included trouble finding a dentist (≈54.4%). Nearly 47.3% of the participants reported that dentists did not accept insurance, about 30.4% were scared to go to the dentist, and 44.4% could not afford a dentist. Other barriers included language, lack of transportation, and challenging physical accessibility to a dentist's office.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), Virginia had an estimated 1,510 new oral and pharynx cancer cases in 2024. The rate of oral cavity and pharynx cancer occurrence per 100,000 people was considerably higher in men (≈17.4) than in women (≈6.1). 

Research suggests that people who drink fluoridated water are less likely to develop oral cavities, tooth decay, and other similar dental issues.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children from communities with fluoridated water have nearly 25% fewer cavities than those from communities lacking fluoridation. Given the increasing costs of healthcare, community water fluoridation serves as a cost-effective measure to avert oral health issues for individuals across all demographics, irrespective of age, education, or income.

Figures from America's Health Rankings demonstrate that in 2022, around 68.4% of adults in Virginia reported visiting a doctor or dental clinic the previous year. This number was approximately 66% at the national level. In the United States, one in five adults ages 20-64 has untreated cavities. 

Sources

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Cleveland Clinic[3]

Cleveland Clinic[4]

California Dental Association

American Academy of Periodontology 

U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics

Mayo Clinic

Virginia Department of Health[1]

America's Health Rankings

Cancer Statistics Center

Virginia Department of Health[2]

Colgate

Healthline

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.