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Who is a dentist?

Dentists are medical experts who specialize in oral health. They treat many tooth, gum, and mouth conditions and ensure good dental hygiene. They can perform dental procedures using technology and equipment such as X-ray machines, lasers, drills, scalpels, and other medical tools.

A dentist is a trained doctor who undergoes years of training like a medical doctor before starting to practice. Once they complete their undergraduate program in a relevant field like biology, chemistry, or health, they join dental school. They earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree. Once they complete the requirements of the American Dental Association, they can acquire a license to practice. They may obtain board certification by taking the National Board Dental Examination.

Dentists undergo training to perform various responsibilities to provide exemplary dental care. They can do the following:

• To improve the appearance of discolored or broken teeth, your dentist may suggest cosmetic bonding, veneers, and shaping. 
• If a tooth's roots are infected or swelling, a root canal, which involves opening the tooth and cleaning the inside, may be required. 
• To start healing gum problems, dentists may use root planing and scaling to clean below the gum line so that the gums tighten around the roots.
• The dentist can replace missing/damaged teeth with implants and bridges.

What are the different dental specialties?

The different subspecialties within dentistry include the following:

• Pediatric dentist or pedodontist

The specialty focuses on primary and comprehensive oral healthcare of infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatric dentists can detect the early signs of tooth decay, falling teeth, crowding or crooked teeth, and other oral disorders in children. They also oversee dental development in children from infancy through their teenage years.

• Oral medicine

The oral medicine specialty focuses on medically complex patients' oral health care needs. These specialists diagnose, treat, and manage oral and maxillofacial issues arising from patients' ongoing medical treatment. 

• Orthodontist

Orthodontists diagnose, prevent, manage, and treat malocclusion or crooked teeth. They also deal with skeletal and neuromuscular abnormalities in mature or developing oral structures. Orthodontists use braces, retainers, and other corrective dental appliances to straighten teeth and improve bite.  

• Oral and maxillofacial pathologist

The specialty combines dentistry and pathology to investigate the causes, effects, and processes of diseases affecting the mouth, face, and jaws.

• Endodontist

Endodontics focuses on issues affecting the soft dental pulp, which comprises nerve tissue and blood vessels inside the tooth. Endodontists perform root canals and endodontic surgery.

• Oral and maxillofacial radiologist

The specialty combines dentistry and radiology to interpret data and images to diagnose and treat disorders affecting the oral and maxillofacial region (mouth, jaws, and face).

• Oral and maxillofacial surgeon

They focus on using surgery to treat defects, injuries, and diseases affecting the aesthetic and functional characteristics of the soft and hard tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. It includes surgery to the mouth, face, and jaw. These specialists work to remove masses, cysts, and tumors present in the jaw area. 

• Dental public health

The specialty focuses on preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting people's dental health through dental care and dental research. 

• Prosthodontist

Prosthodontics focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing deficient or missing teeth and oral and maxillofacial tissues with biocompatible appliances. Prosthodontists work to replace missing teeth and repair natural teeth in patients. They use crowns or dentures as permanent replacements for extracted or missing teeth. 

• Dental anesthesiology

The specialty combines dentistry and anesthesiology to manage anxiety and pain and improve patient safety when performing oral, dental, and maxillofacial surgical or diagnostic procedures.

• Periodontist

Periodontics focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases affecting the gums and the supporting bone structures of the teeth. Periodontists treat gingivitis and periodontitis (bones and gum disease).

• Orofacial pain

The specialty focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing various pain disorders affecting the face, mouth, neck, head, and jaws.

What are dental crowns?

Dentists perform this procedure to improve the tooth's appearance, size, and strength by covering it. Dental crowns are tooth-shaped dental caps that fully cover the visible part of a tooth cemented into place. Dental crowns come into play for various reasons, such as protecting a weak tooth or holding positions of a cracked tooth together. If a tooth is already broken or severely worn down, a dental crown can restore it. Temporary crowns are primarily used as a stopgap until a dentist fits a permanent crown. Dental crowns can be composed of stainless steel, porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin, ceramic, or even metals such as gold or other alloys.

Dentists suggest the following precautions to prevent the crown from coming off: 

• Avoid sticky and chewy food, which can pull the crown off the tooth.
• Avoid hard food like raw vegetables or candies that can dislodge and break the crown.
• Be careful while brushing your teeth with floss to avoid removing the crown.

A newly crowned tooth can cause side effects such as discomfort or sensitivity after the procedure. 

When should you visit a dentist near you?

There are multiple reasons to visit a dentist regularly. Dentists provide preventive care with regular dental exams and cleanings. They check for signs of mouth cancer, gum problems, and dental decay. Preventive care helps detect and treat dental concerns before they get worse. 

Consult a dentist if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Swelling or pain in mouth or jaw
• Bleeding gums
• Teeth stains
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing
• Bad breath
• Painful sores
• Broken or chipped teeth

Regular consultation is also essential for those with medical conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or even pregnancy. Your dentist will recommend treatment plans and hygiene tips to keep you healthy.

What can you expect at the appointment?

Before you visit a dentist near you, plan enough time off from work or school. A well-planned schedule gives you enough time to rest after your appointment. If you have healthcare insurance, check if the insurance company covers your dentist before the meeting. If you don't have insurance, check how much you may have to pay for the appointment. Keep your I.D. and insurance card ready while filling out the paperwork.

During the appointment, a dental hygienist or the dentist would scrape off buildup, floss your teeth, and use other tools for teeth cleaning. They will examine your teeth, gums, and supporting structures for any problem spots. They may require X-rays to find problems that are hard to see. You can expect some discomfort from this dental exam. However, this gets you closer to fixing teeth problems and avoiding severe concerns. Getting a cleaning and an exam every six months would be helpful. Depending on what the dentist detects, they will recommend a treatment plan. 

You may call the dentist's office with any questions about pain or swelling between appointments. Problems like broken teeth must be considered an emergency, and you should inform your dentist immediately.

How can a dentist tackle oral problems?

Proper oral hygiene plays a catalyst to overall well-being. Even if you brush and floss regularly, it's essential to have a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist bi-annually. Such cleanings can eliminate any plaque or tartar buildup you may have missed during regular brushing and flossing.

A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) gets rid of tartar from above and below the gum line, which regular cleaning may miss. After that, the dentist may apply fluoride treatments to help strengthen tooth enamel and make it more resilient to bacteria and acid. 

During these routine visits, the healthcare professional will check for any signs of gum disease, infections, or other dental problems and recommend the proper treatments.

For example, they can prescribe antibiotics to remove the infection in the gums or tooth abscess lungs; fillings, crowns, and sealants are other common dental treatments. While a filling can repair a cavity or hole in the tooth, a crown fits over an implant or a natural tooth to replace a larger portion. On the other hand, dental sealants are thin coatings placed on the back teeth to prevent cavities.

When tooth decay reaches the nerve inside a tooth, a doctor may recommend root canal treatment. During this procedure, the nerve is removed, and a filling made of biocompatible materials is inserted.

You may also consider having probiotics. They have some benefits for oral health, such as preventing plaque, treating bad breath, and decreasing inflammation from gum disease. Foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh, and miso contain beneficial bacteria that can help improve oral health.

Finally, it's essential to make daily oral hygiene a habit. A dental hygienist can teach you proper brushing and flossing techniques, recommend mouthwash and oral rinses, and suggest tools like a water flosser to maintain oral health and cleanliness.

How to find the best dentist near you?

Regular consultation with a dentist is imperative to maintain good dental hygiene. Choosing a qualified and experienced dentist can be tricky. However, with Zocdoc, finding healthcare providers is quite simple. On www.zocdoc.com, you can find the best dentists in Modesto, California, and book appointments with a few clicks. 

Start your search using keywords based on symptoms, conditions, and specialty. You can choose your city/state or enter your zip code for a location-specific search. Find in-network dentists, i.e., dentists who will accept your healthcare insurance, by mentioning your insurance company and plan. If you have more than one insurance plan, you can include medical, dental, 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. 

Every profile on Zocdoc includes relevant information about the doctor's educational background, certifications, expertise, training, and verified patient reviews. All this information can help you make an informed decision.

You can even book in-person or virtual consultations with the best dentists near you through Zocdoc. In addition to the regular hours, you can book appointments 24 hours in advance, on the same day, after 5 p.m., and on weekends, depending on the doctor's availability. All bookings on Zocdoc are safe, secure, and completely free.

Statistics on dental problems in California, United States

Dental caries/cavities can be caused by bacteria in the mouth, sipping sugary drinks, and poor dental hygiene. While more than 85.9% of children between ages 2 and 17 visited the dentist in 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that at least 13.2% of children between 5 and 9 years have untreated dental caries. Cavities are the most common dental problem among children. Even among adults, about 25.9% between 20 and 44 years had untreated dental caries in 2015-2018. Leaving it untreated can result in severe toothache, infection, or even tooth loss.

According to the 2017 California Department of Public Health report, approximately 53.6% of children aged 3-5 years have been diagnosed with dental caries, of which around 27.8% were untreated. Adults in California have suffered from dental caries, which has led to permanent tooth extraction. In the same report, about 49.5% of adults in the 45-64 age group have suffered tooth extraction due to periodontal diseases and dental caries.

The numbers indicate the critical need for dental care in California. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2023, about 18,820 dentists were employed in the state.

Sources

California Department of Public Health

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

WebMD[3]

American Dental Association

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Mayo Clinic

White Oak Family Dental

Healthline

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.