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Who are dentists?

Dentists are qualified professionals who diagnose and treat various conditions affecting the gums, teeth, jaws, and mouth. They manage oral problems such as tooth decay, cavities, bleeding gum, crooked teeth, and misaligned teeth. Dentists use advanced equipment such as drills, lasers, and more to perform dental procedures. Some common treatments offered by dentists include:

• Root canal treatment
• Teeth whitening treatment 
• Fixing chipped or crooked teeth
• Placement of sealants
• Fluoride treatment 
• Plaque removal

What kind of education and training do dentists receive?

A dentist must complete a four-year undergraduate degree and then pursue a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. After dental school, they take the written and practical exams necessary to receive their dental license.

Dentists can also go for a postgraduate residency program of 1-3 years to become specialists in orthodontics, endodontics, maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, periodontics, and more. They can become board-certified by passing the National Board Dental Examination.

What are the different dental specialties?

Some dentists specialize in specific fields, and these dental specialists are:

• General dentists: These doctors specialize in routine oral care treatment, including bridges, teeth fillings, dental cleaning, and tooth crowning. If you notice any dental problems, visit a general dentist to understand their root cause.
• Pediatric dentists: These doctors treat teeth and gum diseases in children from birth through adolescence.
• Orthodontists: These doctors treat crooked and misaligned teeth. They can also treat patients with overcrowded teeth, chewing problems, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
• Endodontists: These dentists are experts in treating cavities and root canal procedures. They also perform surgical procedures, such as apicoectomy, to remove damaged roots beneath the teeth. Endodontists can also fix crooked or damaged teeth.
• Prosthodontists: These dentists focus on complex dental and facial issues, including the restoration and artificial tooth replacement of missing or broken teeth. They have extensive training in dentures, crowns, jaw diseases, bridges, and implants. They generally work with endodontists and other doctors to provide treatment.
• Periodontists: These dentists focus on gum problems and provide skin grafting treatments.

What are some dental treatments and procedures that can enhance both oral health and appearance?

Here are various dental treatments and procedures that can enhance your oral health and appearance:

1. Dentures: These removable appliances, made of plastic or metal, replace lost teeth, helping with eating and boosting confidence.
2. Bridges and partial dentures fill gaps left by missing teeth, improving oral health and cosmetic appearance.
3. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on enhancing your smile beyond routine checkups and fillings.
4. Cracked teeth: Various treatments can repair cracked or broken teeth; addressing these issues is crucial for dental health.
5. Crowns: Also known as caps, crowns cover and protect damaged teeth, restoring their function and appearance.
6. Filling materials: Options include amalgam, composite, glass ionomer, gold inlays, onlays, and porcelain inlays, each serving different needs.
7. Implants: Dental implants are titanium screws that dentists place inside the jawbone. They replace the root of a lost tooth and support one or more artificial teeth.
8. Orthodontic treatment corrects misaligned teeth and jaws, enhancing both function and esthetics.
9. Pit and fissure sealants: Protective coatings are applied to teeth to prevent decay; they are a simple and pain-free preventive measure.
10. Relaxation and sedation: These techniques help manage dental anxiety during treatments.
11. Root canal treatment is necessary when the tooth's nerve or blood supply is infected. It saves and restores the tooth.
12. Veneers: Thin layers of porcelain are applied to the surfaces of the teeth to enhance their color, shape, and alignment.
13. White fillings: These offer a more aesthetic alternative to traditional silver fillings.
14. X-rays: Essential for detecting problems between teeth and beneath fillings, helping diagnose and treat dental issues.

Advantages of dental checkups

A dental checkup helps detect oral issues at the earliest. Timely dental care is vital as it:

• Prevents periodontal (gum) disease, which can result in the loss of teeth and bone
• Reduces the risk of tooth decay
• Flossing, brushing, and regular dental visits will help lessen the number of germs in your mouth that contribute to bad breath.
• Keeps the bright appearance of the teeth by preventing food, drink, and smoke from staining them
• Enhances your self-confidence and gives you a more appealing smile
• Strengthens your teeth to ensure the long-lasting health of your smile

Top reasons to visit your dentist regularly

Here are the key reasons why seeing your dentist routinely makes a big difference.

Identify problems early

Routine checkups help detect cavities, gum issues, or other dental concerns before they escalate. Early treatment often prevents discomfort and saves on future dental expenses.

Prevent tooth decay with cleanings

Even with proper brushing, plaque builds up in hard-to-reach areas and hardens into tartar. Professional cleanings remove this buildup and reduce the risk of cavities and gum problems, such as gingivitis.

Screen for serious health issues

Dentists perform screenings for oral cancer and gum disease during regular visits. This includes checking your tongue, cheeks, lips, and jaw for unusual signs, helping catch conditions early.

Maintain a confident smile

Routine cleanings help keep your smile bright. If you're concerned about chipped, stained, or missing teeth, your dentist can recommend cosmetic options to improve your smile.

Support overall health

Your overall health is strongly connected to the condition of your oral health. Research shows dental care may lower risks of heart disease and strokes. Dentists can also notice early signs of systemic conditions like diabetes or lupus.

Stay aware of your dental health

Frequent visits help you become more aware of subtle symptoms like tooth sensitivity or gum tenderness. Thus, you're more likely to spot and address concerns early.

Monitor past dental work

Over time, dental work such as fillings and crowns may experience deterioration or damage. Regular exams ensure any issues are identified before they become serious or expensive.

Gain practical knowledge

Dentists provide helpful tips on dental habits and hygiene. Understanding what to do—and what to avoid—empowers you to take charge of your oral health.

Set an example for children

Visiting the dentist shows children that dental care is important and not something to fear, encouraging lifelong healthy habits.

Save money long-term

Taking preventive measures costs significantly less than addressing serious dental issues later on. Think of it as maintenance—like changing your car's oil to avoid engine damage.

How frequently should you visit the dentist near you?

You can visit a dentist twice or thrice yearly for routine checkups. Children or teenagers should see their dentist once every six months for a regular dental checkup. 

Consider the following factors while determining how frequently you visit the dentist:

• Your present oral health state
• Personal oral hygiene practices
• Overall health status
• Existing medical conditions
• Your dentist's assessment of your risk for oral health issues

When should children have their first dental appointment? 

Dental caries is one of the most common chronic illnesses affecting children in the United States. The American Dental Association suggests parents take their baby to a dentist when their baby shows signs of developing the first tooth. Some experts recommend taking them within six months of the first tooth appearing or by 12 months at the latest. Even the tiniest teeth in a baby can develop cavities and decay. Children with special healthcare needs may also be at a higher risk of dental decay.

Further, the risk of developing dental decay is greater in kids whose mothers have had tooth decay in the past 12 months and if the primary caregiver does not have a regular source of dental care. The same holds if there are white spots on the child's teeth (such spots may be a sign that the tooth is losing essential calcium and minerals) or tan, brown, or black spots on the teeth.

How can you prepare for your child's dentist appointment, and what can you expect? 

If your baby has turned one, consider scheduling an appointment with the best dentist near you. You can start taking your child for regular six-monthly dental visits when your baby has turned two. When your child is between ages four and six, your child's dentist will take their first set of X-rays to check for cavities hidden between the teeth. 

Try to schedule an appointment at a time when your child is well-rested and willing to cooperate with the dental team. Usually, during morning appointments, young children feel fresh and alert. If you are taking your toddlers or preschoolers to a dentist, give them a general idea of what to expect. Explain to them the importance of going to the dentist. 

To help your child remain calm during the appointment, try to make their experience fun by bringing their favorite toys. You can also save any snacks for after the appointment. If your child cannot yet or is too scared to sit alone, you can sit in the dentist's chair with them in your lap. 

The first dental visit is usually about making your child feel comfortable in a dentist's chair and guiding parents and caregivers on caring for their child's teeth. During the first visit, you can expect your dentist to inform you about baby bottle tooth decay, infant feeding practices, pacifier habits, mouth cleaning, teething, and finger-sucking habits. They also conduct a general examination, which includes checking the mouth for cavities, tooth decay, mouth injuries, and other jaw bone-related problems. 

How to find the best dentist near you in Mount Vernon, New York

If you're searching for the right dentist to achieve good oral health, Zocdoc can assist. You can search for top dentists in your vicinity by typing your details on Zocdoc. Some information you will need to fill out are your condition, location, and insurance plan, and Zocdoc will immediately provide you with a list of verified practitioners.

Moreover, Zocdoc allows you to customize your search according to your preference. On Zocdoc, each dentist has a personalized profile. This profile has all the necessary information, such as the doctor's qualifications, specialization, visiting hours, etc. You can also read the reviews and ratings of previous patients to make an informed decision. If you want to find a male or female doctor, you can filter your results by gender. 

If you need help locating dentists who accept your insurance, our online patient help center is available. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. Please be aware that you can only use one insurance plan per appointment.

For those with multiple insurance plans, you can include secondary insurance details in the appointment notes. If your provider uses Zocdoc's intake forms, you can enter your secondary insurance information.

You can set up video appointments on Zocdoc before an in-person consultation, depending on your preference and the doctor's availability. Look for a purple video icon in the profiles of providers who allow such online consultations. You can now book appointments with the best dentists near you who accept your insurance in real time.

Finding a dentist on Zocdoc is safe, easy, and 100% free!

Statistics about oral health in New York and the U.S.

Based on the data published by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), roughly about 13.2% of children aged 5-19 had untreated dental caries in the United States between 2015 and 2018. Similarly, around 25.9% of adults aged 20-44, 25.3% aged 45-64, and 20.2% over 65 had untreated dental caries. These figures highlight the importance of good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups for people of all ages to prevent dental caries and other oral health problems.

According to the American Cancer Society data from 2017-2021, in New York, the average annual death rate per 100,000 people for oral cavity and pharynx cancer is nearly 2.2. This rate for women with oral cavity and pharynx cancer was 1.2, whereas, for men with the same cancer type, the death rate is higher at around 3.3. Additionally, in 2023, the cigarette smoking rate for individuals 18 years and older in New York was about 10%, while the U.S. smoking rate was nearly 13%. The organization estimates approximately 3,290 new oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer cases in 2025. The estimates for the whole of the U.S. are around 59,660 new cases.

Sources

American Cancer Society[1]

American Cancer Society[2]

Cleveland Clinic 

Delta Dental

Legacy Community Health

WebMD[1]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

American Dental Association

WebMD[2]

Stanford Medicine Children's Health 

American Academy of Pediatrics

Oral Health Foundation

Children's Dental Health

Greenville Family Dentistry

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.