Who is a dentist?
Dentists are healthcare professionals who specialize in tooth and mouth care. They can identify and treat internal gum, tooth, and oral problems. Aside from this, a dentist's role is to promote excellent dental hygiene, which prevents issues in your mouth or other parts of your body. Thus, regularly consulting a dentist can help you maintain good dental health and overall well-being.
Dentists perform dental procedures with the latest technology and equipment, including X-ray machines, lasers, drills, brushes, scalpels, and other medical instruments. Furthermore, they wear protective gear like gloves, mouth masks, and safety goggles to avoid the spread of germs and infections. Dentistry requires a collaborative approach, with the dentist leading the team and dental assistants, hygienists, and lab technicians assisting them. The team works hard together to provide patients with high-quality dental care.
What does a dentist do?
Dentists have critical roles and responsibilities to provide their patients with the best dental care and treatment. Their list of duties includes:
- Design treatment plans to maintain or restore a patient's oral health
- Diagnose oral diseases and conditions
- Interpret laboratory and imaging diagnostic tests, such as dental X-rays
- Manage patients who have undergone trauma to the oral cavity and other complications related to it
- Monitor the development and growth of all structures within the mouth
- Perform surgical procedures on the teeth, soft tissues, and jaw bones inside the mouth
- Administer safe anesthesia
Education and training of dentists
Dental aspirants first complete an undergraduate degree in science, typically consisting of four years of education. Following this, they pass strenuous dental admission exams to join a top dental school. In addition to completing eight years of undergraduate and dental education, some doctors choose to become certified in one of the recognized dental specializations.
The twelve ADA-recognized dental specialties are dental anesthesiology, oral and maxillofacial pathology, dental public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial radiology, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine, orofacial pain, orthodontics, and dentofacial orthopedics, periodontics, and prosthodontics.
Training in the dental specialties takes two or more years to complete. Lastly, all dentists in the US must obtain a state license after passing a stringent written examination and a state-based clinical licensing exam.
What are the specializations within dentistry?
Various subspecialties within dentistry provide patients with the best care and rehabilitation. Mentioned below is a list of subspecialties authorized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialities and Certifying Boards:
- Dental anesthesiology is the branch that deals with anxiety, pain, and overall health of the patient during dental, oral, maxillofacial, and supplementary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
- Dental public health is a para-clinical branch that involves the study of preventing dental disorders and promoting oral hygiene through organized community efforts. Dentists practicing this specialty identify critical oral health issues and formulate effective strategies to overcome them.
- Endodontics is a specialty that includes the diagnosis and treatment of diseases within the dental pulp and periradicular tissues, such as nerves, blood vessels, and other fibrous tissues within and around the tooth. Root canal treatment is a standard tooth-saving procedure practiced by endodontists.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology is a discipline of dentistry that deals with diagnosing oral and maxillofacial diseases based on clinical examination, imaging studies, microscopic lab analysis, biochemical analysis, and other adjunctive investigations.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology focuses on understanding the formation and interpretation of X-rays and other imaging scans involving radiations. Radiographic images of oral structures are critical and aid dentists in diagnosing and managing various oral disorders.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a dental subspecialty that studies surgical interventions for mouth-related diseases and injuries. One of the crucial parts of this branch is diagnosing and treating oral cancer and other neoplasms in the head and neck region.
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics involve diagnosing, preventing, and correcting dental and orofacial irregularities. The field includes rectifying misaligned teeth and jaws with the help of orthodontic devices such as aligners, braces, retainers, etc.
- Periodontics is a dental specialty that studies all the conditions that affect the hard and soft tissues supporting the teeth. Periodontists diagnose and treat gingivitis and periodontitis that erode the gums and cause bone loss.
- Prosthodontics is the dental branch that involves restoring natural teeth and oral structures with artificial devices like dentures or bridges. Prosthodontists are especially crucial to the senior population.
- Pediatric dentistry is the dental specialty that includes the study of all oral needs for children from infancy to adolescence.
- Orofacial pain is a branch of dentistry encompassing all the conditions in and around the oral cavity and neck leading to pain.
Causes of dental issues
Oral health consists of the state of your gums, teeth, and the overall oral-facial system that allows us to smile, speak, and chew. Cavities (tooth decay), gum (periodontal) disease, and oral cancer are the most common conditions affecting oral health.
Poor dental hygiene results from habits such as failing to brush your teeth twice daily or avoiding flossing; this can lead to plaque formation. Additionally, excessive consumption of overly sweet condiments that stick to your teeth, like sugar, cola, hard candy, dried fruit, cookies, etc., is more likely to cause dental decay. Regular snacking and drinking acidic beverages throughout the day cause your teeth to be soaked in acid, further eroding them.
Oral disorders are frequently assumed to be distinct from other chronic conditions, yet they are, in fact, interconnected. Poor dental health and chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease are interlinked. Oral infection is also associated with risky behaviors, such as smoking. Not getting enough fluoride, a mineral that helps prevent cavities and early stages of tooth damage, may also increase your chances of tooth decay.
Community water fluoridation and school sealant programs are safe and effective therapies that reduce cavities and save money.
How to care for your gums and teeth
Following good oral hygiene practices will keep your gums and teeth healthy as you age. The better your dental hygiene, the less risk you have of experiencing gum disease or tooth decay.
Some of the basic steps for caring for your dental hygiene are:
- Regular dentist visits: Book an appointment with a dental healthcare practitioner at least once every six months. You should also book an appointment with a pediatric dentist at the same intervals for your children. Professional teeth cleaning and regular checkups will ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. You should also visit a dentist if you experience tooth pain, bleeding, or swollen gums.
- Brushing: You must brush your teeth twice daily. You should wait for around 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth. Brushing will remove the plaque that clings to your teeth.
- Flossing your teeth: You should floss your pearly whites daily to keep them nice and healthy. Flossing will remove the plaque and food that is in between your teeth. The floss reaches those parts where your toothbrush cannot. If plaque remains between teeth, it turns into tartar, which only a dentist can remove.
- Rinsing your mouth: Rinsing your mouth with water is imperative to remove the residual plaque or food particles in your mouth. Rinsing with an excellent antiseptic mouthwash once a day will kill the bacteria that form the plaque on your teeth, prevent gum diseases, and freshen your breath. A fluoride rinse will help prevent cavities and tooth decay. You can rinse your mouth before or after brushing your teeth. Ensure you swish the mouthwash for up to a minute.
- Eating right: To maintain good dental health, you must minimize the foods comprising starches and sugars, especially for children. These foods may produce acids in your mouth, damaging your teeth. Candies significantly harm your teeth as their remnants remain in your mouth long. Snacking on food high in sugar can cause tooth decay, as many people don't brush their teeth after eating. Starchy foods such as potato chips will stick to your teeth. Calcium in your food will counter the acids that cause tooth decay. Calcium will also strengthen your teeth and bones. If you have a child with many cavities, you should take them to a pediatric dentist near you as soon as possible.
What to expect at a dental checkup?
You should see a dentist even if you do not have symptoms. A routine dental checkup consists of an examination of the oral cavity, X-rays of your teeth if needed, and a cleaning. This is different from a dental treatment. Dental treatments are specialized visits that entail specific procedures like teeth removal, root canals, deep teeth cleaning, and more. A routine checkup is necessary not only for preventing problems like cavities and decay but also for the early detection of oral diseases. Moreover, regularly seeing your dentist can help them detect conditions like diabetes or heart disease that increase your risk of oral health problems as well as educate you about the best oral hygiene practices. Continuity of dental care also ensures that you get treatment at the right time when it is simpler and more affordable.
The number of times you should see a dentist each year is not a one-size-fits-all approach. How frequently you see a dentist or get a routine dental checkup depends on your oral health. Some people need to go only once or twice a year, while others need to visit their dentist more frequently. Babies should see a dentist as soon as they get their first tooth or turn a year old. Talk to your dental care team about how often you need to see your dentist for a routine checkup.
Your dentist or dental hygienist may perform your routine dental examination. In the case of children, you can see a pediatric dentist. Before your dentist begins, you will be asked about your overall health status, including your medical history, recurrent symptoms, alcohol or tobacco use, your oral hygiene habits, and any medications you've been taking. Individuals who have an immune system disorder or heart disease may be asked to take antibiotics (to prevent infection) before coming to their dentist's office.
During your oral exam, your dentist will assess your gums and teeth to see if there are signs of inflammation or tooth decay. Your dentist may also screen you for oral cancer. To do so, they will examine your lips, tongue, and the roof of your mouth. They may also check your bite (if your top and bottom teeth meet correctly). They may also use X-rays to view your bite, hidden cavities, and bone loss.
During the process of dental cleaning, your dentist or dental hygienist will remove any tartar or plaque buildup using a method called scaling. Your dentist may also provide other preventive services like dental sealants and fluoride treatments. A typical cleaning may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
Your dentist will also guide you on how to maintain or improve oral hygiene by recommending proper brushing and flossing techniques. They may also ask you to avoid or limit certain foods. If you have dentures, implants, or bridges, your dentist will tell you how to care for them.
How do you find the best dentist near you in Norcross, GA?
Finding an experienced dentist can be a difficult and time-consuming process. However, Zocdoc offers a simple approach to identifying certified healthcare experts from the comfort of your home in just a few minutes. Avoid the inconvenience of visiting a hospital or clinical facility by scheduling a digital consultation or in-person visit with a dentist on Zocdoc.
Go to the Zocdoc website and enter your problem or concerns, location, insurance plan, and preferred date to find a dentist in Norcross. Browse the list of top-rated dentists and narrow your search results by gender, time of day, hospital affiliation, spoken languages, and distance. You can even find a pediatric dentist by narrowing your search on Zocdoc to find dentists who treat children.
You can select your insurance plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page to see only in-network providers. If you are unable to find your specific healthcare plan, you can upload a photo of your insurance card. Once you upload a photo, Zocdoc will scan the image of your card and show you your likely plan. Note that you can use this option for medical insurance cards only. Dental and vision are excluded. If you need help uploading your insurance card, contact Zocdoc's service team. You can also visit Zocdoc's patient help center for answers to other insurance-related queries.
Zocdoc prioritizes easy and secure services for its users. On our website, you can read verified reviews and ratings left by previous patients before shortlisting a dentist. Once you've chosen the best dentist for your case, you can arrange an appointment 24 hours in advance, on the same day, after 5 p.m., or even on weekends, depending on the availability of the chosen provider.
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Statistical overview of dental health in Norcross, Georgia
Oral illness is a severe public health issue. It primarily affects children and adults in most societies and can have profound personal, societal, and economic implications.
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) performed a statewide Third Grade Basic Screening Survey (BSS) of third-grade kids enrolled in Georgia public and charter schools during the 2016-2017 academic year. Through dental screenings and parent surveys, the BSS collects data on third-grade children's oral health status, risk factors, and obstacles to care and prevention programs.
According to the report, 51% of kids in third grade had experienced dental caries, of which 19% had not undergone any treatment. 35% of the children had dental sealants placed on their teeth. 64% of kids diagnosed with caries had no dental sealants, proving its efficacy in preventing dental decay.
While only 2% of kids needed emergency dental care, 17% required early dental treatment.
The latest data on the DPH website (2021) reveals that 96% of Georgia's public water system users received fluoridated water. Fluoridation of drinking water can prevent dental decay by 20-40%, resulting in a $38 savings in future dental expenditures for every dollar invested in it. Household income, lack of dental sealants, dental insurance status, maternal tooth extraction, and past tooth decay are all risk factors for dental caries.
According to the 2021 Dentists Workforce Report by the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, Georgia has approximately 5,212 active practitioners. Between 2019 and 2021, the number of dentists practicing in Georgia increased by 96, representing a 1.3% growth since 2019. The average age of licensed dentists in Georgia was 49.6 years, slightly older than the national average of 49.4 years. Those 65 and over were the largest age group, accounting for 16.5%. The smallest age group was 55-59, accounting for 8.5%. Of the 5,212 active dentists in Georgia, 3,266 (65.5%) were male, and 1,721 (34.5%) were female.
Sources
Maine Dental Association
American Dental Education Association
National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Dental Association
Georgia Department of Public Health[1]
Georgia Department of Public Health[2]
Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
WebMD[3]
MouthHealthy
MedlinePlus[1]
MedlinePlus[2]
Cleveland Clinic
