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Who is a dentist?

Healthcare providers have seen the connection between oral and overall health for decades. If there is an infection in your mouth, there can also be an infection in the rest of your body. Thus, visiting the dentist is essential to protect yourself from oral health problems. Dentists are your primary dental care provider who looks after oral health. They keep your teeth and gums healthy with regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Dentists also offer a variety of treatments for oral health conditions. 

To become a dentist in the United States, one must complete an undergraduate program in biology, chemistry, health, and math or earn a bachelor of science degree. They then attempt a dental admissions test to apply for dental school. The training in dental school consists of two years of biomedical science studies followed by two years of clinical practice. 

After completing a degree in either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree, a dentist must complete some exams to acquire a license to practice. They may also get certified by the American Board of General Dentistry. A dentist may also complete a postgraduate residency of about one to three years, depending on the area of specialty. 

What are some dental specialties?

While all dentists help maintain your teeth and gums, some dental specialists focus on treating specific issues. A dentist may choose to pursue areas such as:

• Cosmetic dentistry: These dentists focus on improving the appearance of your smile with teeth whitening, gum contouring, and other treatments. 
• Endodontics: An endodontist specializes in root canal procedures. 
• Implant dentistry: Implant dentists specialize in placing dental implants to replace teeth.
• Orthodontics: This specialty offers the realignment and straightening of teeth with custom-made appliances like braces, retainers, or aligners.
• Pedodontics or pediatric dentistry: These specialists maintain the oral health of children, adolescents, and teenagers.
• Periodontics: A periodontist diagnoses and treats gum diseases and other conditions affecting the tissues around the teeth.
• Prosthodontics: A prosthodontist creates dental restorations like crowns and dentures.
• Reconstructive dentistry: These specialists focus on full mouth reconstruction or rehabilitation, especially in cases of extensive cavities or gum disease. 
• Public health dentistry: These dentists focus on improving oral health within communities.
• Dental anesthesiology: A dental anesthesiologist provides pain management services for people undergoing dental surgery.
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery: These surgeons treat diseases, defects, and mouth and face structure injuries. 
• Oral and maxillofacial pathology: Oral pathologists specialize in diagnosing complex cases of oral disease. 
• Oral and maxillofacial radiology: These radiologists specialize in interpreting dental imaging tests and scans. 

What are the duties of a dentist?

A dentist promotes dental hygiene and diagnoses and treats problems of the teeth, gums, and mouth. During dental procedures, they wear protective equipment like gloves and masks and use modern equipment, such as X-ray machines, scalpels, lasers, and other tools. 

Dentists offer three types of treatments:

• Preventive dentistry: To help protect your teeth and gums from disease-causing bacteria, dentists provide dental exams, X-rays, cleanings, and other treatments to stop the problems before they begin.
• Restorative dentistry: Dentists provide fillings, bridges, crowns, and implants to repair or replace missing or damaged teeth.
• Emergency dental care: Some emergency treatments include tooth extractions and root canals.

Some everyday tasks a dentist performs are providing dental hygiene tips, reviewing X-rays, filling cavities, removing buildup from teeth, and checking the growth of teeth and jawbones. To provide quality dental care, a dentistry team typically includes the dentist accompanied by dental assistants, hygienists, and lab technicians.

When should you see a dentist?

Visit the dentist if you notice any new or concerning oral symptoms, such as:

• Toothache
• Abscessed tooth
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Broken or chipped teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Bumps or sores in the mouth
• Sensitivity in teeth
• Pain in jaw
• Headaches
• Grinding teeth

Ensure to visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings so that they can detect and treat issues before they worsen. While people usually get a dental check-up every six months, individuals prone to cavities or gum disease may require more frequent visits. Ask your dentist for a schedule that works well for you. 

Many people also experience dental anxiety, causing them to avoid visiting the dentist. Let your provider know if you are worried about your dental visits. They can offer sedation options that will help you feel more comfortable. 

Measures for preventing oral health issues and identifying high-risk groups

Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial. Poor oral health can lead to an array of problems, like low self-esteem, difficulty finding a job, poor performance in school, oral discomfort, speech problems, malnutrition, and swallowing problems. Neglected infections or untreated oral cancer can even be fatal. 

Maintaining dental health can be achieved in many ways, including regular dental checkups, brushing, and flossing. However, some groups may require extra precautions:

• Children: Children are vulnerable to early childhood caries (ECC) or baby bottle syndrome, a type of tooth decay that can cause white or brown spots near the gum line. It's caused by sugars left on the teeth, often from milk, juice, or foods. To prevent this, restrict bottle feeding to meal times, avoid putting your baby to sleep with a bottle, clean their gums twice a day, switch to a baby toothbrush once teeth erupt, and wean them from the bottle by the time they are one year old.
• Women: Women's dental health is affected differently during different life stages. During teenage years, menstruation may cause mouth sores or swollen gums. Pregnant women are at risk of gingivitis, benign growths on the gums, and tooth decay due to hormonal changes and morning sickness. Further, menopause increases the risk of periodontal disease and burning mouth syndrome. 
• Older adults:  As you age, missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures can make chewing difficult. Some medications can result in dry mouth, leading to malnutrition and dental issues. A dry mouth can also provide a breeding ground for bacteria, resulting in bad breath, gum diseases, and infections.
• Residents of long-term care facilities: Caregivers in long-term care facilities and group homes face challenges in providing proper oral hygiene to residents, particularly those with physical or mental disabilities. This can lead to agitation, discomfort, and even aggression among residents, requiring caregivers to rush or skip oral care altogether. In some cases, physical restraints or medications may be necessary to proceed with the oral hygiene regimen.
• People with HIV or AIDS: HIV/AIDS patients are more prone to oral infections, including hairy leukoplakia, a white patch on the tongue. They can also develop other fungal infections like histoplasmosis, aspergillosis, and oral candidiasis.

Here are some tips to help you maintain good oral health:

1. You should visit your dentist once or twice yearly for a cleaning and checkup. 
2. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice daily and replace your toothbrush every three to four months. 
3. Daily flossing your teeth helps remove food particles and plaque that can cause gum disease. Make sure to floss regularly to maintain good oral health.
4. Brushing your teeth and tongue is advised to maintain fresh breath and eliminate bacteria.
5. If your dentist suggests it, consider using fluoride treatments and mouth rinses. It can help improve your dental hygiene and prevent tooth decay.

It is important to keep an eye out for any warning signs to maintain good oral health. Taking immediate action can help prevent further complications and promptly address dental issues.

How to find the best dentist near you in Oakland, California?

While choosing a dentist, you may want to consider the following aspects:

• The dentist's credentials
• Their experience
• Location and availability
• Services offered
• Quality of the services
• Patient reviews
• Your budget or insurance coverage

Finding a dentist that meets all your requirements may be challenging, but with Zocdoc, finding the right healthcare provider is simple. The platform can help you locate the best dentists near you in Oakland in a few clicks. Visit www.zocdoc.com and enter the keywords "dentist," "oral health," and "Oakland" in the search bar. A comprehensive list of providers based on your requirements will appear. If you have healthcare insurance, you can add your insurance details to find dentists covered by your health plan. 

Each dentist's profile on Zocdoc includes their education, training, certifications, and office details. You can also find their gender, the languages they speak, and hospital affiliations. Additionally, you can check for user-verified reviews and ratings for every provider listed on the website.  Further, you can filter your search results based on their availability and whether or not the provider treats children. 

All bookings through Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free. Schedule an online or in-person appointment with the best dentists near you at no extra cost.

Dental statistics in California

In 2020, America's Health Rankings reported that roughly 64.6% of Californians had dental visits the previous year. Preventative check-ups and dental cleanings can help avoid these consequences. A report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that California had roughly 14,770 dentists as of May 2021.

According to the 2020 Oral Health Data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 65.8% of the Californians who visited the dentist were females, and 63.4% were males. Gum disease is also a severe dental problem that begins with mild, generally ignored symptoms. It can cause tooth loss when ignored or missed. According to the same website, roughly 22.8% of females and 25.5% of males above 65 years lost six or more teeth because of gum disease or tooth decay in California in 2020. Moreover, about 8.3% of females and 9.9% of males lost all their natural teeth due to these dental problems. 

Sources

Healthline

WebMD

Cleveland Clinic

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

America's Health Rankings

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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.