Who is a dentist?
Dentists are certified medical professionals trained in diagnosing, treating, and preventing oral diseases and conditions. They are experts in the care of teeth, gums, and mouth parts. Their training helps them spot health conditions originating in the mouth, such as cancer. Dentists are skilled in clinical procedures such as oral exams, extractions, and corrective surgeries.
Dentists can also administer anesthesia to patients during dental procedures to reduce pain. These medical professionals are familiar with various tools and equipment, such as scalpels, forceps, drills, and X-ray machines. Most dentists practice general dentistry, while others specialize in particular areas. General dentists typically work as part of a team with dental assistants, dental hygienists, receptionists, and dental laboratory technicians.
Education and specializations
Dentists must have extensive training, just like medical doctors. After completing an undergraduate science program, aspiring dentists must appear for a dental admissions test. After clearing it, they can apply to accredited dental schools to obtain a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). After this, they can get a dental license and opt for certification by clearing the National Board Dental Examination.
Dentists who opt to specialize must complete a postgraduate residency of one to six years.
Areas of specialization in dentistry include:
- Dental anesthesiology involves training in advanced sedation and general anesthesia methods to help patients undergoing dental and oral surgery.
- Endodontics focuses on maintaining oral health through the preservation of natural teeth. An endodontist performs tooth repairs, root canals, pulp and root surgery, and manages traumatic tooth injuries.
- Prosthodontics replaces natural teeth with implants, bridges, dentures, and temporomandibular disorders.
- Pediatric dentistry involves treating children for oral diseases and conditions. This specialty covers cavities, preventive care, dental caries, and basic oral hygiene.
- Dental public health prepares dentists for a role in public health programs and policies such as health care reform. They could bring about change at the community, state, and national levels.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology involves studying and researching the causes, processes, and effects of diseases that originate in the mouth or the jaw.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery focuses on diagnosing/treating ailments such as cleft lip and palate, facial injuries, and cancers. One branch of this specialty is cosmetic surgery.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology involves biology, radiation physics, safety, and hygiene training. These radiologists learn to perform computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and interpret the findings.
- Periodontics deals with treating the gums, tissues, and bones supporting teeth. Periodontists also train in the placement and repair of dental implants.
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics involve correcting irregular dental development with braces and treating or preventing problems caused by missing teeth and other abnormalities.
- Oral medicine deals with minor excisions, diagnostic biopsies, therapeutic injections, and other simple surgical procedures to manage conditions with systemic and topical medications.
- Orofacial pain is a relatively new branch that deals with pain symptoms or dysfunction in the head and neck region. Pain disorders of the jaw, neck, mouth, face, head, temporomandibular muscle and joint disorders (TMJ), and neuropathic pain are all covered.
What do dentists do?
Dentists near you can provide the following treatments:
Preventive dentistry
Dentists safeguard teeth and gums from disease-causing bacteria and offer preventive dentistry to address issues before they manifest. Preventive treatments encompass:
- Dental examinations: Dentists conduct regular mouth inspections for cavities, gum disease, and signs of other health conditions. Many recommend biannual dental visits. Regular dental checkups are essential, regardless of how much you prioritize your dental health.
- Tooth cleaning: This involves removing plaque from teeth to prevent tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
- Dental X-rays: Dentists utilize dental radiographs to diagnose hidden tooth structures, both benign and malignant masses, bone loss, and tooth decay.
- Fluoride treatment: Fluoride varnish helps prevent, slow, or halt tooth decay. It contains fluoride, which strengthens tooth enamel.
- Sealants: Dentists apply a plastic layer on the biting surfaces of teeth, typically premolars and molars, to prevent tooth decay.
Restorative dentistry
Dentists also perform procedures to repair or replace damaged or missing teeth. The treatments include:
- Tooth fillings: Dentists use various materials, such as metals, plastics, and glass, to repair teeth by filling cavities caused by tooth decay.
- Crowns: Dentists place caps over damaged teeth to protect and repair them when fillings are insufficient.
- Dental implants: Typically made of titanium, these implants secure a knocked-out tooth's base.
- Dental bridges: Dentists use dental bridges to fill gaps created by missing teeth by placing prostheses.
Dental emergency care
Many dentists provide 24-hour emergency care, which includes:
- Root canal therapy relieves pain from infected or abscessed teeth by removing the inflamed pulp, cleaning, disinfecting, and sealing the tooth's inner surface.
- Extraction: The complete removal of a tooth from the alveolar bone is known as "tooth extraction."
- Treatment of avulsed tooth (Knocked-out tooth): Dentists address tooth avulsion resulting from accidents and injuries when a permanent tooth is lost.
The importance of oral health
Your oral health status can provide insights into your overall well-being. Similarly, oral health problems can hurt your overall health. The oral cavity is home to bacteria; brushing and flossing control the bacteria and prevent tooth decay and gum disease. When your oral hygiene is not satisfactory, bacteria will likely increase, which might reach your respiratory or digestive tracts.
Oral bacteria can cause illnesses such as endocarditis, clogged arteries, cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, or pregnancy complications when they reach other body parts. People with a weakened immune system caused by conditions such as AIDS, HIV, or diabetes are at higher risk of these complications.
Some diseases or conditions can also compromise oral health. For instance, osteoporosis can cause periodontal bone and tooth loss, while the progression of Alzheimer's disease leads to poor oral health. Eating a nutritious diet and avoiding tobacco use are some ways of promoting oral hygiene.
How can one keep the teeth healthy?
Here are a few tips that can help keep your teeth healthy:
- Brush twice daily: Brush your teeth for at least two minutes in the morning and before bed. Move the toothbrush in circular motions around teeth and gums to remove plaque and other food leftovers. Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss daily: Regular flossing helps remove leftover food particles from your teeth, lowering the risks of tooth decay and gum disease. Use a flossing tool or traditional dental floss to clean your teeth.
- Use mouthwash: Mouthwash helps kill bacteria, cleans areas around the gums, reduces acid in the mouth, and freshens breath. Look for a fluoride mouthwash and use it after brushing and flossing.
- Avoid sugary foods: Sugary foods can cause tooth decay and erosion. If you consume sugary items, drink plenty of water to help wash away any leftover food particles.
- Don't smoke: Smoking affects the body's immune system and increases the risks of gum disease. It also impacts the appearance of teeth and tongue and can lead to bad breath.
- Visit your dentist regularly: Schedule oral checkups and cleanings with a dentist near you every six months. It helps maintain good oral health. Dentists can detect underlying dental issues early and provide treatment.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables: Ready-to-eat or processed foods are convenient but unsuitable for your teeth and gums. Instead, eat fresh vegetables and fruits. These foods contain healthy fiber that keeps your teeth and gums healthy.
- Drink more water: Water is the best liquid for your body and helps improve oral health. Drink ample water after every meal. It helps wash out the leftovers from the teeth and gums and helps maintain oral bacterial harmony.
How do different drinks affect your dental health?
Several drinks can impact your teeth because of their acidity and sugar content. Beverages that measure 5.5 or less on the pH scale are considered acidic and can erode enamel, leading to tooth sensitivity and cavities. Meanwhile, alcohol's drying effect reduces saliva. Saliva protects your oral health, so its declining levels harm your teeth. To avoid this situation, sip alcohol slowly, as that gives it more time to do any damage to the enamel.
Among alcoholic drinks, white wine is highly acidic and can weaken enamel, increasing the risk of stains. Beer may not be as harmful as some early research suggests hops, one of its main components, might benefit oral health, but more research is needed.
Vodka’s acidity varies as cheaper brands usually have a lower pH, while premium vodkas tend to be less acidic.
Among other drinks, coffee, even though slightly acidic at around pH 5, may help prevent cavities if consumed black, without sugar or cream.
Milk, with a pH above 6.5, is tooth-friendly. It contains calcium and proteins that protect against cavity-causing bacteria.
Sodas are highly acidic, and damage enamel regardless of sugar content, but diet versions are just as harmful. Interestingly, root beer is much less erosive, comparable to tap water. Fruit juices like orange juice (pH 3.5) and cranberry juice (pH 2.6) are more acidic than whole fruit. Diluting juice with water can reduce its impact.
Fruit punches are worse—they’re usually sugary beverages with very low pH and little actual juice content, making them especially harmful. Tea’s effect depends on the type. Brewed teas generally have a safe pH above 5.5, and green tea may benefit gum health. However, iced teas, primarily commercial brands, often have low pH and high sugar, posing a serious threat to enamel, sometimes even worse than sodas.
Though it may seem harmless, sparkling water has a low pH (2.74–3.34), making it potentially more erosive than orange juice. Water is another beneficial drink, apart from milk, for oral health. It spikes saliva production, which helps wash away bacteria and supports enamel health.
How to find an experienced dentist near you in Oklahoma
Being diligent about oral health and hygiene can help prevent gum disease and cavities. Along with practicing healthy practices such as brushing, flossing, and tongue-cleaning daily, it is essential to get regular dental checkups. An experienced dentist can spot problems early on and provide the necessary treatment.
If you are looking for a qualified dentist and want to avoid the hassle of searching for one, Zocdoc can help. Create a free account on our platform and use the convenient filters to narrow your search to a few qualified doctors. You can find dentists by location and by symptoms. Our advanced algorithm combs through an extensive database of medical and healthcare professionals nationwide to produce valuable results.
Click on individual profiles to learn more about each practitioner, such as their educational qualifications, board certifications, and licensure.
If you want to find a provider who accepts your insurance, add your insurance information (your provider and plan) to the Zocdoc search. It will help you see in-network providers who accept your plan. You can see accurate results of in-network dentists in your vicinity. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
With Zocdoc, you can schedule appointments before, during, or after regular office hours, depending on the dentist’s availability. If the dentist’s schedule allows, you may also be able to book appointments on weekends and holidays.
Zocdoc also offers verified patient reviews and updated ratings to ensure you have the latest information to make an informed choice. Moreover, you can choose to schedule a virtual appointment before an in-person session.
Booking appointments with dentists near you on Zocdoc is easy, secure, and free.
Statistics on dental health in Oklahoma and the United States
Dental health is a significant concern in the United States and Oklahoma. 2023 CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) data shows that around 65.5% of Americans aged 18 and above had dental visits in the past year. In 2019, nearly 86.9% of the country's children aged 2-17 had a dental visit last year.
Meanwhile, statistics provided by the Oklahoma Oral Health Coalition (OOHC) in its 'Oklahoma Oral Health Report Card 2020' show that 58% of the state's adults aged 18-64 visited a dentist. Approximately 72% of children aged 1-17 had at least one dental visit that year.
The report further states that around 43% of people over 65 have lost a minimum of six teeth to gum disease or tooth decay. In the same age group, nearly 21% of people have lost all their teeth due to decay or gum disease.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that approximately 113,490 general dentists work nationwide. Of these, Oklahoma employs 1,320.
Sources
WebMD
American Dental Education Association
Mayo Clinic
Oklahoma Oral Health Coalition
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cleveland Clinic
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
Medical News Today
