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What do dentists do?

Dentists prevent, diagnose, and treat illness like any other medical professional. Dental professionals mainly focus on the oral cavity and surrounding areas. For instance, a general dentist may fill cavities or perform an orthodontic procedure (such as treating misaligned teeth). On the other hand, a specialist may carry out surgeries of the nose (like rhinoplasty) or treat oral cancer.

Regardless of the specialty, however, dentists usually hold a DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry) or DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree and graduate from a dental school. These are typically obtained following the completion of an undergraduate degree in a related field, such as biology. However, before practicing dentistry, they must sit for examinations mandated by the State board and secure a license.

A general dentist begins practicing right after gaining licensure by opening a private practice or joining an existing clinic or facility. They make up 80% of the dental professionals currently in the USA. In comparison, specialists like endodontists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons must undergo additional training — such as two- to three-year residencies in subspecialty areas. After completing a residency, the dental professional may have to sit additional exams or obtain relevant licensure before practicing as a specialist. As a result, specialists have higher salaries and are permitted to perform a greater range of procedures.

Do you need to see a dentist near you?

There are no cut-and-dried rules for checking if you need a visit to the dentist. However, as a rule of thumb, you should consider seeing a dentist near you every year — and more often if you smoke, have high blood pressure or diabetes, or are pregnant. Such visits, known as regular 'checkups,' are a great way to ensure your teeth are in good condition. Patients who recently underwent surgery or are receiving orthodontic treatment should follow their dentist's advice.

Other reasons for seeing a dentist include:

• Pain in teeth and gum
• Bleeding or swollen gums
• Pain on eating or drinking food items that are too cold or hot (such as ice cream or hot soup)
• Misaligned teeth (such as underbite)
• Dry mouth
• Ulcers on tongue
• Dissatisfaction with appearance
• Difficulty swallowing or chewing
• Gums that seem to pull away from teeth

Importantly, many dental problems often start with symptoms that may not appear severe. However, leaving them untreated can lead to full-fledged disease. For example, gum disease (also known as 'periodontal disease') can often be painless at first but ultimately lead to loss of bone and tissue, i.e., permanent tooth loss.

Here are a few warning signs of periodontal disease:

• Red and/or tender gums
• Bleeding or swollen gums
• Bad breath or taste that won't go away
• Recessed gums
• Any change in your bite or partial denture or loss of permanent teeth

Several other factors, such as chewing tobacco, poor oral care, or pre-existing conditions, can predispose you to develop gum disease. However, it is a treatable condition, especially at earlier stages (when it is known as 'gingivitis'). Simply visit your doctor, who will perform professional cleaning and advise you on how to brush and floss your teeth.

If left untreated for prolonged periods, gingivitis advances into periodontitis. Over time, as gums pull away, teeth loosen. This may also result in the formation of pockets that get filled with bacteria and plaque, ultimately leading to more and more loss of bone and tissue. Periodontitis ultimately causes the teeth to become loose or fall out.

However, early intervention and good oral care can prevent gingivitis from becoming more advanced periodontal disease. Professional cleaning at the dental clinic, followed by regular brushing and flossing, can eliminate the disease.

Preventing gum disease

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day and flossing at least once. However, this cannot rule out all dental problems on its own. After all, the toothbrush bristles often don't clean hard-to-reach areas, leading to the growth of plaque and bacteria. Another reason is that risk factors like genes, stress, pregnancy, or pre-existing conditions (diabetes, hypertension, etc.) may make it likely that some people suffer tooth decay or gum disease. There is ongoing research on the link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular health, but no conclusive results exist.

Regular checkups are, therefore, the best means of early diagnosis and intervention. Preventive steps like dental sealants can also help avoid cavities, especially in children. Moreover, periodontal diseases are reversible at earlier stages. It is also important to note that leftover plaque on your teeth may slowly harden into tartar. Tartar cannot be easily removed at home, and professional cleaning may be the recommended treatment in such cases.

At the same time, you can also take the following steps to prevent gum disease:

• Brush your teeth twice a day
• Remember to clean between your teeth
• Floss daily
• Eat a balanced diet
• Schedule regular visits to the dentist

If you suspect you have gum disease, you can book an appointment with a dentist.

Why should you have routine dental checkups?

While seeing a dentist near you for toothache and other treatments such as root canals and fillings is vital, it is also necessary to have your teeth checked routinely, even when you do not have any immediate dental concerns. Here's why you should see your dentist for routine checkups:

• Dentists help in the early detection of issues that you may not have noticed and can help you determine the future risk of developing oral diseases by assessing your overall health and family history of oral disease. During checkups, dentists usually screen for issues like mouth cancer or even head and neck cancer. If left undetected and untreated, these conditions can become life-threatening. 

• Oral health also determines your overall health. Since the mouth serves as an entry point to various bacteria, these bacteria can travel to other internal systems in the body and cause disease. For example, certain bacteria pulled into the lungs through the mouth can cause pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. 

• Some chronic diseases have also been linked to oral health. For example, individuals with diabetes may be more prone to gum disease. 

• Dentists help adults and children learn proper oral hygiene. This includes teaching them how to brush, floss, and limit certain foods that lead to cavities and tooth decay. 

• Dentists also help improve a patient's smile. Certain branches of dentistry, like cosmetic dentistry, focus on aesthetic teeth improvement according to an individual's needs and preferences. They provide services like teeth whitening, veneers, and repairing a cracked or chipped tooth. 

Types of dental diseases you might not be aware of

Temporomandibular joint pain (TMD)

Temporomandibular joint pain, also known as Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), occurs when there’s a dysfunction in the disc, muscles, or ligaments of the jaw. This can interfere with how your jaw functions. Grinding your teeth, having arthritis, or experiencing uneven tooth alignment can increase your risk of TMD.

Hyperdontia

Hyperdontia is when too many teeth erupt from the gums, disrupting the alignment of permanent teeth and preventing them from growing properly. This overcrowding can also lead to crooked jaws as the mouth struggles to accommodate the extra teeth. The best way to manage hyperdontia is to extract the additional teeth early, preventing potential complications such as jaw misalignment or more severe dental issues later on.

Germinated teeth

Germinated teeth occur when two teeth share a single tooth root. This condition can result in overcrowding and damage to the crowns of neighboring teeth due to the gaps it creates. Germinated teeth can also lead to tooth decay if left untreated, so it’s important to consult a dentist as soon as possible.

Burning mouth syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome is linked to dental issues such as overcrowding of teeth at an early age, which can disrupt tooth alignment and lead to the loss of permanent teeth. Overcrowding can also harm gum health and affect bone development, limiting the space available for nerve tissues to expand. This may result in crooked jaws and other complications. Extraction of overcrowded teeth is often the best approach to prevent future problems.

Find a dentist near you in Orlando, FL

Many of us feel uneasy about entering a dental clinic, but a visit to the dentist can also be a comfortable and reassuring experience. At Zocdoc, you can check verified patient reviews and find the most high-rated dentists around you.

If you feel fearful of the dental chair or have had bad experiences in the past, don't worry! Simply raise your concerns with the dental professional; they will do their best to help. If you're unsure of the costs, you can search Zocdoc for a dentist who accepts your insurance or health plan. You can add medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your Zocdoc account.

However, when searching for and booking appointments, you can only use one insurance plan at a time. If you have multiple plans, you can mention your secondary insurance carrier and plan in the notes section for the provider during the final step of booking.

If your provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can include your secondary insurance when filling them out online. For more information about insurance, visit Zocdoc's insurance page.

In fact, you can look at the provider's profile to learn more about their qualifications, clinical interests, experience, training, and certifications. If you are looking for a specialist, feel free to type your query or dental problem in the search pane, and our algorithm will find you the best dentists around.

Remember, finances or a busy schedule should not be a barrier between you and a lifetime of beautiful, charming smiles. Find a conveniently located dentist near you now that accepts your insurance and matches your availability. Booking is easy, secure, and free!

Dentists and oral health in Florida

As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the state of Florida employs nearly 7,360 general dentists, the third highest employment level in the country (as of May 2022), following California and Texas. For the financial year 2021-2022, the Florida Department of Health data showed that Orange County (including Orlando) had 935 dentists (DMD, DDS). 

According to data collated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2020, about 61.2% of all adults aged 18 and above in Florida had visited a dental clinic or seen a dentist in the previous year. Of those who visited the dentist, the majority, or 64.8%, consisted of females, and 57.4% comprised males. Individuals with education levels greater than high school, i.e., 74.4% of college graduates, were more likely to have a dental visit than individuals who did not graduate high school (39.1%). Of all Florida adults aged 65 and above, nearly 13.8% had lost all their natural teeth, and 34.3% had lost six or more teeth due to gum diseases and tooth decay. 

Research suggests that a water supply containing added fluoride (a naturally occurring mineral) can help prevent dental caries and decay and rebuild and strengthen the tooth's surface. The recommended optimal fluoride concentration in drinking water should be 0.7 milligrams/liter (mg/L) as per the U.S. Public Health Service. According to the CDC, approximately 78.5% of the Florida population received fluoridated water in 2020. The state had nearly 1,597 Public Water Systems (PWS) in 2020. 

Sources

Mouth Healthy[1]

Mouth Healthy[2]

American Dental Association

WebMD

Oral Health Foundation

HealthyChildren

Mayo Clinic

Cleveland Clinic

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Florida Department of Health[1]

Florida Department of Health[2]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]

District 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.