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Who is a dentist?

Oral healthcare is significant as it indicates an individual's overall health and well-being. Studies show that bad oral health can lead to various chronic diseases. A dentist can diagnose, treat, and prevent oral diseases. They attend to swollen gums, root canals, cavity fillings, sensitivity, damaged teeth, and straightening.

Dentists can practice privately or as a team with nurse practitioners and dental and lab assistants. They operate in various work settings, including dental clinics, hospitals, outpatient care centers, schools, and nursing homes. 

Education and clinical training of dentists

Earning a dental degree with a license and board certification requires years of hard work and determination. Here is a step-by-step procedure followed by dentists to complete their medical training and work as licensed professionals: 

• First, they complete four years of bachelor's degree, preferably in a science field. 
• Then, they must pass the DAT (Dental Admission Test) and enroll in dental school for four years.  
• During dental school, they gain clinical experience and earn either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine), both of which have the same study material produced by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). 
• Finally, they obtain their licenses by clearing rigorous examinations conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA).
• Some dentists may aspire to complete a postgraduate residency program based on their chosen specialty. Their specialties include periodontics, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. These programs typically last 1-3 years and can stretch further based on the practice.

Subspecialties within dentistry  

After completing dental school, a dentist may take up additional training of two to three years to specialize in one or more areas of dentistry that focus on treating specific issues. Some common dental subspecialties include: 

• Orthodontics: This branch of dentistry involves straightening your teeth and realigning your bite for optimal health and function. Orthodontists understand the way the teeth fit together and impact your oral health. In addition to treating crooked, overlapping, and crowded teeth, they also help ease pain in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD). Orthodontists offer treatment like retainers, braces, and clear aligners. 
• Periodontics: Periodontists treat and manage diseases that affect the gums, the tissues supporting the teeth, and the jawbone. Patients who need temporary services outside the scope of a general dentist, such as a gum graft, bone graft, or frenectomy, may have to see a periodontist. Patients prone to gum disease and those genetically predisposed to gum disease generally need periodontal cleanings and routine cleanings. 
• Endodontics: This branch of dentistry focuses on providing root canal therapy or RCT for people with deep cavities or tooth decay. A general dentist may perform root canal surgery too. 
• Prosthodontics: This specialization involves creating dental fixtures such as dentures, implants, bridges, and crowns that look similar to natural teeth. Prosthodontic appliances may be permanent or removable.
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Involves treating injuries, diseases, and abnormalities in the jawbone and other orofacial structures. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons also perform wisdom teeth removals. 
• Pedodontics: Commonly known as pediatric dentistry, the branch of pedodontics involves treating teeth and gum diseases in infants, adolescents, children, and teenagers. 
• Cosmetic dentistry: This branch focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth. This treatment option is for crooked, chipped, or misaligned teeth. Cosmetic dentists provide treatments like teeth whitening, dental bonding, and veneers. 
• Dental anesthesiology: This field involves providing pain management services to individuals undergoing dental or oral surgical procedures. 

When to visit a dentist?

Maintaining your oral health is crucial. Brushing your teeth twice a day and having routine checkups every six months are mandatory habits you must adopt. Consider visiting the best dentist near you for the following issues:

• Toothache: If you are experiencing a continuing toothache and the pain increases by the day, it is essential to visit a dentist. Some common causes of toothache are cavities, swollen gums, tooth infections, etc. 
• Bleeding gums: Bacteria can form plaque and sometimes infect your gums, resulting in inflammation/swelling. You can eliminate it by regular brushing and flossing, but in worse cases, it leads to bleeding and swollen or red gums. If the pain persists, you must consult your dentist at the earliest and get it cured.
• Severe headaches: Continuous jaw pain and headaches can signify issues in the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), the connection between the lower jaw and skull bone. The TMJ is mainly used for activities like chewing and talking and can be damaged due to physical trauma, accident, jaw injury, or arthritis.
• Sensitivity: Sensitivity is a common condition that causes teeth to become over-sensitive to cold foods, leading to sharp pain in the teeth and sometimes the skull. It results from the enamel, a protective layer on the teeth, getting damaged. 
• Routine checkups: According to the ADA (American Dental Association), a person should visit their dentist every six months. Dental checkups and cleaning play a vital role in maintaining good oral health. In case of abnormalities, your dentist will advise you of the appropriate preventive measures.

What to expect at a dental checkup? 

Seeing a dentist is imperative even if you do not have any symptoms. Routine dental checkups are necessary not only for preventing problems like cavities and decay but also for the early detection of oral diseases and other health conditions affecting the body, like diabetes. Continuity of dental care also ensures that you get treatment at the right time when it is more affordable. 

Your dentist or dental hygienist may perform your routine dental examination. If you have children, you may choose to see a pediatric dentist. They offer oral care for infants, early assessment for improper bite, habit counseling (for habits like using a pacifier and thumbsucking), and management of complex oral diseases in children. 

A routine checkup usually includes an examination of your entire mouth and a dental cleaning. Before beginning the examination, you will be asked about your overall health status, medical and family history, recurrent symptoms, any issues since your last appointment, and medications you've been taking. A routine checkup also gives patients the opportunity to discuss other health conditions and new changes like pregnancy, which helps dentists adjust treatment plans and accommodate unique health needs. 

While there isn't any specific preparation required for a dental checkup, some 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. Further, if you or your child has dental anxiety, talking about it with your dentist can help you feel at ease before the appointment. 

During your oral exam, your dentist will assess your gums and teeth to see if there are signs of cavities or decay. An X-ray may be performed if necessary. To screen you for oral cancer, your dentist will examine your lips, tongue, and the roof of your mouth. They may also check your bite to see if your top and bottom teeth meet correctly. If the dentist finds issues with your bite, they may refer you to an orthodontist. 

After this, a dental hygienist or dentist will proceed with the dental cleaning process. They will remove any tartar (a mineral deposit that gets trapped at the bottom of the teeth) or plaque buildup. They may also provide other preventive services like dental sealants and fluoride treatments. Additionally, your dentist will guide you on maintaining or improving your 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 properly. 

What is the importance of oral hygiene?

Just like the rest of the body, the mouth harbors a multitude of bacteria, most of which are harmless. However, given that the mouth is the entry point to the digestive and respiratory systems, these bacteria can potentially lead to diseases.

Ordinarily, the body's immune defenses and good oral hygiene practices like regular brushing and flossing keep these bacteria in check. However, inadequate oral care can allow harmful bacteria to proliferate, leading to conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Furthermore, certain medications can reduce saliva production, disrupt the mouth's natural balance, facilitate bacterial growth, exacerbate oral health issues, and increase the risk of infections.

The consequences of practicing poor oral hygiene extend beyond the mouth. Numerous studies have shown significant associations between oral health and various medical conditions. These include:

1. Endocarditis: A rare but grave infection of the heart's inner lining, often originating from bacteria in the mouth.
2. Cardiovascular disease: Research suggests a potential causal relationship between gum disease and conditions like heart disease and stroke, which can be attributed to inflammation and infection caused by oral bacteria.
3. Pregnancy complications: Periodontitis, an acute form of gum disease, is often implicated in premature birth and low birth weight.
4. Pneumonia: Oral bacteria, when aspirated into the lungs, contribute to respiratory infections like pneumonia.
5. Diabetes: Diabetes compromises the body's ability to fight infection, increases susceptibility to gum disease, and affects blood sugar control.
6. HIV/AIDS: Oral health problems, including mucosal lesions, are common in individuals with HIV/AIDS.
7. Cancer: Gum disease has been associated with various cancers, such as those affecting the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, breasts, prostate, and uterus.
8. Alzheimer's disease: There appears to be a correlation between worsening Alzheimer's symptoms and declining oral health.
9. Other conditions: Eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and immune disorders like Sjogren's syndrome can also impact oral health.

Communicating with a dentist about the medications you're taking and your overall health is crucial. 

Find some of the best dentists near you in Poway, CA

People often hesitate to visit dentists due to the fear of pain during dental procedures such as root canals and fillings. However, a dentist is vital in helping you maintain your oral health and have a long-lasting smile. They relieve pain and advise preventive measures to take good care of your teeth and gums. 

Zocdoc can help you find some of the best dentists in your area in Poway, California, within minutes. You can easily register on Zocdoc's hassle-free platform and search according to your location or symptoms to receive a list of top-rated medical professionals. Each listed provider has a customized profile with details on their specializations, experience, certifications, patients' reviews, and ratings. You can also streamline these profiles using filters such as gender, insurance plans accepted, hospital affiliations, language proficiency, and whether they treat children.

While conducting your search, you can input your insurance details by selecting your carrier (another term for your insurance company) and plan (the particular coverage associated with that carrier). If you're using your phone or the Zocdoc app to search for care, you'll have the opportunity to upload a photo of your medical insurance card (Please note that this feature is not applicable for dental or vision plans.). Our system will then scan your card and present your probable insurance plan. By providing your insurance information, you'll receive results that indicate which providers are within your network and which are out-of-network. If you are still facing trouble, please visit the Zocdoc patient help center.

Once you have selected the best dentist near you, you may instantly schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with them. Look for a purple video icon next to the doctor's profile to see if they provide online appointments.  

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Oral health statistics for California

One of the most common problems in California is tooth decay or dental caries. Oral problems surround a human their whole life, especially children. As per the Oral Health Status of Children report published in 2021 by the California Department of Public Health, approximately 61% of the state's children experience tooth decay, of which 22% are untreated, and 37% have dental sealants. California and other parts of the US have also revealed the urgency of having regular dental checkups for children and adults. 

According to the Disease Burden and Prevention Report 2021 by the California Department of Public Health, around 38.4% of adults between 45-64 years got their permanent teeth extracted because of tooth decay in 2018. Similarly, nearly 7.7% of adults between 65-74 years had to remove their natural teeth due to old age and oral problems.

Good oral health signifies the overall well-being of a person. Those suffering from chronic diseases are more prone to dental issues and complications that arise from them. In 2019, around 64.4% of the adult diabetic population of California visited a dentist for oral problems.

Sources

WebMD[1]

Colgate

Learn.org

California Department of Public Health[1]

California Department of Public Health[2]

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Cleveland Clinic[3]

Mayo Clinic

WebMD[2]

HealthyChildren.org

MouthHealthy 

MedlinePlus

Cleveland Clinic[4]

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.