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Who are dentists?

Dentists are medical experts who specialize in oral healthcare. Their primary responsibilities include diagnosing oral conditions and creating treatment plans to restore or maintain the patient's oral health. They also monitor the development and growth of teeth and jaws, manage oral emergencies or trauma, interpret diagnostic tests such as X-rays, perform oral surgeries when required, and ensure the safe administration of anesthetics.

Many believe they should see a dentist only when they are in pain or if something is wrong with their teeth. However, dental visits must take place regularly to maintain good oral health. Routine examinations can help diagnose and treat common and highly complex conditions.

A dentist's scope of practice extends beyond teeth and gums and includes the head, tongue, salivary glands, neck, and jaw muscles.

Their comprehensive oral examinations involve checking for lumps, swellings, ulcerations, discolorations, or other abnormalities. They undertake procedures such as biopsies, diagnostic tests for chronic or infectious diseases, and screening tests for oral cancer, salivary gland function, etc. Dentists can also identify early warning signs for other bodily illnesses that may start appearing in the mouth. Hence, regularly visiting a dentist near you is essential.

Educational qualifications of dentists

Dentists complete an undergraduate program in biology, chemistry, health, or math, earning a bachelor of science degree. They then apply for dental school and receive a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Their training comprises two years of biomedical science education and two years of clinical practice.

Eventually, dentists must pass written and practical exams to acquire their dental licenses. Many also opt to attain certifications by clearing the National Board Dental Examination. Depending on their interests and if they choose to specialize further, they may have to complete a postgraduate residency that lasts up to three years.

Specializations within dentistry

Dentistry encompasses various specializations, each focusing on specific aspects of oral health and providing specialized care to address diverse dental issues. These include:

• Dental anesthesiology: Dental anesthesiologists administer anesthesia and sedation to patients undergoing dental procedures, ensuring comfort and managing pain during treatments.
• Public health dentistry: This field emphasizes community-based dental care, focusing on preventive measures, oral health education, and improving access to dental services with applied dental research.
• Endodontics: It specializes in diagnosing and treating issues related to dental pulp and tissues inside the tooth. Specialists perform root canal therapy to save infected or damaged teeth.
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery: This dental specialty encompasses diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, and defects in the oral and maxillofacial region through surgical and related treatments.
• Oral and maxillofacial pathology: It focuses on understanding, identifying, and treating diseases impacting the oral and maxillofacial areas. This field delves into these conditions' causes, progression, and impact, involving clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical, and other diagnostic approaches for research and disease identification.
• Oral and maxillofacial radiology: It focuses on generating and interpreting images and data from various radiant energy modalities. These methods aid in diagnosing and managing diseases, issues, and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial area.
• Orthodontics: Orthodontists are experts in correcting misaligned teeth and jaws using braces, aligners, or other corrective appliances. They aim to improve dental aesthetics and function.
• Periodontics: Periodontists focus on preventing and treating gum diseases and issues affecting the supporting structures of teeth, such as gums and bones.
• Pediatric dentistry: Pediatric dentists provide oral care for infants, children, and teenagers. They focus on preventive care, dental development, and managing dental issues specific to young patients.
• Prosthodontics: Prosthodontists specialize in restoring and replacing missing teeth or oral structures. They design and fit dental prosthetics such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants.
• Oral medicine: It is a specialized branch of dentistry that attends to the oral health needs of medically complex patients. It involves diagnosing and managing diseases, disorders, and conditions related to health issues impacting the oral and maxillofacial areas.
• Orofacial pain: This specialty consists of diagnosing, managing, and treating pain disorders affecting the jaw, mouth, face, head, and neck. It focuses on evidence-based comprehension of these conditions' causes, prevention, and treatment to enhance interdisciplinary patient care accessibility.

What kinds of treatments do dentists provide?

Dentists are experts at preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions that affect teeth, gums, periodontal ligaments, jaws, and other areas of the mouth. Their treatments fall into three major categories: preventive, restorative, and emergency dental care.

• Preventive dentistry: Treatments under this category help patients protect their teeth and gums against germs that cause oral health problems. Regular dental examinations are the most standard form of preventive dentistry. During dental examinations, dentists inspect the state of the structures in the mouth using instruments and imaging techniques such as X-rays. Other similar procedures include teeth cleaning, the application of dental sealants, and fluoride treatments.
• Restorative dentistry: To help restore the form and function of damaged and missing teeth, dentists routinely place corrective equipment or materials inside the mouth, such as fillings, bridges, crowns, and dental implants.
• Emergency dental care: Some oral problems, such as root canals, tooth extractions, and the treatment of avulsed teeth, may b Emergency treatments in dentistry.

What is dental plaque?

Dental plaque is caused by the deposition of a sticky film on the teeth when bacteria in the mouth mix with starch or sugary foods. This bacteria produces an acid that can destroy the tooth's protective coating, the enamel. Plaque can also get deposited under the teeth's roots or gums, leading to the breakdown of bones that support the teeth.

The destruction of the enamel can cause cavities, gingivitis (gum inflammation), tooth decay or loss, tooth infection, gum infection, etc. If left untreated, plaque can become stiff and convert into tartar, which is tough to remove. Therefore, maintaining proper oral hygiene is crucial, and brushing and flossing daily can help you eliminate plaque.

Contrary to popular belief, dental plaque is very common, and everyone has it to a certain degree. If your teeth feel fuzzy when you run your tongue over them, it is because of plaque. Chronic bad breath or red, swollen, and tender gums that bleed after brushing can also indicate it. In some instances, plaque may develop more than usual due to smoking, a history of neck or head radiation, consuming too much starchy or sugary food or drinks, and dry mouth due to medications such as antidepressants.

To diagnose and treat plaque, you must undergo regular dental checkups, and your dentist might also perform dental X-rays to check for cavities caused by it. The most basic procedure to remove plaque and tartar is dental scraping. Other methods of managing dental plaque include using dental sealants, prescription dry mouth medications, fluoride treatments to slow down bacteria growth, and specific toothpaste or antibacterial mouthwashes.

What is a dental checkup? How often should you have it?

When you visit your dentist for a routine checkup, the session will typically involve a dental cleaning, a dental exam of your teeth, gums, supporting bone structures, and the rest of your oral cavity by your dental team, and X-rays or other tests, depending on your oral health. Note that a routine checkup is different from a dental treatment. Dental treatments are often specialized visits scheduled on an as-needed basis and involve treatment like teeth removal, root canals, or deep cleaning for specific issues.

While seeing a dentist when you have symptoms like toothache is normal, you must visit one even if you do not. These exams help prevent problems like cavities and decay and detect oral diseases and other health problems early. For example, a dentist may be able to detect conditions like diabetes or heart disease that increase your risk of oral health problems. Further, untreated dental issues can affect your general health, too. Losing your teeth can affect functions like chewing and lead to nutritional problems. Continuity of dental care also ensures that you get treatment at the right time when it is simpler and more affordable.

How frequently you see a dentist or get a routine dental checkup depends on your oral health. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some people must go only once or twice a year, while others must visit their dentist more frequently. Parents can take their children to see a pediatric dentist who deals with children's oral health problems. Ideally, babies should visit a dentist within six months of getting their first tooth or by their first birthday milestone.

Your dental care team, which consists of your dentist and dental hygienist, will most likely perform your dental examination. Before your dentist begins, you will be asked about your overall health status, including your medical and family history, recurrent symptoms, and any medications you've been taking. At this point, you should also tell your doctor if you have any other health conditions. Individuals with 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 dental hygienist will clean your mouth. A dentist will subsequently examine your gums and teeth to see if there are signs of inflammation or tooth decay, screen you for oral cancer (by examining your lips, tongue, and the roof of your mouth), and also check your bite, i.e., if your top and bottom teeth meet correctly. They may also use X-rays to view your bite and bone loss. Mention to your dentist if you are pregnant - in such a case, an X-ray may not be recommended unless there is an emergency.

This may be followed by the dental cleaning process, where your dentist 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 or fluoride treatments. 

Finally, your dentist will suggest treatment options if required and guide you on maintaining or improving 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 a suitable dentist near you in River Edge, NJ?

Now that you know who a dentist is and what they can do, the next step is to find one suitable for your needs. Zocdoc can help you find the best dental specialists in your vicinity from the comfort of your home.

You can search by entering your symptoms or location (River Edge, New Jersey), and the results will display a list of the top-rated dentists in your area. You may filter these specialists based on your preferences, such as their gender, hospital affiliations, languages they speak, whether or not they treat children, and those who accept your insurance plan. Each provider has a unique profile with details on their accreditations, educational qualifications, experience, areas of expertise, awards, and ratings.

You can also schedule appointments with a provider who accepts your insurance plan in real time. If you cannot find your 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.

After creating a shortlist, you read verified reviews from previous patients to fully understand the dentists' practice and make an informed decision. Subsequently, you can instantly book an in-person or virtual appointment based on your chosen dentist's availability.

Thanks to Zocdoc, finding the desired dentist near you is now easier! All bookings with Zocdoc are easy, free, and secure!

Dental statistics for New Jersey

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that in May 2021, the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA metropolitan area had around 7,110 active dentists, ranking it highest among dentist employment levels nationwide.

Research on oral health by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that in New Jersey, in 2016, about 73.4% of adults aged 18 and above visited a dentist or dental clinic at least once a year. In the same year, nearly 11.7% of those aged 65 and above lost all their teeth from tooth decay or gum disease, while around 34.5% lost at least six or more. In 2020, the CDC's findings showed that annual adult dental visits fell to about 67.8%.

According to the New Jersey State Health Assessment Data, in 2018, around 405 female and 898 male residents of New Jersey were diagnosed with oral cavity and pharynx cancer, thus showing an increase from 1990, when close to 317 females and 590 males were diagnosed with the same. The most common sites for such cancers were the tongue, gums, lips, tonsils, the mouth's floor, and lower pharynx. The Department also found that the most common risk factors for mouth cancer were tobacco use and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Findings from America's Health Rankings indicate that as of September 2022, for every 100,000 people living in New Jersey, around 70.2 dentists and dental therapists were offering oral healthcare. In 2020, approximately 68.1% of adults in the state went for a dental appointment. Most of these patients (around 71.1%) were in the 45 to 64 age group. The report also stated that New Jersey women (about 71.5%) visited dentists more often than men (nearly 64.5%).

As per the estimates published by the Cancer Statistics Center, roughly 1,470 new cases of oropharyngeal cancer will be identified in New Jersey in 2023. The organization also stated that around 230 people in the state would lose their lives from this deadly tumor.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]

New Jersey State Health Assessment Data

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Cleveland Clinic[3]

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

WebMD[3]

Maine Dental Association

Cancer Statistics Center

America’s Health Rankings[1]

America’s Health Rankings[2]

California Dental Association

American Association of Endodontics

WebMD[4]

MouthHealthy

MedlinePlus[1]

MedlinePlus[2]

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.