Who are dentists?
Dentists are medical professionals who provide care for teeth and mouth. These specialists help maintain and improve dental hygiene, directly impacting overall health. They diagnose and treat gum, teeth, and mouth conditions. They use equipment like X-ray machines, lasers, drills, brushes, scalpels, and other medical tools to perform dental procedures.
A dentist's core responsibility is educating people on dental hygiene - the importance of filling cavities, removing or repairing damaged teeth, reviewing diagnostic reports, and administering anesthesia while performing different procedures. They typically work with a team of dental assistants, hygienists, and lab technicians.
Education and training for dentists
Dentists go through extensive training before they start practicing. After completing their undergraduate program in a related science field, they join a dental school for two years to study biomedical sciences. This is followed by two years of clinical practice, after which they earn a doctoral degree in dental medicine (DDM) or dental surgery (DDS). They must clear written and practical exams to receive their dental license upon graduation. Dentists may get certified by the National Board of Dental Examination (NBDE).
What are the different types of dentists?
Dentists can pursue one or more of the following specialties:
- Endodontics: It entails the morphology, biology, pathology, physiology, and regeneration of the dental pulp and periradicular tissues. All diseases and conditions related to the pulp, as well as their treatment, management, and prevention, are covered by this specialty.
- Periodontics: A periodontist diagnoses, prevents, and treats diseases related to the teeth's supporting and surrounding tissues and their substitutes.
- Prosthodontics: Specialists here treat, rehabilitate, and maintain the dental function and comfort of patients with conditions related to missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues. Prosthodontists use biocompatible substitutes for such patients.
- Pediatric dentistry: Specialists here are highly trained in providing primary and comprehensive therapeutic and preventive dental care for infants and children through adolescence. They also look after children with special health care needs.
- Dental public health: It involves organized community efforts to prevent and control dental diseases and promote dental health. It focuses on educating the public with applied research and group dental care programs administration.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology: This specialty deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases related to the oral and maxillofacial regions. Specialists investigate the processes, causes, and effects of these diseases and make precise diagnoses using clinical, microscopic, radiographic, biochemical, and other examinations.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology: It uses different modalities of radiant energy to produce and interpret images and data for diagnosis and management of oral and maxillofacial ailments and concerns.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery: It includes the diagnosis, adjunctive, and surgical treatment of ailments, defects, and injuries of both the functional and esthetic aspects of the soft and hard tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics: Specialists here focus on the diagnosis, interception, prevention, and correction of malocclusion and neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures.
- Orofacial pain: This specialty is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of pain-related disorders in the mouth, jaw, face, head, and neck.
- Oral medicine: Specialists here are trained to take care of medically complex patients. They diagnose and manage medically-related disorders, diseases, and conditions affecting the oral and maxillofacial region.
- Dental anesthesiology: It is the specialty and discipline of anesthesiology. Specialists focus on managing pain and overall patient health during dental, maxillofacial and adjunctive diagnostic or surgical procedures throughout the entire perioperative period.
Dentists who wish to specialize need to enroll in a postgraduate residency program. Depending on the specialization, the program can take one to three years.
What are the different dental and oral diseases?
Some common dental and oral diseases are:
- Cavities: Cavities result from permanent tooth damage, which may even lead to holes in the tooth. While the condition is relatively common, it can be challenging to identify it in the early stages. Its symptoms include tooth sensitivity, tooth pain, visible hole(s) in the teeth, and black-and-white staining on the teeth. Cavities can affect anyone, irrespective of age and gender. However, people with eating disorders, high sugary or acidic food intake, acid reflux, and poor oral hygiene routines are more prone to developing cavities.
- Gum diseases: Gum disease or gingivitis results from plaque build-up in the teeth due to poor brushing and flossing habits. The condition causes inflammation and gum bleeding and can lead to severe infection if left untreated for a long time.
- Sensitive teeth: Tooth sensitivity causes pain and discomfort upon consuming hot or cold food and beverages. It can occur temporarily after a root canal or filling. It may result from gum disease, receding gums, cracked teeth, worn-down fillings, or crowns.
What causes dental and oral diseases?
The oral cavity accumulates all sorts of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. While some of these are part of the normal flora of the mouth, certain bacteria can dissolve the tooth enamel and cause dental cavities.
Certain acidic and sugary foods create conditions where the acid-producing bacteria can flourish. Increased inflammation due to cavities may cause the gum to pull away from the teeth, leading to advanced stages of a gum disease known as periodontics.
Common factors that contribute to decay and infections are:
- Regular smoking
- Poor brushing habits
- Frequent snacking on sugary food and drinks
- Diabetes
- Use of medication that causes dry mouth
- Family history of poor dental hygiene
- Infections such as HIV and AIDS
- Acid reflux, heartburn, or frequent vomiting
What is orthodontic treatment, and who needs it?
Orthodontic treatment primarily focuses on correcting malpositioned teeth, jaws, and bites. Correcting misaligned teeth and jaws improves comfort, speech, aesthetics, and self-confidence.
The main advantages of seeking orthodontic care are:
- Improved functioning in the mouth
- Reduced risk of oral problems such as dental caries and gum issues
- Enhanced oral hygiene
- Decrease in the number of dental emergencies
- A healthy and beautiful smile
Common orthodontic problems in kids include pain and discomfort during chewing, losing milk teeth early or late, mouth breathing and cheek biting habits, and loss of alignment between teeth and jaws.
Orthodontists routinely use the following to fix the teeth and the jaws: braces, archwires, aligners, elastics, mouthguards, orthodontic surgery, and retainers. Braces are brackets with slots fixed to the teeth and have archwires threaded through them. Archwires help in moving the teeth in a more desirable direction. Elastics connect the upper and lower jaws, so they move together.
Orthodontic surgery helps in rectifying the skeletal issues in the jaws. Athletes use mouthguards to prevent sports-related injuries. Aligners are removable transparent shells that patients wear themselves. The orthodontists provide retainers upon treatment completion to maintain the teeth' position.
Orthodontic treatment can also help adults correct specific problems such as bite issues (overbite, underbite, or open bite), crowded teeth, protruding teeth, long-lasting infections in the teeth and gums, and pain in the jaws.
What happens during a fluoride treatment for children?
Fluoride varnish, a dental technique, can help prevent, slow down, or stop the development of tooth decay. Fluoride is an essential component of fluoride varnish because it helps to strengthen dental enamel.
Keep in mind that using fluoride varnish is not a guarantee that cavities will not develop. Fluoride varnish treatments work best when a child uses the recommended fluoridated toothpaste, frequently flosses, eats healthy, and follows regular dental care.
During this process, the doctor applies the varnish quickly as the paste immediately hardens when it comes in contact with the teeth. However, patients may easily remove the paste with a brush after 4 to 12 hours. Fluoride varnishes can cause the yellowing of teeth. But once the varnish sheds off, the patient's natural tooth color emerges.
The dentist applies the fluoride varnish to the top and sides of each tooth with a little brush. Usually, children cannot lick the varnish off, but they might be able to feel it with their tongue when it dries and hardens.
The entire process is painless. However, kids may cry during the whole process. The procedure lasts a short while, and you may need to hold your child in your lap while sitting next to the person applying the varnish.
What to expect when you are visiting a dentist?
Ensure you have enough time during your first visit to a dentist near you to complete all required paperwork and allow the staff enough time to set you up. During a routine visit, your dentist covers your chest with a cloth for protection. They might also offer eye protection shields.
Next, your doctor or a dental hygienist will use metal or ultrasonic tools to clean your teeth and scrape off tartar or plaque build-up from the surface of your teeth and gums. They might also floss between your teeth. Do not worry about excessive pain or discomfort. You can always let your dentist know if your jaw or mouth hurts and ask for rest breaks during the cleanup. You can ask for a numbing solution if you have sensitive teeth.
Once the cleanup is complete, your doctor will rinse your mouth. Next, they will polish your teeth with a buffing paste and a metal tool and rinse your mouth again. Your dentist will then check your teeth, look for periodontal pockets (open spaces between the teeth and gums) and problem spots with the help of a periodontal probe, and measure their depth. This procedure can cause minor pain and bleeding inside your mouth, which goes away in a few hours.
New patients and patients acquiring dental care after two years usually undergo X-rays. This way, your doctor can get a clear picture of your teeth, gums, and supporting bone structures.
How do you find a top-rated dentist near you in Rockville, MD?
Dentists are crucial in maintaining dental hygiene and ensuring good oral care. Oral health, which entails more than just having white teeth, is essential for the overall well-being of an individual. These specialists help prevent complications in the mouth and perform dental procedures to treat any dental conditions. They perform procedures like filling cavities, using sealants, and removing build-ups or decay from the teeth.
Although there are hundreds of dentists online, finding a knowledgeable, experienced, and qualified doctor can be difficult, and that is where Zocdoc comes in! Zocdoc is a platform that offers solutions to all your health-related worries. It provides access to an open directory of the best medical and healthcare providers to meet all your needs. Furthermore, you can also save on expenses by paying through your health plan. All you need to do is type in your symptoms or illness, location, preferred date, insurance plan, and provider in the search bar. Also, adding your insurance information to your Zocdoc account makes it easier to find in-network providers. However, many offices will still ask you to bring your insurance card to your appointment. For any insurance-related concerns, visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
Each healthcare provider associated with Zocdoc has a unique profile where you can read about their qualification, board certification, clinical interests, expertise, experience, and languages. You can also access previous patients' verified reviews and ratings to make an informed choice. With Zocdoc, you can find the best dentist near you in just a few minutes. Booking appointments with Zocdoc is safe, secure, and free!
Key statistics on oral health issues in Maryland
Oral health issues are widespread in people of all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, more than 26% of adults, roughly 1 in 4 people in the USA, have untreated tooth decay. The report also states that nearly half, i.e., around 46% of all adults above 30, show signs of gum disease. As per the CDC, the percentage of adults who have lost all their entire teeth is higher among low-income groups and smokers, which is nearly 6%, than among higher-income groups or non-smokers (≈1%).
According to the Maryland Head Start Oral Health Survey of 2016, more children in Maryland have tooth decay (≈26%) than the national average (≈23%). As of 2016, around 4194 active dentists were practicing in the state - there is one dentist for every 1971 resident in Maryland.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Healthline
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Maryland Oral Health Surveillance Digest
Maryland Dental Action Coalition
Healthchildren.org
American Association of Orthodontists[1]
American Association of Orthodontists[2]
American Association of Orthodontists[3]
National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards
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