What do dentists do?
Most Americans today have excellent oral health and maintain natural teeth for their entire lives. But not everyone experiences this. According to the Maine Dental Association, millions of Americans do not actively visit a dentist, even though regular dental check-up evaluations and good oral care can avoid most dental diseases.
Too many people believe they only need to see a dentist if they are in pain or suspect something is wrong, but they often overlook the bigger picture. A dental visit involves oral health examinations by a dentist skilled in treating and diagnosing conditions ranging from routine to highly complex.
Medical professionals who specialize in oral health are dentists. Their responsibilities include the following:
- Oral disease diagnosis
- X-ray and diagnostic test interpretation
- Creating a treatment plan to maintain or improve their patient's oral health
- Monitoring tooth and jaw growth and development
- Ensuring the safe administration of anesthetics
- Handling oral trauma and other emergencies
- Perform surgical procedures on the oral cavity's soft tissues, bones, and teeth.
How many dental specialties exist in dentistry?
A dentist plays a crucial role in safeguarding the health of your teeth and gums, but did you know that there are numerous specialized fields within dentistry? After completing four years of dental school, these specialists dedicate an additional two to three years to intensive education and training in their chosen area of expertise.
Dentists can choose from a variety of specialized fields, including:
- Pediatric dentistry (Pedodontics): Focusing on the oral health of children, adolescents, and teens.
- Orthodontics: Devoted to realigning bites and straightening teeth for optimal health and function, offering treatments like braces and clear aligners.
- Endodontics: Specializing in root canal therapy, especially for complex cases.
- Periodontics: Diagnosing and treating gum diseases and related conditions.
- Prosthodontics: Crafting natural-looking dental restorations like crowns, bridges, and dentures.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Treating jaw and orofacial issues, including wisdom teeth removal and various surgical procedures.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology: Investigating the causes and consequences of oral diseases, providing diagnosis for complex cases.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology: Specializing in interpreting dental imaging tests such as CT scans and X-rays.
- Public health dentistry: Improving oral health in communities through preventive programs.
- Dental anesthesiology: Offering advanced pain management during dental and oral surgery.
- Oral medicine: Concentrating on diagnosing and treating individuals with chronic medical conditions.
- Orofacial pain management: Addressing and preventing pain in the teeth, jaws, head, and face.
- Cosmetic dentistry: Enhancing smiles through treatments like teeth whitening, veneers, and gum contouring.
- Implant dentistry: Placing dental implants for long-term teeth replacement.
- Reconstructive dentistry: Providing extensive treatment for individuals with extensive cavities or gum disease.
- Forensic dentistry: Using dental expertise to identify individuals via human remains, such as jaw or teeth, in legal cases.
These dental specialties demonstrate a diverse range of expertise in dentistry, ensuring comprehensive care for your oral health needs.
Common dental treatments and procedures
There are many different reasons why people visit the dentist, from routine check-ups to addressing dental emergencies. However, knowing about the standard dental techniques enables us to get the right help at the right time, whether for a scheduled appointment or to locate an emergency dentist near you. The following are some of the most widely popular dental procedures:
Dental cleanings are the most common reason for dental visits. Many dentists recommend getting dental cleanings every six months as they're vital to oral health. Your toothbrush is often less effective for deep cleaning your teeth than the tools used by a dentist.
Whitening of the teeth: Like cleaning, bleaching is relatively painless. However, some people are allergic to whitening agents and may require professional help. Dental professionals perform bleaching, which is quicker, safer, and tailored to the patient's needs.
Veneers: If your teeth are stained or crooked, your dentist might suggest veneers. These are renowned solutions to common dental issues. It is a thin covering placed over a tooth's top portion or set of teeth.
Crowns: A crown is a solution used when fillings cannot help the large cavities or when the upper part of your tooth has decayed. The dentist will mold the affected tooth, enabling the lab technician to craft a custom-fit crown covering the decayed area.
Fillings cavities: Fillings cavities are far too common and easy to procure. The majority of cavities typically receive a filling as their standard treatment. Exposure to acids in food and your body can quickly dissolve tooth enamel, thereby significantly contributing to the formation of cavities.
Braces/teeth aligners: More people opt for clear teeth aligners over traditional braces as they require less maintenance, but they both serve the same purpose. However, the conventional method is often beneficial for severely crooked teeth. The objective is to straighten and correct crooked teeth because people frequently perceive straighter teeth as an indication of a healthier mouth, and it is easier to maintain them.
Dentures: These dental prosthetics are commonly associated with aging, as people lose their natural teeth in old age. However, dentures are not limited to older people. Many adults with missing teeth due to injury or accidents also require them. They are designed to replace teeth naturally and are usually removable.
Root canal: Inflamed and infected tissue inside or beneath your tooth typically necessitates a root canal. The dentist provides anesthesia to numb the nerve, remove the tissue, and relieve pain. Sometimes, they can also advise you to take an antibiotic before the procedure.
Bonding: This is an additional technique for fixing broken or damaged teeth. Your dentist will tint a resin—a type of plastic—to match the shade of your teeth naturally. For more minor imperfections, it is less invasive than some other techniques.
Why should you see a dentist?
During an appointment, dentists do more than just clean your teeth. They conduct a thorough check-up of your teeth to detect early signs of gum diseases, cavities, and cancer. They also help manage bad breath and dry mouth and review oral hygiene. If you’ve had prior dental procedures like fillings, they can help follow up on their progress to check for any decay or defects.
Most professional sources recommend a routine visit to a dentist near you every six months. However, your visit frequency varies depending on your oral hygiene, medical conditions, and lifestyle. People with a high risk of developing cavities, gum disease, or weak immune systems must visit dentists more often. Other high-risk groups include pregnant women, smokers, and people with diabetes. You can also consult a dentist to determine your frequency of visits.
Most people may disregard minor dental problems and only book an appointment when the condition worsens. Hence, you should visit a dentist right away when you experience the dental issues mentioned below to help save on future costly procedures:
- Toothache: Tooth pain and sensitivity can occur for several reasons, such as grinding, damaged fillings, broken teeth, abscesses, or cavities. Dentists can identify the cause of the issue and provide the appropriate treatment.
- Bleeding after brushing or flossing: Bleeding while brushing means you develop gum disease. Also known as periodontal disease, it is the infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. Left untreated, it can induce bone loss around the teeth, leading to tooth loss.
- Dry mouth: Saliva maintains oral health by keeping the mouth well-moisturized. This aids in flushing out food particles and neutralizing the acids formed by plaque. However, some people can experience dry mouth due to illness or other issues. Dentists can help find the cause of the problem and help protect your teeth by restoring moisture.
- Bumps and sores: Most canker sores clear up in one or two weeks. However, other oral lesions require a dentist’s attention for treatment. Candidiasis is a fungal infection appearing as white sores on your mouth's inner cheeks, tongue, tonsils, or roof. Dentists can help treat it by prescribing medications.
How can you take care of your oral hygiene?
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene not only protects your teeth and gums but also keeps your smile bright and healthy. Follow these general tips to improve your oral care routine:
- Brush twice daily: Clean your teeth at least two times a day using fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft bristles. Angle your brush at 45 degrees toward your gum line to remove plaque and bacteria effectively. Ensure all surfaces — front, back, and sides — are brushed thoroughly.
- Floss every day: Brushing alone doesn’t reach between teeth, so flossing is essential. Use around 18 inches of dental floss, wrapping it around your middle fingers. Guide it between your teeth with your thumbs and forefingers, curve it around each tooth in a C-shape, and move it up and down 10 times. Repeat this for each tooth. If traditional flossing is difficult, consider interproximal brushes or dental picks. (Water flossers are helpful for clearing large debris but don’t remove plaque film, so they shouldn’t replace string floss.)
- Clean your tongue: Your tongue can harbor bacteria that contribute to bad breath and oral issues. Use your toothbrush or a tongue cleaner to clean it whenever you brush your teeth.
- Use daily mouthwash: Antibacterial mouth rinses help control harmful bacteria, reduce plaque buildup on teeth, and freshen your breath. Choose an alcohol-free variety to avoid drying out your mouth.
- Schedule regular dental visits: Routine cleanings and check-ups are vital. While most people benefit from seeing the dentist every six months, those with frequent cavities or gum problems might need to go more often.
- Stay away from tobacco: Smoking and tobacco use significantly raise the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. Quitting these harmful habits is one of the best things you can do for your oral (and overall) health. If you need help stopping, talk to your healthcare provider about support options.
Consistency is the most important thing when it comes to oral hygiene. For the best results, speak with your dentist about customizing your routine based on your individual needs.
What oral hygiene products should you use?
When choosing oral care products, look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This seal ensures the product has undergone thorough scientific evaluation in areas like microbiology, pharmacology, and chemistry by the American Dental Association. Your dentist might suggest specific products based on your personal oral health. Don’t hesitate to ask for tailored recommendations during your next visit to a dentist near you.
How to find a reliable dentist near you?
Searching for a dentist who fits your needs can take time and effort. Shortlisting credible dentists who practice in Santa Ana and are available according to your schedule requires a lot of research. We at Zocdoc believe in providing patient-centric medical services, and our well-researched, extensive database and patient-friendly features help. Hence, we aim to make your search a smooth ride.
You can use Zocdoc to book an appointment with a reputed and reliable dentist in your area. You can speak with a dentist in your neighborhood or nearby within 24 hours of scheduling an online consultation or in-person appointment from the convenience of your own home. Depending on their availability, you can book an appointment with a dentist on Zocdoc ahead of time or immediately.
On our homepage, you can find a search bar to specify your symptoms or condition or the type of specialty you seek. Select your location, preferred date of appointment, insurance provider name, or plan, and hit the search button. You can update your Zocdoc account's insurance information to refine search results further and find dentists who accept your insurance.
You can connect your health, dental, and vision insurance policies to your Zocdoc account. Remember that you can only utilize one insurance plan per visit. Put your secondary insurance information in the appointment notes if you have one. Check out insurance FAQs at Zocdoc's patient help center to learn more about insurance-related queries.
Once you've entered the search parameters, Zocdoc will list the best dentists near you who match your choices. Scan the list and select a dentist to read their profile.
Each dentist has a detailed profile on Zocdoc. Their profiles detail a dentist's education and training, office locations, hospital affiliations, languages spoken, and whether or not they treat children. The profile also gives you an idea about their clinical background, medical specialties, certificates, licenses, accolades, and accreditations. Using the information provided, you can make more informed decisions. You can also read our verified patient testimonials and frequently asked questions to know more about the specialty.
Zocdoc makes appointment scheduling simple, secure, and free!
Statistics of dentists in California
According to the data published by Statista, as of 2020, there are about 61 active dentists per 100,000 people in the United States. However, the number of dentists available varies significantly by state. California, Texas, and New York had the most active dentists working as of 2020. California ranked first, with over 31,000 active dentists. Despite having the most dentists working, these states only sometimes had the highest number of dentists per population.
Sources
Maine Dental Association
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
American Dental Association
Statista
Aetna
Colgate
Cigna Healthcare
Oral Health Foundation
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