Who is a dentist?
Dentists are medical professionals who help care for problems of the oral cavity. People visit dentists for issues such as toothache, gum bleeding, tooth infections, cavities, and other problems related to the teeth, gums, or mouth. Experts recommend regular check-ups to maintain good dental health.
Dentists can perform several tests and procedures using equipment like lasers, brushes, scalpels, drills, X-rays, and other tools. Some common procedures for which people visit dentists include filling cavities, treating tooth decay, repairing damaged teeth, fitting braces, and dental surgeries for other dental problems.
What kind of education and training do dentists receive?
Dentists are doctors, so their journey to becoming licensed medical practitioners is demanding and rigorous. The first stage includes completing an undergraduate program, after which one can apply for dental school entrance tests. Then, one must complete two years of biomedical studies and two years of clinical practice to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine degree (DDM). The next step involves passing the licensing test.
Dentists can also opt to be certified by the National Board of Dental Examinations. Depending on the specialization, they also have to complete a postgraduate residency, which could last from one to three years.
What are the specializations dentists can opt for?
After dental school, dentists who wish to specialize must undergo additional training in their chosen area. Here are the various specializations a dentist might pursue:
- Periodontics: This specialty treats gum diseases and related issues.
- Pedodontics: This focuses on caring for kids, teens, and adolescents.
- Orthodontics: Specialists here help straighten teeth using tools like braces and aligners.
- Prosthodontics: Specialists in this field create replacements like crowns, bridges, and dentures.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Experts in this area perform surgeries on the mouth, face, and jaws, including removing wisdom teeth.
- Endodontics: Endodontists handle root canal treatments, especially tricky cases.
- Dental anesthesiology: Dental anesthesiologists handle pain management during dental surgeries.
- Oral medicine: Specialists here treat people with ongoing medical issues related to the mouth.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology: Specialists in this field study oral diseases and offer diagnoses.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology: These radiologists interpret dental X-rays and CT scans.
- Public health dentistry: These dentists work on improving community oral health.
- Orofacial pain management: Experts in this area diagnose and treat pain in the mouth, jaws, and face.
- Cosmetic dentistry: These experts focus on enhancing smiles, offering treatments like whitening and veneers.
- Implant dentistry: These dentists specialize in placing dental implants for tooth replacement.
- Reconstructive dentistry: The dentists work on major mouth restorations, often for those with severe dental issues.
- Forensic dentistry: These experts help identify individuals using dental records, especially in forensic cases like identifying remains.
Tips to take care of your teeth
It is important to take care of your teeth to prevent oral problems. Here are some tips to help you take the best care of teeth at home:
- Brushing teeth with a fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing to get rid of dental plaque
- Plaque buildup can also happen on the tongue. Gently brushing the tongue can help.
- Using a mouthwash can also go a long way in maintaining oral health. Dentists can advise on picking the right brand.
- Eating fruits/vegetables and limiting the intake of sugary or acidic foods.
- Visiting the dentist at least twice a year for check-ups
- Refraining from using tobacco products or smoking
- Reducing alcohol intake
- For those with diabetes, keeping blood glucose levels under control to eliminate the risk of complications
- In case of dry mouth, drinking plenty of water
- Chewing gum that does not contain sugar
- Reducing alcohol and tobacco intake
Importance of dental check-ups
You should visit a dentist near you if you notice discomfort/pain in your teeth, gums, or jaw. The pain or discomfort can be a sign of an ailment or infection that needs to be examined by a professional. For instance, gum disease often begins with painful or inflamed gums before leading to bleeding and tooth loss at more advanced stages. Trouble while chewing or swallowing can also be a sign of distress, which may require a visit to the dentist.
What happens during a dental check-up? How often should you have it?
While it's normal to see a dentist when you have symptoms like toothache, it is vital that you have check-ups even if you do not have symptoms. These routine dental exams not only help prevent issues like cavities and decay but also help in the early diagnosis of other undetected health problems in your body. For example, through a routine visit, your dentist may be able to detect conditions like diabetes or heart disease that increase your risk of oral health problems. Additionally, a dental check-up gives you the opportunity to discuss and improve your oral hygiene habits. Continuity of dental care also ensures that you get treatment at the right time before your condition becomes challenging to manage and may require more complex and expensive treatment.
How frequently you see a dentist or get a routine dental check-up depends on your oral health. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some people need to go only once or twice a year, while others need to visit their dentist more frequently. Ideally, parents should take their babies to see a dentist or pediatric dentist within six months of getting their first tooth or after their first birthday.
When you visit your dentist for a checkup, it 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 check-up 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.
Your dental care team, which consists of your dentist and dental hygienist, will most likely perform your dental examination. During your oral exam, your dental hygienist will clean your mouth, and a dentist will assess 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. An X-ray may not be recommended in this case 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.
What should you expect during a visit to the dentist?
During your initial visit to a dentist, it is recommended to arrive 15 minutes early to complete the necessary paperwork. Ensure you have your insurance details, photo ID, and an updated list of medications readily available. The dentist or their assistant will likely review your health history, emphasizing the importance of answering all questions truthfully. This honesty establishes a foundation of trust with your provider, prioritizing your safety and overall well-being.
A comprehensive examination will follow. Depending on your dental history, a complete set of X-rays might be deemed necessary. Expect to receive a detailed diagnosis regarding the status of your teeth and gums. Subsequently, a personalized care plan will be crafted and discussed with you, highlighting any required corrective treatments. Notably, if it's been a prolonged period since your last dental check-up, the visit may also include a professional dental cleaning.
Finding the right dentist near you in Seattle, WA
Finding the right dentist can be complicated and confusing, especially if you are looking for a specialist who accepts your insurance. But getting the best professional may be the first step to a beautiful smile and excellent oral health. With Zocdoc, you can browse through provider profiles before choosing a dentist. Here are the things to keep in mind:
- The location of the practice. How long will a commute take?
- The education and experience of the practitioner
- Any awards or publications
- The opening hours for the clinic. What is their policy on missed appointments?
- Does the practitioner have arrangements in place to handle emergencies after working hours?
- Do they actively participate in a health plan?
- The preferred fees and payment methods
These criteria will help you narrow down your search. With Zocdoc, you can find the best practitioner for your medical needs. Our optimized search page can help you find the best-ranked dentists in Seattle, sorted by distance. You can also consult detailed information about each practitioner, such as their education, training, experience, and clinical interests. You can also browse through verified reviews and ratings by past patients to select the best dentist for your medical needs.
You can also schedule appointments with a provider who accepts your insurance plan in real time. If you are unable to find your specific 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.
Zocdoc can help you find the top-rated dentist that matches your exact preferences. All you need to do is type in your keywords, such as "dentists," "Seattle," "dental cleaning," or your insurance name, and you will be directed to hundreds of dentists to select from.
Booking appointments with dentists near you through Zocdoc is free, quick, and secure.
Oral health in Washington and the US
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one out of four adults in the US suffers from untreated tooth decay. Around 46% of adults over 30 years old show signs of gum disease. Moreover, severe gum disease affects about 9% of adults. Complete tooth loss can occur in adults over 65, but this has declined.
Oral cancer is a major threat to oral health and is common in older adults who smoke and drink heavily. Chemotherapy can also result in oral problems such as painful mouth ulcers, dryness, or even impaired taste. Patients with weak immunity due to chronic diseases (such as HIV) are at an increased risk of poor oral health.
A 2015 study by the American Dental Association in the state of Washington found that 95% of the participants valued their oral health, 82% felt the need to visit the dentist twice a year, and 92% believed regular dental check-ups would keep them healthy. Around 16% also reported their reason for not visiting a dentist in the last 12 months was that they needed help finding one. Low-income adults were also more likely to report problems with their teeth or mouth.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
MouthHealthy[1]
Illinois Department of Public Health
Cleveland Clinic[1]
WebMD
MouthHealthy[2]
MedlinePlus[1]
MedlinePlus[2]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
