Who is a dentist?
A dentist is a healthcare provider specializing in oral health and helps prevent, diagnose, and treat oral diseases and disorders. Their role is pivotal in the early detection of oral cancer and other bodily conditions that start in the mouth before progressing to different body parts, such as diabetes, anemia, osteoporosis, acid reflux, human immunodeficiency virus, etc.
Besides identifying concerns in the gums and teeth, they help maintain good oral health and hygiene, impacting overall well-being. They adopt a team approach to ensure that patients get quality dental care. A dental team headed by a dentist typically consists of assistants, hygienists, and lab technicians.
What does a dentist do?
A dentist is like a primary care provider but exclusively for the mouth. In providing the best possible care, they take on various responsibilities. If you decide to visit a dentist near you, you can expect them to engage in the following:
- Studying symptoms and diagnosing oral conditions like tooth decay, bleeding gums, gingivitis, toothache,
- Undertaking procedures like cavity fillings, scaling, etc.
- Designing treatment plans to maintain or restore a patient's oral health
- Interpreting diagnostic tests like X-rays
- Monitoring the development and growth of the jaw & teeth
- Administering anesthetics safely
- Performing surgical procedures on the oral cavity's bone, teeth, and soft tissues
- Managing oral trauma and other emergencies related to it
- Performing routine checkups
- Creating a personalized treatment plan and prescribing medications
- Suggesting lifestyle changes for maintenance of optimal dental health.
What qualifications must a dentist possess?
To become eligible to practice dentistry in the United States, one must earn a bachelor of science degree. Before this, the aspiring dentist must have completed an undergraduate program in a related field such as chemistry, biology, or math.
Subsequently, they must attend dental school after clearing a dental admissions test. Here, they receive the requisite training to become an expert dental practitioner. While studying to become a dentist, their educational journey consists of the following steps:
- Two years of biomedical science courses followed by two years of clinical practice
- Obtaining a doctor in dental surgery (DDS) or doctor in dental medicine (DDM) degree
- Passing written and practical exams to acquire a dental license
Once they become licensed, dentists can obtain certification by qualifying for the National Board Dental Examination. Depending on their area of specialization, they may also need to undergo a one—to three-year-long postgraduate residency.
What subspecialties can a dentist pursue?
Dentists may choose from several subspecialties, based on their areas of interest and treatment approach, to gain expertise in and streamline their practice. Mentioned below is a list of subspecialties approved by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialities and
Certifying Boards:
- Dental anesthesiologists specialize in managing pain, anxiety, and overall patient health during dental, oral, maxillofacial, and supplementary surgical or diagnostic procedures throughout the perioperative period.
- Dental public health specialists prevent dental disorders through organized community efforts.
- Endodontists help maintain the health of the dental pulp and perform root canals.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathologists specialize in oral cavity diseases in the mouth, teeth, and surrounding regions.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiologists perform X-rays and other forms of imaging to diagnose and manage oral disorders.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons provide surgical treatment of mouth-related diseases and injuries.
- Oral medicine specialists provide oral healthcare for medically complex conditions and diagnose and manage diseases, disorders, and symptoms affecting the oral and maxillofacial region.
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedists correct dental and facial irregularities.
- Orofacial pain specialists diagnose, manage, and treat pain disorders of the mouth, face, jaw, head, and neck.
- Pediatric dentistry takes care of the oral healthcare needs of infants and children through adolescence.
- Periodontists treat diseases related to the gum tissues and bone supporting the teeth.
- Prosthodontics offers natural tooth restoration, replacing missing teeth or oral tissues with artificial devices like dentures.
Common dental and oral diseases
Dental and oral diseases can affect everyone at some point in life, especially if proper care isn't maintained. Routine oral hygiene plays a crucial role in preventing most of these issues. Here are some common dental and oral problems:
Cavities
Cavities, or tooth decay, occur when bacteria, food, and acid form plaque on your teeth. This plaque erodes the enamel and underlying dentin, leading to permanent damage, including holes in the tooth.
Gum disease (Gingivitis)
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gums resulting from plaque accumulation caused by inadequate brushing and flossing. It can make gums swell and bleed, especially when brushing. If not addressed, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, a more serious infection.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a severe infection that can spread to the jaw and bones. It can also provoke an inflammatory response in the body, making it critical to address early.
Cracked or broken teeth
Teeth can crack or break from injuries, such as when chewing or grinding hard foods at night. A cracked tooth can lead to intense pain and should be checked by a dentist immediately.
Sensitive teeth
Tooth sensitivity, or dentin hypersensitivity, can cause discomfort while having hot or cold food and drinks. It may also occur after procedures like root canals or fillings. Gum disease, receding gums, or cracked teeth can also contribute to sensitivity. Using specialized toothpaste and mouthwash can help manage the discomfort.
Oral cancer
Oral cancers affect the gums, tongue, lips, and other parts of the mouth. Tobacco use is the leading risk factor. Early detection by a dentist improves the chances of successful treatment. Close to 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer yearly, highlighting the importance of regular dental checkups.
Proper oral care can prevent many of these conditions, ensuring healthy teeth and gums throughout life.
How do you maintain good oral health?
As per the American Dental Association, regular visits to a dentist are a must. The frequency may vary from person to person. For example, someone at a greater risk of developing oral health issues may benefit from four visits yearly. For others, biannual trips to the dentist's office will be sufficient.
Apart from going to the dentist, there are other measures that you can take on your own to strengthen your dental health. For example, following these steps regularly can help keep your mouth healthy and your teeth strong.
- Drink fluoridated water and use fluoride toothpaste.
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- Floss between your teeth to remove dental plaque once every day.
- Visit the dentist at least once yearly if you have dentures or no natural teeth.
- Avoid the use of any tobacco products and quit smoking.
- Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages.
- Try to keep your diabetes under control. This reduces the likelihood of further diseases, such as gum disease.
- If your medication results in dry mouth, consult your doctor about a different medicine that might not produce this side effect. If you cannot avoid this sensation, drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum, and avoid smoking and alcohol.
How do pediatric dentists care for children?
Oral care for children is not the same as for adults—because a child's teeth, gums, and jawbones are still developing. Children begin to get their teeth within the first six months of birth. Their baby teeth fall out when they turn six or seven years old. A permanent or secondary set of teeth then replaces these. Certain childhood habits, such as thumbsucking, if continued for several years, impact the growth of the mouth and teeth alignment. Even the tiniest teeth are at risk of cavities and tooth decay.
If your baby has completed their one-year milestone and hasn't had their first dental visit yet, consider visiting a pediatric dentist near you. Pediatric dentists are experts in oral care for infants, toddlers, adolescents, teens, and children with special needs. A pediatric dentist understands a child's varying temperaments and has experience in working with children who may fear dental appointments or not cooperate during a dental checkup. For these reasons, their office or clinic is designed and decorated with items that keep a child's comfort in mind.
Typically, your children must have routine visits every six months. However, the frequency of visits may also depend on the individual and their specific needs. Consult your pediatric dentist about how often your child should check in. Pediatric dentists offer the following services-
- Assessing the risk of oral cavities in newborns as well as their mothers.
- Preventive care services like dental cleanings and fluoride treatments.
- Diet and nutrition recommendations to prevent cavities.
- Orthodontic assessment, i.e., checking the position of teeth in a child's mouth and offering corrective devices like braces and other orthodontic appliances for an improper bite or misaligned teeth.
- Care for dental trauma such as fractured, displaced, or broken teeth.
- Diagnose oral diseases associated with conditions such as diabetes​, asthma, and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD​).
- Management of gum diseases, mouth ulcers, and pediatric periodontal disease
How can parents and caregivers maintain their child's oral health at home?
Without the necessary dental care during childhood, a child may face early tooth decay ​and gum disease. A child's poor oral health can impact their overall learning abilities and performance at school. Consistent dental care and visiting a pediatric dentist near you for routine checkups can help maintain your child's oral hygiene and prevent oral diseases. Other than that, here are ways parents or caregivers can improve their child's dental hygiene at home-
- For infants or babies younger than two, parents can wipe their gums twice a day with a soft cleaning cloth to wipe away bacteria and sugars that can cause cavities.
- Avoid sugary drinks and foods before the age of one.
- Parents can incorporate a small amount of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a pea, for children between the ages of three and six and help them brush their teeth twice daily.
- Try to make brushing teeth and flossing a fun activity for your kids.
- For children younger than two years, first, speak with your pediatric dentist about fluoride toothpaste.
- If your child wants to start a sport or is training to be an athlete, ensure they wear a soft plastic mouth guard that will protect the mouth from injuries.
Find the best dentists near you in Sugar Land, TX
A toothache that won't stop hurting, sensitivity in your teeth when you consume anything cold, or a sore throat that is not healing can cause hindrances in your day-to-day activities. In such situations, a dentist would be your best bet for getting a diagnosis and treatment. With Zocdoc, you can easily find a good dentist near you in Sugar Land, Texas, from the comfort of your home.
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Dental health statistics for Texas
The 2022 American Cancer Society report estimates around 54,000 new instances of oropharyngeal cancer or oral cavity, with about 11,230 deaths caused by it, in the United States. In 2017, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's United States Cancer Statistics Registry reported a mortality rate of about 2.5 per 100,000 caused by oral cancer in Texas.
A 2019 CDC report shows that more than 1 in 4 (~26%) American adults have untreated tooth decay. According to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System's (BRFSS) 2020 survey, around 13.7% of adults over 65 in Texas reported losing all of their natural teeth due to tooth decay and over 13.2% by gum disease. It showed an incidence rate of roughly 4.4 per 100,000 for oropharyngeal HPV (Human Papillomavirus) associated cancer in Texas in 2017. Of these, nearly 1.3% were of the adult population aged 18 to 49 years.
In December 2018, the Texas Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) provided data mentioning more than 50% of the Texas high school student population reported sore teeth or mouth in the past 12 months. Over 7.2% visited an emergency room for teeth or mouth-related problems in 2017.
Sources
American Cancer Society
American Dental Association
American Dental Education Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[3]
National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards
WebMD[1]
Soft Touch Dental
Healthline
HealthyChildren.org[1]
HealthyChildren.org[2]
National Center for Biotechnology Information
WebMD[2]
FamilyDoctor.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[4]
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Nationwide Children's Hospital
MouthHealthy[1]
MouthHealthy[2]
National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center
