Who is a dentist?
A dentist is a healthcare professional who can diagnose, treat, and prevent conditions of the teeth and mouth—from cavities to gum disease to tooth decay. The profession requires extensive training, knowledge, specialized equipment, and medications to treat patients.
Education and training of dentists in the United States of America
Dental candidates undergo a similar study path to medical doctors to become dentists. To apply to dental schools, you must complete an undergraduate program related to biology, chemistry, health, or mathematics and earn a bachelor's degree in science. A dental admissions test (DAT) follows. Training involves:
- Two years of biomedical science followed by two years of clinical practice
- Completing a Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine degree
- Getting through written and practical exams to get a dental license
What are some common dental subspecialties?
Additional training for two to three years after dental school is necessary if a dentist wishes to specialize. They then become experts in treating specific dental issues and may be called subspecialists. Some dental subspecialties you may have heard of before include:
- Pediatric dentistry: Also called pedodontists, pediatric dentists care for children, adolescents, and teens. These healthcare professionals also provide risk assessment for caries in mother and child, care for dental injuries, and correction of an improper bite. They may also diagnose oral conditions associated with congenital heart defects, asthma, and diabetes.
- Endodontics: An endodontist tackles issues that affect the tooth pulp. These specialists focus on saving teeth severely damaged by decay, injuries, or abscesses. They perform root canal treatment, endodontic surgery, and emergency dental surgery (to repair complex dental injuries).
- Prosthodontics: This branch of dentistry involves creating dental fixtures such as dentures, implants, bridges, and crowns, which look similar to natural teeth.
- Orthodontics: Your bite, or how your upper and lower teeth fit together, impacts oral health and function. The orthodontic branch of dentistry focuses on straightening teeth and aligning your bite. Orthodontists treat crooked, rotated, overlapping, and crowded teeth. Orthodontists offer treatment like retainers, braces, and clear aligners.
- Periodontics: Periodontists usually treat conditions that affect the gums (for example, gum recession and periodontal disease). That's why they are called gum specialists. They also treat conditions such as bone loss related to the tissues surrounding your teeth. Individuals genetically predisposed to gum diseases may need to see a periodontist for cleanings frequently.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Specialists treat injuries, diseases, and abnormalities in the jawbone and other orofacial structures. They also remove wisdom teeth.
- Cosmetic dentistry: Cosmetic dentists focus on beautifying your smile. They provide teeth whitening, gum contouring, dental bonding, and veneers. You can see a cosmetic dentist if you have tooth discoloration, chipped or cracked teeth, and small gaps or spaces between your teeth.
- Public health dentistry: Dentists working in public health strive to educate and help patients in community settings. They design programs aimed at disease prevention.
What are the conditions treated by a dentist?
Dental issues cause pain and discomfort, leading to other complexities if left unchecked. Some of the common conditions include the following:
- Tooth decay: Plaque, a thin, sticky layer of bacteria that builds up on the teeth daily, is the leading cause. The bacteria produce harmful acids that can damage the enamel, the hard coating that holds your teeth in place. Moreover, it can cause cavities and lead to other severe dental conditions. Hence, you should brush your teeth regularly to get rid of plaque. You can book an appointment with a dentist near you to get professional scaling done.
- Gum disease: Apart from damaging the enamel, plaque can also affect the gums, causing gum disease. It spreads underneath and along the gum line, causing it to become red and tender. Plaque can also cause bleeding if the condition worsens. Dentists can help prevent further damage that would otherwise lead to tooth loss.
- Dry mouth: As the name implies, it affects a person's ability to salivate normally. Certain medications can cause it and make it hard for people to eat, taste, swallow, or speak. Moreover, it increases the risk of developing cavities and infections.
- Tooth sensitivity: The inability of a person to eat hard or cold foods is due to tooth sensitivity. Exposed roots, cavities, worn-out tooth enamel, gum disease, and fractured teeth can cause sensitivity. In most cases, you can go to a dentist to get treatment. They can perform root canal fillings or replace the lost tissues at the root.
- Oral cancer screening: Dental problems can often worsen into severe conditions if untreated. It can also lead to oral cancer. As a result, getting regular checkups from a dentist for early treatment is essential. Some common reasons for oral cancer include cigarettes, tobacco, and cigars. Dentists can catch and treat early signs of cancer before they develop further.
Why is oral health important?
There are many reasons why oral health is important. It is essential for eating and speaking. Good oral health helps you to chew your food properly, which aids in digestion. It also allows you to communicate clearly and feel understood by others.
Another reason why oral health is so important is that it affects your overall health. Studies have shown a link between ill-kept oral health and chronic conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Therefore, caring for your teeth and gums benefits your mouth and entire body.
Last but not least, having healthy teeth and gums makes you feel good! When your mouth feels good, you feel good overall.
What to expect at a dentist appointment?
Visiting the dentist is crucial for sustaining good oral health. They will clean your teeth, check for caries, and provide other preventive care. They can also detect and treat problems early before they become serious.
Going to the dentist can be a frightening experience, especially if you are new to it. You should know what to expect or what treatments to receive during your appointment. To put your mind at ease and help you prepare for your upcoming visit, here are certain things you need to know:
At your initial appointment, the dentist will record your medical and dental history and ask about any symptoms you may be experiencing.
A physical examination of your mouth, including the teeth and gums, will be performed. The dentist may also want to take X-rays to assess the health of your jawbones. Based on the results, they will formulate a relevant treatment plan.
Five things you must do before every dental visit
Preparing for dental appointments can help you maximize your time with the dentist, avoid embarrassment, and make the experience more comfortable. But are you unsure what you should do to prepare well? Then, here are five tips you can follow before every visit:
- Clean your mouth: You do not want food particles stuck between your teeth or strong-smelling breath when visiting your dentist. It is not just embarrassing for you but also disrespectful to the dentist. Besides, it makes dental cleaning more difficult for the dental hygienist. So, before you head to your appointment, remember to follow your oral hygiene routine: brush your teeth, floss, scrape your tongue, and rinse your mouth thoroughly.
- Prepare a list of new symptoms and queries: Have you noticed any new symptoms since your last visit, such as sensitivity or gum bleeding? Do you have queries about your oral hygiene routine or teeth whitening treatments? Write everything down in your journal or make digital notes for easy reference during the appointment.
- Skip certain types of foods: On the day of your dental visit, do not consume any foods and beverages that are sugary, sticky, strong-smelling, highly pigmented, carbonated, acidic, and extremely hot or cold. It includes popcorn, toffees, beef jerky, garlic, onion, nuts, seeds, berries, coffee, tea, and energy drinks.
- Practice relaxation techniques and carry distractions: If you feel nervous about visiting the dentist, practice deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, and guided imagery the night before your appointment. It can promote a calm mind and positive thoughts. You can also carry comfort items like a stress ball, book, earphones, and a digital device in the waiting room and the dentist's chair.
- Prioritise hydration: A dry mouth can make the oral exam or a dental procedure uncomfortable. You can prevent this by drinking ample water before your appointment.
Foods that are bad for your teeth
Regarding your oral health, what you eat matters; foods high in sugar or acid can eat your tooth enamel, resulting in cavities. While brushing and flossing may remove some of the residue left behind by these foods, it is always best to limit your intake. Here are some common foods that are bad for your teeth:
- Candy: Candy has high sugar, which can lead to cavities. And hard candy can also crack or break your teeth.
- Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits are all acidic. It can wear away at tooth enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to decay.
- Carbonated beverages: Carbonated beverages (like seltzer water and soda) are also acidic. In addition, many sodas contain large amounts of sugar, increasing the chances of getting tooth decay.
- Sticky foods: Sticky foods like caramel toffees and gummy candies can be challenging to remove from your teeth. Cavity risk increases significantly if the remains of sticky foods stay in your teeth for too long.
How do you find the best dentist near you in Union City, Georgia?
The first step to finding a healthcare professional, including dentists, may involve visiting the closest clinic. A quick search on the internet may reveal a list of professionals close to you. Even then, you might have to call clinics to find out whether they accept your insurance, are well-equipped to treat your condition, and more.
Zocdoc eliminates this hassle for you. Joining Zocdoc is simple and will not cost you a buck. You can filter doctors based on your requirements once you download the Zocdoc app or visit the official website. It includes your insurance plan, language, preferred gender, and location.
Once you enter all this information, a quick scan through the database will provide you with a list of professionals best suited to your needs. For example, describe your symptoms, zip code, and insurance plan to find the best dentist in Union City, Georgia. Each doctor's profile will give you more detailed information on qualifications, location, and even verified reviews from past patients.
Our insurance detector will guide you if you need help finding an in-network provider and easily pick the best dentist near you. You can manually browse and select your insurance carrier and plan from the drop-down menu given on the Zocdoc website, or you can upload a photo of your insurance card. This option is helpful if you cannot find your specific insurance plan. Once you upload a photo, Zocdoc will scan the image of your card and show you a plan that best matches your card. Note that you can use this option for medical insurance cards only. It excludes dental and vision cards. If you need assistance uploading your insurance card, contact Zocdoc's service team. You can also visit Zocdoc's patient help center for answers to other insurance-related FAQs.
Zocdoc allows you to schedule video appointments before an in-person visit to get to know your dentist better. Look for the purple video icon on your dentist's profile to do so.
All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free!
Statistics about dentists in Georgia
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2024, 3,260 general dentists and 80 dental specialists were legally practicing in Georgia.
According to the 2025 estimates by the American Cancer Society, new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer in the U.S. were approximately 59,660. The organization also predicted that 12,770 people would lose their lives to this deadly cancer.
According to the Cancer Statistics Center, approximately 1,870 people will be diagnosed with oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer, and 410 people will die from the cancer in 2025.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
WebMD[3]
Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Cleveland Clinic[4]
Cleveland Clinic[5]
Healthychildren.org
Dorsey Family Dental
Smile Perfection
Trident Smiles Dental
Healthline
Life Smiles Dental Studio
American Cancer Society
Cancer Statistics Center
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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