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Who is a dentist?

Dentists are healthcare professionals trained to maintain dental hygiene and health. They focus on diagnosing and treating problems concerning the mouth, teeth, gums, jaw, and salivary glands. These doctors use lasers, drills, forceps, X-ray machines, ozone therapy, and other devices to provide holistic patient care. There are multiple responsibilities that dentists have; some of them are: 

• Educating the public about the importance of dental hygiene and how to maintain it 
• Cavity filling, root canal treatment (RCT), teeth straightening, and removal of tooth decay or damaged tooth
• Assessing the abnormal growth in jaw bones, gums, or teeth 
• Administering anesthesia to perform various procedures 
• Providing painkillers and other medication for pain relief 
• Teeth cleaning and polishing in regular intervals to provide patients with a confident white smile 

Dentists rarely work solo; they usually have a team of assistant dentists, lab assistants, and hygienists. They may work in private dental clinics, government hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, and surgical care facilities. Apart from general dentists, there are various other specialty practicing dentists, such as pediatric dentists, periodontists, endodontists, orthodontists, prosthodontists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. If you need clarification about which specialist to visit, your dentist can refer you to one.

Education and training of dentists 

Dentists undergo years of study and training to start working as licensed and board-certified professionals. They complete a four-year undergraduate degree, preferably in biology, science, or math. Pass the DAT (Dental Admission Test) and get themselves enrolled in a reputed dental school for further education. It is accompanied by four years of medical education and clinical experience. After the completion, students are awarded a D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a D.M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) degree. The curriculum of both degrees is roughly the same.

Doctors must obtain a state license to continue their work as professionals. They then pass various written and practical examinations authorized by the American Dental Association and get their licenses. Some dentists aspire to study further in a sub-specialty of dentistry and obtain certifications. For this, they must complete a post-graduate residency program of 1-3 years, which can be extended based on the chosen specialty.

Types of dental specialists 

Various dental specialists concentrate on specific areas of dental care, each requiring additional training beyond their foundational dental education. Following graduation from an accredited dental school, these specialists undergo two to three years of specialized training in their chosen field.

The following guide serves as a roadmap to help you navigate the various dental specialties and identify the professional best suited to address your unique needs:

• Pediatric dentists (pedodontists): Specializing in the dental care of infants, children, and adolescents, pedodontists create a welcoming and age-appropriate environment for your young ones.  
• Orthodontists: Experts in tooth alignment and bite correction, orthodontists utilize braces, retainers, and other corrective appliances to help patients achieve a healthy and aesthetically pleasing smile.  
• Endodontists: Endodontists specialize in root canal therapy. Although many general dentists also perform root canals, your dentist may refer you to an endodontist in more complicated cases. 
• Periodontists: The gums and supporting bone structures are a periodontist's domain. They diagnose and treat gum disease while also addressing related issues such as bone loss.  
• Prosthodontists: Skilled in crafting natural-looking replacements for missing teeth, prosthodontists create crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants to restore both function and aesthetics.  
• Oral and maxillofacial surgeons: These experts perform complex surgical procedures involving the jaw, mouth, and facial structures, including wisdom teeth removal, facial trauma treatment, and dental implant placement.
• Oral and maxillofacial pathologists: These specialists provide diagnoses for complex dental cases by studying the underlying causes of oral diseases.  
• Oral and maxillofacial radiologists: Interpreting dental X-rays for dentists to make informed treatment decisions falls under the expertise of oral radiologists.  
• Dental public health professionals: Focused on improving oral health within communities, these specialists develop programs for disease prevention and access to dental care.  
• Dental anesthesiologists: Pain management during complex dental surgeries is the specialty of dental anesthesiologists, ensuring patient comfort during procedures.  
• Oral medicine specialists: These dentists manage patients with chronic medical conditions that impact their oral health.  
• Orofacial pain management professionals: Specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pain in the face, jaws, and teeth, these specialists offer relief for chronic pain conditions.

What conditions do dentists treat?

Dentists diagnose and treat various conditions, including the following:

• Cavities: Cavities (tooth decay) are a common ailment. It occurs when plaque combines with the starches and/or sugar in the food you eat to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. To prevent tooth decay, brush twice a day, floss daily, avoid high-sugar food and drinks, and get regular dental check-ups.
• Tooth sensitivity: A common concern, tooth sensitivity involves pain and discomfort from hot or cold drinks, ice cream, sweets, cold air, etc. It can be painful to brush and/or floss sensitive teeth. Consult a dentist if you experience heightened tooth sensitivity. They can determine the cause of the problem (sensitivity is among the symptoms of cracked and abscessed teeth) and treat it accordingly. 
• Tooth erosion: Tooth erosion refers to the loss of tooth structure caused by acid attacking tooth enamel. Its symptoms range from tooth sensitivity to more severe problems like cracking. While tooth erosion is common, proper oral care can easily prevent it.
• Root infection: Root infections develop if tooth decay is not treated correctly, allowing bacteria to weaken the root of your teeth. Long-lasting, throbbing tooth pain is one of the main symptoms of this condition. If you have a root infection, your dentist will perform root canal treatment. During this procedure, they will remove the bacteria from your canal and seal your tooth with a crown or filling.
• Halitosis (bad breath): Halitosis is usually a symptom of dental conditions like cavities, gum disease, dry mouth, and oral cancer. While mouthwash can temporarily mask the odor associated with this condition, you should see a dentist if you have chronic bad breath. They can help detect the root cause of the problem and treat it accordingly.
• Periodontal (gum) disease: Periodontal disease, a major cause of adult tooth loss, is an infection in the gums around your teeth. Its symptoms include pain while chewing, tooth sensitivity, bad breath, and swollen or tender gums.

What are some of the most common dental procedures? 

Depending on the severity and type of your dental problem, a dentist near you may recommend any of the following procedures:

• Teeth cleaning: This involves removing food debris, plaque, and tartar buildup from the teeth to help prevent problems like cavities and gum disease. 
• Dental fissure sealants: This procedure involves your dentist applying a protective layer to the grooves or fissures of the chewing teeth to prevent tooth decay. 
• Dental fillings: These are made of materials such as porcelain, metal, or resin. After removing the decayed tooth matter, the dentist fills the cleaned-out area with a filling material to restore the standard tooth shape and function. 
• Dental bridges: This involves fitting false teeth in the gaps created due to missing teeth.  
• Dentures: These are removable artificial teeth that fit onto the gums to replace missing teeth. Different types of dentures include full, partial, or temporary dentures.
• Dental crown: This crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fits on top of the treated tooth to help protect it from further damage and restore its normal form and function. You can choose caps of different materials such as metals, porcelain, resin, and ceramics.
• Tooth extraction: This is the process of removing the whole tooth. Common reasons for this procedure are tooth decay or damage, gum disease, and overcrowding. 
• Root canal: This may be necessary if a cavity or cracked tooth is left untreated and bacteria infect the pulp. The infected pulp is removed, and the space is then filled with a filling material. A dental crown is also fitted to protect the tooth.

Why is oral health so important? 

Our body harbors good and harmful bacteria. The same is true for the mouth; however, harmful bacteria in access can lead to tooth decay and bad breath. This bacteria gets activated with the help of plaque and sugary foods, causing acid production, which dissolves the enamel, eventually leading to teeth erosion. On the other hand, numerous studies have established a link between bad oral hygiene and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, osteoporosis, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections. Hence, it is vital to maintain a hygienic and healthy oral cavity. Here are a few reasons stating the significance of oral health:

• Prevention of heart diseases and other problems: Studies show that patients diagnosed with heart problems or diabetes often have gum diseases or tooth decay. The bacteria in the mouth travel into your blood, causing inflammation in the blood vessels, eventually reaching the heart. Some other diseases directly linked to poor oral health are endocarditis, sepsis, Ludwig's angina, etc. 
• Prevention of tooth loss: Tooth loss is often caused by excessive plaque, which results in tooth decay or gum diseases. Maintaining good oral health by brushing twice and flossing can help retain natural teeth. It also helps keep gums stronger and prevent bone loss.
• Minimizes cancer risk: Bad oral health reduces the risk of oral as well as other types of cancers, such as gallbladder cancer, breast cancer, and skin cancer. Suffering from gum disease or having a history increases the chances of having oral cancer. 
• Fewer pregnancy complications: Women with good oral health have a high chance of having a healthy baby with adequate birth weight. Tooth decay and gum diseases can cause the release of a chemical that leads to premature labor and inflammation. Pregnant women are advised to maintain the best oral health and go for routine dental checkups. 
• Encourages self-confidence: Health should always be a priority and taken seriously. A healthy body keeps all your organs healthy and boosts your self-confidence. When someone has good oral health, confidence gleams through their smile. Having smudged or yellow teeth poses no harm, but it can make you a little self-conscious. Regular cleaning and polishing will help you gain confidence and protect you from dental problems. 

Finding the best dentist near you in West Covina, California

Selecting the right trained dentist who meets your requirements is crucial in maintaining oral health. Additionally, patients are more inclined toward doctors who are empathetic and humble. It is because if someone is suffering from pain, they want the expert to listen, understand, and treat. Finding the perfect doctor can be tricky, but Zocdoc has simplified this process. 

Start by registering on the comprehensive yet easy-to-use platform curated for your medical needs. Start your search for specialists by entering your condition, location, preferable appointment date, and insurance plans in the search bar. Zocdoc will then provide a list of doctors matching your preferred criteria. 

In case you are unable to find your particular insurance plan listed on Zocdoc, you have the option to upload an image of your insurance card. Zocdoc will then scan the card image and retrieve your plan details. It's important to note that this feature applies exclusively to medical insurance cards and does not extend to vision and dental cards. Should you need assistance uploading your card, reach out to Zocdoc's service team, ready to assist with any platform-related inquiries. For additional clarification on insurance-related issues, be sure to refer to Zocdoc's patient help center.

You can view and analyze each doctor's profile, which contains information about them such as their gender, education, specifications, location, patients' reviews, etc. You can also schedule an in-person or a video call appointment with the dentist near you based on your preference. To ensure the service provider offers video call appointments, look for a purple icon near their profile. 

Booking an appointment on Zocdoc is simple, secure, and accessible! 

Oral healthcare statistics in Covina, Los Angeles County 

Inadequate oral healthcare, which results in tooth decay and gum problems, has become common in the country. As per the Disease Burden and Prevention Report 2021, 45% of kindergarten children and 65% of third graders are affected by tooth decay. Around 40% of adults have the problem of tooth decay, resulting in permanent tooth loss. 

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends having dental checkups every six months, but people fear they will have to endure the pain if they visit. However, dental checkups are usually pain-free. It's always better to stop a disease from becoming too severe than wait until its complications ensue. It is also especially true in cases of cancer. A study published by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health in April 2021 identified approximately 4,762 mouth and throat cancer cases in 2012-2016. Moreover, the study also stated that the number of people not going for even annual dental checkups amounted to 75% in adults and 50% in children. These percentages reveal the urgency to have regular dental checkups and maintain good oral hygiene.

Sources

WebMD

Colgate

Smile Arizona General Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry

Mayo Clinic

Locust Family Dentistry

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Isaacson Gentle Dentistry

Cleveland Clinic

Verywell Health

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.