Who is a dentist?
Dentists are certified doctors specializing in oral health. They can diagnose oral diseases and formulate treatment plans to restore and maintain their patients' dental and oral health. Although these doctors can effectively manage general dentistry concerns, they also make referrals to other specialists, like orthodontists, if needed.
Apart from treating the teeth and gums, dentists also treat disorders of the head, neck, jaw muscles, salivary glands, tongue, and the related nervous system. Moreover, during a dental examination, they also check for swellings, lumps, ulcers, discolorations, and any other abnormalities in the oral cavity; this helps them detect any early oral manifestations of other systemic diseases. These doctors are also responsible for performing other appropriate diagnostic procedures like cancer screenings, biopsies, salivary gland functions, and diagnostic tests for infectious or chronic diseases.
New scientific studies in recent years have proved that poor oral health and hygiene don't just cause gum disease and dental cavities but are also directly linked to various other health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
What are the different types of dentists?
The different subspecialties within dentistry include the following:
- Pediatric dentist or pedodontist - This specialty focuses on the primary and comprehensive oral healthcare needs of infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatric dentists can detect the early signs of tooth decay, falling teeth, crowding or crooked teeth, and other oral disorders in children. They also oversee dental development in children from infancy through their teenage years.
- Oral medicine - The oral medicine specialty focuses on medically complex patients' oral health care needs. These specialists diagnose, treat, and manage oral and maxillofacial issues arising due to the ongoing medical treatment of patients.
- Orthodontist - This field of dentistry focuses on diagnosing, preventing, managing, and treating malocclusion or crooked teeth. It also deals with the skeletal and neuromuscular abnormalities in the mature or developing oral structures. Orthodontists use braces, retainers, and other corrective dental appliances to achieve straight teeth and improve the bite of their patients.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathologist - This specialization combines dentistry and pathology to investigate the causes, effects, and processes of diseases affecting the mouth, face, and jaws.
- Endodontist - The endodontics specialty focuses on issues affecting the soft dental pulp present inside the tooth. It consists of nerve tissue and blood vessels. Endodontists perform root canals and endodontic surgery.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiologist - This specialty combines dentistry and radiology to interpret data and images to diagnose and treat disorders affecting the oral and maxillofacial region (mouth, jaws, and face).
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeon - This specialization uses surgery to treat defects, injuries, and diseases affecting the aesthetic and functional characteristics of the oral and maxillofacial region's soft and hard tissues. It includes surgery to the mouth, face, and jaw. These specialists work to remove masses, cysts, and tumors present in the jaw area.
- Dental public health - This specific field of dentistry focuses on preventing and controlling dental disorders and promoting people's dental health through dental care and dental research.
- Prosthodontist - This dental specialty focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing deficient or missing teeth and oral and maxillofacial tissues with biocompatible appliances. Prosthodontists work to replace missing teeth and repair natural teeth in patients. They use crowns or dentures as permanent replacements for extracted or missing teeth.
- Dental anesthesiologist - This specialization combines dentistry and anesthesiology to manage anxiety and pain and improve patient safety when performing oral, dental, and maxillofacial surgical or diagnostic procedures.
- Periodontist - Periodontics is a dental field focusing on diagnosing, treating, and preventing issues affecting the gums and the supporting bone structures of the teeth. Periodontists treat gingivitis and periodontitis (bones and gum disease).
- Orofacial pain - This specialty of dentistry focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing various pain disorders affecting the face, mouth, neck, head, and jaws.
Why should you visit a dentist?
In addition to seeking an emergency dentist for severe dental issues, preventive care is crucial. There are many compelling reasons why you should prioritize regular visits to the dentist, ideally every six months.
- Proactive preventive measures - Dentists perform comprehensive examinations to identify potential problems, including oral cancer, gum disease, or cavities. These routine check-ups are essential for preventing more serious dental issues down the line. Dental hygienists also play a crucial role by cleaning teeth to remove plaque and tartar, which are the significant causes of decay and gum disease. Your dentist will guide you on maintaining excellent oral hygiene at home.
- Addressing discomfort and pain - If you experience discomfort or aches in your teeth, mouth, jaws, or gums, visiting a dentist near you is essential. Swelling or discomfort in the mouth, face, or neck could indicate an underlying issue that needs attention. A dentist should also evaluate symptoms like bleeding gums or difficulty chewing or swallowing to determine their cause.
Ensuring ongoing maintenance and health - Regular dental visits are essential if you've had previous dental procedures to ensure everything is in good condition. Dentists can also help coordinate dental care with overall health management, particularly for pregnant individuals, tobacco users, or those with chronic medical conditions.
What to expect during an oral examination?
Regular oral exams play a key role in keeping your dental health on track. These visits help your dentist catch potential issues early, which can stop bigger problems from developing later. This is what you can expect during the exam:
- Physical examination of the mouth and throat
During an oral examination, checking your mouth and throat is a key part of evaluating your overall oral health. Your dentist starts by inspecting your tongue, lips, gums, and other soft tissues for infection or abnormalities. They look for redness, swelling, or lesions that might point to underlying problems.
Next, your dentist examines your teeth for cavities, cracks, or signs of decay. They may use dental instruments to gently probe along your gum line to check for gum disease or periodontal pockets. This step helps pinpoint areas that might need more attention or treatment.
Your dentist also checks your bite and jaw function to make sure there are no problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). A close look at these areas helps identify early signs of potential issues and allows the dentist to give you the right preventive care recommendations.
- Dental X-rays or imaging tests
When it’s time for dental X-rays, your dentist might ask you to wear a protective apron to shield your body from radiation. The process is fast and painless, as the dental assistant positions the imaging device around your head to capture detailed pictures of your teeth and jaw.
These X-rays help spot hidden problems like cavities between teeth, impacted wisdom teeth, or bone loss from gum disease. With today’s technology, dentists can take high-quality digital X-rays that use far less radiation than older film versions.
Sometimes, your dentist may suggest additional imaging like cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) or panoramic X-rays to get a full view of your oral structures. These advanced tests are especially useful when planning treatments like dental implants or orthodontic work.
Oral cancer screening is an important part of your exam. Your provider will check your mouth carefully for any signs that could suggest oral cancer.
They examine your lips, tongue, cheeks, palate, and throat, looking for red or white patches, sores that aren’t healing, lumps, or swelling. Catching oral cancer at early stages can make a big difference in treatment and recovery.
- Periodontal assessment and cleaning
During the periodontal assessment, your dentist checks the health of your gums and supporting teeth structures. This step helps detect early signs of gum disease or gingivitis. Using a small probe, they assess how deep the space is between your gums and teeth. Deeper pockets may signal inflammation or infection.
Once your gum health is assessed, the dental hygienist performs a thorough cleaning to eliminate plaque and tartar. With specialized tools, they clean above and below your gumline to help prevent gum disease from worsening. This cleaning supports healthy gums and helps avoid problems like bleeding gums or bad breath.
- Final recommendations and next steps
After the exam, your dentist will share their final recommendations based on what they found. They may suggest treatments or preventive steps to help keep your oral health on track. What you do next will depend on the results and whether any follow-up care is needed.
If the exam reveals any concerns, your dentist will go over the possible treatment options with you. In some cases, you might need additional visits for more specialized care or procedures.
Dental health and hygiene in various age groups
Prenatal oral health: Pregnancy can cause many changes in the body, even in the oral cavity. In some women, pregnancy may make them more prone to dental cavities. Since bacteria cause tooth decay, mothers risk passing these on to their babies both during delivery and after, leading to poor oral health in the baby. Focusing on dental health and hygiene during pregnancy can effectively prevent early cavities in the baby. Therefore, get your teeth examined and cleaned, and complete any pending dental work early to avoid poor pregnancy outcomes or cavities in babies.
Infant and children's oral health: Infants have their first (primary) or baby teeth erupt when the child is about six to eight months old. And by the time the child is three years old, their mouth has all twenty primary teeth. These primary teeth are crucial; they help the child eat, speak, and create space for permanent teeth. As the child grows and their jaw grows, more space is made in the mouth, and permanent teeth replace each baby tooth. This process continues till 13 years of age. If good dental hygiene practices are not incorporated at an early age, this may also lead to weakened enamel and future dental problems in permanent teeth.
Oral health in older adults: After 50 years of age, daily oral care is essential to maintain good oral health and preserve natural teeth. Brush twice daily. Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft bristle toothbrush. Use dental floss daily to clean the teeth. Eat a balanced diet, and avoid starch and sugary foods. Drink fluoridated water regularly, and replace your toothbrush after 4 to 5 months.
Finding the best dentist near you in Whitestone, New York
With Zocdoc, you can easily find the best and most experienced board-certified dentists for all your dental concerns in Whitestone, New York. This website has a detailed list of verified and skilled dentists.
Finding the best dentist is simple: Create a free account on Zocdoc. Next, choose your specialty or condition, location, date, and insurance plan. A comprehensive list of doctors based on your search criteria will appear. Zocdoc has partnered with qualified, experienced dentists in Whitestone, New York, who provide comprehensive advice and treatment to patients. You can also find skilled emergency dentists near you for more pressing dental concerns that need immediate care.
You can even use the Zocdoc insurance detector if you need clarification regarding your insurance plan. Uploading a photo of your medical insurance card can also streamline the process of selecting your insurance plan on Zocdoc, but it is not mandatory. If you do not wish to upload a photo, you can manually enter your insurance information by selecting your plan from a list. If you need help uploading your insurance card or have other queries regarding the platform, contact Zocdoc's service team. Additionally, you can go through Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related FAQs.
Further, each board-certified dentist on Zocdoc has a profile that includes a brief introduction, educational qualifications, practice location, patient reviews, and visit reasons. Therefore, you get to know everything you need about a particular provider before you visit.
Moreover, Zocdoc asks patients to leave reviews after each appointment. Therefore, the best way to find the most trusted dentists is to read updated patient reviews. Additionally, you can filter the search results on gender if you're specifically looking for female or male dentists near you. You can also book video appointments on Zocdoc before an in-person visit to better understand your specialist. Look for a purple video icon on dentists' profiles or filter the video appointment selection.
Book appointments with the best dentists seamlessly through this platform. All Zocdoc bookings are simple, secure, and free!
Impact of oral diseases in the US
Dental cavities, caries, or tooth decay is the most commonly reported oral disorder among children in the USA. Many children suffer from preventable dental diseases due to inadequate home care, parents' lack of awareness, and limited dental care access.
According to the New York State Department of Health website, approximately 51 million school hours are lost due to such dental conditions. Moreover, poor oral health among children often results in poor school performance, social relationships, and quality of life.
In adults, oral diseases directly impact one's ability to perform efficiently at work, eat healthy food, and maintain good health and well-being. According to the New York State Department of Health website, approximately 164 million work hours are lost yearly due to dental visits or oral health conditions. Besides this, oral cavities and infections can also lead to respiratory ailments (lung or pulmonary disease), heart diseases, etc. Patients may even lose their teeth without adequate, timely interventions. A study supporting this claim states that about 30% of adults in the 65+ age group report losing all their natural teeth. Therefore, maintaining good dental and oral health is essential for overall good health and well-being.
Statistics on dental care in New York, USA
According to the data published on the New York State Department of Health website (revised Feb 2022), about 69.6% of adults reported visiting a dentist at least once a year. The dental caries outpatient visits rate was 134 per 10,000 in the 3 to 5 age group, less than 154 per 10,000 in 2018. Additionally, about 62.2% of children in the 2-20 age group reported at least one dental visit under government-sponsored insurance programs, a significant improvement compared to about 60.6% in 2018. Regarding cancer, the oral cavity and pharynx cancer incidence and mortality rates were about 14 and 3 per 100,000, respectively, similar to the 2017 incidence and mortality rates.
The year 2020 teeth extractions data published on America's Health Rankings website states that about 12% of adults in the 65+ age group (11.9% of females and 12.1% of males) reported having all teeth removed due to gum disease or tooth decay, which was lower than the US average of 13.4%. Adequate care and regular dental screenings significantly help prevent such tooth loss.
Sources
WebMD
Healthline
New York State Department of Health[1]
New York State Department of Health[2]
New York State Department of Health[3]
New York State Department of Health[4]
New York State Department of Health[5]
America's Health Rankings
Webster Dental
Brandon H. Barton Jr. D.D.S., P.C.
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