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Dentists and their role in oral health

Good oral health is as important as caring for the rest of your body. It includes the care and management of your teeth, gums, and oral-facial system, which allow you to chew, speak, swallow, smile, and convey several other facial expressions. Despite all these functions, oral health is still ignored by many. From nutritional deficiencies to general infections, these conditions often exhibit signs and symptoms early in the mouth. 

Dentists are healthcare specialists who manage oral health and hygiene. They treat or prevent tooth decay, teeth or jaw misalignment, and gum diseases. A dentist's responsibilities also include trauma management and patient cosmesis.

Most people often believe they must visit a dental consultant only when in pain or experiencing symptoms. However, regular visits to your specialist once every six months can help diagnose oral diseases earlier and help prevent them. Mouth and throat cancers are examples of life-threatening illnesses that can be cured if detected early through regular screenings and checkups. In such cases, dentists can also make referrals to other specialists if needed. 

Besides this, it's also essential to follow a proper hygiene regimen daily to avoid dental caries. It is even more critical if you have recently received dental prosthetics or undergone orofacial surgery. Dental specialists can help guide you on the proper brushing and flossing practices to maintain good oral hygiene. Further, they may also make lifestyle recommendations based on your eating, smoking, and drinking habits.

Types of dentists

The different subspecialties within dentistry include the following:

• Pediatric dentist or pedodontist: The specialty focuses on the primary and comprehensive oral healthcare issues 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: This specialty focuses on patients' medically complex oral health care needs. These specialists diagnose, treat, and manage oral and maxillofacial issues arising from patients' ongoing medical treatment. 
• Orthodontist: This specialty focuses on diagnosing, preventing, managing, and treating malocclusion or crooked teeth. It also deals with skeletal and neuromuscular abnormalities in mature or developing oral structures. Orthodontists use braces, retainers, and other corrective dental gear to straighten teeth and improve the bite. 
• Oral and maxillofacial pathologists: The specialty combines dentistry and pathology to investigate the causes, effects, and processes of diseases affecting the mouth, face, and jaws.
• Endodontist: Endodontists focus on issues affecting the soft tissue, which consists of nerve tissue and blood vessels inside the teeth. They perform root canals and endodontic surgery.
• Oral and maxillofacial radiologist: The 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: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons use surgery to treat defects, injuries, and diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial region, including surgery on the mouth, face, and jaw. They help with the aesthetic and functional characteristics of the soft and hard tissues and remove masses, cysts, and tumors in the jaw area. 
• Dental public health: The specialty focuses on preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting people's dental health through dental care and dental research. 
• Prosthodontist: The 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: The specialty combines dentistry and anesthesiology to manage anxiety and pain and improve patient safety when performing oral, dental, and maxillofacial surgical or diagnostic procedures.
• Periodontist: Periodontists focus on diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases affecting the gums and the supporting bone structures of the teeth. They treat gingivitis and periodontitis (bones and gum disease).
• Orofacial pain: The specialty focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing various pain disorders affecting the face, mouth, neck, head, and jaws.

Causes and symptoms of poor oral health

Poor oral health is a top cause of excruciating pain and an increased financial burden to most people. It can also affect an individual's functionality in everyday work, causing personal and social problems. It significantly affects the quality of life as well. As mentioned above, almost nine in ten conditions manifest in the mouth first. Therefore, it is essential to watch for emerging health issues. A few symptoms to look out for include the following:

• Bleeding and sore gums: Gum diseases can lead to aching or bleeding gums. They are often more severe in people with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, potentially leading to a focus of infection in the body. They also increase the risk of gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums. 
• Irregular patches, sores, or lumps in your mouth: Irregular patches or sores often indicate white or yellowish canker sores. But to be sure, you need to see a dentist. It could also be a fungal infection or a premalignant condition. 
• Leukoplakia: Oral cancer is among the most common cancers in the US, often starting as a small red or white patch in the mouth. Unlike fungal infections, these patches cannot be scraped off. This precancerous condition is usually the first sign of oral cancer in the mouth and is termed leukoplakia. This condition is more common in individuals who smoke, use tobacco or consume alcohol. 
• Jaw, gums, or tooth pain: Your dentists can help you identify the cause of jaw pain or discomfort, often caused by simple and treatable conditions such as sinus problems, gum diseases, or toothache. However, it is also essential to be aware that discomfort in the jaw could also be referred to as pain from a heart attack. Knowing this could help save your life or your loved ones.
• Loose teeth: Unexpected tooth fallout or movement is a sign of advanced gum disease or underlying cancer. Tooth loss could also be an early sign of osteoporosis, which causes decreased bone density and tooth fallout.
• Recurring bad breath: A dry mouth or stuck food and plaque can result in bad breath. However, gingivitis and gum diseases also contribute to recurring bad breath. It can eventually lead to social withdrawal. Dental specialists can treat bad breath and dry mouth adequately by managing the underlying cause and offering regular cleanups.

Treatments and procedures

During a visit to the dentist near you, you will be asked about your overall health and medications, as these can affect your oral health. The dentist uses small instruments like mirrors and probes to examine each tooth for decay, gum disease, and other issues. Soft tissues in the mouth are also inspected for signs of oral cancer. X-rays may be necessary for difficult-to-see problems. If issues are detected, treatment options and costs will be discussed.

• Professional teeth cleaning removes debris like food particles and plaque from teeth, preventing gum disease. Cleaning and polishing with a rotating brush help maintain healthy teeth and gums. Your dental professional can advise on oral hygiene between appointments.
• Dental fissure sealants protect teeth, especially molars and premolars, from decay by forming a barrier on the biting surface. The dentist often recommends them for children to reduce decay risk in permanent teeth.
• Dental fillings treat cavities that occur due to tooth decay. After removing decay, the dentist seals the cavity with filling material. Tooth-colored materials like resin composite restore the tooth's appearance and function.
• Dental treatments for restoring teeth, such as composite resins, veneers, and crowns, restore damaged teeth's appearance, shape, and function. These options address issues like chipped or discolored teeth.
• Root canal treatment replaces damaged tooth pulp with filling material. It involves extracting the damaged pulp, cleaning the root canals, and sealing the tooth. The tooth is then covered with a proper filling or a crown to preserve it.
• Tooth removal (extraction): Extensively damaged or decayed teeth may need to be extracted. Wisdom teeth causing problems may also be removed. Sedation or general anesthesia may be offered for complex procedures.
• Dentures replace natural teeth and can be made immediately after teeth removal. They require daily removal and cleaning. Mouthguards protect teeth during sports to prevent injury.
• Dental implants: The dentist near you may use implants to replace missing teeth by surgically fixing an artificial device into the jawbone. They require multiple appointments and expertise but have high success rates.
• Orthodontic treatment corrects jaw and tooth position abnormalities, often with braces or removable devices. Retainers maintain correct tooth positions post-treatment, and jaw surgery may be necessary for extensive corrections.

Which foods are bad for your teeth? 

Certain foods and beverages can cause plaque buildup, eventually causing cavities and tooth decay. While you need not avoid these foods, eating them in moderation can help prevent tooth erosion. Some common foods considered bad for your teeth include the following:

• Sodas and sweet beverages: All carbonated drinks, including diet sodas, contain sugar, which allows plaque to produce more acid in the mouth, leading to tooth enamel erosion. Sodas also tend to dry the mouth, leading to lesser saliva production and triggering the decay process.
• Sweet, sticky, and sour candies: These contain added sugars that feed toxic bacteria in the mouth and break down the enamel. Sour candies may also contain acids that are tougher on the teeth. Sticky candies tend to remain on the teeth if not brushed out properly. These factors lead to cavity formation and tooth decay.
• Sugary cereal and baked goods: These products contain high sugar, which may not be the best way to start the day. Instead of eating ready-to-eat breakfasts and cereals, you can switch to a low-sugar breakfast like oatmeal and fruit.
• Refined foods and white bread: When we chew bread, the saliva in our mouth breaks down the starches into sugar, which can cause cavities. Furthermore, starchy foods tend to get stuck between teeth, so less refined carbs, like whole grains, are a better choice.
• Citrus fruit juices: These include lemon, grapefruit, and orange juice containing vitamin C. Even though these are healthy to consume, citrus juices are highly acidic, and this can cause the tooth enamel to erode. Rinsing the mouth after drinking acidic fruit juices can help avoid cavities.
• Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can dry out the mouth and lessen saliva production, which is required to wash away food particles and prevent them from sticking to teeth.

Finding the best dentist in Wichita, Kansas

Finding the best dental specialist for you or your loved ones can be challenging. There are multiple things you should consider before booking an appointment. Especially for your dental screening twice a year, you should see a specialist you trust and are comfortable with. Well, worry not; Zocdoc is here to help.

Zocdoc is a platform that will provide you with unique profiles of all dentists. You can review their qualifications, certifications, accreditations, licenses, and much more to select. Not just that, Zocdoc also allows you to filter your options based on visit type, gender, specialty, language, availability, etc.  

Moreover, if you prefer to keep your insurance information private from your provider, Zocdoc offers options to accommodate your preferences when booking appointments. Upon scheduling, you can either share your insurance details or indicate that you'll be paying out-of-pocket. Some providers may necessitate insurance information for appointment booking purposes. 

However, Zocdoc allows you to explore alternative dentists near you who align with your preferences and requirements if you opt not to utilize insurance or do not possess insurance coverage. You can include medical, dental, and vision insurance plans in your Zocdoc account if you have multiple insurance plans. However, you can only search for and schedule appointments with one insurance plan at a time. You can specify your secondary carrier and plan for the provider in the notes section during the final step of the booking process. Moreover, if your provider uses Zocdoc's intake forms, you may add secondary insurance while filling out your forms online. For further insurance-related FAQs, refer to Zocdoc's patient help center. 

With its user-friendly interface, you can register yourself for free and use it to find the best dentist accepting new patients near you in minutes. Zocdoc makes booking appointments seamlessly and provides verified patient reviews that help you make better and sound decisions. The best part is booking appointments on Zocdoc, which is easy, secure, and 100 % free!

Statistics of dentists and dental conditions in Wichita, Kansas

As per 2020 Data published by Kansas Health Matters, Kansas has around 61 dentists per 100,000 population. It puts Kansas in the lower 25% of states compared to other US states in terms of dentists practicing. In 2020, as per America's Health Rankings, around 67.3% of adults in the state reported visiting a dentist at least once a year. The corresponding value for the United States was approximately 66.7%. It ranks Kansas at 22 in terms of dental visits by state.

According to data produced by Kansas Oral Health Connections, in 2017, nearly 20.82% of children had untreated decay, and around 34.31% had treated decay in Wichita County. In the same year, the residents of Wichita also observed the most significant public health achievement by having access to 100% fluoridated water through general water supplies. Fluoride plays an essential role in oral healthcare as it strengthens the enamel.

Sources

Revitalise Dental Centre

WebMD

World Health Organization

American College of Cardiology

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

America's Health Rankings

Oral Health Kansas

Webster Dental

Better Health Center

Healthline

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.