Who is a dentist?
Dentists are medical professionals who specialize in maintaining patients' oral health. They identify, diagnose, and treat issues with the patient's teeth, gums, jaws, and related parts of the mouth. These medical specialists offer advice and recommendations on caring for dental hygiene and making diet choices that might affect oral health.
Dentists promote good dental hygiene and help prevent complications from the mouth and other body parts. For this purpose, they use modern equipment like X-rays, scalpels, lasers, and similar tools to perform dental procedures efficiently. They also always wear protective gear like masks, gloves, and safety glasses to prevent spreading infection and germs.
What does a dentist do?
A dentist typically performs the following duties:
- Removing tooth decay and filling in cavities
- Removing or repairing damaged teeth
- Using sealants and whitening agents to improve the appearance of their patient's teeth
- Administering anesthetics when carrying out surgical procedures to help patients feel no pain
- Prescribing medications like antibiotics, painkillers, etc., as and when required
- Using equipment like X-rays, lasers, etc., to check for oral health problems
- Examining reports from X-rays of the teeth, gums, and jaws to identify and diagnose issues
- Taking measurements and making models for dental appliances like dentures, crowns, etc.
- Educating patients on regular dental hygiene by maintaining proper diets, flossing, fluoride toothpaste, etc.
- Monitoring the development and growth of teeth
- Employing and supervising dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental receptionists, and dental lab technicians
What is the training and education required to become a dentist?
To become a dentist, candidates must complete an undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry. Then, they must enroll in a dental school by taking the Dental Admission Test (DAT). While in dental school, graduates complete anatomy, anesthesia, periodontics, and radiology coursework.
Upon completing dental school, they get a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine/Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree, accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Doctors might then pursue additional training in a specialty by completing a residency program for 2-4 years. The residency must be a CODA-accredited program related to the dentist's preferred specialty, which later culminates in a master's degree. However, general dentists do not need additional specialty training after dental school. Aspirants of full-time research are required to complete a postdoctoral program for advanced dental training.
What are the specialties in dentistry?
Most dentists practice as general practitioners who handle a variety of dental needs. However, some choose to undergo specialty training in a particular area:
- Endodontists perform several treatments like root canal therapy, removing the nerves from infected or injured teeth, etc.
- Dental anesthesiologists administer anesthetics to reduce the pain experienced during a dental procedure, monitor sedated patients, and even help them manage pain later.
- Dental public health specialists promote dental hygiene and prevent oral diseases in specific communities.
- Oral pathologists diagnose mouth conditions like bumps or ulcers, cancer, etc.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiologists use imaging techniques to diagnose diseases in the mouth and neck.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform operations on the mouth, gums, jaws, teeth, neck, and head. They specialize in reconstructive surgery on the face.
- Periodontists provide treatment to the bones and gums that support the teeth.
- Pediatric dentists specialize in maintaining the oral health of children.
- Orthodontists diagnose and realign mal-positioned teeth and jaws along with misaligned bite patterns.
Dental procedures performed by a dentist
General dentists perform essential procedures to maintain oral health and enhance dental well-being. These procedures include:
- Conducting dental X-rays: Dentists utilize dental X-rays as a crucial diagnostic tool to assess the structure of teeth and jaw bones. They reveal signs of decay, damage, or disease not readily visible during a standard visual examination. Detecting such issues early helps prevent more severe problems in the future.
- Applying porcelain veneers: Dentists use porcelain veneers to enhance the aesthetics of teeth. These tiny porcelain shells cover the front surface of teeth, significantly improving their color, shape, and size.
- Performing extractions: Dentists frequently perform tooth extractions, using local anesthetics and sometimes sedation to ensure minimal patient discomfort. This procedure effectively addresses various dental issues.
- Conducting teeth cleaning: Dentists provide regular dental cleanings that are vital for oral health maintenance. During these appointments, dental hygienists eliminate plaque and tartar buildup, preventing gum disease, tooth decay, and halitosis. Maintaining clean teeth is essential for overall oral hygiene.
- Providing partial dentures: Dentists offer partial dentures, also termed removable partial dentures, to address missing teeth. These prostheses consist of an acrylic base with artificial teeth, filling gaps caused by missing teeth while preserving remaining natural teeth. Partial dentures improve speech, chewing ability, and appearance, promoting overall dental well-being.
Why should you visit a dentist?
You shouldn't wait for symptoms of poor oral health to see a dentist. Regular dental checkups play a vital role in overall healthcare. Experts advise you to visit a dentist every six months for routine examinations. Often, people dismiss headaches or neck pain without realizing these could be linked to dental issues.
Here are some key reasons to schedule a dental visit:
- Routine checkups: These visits are not for any specific dental problem but serve as a preventive measure to assess oral health. Regular checkups help identify potential issues early. During these visits, a dentist may also thoro ughly clean to remove plaque buildup.
- Treatment for dental pain: A common reason for a dental visit is pain or discomfort in the teeth or mouth. Symptoms like bleeding gums or pain while chewing should not be ignored, as they could indicate underlying dental problems requiring immediate attention.
- Follow-up after dental procedures: If you have undergone a dental procedure, follow-up visits are essential for monitoring recovery and detecting complications. These checkups ensure proper healing and long-term oral health maintenance.
What qualifies as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any urgent oral health issue requiring immediate care. Common dental emergencies include:
- Severe toothache
- A significantly cracked or fractured tooth
- A knocked-out tooth
- A partially dislodged (extruded) tooth
- A dental abscess causing swelling in the face or jaw
- A lost or broken dental restoration, such as a crown or filling
- Serious soft tissue injuries, including deep cuts or a busted lip
If you have a dental emergency, seek immediate help from a dentist near you. Many dental clinics offer an emergency contact number for after-hours assistance. If a dentist is unavailable, visit an urgent care center for prompt treatment.
Tips to maintain good oral health
Maintaining good oral health is paramount for our overall well-being. A healthy mouth is vital for a better quality of life, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of foods, express yourself confidently, and maintain overall vitality. Poor oral hygiene can lead to several systemic issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections.
Some tips that you can follow for good oral health throughout all stages of life are as follows:
- Commence dental hygiene practices once a child's first tooth emerges, typically at around six months of age. You can gently cleanse the child's teeth using a moist cloth or ultra-soft brush. Around the age of 2, encourage children to start brushing independently.
- Brush and floss your teeth regularly to ward off decay. Dentists also suggest using fluoride toothpaste, which enhances the resilience of enamel and reduces the likelihood of decay. However, for young children, limit the use of fluoride to a small amount.
- Change your toothbrush frequently. People wearing braces might require specialized toothbrushes and additional oral hygiene instruments to clean their teeth effectively. Electric toothbrushes are available for people with difficulty holding a regular toothbrush.
- Remain vigilant for signs of gum disease. Gum disease starts with a condition called gingivitis. Accumulation of plaque on the teeth triggers gum diseases.
- Consume a diverse range of whole foods, such as grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Maintaining a balanced diet at any age is crucial for your gums and teeth.
- Visit a dentist to check for signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer can originate in various mouth and throat areas, including the tongue. Timely detection of oral cancer helps in providing effective treatment. It can metastasize to other body regions if left undiagnosed, making treatment more challenging.
- Try to quit smoking, as it elevates your susceptibility to gum disease. Tobacco discolors teeth and notably amplifies the chances of gum disease and oral cancer.
- Steer clear of sugary foods. When oral bacteria metabolize simple sugars, they generate acids that can erode tooth enamel, creating a pathway for developing cavities.
- Go for routine dental examinations every six months, and consider more frequent visits if you face issues like gum disease.
How do you find a good dentist near you accepting new patients?
Maintaining good dental hygiene means having clean teeth, healthy gums, neutral breath, and a clean tongue. Rather than visiting dentists only when you face dental issues, you must see them for regular checkups at least twice a year. However, finding a dentist matching your medical needs can be challenging. So, how do you find a good dentist in Woodbridge accepting new patients? Zocdoc can help you with that!
On the Zocdoc website, you can register for free and search for doctors and specialists by providing details such as your symptoms, preferred location, appointment date, gender, and insurance plan.
To locate a dentist who takes your insurance, include your insurance details (plan and provider) in the Zocdoc search. You can use it to view in-network doctors who accept your plan. We will scan and show your insurance plan when you search for providers on your phone using the Zocdoc app. You can also upload a photo of your insurance card (this option is not available for vision or dental plans). With its assistance, you can discover precise results for an in-network dentist in your vicinity.
On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, but you can use only one plan per appointment.
You can add your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes if you have multiple insurance plans. Alternatively, if your healthcare provider supports Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can enter your secondary insurance information directly through the form.
Zocdoc allows you to schedule appointments before, during, and after office hours based on the endodontist’s availability. You may also book appointments on weekends and holidays if your schedule permits. For additional insurance-related information and answers, visit the patient help center at Zocdoc.
You can refine your choice based on the doctors' language skills, hospital affiliations, whether they treat children, etc.
Each doctor's profile opens a page with all the necessary information, such as their educational qualifications, awards, achievements, specialization, licensure, etc. You can also look for reviews and ratings by other patients post-appointment to make an informed decision.
A purple video icon on the doctor's profile indicates they offer video-call consultations. Using Zocdoc, you can book in-person and online appointments with a dentist near you accepting new patients. All bookings you make on Zocdoc are free of cost, safe, simple, and secure!
Oral health statistics in New Jersey
Keeping our teeth clean is essential since it directly affects our physical and emotional well-being.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that approximately 68% of New Jersey's adult population visited a dentist or dental clinic in 2020. About 30% of people 65 and older lost six or more teeth in 2020 due to gum disease or tooth decay, while approximately 11% of people in this age range lost all of their teeth due to the same dental issues.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics report, as of May 2022, 3,140 general dentists were legally practicing in New Jersey. The report also stated that the state employed 260 orthodontists and 80 dentists in other specialties during the same period.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute on Aging
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Cielo Dental & Orthodontics
Cleveland Clinic
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