Who is a dentist?
Dental professionals specialize in preventing, diagnosing, managing, and treating oral diseases and conditions. They are also responsible for the overall upkeep and promotion of oral health. Dentists use multiple tools and techniques to examine patients' mouths, teeth, gums, and jaws for signs of disease or abnormality. They may also prescribe X-rays, perform oral surgery, or provide preventive services such as fluoride treatments or sealants.
Education and training of dentists in the United States of America
To become a certified dentist in the U.S., one must complete a study similar to that of medical doctors. The preliminary step is to complete an undergraduate program in mathematics, biology, chemistry, or health sciences and obtain a bachelor's degree. The next step is the dental admission test (DAT), which the aspirant must take and get through to be able to apply for dental schools.
The training procedure includes the following:
- Finishing two years of biomedical science studies and two years of clinical practice.
- Achieving a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.
- Obtaining a dental license by passing practical and written exams.
Moreover, dentists may also get certified by the National Board Dental Examination. Depending on the specialty area, they must complete a postgraduate residency program of one to three years.
What are the specializations within dentistry?
Various subspecialties within dentistry provide patients with the best care and rehabilitation. Mentioned below is a list of subspecialties authorized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialities and Certifying Boards:
- Dental anesthesiology manages pain, anxiety, and overall patient health during dental, oral, maxillofacial, and supplementary surgical or diagnostic procedures throughout the perioperative period.
- Dental public health is a specialty that helps prevent dental disorders through organized community efforts. These dental specialists identify critical oral health issues and formulate effective strategies to overcome them.
- Endodontics is a field of dentistry that focuses on issues affecting the soft dental pulp inside the tooth. It consists of nerve tissue and blood vessels. A root canal is a standard teeth-saving procedure practiced by endodontists.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology specialists diagnose diseases of the mouth, teeth, and surrounding regions.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology's field of specialization focuses on performing X-rays and other imaging techniques and scans to diagnose and manage oral disorders. These help dentists in developing effective treatment plans for their patients.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery provides surgical interventions for mouth-related diseases and injuries. It especially emphasizes the treatment of oral cancer and other head and neck cancers.
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics specialize in correcting dental and facial irregularities. This involves correcting misaligned teeth and jaws with orthotic devices such as braces, aligners, retainers, etc.
- Periodontics focuses on treating diseases related to the gum tissues and the teeth-supporting bone. Cavities can often erode the gums and cause bone loss, requiring the care of a periodontist.
- Prosthodontics is a specialty that provides facilities for restoring natural teeth and oral structures with artificial devices like dentures or replacing missing teeth.
When should you visit the dentist?
Dental checkups are essential for maintaining perfect oral health. Patients are generally recommended to see a dentist once every six months for a routine cleaning and examination. However, the frequency of dental care visits may vary depending on a patient's oral health needs. Patients with a gum problem or other oral health conditions may need to see a dentist more often for ongoing treatment.
If you are experiencing discomfort in your mouth, you must see a dentist as soon as possible. Delaying proper dental treatment can lead to more severe problems. If you have concerns about your oral health, fix an appointment with the best dentist near you.
What are the most common dental issues?
There are many different types of dental issues that dentists treat daily. However, some dental problems are more prevalent than others. Here is a list of some common dental issues:
- Cavities: One of the most widely detected dental issues, specifically among kids, is caused by bacteria living inside the mouth and eating sugars. Over time, these bacteria can create holes, called cavities, in your teeth. If left untreated, cavities can cause severe toothache, loss of teeth, and infections.
- Gum disease: Gum disease is also a common dental problem caused by plaque and tartar buildup on teeth and gums. This buildup may irritate your gums and lead to inflammation and bleeding. It can damage your gums, bones, and ligaments supporting your teeth if untreated.
- Mouth sores: These can be of many types and are usually quite bothersome. Unless they last more than two weeks, they are not a significant cause of concern. Common mouth sores include canker sores (triggered by varying causes), fever blisters or cold sores (caused by Herpes simplex virus), and thrush (caused by yeast infection).
- Oral cancer: It is a less common but serious dental issue. It can occur anywhere in the mouth cavity, including your lips, tongue, cheeks, or palate. Oral cancer can prove difficult to detect in its early stages, so seeing a dentist regularly for screenings is essential.
- Tooth decay: It is a common issue when plaque acids erode the tooth enamel. This process can eventually lead to cavities or tooth loss if left untreated.
Can pregnancy affect dental health?
Dental health, or oral health, refers to the well-being of your mouth, teeth, and gums. It plays a cardinal role in overall health and well-being, especially during pregnancy, as it can influence maternal and fetal outcomes. Research indicates that poor oral health can be linked to complications such as preterm birth (before 37 weeks), which may lead to health concerns for the baby. Therefore, maintaining good dental hygiene during pregnancy supports a healthier pregnancy and baby.
Hormonal changes (for example, increased estrogen and progesterone levels) can make the gums more liable and prone to swelling, bleeding, and infection. Shifts in eating habits—such as cravings for sugary foods or pica (a condition that refers to consuming non-food items like ice or clay)—can also harm teeth. Additionally, some pregnant women may neglect brushing and flossing due to tender gums or nausea. It increases the risk of cavities, gingivitis, gum disease, and pregnancy tumors (non-cancerous gum growths).
Some signs and symptoms of dental problems during pregnancy you need to look out for are:
- Bad breath or loose teeth.
- Mouth sores or lumps on gums.
- Receding gums or pus along the gumline.
- New spaces between the teeth.
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums.
- Toothaches or pain.
Besides, if you experience pain, swelling, or signs of infection, seek dental care immediately to prevent complications.
Regular dental checkups before and during pregnancy are essential. Inform your dentist if:
- You are pregnant or planning to be.
- You are taking any medications or supplements.
- Your pregnancy is high-risk (due to chronic conditions or past complications).
- Your prenatal provider has discussed oral health with you.
Professional cleanings and early treatment of dental problems help maintain healthy teeth and gums. They reduce health risks for you and your baby. Practicing good oral hygiene, eating a balanced diet, and addressing dental concerns promptly promote a healthier pregnancy.
The different types of dental procedures
Your dentist may recommend many different dental procedures depending on your individual needs. Here is a detailed look at some of the most common dental procedures:
- Teeth cleaning: Professional cleaning is a very effective and simple way to maintain oral health. This procedure entails cleaning the gums and teeth of plaque and tartar to make the teeth appear white and healthy.
- Fillings: If a cavity is detected, your dentist will likely recommend a filling. This involves removing and replacing the decayed tooth with filling material, such as amalgam or composite resin.
- Crowns: Crowns cover and protect a damaged or decayed tooth. The crown is custom-made to fit over the existing tooth and is usually made from porcelain or ceramic material.
- Dental implants: A screw of titanium is surgically placed into the jawbone. It serves as a new root for a missing tooth. Once in place, an artificial tooth (crown) is attached to the implant for a natural-looking replacement.
How do you keep your teeth healthy?
Taking good care of your mouth is essential to prevent cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and other dental issues. Here are some tips on keeping your teeth strong and healthy:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss your teeth every day.
- Visit your dentist for regular checks and cleaning.
- Try consuming a balanced diet with limited sugary snacks and beverages.
- Avoid consuming or smoking tobacco products.
- Make sure to have the contact details of an emergency dentist near you, as it can be useful when you need urgent dental care.
Foods and beverages you should limit to prevent dental problems
Certain foods and beverages can cause plaque buildup, lead to cavity formation, and eventually to tooth decay if left untreated for long periods. While these foods need not be avoided entirely, eating them in moderation can help prevent problems like caries, erosion, and decay.
Some common foods considered bad for your teeth include the following:
- Sweet, sticky, and sour candies: Both hard and soft candies, including lollipops and sweetened lozenges, come with added sugars that contribute to the development of cavities. Sour candies may also contain acids that are tougher on the teeth. Sticky candies tend to remain in the teeth if not brushed out properly. These factors lead to cavity formation and tooth decay. Foods with excess sugar are also harmful to gum health because they contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, which leads to gum tissue damage.
- Sodas and sweet beverages such as fruit juices: In addition to causing cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance, carbonated drinks, including diet sodas, can harm your gums and teeth. These 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 worsening the decay process.
- Citrus juices: Frequent exposure to acidic foods can erode the enamel over time. While nutritious and high in Vitamin C, citrus juices like lemon and grapefruit can make your teeth more vulnerable to erosion. They can also be a problem if you have mouth sores.
- Coffee: Caffeinated beverages like coffee are healthy choices when consumed naturally. However, many individuals like to drink these beverages with sugar. Frequent cups of tea and coffee may also stain teeth.
- Sugary cereal and baked goods: These products contain several teaspoons of sugar per serving, which is bad for your overall health and teeth. Instead of starting the day with ready-to-eat breakfasts and cereals, you can switch to a low-sugar breakfast like oatmeal and fruit or an egg omelet.
- Refined foods like chips and white bread: When we chew bread, the saliva in our mouth converts the starches into sugar, which can cause cavities. Additionally, starchy foods also tend to stick between teeth. Less refined carbs, like whole grains, are a better choice.
- Ice: As per the American Dental Association, chewing on hard items such as ice can damage the enamel and make an individual more prone to dental emergencies such as loose crowns and broken or chipped teeth.
- Alcohol: If you drink alcohol frequently, it will dry out the mouth and lessen the production of saliva, which is required to wash away chewed food particles and prevent them from sticking to your teeth. It is also considered a contributing factor to oral cancer.
How to find the best dentist near you in Woodland Hills, California?
Taking care of your oral health is a journey; the first step is finding a dentist you can visit regularly. Finding a good dentist in your area, say, Woodland Hills, California, could be challenging, but Zocdoc makes it easy. Our extensive roster includes board-certified practitioners and preventive care physicians in California, among other U.S. states.
On the Zocdoc website, you can quickly locate and connect with the best dentists in your area. All you need to do is sign up to create a free and secure account to pick from our vetted specialists. Then, search using the specialty, symptoms, or your location.
You can also search using our insurance detector to connect with an in-network dentist. This way, you can ensure you do not have to pay out of pocket. To do so, enter your insurance plan and carrier from the drop-down menu on the Zocdoc website. If you cannot find your insurance plan, you can upload a photo of your card. Note this applies to medical insurance cards only and not dental and vision. If you need help uploading your card, contact Zocdoc's service team. For more insurance information, you may visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
Further, every professional listed with Zocdoc has a profile section, which includes pertinent information about the medical provider, allowing you to review all the relevant details before booking your appointment. These include the practitioner's educational background and experience, gender, languages they speak, specializations and certifications, affiliations, and verified reviews about their services left by past patients. Patient reviews on Zocdoc can help you make a well-informed decision when choosing a dentist.
In addition to making real-time appointments with dentists, you can add filters to your search results based on your date and time or gender preferences. For instance, if you are searching for a female dentist in your area, you can use Zocdoc's advanced filters accordingly. This makes Zocdoc an excellent platform to find various types of dentists near you.
Finally, on Zocdoc, making an appointment with your chosen dentist is simple, secure, and 100% free!
Statistics on dentists and dental health in California
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights that roughly 121,640 dentists practiced nationwide in May 2023. California had the highest number of practitioners, with approximately 18,820, followed by Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.
According to data presented by America's Health Rankings in 2022, about 66.2% of adults reported visiting a dentist or dental clinic in California within the past year. Almost 69.2% were females, and nearly 63.2 were males. Dividing the data into age groups, the following trend was seen:
- Age 18–44: About 63.9%
- Age 45–64: Nearly 67.7%
- Age 65 and above: Around 69.4%
According to data published by the American Cancer Society, the estimated number of new oral cavity or pharynx cases in 2025 is around 59,660 in California. These cancers are typically diagnosed at age 64, but 20% of cases occur in people under 55. Men are twice as likely as women to develop them, with lifetime risks of 1 in 139 for women and 1 in 59 for men. Individual risk varies based on factors like smoking, alcohol, and HPV.
Sources
Verywell Health
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
American Dental Association
HealthcareDegree
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
MouthHealthy
March of Dimes
America's Health Rankings
American Cancer Society
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