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What does a dentist do?

A dentist is a certified doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating oral conditions. Dentists provide remedy for patients of all ages, from children to seniors. Common dental problems include toothache, stained teeth, cavities, bad breath, dry mouth, chipped teeth, impacted teeth, sensitivity, and bruxism. Dentists also treat gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.

One of their other primary responsibilities as dentists is preventing oral conditions and maintaining good oral health through different stages of life. They do this through routine dental exams and education about oral hygiene. Dentists work in various healthcare settings, such as private clinics, group practices, hospitals, schools, research institutions, government agencies, and nursing homes. 

What education and training does a dentist need?

Dentists typically begin their educational journey by earning a bachelor's degree in a field such as biology, chemistry, health sciences, or mathematics. After completing their undergraduate studies, they must take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) to apply for dental school.

Dental training includes:

• Two years of coursework in biomedical sciences followed by two years of hands-on clinical training
• Gaining a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree
• Passing the written and practical licensing exams to become a licensed dentist

Some dentists may also become board-certified by passing the National Board Dental Examination. Those who want to specialize in a particular area of dentistry must complete an additional one- to three-year postgraduate residency program.

Specialties in dentistry

The different specialties within dentistry include the following:

• Orthodontist

Orthodontists diagnose, prevent, manage, and treat malocclusion or crooked teeth. They also deal with skeletal and neuromuscular abnormalities in mature or developing oral structures. Orthodontists use braces, retainers, and other corrective dental appliances to straighten teeth and improve bite. 

• 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 from patients' ongoing medical treatment. 

• Pediatric dentist or pedodontist

The specialty focuses on primary and comprehensive oral healthcare for 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 can also oversee dental development in children from infancy through their teenage years.

• Oral and maxillofacial pathologist

The specialty combines dentistry and pathology to investigate the causes, effects, and processes of diseases affecting the mouth, face, and jaws.

• Endodontist

Endodontics focuses on issues affecting the soft dental pulp; this consists of nerve tissue and blood vessels inside the tooth. Endodontists 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

It focuses on using surgery to treat defects, injuries, and diseases affecting the aesthetic and functional characteristics of the soft and hard tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. 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

The specialty focuses on preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting people's dental health through dental care and dental research. 

• Prosthodontist

Prosthodontics 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

Periodontics focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases affecting the gums and the supporting bone structures of the teeth. Periodontists 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.

When should you visit a dentist?

Early detection and cost-effective treatment of dental issues is possible only through regular dental visits. They also play a vital role in preventing problems and identifying symptoms of certain diseases. Here are signs indicating it's time to see a dentist:

1. Tooth sensitivity: Dentists can manage sensitivity to hot or cold can be managed
2. Gum issues:  A dentist can help you with swollen or bleeding gums
3. Dental work: If you have or need fillings for tooth cavities, crowns, implants, or dentures.
4. Cosmetic concerns: If you are discontent with the appearance of your smile or teeth, a dentist can help you achieve the desired results.
5. Persistent bad breath: Dentists can treat chronic bad breath or an unpleasant taste.
6. Pregnancy: Visiting a dentist is an elective procedure. Plan it in the second trimester of pregnancy.
7. Pain or swelling: Pain in any part of the mouth, head, or neck can indicate an underlying medical condition. A dentist should examine popping, pain, or an uneven bite as soon as possible.
8. Chewing difficulty:  If you have trouble chewing or swallowing, visit a dentist as soon as possible.
9. Family history: If gum disease or tooth decay runs in your family, ensure a regular visit to the dentist.
10. Medical conditions: Conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, eating disorders, or HIV call for visiting a dentist.
11. Dry mouth: Frequent dryness can result from any oral disease.
12. Tobacco use: Smoking and using products with tobacco content can lead to oral disease and conditions.
13. Medical treatment: If you are undergoing radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone replacement therapy, a dental visit can help you in the long run.
14. Unusual spots or sores: Spots or sores in the mouth that persist can be a cause of concern, and one should consult a dentist about this.

Remember, if you notice any of these signs, it's advisable to seek out a dentist near you promptly to address and manage your oral health effectively.

What are the leading causes of poor oral health? 

Your oral hygiene, lifestyle habits, and health conditions will determine the status of your teeth, gums, and overall mouth. You may be subject to poor oral health due to the following reasons: 

• Poor oral hygiene: Improper and irregular brushing/flossing can lead to plaque buildup on teeth. It is a sticky bacterial film that hardens over time into tartar, a complex, yellowish or brown deposit. It can lead to dental problems such as foul breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. 
• Tobacco use: Chewing tobacco, smoking, and consuming other tobacco products harm oral health. It causes tooth staining and dry mouth, reduces blood circulation to the gums, and slows healing. People who regularly use tobacco products have a much greater chance of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.  
• Alcohol consumption: Saliva helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. Alcohol leads to dehydration in the body, which can dry the saliva in your mouth. It can raise your risk of oral thrush, gum disease, and tooth decay. Additionally, dark-colored alcohols such as wine and dark beers can lead to tooth staining. Regular and heavy drinking and smoking can also cause oral cancer. 
• Unhealthy diet: Daily consumption of sticky and sugary starchy foods, carbonated soft drinks, and acidic foods can all affect tooth enamel and put you at high risk of gum ailments and tooth decay. 
• Genetics: Family history or genetics may also cause gum disease in certain people.
• Medications: Prolonged use of some medications can cause dry mouth, tooth decay, gum disease, and mouth infections. They include antidepressants, allergy medications, hypertension drugs, aspirin, asthma medications, immunosuppressants, chemotherapy medications, oral contraceptives, syrups, and antibiotics. 
• Health conditions: Various chronic conditions, such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and vitamin deficiencies, are known to increase the risk of dental problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, thrush, and warts. 
• Age: With age, the risk of oral health problems increases due to decreased saliva production, changes in the tooth structure, decreased physical ability to maintain oral hygiene, medications, health conditions, and a decline in the immune system. Tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer are among the oral health issues that older people experience.

How can dental problems caused by medications be treated?

If a medicine affects oral health, your dentist may suggest speaking to your doctor about adjusting the dose or switching to a different drug. If this isn't possible, protective treatments may include fluoride applications, mouthwashes, or prescription toothpaste.

If medicines have caused cavities, your dentist can treat them with fillings or crowns. Severely damaged teeth might need extraction and replacement with implants, bridges, or dentures. A dentist can trim overgrown gums and recommend cosmetic options such as veneers to restore your smile to its original appearance.

How does saliva help protect your teeth, and how do medications affect it?

Saliva is crucial for maintaining healthy teeth. It helps control bacteria in the mouth, neutralizes harmful acids that cause tooth decay, and supports the natural repair of tooth enamel through remineralization. Saliva also helps wash away/remove food particles from tooth surfaces.

However, many medications and recreational drugs can reduce saliva production, leading to dry mouth. This increases tooth decay risk due to the lack of saliva's protective effects.

Common medications that may cause dry mouth include:

• Antidepressants
• Diuretics (also known as water pills)
• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Parkinson’s disease medications
• Blood pressure drugs (such as beta-blockers)
• Asthma inhalers

If you’re concerned your medication may be causing dry mouth, consult your dentist for advice and possible alternatives.

What happens during a dental exam?

It would help if you went for preventive dental checkups once every year or six months. Children, teenagers, seniors, and pregnant women will likely need more frequent checkups as they are more likely to develop dental conditions. Similarly, those with medical diseases such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS, poor oral hygiene, and lifestyle habits will visit the dentist more often. 

During the dental exam, your dentist will inspect all parts of your mouth, including the teeth, gums, tongue, throat, cheeks, jaw, and neck. They will tap and scrape your teeth using different tools to diagnose problems such as cavities, decay, cracks, chips, and loose teeth. They will usually clean your teeth and remove plaque and tartar buildup. 

Additionally, your dentist will check for symptoms of gum disease, including bleeding, swelling, and redness in your gums. They may take X-rays of your mouth to look for any problems that may not be visible during a visual examination. However, pregnant women cannot have X-rays, so inform your dentist if you are pregnant. 

They will inspect your mouth for signs of oral cancer, such as lumps, sores, or other abnormal growths. If they find any, they may perform a gum biopsy and collect a small sample of your gum tissue in the laboratory to check for precancerous cells. They may also order further tests such as X-ray, MRI, CT scan, and endoscopy to determine the spread of cancer. 

If you have had dental procedures in the past, such as fillings, crowns, or bridges, the dentist will check if everything is in good condition. They will also ask you questions about your lifestyle habits, diet, oral hygiene practices, and health conditions and, based on that, give you tips to improve your oral health.

How do you ascertain that your dentist is a good fit for you?

Finding the right fit for your needs is essential when selecting a dentist. Since dental care is personal, establishing a good relationship with your dentist is crucial. Here's what to look for during your selection process:

1. Convenient schedule: Ensure the appointment timings suit your schedule.
2. Accessibility: Check if the office is accessible from your home or workplace.
3. Cleanliness: Confirm that the office is clean, neat, and well-organized. 
4. Record-keeping: Verify that the office records your medical and dental history for future reference.
5. Preventive techniques: Assess if the dentist explains preventive techniques to maintain dental health.
6. Emergency handling: Inquire about emergency arrangements beyond regular office hours.
7. Transparent information: Before scheduling treatment, ensure the clinic or dentist provides clear information on fees and payment plans.

Where can you find top-rated dentists near you in Woodridge, IL?

Good oral health depends on several factors, such as oral hygiene practices, lifestyle habits, nutrition, health conditions, and, most importantly, preventative dental checkups. If you have never consulted a dentist before, it is a good idea to do so as soon as possible. Using Zocdoc, you can find a dentist in your area within minutes!

On the Zocdoc website, go to the search bar and enter the required information. Specify the dentist's specialty, your location—Woodbridge, IL—your availability, and your insurance plan. When you click the find button, you will receive an extensive list of dentists matching your search criteria. 

If you want to know what insurance you have, check your insurance card. Information about your insurance plan and provider may be present on the front or back of your card. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance. 

Using Zocdoc filters, you can quickly zero down on one dentist. These filters include the consultation time, visit reason, travel distance, and the provider's gender and language. If you cannot travel or are facing an emergency, you can look for dentists in the video visits tab to book an online appointment.

If you click on any provider's name, Zocdoc will direct you to their profile page. You can access relevant information about their education, training, board certifications, professional memberships, hospital affiliations, and practice names. You can also read verified patient reviews to learn more about the dentist's wait time and professional conduct.

When you are satisfied with a dentist's profile, you can complete a quick online questionnaire and schedule an appointment with the best dentist near you.

Booking in-person or online appointments with Zocdoc is easy, secure, and 100% free.

Vital statistics on dental conditions, dental visits, and dental practitioners in Illinois

Based on the oral health data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 16.9% of females and about 12% of males aged 65+ had lost all natural teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease in Illinois in 2020. These numbers significantly increased to about 33.5% females and 27.3% males when looking at adults aged 65+ who had lost six or more teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease.

According to the American Cancer Society, between the years 2015 and 2019, the average annual incidence rate for oral cavity and pharynx cancer was about 12.2 per 100,000 adults in Illinois. Between 2016 and 2020, the average yearly death rate for oral cavity and pharynx cancer stood at about 2.7 per 100,000 adults in the state. In 2023, an estimated 2030 oral cavity and pharynx cancer incidences and 480 deaths may occur in Illinois.

According to an America's Health Rankings report, around 68.4% of Illinois adults (about 69.3% of females and about 67.5% of males) reported visiting a dentist or dental clinic in 2020. Three-fourths of the visitors—around 71%—were aged 45-64, followed by about 67.8% of adults aged 18-44 and about 65.7% aged 65+.

According to May 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, about 3830 general dentists were practicing in Illinois as of 2021.

Sources 

Healthline[1]

Healthline[2]

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

WebMD[3]

WebMD[4]

Better Health Channel

MedlinePlus

America's Health Rankings 

American Cancer Society

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Practo 

March of Dimes

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.