Dentists in the USA
Several studies have suggested an association between oral health and other health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) has included oral health in its chronic disease prevention efforts.
Today, Americans have access to the best healthcare set-ups and practitioners, which is crucial to improving and maintaining oral health. However, several Americans continue to suffer from oral health conditions such as infections, cavities, gum bleeding, etc. The American Dental Association (ADA) states dental visits can begin after a child's first birthday to establish a "dental home." This will help children and parents maintain good oral health throughout their lives.
What exactly does a dentist do?
Dentists are healthcare practitioners who deal with teeth, gums, and mouth issues. If any abnormalities are noticed — including swelling, bleeding, ulceration, discoloration, cavities, or lumps — it is recommended that you visit the dentist as soon as possible. Dentists can also help identify disease in its early stages and prevent it from advancing. They can also perform screening and use imaging techniques (like CT scans or X-rays) to identify chronic or infectious diseases.
Since dentists are medical professionals, they must follow a set academic path and obtain a dental license. This is essential to ensure safety and high healthcare delivery and practice standards. Most dental students have a bachelor's or science degree. To become a dentist, students must undergo two years of rigorous study in biomedical sciences, such as physiology, anatomy, biochemistry, pathology, immunology, and microbiology. The next two years focus on clinical practice, where students learn to diagnose and treat dental diseases.
Many dentists continue training beyond a DMD or DDS degree to pursue specialization. They may need to sit additional tests with the relevant bodies if they want to practice as specialists.
Specialties within dentistry
Dentistry encompasses many specialties, each focusing on specific oral health and treatment aspects. These specialties require additional training beyond general dentistry to address complex dental issues effectively.
Here are the 12 recognized specialties within dentistry:
- Orthodontics: Orthodontists specialize in correcting misaligned jaws and teeth using retainers, braces, and other orthodontic appliances. They focus on improving dental aesthetics and bite function.
- Endodontics: Endodontists diagnose and treat injuries and diseases affecting the dental pulp and root of the tooth. They perform root canal therapy to save damaged or infected teeth.
- Periodontics: Periodontists specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing gum diseases such as periodontitis. They also perform procedures like gum grafting and dental implant placement.
- Prosthodontics: Prosthodontists focus on restoring and replacing missing teeth and oral structures. They design and fit dental prosthetics such as bridges, crowns, dentures, and dental implants to improve function and aesthetics.
- Pediatric dentistry: Pediatric dentists hold expertise in providing dental care to children and adolescents. They focus on preventive care, monitoring dental development, and treating dental issues specific to young patients.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Surgeons perform surgical operations involving the mouth, jaws, face, and neck. They may perform tooth extractions, jaw realignment surgeries, facial trauma repair, and oral cancer treatments.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology: Oral pathologists diagnose and study diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. They play a crucial role in identifying oral cancers, oral manifestations of systemic diseases, and oral tissue abnormalities.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology: This specialty combines dentistry and radiology to produce and interpret images for diagnosing and managing oral and facial conditions.
- Dental public health: Dental public health entails promoting oral health and preventing dental issues within communities. They may work in public health agencies, research institutions, or government organizations to implement public health initiatives and policies.
- Oral medicine: Oral medicine attends to the intricate oral health needs of patients with complex conditions and diagnoses of medical-related diseases and disorders.
- Dental anaesthesiology: Dental anaesthesiology administers sedation and anesthesia for dental procedures, ensuring patient comfort, safety, and pain management during treatment.
- Orofacial pain: It is a dental specialty that deals with diagnosing, managing, and treating pain in the jaw, mouth, face, head, and neck. It focuses on evidence-based approaches to understanding, preventing, and treating these disorders while enhancing interdisciplinary patient care access.
How do you maintain good oral health?
Religiously following these tips can help maintain optimal oral health:
- Brush teeth twice daily with toothpaste containing fluoride.
- Daily flossing.
- Quit or reduce smoking and alcohol intake.
- Go for more frequent check-ups if you have chronic diseases, such as diabetes, which increase the risk of gum disease.
- Certain medications can lead to dry mouth. Find the best dentist near you who understands your specific medical needs. In such cases, try drinking more water, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and chewing sugarless gum.
- Caregivers can help older people brush their teeth if they cannot do it independently.
- In dental emergencies, immediately locate an emergency dentist near you to prevent any long-term disease.
When should you visit a dentist?
Many believe that only unbearable pain or identifiable disease merits a visit to the dentist. However, this may prove detrimental in the long run. Expert bodies such as the American Dental Association recommend that routine dental visits be made at least once a year to maintain good oral health. Thus, finding the best dentist near you is vital for comprehensive healthcare. Dentists can spot the early warning symptoms of a disease and deliver preventive care.
If you experience any of the following, it may be best to consult a dentist:
- Pain or swelling in the mouth
- Pain in jaws
- Gum bleeding after brushing your teeth or if you have a family history of gum diseases.
- If you have undergone a dental procedure such as root canals, fillings, dental implants, or crowns recently
- If you have any other ongoing medical conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or eating disorders, dental check-ups are recommended.
- Pregnant women are also advised to undergo dental check-ups.
- If you are experiencing difficulty in chewing or swallowing
- If you have a dry mouth
- If you smoke, chew tobacco, or drink frequently.
Finding the best dentist near you in the USA
Choosing the right dentist is the first step to lifelong oral health. It is imperative to locate a dentist near you if you seek treatments (such as braces, dental implants, etc.) requiring regular follow-ups and maintenance.
Here is a list of things to keep in mind while finding the best dentist near you in the USA:
- Where is the practitioner located?
- Does the practitioner have the required education and training?
- What are the office hours?
- Does the dentist handle emergencies after office hours?
- Does the dentist accept your insurance?
- What equipment is the practitioner's clinic equipped with?
- What are the preferred payment methods?
- Is the dentist a part of any medical associations?
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Oral health problems in the US
According to the CDC, 26% of American adults have untreated tooth decay. Around 46% of adults over 30 years suffer from gum diseases, with severe gum diseases affecting around 9%. Oral cancers are common in older adults, especially those who drink and smoke. Cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, can also lead to oral problems like impaired taste, dry mouth, and ulcers.
Chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver diseases, arthritis, emphysema, or obesity can increase the risk of poor oral health as well as dental problems.
Conditions like HIV, which weaken the immune system, also increase the risk of oral complications. The use of medications such as steroids can also affect a person's oral health. Other chronic diseases that can compromise oral health, especially in American women, include osteoporosis, Sjögren's syndrome, and jaw-joint diseases, among others.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Healthline
WebMD
AIMST UNIVERSITY
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards
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