Dentists: Doctors of Oral Health
What Do Dentists Do?
Most Americans today enjoy excellent oral health and are keeping their natural teeth throughout their lives. But this is not the case for everyone. Cavities are still the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood and millions of Americans did not see a dentist in the past year, even though regular dental examinations and good oral hygiene can prevent most dental disease.
Too many people mistakenly believe that they need to see a dentist only if they are in pain or think something is wrong, but they’re missing the bigger picture. A dental visit means being examined by a doctor of oral health capable of diagnosing and treating conditions that can range from routine to extremely complex.
What is a Dentist?
A Dentist is a specialized type of Doctor. Also known as: General Dentist, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Doctor of Dental Surgery, Family Dentist, Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry.
A dentist is a physician whose practice is in the field of dentistry. This involves the mouth, teeth, gums and related areas. Some studies have shown that diseases relating to the teeth and gums can be indicative or indicators of some health issues. The health of the mouth is essential to the general overall health of the body and a dentist will encourage and assist their patients in maintaining a healthy mouth by regular cleaning and check-ups.
What is a General Dentist?
Who is the one health care provider you see more than any other? For many people, the answer is: their general dentist. There’s a good reason for that — it’s because general dentistry is uniquely oriented toward the prevention of disease. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 65 percent of all dental procedures are either diagnostic or preventive. By placing a strong emphasis on oral health and hygiene, general dentists help people avoid the progression of oral diseases. If left untreated, these eventually result in pain, lost time at work or school — and an estimated cost of billions of dollars each year.
Source: https://issuu.com/lauramutch48/docs/what_is_a_general_dentist
What are the Different Types of Dentists?
There are many types of dentists and deciding what type of dentist you need may be confusing. From fixing misaligned teeth to performing complicated oral surgery, there are many types of dentists who will help you achieve the best oral health.
Curious about what other types of dentists there are? We’ve compiled a list of the types of dentists and dental specialists.
Source: https://www.altimadental.com/dentists-and-dental-specislists/
Dentists — What They Do
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and tissues in the mouth, along with giving advice and administering care to help prevent future problems. They provide instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, the use of fluorides, and other aspects of dental care. They remove tooth decay, fill cavities, examine x rays, place protective plastic sealants on children’s teeth, straighten teeth, and repair fractured teeth. They also perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases. Dentists extract teeth and make models and measurements for dentures to replace missing teeth. They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications.
Dentists use a variety of equipment, including x-ray machines, drills, mouth mirrors, probes, forceps, brushes, and scalpels. Lasers, digital scanners, and other computer technologies also may be used. Dentists wear masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases.
Source: https://studentscholarships.org/salary/473/dentists.php#sthash.1JQHfeN6.dpbs
Dentists: Doctors of Oral Health
Introduction
Many Americans today enjoy excellent oral health and are keeping their natural teeth throughout their lives. But this is not the case for everyone. Cavities are still the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood.
Too many people mistakenly believe that they need to see a dentist only if they are in pain or think something is wrong, but they’re missing the bigger picture. A dental visit means being examined by a doctor of oral health capable of diagnosing and treating conditions that can range from routine to extremely complex.
Source: https://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/dentists-doctors-of-oral-health