Oral care and its importance
Compared with heart health or digestive system care, oral hygiene remains neglected, and people often take it for granted. However, your oral cavity is as vulnerable to disease and infection.
'Oral care' means taking good care of your teeth, gums, and tongue to prevent disease and cavities. Generally, oral care includes brushing with a toothpaste containing fluoride, flossing after meals, and using antiseptic mouthwashes. Research shows that people who indulge in smoking and excessive drinking have poorer oral health as compared to individuals who keep healthier habits. The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush after every three months of usage.
Who are dentists? Why are dental check-ups important?
General dentists are professionals trained to look after their patients' dental wellness. Contrary to popular belief, you should visit a dentist near you regularly, even when not faced with emergencies like tooth pain, broken or chipped teeth, redness or swelling in the gums, or sudden tooth loss. To protect and maintain the health of our teeth and gums, we must visit our dentists at least twice a year or more for dental check-ups, cleanings, whitening, and other required treatments.
During sessions, your dentist will first perform a comprehensive dental examination and ask for a family history of dental issues and any hereditary or genetic disorders. They check your teeth, gums, and the surrounding areas to detect early signs of decay, cavities, dental trauma, or periodontal diseases.
Common conditions that affect our oral well-being include tooth decay or cavities, gum diseases, and oral cancer. Consuming foods/beverages high in sugar content causes plaque-developing bacteria to latch onto the enamel of the teeth. As a result, the cover that protects the teeth and the lining of the gums begins to erode, ultimately leading to cavities. Even though people can prevent tooth decay through good oral care, most survive with untreated cavities.
Periodontal disease is another common condition that leads to inflammation and infections of the gums and the bones supporting the teeth. Another example is tooth sensitivity, which causes a sharp, temporary pain in the teeth while eating or drinking hot/cold food. Tooth decay, fractures in the teeth, and exposed tooth roots are the leading causes of such sensitivity.
What kind of education and training do dentists receive?
Dentists undergo an educational journey very similar to that of medical doctors. Initially, they complete an undergraduate program in biology, chemistry, health, or math, culminating in a bachelor's degree. Subsequently, they take a dental admissions test as a prerequisite for dental school applications.
Dental training encompasses two years of intensive biomedical science studies followed by two years of practical clinical experience. This leads to a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree. One must gain a license to begin practicing. It is achieved by successfully passing written and practical exams. Dentists may opt for additional certification through the National Board Dental Examination.
Dentists must complete a postgraduate residency lasting one to three years to specialize.
What are the specialties dentists can take up?
Dentistry offers various specialized fields for practitioners to focus on, catering to diverse oral health needs:
1. Pediatric dentistry (pedodontics): Specializing in the dental care of children, adolescents, and teens.
2. Orthodontics: Concentrates on aligning bites and straightening teeth using braces, clear aligners, and retainers.
3. Endodontics: Involves root canal therapy, with endodontists handling complex cases referred by general dentists.
4. Periodontics: Focuses on diagnosing and treating gum disease and other issues affecting the tissues surrounding teeth.
5. Prosthodontics: Specializes in creating natural-looking dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, and dentures.
6. Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Addresses diseases, defects, and injuries of the jaws and orofacial structures, including wisdom teeth removal.
7. Oral and maxillofacial pathology: Studies the causes and effects of oral diseases, providing diagnosis for complex cases.
8. Oral and maxillofacial radiology: Specializes in interpreting dental X-rays, CT scans, and other imaging tests.
9. Public health dentistry: Strives to improve oral health in communities through preventive programs.
10. Dental anesthesiology: Offers advanced pain management services for dental and oral surgery procedures.
11. Oral medicine: Focuses on diagnosing and treating individuals with chronic medical issues.
12. Orofacial pain management: Specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing pain in teeth, jaws, head, and face.
13. Cosmetic dentistry: Enhances the appearance of smiles through treatments like teeth whitening, veneers, and gum contouring.
14. Implant dentistry: Involves placing dental implants as a long-term teeth replacement option.
15. Reconstructive dentistry: Focuses on full mouth reconstruction for individuals with extensive cavities or gum disease, often requiring multiple appointments.
16. Forensic dentistry: Examines teeth and interprets dental records for legal purposes, aiding in identifying individuals in forensic cases.
Choosing the right dentist near you in Indianapolis
When choosing a healthcare specialist, you could never be too demanding. Procedures in dentistry often come with substantial costs. Moreover, the right practitioner will put you at ease and minimize the pain. Dentists need to understand your concerns, find their immediate cause, and determine how pressing the issues are. After all, as patients, we set specific goals that we expect to achieve after consultation and treatment, be it a beautiful smile or relief from discomfort and pain.
Zocdoc.com is a unique portal enabling users to choose their dental healthcare professionals. Here, you can read about the physician's specialty or board certification and learn about the insurance they accept, the school they graduated from, and what other patients think of them. You can also filter providers by location, plans, or specific procedures. All this lets you decide and find a clinic that matches your needs.
Since 2009, Zocdoc has been at the helm of efforts to improve the healthcare experience for patients. With its user-friendly website, Zocdoc lets you find top-rated specialties that are conveniently located and budget-friendly. The best part is that booking appointments with dentists near you on Zocdoc is free, with no hidden charges, besides being simple and secure!
Dental health and Indianapolis, IN
According to the World Health Organization, about 3.58 billion people were affected by an oral condition in 2016. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 34 million school hours and over $45 billion in productivity are lost yearly due to dental emergencies requiring unplanned care.
Medical research shows that dental wellness and overall health are interconnected. If a patient exhibits a pre-existing condition, including diabetes, HIV/AIDS, or Alzheimer's, they are more susceptible to developing periodontal diseases and other dental problems. In 2021, the Government of Indiana implemented several changes in dental health policies and introduced new plans for improving the general population's access to good dental care. Per the Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana has about 4,384 licensed dentists and 5,366 dental hygienists.
About 64.4% of adults over 18 visited a dental healthcare professional or dental clinic in the state in the past year, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. About 18.4% of adults aged 65 and above have lost all their natural teeth -- primarily due to tooth decay or gum disease. These statistics suggest the need for greater oral care and access to quality dental healthcare for everyone.
Dental health can either boost your self-esteem or make you unhappy in social settings. Good dental health can do wonders for your appearance as well as physiology. About 19% of the population in Indiana believe their lives, in general, would be better, but for the condition of their mouth and teeth. According to the American Dental Association, one in four people avoid smiling, and one in five people are embarrassed with the state of their teeth. These statistics only re-iterate the benefits of taking good care of your teeth and frequent check-ups. To read more, refer to the American Dental Association's State Fact Sheet on Oral Health and Well-Being in Indiana.
Oral healthcare resources
To get a more comprehensive idea on how to maintain oral hygiene, you can look up:
- National dental organizations: The American Dental Association (ADA) publishes infographics on the best ways to look after and maintain good oral health (PDFs). ADA also provides tips that individuals can incorporate into their daily oral care routines.
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is another great source for patients to learn more about their conditions and recommended treatment plans. It explains why diseases occur, how to manage them, different specialties, and their treatments.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) lists the most commonly found oral diseases and tips on preventive care. Additionally, the WHO website also provides dental health statistics for various countries.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
World Health Organization
National Institutes of Health
Government of Indiana
WebMD
