A healthy smile indicates overall dental health and wellbeing in addition to lighting up a person’s face. Your dentition can make or mar your face; that is why you need to take care of it and correct any misalignment or treat minor issues before they become major.
The major health care professionals that help take care of our teeth are dentists. They do a lot more than just filling cavities, excavating decayed tooth or routine cleaning.
Some people honestly do not know how important dentists are or the roles they play and services they render. This article therefore will discuss the roles of these healthcare professionals and how to make the best use of their expertise.
Meanwhile you can visit this site: https://www.nhs.uk/ for tips on how to take care of your teeth.
Who is a Dentist and What do they do?
A dentist is a licensed and certified health care professional that is trained to diagnose, prevent and treat conditions and diseases that affect the gum, teeth and mouth. They are vast in the knowledge of oral health and how it affects every other part of human well-being.
Key Responsibilities
The following are some of their responsibilities:
1. Preventive Care – This includes carrying out regular checks and routine cleaning to prevent dental issues such as cavities and gum disease, administering fluoride treatments and sealants for dental protection and educating patients on standard oral hygiene and health practices such as diet, flossing and brushing.
2. Diagnosis and Treatment – This involves identifying oral health issues and treating them, performing different dental procedures and managing dental conditions/issues.
3. Cosmetic Dentistry – This niche involves any treatment that helps to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the teeth.
4. Oral Surgery – This includes tooth extraction, corrective jaw surgeries, bone augmentation and gun grafting procedures.
5. Emergency Care – This includes managing severe toothache and tooth abscesses and treated accidented teeth.
6. Early Detection of Systemic Conditions – This involves detection of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders and heart disease through symptoms in the mouth.
Types of Dentists
Dentistry is a broad arm of medicine with different specializations, and they include the following:
1. General Dentistry – These are like General Practitioners who are the first point of call for any dental issue.
2. Pediatric Dentists- These specialists in children’s dental health.
3. Orthodontists – Thes are those who specialize in corrective procedures that improves bite and general dental function.
4. Periodontists – These professionals specialize in diagnosing and treating gum disease.
5. Endodontists – These are specialists that treat root canals, dental pulp and issues that have to do with tooth ache and infection.
6. Prosthodontists – These are those who specialize in tooth replacement using dentures, bridges and implants; they help restore appearance and dental function.
7. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons – These are specialists that handle complex procedures that have to do with the face, mouth and jaw and also tumor removal and corrective jaw surgeries. Click here for more details about these specialists.
Importance of Regular Dental Visits
There are people who will not visit a dentist unless they are in severe pain. However, this is not the best practice. It is important to visit your tooth doctor at least two times in a year. This will help catch dental issues early before they become major issues.
Find below more reasons why you should visit a dentist regularly:
1. Prevention of gum diseases and cavities
2. Maintaining a healthy smile
3. Early detection of oral cancer
4. Reducing general health risks
How to Choose the Right Dentist
The dentist you choose determines the type of treatment/service you get. It is therefore important to look out for and choose one that will serve you excellently. The following are factors to consider as you make your decision:
1. Credentials and Experience- Make sure that this professional is duly licensed and certified by a reputable board. Also, additional training or specialization in the area you need care is essential.
2. Range of Services – It is best to go with a clinic that offers a wide range of services so that you do not go through the hassle of dealing with different clinics.
3. Patient Review and Reputation – A reputable dental practice will definitely have great reviews from patients. Never ignore any negative review; find out how it was handled. This will help you know what to expect from a dental practice.
4. Communication and Comfort- Look for a dentist that communicates clearly and makes you feel comfortable. This will reduce dental anxiety and make your visits as productive as possible.
5. Location – It is best that you look for a clinic in your locality for many reasons. For example, if you live in Everett, you need an Everett dentist so that you do not have to travel far to get dental care. Additionally, emergencies may arise, and you do not want to waste time on getting help.
Conclusion
Dentists do more than scaling and polishing or tooth extraction. We have shared some of their key responsibilities and specialties in this article. We also shared tips on how to choose the best dentist for you. Bear the information shared here in mind and it will help you make informed decisions going forward.