If you’ve ever been to the dentist, you know the doctor himself only spends a small portion of your visit actually examining your teeth. In fact, if you take good care of your mouth then you may spend far more time with hygienists than you do with the actual dentist in your lifetime. But if problems do arise with your pearly whites, your dentist has the qualifications to solve just about any of them.
You’re sitting in the big chair at the dental office and have just had your teeth x-rayed,
scraped, poked and prodded by a hygienist. You may have even gotten a fluoride treatment or a thorough flossing. Then the dentist comes in, looks you over, and you’re done.
You may be thinking, “that’s it? That’s all that dentists do?” If you are, you are sorely mistaken.
Your dentist is entrusted with the overall care and well-being of each tooth you have, and there’s more to it than you may realize. Dental assistants are trusted with cleanings, taking x-rays, creating molds or any number of other tasks, but it’s the doctor of dentistry that examines your information and your mouth and ultimately makes the big decisions.
In that short time at the end of each visit to his or her office, your dentist is examining many different things about your mouth. Are your teeth healthy, clean, straight and without obstruction? Are they being compromised by cavities or further problems? Are your gums healthy and on track to remain so? These are all questions dentists are trained to answer with one simple look inside your mouth.
Dentistry goes beyond just examining and diagnosing typical ailments, however. By virtue of their expansive training, dentists are qualified to perform a variety of procedures.
Your individual dentist can restore broken teeth using crowns or bridges, correct problems with the nerve inside them through root canals and can remove a problem tooth if needed. If the problem is with your gums, he or she is also qualified to perform periodontal therapy on it to help correct the issue.
Dentists are actually trained in orthodontics as well and can recommend, fit and manage braces. Beyond that, if you find yourself needing an entirely new set of teeth, he or she can fit you for a prosthetic, commonly known as dentures.
While these aspects of dentistry are covered by basic education and training, your individual doctor has the option of also becoming specialized in other, related areas. These include oral and maxillofacial surgery, the application of anesthesia prior to and during such surgery, and dental implants.
Good oral hygiene is paramount to the body’s overall health and well-being. Failure to take care of your teeth can lead to a number of additional health problems that can be far more serious.
Dentists are available everywhere and are a one-stop shop for both unique and everyday oral needs, so finding one in your area if you do not already have one is an important step you can take towards living a healthier life.
