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1. Who is a dentist?
A dentist is a doctor who practices dentistry. Dentistry involves the mouth, teeth, gums, and related areas. A dentist takes care of the overall oral healthcare. Common procedures performed at the dentist are tooth filling, tooth extraction, cleaning and polishing of teeth, and minor tooth surgeries like root canal treatment. Within dentistry, there are many specializations that require further training.
2. What education qualifications are mandatory for a Dentist?
A doctoral degree in the field of dental medicine or dental surgery is required to become a dentist. The pre-requisite for doing a dental course is a 4-year bachelor’s degree in a science related field. Qualifying in the dental admission exam and enrolling in a dental school are the next steps.
3. Should I consult a dentist for bad breath?
Bad breath is often due to lack of oral hygiene. In some cases, it may be an indication of some underlying health issue. Consulting a dentist for bad breath is the most logical step. A dentist will perform thorough examination of your teeth and gums to determine the cause of bad breath. Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath.
4. How many sittings does a dentist take for Root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure followed for advanced decay of tooth that cannot be repaired by filling. In this treatment the tooth pulp is removed, the space is cleaned and filled, and finally a crown is placed on the tooth. The number of sittings for a root canal treatment varies depending on the extent of tooth decay.
5. Will a dentist perform surgery for wisdom tooth removal?
People who develop wisdom tooth may require extraction at a later time. A dentist is the right person to perform extraction of wisdom tooth. Once you book an appointment for tooth extraction, the dentist will appraise you of the entire procedure and after care. Sedation, numbing, tissue removal, bone removal, and tooth extraction are the steps of wisdom tooth removal.
A dentist’s job is to take care of your oral health issues. This includes the health of your mouth, jaw, teeth, and gums. Dentists provide services including teeth cleaning, polishing, extraction, filling, root canal treatment, and cosmetic enhancement. They also advise on oral diseases including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.
Yes, your dentist can feel for lumps or abnormal tissue changes in your neck, head, face, and oral cavity during your routine check-up. He/she can also examine your mouth for sores, discolored tissue, or common symptoms of oral cancer. A biopsy (examination of sample cells from the mouth to look closely for disease) may be ordered to diagnose oral cancer.
Yes, teeth whitening is available as a service with dentists. Professional teeth whitening includes application of a peroxide-based bleaching solution to your teeth, and use of heat, light, or a combination of the two to amplify the whitening results. Professional teeth whitening usually provides much better results than that at home.
Yes, you can. Your health should be your top priority. Hence, if you are uncomfortable with your present dentist, or your needs are not being met, you can switch to another dentist, even in the middle of a treatment. However, maintain your dental health records well for a smooth transfer between dentists.
Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that people may get in their late teens or early twenties. These teeth are often misaligned, sometimes painful, and may need to be removed. Your dentist, and if needed, an oral surgeon, can help with the extraction of your wisdom teeth.
Gum disease is an infection of your gums that damages the soft tissue, and if severe, can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Depending on the stage of the disease and the extent of damage, dentists treat it by cleaning your teeth, plaque and tartar removal from above and below the gum line, administration of antibiotics, and surgical methods.
Your dentist may need to numb parts of your mouth with a local anaesthetic, if you go for a procedure such as teeth filling or root canal. This is to prevent the procedure from being painful. In most cases, the local anaesthetic wears off from all parts of your mouth between 2 to 5 hours.
Generally, it is recommended that you take your child to the dentist within 6 months of the eruption of their first tooth. The first dentist visit may include a full check-up of the child’s teeth, jaws, gums, and oral tissues to check for their growth and development.