The first person you should go to if you have any dental healthcare problems is your local dentist. The dentist can refer you to another specialized health care professional like an orthodontist, or a specialist. Regular oral checkups are necessary to prevent oral and dental problems from developing.
Types of Dentists
Depending on the type of oral health care you need, there are a number of professionals and services who can help you some of which are discussed below:
Dentist
Your dentist is the first person you should go to for all your dental health care requirements. Dentists prevent and treat oral problems by:
Providing preventive measures like scaling, cleaning, and fluoride therapy
Repairing teeth that have been damaged by decay or trauma
Treat oral and dental conditions
Performing dental surgeries, like tooth extraction
Using x-ray to diagnose abnormalities and recommend treatment
Designing dentures, and other dental appliances like mouth guards.
Orthodontists
Orthodontists diagnose, prevent, and treat any problems that you may be facing with teeth and jawline alignment. They treat such problems by fitting the patient with corrective appliances like plates and braces to align the teeth and jaws appropriately and beautify your smile.
Other Types of Dentists
Some other dental specialized areas are as follows:
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons: They treat injuries and other diseases of the mouth, jaws, teeth, and face. These may include cleft palates, problematic wisdom teeth, facial injuries, oral cancer, and cysts and tumors of the jaw.
Periodontists: They are gum disease specialists who prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases of the tissue that surrounds the teeth. If you have a very bad case of gum disease, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist for further treatment.
Endodontists: They specialize in maintaining dental health through procedures involving the soft inner tissue of the teeth called pulp. This includes root canal treatment for removing infected or damaged pulp.
Public Dental Healthcare
Governments in many countries offer free or subsidized general dental care to citizens if they meet certain eligibility criteria. They can visit dentists who practice in public health clinics for dental checkups and treatment.
Private Dental Healthcare
Most dentists work in private practice and often people have one regular dentist to whom they go for periodic checkups over the years. If you need to visit a dentist and do not have a regular one, you can ask neighbors, friends or family to suggest someone in your local area.
Cost of Private Dental Healthcare
Private dentists set their own fees, and this can vary depending on the type of dentist and the kind of treatment required by the patient.
Dental insurance can help with the cost of treatment, which is offered by many health insurance companies. Two types of dental insurances are generally available: general and major dental. General dental insurance covers cleaning, plaque removal, x-rays, and smaller fillings. Major dental insurance covers orthodontics, wisdom teeth removal, crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Preparing for your Dentist Appointment
Oral health needs differ from person to person and the frequency of going to a dentist for checkups may also vary. Consult your dentist about your risk level and how frequently you should have your teeth checked.
If you are having tooth pain or sensitivity, go visit a dentist as soon as possible. To prepare for your appointment, it is a good idea to:
Wear comfortable clothes
Avoid beverages with caffeine or sugar before you go to the dentist
List any medication or vitamins you are taking
List known allergies
Prepare a list of questions to ask your dentist.
Regular checkups and good care of your teeth will ensure that you always smile with confidence. Visit dentists regularly for better dental health.