Information on what a dentist does
When people think of a dentist, they often think of a medical professional working on a patient’s teeth. While this is true, there is so much more to what a dentist is, and the services that they perform.
The Job of a Dentist
The job of a dentist is to ensure the oral health of their patients. This means the health of their patients’ mouths overall—not just their teeth. A dentist provides services that help to protect and heal different areas of the mouth, including the:
- Teeth
- Gums
- Tongue
- Cheeks
- Jawbone
There are a few different types of dentistry that specialize in different forms of treatment for patients. Below are some of the most common:
General Dentistry
General dentistry is the field of dentistry that involves general services such as cleanings, checkups, filling cavities and so on. A general dentist should be visited every six months for an in-depth cleaning and checkup. Regardless of how well you take care of your teeth, it is important for a dentist to use special tools to remove built up plaque, tartar and debris. They will also check your teeth, gums, cheeks, tongue and jawbone for disease, decay and damage. By catching any oral health issues early on, you are able to prevent the issues from developing further—saving you a lot of time, pain and hassle.
Emergency Dentistry
You may have an accident that leaves your mouth damaged in some way. For instance, you may be playing a sport and trip—breaking your tooth when you fall. If the break is severe enough, it needs to be handled immediately. For dental emergencies like these, you’ll want to contact an emergency dentist. These dentists are able to perform dental services within a very short period of time—often within as little as 24 hours.
Cosmetic Dentistry
A cosmetic dentist performs cosmetic services that improve a patient’s teeth and gums. While most people think of cosmetic dentistry services as purely aesthetic, this is often far from the case. There are many services that a cosmetic dentist provides that are necessary for the ongoing oral health of a patient. If a patient has a missing tooth, for instance, the surrounding teeth may begin to migrate—leading to decay, infecting and crowding. The jaw bone tissue may also begin to deteriorate. Through a cosmetic dentistry procedure called a “dental implant,” the migration of the teeth can be stopped—and the bone tissue can be saved. While some cosmetic services are purely aesthetic, others will help to ensure the ongoing positive oral health of the patient.
Set an Appointment
If you have any questions about services that you require, or you have any questions about what the role of a dentist is overall, speak with a dental office in your area. They will be happy to answer your questions, and help you to set an appointment to have whatever form of dentistry you would like performed completed.
Downtown Dental Excellence is conveniently located in Cleveland, TX (just north of Houston) and provides a larger variety of General and Cosmetic Dental procedures. Learn more about Downtown Dental Excellence here.
If you're just interested in reading more about general dentistry and information surrounding, here's some helpful information on what your general expectations should be when going to the dentist.