Dental Health

Regular dental care will prevent tooth decay and gum disease which are largely caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food. Plaque begins to accumulate on teeth within 20 minutes after eating. If this plaque is not removed thoroughly each day, tooth decay will flourish. Over time, plaque will harden into tartar.

Plaque and tartar lead to a number of problems:

• Cavities - holes that damage the structure of teeth
• Gingivitis - swollen, inflamed, bleeding gums
• Periodontitis - destruction of the ligaments and bone that support the teeth, often leading to tooth loss
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Abscesses, pain, inability to use teeth

Healthy teeth are clean and have few cavities. Healthy gums are pink and firm. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, follow these steps:

• Brush your teeth at least twice daily, preferably after every meal and at bedtime.
• Floss at least once per day.
• Schedule an appointment with a dentist for a routine cleaning and examination.
• Many dentists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months.

Regular tooth cleaning by a dentist removes plaque that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult for you to reach on your own. Professional cleaning includes scaling and polishing. This uses various instruments or devices to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth. Routine examination may include dental x-rays.

Dental Plan

When you get a job with a company that offers dental and health insurance plans, it can very easy to only select the bare minimum coverage to prevent the deduction of too much money from your pay check. Some people even opt not to take either insurance, or only one, to save even more money. This strategy can and will only end up costing you more money in the long run.

Sign Up For Full Coverage

Most companies that offer dental and health insurance plans do so after ninety days, or some other probationary period. This is to ensure that the money spent on the plans is not going to waste on employees that may not last. The ones who stay, however, are rewarded by the offering of benefits. Dental and health insurance plans are usually set up on a group plan, which means you get discounts and better rates as a corporation, as opposed to the rates you would get as an individual. That is why it is a very good idea to sign up with whatever dental and health insurance plans your company sets in front of you.

When signing up with the dental and health insurance plans, sign up for the best coverage you can afford. Sure, the money is being taken out every month from your pay check, but if you think about it the insurance plans are actually saving you money.

Especially if you have children, you have to realize all the money the average person spends on health care. There are doctor’s visits, physicals, there are the times when you or your family fall ill, there are broken bones, there are toothaches, root canals, and more. All of the above could happen at any time, and you had better be prepared for it. Good dental and health insurance plans should cover the above ailments. That means that, even with all those doctor visits and medical bills, you could end up saving thousands of dollars merely by having a little money taken out of your check each month.

It may seem a shame to have that money taken out when you feel fine but you have to realize that anything can happen at any time. You need to have dental and health insurance plans in place in case the inevitable happens. Medical and dental bills can be outrageous but they do not have to be. So, sign up with dental and health insurance plans and make sure you and your family are protected for whatever life throws your way.

Dentistry

Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and tissues in the mouth, along with giving advice and administering care to help prevent future problems. They provide instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, the use of fluorides, and other aspects of dental care. They remove tooth decay, fill cavities, examine x rays, place protective plastic sealants on children’s teeth, straighten teeth, and repair fractured teeth. They also perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases. Dentists extract teeth and make models and measurements for dentures to replace missing teeth. They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications.

Dentists use a variety of equipment, including x-ray machines, drills, mouth mirrors, probes, forceps, brushes, and scalpels. They wear masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases.

Most dentists are solo practitioners, meaning that they own their own businesses and work alone or with a small staff. Some dentists have partners, and a few work for other dentists as associate dentists. Most dentists work 4 or 5 days a week. Some work evenings and weekends to meet their patients’ needs. The number of hours worked varies greatly among dentists. Most full-time dentists work between 35 and 40 hours a week. However, others, especially those who are trying to establish a new practice, work more. Also, experienced dentists often work fewer hours. It is common for dentists to continue in part-time practice well beyond the usual retirement age.

Most dental students have at least a bachelor’s degree before entering dental school, although a few applicants are accepted to dental school after 2 or 3 years of college and complete their bachelor’s degree while attending dental school.

High school and college students who want to become dentists should take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, health, and mathematics. College undergraduates planning on applying to dental school are required to take many science courses. Because of this, some choose a major in a science, such as biology or chemistry, while others take the required science coursework while pursuing a major in another subject.

All dental schools require applicants to take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). When selecting students, schools consider scores earned on the DAT, applicants’ grade point averages, and information gathered through recommendations and interviews. Competition for admission to dental school is keen.

Dental school usually lasts 4 academic years. Studies begin with classroom instruction and laboratory work in science, including anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, and physiology. Beginning courses in clinical sciences, including laboratory techniques, are also completed. During the last 2 years, students treat patients, usually in dental clinics, under the supervision of licensed dentists. Most dental schools award the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). Others award an equivalent degree, Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).

Some dental school graduates work for established dentists as associates for 1 to 2 years to gain experience and save money to equip an office of their own. Most dental school graduates, however, purchase an established practice or open a new one immediately after graduation.

Licensing is required to practice as a dentist. In most States, licensure requires passing written and practical examinations in addition to having a degree from an accredited dental school. Candidates may fulfill the written part of the State licensing requirements by passing the National Board Dental Examinations. Individual States or regional testing agencies administer the written or practical examinations.

Other qualifications

Dentistry requires diagnostic ability and manual skills. Dentists should have good visual memory, excellent judgment regarding space, shape, and color, a high degree of manual dexterity, and scientific ability. Good business sense, self-discipline, and good communication skills are helpful for success in private practice.