What is a Dentist?
Dentists and orthodontists are doctors who specialize in oral healthcare. Doctors who study general dentistry are trained to diagnose and treat conditions of your gums, teeth, tongue, and mouth.
Orthodontists also receive this training, but they get additional education in order to specialize in diagnosing and treating misalignments of your teeth and jaws.
What Does a Dentist Do?
Dentists are doctors of oral health. Typically, dentists go to college for a pre-dentistry or pre-medical degree before going on to a graduate school of dentistry.
Certified dentists can help fix oral health conditions of your teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth. They’re also able to clean your teeth, but dental hygienists usually take care of that.
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Dentists provide the following care:
- conduct and interpret dental X-rays
- fill cavities
- extract teeth
- repair cracked teeth
- promote oral health and oral hygiene
- fill and bond teeth
- treat gum disease, such as gingivitis
- prescribe treatment, including prescription drugs, for oral health conditions.
- whiten teeth
- install crowns or veneers
- oversee the development of children’s teeth.
- perform oral surgery
5 Questions to Ask Your Potential Orthodontist:
1. Do they hurt? Smilesweet Orthodontics uses high-tech braces (and Invisalign) treatment to help make sure that pain is very minimal. There may be some mild discomfort after the initial bonding appointment and as your teeth begin to shift, but nothing that over-the-counter Tylenol or Ibuprofen can’t kick.
2. How long will I have them? Every patient is unique and treatment time is dependent on your particular case. On average, you will need to have braces for 1-2 years and will wear a retainer following.
3. Do I get to choose colors? Dr. Valins uses the most up to date braces to allow you to get color options but in a very hygienic way (unlike some traditional braces). The brackets we use help to minimize soreness and minimize your visits to every 6-12 weeks – putting ties on each bracket with fun-colored elastics to make your bite fit great.
4. What if I get made fun of?** While you may be the first, we can almost guarantee that you won’t be the only one in your class, group of friends, etc. that has braces. Our braces are designed to be far less noticeable and bulky than they were in your parent’s days and the days of being called “metal mouth” are long gone. Rock those braces with confidence and you don’t have to worry about a thing. PARENT NOTE: if your child is not concerned about what others might think, we’d advise not discussing this topic unless it becomes an issue. We want to avoid giving them additional worries and insecurities if they don’t already exist.
5. Can I still participate in sports and other activities? It may take a few days to get used to your new braces, but you should be able to continue participating in sports, playing musical instruments and enjoying activities as normal throughout your treatment.