How To Choose The Right Dentist

When choosing a dentist, you want someone that you feel comfortable with and someone that you can trust. It is important to do your homework on this subject. When it comes to your teeth, you want someone that is experienced and has a great bedside manner. The beauty and the power of the Internet are that you can find out a lot about a dentist online. There is plenty of information as far as where they went to school, what other people are saying about them, and what to expect out of a visit from them. This way, before you even enter their office, you can be confident you have picked the right dentist.

The last thing you want is someone that is going to mess up your mouth or have a poor bedside manner. For a lot of people, they have a tremendous fear of going to the dentist. It scares them, and they put it off because of this. When that happens, they tend to end up with poor teeth. That is not something they want to do because it can cause a major impact on their self-esteem and how they view themselves when they look in the mirror. When they smile, they want to feel confident and in control of their appearance.

That is what a great dentist does for his patients. He puts them at ease and makes them feel comfortable. He walks them through what to expect and how they can properly take care of their teeth when they leave their office. Part of it is going to the dentist while the other half is making sure that you are doing the right things when you aren’t at the dentist. You want to make sure you have the right toothpaste, floss, and toothbrush. It is a daily process, but it is one that your teeth will thank you for down the line.

Again, you are the patient, and your needs come first. When you Google a potential dentist, you want to make sure they check all of the boxes and that the right questions are asked before you even think about going to their office in the first place.

How much does an average dentist visit costs? The answer is – it depends. 

It is a well-known fact that dentists make a significant amount of money. In fact, according to chron.com, a median dentist salary is about 160,000 a year. According to US News and World Report, the top 25 percent best dentists earn an average of 208,000 while the bottom 25 percent average about 104,800 a year. According to US News and Health Report, a dentist’s hourly salary is about 83 dollars, which is a little less than that of a doctor, which is about 90 per hour. Also, according to US News and World Report, the earning potential outlook for dentists is very promising. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a 19.4% job growth expected between the years 2016 and 2026. It is not surprising therefore that dentists charge a significant amount of money for their services. 

According to the website health.costhelper.com, an average dentist visit ranges from at least 50 to as much as 350. According to this website, an average teeth cleaning costs 200. A standard teeth cleaning costs between 70 to 200 dollars. Filling a cavity can cost 50 to 300 dollars. Dental crowns can cost 500 to 1,500 dollars or more per tooth. Pulling a tooth can cost 75 to 450 for a simple extraction and 150 to 650 dollars or more for a surgical extraction. Wisdom teeth removal usually costs 75 to 200 for a simple extraction and 225 to 600 for an impacted tooth. Dental implants start at 1000 to 3000 dollars. And, of course, there are additional costs of the initial exam, follow-up visits, and x-rays. 

The fees that dentists charge for their services depend on whether they are working on commission, some are hospital and government clinic dentists and some are private dentists. Private dentists’ earnings are a percentage of a fee-per-item. In addition, it is useful to mention that dentists have to pay a dentist nurse out of their own salary, which also affects their fee-per-item. Also, it is important to mention that dentists use very expensive machinery and very expensive materials.

How can I prevent cavities?

Brushing and flossing and rinsing, oh my! There are many cogs in the dental hygiene machine, but in order to maintain good oral health, additional measures need to be taken. Many often wonder how they can keep cavities at bay. Here are some guidelines on how to keep tooth decay in check.

Reduce Your Sugar Intake

When it comes to developing cavities, sugar is the primary culprit. Acidic drinks, specifically, create dental plaque that eventually leads to cavities. If you’re indulging in chocolate, tea, soda, or other sugar-laden treats, rinse your mouth out with water to avoid plaque buildup. 

*Helpful suggestion: If you’re an avid coffee drinker, consider sipping your morning cup of joe through a straw.

Use Fluoride Toothpaste

Following a meal, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. When used twice a day, your teeth have a better chance of fighting off cavities. Ideally, you should be brushing your teeth after every meal.

Keep Snacking To A Minimum

The more snacks you munch on, the more likely you are to destroy tooth enamel. There’s certainly no reason to forego a meal or snack, but be mindful of how much food you’re consuming. If food continues to build up, it’ll wreak havoc on your teeth. 

Opt For Tap Water

Public drinking taps are known for being rich with fluoride. This naturally-occurring mineral helps reduce tooth decay and, in turn, promotes good oral hygiene.

Visit Your Dentist

Regular cleanings help keep your teeth happy and healthy. Your dentist is the only person qualified enough to detect and treat any abnormalities. While you may be taking all the necessary precautions, your dentist will tell you whether or not your dental hygiene is up to snuff.

Education To Become A Dentist

It takes a lot of work to go into dentistry and become a licensed practicing dentist just like it does in order to go into any medical field. It takes quite a few years in addition to an undergraduate degree to get through all of the additional education standards to become a dentist. Below is a guide to go by when preparing your mind for what it will take to become a dentist. 

1.) You will have to take a test

Before you can even think about going to dental school you have to first take and pass the Dental Admissions Test. It is recommended that a student take the test the first time a year before graduation for practice and again as they graduate. To get accepted into any dental school you must pass this test. 

2.) After college, you have to attend dental school

You cannot be a dentist unless you go to dental school after you graduate college. In order to get into a dental school, you need to have a passing grade on your DAT as well as a good GPA in college and some hands-on experience in the field through means of internship or entry-level job. You do not have to have an undergraduate degree in science to go to dental school, but you will have had to have taken a certain amount of biology, chemistry, physical science, and organic chemistry classes to qualify. 

3.) Get ready for years of work

Dental school is going to take at least four years to get through on top of your bachelor’s degree. When you graduate from dental school after four years you will be awarded a degree known as either a doctor of dental surgery degree or a doctor of medicine in dentistry degree. 

The first two years of dental school will primarily be classes and tests while the last two years are focused on more hands-on training. 

4.) You still have to pass exams

Even when you finish your four-year degree you have to be ready to pass a series of tests known as the National Board of Dental Examinations in order to officially be called a dentist. This is a two-part written test that you have to take and make a minimum grade on to be able to call yourself a dentist. 

5.) Education never stops

You have graduated from dental school and passed all of your exams and are ready to be a licensed, practicing dentists. You are ready to go forth and fill cavities, but it is important to remember that the medical field is always changing and improving and you will forever be learning more and better techniques to treat your patients.

Is buying dental insurance worth it?

If there is one thing in life that is desperately needed, it is dental insurance. It is one of the most important things that someone can do for himself or herself. It provides them with the assurance they are going to have the insurance when they need it. They never know when that moment might pop up, but when it happens, it is better to be ready for it as opposed to being caught off guard. When they are caught off guard, they are going to be stuck with a big bill they can’t afford and it is going to put them in debt.

The most important reason to get dental insurance is that an individual’s teeth are very, very important. If they don’t take care of them, it has proven that it can bother their stomach and cause early death. People truly don’t realize how much the teeth impact other parts of their bodies. They need to be proactive about this. It is just as important as medical insurance. It is part of the body after all. If someone is without dental insurance, they are playing a very, very dangerous game with their life. It is not one they should be playing at all.

The thing they worry about is money, but money is not going to be any good if they are not around to enjoy it or if they are living in pain. With dental insurance, a lot of the plans offer payment options, which allow them to pay what they can when they can. They still have to pay the bill, but they don’t have to pay the bill upfront all at once, which can be tough for a lot of people. They look at it, and they think it’s a lot to handle for them in one large sum.

If they talk to their dentist and their insurance, it can be paid off over a number of months or even years. That is why there is truly not a single reason out there not to get dental insurance in today’s world. 

When you meet with a new dentist, there are a few questions that you should ask before you decide to become a new patient. One of the things that you need to find out about is the background of the dentist and hygienists who work in the office. The dentist you see on a regular schedule should be someone who has had the proper training and who understands how to treat all types of dental issues, referring you to a specialist for problems that can’t be handled in the office. 

Another question that you want to ask would be if the dentist accepts the kind of insurance that you have. If you don’t have insurance, find out if the office accepts self-pay patients and if there are any discounts applied if the services are paid for in cash at the time of the visit. You should also ask if there are any types of payment arrangements available. 

Ask the dentist if the office can accommodate the needs that you have as well as any health issues that you have. Some of the issues that you might want to discuss include anxiety while visiting a dentist or concerns that you have about your teeth. You also need to find out if the dentist can treat your entire family or if you would need to find another office for your children. 

A question that you should consider asking is how other patients feel about the office. Most dentists have a website or a social media page so that you can read reviews by other patients and see the services that are offered. Find out about the hours of the office, insurance information and if emergency services are offered in the event that there is an issue with your teeth when the office is closed.