Should I Go To A Dentist Or Orthodontist? Key Deciding Factors

Both dentists and orthodontists play a crucial role in maintaining our mouth health and our bright smiles. However, there is a difference between the two professions which is important to understand before making an appointment with one or the other.

Depending on your needs, you will be better served to visit either a dentist or an orthodontist. In this blog post, we will explain what each profession focuses on. We’ll also highlight the main reasons to visit either a dentist or orthodontist.

What Does a Dentist Do?

Dentists focus on oral health as a whole. This refers specifically to your teeth, gums, jaw, and the nerves in your mouth. 

A dentist looks for and treats a range of dental issues during check-ups. These include oral hygiene problems, gum disease, and cavities.

Dentists also improve the function of our teeth. This is achieved by applying crowns, veneers, or bonding to damaged or chipped teeth.

It is generally advised to visit a dentist at least twice a year for a check-up.

What Does an Orthodontist Do?

While it’s true to say that all orthodontists are dentists, not all dentists are qualified orthodontists. An orthodontist has received additional specialist training in addition to completing dental school.

An orthodontist is a profession concerned with the alignment of your teeth, as well as correcting bite issues and other structural issues.

It is estimated that there are 10,658 practicing orthodontists in the United States today. In total, there are around 190,000 practicing dentists, by comparison.

When to See a Dentist?

Above mentioned above, it is generally advised to visit a dentist at least twice a year for a routine check-up. If you are experiencing dental issues, more frequent visits may be required.

Regular cleanings by a dentist are important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Your dentist will check the interior of your mouth and the health of your teeth and gums.

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in a tooth, it’s important to make an appointment with a dentist. In some cases, your dentist may refer you to a specialist for further treatment.

When to See an Orthodontist?

Reasons to see an orthodontist include overcrowded teeth, palate expansion, and jaw malocclusion. Orthodontists are perhaps best known for fixing crooked or misaligned teeth using some form of corrective braces.

We should visit a dentist regularly, though we tend to only visit an orthodontist for specific treatment.

It is advised that children get assessed by an orthodontist before the age of seven. This is to determine if they will require braces when they are older.

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Dentist or Orthodontist: Know the Difference

When you are planning a dental visit, it is important to know whether you should visit a dentist or orthodontist. While we should pay regular visits to a dentist, an orthodontist is a specialist that we generally only visit for specific reasons, such as crooked teeth.

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