Article Translations: (Spanish)
Dentistry (DEN-teh-stree) is the medical care that prevents and treats diseases and conditions affecting the mouth and teeth.
A dentist is a doctor who studies, diagnoses, and treats mouth and teeth conditions. They also help people maintain good oral care.
Dentists help people take good care of their mouth and teeth. When problems happen, they can diagnose and treat them. These include:
They can provide:
For painful procedures, dentists give medicine with a small needle to numb the area. Some dentists use sedation to make people sleepy and not feel pain during procedures.
A dentist's training usually includes:
After college and dental school, they can do a residency in a specialty such as pediatric dentistry or dental anesthesia.
Getting regular cleanings and care from your dentist helps your child's teeth stay healthy. If you need help to pay for dental care, visit hhs.gov.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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