Dentistry | Definition, History, & Fields

Dentistry is the branch of science that concentrates on oral health, treating mouth, teeth, and gum. The subject centers around studying the problem, diagnosis, prevention, management, and treatment of oral health to permanently relieve the patient from dental pain. On a dominant note, dentistry now exhibits its expertise, focusing on the teeth arrangement inside the mouth. However, Dentistry also covers other intricate topics, such as craniofacial complex, including the temporomandibular joint. The medical professional practicing Dentistry is termed Dentists.

 

Dentistry: The History

The subject, Dentistry, goes back late in the history of human civilization, right around 7000BC to 5500BC. Dentistry is the only medical science recognized as the first specialization in its history. Since then, from period to period, the subject has shown its significance and has always succeeded in solving any oral problem. This science department has its base developed critically and is still extending its branches to help animals and humans in the best possible way possible. 

 

So, did you know that the cases of tooth decay were very insignificant during pre-agricultural societies? However, with the advent of farming societies, there was an aggravated rise in tooth decay cases. The flint tools show a record in the oldest known dentistry treating this situation. 

 

Now, the ancient Sumerian text reads cases concerning ‘Tooth Worms.’ This issue was also evident in Japan, India, Egypt, and China. During the 14th C, a surgeon named Guy de Chaullic continued talking about the idea stating worms causing tooth decay.

 

In ancient Greek texts, scholars, namely Hippocrates and Aristotle, spoke about the eruption pattern of teeth. This text also discusses treating gum disorders, extracting teeth with forceps, and using wires to stabilize fractured jaws and loose teeth. 

 

During the Islamic Golden Age, many books, but namely The Canon in medicine, were written by Avicenna, and Altasreef holds a position in the history of dentistry. The book discusses a fractured jaw should be treated according to the occlusal guidance of the teeth, which is still acknowledged in modern Dentistry.

 

After discussing some interesting historical facts on the subject, it’s time to learn more about the field. 

 

What About The Filed?

What is the general reason to visit a dentist? It is simply because you need to treat the persisting dental pain. Teeth are an essential part of the skeletal system, which, when affected, requires a thorough examination before undertaking the treatment operation. So, besides these root Infection, dry mouth, and enamel erosion situation, what are the typical occasion that makes you visit dentists?

 

A Tooth Decay 

It is one of the most typical medical conditions that dentists take care of regularly. The reason behind this condition is that when bacterial infestation develops plaque on the tooth surface at the cost of damaging the enamel. If the situation is not handled on time, the acid from the plaque penetrates inside the enamel, ultimately causing cavities. The patient usually experiences toothaches. They might also experience excruciating pain when consuming hot and cold food and drinks. The other notable symptoms of toothache are:

• Bad breath.
• An unpleasant taste on the tongue.
• A black or brown spot on the tooth.

 

Bad Breath

If you are experiencing bad breath, a toothache might not be the immediate reason to be concerned about. This distressing oral health situation can also occur because of-

• Acid reflux
• Infection
• Medication
• Poor oral health
• Cancer

 

Cracked/Broken Teeth

People often find themselves toothing their teeth unconsciously. A repeated occurrence might crack or ultimately break one’s teeth. Some other noteworthy reasons for cracked or broken teeth are-

• Chewing hard food,
• Grinding teeth while sleeping,
• Mouth piercing.

 

Sensitive Teeth 

If you often sense a tingling effect on the tooth, chances are high that your enamel has eroded and the dentin is underexposure. Since the dentin has a collection of nerves that runs deeper inside the tooth, when the patient consumes hot and cold substances, the sensation generally travels deeper along the tubes making the patient experience intense pain. What is the other reason for tooth sensitivity-

• Gum disease 
• Root infection 
• A cracked or broken tooth 
• Worn-down crown or fillings 
• Enamel erosion 
• Receding gums

 

Receding Gums

This health condition can lead to other dental problems, making the patient lose one tooth. The genuine cause is that receding gum exposes the delicate root of the teeth, which is a vulnerable situation. Some notable reasons behind the receding gum situation are –

• Poor oral hygiene, 
• Brushing your teeth too hard 
• High blood pressure 
• Hormonal fluctuations in women 
• Smoking  

 

What Are the Signs Of A Healthy Dental Condition?

If you have a healthy, happy dental area, you will observe-

• Firm pink gum-If you notice your gums to be pink(not red or white), congratulations, your oral health is right at the point. Further, ensure that you have a firm and painless gum to certify them healthy. 
• Sturdy teeth structure-Check that your teeth structure is not loose. However, if it’s not, you might be going through gum disease.
• Neutral oral smell- When you brush or floss, it’s natural to experience a healthy minty sensation. However, after some time, your mouth takes its natural course, which should smell neutral.
• No signs of blood while flossing or brushing. If you find blood, consult a dentist as soon as possible.

 

Dental Examinations That are Typically Carried Out

If you run to a dentist to understand what is the current status of your dental health, a few regular examinations are carried out, namely-

• Cleansing- This cleansing method lets the dentist observe a clear picture of the current condition of your teeth’ structure. If there is plaque, the dentist will remove the same. Flossing is the next step, followed by brushing(using an electric toothbrush) and then layering your teeth with fluoride gel.  
• X-Ray- This imaging process lets the medical practitioner verify if an underlying situation might need an immediate response. The experts in the domain generally guide the patient, which will help the treatment process be sorted and well-arranged. 

 

Is Dentistry A Good Career In India?

If you want to pursue a dental career, you better start preparing today. It is a well-paying job where general dentists earn around 0.2 Lakhs to ₹ 6.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 2.6 Lakhs.

 

In Conclusion

If you want to have a detailed check on your dental hygiene, book an appointment right now at CureBridge. The dental department offers numerous treatments utilizing the state of the art facilities, keeping the need of the patients in mind. They believe in providing a dedicated and satisfying treatment experience. So without any second thought, If you find yourself suffering any of the above situations, call CureBridge and book your visit right away. Hope you have a great day ahead!!