Maintaining your oral health is more than just a bright smile. It’s an important part of maintaining your overall well-being. Whether you’re searching for a “dentist near me,” you need braces, or you want to book a teeth cleaning, finding the right dentist is essential. With RecoMed, South Africa’s leading online healthcare booking platform, you can connect with trusted dentists quickly and conveniently.

In this comprehensive guide to dental care in South Africa, we’ll answer all your questions about dental care, explore the roles of different dental professionals, and show how RecoMed makes booking your next dentist appointment effortless.

What Does a Dentist Do?

Dentists provide a wide range of services aimed at preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral health issues. Regular visits to your dentist are essential, not just for a bright smile, but for your overall well-being. Whether you need routine care or urgent treatment for a broken tooth or infection, dentists ensure your oral health stays on track. Here’s how dentists help you:

• Preventative care: This is all about keeping problems from starting in the first place. You should generally visit the dentist at least twice a year (every six months) for a cleaning and checkup. Routine check-ups and thorough teeth cleaning are crucial for removing plaque and tartar, which helps maintain healthy teeth and gums.

• Diagnosis and treatment: If a problem does arise, your dentist is trained to find it and fix it. They can diagnose and treat issues like cavities, gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis), and oral infections.

• Common procedures: Dentists perform a variety of procedures to restore and maintain your oral health. These include fillings to repair cavities, root canals to treat infected teeth, and tooth extractions when a tooth is too damaged to save. Dentists also offer cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening or veneers.

RecoMed boasts an extensive network of verified dentists across South Africa, including those who accept leading medical aids, ensuring you have access to a wide range of qualified professionals. You can easily book your next dentist appointment using RecoMed.

What Is an Oral Hygienist?

An oral hygienist works alongside your dentist to help you achieve and maintain a healthy smile. Their main focus is on preventative care and providing you with the knowledge and skills to take care of your teeth and gums at home. They're experts in oral hygiene education, teaching you the best techniques for brushing, flossing, and using other tools to keep your mouth healthy between your regular dental visits.

Search for verified oral hygienists and book online now with RecoMed.

What Does an Oral Hygienist Do?

Oral hygienists offer a range of services crucial for maintaining long-term oral health and preventing dental issues. A key service is professional teeth cleaning, also known as scaling and polishing. During this procedure, your oral hygienist will carefully remove plaque and tartar buildup from all surfaces of your teeth, even those hard-to-reach areas. Oral hygienists also play an important role in gum disease prevention. They can identify early signs of gingivitis (gum inflammation) and provide treatments and advice to prevent the disease from becoming more serious. 

In addition to cleaning and gum care, oral hygienists offer fluoride treatments. Fluoride treatments strengthen your tooth enamel and make your teeth more resistant to decay. 

If it's been a while since your last professional cleaning, or you have any concerns about your gums, consider booking an appointment with an oral hygienist. Find an oral hygienist near you using RecoMed and book your teeth cleaning appointment online today!

Can a Dentist Do Braces?

Some general dentists offer orthodontic services like clear aligners, which can be a good option for mild teeth alignment issues. A dentist can assess your teeth and determine if clear aligners are suitable for your needs. 

Braces are, however, typically handled by orthodontists, who are specialists in teeth alignment and jaw correction. Orthodontists have the expertise to diagnose and treat a wider range of orthodontic issues, including severe crowding, spacing, and bite problems.

Here’s when to see each professional:

• General dentist: Visit a general dentist for mild alignment issues or consultations about clear aligners. If necessary, your dentist will refer you to an orthodontist.

• Orthodontist: Visit an orthodontist if you have significant alignment issues and suspect you need traditional braces or have a more complex bite issue.

Luckily, RecoMed makes it easy to find both general dentists and orthodontists near you, helping you compare options and book appointments with the right professional.

Can a Dentist Give a Sick Note?

Yes, a dentist can give you a sick note. If a dental issue prevents you from working or attending school, your dentist can provide a sick note (medical certificate). This is especially helpful if you're recovering from a procedure like a tooth extraction, experiencing severe pain due to an infection, or need time off for any other dental-related reason. Don't hesitate to ask your dentist about a sick note during your appointment if you feel you need one. It's important to communicate your needs openly, so they can provide the necessary documentation to support your recovery.

Need to book a dentist appointment? Find a verified dentist near you using RecoMed and book your appointment today.

Which Dentist Is Open Today?

Dental emergencies don’t wait for office hours. If you're experiencing sudden tooth pain or need urgent care for a chipped tooth, finding an available dentist quickly is crucial. Waiting until tomorrow could prolong your discomfort and  potentially lead to more serious complications.

That's where RecoMed comes in. We understand that dental emergencies don't adhere to typical 9-5 office hours. That's why our platform is designed to help you find a dentist near you, who is available when you need them most.

With RecoMed, you can easily:

• Search for dentists offering same-day appointments: See which dentists in your area have availability to see you immediately.

• Find practitioners with extended hours or weekend availability: Many dentists on our platform offer evening and weekend hours to accommodate your busy schedule and urgent needs.

• Book online instantly: Forget about frantically calling multiple offices. RecoMed allows you to book your appointment online, 24/7, with just a few clicks.

RecoMed's easy-to-use platform helps you quickly find and book an appointment with a verified dentist who can help you today. Book a dentist appointment now.

How Do Dentists Clean Teeth?

You might be diligent about brushing and flossing at home, but professional teeth cleaning takes your oral hygiene to the next level. A professional cleaning, often performed by an oral hygienist, goes far beyond what you can achieve with daily brushing and flossing at home. 

Here’s what happens during a cleaning session:

• Scaling: This involves the removal of plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) buildup from all surfaces of your teeth, including those hard-to-reach areas along the gumline. Specialised tools, like ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments, are used to dislodge and remove these stubborn deposits.

• Polishing: Once the teeth are scaled, they're polished with a slightly rough paste. This smooths the surfaces of your teeth, making it more difficult for plaque to adhere in the future and also removing surface stains.

• Fluoride application: Finally, a fluoride treatment is applied to your teeth to make the enamel more resistant to decay. This can be in the form of a gel, varnish, or foam.

Regular professional teeth cleanings, combined with your daily oral hygiene routine, are the best way to keep your smile healthy, prevent gum disease, and catch potential problems early on. Book your next professional teeth cleaning appointment through RecoMed today!

Can a Dentist Whiten Teeth?

Yes, a dentist can whiten your teeth. Professional teeth whitening is one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures offered. Teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to brighten your smile, removing years of stains and discoloration caused by food, drinks, aging, and other factors. 

Dentists typically offer two main types of whitening treatments, these include: 

• In-office whitening: Provides immediate, noticeable results in just one visit, using professional-strength whitening agents and often, specialized lights or lasers to accelerate the process.

• Take-home kits: Involve whitening gel that you use over a period of time, allowing you to gradually whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home.

Both options are safe and effective when performed or supervised by a qualified dentist. Your dentist can assess your teeth, discuss your desired level of whiteness, and recommend the best option for your individual needs and goals. 

RecoMed is here to help you find a dentist near you so you can take care of your oral health. Ready to book your next check-up or explore treatment options? Search for verified dentists using RecoMed today and book a dentist appointment online with ease!

Can a Dentist Fix a Broken Tooth?

Yes, a dentist can fix a broken tooth. Dentists have several effective ways to repair and restore damaged teeth, and the best approach depends on how bad your broken tooth is.

For minor chips or small fractures, fillings or bonding may be sufficient to restore the tooth's shape and function. More significant breaks might require a crown, which covers the entire tooth to provide strength and protection. Veneers, thin shells bonded to the front of the tooth, can also be used to improve the appearance of chipped or cracked teeth. If the damage extends to the pulp (the inner part of the tooth), a root canal may be necessary to remove the infected tissue and save the tooth.

Your dentist will assess your specific needs and recommend the best course of action to bring back your confident, painless smile. You can easily search and book a dentist appointment using RecoMed.

Can a Dentist Prescribe Antibiotics?

Yes, a dentist can prescribe antibiotics. When bacterial infections occur in the mouth or surrounding areas, such as with a tooth abscess, severe gum disease, or following certain oral surgeries, your dentist can prescribe antibiotics. 

Antibiotics help to combat tooth infections and promote healing. If you're experiencing symptoms like pain, swelling, redness, or fever in conjunction with a dental problem, it's important to see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can properly diagnose the issue, and determine if antibiotics are necessary as part of your treatment plan.

RecoMed makes it easy to find a trusted “dentist near me” who can assess your situation and provide appropriate care. Do not ignore signs of dental infections, book an appointment today.

Dentist Who Does Implants

If you're missing one or more teeth, dental implants offer a fantastic, long-lasting solution. Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth. A dental implant consists of a titanium post that's surgically placed into your jawbone, acting as an anchor for a replacement tooth (crown).

While some general dentists are trained and qualified to perform dental implant procedures, others prefer to collaborate with specialists in implant dentistry, such as periodontists or oral surgeons, particularly for more complex cases. These specialists have extensive experience and expertise in implant placement.

Finding the right professional for your dental implant needs is easy with RecoMed. We help connect you with experienced dentists and implant specialists near you who can assess your individual situation, discuss your options, and guide you through the entire implant process. Search for verified dentists and book online now with RecoMed.

Why Choose RecoMed to Find and Book Your Next Dentist Appointment?

Finding the right dentist in South Africa can feel overwhelming. From sifting through endless Google searches, to making countless phone calls, the process can be time-consuming and frustrating. RecoMed simplifies everything, offering a seamless and stress-free way to connect with trusted dental professionals and manage your oral health.

Whether you're due for a routine teeth cleaning or considering braces, RecoMed makes it easy to find the right dentist and book your dentist appointment. 

Book your next dentist appointment online now – it’s quick, easy, and convenient!