Teeth/Dental care

1. How do I find a community health clinic in my area?
Check the Resources and Help Community Clinic section.

2. What’s so important about seeing the dentist?
The tools and experience that you find at the Dentist office is a lot different than your toothbrush at home. A dentist office is supplied with exceptional tools for cleaning your teeth, x-rays, and experienced licensed professionals that know what their doing. A dentist can find problems in your teeth that are not noticeable to you, and they can fix them before its too late. It is recommended that everyone visit a dentist at least once every six months to ensure that your teeth will stay healthy and strong.

3. I have yellow teeth. Is this a health problem or just an eyesore? And do those whitening products really work?
Usually, yellow teeth are just the result of them being stained from smoking, drinking coffee, or eating and drinking heavily dyed foods. Your teeth might also be this way because of built up plaque (a sticky, colorless buildup on teeth). You can help both of these problems by just going in for a professional cleaning.

A popular trend right now is teeth whitening products. Dentists and drugstore gels, strips, toothpastes, and bleaches promise safe whitening for yellow teeth. But are they really safe? There is not yet any proof that these products cause damage to our teeth, though some believe they might strip away enamel (protective layer on teeth). To play it safe, see a dentist first to make sure your teeth are healthy. You can’t use these products on unhealthy teeth or gums or it can cause irritation. The ADA (American Dental Association) has a seal of approval for products that they believe are safe and effective. Make sure that any whitening product you use is ADA approved.

4. What promotes bad teeth?
Smoking, not brushing and flossing enough, and eating food high in sugar can all cause tooth problems. To prevent teeth problems such as cavities, brush at least twice daily and floss after every brushing. Don’t smoke, and chew sugarless gum. Also cut down on soda drinks. If you are going to drink soda, use a straw so that it doesn’t really touch your teeth.