TAKING CARE OF YOUR TEETH
Oral health is an important component of health and should be started early in one’s life. If you have dental insurance, contact your dental plan or go on their Web site to determine which providers are covered through your plan. If you lack dental insurance, the following resources may be of benefit.
If I Don’t Have Dental Insurance, Where Should I Go?
The American Dental Association (ADA) created MouthHealthy, a Web site with oral health information and a tool to find an ADA member dentist. The ADA also has a list of accredited dental education programs which may provide dental services from students at a reduced cost.
Oral health is an important component of health and should be started early in one’s life. If you have dental insurance, contact your dental plan or go on their Web site to determine which providers are covered through your plan. If you lack dental insurance, the following resources may be of benefit.
If I Don’t Have Dental Insurance, Where Should I Go?
The American Dental Association (ADA) created MouthHealthy, a Web site with oral health information and a tool to find an ADA member dentist. The ADA also has a list of accredited dental education programs which may provide dental services from students at a reduced cost.
Why Is Oral Health Important?
Healthfinder.gov has information on dental care on a wide variety of topics including information on maternal and children’s oral health, sealants, dental implants, braces, dental emergencies, dry mouth, oral cancer, and other topics.
MedlinePlus offers tips on dental health.
Medscape has information on the anatomy of the mouth and throat, anesthesia, dental emergencies, surgery, diseases, news and other topics in oral health.
WebMD has an oral health center for people to find oral health news, health resources, and answers related to oral health.
How Often Should I See the Dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children go to the dentist as soon as the first tooth erupts, but as least no later than the first birthday. You can visit their website for answers to general questions for pediatric dental care.
For adults, it has been common for dentists to recommend that you see them for a cleaning and check-up every six months. However, the American Dental Association recommends regular dental visits, at intervals determined by the dentist based on your current oral health status and health history.
Resources reviewed January 2016