Center for Self Advocacy Leadership Partnership for People with Disabilities

Virginia Commonwealth University

The Partnership for People with Disabilities is a university center for excellence in developmental disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University. VCU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability. If alternative formats of this document are needed, please contact the Partnership for People with Disabilities at 804/828-3876 or 800/828-1120 (TDD Relay).

This project is funded by grant number 90DN0226 from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, US Department of Health and Human Services. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and you should not infer endorsement by the Federal government. Please include this disclaimer when copying or using all or any part of the materials in dissemination activities.

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You and the DentistYou and the Dentist

What you need to know What you need to know about your teethabout your teeth

Understand your own “oral” health needsUnderstand your own “oral” health needs

Your oral health depends on many Your oral health depends on many factors: factors: DietDiet Amount of saliva in your mouthAmount of saliva in your mouth HabitsHabits Overall healthOverall health Oral hygiene routineOral hygiene routine

Commit to a daily oral health routineCommit to a daily oral health routine

Follow a daily routine Follow a daily routine -- come up with a -- come up with a teeth brushing routine teeth brushing routine that’s easy to follow that’s easy to follow

Use FluorideUse Fluoride

FluorideFluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes are atoothpastes and mouthwashes are a

good source of fluoridegood source of fluoride

dentist can prescribe fluoride gels ordentist can prescribe fluoride gels or

rinses if you need itrinses if you need it

Brush and flossBrush and floss

Brush at least twice a day (after you Brush at least twice a day (after you eat a meal)eat a meal)

Floss at least twice a day (after you Floss at least twice a day (after you eat a meal)eat a meal)

Limit snacks Limit snacks

Every time you eat, pieces of food Every time you eat, pieces of food can get stuck in and around your can get stuck in and around your teethteeth

This food builds up as something This food builds up as something called “plaque” called “plaque”

The bacteria in the plaque produce The bacteria in the plaque produce acid every time you eat. acid every time you eat.

Eat a balanced dietEat a balanced diet

A balanced diet is important.A balanced diet is important.

Your body needs to get the right Your body needs to get the right

minerals and vitamins so you have good minerals and vitamins so you have good oral and physical healthoral and physical health

Examine your mouth regularlyExamine your mouth regularly

Examine your mouth Examine your mouth

weekly. Look for:weekly. Look for: swollen gumsswollen gums chipped teethchipped teeth discolored teethdiscolored teeth sores or lesions on your sores or lesions on your

gums, cheeks or tongue gums, cheeks or tongue

Visit your dental office regularlyVisit your dental office regularly

Talk to your dentist about how often Talk to your dentist about how often you should see him or heryou should see him or her

Some people need to visit their Some people need to visit their dentist more often than others.dentist more often than others.

What to tell your dentistWhat to tell your dentist

Your fearsYour fears

many people have fears of the many people have fears of the dentist that go back to childhood dentist that go back to childhood

What to tell your dentistWhat to tell your dentist

Your Your overalloverall health health Tell your dentist if you have any Tell your dentist if you have any

diseases or are taking any new diseases or are taking any new medicationsmedications

Even diseases that are not related to Even diseases that are not related to your mouth may mean that the dentists your mouth may mean that the dentists has to use a different approach or has to use a different approach or treatment. treatment.

What to tell your dentistWhat to tell your dentist

Your Your dentaldental health health If your teeth are sensitiveIf your teeth are sensitive

If you think you have a cavityIf you think you have a cavity

If you feel lumps in your mouthIf you feel lumps in your mouth

CheckupsCheckups

During your visit to the dentist, you During your visit to the dentist, you may see a:may see a: DentistDentist

HygienistHygienist will check your gums and teeth, clean and will check your gums and teeth, clean and

polish your teeth, and talk to you about caring polish your teeth, and talk to you about caring for your teeth and gums properly at home for your teeth and gums properly at home

The Gag ReflexThe Gag Reflex The Gag ReflexThe Gag Reflex

Located on the back of the throat -- it helps Located on the back of the throat -- it helps keep things from going down your windpipe keep things from going down your windpipe

If you have ever put your fingers too far back If you have ever put your fingers too far back in your mouth and felt like gagging or throwing in your mouth and felt like gagging or throwing up, you've discovered the gag reflex! up, you've discovered the gag reflex!

Some people have a very sensitive gag reflex, Some people have a very sensitive gag reflex, which makes going to the dentist very difficult. which makes going to the dentist very difficult.

CheckupsCheckups

CleaningCleaning a professional dental cleaning is to a professional dental cleaning is to

remove the plaque and tartar from remove the plaque and tartar from above and below your gumsabove and below your gums

brushing and flossing at home removes brushing and flossing at home removes plaque, but only dental tools can plaque, but only dental tools can remove tartar remove tartar

CheckupsCheckups

PolishingPolishing After the plaque and tartar is removed, After the plaque and tartar is removed,

your teeth may be polished to remove your teeth may be polished to remove stains. stains. a gritty feeling paste is applied to the teeth a gritty feeling paste is applied to the teeth

with a small rotating brush to scrub away with a small rotating brush to scrub away the stains the stains

CheckupsCheckups

PreventionPrevention the hygienist may give you tips on the hygienist may give you tips on

taking care of your teeth at home and taking care of your teeth at home and teach you how to brush and floss teach you how to brush and floss correctly correctly

CheckupsCheckups

X-rays may be taken X-rays may be taken during your checkup to during your checkup to help the dentist see help the dentist see your whole mouthyour whole mouth

CheckupsCheckups TreatmentTreatment

If your dentist finds any problems during the If your dentist finds any problems during the exam and cleaning, he or she will tell you what exam and cleaning, he or she will tell you what needs to happen to fix them. needs to happen to fix them.

a referral to a specialist (such as a “periodontist” or a referral to a specialist (such as a “periodontist” or “orthodontist”)“orthodontist”)

come back for more tests, come back for more tests,

come back for more intensive cleanings.come back for more intensive cleanings.

Thank you!Thank you!