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Dental Health
Practicing and maintaining good oral health means taking care of all the parts of your mouth, including your teeth and gums. There is a strong relationship between your oral health and your overall health. Here are some good practices to follow to ensure proper oral hygiene:
• Floss everyday
• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Visit your dentist at least once a year
• Examine your mouth everyday
• Avoid smoking
• Don't eat too many sweets
Recommended preventive dental care frequency (from the NYC Department of Health & Mental Health):
• Children: A child's first dental exam should occur around the time of the child's first tooth and no later than 12 months (1 year) of age. Then the child needs a dental checkup every 6 months or as determined by the child's dentist. For children under 7 years of age, ask the dentist or primary care doctor about fluoride varnish.
• Pregnant women: Pregnant women should see a dentist at least one time during pregnancy. Necessary treatment can be provided throughout pregnancy.
• Adults: Adults should establish a dental home and see the dentist as often as the dentist recommends.
If you or your child has any of these early warning signs of tooth decay, contact your dentist.
• Small white spots on teeth
• Swelling of the face
• Tiny holes in enamel
• Pain in mouth
• Tooth sensitivity to heat, cold or sweets
• Tooth pain or sensitivity when chewing
For more information on the following topics, click the appropriate link:
Healthy teeth and gums (pdf-English and Spanish)
Healthy teeth for babies (pdf-English and Spanish)
How to brush your teeth (pdf-English and Spanish)
How to floss your teeth (pdf-English and Spanish)
Baby bottles and tooth decay (pdf-English and Spanish)
Bottled water and your teeth (pdf-English and Spanish)
Dental emergencies (pdf-English and Spanish)
Dentures (pdf-English and Spanish)
Diabetes and Oral Care (pdf-English and Spanish)
Don't be afraid of the dentist (pdf-English and Spanish)
Oral Health: Children with HIV
Oral Health: People with HIV
Pacifiers (pdf-English and Spanish)
Seal your teeth to prevent cavities (pdf-English and Spanish)
Tongue piercing and oral health (pdf-English and Spanish)
Tooth grinding (pdf-English and Spanish)
Tooth whitening (pdf-English and Spanish)
Wisdom teeth (pdf-English and Spanish)
Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus cover routine, preventive and emergency dental services through DentaQuest, formerly known as Doral. You do not need a referral from your PCP to see a dentist. To access dental services, you can go to any DentaQuest dentist. If you need help finding a dentist, call DentaQuest at 800-508-2056.
Medicaid members can access dental care using their Medicaid Benefit card. Medicaid covers dental check-ups, cleaning, x-rays, fillings and follow-up care. You do not need a referral from your PCP to see a dentist. To access dental services, you can go to any dentist who accepts Medicaid. If you need help finding a dentist, call the NY State Hotline at 800-541-2831.
Helpful Links:
American Dental Association
NY State Oral Health
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