1. 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, veterans 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. www.VirginiaSelfAdvocacy.org

2. You and the Dentist What you need to know about your teeth

3. Understand your own oral health needs Your oral health depends on many factors: Diet Diet Amount of saliva in your mouth Amount of saliva in your mouth Habits Habits Overall health Overall health Oral hygiene routine Oral hygiene routine

4. Commit to a daily oral health routine Follow a daily routine -- come up with a teeth brushing routine thats easy to follow Follow a daily routine -- come up with a teeth brushing routine thats easy to follow

5. Use Fluoride Fluoride Fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes are a toothpastes and mouthwashes are a good source of fluoride good source of fluoride dentist can prescribe fluoride gels or dentist can prescribe fluoride gels or rinses if you need it rinses if you need it

6. Brush and floss Brush at least twice a day (after you eat a meal) Brush at least twice a day (after you eat a meal) Floss at least twice a day (after you eat a meal) Floss at least twice a day (after you eat a meal)

7. Limit snacks Every time you eat, pieces of food can get stuck in and around your teeth Every time you eat, pieces of food can get stuck in and around your teeth This food builds up as something called plaque This food builds up as something called plaque The bacteria in the plaque produce acid every time you eat. The bacteria in the plaque produce acid every time you eat.

8. Eat a balanced diet A balanced diet is important. A balanced diet is important. Your body needs to get the right minerals and vitamins so you have good oral and physical health Your body needs to get the right minerals and vitamins so you have good oral and physical health

9. Examine your mouth regularly Examine your mouth Examine your mouth weekly. Look for: weekly. Look for: swollen gums swollen gums chipped teeth chipped teeth discolored teeth discolored teeth sores or lesions on your sores or lesions on your gums, cheeks or tongue gums, cheeks or tongue

10. Visit your dental office regularly Talk to your dentist about how often you should see him or her Talk to your dentist about how often you should see him or her Some people need to visit their dentist more often than others. Some people need to visit their dentist more often than others.

11. What to tell your dentist Your fears Your fears many people have fears of the dentist that go back to childhood many people have fears of the dentist that go back to childhood

12. What to tell your dentist Your overall health Your overall health Tell your dentist if you have any diseases or are taking any new medications Tell your dentist if you have any diseases or are taking any new medications Even diseases that are not related to your mouth may mean that the dentists has to use a different approach or treatment. Even diseases that are not related to your mouth may mean that the dentists has to use a different approach or treatment.

13. What to tell your dentist Your dental health Your dental health If your teeth are sensitive If your teeth are sensitive If you think you have a cavity If you think you have a cavity If you feel lumps in your mouth If you feel lumps in your mouth

14. Checkups During your visit to the dentist, you may see a: During your visit to the dentist, you may see a: Dentist Dentist Hygienist Hygienist will check your gums and teeth, clean and polish your teeth, and talk to you about caring for your teeth and gums properly at home will check your gums and teeth, clean and polish your teeth, and talk to you about caring for your teeth and gums properly at home

15. The Gag Reflex The Gag Reflex The Gag Reflex Located on the back of the throat -- it helps keep things from going down your windpipe Located on the back of the throat -- it helps keep things from going down your windpipe If you have ever put your fingers too far back in your mouth and felt like gagging or throwing up, you've discovered the gag reflex! If you have ever put your fingers too far back in your mouth and felt like gagging or throwing up, you've discovered the gag reflex! Some people have a very sensitive gag reflex, which makes going to the dentist very difficult. Some people have a very sensitive gag reflex, which makes going to the dentist very difficult.

16. Checkups Cleaning Cleaning a professional dental cleaning is to remove the plaque and tartar from above and below your gums a professional dental cleaning is to remove the plaque and tartar from above and below your gums brushing and flossing at home removes plaque, but only dental tools can remove tartar brushing and flossing at home removes plaque, but only dental tools can remove tartar

17. Checkups Polishing Polishing After the plaque and tartar is removed, your teeth may be polished to remove stains. After the plaque and tartar is removed, your teeth may be polished to remove stains. a gritty feeling paste is applied to the teeth with a small rotating brush to scrub away the stains a gritty feeling paste is applied to the teeth with a small rotating brush to scrub away the stains

18. Checkups Prevention Prevention the hygienist may give you tips on taking care of your teeth at home and teach you how to brush and floss correctly the hygienist may give you tips on taking care of your teeth at home and teach you how to brush and floss correctly

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

20. Checkups Treatment Treatment If your dentist finds any problems during the exam and cleaning, he or she will tell you what needs to happen to fix them. If your dentist finds any problems during the exam and cleaning, he or she will tell you what needs to happen to fix them. a referral to a specialist (such as a periodontist or orthodontist) a referral to a specialist (such as a periodontist or orthodontist) come back for more tests, come back for more tests, come back for more intensive cleanings. come back for more intensive cleanings.

21. Thank you!