Keeping Your Pearly Whites Healthy
BU students have dental-care options
College students can likely think of a million things to do besides going to the dentist. But taking proper care of your teeth now may help you avoid expensive, time-consuming, and painful procedures later on.
“This isn’t a time in people’s lives when they’re often able to dedicate as much time to oral care as some other important things in their life,” says Stephen DuLong (CAS’72, SDM’75), associate dean for clinical services and an associate professor at BU’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine.
Another reason college students may not take proper care of their teeth is that they are away from home and their dentist, and they don’t schedule regular appointments.
But it’s easy to maintain good oral health with the BU Student Dental Plan. The plan offers affordable care by dentists-in-training at SDM, under the guidance of licensed dentists. More than 500 students participate in the program.
The flat membership fee is $279 for the year, and benefits include cleanings and routine checkups, as well as some restorative work, such as fillings and gum care. Students also have access to emergency services.
Remember these tips to help keep your teeth cavity-free:
• Visit your dentist regularly — twice a year is recommended.
• Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
• Floss! Flossing helps remove plaque and food from between the teeth and under the gum line, where a toothbrush can’t reach.
Enrollment in the Student Dental Plan ends on February 29. Register here to be covered this semester.
Amy Laskowski can be reached at amlaskow@bu.edu.
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