Dental

Routine dental care is the only way to prevent and treat tooth and gum problems before they turn into a painful cavity or excruciating gum infection. The dental team at The R.O.C. Center offers full-service dental and teeth whitening services. Our dental care is available for all children and adults, but we focus on providing dentistry to underserved communities, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, people living with HIV, and uninsured or underinsured families. Call the office in New Orleans, Louisiana, or Houston, Texas, to schedule a dental appointment and learn about our sliding scale and flexible payment options.

When do children and adults need dental checkups?

Children should have their first dental visit around six months (when their first tooth comes in) or no later than their first birthday. This visit isn’t a checkup. Instead, it’s to introduce them to our dental team, help them feel comfortable in the office, and encourage healthy dental habits.

A child’s first full dental exam should occur after all their baby teeth come in, usually by the age of three. Most people should schedule a dental exam once or twice every year.

Regular checkups allow your dental team to take care of cavities before they’re large enough to cause pain, give your teeth a deep cleaning, and prevent dental problems like gum disease.

What dental services are available?

The R.O.C. Center offers comprehensive dental care, including services such as:

• Cleanings, exams, and X-rays
• Dental restorations (fillings, crowns, and bridges)
• Full and partial dentures
• Specialized treatments (fluoride treatment and dental sealants)
• Oral health education
• Oral cancer screening

The R.O.C. Center also gives you a brilliant smile with professional teeth whitening.

How does teeth whitening work?

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body, but it’s also slightly porous. As a result, enamel absorbs the colored pigments in foods and beverages like tea, coffee, berries, tomato products, curry, and beets. Over time, your teeth become stained and yellow.

Over-the-counter teeth whiteners eliminate some staining. However, it takes them weeks or months, and they don’t have the same whitening power because the active ingredient is weaker.

By comparison, professional teeth whitening takes about an hour and dramatically whitens your teeth. The dental team can use a more concentrated and powerful bleaching agent because they protect your gums, cheeks, and tongue from contact with the bleach.

Will I get help for dental anxiety?

The R.O.C. Center’s dental team is trauma-informed, culturally competent, and dedicated to positive, affirming healthcare. We bring that level of sensitivity to dentistry.

Our team understands that many people struggle with dental fear and anxiety. We specialize in behavioral health methods to ease anxiety and offer various sedation techniques to ensure your comfort.

Call The R.O.C. Center or request a dental appointment online today. 

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