TRAINEE GUIDE - Recruit Training Command - The US Navy

TRAINEE GUIDE A-950-0001
NAVAL DENTAL CENTER, GREAT LAKES (CONTINUED)
5. Things you can do to help maintain your Dental health while in basic
training:
a. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste three times a day. If you can
only brush once a day, rinse your mouth with water after meals and brush
just before bed. Why before bed? When you are sleeping, the saliva
(spit) in your mouth slows down and the protective “bathing” effects of
saliva is reduced. Food remaining on your teeth can result in an
increase of the cavity process. If you brush before going to bed, your
reduced salivary flow will allow the fluoride in the toothpaste to remain
in contact with the teeth for a longer period and stop or slow the cavity
process.
b. Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove the food and debris
between your teeth. Leaving any material on a tooth surface for greater
than a 24-hour period increases the risk of having this material become
hardened (tarter/calculus). Once hardened it can only be removed by a
Dental professional. You only floss the teeth you want to keep. Lack of
flossing can lead to gum disease- the number one reason for tooth loss in
adults.
c. Pay attention to the things you eat during and after basic training.
Some sodas, fruit drinks, desserts, and snacks contain acids and up to 12
spoons of sugar. Your teeth are attacked for up to 20 minutes after
consuming these items and your risk for developing tooth decay greatly
increases. Limit between meal snacking and become informed about the
acid and sugar content of the things you eat. Try eating fruits or
vegetables for snacks.
6. Following graduation from basic training, your Dental care will continue.
a. Treatment not completed in basic training will be continued at your next
duty station or Service School Command.
b. Each year, you will be given a Dental exam to determine your Dental needs
and make you aware of your progress in maintaining Dental health.
c. Those graduating recruits desiring to remain tobacco free can obtain
assistance from Dental (688-3331), the NTC Wellness Center (688-2617), or
any medical or dental facility at the base where you are sent.
d. Following graduation, service members with dependents can take advantage
of the TRICARE Active Duty Family Member Dental Plan by calling Dental
(688-3620) or contacting United Concordia (1-800-866-8499). The benefits
offered by the program are excellent and the rates are very reasonable.
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