Anchorage Project Access

05/19/2026

Water flossing is a way to clean between and around your teeth. A water flosser is a handheld device that sprays streams of water in steady pulses. The water, like traditional floss, removes food from between teeth. Water flossers that have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance have been tested to be safe and effective at removing a sticky film called plaque, which puts you at a higher risk for cavities and gum disease. Water flossers with the ADA Seal can also help reduce gingivitis, the early form of gum disease, throughout your mouth and between your teeth. Water flossers can be an option for people who have trouble flossing by hand. People who have had dental work that makes flossing difficult, like braces, or permanent or fixed bridges, also might try water flossers.

For more information visit the link below:

Water flossing can be a great option for cleaning between your teeth if you have trouble brushing by hand, have braces or have a bridge. Learn more about this interdental cleaner.

05/12/2026

Brushing and flossing are the best ways to help prevent cavities, but it’s not always easy to clean every nook and cranny of your teeth, especially those back teeth you use to chew (called molars). Molars are rough, uneven and a favorite place for leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria to hide. Still, there’s another safety net to help keep those teeth clean. It’s called a sealant, and it is a thin, protective coating (made from plastic or other dental materials) that adheres to the chewing surface of your back teeth. They’re no substitute for brushing and flossing, but they can keep cavities from forming and may even stop early stages of decay from becoming a full-blown cavity.

For more information visit the link below:

Dental sealants act as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids.

05/09/2026

💚May is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

Mental health matters for everyone. Whether you’re navigating stress, anxiety, depression, grief or simply feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.

At Anchorage Project Access, we believe everyone deserves access to care, support, and hope. We work to connect uninsured and underinsured Alaskans with healthcare resources and specialty care services when they need them most.

This month, we encourage our community to:
✨ Check in on friends and family
✨ Make time for rest and self-care
✨ Reach out for support when needed
✨ Help reduce the stigma around mental health conversations

If you or someone you know needs help accessing healthcare resources, Anchorage Project Access may be able to help.

https://anchorageprojectaccess.org/counseling-resources/

You are not alone. Help is available. 💚

No Cost Counseling Services • Are you feeling stressed?• Struggling with feelings of sadness, grief, or anxiety?• Ready to feel better? At Anchorage Project Access, we’re here to help and support you. We will connect you with caring professional counselors who donate their time and expertise...

04/27/2026

The pulp is soft tissue inside your tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels and provides nourishment for your tooth. It can become infected if you have: A deep cavity, Repeated dental procedures that disturb this tissue, A cracked or fractured tooth, Injury to the tooth (even if there’s not a visible crack or chip). If untreated, the tissues around the root of your tooth can become infected. When this happens, you will often feel pain and swelling and an abscess may form inside the tooth and/or in the bone around the end of the root of the tooth. An infection can also put you at risk of losing your tooth completely because bacteria can damage the bone that keeps your tooth connected to your jaw.

For more information visit the link below:

Root canal treatment is necessary when parts of your tooth become inflamed or diseased. Root canals can save your tooth.

04/20/2026

With age comes wisdom. Specifically, wisdom teeth. Your mouth goes through many changes in your lifetime. One major dental milestone that usually takes place between the ages of 17 and 21 is the appearance of your third molars. Historically, these teeth have been called wisdom teeth because they come through at a more mature age. When they come through correctly, healthy wisdom teeth can help you chew. It’s normal to feel a little discomfort when your wisdom teeth appear, but if you have pain, see your dentist immediately.

For more information visit the link below:

Learn more about wisdom teeth and why they sometimes require removal.

04/14/2026

If you have a severely damaged, decaying tooth or a serious tooth infection (abscess), your dentist may recommend a root canal treatment. Root canals are used to repair and save your tooth instead of removing it. A root canal treatment usually takes 1 or 2 office visits to complete. There is little to no pain because your dentist will use local anesthesia, so you don’t feel the procedure. Once the procedure is complete, you should no longer feel the pain you felt before having it done.

For more information visit the link below:

Root canal treatment is necessary when parts of your tooth become inflamed or diseased. Root canals can save your tooth.

03/30/2026

Thank you to our incredible volunteer providers!

On National Doctors’ Day, we thank the dedicated providers who make Anchorage Project Access possible.

For more than 20 years, your generosity has formed the heart of Alaska’s health care safety net; ensuring low-income, uninsured Alaskans can receive the care they need.

Because of you, thousands have gained access to life-changing medical, dental, and mental health care, and the hope that comes with it. Your compassion and commitment continue to transform lives across our community.

03/27/2026

Chronic inflammation in the oral cavity may increase levels of inflammatory markers in the bloodstream affecting immune response or adding to the body’s general burden of disease. Secondly, the oral cavity may act as a reservoir for pathogenic bacteria that can enter the bloodstream and affect distant-site or systemic pathologies (systemic endotoxemia or bacteremia).

For more information visit the link below:

Oral Systemic Health covers theories and research on the connections between oral health and overall health.

03/23/2026

We are so grateful to celebrate an incredible milestone; 18 years of service from our volunteer extraordinaire, Geri Cannon! Her time, care, and commitment have supported our team and helped make our work possible behind the scenes for nearly two decades!

Thank you, Geri, for all you’ve given to APA and the community we serve. We truly couldn’t do it without you!

03/20/2026

For the first few days, if you must rinse, rinse your mouth gently. If you experience swelling, apply a cold cloth or an ice bag and call your dentist right away. Ask your dentist about pain medication. You can brush and floss the other teeth as usual. But don't clean the teeth next to where the tooth was removed. Remember, when having an extraction, today's modern procedures and follow-up care (as recommended by your dentist) are there for your benefit and comfort.

For more information visit the link below:

An extraction means to have a tooth removed, usually because of disease, trauma or crowding. Get some tips to follow to make a tooth extraction recovery easier.

03/13/2026

Periodontal disease has been associated with several health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. While several associations have been found between periodontitis and systemic conditions, finding direct causality remains elusive. Periodontal and systemic diseases share many common risk factors, including smoking and poor diet.

For more information visit the link below:

Oral Systemic Health covers theories and research on the connections between oral health and overall health.