Many students at Morton East brush their teeth for the recommended amount of time. 

According to “Mayo Clinic,” It states that people should brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes a day. Brushing your teeth helps break down food and plaque which is a white film with bacteria. After eating foods with sugar, the bacterium in the plaque produces acids that attack tooth enamel. Eventually, the acid breaks down tooth enamel causing cavities.  

In a survey of 88 Morton East students, 62 brush their teeth twice a day, and 50 brush their teeth for 2 minutes. Brushing twice a day for 2 minutes is what dentists recommend. The survey also found that 47 of those students do not floss, and 77 students have no braces. 

 According to Ms. Patricia O’Neil, the lead guidance counselor at Morton East, students can go down to the school’s Cook County clinic, make an appointment with the nurse practitioner, and they will help set them up with dental services. 

“That might be easier than going directly through the Cook County Health and Hospital System,” counselor Ms. Patricia O’Neil said.  

But, students and families can call the Cook County Health and Hospital System directly to set up dental appointments.  For more information on dental services or to schedule an appointment for teeth cleaning dial Dr. Jorge Prieto on (773) 521-0750, 2424 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago, Illinois 60623.  

Although students can call directly, it would have been easier to get dental care just a few years back. According to Mr. Kent Frankfother, English teacher at Morton East, there used to be a free dental service at the school campus available for free cleanings right inside the school just 7 to 8 years ago.  

“We used to provide free dental services right here on campus. Seven or eight years ago.  It was a service called Smile Mobile.  I remember they would bring in a dental chair and hundreds of students would sign up to get free cleanings right here at school, at Morton East. It was really a popular and helpful service. I wish they would do it again,” English teacher Kent Frankfother said.