Oral Health offers guidance on brushing, flossing, and preventing dental issues to help maintain healthy teeth and gums for a brighter smile.

Tooth decay happens when oral bacteria produce acids that erode the enamel covering your teeth. Dentists refer to this damage as “caries,” while most people simply call the resulting holes “cavities.” Decay can appear on any part of a tooth: the chewing surface, the smooth sides, or the root. Root cavities specifically describe decay that affects the tooth’s root. What leads to root decay? Generally, tooth decay is the underlying…

If you’re curious about getting a “tattooth,” the trending (though not exactly new) dental fad, note that calling it a “tattoo” is a bit misleading. Tooth tattoos don’t involve injecting ink into your teeth like you would skin. Instead, a dentist decorates a dental crown with the design before placing it on your tooth. In short, you need a crown to get a tooth tattoo. The idea of embellishing teeth…

You can achieve a whiter smile through various whitening products and procedures available for use at home or in a dental office. They differ in effectiveness (and cost), and none offer permanent whitening. One approach is light-activated teeth whitening. This method can employ several kinds of lights, including: ultraviolet (UV) lights halogen lights light-emitting diode (LED) lights Blue LED light treatments are gaining popularity, partly because they’re perceived as safer…

A vertical lip piercing, often called a vertical labret, involves passing jewelry through the center of the lower lip. It’s favored by many in the body modification community because it’s conspicuous and stylish. Below we’ll explain how the piercing is performed, what to anticipate during and after the procedure, and how to handle possible complications. (img by Clementine Piercing) Vertical labret piercing procedure Be certain to visit a licensed, professional…

Depending on whether all of your adult teeth have erupted, or if you’ve ever had teeth removed or lost due to injury, adults generally possess 32 teeth. Babies and young children have fewer teeth. Do you know how many teeth you have? Whether every permanent tooth has come in or not, most adults should have roughly the same number of teeth. Teeth play a key role in both facial structure…

Is mouthwash bad? Mouthwash, often called an “oral rinse” or “mouth rinse,” usually contains antibacterial components to help clean between teeth, along with flavoring agents. Some varieties include alcohol as an inactive ingredient, while others are formulated without alcohol. (img by Experience Life Magazine – LifeTime.Life) For certain individuals, mouthwash can produce uncomfortable side effects. These unwanted effects may outweigh the advantages of using an over-the-counter oral rinse as part…

A space between teeth is fairly common and usually isn’t a medical emergency. In youngsters, a gap often closes naturally over time, though some spaces remain. Multiple reasons can lead to gaps between teeth. Some arise when the size of the jaw and teeth differ, while others stem from gum disease, missing teeth, or childhood behaviors such as thumb-sucking. Whether the gap is large or small, it can make you…

There are several kinds of orthodontic devices available today to straighten and realign teeth. One choice is removable braces, which consist of tailored clear plastic trays that fit snugly over the teeth. Removable braces differ from conventional fixed braces that rely on brackets and wires. Many people find them attractive because they can be taken out for certain hours each day. Keep reading to discover more about removable braces, how…