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

Hydrogen peroxide has antimicrobial qualities that may provide several potential advantages when used as a gargle. However, it can also pose hazards if not used properly. (img by Tom’s Guide) Hydrogen peroxide is a liquid chemical composed of hydrogen and oxygen. It’s commonly sold at pharmacies and used for tasks ranging from disinfecting cuts to cleaning bathroom surfaces. Some people report using it as a mouth gargle to relieve sore…

Chewing the inner portion of your lip can result in pain, bleeding, swelling, and even canker sores. Many home treatments are effective, but seek medical attention if the bleeding won’t stop. (Rockdale Dental) (Downtown Family Dental of Leesburg) Biting the inside of your lip can be quite painful. It most often happens by accident and is particularly frequent in kids. You might bite the inner lip: while eating or speaking…

Ceramic braces function similarly to metal braces, but instead of gray or silver brackets and wires, they use clear or tooth-colored brackets that blend with your teeth. Many people pick ceramic braces because they’re less conspicuous than metal options. That reduced visibility can be a major benefit if you’re considering orthodontic treatment but want to avoid feeling self-conscious about your appearance. (img by Vincent Team Orthodontics) However, ceramic braces do…

Braces are a widely used approach to correct crooked or misaligned teeth. However, when the braces come off, you may discover not only straighter teeth but also areas of discoloration. (img by Braces Emergency Kit) Cleaning plaque thoroughly becomes more challenging while you wear braces. Plaque is a sticky film that accumulates on teeth after eating or drinking. It tends to collect behind the archwire and around the brackets bonded…

The duration of recovery following wisdom tooth removal varies based on factors like your age and whether the teeth were impacted. Most people recover in roughly 3 days to 2 weeks. Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last adult teeth to appear in the mouth. They erupt on the upper and lower jaws on both sides, typically between the ages of 17 and 25. (img by Access Oral…

Gently rinsing with warm saline, placing cold compresses on your cheeks, and taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can help lessen pain and swelling. However, you should still consult a dentist or physician for infections. Dry socket, medically known as alveolar osteitis, can develop after an adult tooth has been pulled. It happens when the blood clot at the extraction site becomes dislodged, dissolves, or never forms, exposing the underlying…

Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars located at the back of the mouth. They typically erupt through the gums between ages 18 and 24. Removal of wisdom teeth is the most frequently performed dental surgery in the United States. It accounts for about 95 percent of tooth extractions among insured individuals aged 16 to 21. Dentists commonly advise extracting wisdom teeth if they’re causing problems now or are…

A swollen jaw appears as a lump or puffiness on or near the jawline, making that area look fuller than normal. Depending on what’s causing it, you may notice stiffness, pain, or tenderness in the jaw, neck, or face. There are many possible reasons for a swollen jaw — from enlarged glands in the neck or jaw due to a viral illness like the common cold, to more serious conditions…

You’ve likely encountered the term dental veneers, or perhaps even thought about getting them. Dentists often recommend veneers as a solution for masking chipped, stained, cracked, or fractured teeth. A clinician bonds these thin coverings—typically crafted from porcelain or a composite substance—to the front surfaces of your teeth to enhance their look. Because veneers are regarded as a permanent treatment, a dentist usually needs to prepare your tooth beforehand. That…