Yes, sweets and foods with high acidity, like candy and soda, could stick to teeth and lead to cavities. Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause oral cancer and gum disease. While teeth are often strong enough to chew ice and tear open packages, this can break them and put...
Caps and crowns cover problem teeth by surrounding them in a material that looks like a real tooth. They use the root and inside of the tooth as a base to build on, then attach special cement. Veneers and bonding improve your smile by sticking a layer of smoother and whit...
Stores sell many whitening products, and you can get take-home gels and trays from your dentist, but neither is as strong as procedures done in a dental office If you want to try an over-the-counter whitener, look for one with an ADA seal. Check with your dentist for advi...
Sealants protect against cavities that can form in the natural tiny holes and cracks on the outside of teeth. Kids from about 6 to 12 benefit from having sealants painted and hardened onto the chewing surfaces of their back teeth or molars. Adults can get sealants as well to protect teeth that don’t have fillings....
Cavities break through the surface enamel of teeth, and they’ll probably get bigger unless you close them off with fillings. Your dentist will numb your mouth before drilling around the cavity to prep it. A combination of strong materials or a white mix called...
Fluoride helps make teeth strong and prevents decay. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dental Association (ADA), and the CDC all agree that kids should use fluoride toothpaste for brushing, taking care not to swallow it. Adults benefit from using fluoride t...
Medical and dental experts study the use of X-rays and set limits for their safety. Your dentist should take as few as possible. Expect to get them during a first exam after not seeing a dentist for a while. This helps check tooth and gum health. If you have gum dise...
Regular exams help spot trouble early to prevent bigger and more costly treatments later. A dental hygienist will start by cleaning the buildup from your teeth. Then the dentist will probe spots on the surfaces and near the gum line with special tools. If it’s been a wh...
Visit a dentist if you have any of these issues or see your child having trouble chewing or complaining of soreness: Mouth soresJaw painRednessSwollen face or gumsTooth sensitivityBroken teethDry mouthBleeding...
There’s no avoiding the need to get around your teeth daily with dental floss. It clears food and plaque from between teeth and under the gum line. If you don’t clean these areas, plaque hardens into tartar, which forms wedges and widens the space between teeth and gums, causing pockets. Over time, gums pull away and te...
