Lips have a delicate epidermis with a very thin layer of moisture that can evaporate easily, causing chapped lips. Chapped, peeling lips are unsightly, giving you an unattractive look. They also feel uncomfortable and can even be painful....
The gums support the teeth so they can function properly. Healthy gums have a light pink color, no swelling and no tenderness. When the gums are healthy, they do not bleed during routine dental care. In some cases, infection develops in the gums...
Tartar begins as plaque, a soft white substance made up of both living and dead bacteria that is formed when food particles mix with saliva and adhere to the teeth. If you use your fingernails to gently scrape the surface of your teeth and a...
Arm & Hammer produces a line of toothpastes that promote oral health by using baking soda as the main cleaning ingredient. Baking soda has natural deodorizing properties that neutralize unpleasant odors and bad breath.
Deep cleaning allows dentists to thoroughly clean your gums and tooth roots if you are suffering from gum disease. Dental deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planning, is the most common and conservative form of treatment for gum disease,...
Your teeth are living structures, composed of durable tissue. They are important for biting and chewing food, and from an aesthetic standpoint, they can be pleasing to look at when you smile. But that can change quickly if you neglect your teeth...
Dental floss does far more than get tiny chunks of food out of the gaps between your teeth. Using dental floss every day will make you look better, smell better, be healthier and help you live longer. A frightening array of debris and bacteria...
Oral antiseptics are used to stop or slow the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, and some viruses and fungi. Many of these microorganisms can be responsible for causing disease, making oral antiseptics a common part of health treatments...
Thirty-eight percent of adults in the United States use alternative forms of medicine to prevent or treat illness, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This includes therapies such as acupuncture,...
Teeth and gums require constant care to stay healthy. Unfortunately, these are often the most neglected parts of the body. Neglecting your teeth and gums can lead to a host of painful and often preventable oral health problems.
Delayed onset muscle soreness, knee sprains and calf cramps are typical pains you think of while running, not gum pain. However, runners with poor dental hygiene or problems grinding their teeth may be experiencing lower jaw pain after their run....
If you avoid eating or drinking hot or cold beverages because of tooth pain, you may be suffering from tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is a common problem, according to the American Dental Association. Poor oral hygiene practices, tooth...
Strawberries are not only delicious to eat, but you can actually whiten teeth with strawberry paste. Make a paste out of smashed strawberries mixed with baking soda. Smear or brush this mixture on your teeth. Let the paste set on the teeth for up...
Plaque left on your teeth can form tartar, a hard yellowish mineral deposit also called calculus. Once you have calculus on your teeth, cleaning them becomes more difficult and your gums may become swollen or bleed easily. Removing calculus...
Swollen gums typically appear red, large and bulging. According to MedlinePlus, bulging gums are common and can affect the papillae, which are the triangle-shaped parts of the gums located between teeth. Sometimes, bacteria or a lack of a certain...
A dental cleaning should be scheduled every 6 months. While daily brushing and flossing are essential to maintaining oral health and preventing gum disease, it is very difficult to completely remove all plaque and bacteria deposits from the teeth...
"Periodontal" literally means "around the tooth." Periodontal diseases are chronic bacterial infections that affect the gums and the bones that hold the teeth in place. Periodontal disease begins when plaque, which is a sticky, bacteria-laden...
Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that results when bacteria, food particles and saliva form a sticky plaque on the teeth that hardens into a form of tartar that brushing and flossing cannot remove. Left untreated, gingivitis can progress...
Gum disease occurs when infection sets into the mouth, and if left untreated, may ruin your gum tissue and affect your teeth. Gingivitis arises when the gums become red and inflamed. Untreated gingivitis may lead to periodontitis, a condition that...
Clean teeth are an important part of keeping you healthy. Being vigilant in your dental hygiene can help prevent a host of problems including bad breath, teeth discoloration, tooth decay and gum disease. Keeping your teeth clean revolves around...
If your gums hurt while you exercise, you may have a cavity or you may be experiencing some level of gum disease. Regular dental visits, proper dental hygiene and a healthy diet can prevent most causes of gum pain. Make an appointment with your...
Good oral hygiene is every bit as important for dentures as it is for natural teeth, in order to prevent plaque buildup that can lead to odors, stains and disease. Purchasing commercial denture cleaners can be expensive over time, and the FDA...
Tooth pain is an unmistakable sensation. Tooth pain is typically the result of dental problems such as cavities, bacterial infections, impacted wisdom teeth and injury from trauma to the face. The severity of tooth pain can range from a tiny...
For those with naturally sensitive teeth, consider toothpaste like Sensodyne. Tartar control toothpaste prevents hard yellow plaque buildup, but use it after a professional dental cleaning to prevent tartar from forming. Anti-gingivitis...
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a major cause of tooth loss. It may also be a factor in other conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and premature births, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...
Cranberry juice is derived from one of the three native berries of North America --the cranberry. The herbal properties of these red berries are especially advantageous to those who suffer frequent urinary tract infections, or UTIs for short....
Periodontitis is a gum infection that causes inflammation of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth. When the bones and ligaments become infected, the bones begin to erode, and they lose their ability to support the teeth. The decreased...
In 1975, the Unilever Co. introduced Aim toothpaste to the public. Approved by the American Dental Association as a cavity-fighting toothpaste, when used as directed Aim helps prevent tooth decay. Varieties available include versions for teeth...
A variety of substances pass over people's teeth every day, some healthier than others. Whether you're crunching on apples and sipping on water, or sucking hard candy and drinking sugary soda, keeping your teeth clean with twice-daily home...
