Beauty and Hygiene

Gingivitis is an oral health problem that, if left untreated, can lead to painful gum disease. Fortunately, it's relatively easy to treat -- and is totally preventable.

By Bambi Turner

Plaque is a nasty bugger that likes to hang out on our teeth. And without proper dental hygiene, it can cause serious damage to those pearly whites.

By Terri Briseno

We've all seen toothpaste and mouthwash commercials warning us of the dangers of gingivitis. But can we actually catch gum disease from other people?

By Maria Trimarchi

Nicknamed for soldiers at war, trench mouth, though increasingly rare, continues to affect people in underdeveloped countries.

By Chris Opfer

Sore gums can be a pain in the you-know-what, especially if you have no clue what's causing it. We'll give you some clues to what's causing that throbbing here.

By Terri Briseno

There are multiple reasons you may have a metallic taste in your mouth. It's a fairly common complaint, and it could be anything from a side effect of pregnancy to a symptom of eating poisoned fish.

By Natalie Kilgore

Did your mom ever tell you that too much candy could cause your teeth to fall out? Would you be happy to know that's not entirely true? Let's explore this and other dental myths.

By Caitlin Uttley

Tooth loss lead to costly dental treatments and detract from your physical appearance. But can it mean you have a disease?

By Jennifer Sellers

It may not matter when you're popping pills to dull the pain, but all cavities are not created equal. In fact, there's an entire classification system designed to tell dentists just how serious your cavity is.

By Stephanie Watson

You want to share that winsome smile with the world -- but you can't because your gums are black or darker than average. Don't worry, though: In many cases, there is hope.

By Marie Willsey

Gum disease: It's not pretty, but can it actually kill you? We break down the dangers of letting plaque run rampant.

By Maria Trimarchi

Once a cavity starts, it sets off a chain of events that can eventually destroy an entire tooth. What can you do to prevent that result, and does it always have to involve a drill?

By Tom Scheve

A decaying tooth might not be your fault, but that doesn’t mean it won’t fall out anyway. What do you do then?

By Emilie Sennebogen

Macrodontia causes teeth to grow abnormally large. We'll explain this rare dental anomaly here.

By Terri Briseno

Tooth enamel may be the hardest tissue our bodies produce, but it still wears away. How? Lots of ways.

By Terri Briseno

You probably don't think much about the enamel that protects your teeth, but if you want to keep your choppers pearly and white, you should. Even if your enamel has worn, there are things you can do to protect your teeth.

By Echo Surina

Almost everyone knows they don't want to experience a root canal, but how many people really know what the procedure entails? Here, we break down the steps, so you know exactly what to expect if you find you need your pulp cleaned out.

By Maria Trimarchi

Missing a few teeth but can't imagine having dentures? Maybe implants are for you.

By Terri Briseno

You may have been lucky enough to have a tooth pulled at some point in your life, but do you know what the procedure actually entails? We'll give you the lowdown on what your dentist is up to when he's performing an extraction.

By Maria Trimarchi

We love celebrities with larger-than-life smiles, from Tom Cruise to Julia Roberts and even Gary Busey. But when it's your own teeth, can a toothy grin sometimes be too much?

By Jennifer Sellers

Despite the name, crowns aren't royal treatment for your pearly whites; they're restorative dental devices that can be painful and costly. Why might you need a crown, and what are they made of? Find out.

By Shanna Freeman

Missing teeth? A dental bridge could be the solution. Find out here.

By Michael Franco

We've all heard that fluoride is good for us but some people have concerns about the amount of fluoride they consume each day, between water, bottled drinks and toothpaste. What should they do at the dentist?

By Sarah Alban

Also known as dental porcelain laminates, veneers can go a long way toward improving the appearance of your natural teeth. But how long do they last?

By Tom Scheve

Delaying a root canal can lead to any number of bigger issues, including losing your tooth and, in the worst cases, even death.

By Sara Elliott