Beauty and Hygiene

They're expensive, not attractive and less than comfortable, yet each year, millions of American children are fitted for braces to correct misaligned or crooked teeth. But are braces truly needed?

By Chris Opfer

Got braces? Whitening your teeth may have to wait.

By Terri Briseno

Like phones, cars, credit cards and just about everything else, orthodontics are getting smart with new self-ligating and microchip-powered dental braces.

By Chris Opfer

Visits to the orthodontist's office are a rite of passage for many kids. Here are the latest options for straightening your child's teeth.

By Alison Cooper

Too much fluoride can make your teeth yellow, but only if you're a pee-wee under the age of 8.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Fluoride is in our drinking water and toothpaste and is believed to significantly improve our dental health. But did you know it's actually a toxin?

By Echo Surina

These days, you'll find fluoride in lots of consumer products -- not just in your toothpaste. But why is there so much debate about this ubiquitous substance -- and how much is too much?

By Gerlinda Grimes

Your tooth may be killing you, but the idea of heading to the dentist's office doesn't seem too appealing. Luckily, a home remedy could do the trick.

By Jennifer Sellers

Your gums may bleed for any number of reasons. Some causes are pretty common and will clear up on their own, but a few may be the sign of something more serious happening.

By Emilie Sennebogen

When hardened plaque builds up on your teeth and turns into tartar, your risk of gum disease increases. Here are five ways to combat a plaque attack.

By Alison Cooper

When it comes to whitening your teeth, using baking soda might seem like a simpler -- and cheaper -- alternative to store-bought bleaching kits. But can it really brighten your smile?

By Jill Jaracz

If fluoride were a person, its ears would be burning -- for decades now, people have been debating the merits and demerits of this substance. Why? We'll share 10 fluoride facts as we try to get to the bottom of the fluoride debate.

By Kate Kershner

From losing weight to improving your sex life, you might be amazed at some of the unusual benefits you get from brushing your teeth. We'll look at five surprises.

By Kim Williamson

If you're stuck at sea, salty water won't quench your thirst, but will it improve your oral hygiene? We'll sleuth out whether saltwater is an effective mouthwash -- or not -- in this article.

By Karen Kirkpatrick

If you ever had your mouth washed out with soap, then tooth soap may not sound appealing. But it's not too different from the paste you're used to -- and it may even be cheaper.

By Katie Lambert

Swollen gums can be a real pain. But who wants to go to the doctor for every minor ache? Is there a remedy you can try at home first?

By Kevin P. Allen

Brushing and flossing are the cornerstones of good oral health, but are you using the right tools in the right way?

By Maria Trimarchi

All those shiny tools at your dentist's office may overwhelm you, but did you know some of the most important ones are found at home?

By Marianne Spoon

Flossing can save your gums, teeth, breath, money and even your life. Warning: This article may make you leave the Internet to practice oral hygiene.

By Matt Cunningham

You probably know by now that you should floss once a day, but when should you do it? And should it be before or after you brush?

By Emilie Sennebogen

Say there's a funky smell emanating from your mouth. Would it ever occur to you to blame the odor on your gums? Yep, gums can smell bad. We'll explain why -- and what you can do about it -- in this article.

By Shanna Freeman

You know what toothpaste is -- after all, you've been using it your whole life. However, toothpaste didn't always come in tubes, or even in paste form. Yes, once upon a time, people used abrasive powders to get that minty-fresh feeling.

By Marie Willsey

Massaging your gums stimulates them and keeps them healthy, so it's a good practice. But you don't necessarily need to use a gum brush to do so.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Electric toothbrushes are much better at cleaning your teeth than traditional brushes and are highly recommended by dentists. Here are some of their other benefits.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

We clean our teeth with a toothbrush, but does your toothbrush itself need cleaning? Here are some common methods for disinfecting your toothbrush, as well as how to keep it clean for daily use.

By Chris Opfer