Dental care
Learning Center
Baby sign language: A good idea?
Understand the benefits of baby sign language.
Baby walkers: Are they safe?
Baby walkers — A Mayo Clinic specialist explains the dangers of using a baby walker.
Rett syndrome
This rare genetic disorder affects the way the brain develops, causing a progressive inability to use muscles for eye and body movements and language.
Toe walking in children
Walking on toes or the balls of the feet is fairly common in children who are learning to walk. Most children outgrow it.
Sensitive teeth: What treatments are available?
Know what causes sensitive teeth and effective treatments.
Dental floss vs. water flosser: Which is better?
Cleaning between your teeth every day is an important part of good oral health.
When to brush your teeth
When should you brush your teeth? Learn how to protect your oral health.
Want whiter teeth?
If your pearly whites are dulled by surface stains, whitening toothpaste can appear to whiten teeth slightly. Whitening toothpaste can't change the natural color of your teeth, however. For more noticeable results, ask your dentist about tooth-whitening bleaching products.
Brush up on how to brush your teeth
Are you brushing your teeth properly? Here's how to brush: Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle — aiming the bristles toward the area where your tooth meets your gum. Gently brush with circular short back-and-forth motions. Remember to brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue. Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth comfortably. Consider using an electric or battery-operated toothbrush. Brush your teeth twice a day.
Toothpicks: For hors d'oeuvres, not teeth
Have something stuck in your teeth? Use a toothbrush, dental floss, or an interdental cleaner — such as a dental pick, pre-threaded flosser, tiny brushes that reach between teeth, a water flosser, or wooden or silicone wedge plaque remover. Save toothpicks for olives. If you use a toothpick to clean your teeth, you could injure your gums and let in bacteria.
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