Dental care
Learning Center
Brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation)
Tangled blood vessels in the brain affect typical blood flow in this rare condition. Learn more.
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.
Dental floss vs. water flosser: Which is better?
Cleaning between your teeth every day is an important part of good oral health.
Does flossing really make a difference?
Yes. You can't reach the bacteria in tight spaces between your teeth and under the gum line with a toothbrush. Aim to floss daily. If you find it hard to handle floss, use 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. As long as you do a thorough job, it doesn't matter if you brush or floss first.
Keratoconus
When your cornea bulges outward, it can cause blurry vision and make your eyes sensitive to light. Find out about symptoms, causes and treatment for this eye condition.
Narcolepsy
Learn more about this sleep disorder that causes periods of involuntary sleep, sleep paralysis and early rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
Oral health: A window to your overall health
Find out about the connection between your oral health and overall health.
Sensitive teeth: What treatments are available?
Know what causes sensitive teeth and effective treatments.
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.
Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder)
In this mental health condition, people can't resist urges to pull out hair from their body. They do this often. Therapy may help reduce or stop urges.