Dental care
Learning Center
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.
Growth plate fractures
Growth plate fractures — This common childhood bone injury often needs immediate treatment as it can result in a shorter, longer or crooked limb.
How to focus on the present for long-term progress
Sometimes, the big picture can make your head spin. Here's how to let go of worries about the future for a minute and set yourself up for real progress.
Improve brain health with the MIND diet
The MIND diet is a smart way of eating for both your brain and your overall health. Here's how to do it.
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 learn about 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.
Want a strong brain? Exercise!
Regular exercise strengthens and tones your brain just as it does your body.
Refine Your Search
Type
Age
- All
- 45 to 64 middle
- 19 to 44 younger
- 16 years
- 80 and over
- 65 to 80 older
- 14 years
- 06 to 12 years elementary/preteen
- 03 to 5 years preschool
- 02 months to 2 years infant/toddler
Focus
- All
- Benefit
- Prevention
- Definition
- Symptom (reportable)