Dental care
Learning Center
Starting solids: When is the right time?
Understand when to start feeding your baby solid foods.
Is the keto diet for you? A Mayo expert weighs in
The ketogenic diet is all about eating the right foods in the right proportions. When you get it right, it'll trigger your body to start burning stored fat.
3 key changes in the new Nutrition Facts label
The Nutrition Facts label gets an update for the first time in 25 years. Maybe it's time to update your food choices too?
Sleep-tracking devices: Dos and don'ts
Sleep trackers may help improve your sleep, but don't jump to conclusions based on your data. Get the facts from a Mayo Clinic wellness specialist.
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.
Oral health: A window to your overall health
Find out about the connection between your oral health and overall health.
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