Dental care
Learning Center
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.
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.
Starting solids: When is the right time?
Understand when to start feeding your baby solid foods.
Sensitive teeth: What treatments are available?
Know what causes sensitive teeth and learn about effective treatments.
Pyloric stenosis
In this condition, a valve between an infant's stomach and small intestine fails to open enough for food to pass through. Surgery is the treatment.
Pantry basics for a gluten-free holiday
Your favorite holiday dishes are back on the table, thanks to these gluten-free recipe substitutions from a Mayo Clinic chef.
Oral health: A window to your overall health
Find out about the connection between your oral health and overall health.
How plant-based food helps fight cancer
Got salad? A Mayo expert weighs in on the benefits of plant-based eating for cancer prevention.
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.
Refine Your Search
Type
Age
- All
- 45 to 64 middle
- 19 to 44 younger
- 4 months
- 65 to 80 older
- 6 months
- 80 and over
- 00 birth to 01 month newborn
- 2 months
- 15 months
- 12 months
- 16 months to 2 years toddler
- 9 months
Focus
- All
- Diet Recommendation
- Prevention
- Risk factor
- Definition
- Symptom (reportable)