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.
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.
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.
Mayo Clinic Minute: New technology for cochlear implants
Learn about new technology being used for cochlear implants.
Autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum disorder is a serious condition related to brain development that impairs the ability to communicate and interact with others.
Sensitive teeth: What treatments are available?
Know what causes sensitive teeth and learn about effective treatments.
Baby naps: Daytime sleep tips
Know when and how long babies need to nap, how to put them down for naps and how to handle fussiness.
Childhood apraxia of speech
This speech disorder is caused by a problem with communication between the brain and the muscles used for speech. Speech therapy can help.
Scorpion sting
Scorpion stings are painful but rarely life-threatening. Young children and older adults are most at risk of serious complications.
Refine Your Search
Type
Age
- All
- 19 to 44 younger
- 45 to 64 middle
- 16 months to 2 years toddler
- 03 to 5 years preschool
- 06 to 12 years elementary/preteen
- 13 to 18 years teen
- 65 to 80 older
- 15 months
- 12 months
- 9 months
- 6 months
- 29 to 40 middle
- 80 and over
- 02 to 15 months infant
- 4 months
Focus
- All
- Strategies for Change
- Prevention
- Complication
- Definition
- Symptom (reportable)
- Home Treatment