Oral Health

While it is important to brush your teeth regularly, brushing them after every meal can actually be harmful, as it can wear down the enamel on your teeth.

Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth when bacteria feed on the sugars in your food. This plaque can then produce acids that attack the enamel on your teeth, leading to tooth decay.

Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. The American Dental Association recommends that adults and children visit the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning.

Bleeding, swollen, and receding gums are all common signs of gum disease, which is a serious infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss.

To prevent cavities, it is important to brush your teeth twice a day, floss your teeth once a day, and eat a healthy diet that is low in sugar.

Sugary drinks, such as soda, juice, and sports drinks, are bad for your teeth because they contain high levels of sugar, which can feed the bacteria in plaque and lead to tooth decay.

Enamel is the hard, white tissue that covers the outside of your teeth. It is the hardest tissue in your body and is responsible for protecting your teeth from decay.

Pulp is the soft tissue that fills the inside of your teeth. It contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

Cementum is the tissue that surrounds the roots of your teeth. It is a hard, calcified tissue that helps to anchor your teeth in your jawbone.

The maxilla and mandible are the two bones that support your teeth. The maxilla is the upper jawbone, and the mandible is the lower jawbone.

The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects your upper and lower jaw. It is a complex joint that allows you to open and close your mouth, talk, and chew.

Tetracycline staining is a condition that causes your teeth to become yellow or brown. It is caused by taking the antibiotic tetracycline during childhood, when your teeth are still developing.

Dental erosion is a condition that causes your teeth to become pitted or eroded. It is caused by the acids in food and drink, as well as by stomach acids that are regurgitated into the mouth.

Abrasion is a condition that causes your teeth to become worn down. It is caused by the friction of brushing your teeth too hard, using a hard-bristled toothbrush, or grinding your teeth.

Periodontitis is a condition that causes your teeth to become loose. It is a serious form of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss.