Blog
Practical dental guides, product explainers, and condition-based articles written and reviewed by dental professionals.
When Do Kids Start Losing Teeth?
When Do Kids Start Losing Teeth? Children usually begin losing their baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, around 5 or 6. However, every child is unique, and it's considered normal for this process to be delayed by up...
What to Do if Your Temporary Crowns Look Bad
A temporary dental crown is a cap placed over your tooth while you wait for a permanent crown. Conventional dental crowns take a few weeks to manufacture in a lab. Your dentist will install a temporary version to protect...
How Long Do Braces Hurt?
Braces are an important step toward a healthier smile, but they can come with some soreness, especially early on. Whether you're just starting orthodontic treatment or heading in for a routine adjustment, it helps to kno...
Is Dental Insurance Worth It?
Dental insurance can be worth it, depending on your needs, the plan you purchase, and your financial situation. Research shows that having dental insurance is associated with better oral health outcomes. 1 Most major den...
Does Vaping Stain Your Teeth?
Vaping devices contain nicotine, which can cause tooth discoloration. When you vape, the nicotine gets trapped inside enamel pores. This results in stains and discoloration. Tooth discoloration from vaping can be yellow,...
Interdental Brushes: Benefits and How to Use Them
Interdental brushes can be easier than floss for wider spaces, braces, bridges, and implants. Here is how to pick the right size and use them correctly.
Preparing Your Teeth for Veneers
Dental veneers are cosmetic restorations that improve the appearance of damaged, discolored, and slightly crooked teeth. Veneers are thin shells that fit over your natural teeth. They're designed to change the shape, siz...
Supplemental Dental Insurance Plans
What is Supplemental Dental Insurance? Supplemental dental insurance is a plan that fills any gaps in your existing dental insurance coverage. You may need a supplemental dental insurance plan if your: Employer doesn't o...
Plaque Disclosing Tablets
Effective dental plaque removal can be challenging, especially for children and people with braces. Disclosing tablets can help show where the plaque has accumulated, making it easier to remove the plaque. Studies show o...
How Long Do Braces Take to Straighten Teeth?
How Long Do Braces Take to Straighten Teeth? Braces can take anywhere from six months to over three years to effectively straighten your teeth. On average, the total braces treatment time is about 25 months. 1 The length...
Why Dental Pain Continues After a Filling and What to Do
If you're experiencing tooth sensitivity after a filling, it's probably not a cause for concern. Most people experience minor sensitivity after having a cavity filled. It usually gets better in a few days. Call your dent...
Should I Brush or Floss First? According to Science
Should You Floss Before or After Brushing? It's best to floss your teeth before you brush them. Research shows flossing before brushing has more benefits, including: Better plaque control 1 Increased fluoride retention 2...
Why Do My Teeth Feel Loose? What Should I Do?
Loose teeth in children are a typical part of their growth. But, if an adult has a loose tooth, it's usually an indicator of a problem. Loose permanent teeth can signal: Advanced gum disease Trauma to the teeth or gums f...
What Causes Lisping?
A lisp is a speech disorder that affects how someone pronounces certain sounds. Lisps commonly develop during childhood. Nearly 1 in 12 children between the ages of 3 and 17 had a disorder related to voice, speech, or sw...
Can Invisalign Cause Weight Loss?
Can Invisalign Cause Weight Loss? People undergoing treatment with Invisalign sometimes notice they lose weight. While Invisalign is not intended to affect your weight, it may do so indirectly. Invisalign is a form of cl...
Can Chewing Gum Help Define Your Jawline?
Defining your jawline is one of the newest beauty trends right now. Different products and techniques have claimed to be able to do just this. However, most of these trends will likely not change your jawline's shape. So...
How Long Does It Take to Put On Braces?
Key Takeaways Having braces placed usually takes between 1 and 2 hours. Fortunately, none of your follow-up orthodontic appointments should take as long. No two people have the same teeth, and there are different types o...
What is a Gum Stimulator?
What are Gum Stimulators? Gum stimulators are devices that resemble a toothbrush. But instead of a brush head, they have a flexible, pointed plastic or rubber tip. You use the rubber tip to stimulate and massage the gums...
Should I Brush My Teeth Before or After Using Whitening Strips?
Teeth whitening strips are dental products that whiten teeth and remove stains. They are an at-home aesthetic treatment that makes many people more confident due to a brighter smile. Whitening strips are generally safe a...
Magic Mouthwash
Key Takeaways Magic mouthwash treats painful, inflamed mouth sores and oral mucositis. It combines several prescription ingredients that ease discomfort and promote healing. There's no standard set of ingredients. Instea...
Mouth Breathings vs Nose Breathing
You probably don't think about how you breathe or whether you're doing it correctly. You typically breathe without conscious awareness. But what if you knew that about one-third of people aren't breathing well enough to...
What Is Mouth Breather Face and How Do I Fix It?
How to Fix Mouth Breather Face Treatment for mouth breather face depends on when it's diagnosed and its underlying cause. Treatment for Children 'Mouth breather face' is easiest to treat in childhood while the child's fa...
How to Relieve Tooth Pain at Night
Why Does a Toothache Hurt More at Night? It's common for people to complain of toothaches that hurt more at night. When you lie down in bed, blood no longer works against gravity to flow to your head. This increases pres...
Root Canal vs. Tooth Extraction
What's the Difference Between a Root Canal and Tooth Extraction? If you're experiencing tooth pain, you may need a root canal or tooth extraction. These common dental procedures can alleviate pain but differ in purpose a...