Skip to main content
Logo for WebMD
  • Home
  • Conditions

    Conditions

    View All
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Arthritis
    • Atrial fibrillation
    • Breast Cancer
    • Cancer
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • DVT
    • Eczema
    • Eye Health
    • Heart Disease
    • HIV & AIDS
    • Lung Disease
    • Lupus
    • Mental Health
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Migraine
    • Pain Management
    • Psoriasis
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Sexual Conditions
    • Skin Problems
    • Sleep Disorders
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • View All
  • Drugs & Supplements

    Drugs & Supplements

    • Drugs
    • Supplements
    • Pill Identifier
    • Interaction Checker
  • Well-Being

    Well-Being

    View All
    • Aging Well
    • Baby
    • Birth Control
    • Children's Health
    • Diet & Weight Management
    • Fitness & Exercise
    • Food & Recipes
    • Healthy Beauty
    • Men's Health
    • Parenting
    • Pet Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Teen Health
    • Women's Health
    • View All
  • Symptom Checker
  • Find a Doctor
  • More

    More

    • News
    • Blogs
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • Newsletters
    • WebMD Magazine
    • Best Hospitals
    • Support Groups
    • Surgeries and Procedures
    • Orthopedics
  • Privacy & More
Log In
    • Oral Care
    • Guide
    • Teeth and Gums
      • Teeth Problems
      • Wisdom Teeth
      • Gum Problems
    • Other Oral Problems
      • Bad Breath
      • Dry Mouth
      • Your Throat, Tonsils, and Glands
      • Tongue and Lip Problems
      • Jaw Problems
      • Oral and Throat Cancer
    • Dental Care Basics
      • Healthy Mouth
      • Brushing and Flossing
      • Dental Care for Kids
      • Dental Care for Seniors
    • Treatments & Surgery
      • Correcting Crooked Teeth
      • Surgical Treatments
      • Other Dental Treatments
    • Resources & Tools
      • Slideshows
      • Pictures
    • View Full Guide

    Dental Care Basics

    1. Healthy Mouth

      1. Dentists and Other Oral Health Care Providers

        Many different types of oral health care providers could become involved in the care of your teeth, gums, and mouth.

      2. Oral Health Care Plan

        Good oral health involves more than just brushing. To keep your teeth and mouth healthy for a lifetime of use, there are steps that you should follow.

      3. Teeth and Gum Care

        With proper care, your teeth and gums can stay healthy throughout your life. The healthier your teeth and gums are, the less risk you have for tooth decay and gum disease.

      4. Finding a Dentist

        You and your dentist will be long-term oral health care partners; therefore, you should find someone you can be comfortable with.

      5. Dental Health Insurance

        Dental health insurance plans vary widely. You should know how your plan is designed, since this can significantly affect the plan's coverage and out-of-pocket expenses.

      6. Oral Piercings: Tongue, Lip, and Cheek

        While piercing the tongue, lip, or cheek may be attractive to some, there are a number of health-related risks associated with oral piercing.

    2. Brushing and Flossing

      1. Dental Care Products

        From toothpastes to toothbrushes to mouthwashes, get the facts you need to make informed decisions about your oral health.

      2. Fluoride Treatment

        Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. Every day, minerals are added to and lost from a tooth's enamel layer through two processes, demineralization and remineralization.

      3. Toothpaste Options

        Just the number of options you have when you buy a tube of toothpaste can be overwhelming. Should you go for tartar control? Fluoride? Both?

      4. Toothbrushes: The Pros and Cons of Electric and Disposable

        From the time we're young, we're taught that using a toothbrush regularly is one of the best ways to keep our teeth and gums healthy. But which toothbrush is best?

    3. Dental Care for Kids

      1. Dental Health and Your Child's Teeth

        The following chart shows when your child's primary teeth (also called baby teeth or deciduous teeth) should erupt and shed.

      2. Caring for Children's Teeth

        In children, teeth should be cleaned as soon as they emerge. By starting early, your baby gets used to the daily routine.

      3. Oral Health Problems in Children
    4. Dental Care for Seniors

      1. Oral Hygiene for Seniors

        Age in and of itself is not a dominant or sole factor in determining oral health. However, certain medical conditions, such as arthritis in the hands and fingers, may make brushing or flossing teeth difficult to impossible to perform. Drugs can also affect oral health and may make a change in your dental treatment necessary.

      2. Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Dental Care

        Get answers to some common questions seniors may have about their oral care.

      3. Denture Problems

        WebMD takes a look at common denture problems and how they can be treated or prevented.

      4. Caring for Dentures

        Proper denture care is important for both the health of your dentures and mouth. Here are some tips.

    Top Picks

    Today on WebMD

    Tongue Problems

    Sores, discoloration, bumps and more.

    Get Whiter Teeth

    10 secrets to a brighter smile.

    Cosmetic Dentistry

    Before and after.

    Get Rid of Canker Sores

    Tips and home treatment.

    Recommended for You

    What's Causing Your Dry Mouth?

    Jaw Pain: Check Your TMD Knowledge

    How to Treat a Toothache

    Health Solutions from Our Sponsors

    • Penis Curved When Erect?
    • Could I have CAD?
    • Treat Bent Fingers
    • Treat HR+, HER2- MBC
    • Tired of Dandruff?
    • Benefits of CBD
    • Rethink MS Treatment
    • AFib-Related Strokes
    • Risk of a Future DVT/PE
    • Is My Penis Normal?
    • Relapsing MS Options
    • Liver Transplants Save Lives
    • Finance Plastic Surgery
    • Bent Finger Causes
    • Living With Psoriasis?
    • Missing Teeth?

    More from WebMD

    • 5 Tips to Help With Relapsing MS
    • How to Thrive With Narcolepsy
    • Relief for Blocked Hair Follicles
    • Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Sleep
    • What Psoriasis Feels Like
    • First Psoriatic Arthritis Flare
    • Talking to Your Doctor About RA
    • Crohn's: A 'Full-Body' Disease
    • Avoiding Crohn’s Flares
    • Health Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil
    • Live Better With Psoriatic Disease
    • Types of B-Cell Therapy for MS
    • 5 Health Benefits of Hemp
    • Why Prostate Cancer Spreads
    • Living with Advanced Breast Cancer
    • Where Breast Cancer Spreads

    Related Links

    • Oral Care News
    • Oral Care Reference
    • Oral Care Slideshows
    • Oral Care Quizzes
    • Oral Care Videos
    • Bad Breath
    • Dry Mouth
    • Healthy Mouth Evaluator
    • Mouth Sores
    • Orthodontics
    • Signs of Gum Disease
    • Teeth Grinding
    • Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
    • Tooth Decay
    • More Related Topics
    • Policies

      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Policy
      • Editorial Policy
      • Advertising Policy
      • Correction Policy
      • Terms of Use
    • About

      • Contact Us
      • About WebMD
      • Careers
      • Newsletter
      • Corporate
      • WebMD Health Services
      • Site Map
      • Accessibility
    • Our Apps

      • WebMD Mobile
      • WebMD App
      • Pregnancy
      • Baby
      • Allergy
    • For Advertisers

      • Advertise with Us
      • Advertising Policy
    • Visit WebMD on Facebook
    • Visit WebMD on Twitter
    • Visit WebMD on Pinterest
    • TRUSTe
    • TAG Registered Seal
    • Adchoices

    © 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

    See additional information.

    Logo for WebMD