Skip to main content
Logo for WebMD
Logo for WebMD
  • Check Your Symptoms
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Dentist
  • Connect to Care
  • Find Lowest Drug Prices
  • Health
    A-Z
    Health A-Z
    Common Conditions
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Arthritis
    • Cancer
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Eye Health
    • Heart Disease
    • Lung Disease
    • Orthopedics
    • Pain Management
    • Sexual Conditions
    • Skin Problems
    • Sleep Disorders
    • View All
    Resources
    • Symptom Checker
    • WebMD Blogs
    • Podcasts
    • Newsletters
    • Questions & Answers
    • Insurance Guide
    • Find a Doctor
    • Children's Conditions A-Z
    • Surgeries and Procedures A-Z
      Featured Topics
    • woman experiencing chest discomfort Symptom Checker COVID-19: Check Your Symptoms Now
    • photo of migraine Slideshow Get Help for Migraine Relief
  • Drugs &
    Supplements
    Drugs & Supplements
    Find & Review
    • Drugs
    • Supplements
    Drug Basics & Safety
    • Commonly Abused Drugs
    • Taking Meds When Pregnant
    Tools
    • Manage Your Medications
    • Pill Identifier
    • Check for Interactions
    • Drug Comparison Tool
      Featured Topics
    • assorted vitamins Slideshow Vitamins You Need as You Age
    • berry and yogurt on spoon Slideshow Supplements for Better Digestion
  • Living
    Healthy
    Living Healthy
    Diet, Food & Fitness
    • Diet & Weight Management
    • Weight Loss & Obesity
    • Food & Recipes
    • Fitness & Exercise
    Beauty & Balance
    • Healthy Beauty
    • Health & Balance
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Oral Care
    Living Well
    • Women's Health
    • Men's Health
    • Aging Well
    • Healthy Sleep
    • Healthy Teens
      Featured Topics
    • grocery cart Article Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes
    • walking sneakers Quiz Do You Know the Benefits of Walking?
  • Family &
    Pregnancy
    Family & Pregnancy
    All About Pregnancy
    • Getting Pregnant
    • First Trimester
    • Second Trimester
    • Third Trimester
    • View All
    Parenting Guide
    • Newborn & Baby
    • Children's Health
    • Children's Vaccines
    • Raising Fit Kids
    • View All
    Pet Care Essentials
    • Healthy Cats
    • Healthy Dogs
    • View All
      Featured Topics
    • apple slices and peanut butter Slideshow Smart Snacks When You're Pregnant
    • photo of dogs kissing Slideshow Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats
  • News &
    Experts
    News & Experts
    Health News
    • Coronavirus News & Updates
    • COVID-19 Vaccines -- Latest Updates Here
    • COVID-19: Check Your Symptoms Now
    • Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts
    • Social Distancing, Quarantine Explained
    Experts & Community
    • WebMD Blogs
    • News Center
      Featured Topics
    • photo of coronavirus cell WebMD News Get the Latest COVID-19 News Here
    • photo of person typing Newsletters Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter
  • Sign In
    Share on Facebook
    Share on Twitter
    Share on Pinterest

      Oral Care Home

      • News
      • Reference
      • Slideshows
      • Quizzes
      • Videos
      • Questions & Answers

      Oral Care Guide

      • Teeth and Gums
      • Other Oral Problems
      • Dental Care Basics
      • Treatments & Surgery
      • Resources & Tools

      Related to Oral Care

      • Bad Breath
      • Dry Mouth
      • Healthy Mouth Evaluator
      • Mouth Sores
      • Orthodontics
      • Signs of Gum Disease
      • Teeth Grinding
      • Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
      • Tooth Decay
      • More Related Topics
      • Oral Care
      • Guide

      Teeth and Gums

      Find out about conditions that can affect your teeth and gums.

      1. Teeth Problems

        1. Prevent Tooth and Mouth Injuries

          Learn how to protect yourself from tooth and mouth injuries.

        2. Smoking and Oral Health

          Smoking and other tobacco use can cause oral health problems like gum disease and tooth decay.

        3. Tooth Decay Prevention

          Tooth decay is the destruction of tooth structure and can affect both the enamel (the outer coating of the tooth) and the dentin layer of the tooth.

        4. Toothaches

          Toothaches and jaw pain are common but can have different sources. Learn more from the experts at WebMD.

        5. Sensitive Teeth

          Tooth sensitivity is tooth discomfort in one or more teeth that is triggered by hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods and drinks, or even by breathing cold air. The pain can be sharp, sudden, and shoot deep into the nerve endings of your teeth.

        6. Tooth Discoloration

          Learn here how to prevent and treat tooth discoloration.

        7. Plaque

          WebMD explains tooth plaque and why it can harm your teeth.

        8. Abscessed Tooth

          An abscessed tooth is a painful infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth. Learn what causes this condition and how it is treated.

        9. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

          Do you or a loved one grind teeth at night? Find out what can be done for teeth grinding (bruxism), as well as causes and consequences.

        10. Cavities

          Tooth decay occurs when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches) such as breads, cereals, milk, soda, fruits, cakes, or candy are left on the teeth. 

        11. Tooth Enamel Erosion and Restoration

          What does tooth enamel do? WebMD explains what tooth enamel is, what causes it to erode, how to prevent enamel loss, and how to treat it.

        12. 9 Risk Factors for Tooth Loss

          There are certain risk factors for tooth loss. Find out what they are and if any are in your control.

        13. Tartar

          Plaque and tarter can threaten your oral health. Learn more about them, including tips for keeping them away from your teeth.

      2. Wisdom Teeth

        1. Wisdom Teeth Removal: What to Expect

          What are wisdom teeth and why do they sometimes require removal? Learn more from the experts at WebMD.

        2. Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Always Necessary?

          Read about the times it isn't necessary to remove your wisdom teeth.

        3. Dry Socket

          Dry socket is a painful complication that can happen after having a tooth pulled.

        4. Pericoronitis

          Pericoronitis happens when the gums surrounding your back teeth -- usually the wisdom teeth -- become infected. Find out more.

      3. Gum Problems

        1. Gum Disease Prevention

          Learn how you can prevent gum disease by brushing and flossing regularly, having regular dental visits for exams and cleaning, and eating a balanced diet.

        2. Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)

          WebMD's guide to gum disease, also called gingivitis and periodontal disease.

        3. Receding Gums

          Why do gums recede? WebMD discusses causes of gum recession and treatment, including surgery.

        4. Gum Problem Basics: Sore, Swollen, and Bleeding Gums

          WebMD examines common problems with the gums, including soreness, swelling, and bleeding. Learn possible causes and find remedies to help keep your gums healthy.

      Top Picks

      • At-Home Tooth Whitening: What Works?
      • What Is a Waterpik?
      • What to Expect at a Dentist Visit
      • What's Causing Your Jaw Pain?
      • [ss_icon]15 Tooth Problems: Cavities, Stained Teeth, Hyperdontia and More
      • Do You Need a Root Canal?

      Today on WebMD

      close up of woman sticking out tongue

      Tongue Problems

      Sores, discoloration, bumps and more.

      toothbrushes

      Get Whiter Teeth

      10 secrets to a brighter smile.

      Veneer smile

      Cosmetic Dentistry

      Before and after.

      mouth

      Get Rid of Canker Sores

      Tips and home treatment.

      Recommended for You

      Woman dissatisfied with granola bar Slideshow

      What's Causing Your Dry Mouth?

      woman with jaw pain Quiz

      Jaw Pain: Check Your TMD Knowledge

      Video

      How to Treat a Toothache

      h pylori Slideshow

      Your Breath and Your Health

      senior man rubbing sore jaw Slideshow

      What Is TMJ?

      mouth and dental instruments Article

      5 Tips for Preventing Plaque

      Closeup of a happy young guy brushing his teeth Tool

      How Healthy Is Your Mouth?

      womans smile Video

      How to Whiten Your Teeth

      Tools & Resources

      • 9 Tips for Fresh Breath
      • Remedies for Dry Mouth
      • 17 Common Mouth Problems
      • Habits That Wreck Your Teeth
      • Secrets to Whiter Teeth
      • Your Mouth and Your Health

      Health Solutions

      • Penis Curved When Erect
      • Could I have CAD?
      • Treat Bent Fingers
      • Tools to Improve Health
      • The Health Data in Spit
      • Relapsing MS Options
      • Rethink MS Treatment
      • AFib-Related Strokes
      • Risk of a Future DVT/PE
      • Is My Penis Normal?
      • Weight-Loss Surgery
      • Liver Transplants Save Lives
      • HIV and Fat
      • Discover hATTR Symptoms
      • Trouble Urinating?
      • Missing Teeth?

      More from WebMD

      • Finding the Care You Need for MS
      • How to Thrive With Narcolepsy
      • Eat Better in the New Year
      • Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Sleep
      • What Psoriasis Feels Like
      • First Psoriatic Arthritis Flare
      • Talking to Your Doctor About RA
      • Start a Home Fitness Program
      • Avoiding Crohn’s Flares
      • Living With Ankylosing Spondylitis
      • COVID-19 & Minority Health Care
      • Types of B-Cell Therapy for MS
      • Living Better With T2 Diabetes
      • Why Prostate Cancer Spreads
      • When Ulcerative Colitis Flares
      • Where Breast Cancer Spreads
      • Logo for WebMD
        • Find us on:
        • Facebook
        • Twitter
        • Pinterest
      • 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
      • WebMD Network

        • Medscape
        • Medscape Reference
        • MedicineNet
        • eMedicineHealth
        • RxList
        • OnHealth
        • WebMDRx
        • First Aid
        • WebMD Magazine
        • WebMD Health Record
        • Dictionary
        • Physician Directory
      • Our Apps

        • WebMD Mobile
        • WebMD App
        • Pregnancy
        • Baby
        • Allergy
        • Medscape

        For Advertisers

        • Advertise with Us
        • Advertising Policy
      • TRUSTe
      • TAG Registered Seal
      • Honcode Seal
      • Adchoices

      © 2005 - 2021 WebMD LLC. All rights reserved.

      WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

      See additional information.