Seeing a little blood when you brush or floss is easy to brush off (no pun intended), but bleeding gums are actually one of the earliest and most reliable warning signs your mouth gives you. Here’s how to tell whether it’s something minor or something worth addressing sooner rather than later. How Common Is This,
read moreThey can look surprisingly similar at first glance, but canker sores and cold sores are two completely different conditions, with different causes, different treatments, and one very important difference: whether they’re contagious. The Quickest Way to Tell Them Apart Location is your best clue. Canker sores form inside the mouth, on the inner cheeks, gums,
read moreSudden Toothache: What to Do Before You Can See a Dentist A toothache that comes out of nowhere has a way of taking over your whole day. While home remedies won’t fix the underlying problem, a few simple steps can make the wait for your appointment a lot more bearable, and help you figure out
read moreKnocked-Out Tooth: What to Do in the First Few Minutes A knocked-out tooth is genuinely one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies there is. More than five million teeth are knocked out every year in children and adults, according to the American Association of Endodontists, and how you handle the first few minutes has a
read moreChipped or Broken Tooth: What to Do Right Away Whether it happened biting into something hard, during a fall, or from a sports mishap, a chipped or broken tooth catches everyone off guard. Here’s what to actually do in the first few minutes, and when it’s worth emergency care versus a routine follow-up. First Things
read moreThat distinct metallic, iron-like taste is usually exactly what it seems like: a small amount of blood somewhere in your mouth or nearby airway. The good news is that it’s rarely a sign of anything dangerous, but tracking down the actual source is worth doing, especially if it keeps happening. The Most Common Cause: Your
read moreBrushing and flossing get all the attention, but your tongue is doing a lot of quiet work too, and it’s often the last thing people think to clean. Here’s what actually happens on your tongue’s surface, and the right way to clean it if you want to add it to your routine. Why Your Tongue
read moreIf you’ve burned your lips on hot pizza or coffee before, you know that feeling well, and it usually fades within a day or two. But what about when your lips are burning and you haven’t eaten or drunk anything hot at all? That’s a different situation, and it’s worth understanding what might actually be
read moreA metallic, sour, bitter, or unpleasant taste in your mouth can be confusing. Sometimes it happens after eating certain foods, taking medication, or dealing with a cold. Other times, it may seem to appear for no clear reason. If the taste goes away quickly, it may not be a major concern. But if it keeps
read moreA loose baby tooth is normal. A loose adult tooth is different. If one of your permanent teeth feels loose, shifts when you touch it, feels tender when biting, or suddenly moves after an injury, it is worth taking seriously. Adult teeth are meant to stay firmly supported by the gums, ligaments, and bone around
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