You use your mouth to speak, eat, kiss and smile, among other tasks. The key to keeping everything working well is good oral health. Having healthy teeth and gums isn't a given, though. Preventing tooth decay and other oral health problems takes effort. Start on the path toward good oral health by understanding what's behind your smile — your teeth, gums, tongue and salivary glands.
Bacteria can live in your mouth in the form of plaque, causing cavities and gingivitis, which can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. In order to keep your mouth clean, you must practice good oral hygiene every day.
If you really want to give your teeth that bright, white glow, you'll have to look elsewhere. Whitening toothpastes are designed to remove surface stains from your teeth. As a result, they may lighten your teeth slightly. However, they cannot change the natural color of your teeth.
You use your mouth to speak, eat, kiss and smile, among other tasks. The key to keeping everything working well is good oral health. Having healthy teeth and gums isn't a given, though. Preventing tooth decay and other oral health problems takes effort. Start on the path toward good oral health by understanding what's behind your smile — your teeth, gums, tongue and salivary glands.