Key Takeaways Mouthwash Basics Fresh Feeling Mouthwash can make your mouth feel fresh within seconds. That fresh feeling can fool people into thinking the mouth is clean enough. Mint flavor, burn and foam do not remove hardened plaque. They also do not repair enamel, fix gum bleeding or remove the cause of bad breath. Bad … Read more
Key Takeaways Oil Pulling Basics What It Is Oil pulling means swishing edible oil around the mouth, then spitting it out. Coconut oil and sesame oil are the most common choices. The oil moves between the teeth, across the gums and over the tongue. It can loosen debris, mix with saliva and help lift some … Read more
Key Takeaways Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Basics Tooth Surface Repair Hydroxyapatite is a mineral found in enamel and dentin. In toothpaste, it is used to cover the tooth surface and settle into very small weak areas. The goal is simple. It supports early surface repair rather than deep repair inside a badly damaged tooth (1, 2). People … Read more
Key Takeaways Sensitive Teeth Basics Dentin Exposure Sensitive teeth often start when dentin becomes exposed. Dentin is the layer under enamel and root covering. It has tiny tubes that connect toward the inside of the tooth. Cold air, cold drinks, touch, sweet foods or sour foods can move fluid inside those tubes and trigger short … Read more
Key Takeaways Tongue Coating Surface Film Your tongue has many small bumps across its surface. Food debris, dead cells, saliva proteins and bacteria can sit between those bumps. The back of the tongue often holds more coating because it is harder to clean and has more grooves. This coating can look white, yellow or thick … Read more
Key Takeaways Brushing Leaves Gaps Tight Contact Areas A toothbrush cleans the front back and chewing surfaces of teeth very well. It does not fully clean the narrow areas where neighboring teeth press against each other. Plaque often stays in those sites unless some form of interdental cleaning is added to daily care (1, 2, … Read more
Key Takeaways Toothpaste Basics Toothpaste Has One Job Toothpaste should help remove plaque, lower acid damage and support clean teeth without irritating the mouth. Plaque is the soft film that forms on teeth each day. Brushing removes most of it, while toothpaste adds mild grit, minerals, taste and foam. A major Cochrane review found that … Read more