Oral Health Medical Reference

Dentigerous cysts occur when a tooth that has not erupted is covered by a fluid-filled sac. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Find out what you need to know about lingual braces, and discover the pros and cons.

What is actinic cheilitis and will it lead to skin cancer?

Find out about snap-in dentures: what they do, what makes them different from other dentures, and if they’re right for you.

Find out what you need to know about orthodontic spacers, their benefits, and their disadvantages.

Zirconia crowns are caps that protect your damaged teeth. Learn more about when to get them, what to expect, and more.

Mewing is an internet craze that promises to change the shape of your jawline and fix other problems by changing the placement of your tongue in your mouth. Learn about the possible benefits and risks of mewing.

Getting your wisdom teeth removed is almost a rite of passage for young adults. But do you really need the surgery?

The dentist says it's time to have your wisdom teeth removed. What should you expect?

A look at the causes, symptoms, and treatment of a mucocele -- a type of cyst that forms in your mouth when salivary glands become blocked.

WebMD takes a look at clear orthodontic braces called aligners - how they work, who might consider getting them, and their advantages.

Learn more about tooth impaction and how the condition affects your health.

To find out the most common questions about oral health, WebMD took our video crew to the streets. See how our experts answer your top questions about oral health and dental care.

Severe gum disease may be detrimental to your overall health. Get tips from WebMD on caring for your gums and keeping them healthy.

Get the facts from WebMD about the benefits and risks involved in common cosmetic dentistry procedures, including teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, implants, and more.

Learn more from WebMD about mouth conditions -- loose teeth, bad breath, mouth sores -- that could indicate a serious underlying health problem.

WebMD talks about what saliva is, the role saliva plays in your oral health, and the causes and treatment of too much or too little saliva.

WebMD explains the pros and cons of tooth whitening at home and in the dentist's chair.

WebMD explains common denture problems and their treatment, along with tips for taking care of your dentures.

Learn more from WebMD about gum contouring, a dental procedure to correct gums that are receding or covering too much of the tooth.

WebMD talks about possible causes of different salivary gland problems including infections and swelling.

WebMD talks about salivary gland stones, including symptoms, causes, and treatments.

WebMD discusses stomatitis, a condition caused by canker sores, cold sores and other irritations in the mouth.

Why do gums recede? WebMD explains the causes of gum recession, how it is treated, and how to prevent the condition.

WebMD explains why and how a gum graft is performed, what to expect, estimated recovery time, and more.

Geographic tongue: A map-like appearance on the upper surface and sides of your tongue. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.

WebMD explains why your dentist may need to pull a tooth, or multiple teeth, and what to expect.

WebMD explains dental techniques for repairing a chipped or broken tooth, including bonding, crowns, veneers, and root canals.

WebMD explains a fissured tongue, its causes, and conditions where it's more common.

WebMD explains common oral side effects of medications, including chemotherapy and psychiatric drugs.

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of your tonsils, two masses of tissue in the back of your throat. It’s common & can be caused by both viral & bacterial infections.

You may take good care of your teeth, but if you engage in one or more of these five bad habits, your teeth may actually suffer. WebMD explains how you might be undermining your dental health.

Get tips on how to keep stress from damaging your teeth and gums.

Taking good care of your teeth can help you maintain your overall health. WebMD tells you about 6 ways that oral health keeps you well.

Advances in dental care are making procedures faster, longer lasting, and easier on patients. Learn more from WebMD.

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.

Plaque and tartar on your teeth can lead to serious gum disease. WebMD offers 6 tips for keeping them at bay.

WebMD explains how sedation dentistry works, what it involves, and how you can sleep through your next dentist appointment.

Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, form when debris is trapped on your tonsils and hardens. Learn more about the tonsil stone causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and complications.

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

WebMD explains the pros and cons of manual and electric toothbrushes. Discover what works best for you and your kids.

WebMD helps you compare different toothpastes and choose the best one for you and your family.

WebMD examines common tongue problems such as soreness, discoloration, and bumps on the tongue.

Dry socket is a painful complication that can happen after having a tooth pulled. Learn more about symptoms & treatment options.

WebMD explains what black hairy tongue is, its characteristics, causes, and treatments.

Learn more from WebMD about finding a dentist who is well versed in treating sleep problems, including sleep apnea and teeth grinding.

Toothaches and jaw pain are common, but their sources can be very different. Learn more from WebMD about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of tooth pain.

WebMD explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment of a dental abscess, an infection of the mouth, face, jaw, or throat that begins as a tooth infection or cavity.

A broken jaw is not uncommon. You can get it from an accident or other direct-force trauma. Learn the symptoms of a broken jaw and how it's treated.

There are a number of steps you can take to prevent teeth grinding during sleep.