
Dental injuries range from a chipped or fractured tooth to a knocked-out tooth. Treatment depends upon the severity of the dental injury. Dental injuries may be prevented by aligning protruding front teeth with braces and using face masks and mouthguards while playing sports. Read more: What Are Common Causes of Dental Injuries? Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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Mouth Problems: TMJ, Canker Sores, Painful Gums and More
Sores, painful gums, bad breath -- what's going on in your mouth? Find out with our slideshow of the most common mouth problems....
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Dental Problems: Tooth Decay, TMJ, Mouth Pain Causes & Treatments
Do you have a toothache? What is oral cancer? Symptoms like mouth pain and sensitive teeth can indicate dental problems. Learn...
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Oral Health: 19 Habits That Cause Bad Teeth
Is chewing ice bad for your teeth? How do you avoid rotten teeth? Learn how chewing ice, eating snacks, teeth grinding and other...
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Dental (Oral) Health Quiz: Test Your Dental Hygiene IQ
Take the Dental Health Quiz to test your IQ of oral hygiene, cavities, and common tongue and gum diseases. This quiz covers...
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Picture of Dental Crown
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a tooth covering the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength,...
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Picture of Composite Fillings
Existing fillings sometimes need to be replaced due to wear, chipping, or cracking. See a picture of Composite Fillings and learn...
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Picture of Dental Implant
Dental implants are replacement tooth roots made of titanium. See a picture of Dental Implants and learn more about the health...
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Picture of Dental Bridge
Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. See a picture of Dental Bridges and learn more...
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Picture of Dental Makeover
A combination of dental techniques can be used to achieve a great smile. See a picture of Dental Makeover and learn more about...
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Picture of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin is applied and hardened with a special light, ultimately "bonding"...
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Picture of Dental Veneers
Veneers (sometimes called porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells that cover the front surface of teeth, changing...
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Picture of Teeth
The teeth are the hardest substances in the human body. See a picture of the Teeth and learn more about the health topic.
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Teeth Whitening: Facts, Types, and Products That Work
What is the best teeth whitening option for you? Learn about different teeth whitening products such as teeth whitening strips,...
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Cosmetic Dentistry Before and After Photos
How can cosmetic dentistry improve your smile? See before and after pictures of orthodontics (braces), dental implants, crowns,...
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Top Tips for Beautiful Teeth and Gums
Explore tips for beautiful teeth and gums. Brighten your smile and keep healthy gums with these easy and simple tools.

QUESTION
What causes tooth decay? See AnswerRelated Disease Conditions
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Toothache
A toothache is pain on or around a tooth. It may have a variety of causes, including a cavity, abscess, or even sinusitis. Toothache symptoms include pain, headache, earache, bad taste in the mouth, and gum swelling. Dental X-rays and other tests performed by a dentist are used to diagnose the cause of a toothache. Toothache treatment depends on the underlying cause. Taking proper care of the teeth and gums can help prevent toothache.
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Abscessed Tooth
An abscessed tooth is an infection within a tooth that has spread to the root. Symptoms of an abscessed tooth may include pain, swelling, tenderness, redness, and the presence of a pus-filled lesion on the gum. A dental professional diagnoses an abscessed tooth and dental X-rays may be required. An abscessed tooth is treated with a root canal.
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Black Eye
The most common cause of a black eye is a trauma injury to the face or head. Most black eyes are minor and heal on their own; however, some may lead to significant injury. In addition to trauma to the face, cosmetic surgery can cause a black eye(s) as a side effect. Learn when to seek immediate medical care for a black eye.
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Braces and Retainers
Find out more about how orthodontic braces and retainers can provide proper alignment to crooked teeth. Get information about the cost of braces, the different types of braces, and the procedure for fitting a patient with braces.
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Endocarditis
Endocarditis, a serious infection of one of the four heart valves is caused by growth of bacteria on one of the heart valves; leading to an infected massed called a "vegetation." The infection can be caused by having bacteria in the bloodstream after dental work, colonoscopy, or other similar procedures. Endocarditis symptoms include fever, fatigue, weakness, chills, aching muscles and joints, night sweats, edema in the legs, feet, or abdomen, malaise, shortness of breath and small skin lesions. Treatment for endocarditis is generally aggressive antibiotic treatment.
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Children's Health
Children's health is focused on the well-being of children from conception through adolescence. There are many aspects of children's health, including growth and development, illnesses, injuries, behavior, mental illness, family health, and community health.
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Cavities
Learn more about cavities including symptoms, treatment, and prevention. See how tooth decay, plaque, and bacteria contribute to the creation of cavities and how regular brushing and flossing can help prevent dental caries.
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Protect Your Teeth: 19 Bad Dental Habits to Avoid
Bad dental habits can wreck your teeth. Teeth grinding, chewing on ice, playing sports without a mouth guard, and eating and drinking sugary foods and drinks are just a few bad habits that are bad for teeth. Giving nighttime baby bottles, opening things with your teeth, and chewing on pencils can also damage teeth and tissues in the mouth. Drinking red wine and white wine can erode enamel and stain teeth. Smoking, tobacco use, drinking coffee can all lead to tooth stains. Binge eating disorder leads to the consumption of large amounts of sugary food, which can lead to tooth decay. Purging exposes teeth to acids that can wear down enamel.
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How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?
Dental fillings are hard filling substances (such as gold, silver, ceramic) used to repair decayed or damaged teeth. They fill holes caused by tooth damage. The durability and lifetime of dental fillings depends on the type of dental filling used. There are many types of filling substances.
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Disadvantages of Dental Implants
The most common disadvantage of getting a dental implant is that it is a costly procedure and may not always be covered by insurance providers.
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How Painful Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are considered to be the best options to replace missing or damaged teeth. Depending on where it was placed, discomfort can also be felt in the chin, cheeks or underneath the eyes. Sometimes, Overall, patients report that the results are well worth the process.
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How Can I Heal My Teeth Naturally?
Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly are the best ways to keep your teeth healthy. Mouthwash can also help. Try these natural tooth care remedies to protect your smile.
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First Aid: Why You Need a First Aid Kit and CPR
First aid is providing medical assistance to someone a sick or injured person. The type of first aid depends on their condition. Preparedness is key to first aid, like having basic medical emergency kits in your home, car, boat, or RV. Many minor injuries may require first aid, including cuts, puncture wounds, sprains, strains, and nosebleeds. Examples of more critical first aid emergencies include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and heatstroke.
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How Do You Fix a Dry Socket?
Learn what medical treatments can help ease your dry socket symptoms and speed up your dry socket recovery.
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How Do You Stop a Toothache At Home?
What causes a toothache? Learn how to take care of a toothache at home and the signs that there may be a more serious underlying condition from that toothache.
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How Much Does A Mouthguard Cost?
Mouthguards or mouth protectors are dental devices that cover the teeth to protect the teeth, tongue, gums, and cheeks from injuries caused by conditions like teeth grinding or sports.
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Is a Mouthguard Good for Your Teeth?
Mouthguards or mouth protectors are coverings worn over teeth. They protect your teeth from injuries. A mouthguard acts as a cushion to minimize the impact of trauma or a blow to the face. Thus, they lower the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jaw.
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