oral health

Is Scraping Your Tongue Safe?

If done correctly, it’s a harmless technique — but using too much pressure or the wrong tool can have some side effects. While there isn’t much research on the topic, tongue scraping is always a good inclusion in your oral hygiene routine. Frequent scraping may make you less prone to cavities and bad breath and …

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How Do You Get a Cold Sore on Your Lip?

What causes cold sores? Cold sores, also called fever blisters or oral herpes, are a viral infection that leaves small blisters around your mouth. You get a cold sore on your lip due to viral infection from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Do you feel a tingling, itching, or burning around your mouth? If that tingly feeling turns into …

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What Foods Trigger Geographic Tongue?

What is geographic tongue? Geographic tongue is a harmless condition that appears on the top and sides of the tongue, forming small, map-like red areas. Foods that may trigger geographic tongue include hot foods and beverages, alcohol, and spicy foods. Geographic tongue is a harmless condition that appears on the top and sides of the tongue, forming small, map-like red …

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How Do You Stop Bad Breath on a Low-Carb Diet? 6 Remedies

Keto breath typically has a fruity odor or an aroma reminiscent to nail polish remover. Bad breath caused by a low-carb diet is called keto breath or ketosis breath. When you are on a low-carb diet, your body goes into ketosis and burns fats as an energy source. These ketone bodies are eliminated from your body through urine and exhalation, …

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How Do Stains Appear on Teeth? 5 Ways to Remove Stains, 3 Types

Just like any other body component, teeth can deteriorate and discolor over time. Tooth discoloration or tooth staining is discolored, translucent, or yellow deposition over the teeth. External tooth discoloration is merely a buildup of stains on the surface of the tooth. Internal discoloration of your teeth is caused by the absorption of pigment particles into the tooth structure. There …

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How Often Should You Scrape Your Tongue?

What is tongue scraping? Scraping your tongue is a quick way to remove unwanted, unneeded material that can cause bad breath and other side effects. Scrape your tongue every time you brush and floss your teeth. Scraping your tongue is a quick way to remove unwanted, unneeded material that can cause bad breath and other side effects. Is it bad …

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Can Hydrogen Peroxide Damage Your Teeth?

Is hydrogen peroxide a bleach? Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile product with many uses, from home cleaning to medical applications. Hydrogen peroxide should only be used short-term because cell damage to the pulp can limit the regrowth of the enamel. In almost every home medicine cabinet, you can commonly find a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. It is a versatile product …

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Do Tongue Scrapers Damage Taste Buds?

What is tongue scraping? Tongue scraping is a process where you drag a tool from the back of your tongue to the front to remove small particles and bacteria. Tongue scrapers can benefit your health and help you get that squeaky clean feel, but they can also damage your taste buds if you’re not careful. Tongue scrapers can benefit your …

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Is It Safe to Rinse Your Mouth With Hydrogen Peroxide Everyday?

What are the benefits of rinsing your mouth with hydrogen peroxide? Hydrogen peroxide is a common household chemical used for cleaning minor cuts and burns as well as disinfecting surfaces. It's safe to use over-the-counter peroxide oral rinse, which has roughly 1.5% to 3% hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a common household chemical used for cleaning minor cuts and burns …

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What Happens If You Floss Incorrectly? 6 Flossing Mistakes

Flossing incorrectly can do more harm than good to your teeth and gums. Learn about 6 common flossing mistakes and how to avoid them Flossing is one of the most important things you can do for the health of your teeth and gums, removing plaque and other buildup between your teeth. If you floss incorrectly, however, it can lead to …

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