Dental Damage

Recognising and avoiding common causes of tooth and gum damage. Articles address cosmetic procedures, piercings, drug effects, and childhood habits.

Can You Respond to a Dental Emergency?

Know what to do when a dental emergency strikes—from severe toothaches to knocked out teeth.

Dental Health Around the World

Tooth decay and loss affect people worldwide, but poverty and limited dental care make the problem worse in developing countries.

Effects of Tooth Loss

Missing teeth can damage your appearance, relationships and job prospects, but good dental habits can prevent it.

How Illegal Drug Use Affects Your Teeth

Illegal drugs cause serious damage to your teeth through acid erosion, dry mouth, and decay, here's what happens with cocaine, crack, and ecstasy.

How to Avoid Bad Cosmetic Dentistry

Check your dentist's cosmetic training before committing to a procedure, since inexperience often leads to costly fixes later.

How Tongue Piercings Cause Tooth Gaps

Tongue piercings can gradually push your teeth apart and create gaps, especially if you fidget with them regularly.

Night-time Eating and Tooth Loss

Eating late at night increases your risk of tooth loss because your mouth produces less protective saliva when you sleep.

Oral Problems from Tongue and Lip Piercings

Lip and tongue piercings can cause chipped teeth, infections, and other oral problems that develop over time.

Prescription Drugs and Dental Problems

Many prescription drugs can damage your teeth and gums, from antibiotics that stain developing teeth to medications that reduce protective saliva flow.

Smoking and Dental Damage

Smoking damages your teeth and gums in serious ways, from gum disease to oral cancer and slower healing after dental work.

Thumb Sucking and Your Child's Teeth

Thumb sucking usually stops on its own, but prolonged habits after age four can cause bite problems and tooth misalignment in kids.

Treating Cleft Lip and Palate

Cleft lip and palate surgery and treatment can help your child eat, speak and look their best.

What Can Go Wrong with Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening can cause sensitivity, gum damage and uneven results if you don't know what to watch out for beforehand.

What Diabetics Should Know About Teeth

Diabetes increases your risk of gum disease and tooth decay, so here's what you need to know about protecting your teeth.

Where Are Your Dental Crowns Made?

Some dental crowns made overseas contain dangerous lead levels that put your health at risk.