Oral Health

Cross-section of the roof of the mouth shows a small thermal burn on the palate lining, with delicate nerve endings and blood vessels close to the surface, explaining why hot-food burns hurt.
Oral Care

Burned the Roof of Your Mouth?

Most roof-of-mouth burns heal in about two weeks. Learn how to cool and protect the burn, what to eat, and when to see a dentist or doctor.

Oral CareA cross-section comparing two teeth: one with healthy gums covering the root, and one with receding gums that have pulled away to expose the tooth root, with subtle plaque at the gum line. It shows the anatomical change central to gum recession.

Receding Gums: Causes, Treatment, and How to Stop Them

Receding gums usually don't grow back, but treating the causes with professional care and better daily habits can stop the damage from getting worse.

Oral CareClose-up of lips and mouth corners showing a red, cracked corner with faint white patches, alongside a magnified view of round Candida yeast cells on the moist skin surface, representing lip fungus and angular cheilitis.

What is Lip Fungus

This article explains lip fungus symptoms, causes, antifungal treatment, and prevention, and when persistent cases need a doctor.

Oral CareA tooth cross-section showing a sticky layer of plaque biofilm on the enamel near the gumline, with coconut oil droplets floating nearby, illustrating that oil pulling does not remove plaque that can lead to cavities and gum disease.

Why Coconut Oil Pulling Can Backfire

Learn why coconut oil pulling can backfire, causing jaw pain, nausea, choking, or aspiration, and why it should not replace fluoride toothpaste or flossing.

Oral CareA close view of a dental prophylaxis cleaning: an ultrasonic scaler tip removes soft plaque and a bit of hardened tartar from the gumline of a healthy lower tooth while a water spray rinses the enamel; surrounding gums appear pink and uninflamed.

What Happens at a Dental Prophylaxis Appointment

Learn what happens during a dental prophylaxis, from gum checks and scaling to polishing and fluoride, plus what you may feel and when deeper care is needed.

Oral CareA cross-section of a lower molar and surrounding gum shows plaque along the gum line, a cavity reaching the pulp, and a contained abscess at the root tip, illustrating how common tooth and gum infections develop.

Eight Common Oral Infections and What to Do

This article explains eight common oral infections, their symptoms and causes, plus prevention and when to get dental or emergency care.

Oral CareView of the roof of the mouth from below showing the ridged hard palate, soft palate, and uvula, with a small cluster of flat pinpoint red spots on the soft palate, illustrating how minor suction or friction can cause harmless palatal petechiae.

What Causes Red Spots on the Roof of Your Mouth?

Red spots on the roof of your mouth often come from irritation or injury, but persistent, bleeding, or fever-related spots need a dental or medical exam.