For years, most of us have grown up believing that a cavity automatically means a trip to the dentist for a filling. The familiar drill-and-fill approach has long been considered the default solution.

What a person eats -- particularly the frequency of sugary food and drinks -- plays a role in tooth decay, but it is not ...

How can adults tell when dental fillings need to be replaced before serious damage occurs? That question is answered in a ...

Tooth decay can begin as soon as your child gets their first baby tooth. Fluoride, dental sealants, and regular dental cleanings can help prevent cavities from developing. According to the Centers for ...

Are you a daily flosser? Or have you been avoiding the dentist since the 20th century? Either way, here are some major dental innovations over the past decade. Small cavities are manageable now ...

This article predates Brown Brothers Media’s ownership of Science Blog and has not been reviewed under our current editorial process. It is preserved as part of the publication’s archive. Gili Naveh, ...

Rotten or decayed teeth are teeth that have become damaged by decay or infection. Signs include pain and marks or holes in tooth enamel. Decay usually results from inadequate oral hygiene, but certain ...