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Teeth

It sounds a bit over-flattering, but our teeth can usually chew practically anything. Our sharp front teeth can bite into fresh delicacies, and our strong back teeth can grind down the chewiest of foods. The bad news is the durability of the teeth. Although dental enamel is very hard, it is vulnerable to bacteria in the mouth. Gums are also relatively sensitive. The result is that out of every 100 adults there will be only one with every single tooth and the gums completely healthy. Dental care is about one-tenth of all health care.

Feature: Teeth sealants

Parents know the problem well. Hardly a day goes by without some discussion about brushing teeth. And it is worthwhile, especially with children, to watch out for some basics. You can read more here about what researchers have learned about teeth or fissure sealants, toothbrushing and fluoride to prevent tooth decay. And you can test your knowledge about preventing tooth decay in our quiz.

Feature: Wisdom teeth removal

The removal of wisdom teeth is one of the most common dental operations, but it is not completely harmless: Nerves and blood vessels can get damaged during this procedure. Find out more in our fact sheet.

Fact Sheet

Research summaries

Dental caries: Do fluoride tooth products prevent tooth decay in children and young people?

Fluoride tooth products, especially toothpaste, protect children against plaque and tooth decay. more...

Dental caries: Do teeth sealants prevent tooth decay in children and young people?

The application of sealants to the molars or back teeth can result in a major reduction in the risk of tooth decay or cavities. more...

Dental caries: Which fluoride dental products provide the best protection against tooth decay?

Brushing with fluoride toothpaste every day protects children and young people from tooth decay just as effectively as fluoride mouthwashes and gels applied directly to the teeth. more...

Wisdom teeth: Is it better to keep them or have them taken out?

Removing wisdom teeth that have not broken through and are not causing symptoms has no proven benefit. However the operation almost always causes pain and swelling, and can lead to complications. more...

Toothbrushes: Are the electric ones better than ordinary manual brushes?

Whether or not electric toothbrushes clean teeth better than manual toothbrushes depends on the way the head moves. Rotation oscillation brushes that move in one direction and then the other remove plaque a bit better than ordinary toothbrushes. more...