The pasty, parched feeling of a dry mouth is annoying, particularly when you are running and need every drop of moisture you can get to keep from feeling overheated. A dry mouth, which is also called xerostomia, is usually a sign of other problems or a side effect of medications.

Amateur bakers often wonder when to use cream of tartar and when to use baking soda. The two ingredients can even be listed in the same recipe together. Understanding how the two products are made and what chemical properties they possess can help you figure out which ingredient best suits your recipe.

Many people are continually on the lookout for simple ways to look more attractive. One popular technique is tooth whitening. Good dental hygiene dictates frequent brushing, which can help make your teeth whiter.

Coffee is a drink you probably rely on to feel awake and alert. Others may easily notice you're a coffee drinker, but it might not be because of your energy level. "Coffee breath" has become infamously associated with America's popular beverage. Different theories exist regarding the cause of that stale, "metallic"

The whirring sound of a drill, the chair that goes back too far, the white napkin draped around the neck are all symbols of a dentist visit. You may want to avoid these, but toothache and facial pain are two reasons why avoidance might not be an option.

Many people struggle with the color of their teeth. Drinking tea, coffee and cola, smoking and even some of the foods you eat contribute to the discoloration of your teeth. A trip down the toothpaste aisle will present you with a variety of products that claim to whiten teeth.

Thrush results when a fungus called candida grows in your mouth, explains MedlinePlus. You can minimize or eliminate oral thrush by restricting certain foods from your diet.

A layer of small bumps known as papillae cover the surface of the tongue. According to the National Institutes of Health's MedlinePlus service, the papillae provide a home for the taste buds, which reside between papillae.

Many terms used interchangeably do not necessarily mean the same thing. Such is the case with mouth splints and mouth guards.

Periodontal disease includes gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums caused by the buildup of plaque, and periodontitis, a more serious condition in which the gums erode away from the tooth surface and toxins from the plaque damage the bone and tissue that hold the teeth in place.

Your tongue is one of the toughest muscles in your body, but sometimes fissures break out on it. This is known as cracked tongue, scrotal tongue or grooved tongue. There is not a single established cause of cracked tongue, but there are many potential sources.

Crest Whitestrips is a type of tooth whitening product. A strip of flexible material is coated on one side with a peroxide-based gel that bleaches dark stains on your teeth.