Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist
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Co-authored Articles (71)
How to
Remove Tartar
Have you ever noticed a sticky buildup on your teeth when it's time to brush? This is called plaque, and if it's not brushed away, it can harden into a substance called tartar. Tartar is a rough, bumpy deposit along the ...
How to
Tell Between an Erupting and Impacted Wisdom Tooth
Wisdom teeth are the molars furthest back on both sides of your upper and lower jaw. These four teeth are the last ones to erupt or grow out of your gums and become functional—this typically occurs during the late teen...
How to
Smile
Smiling may come naturally to some people; however, for the rest of us, it can be a little challenging. Finding the right smile for pictures, selfies, and everyday life is tough, especially if you haven’t figured out w...
How to Straighten Crooked Teeth Without Braces
Alternate options to help you avoid the high cost and timely upkeep of traditional bracesSome people say that having a straight, beautiful smile is the best accessory, but not everyone is confident in the appearance of t...
How to Fix an Uneven Smile and Look Your Best
While everyone has a slightly asymmetrical face, an uneven smile may be more noticeable on some than others. If one side of your mouth is higher or lower when you smile, it’s probably a little uneven—and that's not a...
How to
Stop Tooth Nerve Pain
Tooth nerve pain can be caused by many different reasons. It can be caused by infection, injury, tooth decay, gum disease, loose fillings, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). Tooth pain may also be caused by p...
How to
Eat with Dentures
Eating with dentures isn't like eating with your regular teeth. Chewing on only one side of your mouth can loosen your dentures and cause them to slip. Foods with certain textures can break or dislodge them, so be patien...
How to Use Floss on Your Teeth
Daily, dentist-approved ways to clean between your teeth Food stuck in your teeth? Bad breath? Dentist asked the last time you flossed? No matter what brought you here, flossing your teeth is the perfect way to keep you...
How to
Treat Gum Disease With Homemade Remedies
Experts agree gum disease can destroy the bones that support your teeth if left untreated, which can lead to tooth loss. Gum disease is a gum infection that destroys your soft tissue, which is typically preventable. Rese...
The Proper Way to Brush Your Teeth (And Its Benefits)
Practice good dental hygiene with these expert-backed tips When you want a whiter smile and fresher breath, brushing your teeth will help out as well as improve your overall health. Bacteria builds up on your teeth, wh...
How to
Get Rid of White Tongue
It's a bit of a shock to open your mouth to brush your teeth in the morning and discover that your tongue has a white coating on it. White tongue occurs when the bumps on your tongue swell and trap dead cells, bacteria, ...
How to
Stimulate Gum Growth
If your gums have begun receding, you may have gingivitis or periodontitis, two gum diseases that can destroy the bones and tissues attached to your teeth.. 10 April 2020. While you should see a dental professional as so...
How to
Get Whiter Teeth at Home
While you may want a mouth full of shiny, white teeth, a professional whitening treatment is expensive. Luckily, if your teeth aren't as white as you'd like them to be, there are some things you can try at home for a whi...
How to
Use an Electric Toothbrush
Oral health is an important part of maintaining your overall well-being. According to board-certified dentist Tu Anh Vu, "An electric toothbrush cleans your teeth better than a manual toothbrush because it pulsates at a ...
How to Heal a Cut on Your Tongue: First Aid, Home Remedies, & More
Medically-verified ways to heal a mouth injury quicklyOuch! Just cut your tongue? Whether you accidentally bit it or snagged it on something sharp, this uncomfortable injury isn’t fun to deal with. Fortunately, a cut t...
What Color Braces Should I Get Quiz
Do you have braces? Or are you dreaming of the day when you’ll get to choose colors for them? You might be wondering what braces colors would be perfect for you… Answer a few questions, and we’ll match you with th...
How to
Treat a Gum Infection
Gum infections generally occur as the result of plaque and tartar buildup. While gum infections can usually be prevented by maintaining good oral hygiene practices, they are nonetheless incredibly common. If you have any...
How to
Use a Tongue Scraper
Tongue scraping has a long history, both as an element of hygiene and an Ayurvedic cleansing ritual. Research is divided on how well tongue scraping works, and it should not replace other forms of oral hygiene like brush...
How to
Remove Plaque
Plaque is the accumulation of bacteria, dead cells, and debris on your teeth. It is invisible to the eye, but is harmful to the teeth as it interacts with certain foods, releasing an acid which causes tooth decay. Built-...
How to
Whiten Teeth with Natural Methods
Looking in the mirror and seeing yellow or discolored teeth can be a bummer. However, staining is normal since many foods discolor teeth and plaque can make your teeth look slightly yellow. Fortunately, you can get a whi...
