Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist
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Co-authored Articles (69)
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
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 tee...
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 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...
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 Apply Whitening Strips
Whiten your teeth safely with teeth whitening stripsAs we age, our teeth may not look as white and vibrant as they once did. Teeth can yellow for a number of reasons, ranging from a lack of dental hygiene to drinking cer...
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...
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
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
Change a Quip Battery
Quip is an electric toothbrush where you can get new brush heads in the mail when you need them. Over time, the battery in a Quip will lose its charge and need to be replaced, but it’s very easy to change. If you repla...
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
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
Clean Your Tongue Properly
The tongue has the heaviest bacterial amount of any part of your mouth. Nevertheless, many people do not take the time to clean their tongues. When you do not clean your tongue properly, you can have negative side effect...
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
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
Heal Gums After a Tooth Extraction
When a tooth is extracted, a wound is created within the gums and alveolar bone. Improper care can lead to serious and painful complications. Knowing how to take the necessary precautions before and after the extraction ...
How to
Pull a Loose Tooth at Home
Losing baby teeth is a rite of passage for children. If your child's tooth is loose and ready to fall out, you might have questions about how you can help them. Luckily, most of the time it's just a matter of waiting unt...
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 Clean Electric Toothbrushes
Keep gunk, mold, and grime off of your e-toothbrushIf you use an electric toothbrush and you’ve noticed a funny smell or gunky buildup, it might be time to give it a deep clean. Cleaning your electric toothbrush doesn...
