Your Way to a Healthy Smile (usnews.com)

Everything you need to know to keep your pearly whites in tip-top shape.

(Jeffrey MacMillan for USN&WR)

Good oral hygiene may help the whole body, experts believe.

Over-the-counter whitening strips are one option to lighten teeth color. (Jim Lo Sclazo for USN&WR)

A dentist can restore your teeth's brilliance, or you can trim the cost by doing it yourself.

(Jeffrey MacMillan for USN&WR)

Kids can get too much, but too little is more likely.

(Lucidio Studio Inc/Corbis)

An early push against decay can prevent costly fixes later.

(Invisalign)

A new world of treatments requires a bit less bravery.

(BSIP/Photo Researchers)

Surgeons favor pre-emptive action; others might wait and see.

(Icons)

Flexible spending, private plans, dedicated credit, and more.

(Mansell/Mansell/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

Braces, toothpaste, and other tools for good hygiene didn't appear overnight.