Guest Post By: Amanda McIntyre
A healthy mouth is a sign of good overall health. That is why visiting a dentist every six months is recommended since they are the most qualified to see how your oral health is doing.
Then again, you don’t have to wait to see a dental professional or a cosmetic dentist to at least have an idea that your mouth is healthy. You can do it yourself by watching out for the following signs of good oral health.
Naturally white teeth
With all the things we eat and drink every day, there’s always the possibility that we end up having stained teeth that will make them appear yellowish or worse, brownish. However, if your pearly whites stay that way, then that means you are doing your oral care right. With proper oral hygiene, you are managing to protect your teeth from staining and avoid gingivitis, dental decay, and other issues that could cause teeth to stain.
Pink, firm gums
Look at your gums in a mirror and if see if they are generally pink. Touch the inside of your mouth (with clean fingers, of course) and feel your gums as well. If your gums are pink and they’re firm to the touch, then you have a generally healthy mouth.
The problem would be if they were reddish, swollen, and tender. If you had poor hygiene, then red gums are a clear indication that you haven’t been taking care of your oral health properly, and that you are at risk of gum disease. On the other hand, if your gums are pale, you might be anemic.
No bleeding when brushing or flossing
Your gums aren’t supposed to bleed when you’re brushing or flossing, so if this is the case with you, then your mouth is healthy. However, if even the slightest bleeding occurs when you do either, you might have gingivitis, a gum infection that is usually a sign that you have early-stage gum disease.
Gingivitis occurs mainly because of poor oral hygiene. Without proper oral care, bacteria tend to build up the gum line, which will eventually lead to inflammation.
Pink, clean tongue
Your tongue is also subject to inspection by your dentist, as it can harbor bacteria that could accumulate and give you an unhealthy mouth.
Your tongue should look clean, pink, flat, and smooth. You can keep it that way if you use a tongue scraper regularly as part of your oral care routine.
Aside from poor oral hygiene, a discolored tongue could also be indicative of more serious medical conditions such as anemia, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, or even cancer.
You don’t have sensitive teeth
While it’s normal for teeth to feel a little sensitive every now and then, your teeth might be experiencing enamel deterioration if the sensitivity to hot or cold becomes a regular thing and it’s getting more uncomfortable with each passing day.
A proper oral hygiene routine helps to keep your teeth healthy and the enamel covering them intact. That means if your oral care is wanting, your dental enamel might be wearing away, and that exposes your teeth’s dentin layer to outside stimuli. If you take your oral care seriously, your dental enamel should remain intact for a long time and keep your teeth from becoming too sensitive.
You have fresh breath
You know you have fresh breath when your mouth tastes decent, and breathing out of it brings nothing but a pleasant smell. Then again, that is something you’d expect if you practice proper oral hygiene. Brushing, flossing, and scraping take care of the bacteria and food particles in your mouth that typically cause bad breath. Rinse your mouth with Essential Oxygen Organic Brushing Rinse, and your breath will smell even fresher.
However, remember that bad breath isn’t limited to just poor oral hygiene. Throat problems and stomach issues may also lead to bad breath, so have a more thorough checkup done if breath smells unpleasant.
With proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist’s office, a healthy mouth should be easy enough to achieve.
