Routine dental flossing eradicates plaque and helps prevent the accumulation of plaque, which results in tartar. The process itself can give your teeth a brighter appearance through the elimination of plaque, debris, and excess food bits that are not visible in the mirror or located in places that your toothbrush cannot reach.Dental flossing is essential…
4 Signs of Good Oral Health
Everyone should be concerned with their oral health. Unfortunately, many persons do not know what good oral health entails. In this article, we will be breaking down four of the main signs of good oral hygiene and what one should look out for.
Oral health refers to the condition of the mouth, and the presence or absence of diseases. Good oral health prevents tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, bone loss, certain cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and complications during pregnancy. But how does one know they have good oral health?
Signs of good oral health
A healthy tongue is a pink tongue. To keep the tongue healthy, people need to:
- Brush the tongue regularly and use a tongue scraper to remove bacteria
- Drink plenty of fluids, avoiding sugar where possible
- Refrain from smoking
The tongue has tiny taste buds called papillae which can trap bacteria and cause the tongue to have a white or yellow film on top of it. If this film is persistent, the tongue is not healthy. Lines, patchy areas and splits are not present on a good, healthy tongue. Tongues that cause pain and discomfort are also not indicators of good oral health, and a dentist should be seen immediately.
Signs of healthy gums are pinkness, paleness, and firmness. Gums that are white, red, puffy or bleed when being brushed or flossed indicate poor oral health. Sore gums, tender gums, and gums with pus-filled pimples also indicate poor dental hygiene.
Dentists examine the triangular gum tissue between the teeth to assess oral health. If the gums are receded or form a pocket where plaque, tartar, and bacteria can accumulate, the gums are said to be unhealthy.
To keep the gums healthy, someone needs to:
- Brush them at least twice a day, preferably using fluoride toothpaste
- Refrain from smoking
- Floss every day at least once
Healthy teeth are free of cavities, erosion, stains, chips or cracks, looseness, and sensitivity. They are also firm and aligned correctly in the jawbone. To maintain healthy teeth, someone needs to:
- Brush them regularly
- Visit the dentist at least twice a year for proper cleaning and inspection
- Avoid sugary, acidic and spicy foods
- Avoid using teeth for activities outside of eating food
To assess oral health, dentists also check repair work such as fillings, crowns and root canal treatments to ensure they are doing the job they are supposed to do and not having any adverse effects on the overall health of the mouth.
Consistent bad breath, or halitosis, is a significant indication of poor oral health and hygiene. This happens when bacteria accumulate in the mouth causing gum disease and the loss of teeth. Healthy mouths have fresh breath and do not need to be masked by mints, sprays or gum.
To maintain a fresh, pleasant smelling breath, people need to:
- Brush their teeth regularly
- Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables
- Drink a lot of water
Brushing and flossing the teeth every day does not mean a person's mouth will remain healthy. However, it is an excellent start to preventing disease and maintaining a healthy smile. Visit your dentist for a checkup and advise on how to maintain good oral health.
Contact us today and we can answer any additional questions you may have and give you more tips to maintain and keep good oral hygiene.
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