A healthy mouth significantly impacts your overall health and quality of life. You will likely develop dental problems such as cavities and gum disease without proper dental hygiene. So how can you tell if you have a healthy mouth? Midway Family and Cosmetic Dentistry can help you establish whether your mouth is on the right track to good oral health.
Below are some of the most common signs of a healthy mouth that we recommend our patients always be on the lookout for when determining their oral health status.
1. Pleasant breath
A healthy mouth will have a pleasant or neutral breath emanating from it. You can get a clear sense of how your breath smells by scraping your tongue with a fingernail and sniffing it. Bad breath is commonly associated with poor oral habits. When food particles are left to sit in your mouth, they create a conducive environment for bacterial growth resulting in persistent bad breath.
In addition, bad breath can be triggered by other health problems such as sinus, diabetes, stomach issues, and tonsillitis. Some medications could also leave you with a dry mouth and an unpleasant breath. Brushing and flossing as required is the best approach to maintaining a natural fresh breath.
2. Non-sensitive teeth
You have likely experienced minor tooth sensitivity at some point in life. Tooth sensitivity is a sharp pain or discomfort that you experience from consuming hot, cold, sweet, and sour foods. Persistent tooth sensitivity indicates that all is not well in your mouth. It occurs due to wear and tear of the enamel, exposed tooth roots, or recent dental procedures.
If you experience persistent tooth sensitivity, it’s best to avoid consuming acidic foods, brushing too hard, bleaching, and teeth grinding. Also, ensure you visit your dentist to help determine the cause of your sensitivity and find a suitable solution for you.
3. Proper jaw alignment and tooth spacing
One of the signs of a healthy mouth that a dentist looks out for during your routine checkups is how well your teeth are aligned. A healthy mouth is characterized by straight and evenly spaced teeth that fit together in your jaw and mouth. Teeth that are properly aligned make chewing easier as the pressure is evenly distributed in the mouth. It also keeps you from biting your tongue, lips, and cheeks.
On the other hand, an unhealthy mouth is characterized by gaps between teeth, making it easy for food particles to be trapped in between. Such teeth are difficult to clean and are prone to developing cavities. We offer teeth straightening procedures at Midway Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to help restore your teeth to their rightful positions.
4. Pink and firm gums
Take time to examine the physical characteristics of your gums to ascertain whether they are healthy. Healthy-looking gums are always pink and firm to touch and have teeth securely fitted in their sockets. If your gums appear red, white, and swollen, all is not well. In most cases, swelling and redness could result from brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with tough bristles. Always uphold good dental practices, such as flossing once a day, to keep your gum health in check.
5. Your gums don’t bleed when you floss
Healthy gums do not bleed when you brush or floss. Bleeding gums are a sign of early gum disease. Gum disease, also known as gingivitis, is a gum disorder that arises from plaque buildup in your mouth. Plaque adheres along your gum line, making your gums puffy and sore. Gum disease is reversible, but if left untreated, it progresses to periodontitis, which leads to bone or tooth loss. Regular brushing and flossing is the best preventative measure against gum disease.
6. Teeth are not severely stained
A healthy mouth is nothing short of bright white teeth. Practicing good oral habits guarantees stain-free teeth. Teeth are a general reflection of your health; thus, stained teeth can indicate underlying health issues. Most teeth stains are caused by the foods and beverages we consume, coffee and tea being the major staining culprits. Always ensure you rinse your mouth after consuming highly pigmented foods. If you have stained teeth, we have several whitening procedures to help eliminate your stains.
7. No chipped or broken teeth
Strong teeth that are not chipped or broken are good for oral health. Teeth can chip for various reasons, including accidents, teeth grinding, and biting hard on candy. Chipped teeth that aren’t fixed can bring about many problems, including cavities, sensitivity, and tooth loss.
8. Healthy oral tissues
The tongue, cheeks, and lips form part of your oral tissues and help determine the status of your oral health. A healthy mouth is characterized by pink, firm, and moist oral tissues. If you notice any painful sores, white patches, lumps, and swellings, you may have an infection that needs medical intervention. Regular dental checkups are the best way to detect abnormalities in your mouth.
Contact us
Now that you know the common signs of a healthy mouth, ensure you take adequate care of your oral health. Midway Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is ready to address all your dental needs. Call us today or visit our clinic in Alpharetta, GA, for any inquiries.
