Oral health is more important than you may think. Your mouth mirrors the condition of your body and can provide you with signs of potential disease and illness. That’s why keeping your teeth, gums, and tongue healthy is essential. If you’re not sure how to determine if your mouth is healthy, read on as we provide you with some signs you should be looking for.
Firm and Pink Gums
When it comes to having a healthy mouth, you should check that your gums are both firm and a pale pink colour. Healthy gums also won’t normally bleed when you brush or floss your teeth – they should be able to withstand normal oral care. So if you’re experiencing white or red puffy or bleeding gums, you should talk to your dentist right away.
Fresh Breath
If you’ve noticed a bad taste or some unpleasant odours coming from your mouth you may have reasons to be concerned. Bad breath is a tell-tale sign of bacteria and gingivitis. Even though you can cover it up with gum and mints as a temporary solution, make sure to see your doctor if it persists for longer than a few days. Avoiding the symptoms could lead to gum disease, enhanced odour, or other complications for the body.
Healthy Tongue
Your tongue is often used by healthcare professionals to indicate other health problems throughout the rest of your body. And if your tongue is discoloured it could be a sign of auto immune disease, diabetes, cancer or nutritional deficiency, among others. Your tongue should be pink, smooth and covered in papillae which are tiny nodules. Anything different should be reported to your doctor and dentist.
No Signs of Pain
Aside from canker sores or accidental burns from eating hot food, pain or sensitivity in your mouth may be early signs of mouth disease. You can first try over the counter treatments to help reduce the symptoms you are experiencing but if it persists for longer than a week, call your dentist immediately for a check-up.
Proper Alignment
Having straight teeth won’t just improve the appearance of your smile, it can also ensure proper oral health. Having unaligned and crowded teeth can impact your oral hygiene and make it difficult to get a proper cleaning. Plus, if you don’t fix the alignment issues you could end up with jaw problems as well, like grinding teeth at night, and soreness in the head, neck, and ear area. So ensure to get a regular check up and talk with your dentist about your options for alignment.
The health of your mouth is a reflection of your entire body’s well-being. If you notice any of the above issues mentioned, or just feel like something is not right, contact your dentist. They have the knowledge and expertise to help you achieve optimal health.
