A healthy mouth can also be a sign of good overall health! At Garlock Orthodontics, we know that education is critical. This is why it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of dental disease, but it’s also important to know the signs of a healthy mouth.
4 Signs of a Healthy Mouth
Below are a few signs that you have a healthy mouth:
- Healthy gums – Healthy gums are pink and firm to the touch. They should sit flush against the teeth with no recession. To maintain healthy gums, you need to brush and floss every day. If the gums are swollen, tender, red, or have pockets between the teeth and the gums, you may be suffering from gingivitis.
- Healthy teeth or restorations – Your dentist will regularly check the strength of your teeth and dental restorations, including dental fillings, crowns, or dental implants. Problems may include dental cavities, tooth decay, damaged restorations, or grinding the teeth.
- Healthy oral tissues – Healthy soft tissues in the mouth (which include the lips, tongue, and the insides of the cheeks) are pink, moist, and firm. If you notice tenderness, swelling, or painful sores on the oral tissues, there may be a problem. We recommend making an appointment with your general dentist.
- Neutral or pleasant breath – A healthy mouth produces pleasant or neutral-smelling breath. The more bacteria and plaque are present in the mouth, the more the breath starts to smell. To accurately test your breath, floss a few teeth or use a tongue scraper and smell it. Persistent bad breath can be a symptom of potentially dangerous dental problems.
If you’re concerned about your dental health, please contact your general dentist to make an appointment for a cleaning and a checkup!
It’s easier to keep a straight smile clean. Plaque and bacteria can find more places to hide among crooked teeth. Fix this problem with orthodontic treatment! To learn more about orthodontists in Aurora, please contact Garlock Orthodontics today!