As the old saying goes, good dental health is necessary for your overall well-being and health. It serves as an entry point to your respiratory and digestive tracts, which means even minor problems such as dental cavities can cause pneumonia to chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Sure, keeping your gums and teeth healthy is a lifetime commitment. The process doesn’t only involve brushing, flossing, and using the right hygiene essentials, but going to a dentist too, at least twice a year. It is easy to spot whether your oral health is on the right track. But to give you a fair idea, the following are the nine good signs you should be aiming for right now.
- Your teeth are white and look good
Whiter teeth are discerned as being healthier and a sign of youthfulness. They don’t just make you more attractive and make a great first impression, but they also boost self-confidence, provide you with better career opportunities, and signify better oral health.
Healthy white teeth should appear to have no cavities, stains, erosion, chips, cracks, tooth decay, looseness, leakage, and related dental issues. Certain drinks and foods like coffee can cause yellowish stains. So if you’re a fan of drinking colored or sugary beverages, maybe it’s time to consume in moderation or switch to water to make your teeth naturally white.
- Your gums no longer bleed whenever you brush and floss
Gum bleeding is enormously common and is usually not serious. The causes vary. It might be due to the short time you dedicate to brushing your teeth or using a rigid, worn, or frayed toothbrush.
Gingivitis and the medicines you currently take (e.g., aspirin and ibuprofen) can cause your gums to bleed too. Experts perceive healthy gums as among the top indicators of a healthy body. If they don’t get finicky every time you brush and floss, that’s a good sign of excellent oral health.
- Your gums have a healthy pink color
Other than the absence of bleeding, we can say your gums are in tiptop condition if they are pink and firm to the touch. They should not be puffy or sore and appear to be red or white. If your gums look pale, that could be a sign of anemia. While for red gums, it could mean you are at risk of gum disease.
- Your teeth are non-chalky and have a smooth texture
Let’s take a quick tongue test. Use your tongue to check the gum line of your teeth, your lower back teeth, then proceed to the harder areas. Do the surfaces feel slick and smooth? If yes, keep up your hard work of maintaining a healthy mouth.
But if you notice any coarseness or irregularities, chances are your teeth suffer from dental erosion or plaque buildup. Always make the most of your brushing session to remove food particles, especially after eating sticky, sugary, and starchy foods.
- You have a neutral or pleasant-smelling breath
This one is pretty easy to detect. You can try the taste challenge or sniff test. Alternatively, ask someone you trust to take a look at the inside of your mouth. Bad breath is an embarrassing problem, but you don’t have to endure it as long as you’re consistent with your oral hygiene routine.
- Your tongue is moist and pink
A typical healthy tongue must be pink and has a tinny whitish surface coating with small nodules called papillae. These nodules are prevalent as they aid in eating and tasting your food.
A discolored tongue might indicate specific health issues, including nutritional deficiency, autoimmune disease, diabetes, or worse, cancer. That’s why you need to include your tongue whenever you brush your teeth. If not, use a tongue scraper to eliminate debris and bacteria.
- Your teeth are not sensitive to hot or cold
Remember that “ouchy” feeling after eating ice cream or sipping a hot chocolate? That’s no fun, seriously, partly because you cannot enjoy indulging in some of your favorite desserts. Half of the reason is your eroding enamel, which causes tooth sensitivity to spike. It might be a premature sign of mouth disease.
Minor sensitivity can happen once in a while. Absolute concern is necessary if it becomes severe or persistent. You surely want to enjoy cold and hot beverages without restraint, and good dental hygiene practice is your best armor.
- Your teeth distribute even, proper bite
Yes, even the placement of your teeth when biting also matters. Your upper and lower teeth ought to be symmetrical or fit together evenly. Your teeth seek support from each other; hence, the appearance of displaced, crooked, or crowded teeth can negatively affect their performance and eventually lead to jaw issues such as soreness in the ear, neck, and ear area or grinding teeth.
- You have no signs of oral disease
Pretty basic, right? Having no signs of oral disease gives you the liberty to enjoy any foods and beverages you want (with limitations, of course, especially with sugary, sweet, and colored foods), and above all, share as much laughter and smile with everyone.
Is your oral hygiene good enough?
If eyes are the window to the soul, your oral health is the window to your overall health. It is vital to learn proper oral hygiene habits to prevent long-term health complications and steep dental treatments. Brush at least twice a day, floss once daily, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash, implement a healthy diet and visit a dentist every six months.
Your hygiene supplies also make a difference between improving and hurting your mouth. For instance, use a soft-bristled toothbrush along with fluoride toothpaste. More importantly, they should be ADA-approved to ensure safe, efficient usage.
So, how many of the abovementioned signs did you have? If you think your dental hygiene requires a bit of improvement, perhaps it’s time to make some necessary changes to your lifestyle or oral kits. Otherwise, it’s best to get your teeth checked. But if you consider yourself to be in good oral hygiene, well, lucky for you. Be proud and keep those beaming smiles for good!