5 Signs of Good Oral Hygiene

From the Practice Blog · Originally published June 16, 2018

Having good oral hygiene is essential for overall health, healthy teeth and healthy gums. It will also save you money that you would have to spend on extensive procedures. Properly taking care of your teeth also comes with lots of benefits. Here is a look at 10 common signs of good oral health:

1. Gums no longer bleed after brushing or flossing

When gums bleed easily after brushing or flossing, it is usually a sign of an underlying oral health issue like gum disease. That is one of the results of not taking proper care of your gums and teeth. When you have good oral health, you will no longer have to deal with gums that bleed easily.

2. Gums are pink

Having bright red gums is usually a sign of poor oral hygiene. Pale gums, on the other hand, are typically a sign of anemia. If you notice your gums are getting pale, head right to a dentist or give us a call. When you have a healthy mouth, your gums will be pink.

3. Fresh breath

When you take good care of your mouth, you should end up with neutral or fresh-smelling breath. Bad breath is typically the result of poor oral hygiene, which promotes the overgrowth of oral bacteria. It is worth noting that bad breath can also be the result of general health issues like respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases.

The best way to eliminate bad breath that results from oral bacteria is by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash after each brushing session.

4. Teeth surfaces feel smooth

When the texture of your teeth feels smooth, it is a sign that you are properly cleaning your teeth. Conversely, rough-textured teeth are a sign that your teeth are not getting the proper care they need. Since it is not easy to clean the hard-to-reach places in your mouth, it is more common to notice rough surfaces in these difficult-to-clean places.

Failing to properly clean your teeth will eventually lead to tartar buildup, and that facilitates tooth decay. Tartar is not removable with regular brushing and flossing. A dental cleaning by a dentist will be necessary to remove any tartar buildup on your teeth.

5. Less tooth-decay related issues

When you take proper care of your mouth, you are less likely to experience tooth-decay related issues like toothaches or sensitive teeth. If you often deal with any of these issues, that is a sign that your oral hygiene will benefit from improvement.

Tooth decay and sensitivity prevent you from enjoying all of your favorite foods. It is typically the result of a cavity exposing nerves in a tooth. A dentist can fill up cavities with a filling to reduce any sensitivity or pain a patient experiences when eating or drinking. There are also specialist toothpaste options that treat sensitive teeth.

These are only a handful of the signs of good oral hygiene. Contact us to learn more about the benefits of taking proper care of your mouth. 

Call (520) 293-9277 today to reach Advanced Family Dentistry.