Mouths don’t stay healthy on their own. If you want your teeth to be around as you get older, developing an effective dental hygiene routine is crucial. Bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay don’t stand a chance against top-notch oral care. How will you know if your dental hygiene routine is good enough? Just ask the team at Weninger Dentistry.
Top 5 Signs of a Healthy Mouth
1. Teeth are strong.
Drs. Scott and Michelle Weninger check the strength of all teeth, especially those teeth with previous restorations. Detecting tiny cracks and hidden decay is tough without the use of dental x-rays. Your dental family works hard to catch problems early to prevent bigger issues down the road. If you grind or clench your teeth, talk to us about treatment options that can help protect your teeth.
2. Gums are healthy.
Look for firm, pink gums that fit snugly against the teeth. As plaque builds up along the gum line, it creates pockets that quickly fill with bacteria. If you notice red, white, swollen or tender gums that lasts more than a few days, check-in with the Weningers. Daily brushing and flossing fight against plaque build-up before it causes infection, decay, and even bad breath.
3. Breath is pleasant or neutral.
You can test this out in your own home, though it’s a bit unconventional. Scrape your tongue or floss between a couple of teeth and smell the particles. An abundance of food particles and bacteria left behind after you eat may be causing the unpleasantness. Now you know how your breath smells after the mouthwash fades. Bottom line — Healthy mouths have decent breath. If your bad breath persists in spite of the fact you brush, floss and rinse regularly, consider other health issues. Sinus issues, dry mouth, and diabetes can also cause bad breath. Talk to your dentist’s about further treatment options.
4. Jaws are properly aligned, and teeth are properly spaced.
Part of your dental exam includes determining how the upper and lower jaw fit together. Your teeth are examined for crowding or shifting since your last appointment. Teeth and jaws that are aligned and in the proper position make brushing easier. Orthodontics do so much more than simply straighten teeth. If you’ve been experiencing Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) symptoms, malocclusion may be the culprit. Clenching, grinding, and some migraines can often be tied to crowding.
5. Oral tissues are healthy.
It’s not always just about your teeth. Drs. Michelle and Scott examine your whole mouth. They’ll check the gums, tongue, cheeks, and lips for changes and oral cancer warning signs. Your dentists understand which oral symptoms are the result of diabetes, heart disease, and thyroid issues and how to best treat those symptoms. As long as oral tissues remain pink, firm and moist continue the stellar oral care.
At Weninger Dentistry, our patients trust us to catch issues early to give them the opportunity to preserve and restore more of their natural teeth and gums. We won’t hesitate to talk about the link between oral health and overall health in case a physician follow-up is recommended.