When most people think of a healthy mouth, they picture a Hollywood smile – white teeth, not too gummy, and perfect alignment. But does a beautiful smile guarantee the mouth is healthy? Possibly, but not necessarily. What keeps our mouth in good health is our gums. Not only do they tell the story of how healthy our mouth is, but they may also indicate other health risks in other parts of our body. Today, Downtown Dental Centre will walk you through some useful tips on keeping your mouth healthy for a life time.
In order to have a healthy mouth, daily maintenance of our gums is extremely important
The gums are part of the soft tissue lining of the mouth. They form a tight seal around the teeth to support the bones and provide a barrier to bacteria. Bacteria in our mouth can be transported to the rest of our systems, increasing the likelihood of heart disease and diabetes. Common symptoms of gum disease include: chronic bad breath, puffy red gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, receding gums, and loose teeth. Gum inflammation can be a sign of inflammation elsewhere in the body. It is not a symptom to be ignored. Unfortunately, most of these symptoms do not cause us pain, so they often get ignored.
What can be done to keep your mouth and gum healthy?
Avoid foods high in sugar and carbohydrates (they create acidic environments in the mouth that bacteria adore!) and drink plenty of water, as that rinses off the sugar bugs and keeps the flow of saliva going (which also prevents the sugar from sticking around in the mouth).
- Enjoy some cheese after having sugary treats. Again, it helps to rid the teeth and mouth of bacteria.
- Chewing sugarless gum – preferably with xylitol (a natural sweetener that helps fight bacteria) – can also help prevent unhealthy bacteria from establishing a home in your mouth!
- Brush your teeth twice a day, and floss once or twice daily.
- Don’t forget to use a mouth wash once a day.
Straighten your teeth is more than a cosmetic procedure
Some people might wonder, is it important to have straight teeth? The answer is YES. Our Invisalign orthodontics can help improve your oral health on many levels.
- Oral health– It is difficult to properly clean between teeth that are crowded, crooked, over-lapping, etc. so bacteria are more prone to invading.
- Jaw Issues– Teeth that are not in proper alignment can cause issues with the jaw joint (TMJ) causing issues such as headaches, ringing in the ears, and pain in the jaw when sleeping or eating.
- Clearer speech– if teeth are misaligned the tongue may not hit in the correct area resulting in a lisp sound.
- Abnormal Tooth Wear and Tooth Injury – Properly aligned teeth reduce wear and tear on the teeth
- Improves Mental and Overall Health – Your mental health is vital to your overall health. Studies have shown that having a better-looking smile increases your confidence, thus improving your mental health. Improved mental health benefits include lower stress level and improved cognition.
So, brush, brush, floss, and rinse. Visit your dentist a few times a year – and pay attention to any changes in your mouth.
