Is Your Mouth health?
A few signs that help to show how healthy one’s Mouth is:
Healthy Gums
Scan your gums. They should be pink and firm to the touch, not red or white, and not swollen or tender. Teeth should be seated firmly and should not feel wiggly or loose. Gums should sit flush with the teeth, with no flaps, pockets, or places where they appear to be receding from the tooth. Flossing daily helps to keep gums healthy, and prevent pockets and places for bacteria to collect and cause damage, decay, and bad breath.
Strong Teeth & Dental Restorations
Take a look at your chops. Check your teeth for strength and condition, including teeth that have restorations such as fillings or teeth with crowns including dental implants. Grinding or clenching (bruxism) is a common issue that can increase the wear on teeth and restorations, including teeth with fillings
Neutral and Pleasant Breath
Take a breath test. A healthy mouth means naturally pleasant or neutral breath. You can test this easily at home. Floss between a couple of your teeth, or scrape your tongue with a fingernail and take a sniff.
Healthy Oral Tissues
Stick out your tongue. Healthy oral tissues are often pink, firm and moist. If you have low iron, your tongue might look a little inflamed. A sluggish thyroid may cause your tongue to thicken. And a fungal infection can show up as white patches on your tongue. Look for lumps, ulcers, bleeding, and sores, too. They could indicate something mild — like a viral infection
Sources: WebMD, ShareCare.com
