It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene throughout your lifetime, as not doing so can lead to health issues within your body that you never expected. But can you tell the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy mouth? If not, then this is the perfect guide for you.

Gums

Gums that are firm and pale pink are healthy gums, achieved from practicing good oral hygiene. Lighter coloured gums or ones that are puffy and bleeding, on the other hand, should be examined by your dentist. Gums that don’t receive the proper care on a daily basis are more susceptible to becoming diseased, leading to other dental problems that can affect your teeth and overall health.

Teeth

A healthy mouth is one that’s free from cavities and other signs of decay. Regularly visiting your dentist will ensure that your teeth stay that way, as they’ll examine your teeth for signs of decay as well as erosion, discolouration, cracking, disease, missing or loose teeth, sensitivity, failed dental work and more.

Fresh Breath

Halitosis, or intense bad breath, is a sign that something is wrong with your oral health. Bad breath is caused by the accumulation of bacteria in your mouth, their odours festering and intensifying if left untreated. This is usually the first signifier of gingivitis, which can lead to gum disease, tooth loss and other complications. Smoking, certain diets, nutritional deficiencies and foods can also cause bad breath. Don’t ignore consistent bad breath or try to cover it up with temporary solutions.

Clean, Pink Tongue

Your tongue is another area of the mouth that can indicate its overall health. A pink tongue that’s covered in tiny nodules is a sure sign that you have a healthy tongue. The surface should be flat, clean and look smooth. If left to its own devices, bacteria can accumulate on your tongue, leading to bad breath and other oral health issues. If your tongue is discoloured or pained up, that’s usually an indication of trauma, canker sores, nutritional deficiency, an allergic reaction, diabetes, autoimmune disease, anemia or cancer. If you have a white coating, lines or patches on your tongue, visit your dentist as soon as possible.

A Proper Bite

When your upper and lower teeth fit together evenly, creating a bite that’s equal in force as well as distribution, then you’ve got a healthy mouth. Your teeth rely on each other for support, so when there are gaps in your bite due to crooked, missing or displaced teeth, it will impact the overall performance. It can also affect your breathing, speech, oral hygiene and digestion. These are things that can be fixed by your dentist if you choose.

No Pain

Lastly, a sign that you have a healthy mouth is a lack of pain, dryness and tooth sensitivity. While slight trauma from extreme temperatures or a misplaced bite shouldn’t trouble you, the absence of chronic pain is a good indication that your mouth is as healthy as can be. Minor annoyances don’t require further investigation and can be treated with store-bought products. However, if any discomfort lasts more for than a few days to one week, then it’s time to visit your local dentist to see what’s going on.

Our dentists in Maple Ridge’s Lumina Dental use the best equipment to ensure our patients have a safe and efficient dental visit. We staff a team of highly trained dentists who perform cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, dentures, restorative dentistry and urgent care. To book an appointment with our Maple Ridge dentists, call us today or visit our website.