Do You Have Good Oral Hygiene? These Three Qualifications Can Tell You
At California Dental Group we work with patients who do everything they are supposed to – they visit the dentist twice a year, brush twice a day, and floss daily – but still wonder if they have good oral hygiene. You can always ask us about your oral health when you come for your dental exam and cleaning. In the meantime, check out three signs that you have great oral health.
-
Your gums are healthy
-
Your teeth are white
-
You have good breath
One of the surest signs that you are doing a great job caring for your teeth is healthy gums. If you stop brushing regularly, you will quickly see that your gums being to be inflamed. They may bleed. They will be bright red or a pale pink color. A healthy gum is pink, firm, and does not bleed when brushed or flossed.
Another sign that your oral health is headed in the right direction is white teeth. A person who does not brush enough will eventually get a film of plaque built up on their teeth or near their gum line. The teeth also become discolored if not brushed well for a period of time. Flossing helps keep teeth white as well by keeping plaque from forming.
On the other hand, teeth that are not well cared for are likely to decay. Any sign of this should result in an immediate trip to the dentist. Note though that having discolored teeth is not enough of a reason in and of itself to be concerned. Depending on what you eat and drink, and your genetics, your teeth may simple become discolored over time. If that happens to you, be sure to ask us about teeth whitening options.
This does not mean that you have to have good breath 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Everyone has bad breath from time to time. It could be the result of eating onions, garlic, or other stinky foods. It could be what’s known as “morning breath.” However, if you have bad breath on a regular basis then there is likely some type of oral health issue going on.
A person who has healthy teeth and healthy gums is more likely to have good breath. They may improve their breath with sugar-free breath fresheners or gums, but if a person has truly bad breath this will not help.
Do you have these three signs of good oral health? If not, it is time to contact your local dentist to find out how we can help you. At California Dental Group we are happy to set up an appointment when you contact us at (800) 407-0161. Whether you are in good health and need a typical dental cleaning, or it has been some years since you’ve been the dentist and you need more serious care, you can count on us to help you.
