Healthy Mouth? Think Again – Part I

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Smile Sarasota knows you want healthy teeth and gums (and a great smile), but sometimes its hard to tell when your teeth are having issues. Your teeth may not be as healthy as you think they are. This is Part 1 exploring some things to look out for when it comes to your dental health.

  • Do you have bad breath…all the time? It can be totally normal to sometimes experience bad breath every now and the but persistently bad breath could mean something is just not right in your mouth. Bad breath or can be a warning sign of gum disease. Improper brushing and flossing can lead to a buildup of plaque and bacteria on the teeth and gums causing inflammation and bleeding of the gums. Bad breath can also be caused by sinus issues or even stomach problems, so it’s worth a trip to see Dr. Still if you notice your bad breath isn’t going away.
  • What color is your tongue? A healthy tongue should be light pink. Your tongue can turn many different colors depending on what you’ve recently eaten but if you notice that your tongue usually looks white and coated, your mouth might not be as healthy as you think. Many people forget to brush their tongue while brushing their teeth. A white coating develops from an accumulation of bacteria. This leads to bad breath and an overall unhealthy dentition. Give your tongue a quick scrub with your toothbrush or use a tongue scraper.
  • Does food get stuck between your teeth? If you find yourself constantly digging food out of from between your teeth, it could be a symptom of a growing cavity. If you’re flossing and brushing like normal but feel that there’s always food stuck between your teeth, this could be a sign of a hidden cavity between teeth that you can’t see from the surface. (This is one reason we take X-rays – so we can see between your teeth). If you think food might be catching on a hidden cavity, be sure to bring tell Dr. Still so that he can take a look between your teeth. And…nag, nag…be sure to floss daily!
  • Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? You gums should NOT bleed when you brush and floss your teeth. If you’ve been noticing a bit of blood in your toothbrush or when you spit after brushing or flossing, it could be a sign that your gums are not healthy. Healthy gums do not bleed upon a light touch. Redness and swelling are also signs of gum disease or inflammation and you may not feel any discomfort from this. Head over to Smile Sarasota if your gums are you notice bleeding without an obvious cause.
  • Do you have white spots on your teeth? White patches on your teeth could be one of the first signs of decay. This is from porosity and weakening of the enamel. Tooth decay is often in areas that you can’t see, like the back of teeth or between teeth, so it’s hard to spot with the naked eye. That’s why scheduling regular dental appointments with Smile Sarasota is so important.

Call Smile Sarasota today if you have any of the issues discussed here and we will do our best to make sure you have healthy teeth and gums for life! And stay tuned for Part II as we explore other things to be aware of with your dental health.

 

 

Sources and Credits: modernmindandbody.com, webmd, everydayhealth.com