Getting to know your mouth is one of the most amazing things you can do for your oral health. A lot of the time, people have no idea what’s going on in there or how anything works, not even tooth names. But learning about how our mouth functions can be one of the most rewarding things we can do because it empowers us to make healthy choices and helps us understand when something isn’t operating as it should. A healthy mouth is a beautiful mouth and a happy, healthy you. Here are some basic facts & tips about the inner workings of your mouth that will help you on your way to great oral hygiene. Make sure to get in touch with your periodontist if you have further oral hygiene questions.
Brushing & Flossing
Did you know that you should brush your teeth at least twice a day? Brushing twice a day helps to rid your teeth of harmful plaque that can lead to cavities and tooth decay. When it comes to brushing you should be aware of the essentials: use a soft toothbrush to avoid harming gums, brush for at least 2 minutes, and make sure to get every nook and cranny. Did you know brushing excessively can actually be harmful to your mouth? Vigorous brushing or too much brushing throughout the day can actually wear down your gums and cause them to recede. Learn your tooth names to know which are used for what. This will give you a better understanding of which parts of your mouth you need to pay more attention to.
Flossing is also really important to work into your daily oral hygiene. Brushing just doesn’t cut it when it comes to getting all the plaque or food in your mouth. Flossing in those hard to reach places helps build strong gums and removes all the leftover particles that brushing can’t get to, especially if you have very tight spaces in between your teeth.
Healthy Gums
Healthy gums are essential to a healthy mouth. A few basic ways to keep your gums healthy include flossing at least once a day, using a toothpaste that contains fluoride, not smoking, visiting your dentist for regular check-ups, rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash or a mouthwash that contains aloe, and eating calcium-rich foods. If your gums are red and swollen, easily bleed, or you consistently have bad breath, you may have gum disease. Early gum disease can be reversed by following the basic steps listed above. Gum disease can lead to possible tooth loss, which may require missing tooth treatment immediately.
Learn how to brush and floss properly to prevent or treat gum disease.
Bad Breath Remedies
Bad breath isn’t something to be ashamed of, as most people come across this problem at least once in their lifetime. Some basic ways to combat bad breath are to:
- Brush your teeth after you eat
- Floss at least twice a day. There are a lot of food particles that end up in between your teeth. When you don’t floss, these particles stay trapped inside and cause a foul smell in your mouth.
- Brush your tongue — Yes, bacteria live there too!
- Buy a new toothbrush when appropriate.
- Visit the dentist at least twice a year.
- Change your diet. Oftentimes chronic bad breath is actually an indicator that something isn’t right in our gut. Changing your diet to include nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables and incorporating products to aid in gut health such as raw yogurt or kombucha will also help.
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash.
Interesting Facts About Your Mouth
Here’s a list of interesting facts about your mouth that many people have no clue about!
- People who drink 3 or more glasses of soda a day have 62% more tooth decay than those who do not.
- Skipping out on flossing is basically like only doing half of the dishes in the sink. Without flossing, you miss out on cleaning 40% of your tooth surfaces.
- The average person only brushes less than a minute or a minute a day. For optimal brushing quality, one should brush their teeth for a full 2 minutes.
- Dental Plaque is made up of more than 300 different types of bacteria.
- Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body.
- There are 16 tooth names on the top and bottom of your mouth
Knowledge is power, and knowing these basic facts about your mouth will lead you on a path to great oral health. As always, it’s important to also check in with a professional to get a proper assessment of the health of your mouth. To schedule a cleaning with Dr. Kao, visit our website or give us a call today.
