Believe it or not, your mouth says a lot about your overall health. When your dentist harps on you about flossing your teeth, he or she is onto something. Unhealthy gums can lead to a whole host of problems, ranging from bad breath (halitosis) up to and including tooth loss. But let’s not take a fatalistic approach, instead, let’s take a positive view and look at what a healthy oral routine looks like:
Brush Twice Daily
Ideally, each brushing session would last approximately 2-minutes; thirty seconds for each quadrant of the mouth, i.e. top right for thirty seconds, top left for thirty seconds, bottom right for thirty seconds, and bottom left for the final thirty seconds. It is important to note that you should not be brushing hard – over-brushing can cause gum recession, which carries its own problems. To avoid this always use a soft-bristled brush, or, if able an electric toothbrush that senses pressure.
Floss Daily
Make sure you aren’t giving the remnants of any of your meals an opportunity to take up residence between your teeth. If you haven’t flossed in a while, you may see blood and while that is concerning, it is not abnormal. As you continue your flossing routine, you should notice less and less until there is no longer any blood. If that is not the case, you may want to catch up with your dentist.
Consider Using Mouthwash
Mouthwash can kill and neutralize the bacteria that cause bad breath. Usually swishing mouthwash for a minute or so is sufficient to do the trick.
Visit Y0our Dentist at Regular Intervals
Without any major dental issues, you should generally be visiting your dentist approximately once every six months. Now, I’ve heard the argument before that “I don’t have dental insurance, so I’m not going to the dentist.” I also heard of a $2,000 + dental bill from that same individual due to untreated cavities left to fester while avoiding the dentist. Generally speaking, a preventative visit, even when paid out of pocket will serve you well by identifying any issues early and ultimately minimizing costs in the long term.
Now that those teeth are shining and that breath is fresh, don’t forget about those lips! The skin on our lips is some of the thinnest and most sensitive on our bodies, which is why it is important to protect those kissers with SFP enhanced lip balm. The mouth is the gateway to your health and now you have a routine to keep it in optimal condition. Happy brushing (but not too hard)!
