Oral hygiene and maintaining healthy teeth and gums is a lot easier than it sounds. With OptiSmile’s expert tips, you’ll never have to worry about bad breath or cavities again.

As we’ve said before, dentists are a lot like doctors. If you’ve got something wrong with your mouth, the sooner you see us, the better off you’ll be. The same holds true for your teeth. While brushing and flossing daily is a good start, there’s more to it than that. We’re here to help you learn more about oral hygiene — what it means, why it matters, and how to keep your teeth in tip-top shape.

 

The best oral health habits are ones that nourish, strengthen, and enamel the right way. They are also ones you can continue indefinitely as long as you breathe. In this article, we’ve provided you with tips on how to improve your oral health and ensure you preserve that enamel beauty for years to come.

Where do you start with oral hygiene?

It’s of the utmost importance to maintain a healthy mouth. Ask one of our expert Dentists! The health of your gums and teeth is directly linked to the health of your heart and lungs. So it makes sense that keeping your gums and teeth healthy can contribute to good health in more ways than one. Here are three ways in which oral hygiene can make your heart and lungs healthier.

 

 

• • Tooth brushing is essential to oral hygiene, and can be done twice a day.

• • Flossing between teeth helps remove plaque.

• • Tobacco is not good for your oral health, so if you smoke, stop.

• • Limit alcoholic drinks; they can cause tooth decay and lead to serious gum disease.

• • It’s also important to visit your dentist often, even if you have no natural teeth or dentures.

• • It’s important to go to the dentist when you suddenly notice a change in your sense of taste or smell.

• When assisting an elder with their health, be sure to brush and floss their teeth when they are unable to do so on their own.

 

The health of your gums and teeth is directly linked to the health of your heart and lungs. So it makes sense that keeping your gums and teeth healthy can contribute to good health in more ways than one.

 

What are the signs of poor oral hygiene?

 

Tooth Pain / Toothache

If you notice pain in your tooth, do not ignore it. Pain is not typically something you want to endure, but it’s worth noting that even if you improve the frequency or quality of your cleanings, the pain will persist. Many instances of tooth pain are a result of significant tooth decay. Unfortunately, this type of decay can reach the tooth’s inner nerve and cause a great deal of pain.

 

Bleeding Gums / Swollen Gums

 

No one wants to experience oral health issues. If you notice bleeding, swelling, or changes in gum colour, you might have an underlying issue with your mouth. Unfortunately, moderate swelling that lasts is a sign of an irritant beneath the gums.

 

Alterations to the tongue

 

If you’re not cleaning your tongue at night, it may be a sign of poor oral hygiene or health changes. Cleaning your tongue nightly is important, but if it’s hard to do so without triggering a gag reflex, try using a tongue scraper. If you notice changes in the colour and texture of your tongue, meet with your dentist.

 

Growths in your mouth

 

It’s a scary thing to notice a growth in your mouth. Some people notice it themselves, but others may be pointed out by their dentist. The important thing is to identify and treat the growth as soon as possible. Poor oral hygiene, diet, and other habits can cause these growths. If you see a lump, lesion, sore, or other growth that stays in the same spot for multiple days, talk to your dentist about it.

 

Deteriorating gums

 

Neglect oral hygiene for years, and you will find that your gums start wearing away. You will be left with exposed roots of teeth. This is a clear sign that you have significant decay in the mouth. The best way to manage this problem is to get surgery or specialized teeth cleaning.

 

 

Get in touch with one of our expert dentists for more information on how we can help you maintain and excel at keeping your oral hygiene in check.

 

Book a free video consultation today!