Share on FacebookWhile having your mouth “feel good” is nice, it does not necessarily mean your mouth is healthy. A healthy mouth, and healthy teeth and gums, has more to do with how they function than how they feel. In fact, symptoms that a person experiences in his mouth usually show up late in the disease process.
For example, bleeding gums is a symptom of gum disease. However, gum disease can be detected and controlled long before bleeding begins. And infections, a bad taste in your mouth, or tooth pain keeping you up at night are a symptom of tooth decay. However, tooth decay at that level could result in a root canal or loss of the tooth. And anyone who has dentures can tell you, there is no good replacement for your real teeth.
The lesson learned here is that pain or other symptoms in your mouth can be detected and controlled long before it gets to that point. Your family dentist can take care of those problems with long term results with less cost, less time and less pain by addressing the solution long before it hurts.
So what is a healthy mouth?
- Freedom to eat your favorite foods and gain nutrition
- Confidence to speak and smile without your hands over your mouth
- Fresh breath
- Freedom from bleeding or swollen gums (even after brushing!)
- Life without broken or cracked teeth
- Cavity free (please don’t “watch” them get bigger!)
The good news is that no matter your past history, your family dentist can help you move forward. He or she supports you in living your life to its fullest potential. Is your mouth functioning at 100%?