What Does a Healthy Mouth Look Like: Oral Hygiene Signs to Look Out For
Understanding what a healthy, or unhealthy, mouth looks like can help you keep your child’s teeth and gums strong and healthy! Knowing what signs to look out for and having a great oral hygiene will benefit your child as they age! A healthy routine helps to remove bacteria and plaque from your child’s mouth and not only supports mouth health, but heart and overall health! Creating a routine at a young age that your child can stick to will help ensure a healthy routine for life! Check out our recommended oral care routine for kids!
What should a healthy mouth look like?
A healthy mouth should look firm and pink. Healthy gums will not be white, red, or swollen and painful. Your child’s tongue should also be pink and generally smooth. While tongues do have tiny bumps known as papillae (these allow you to taste!), they will be relatively flat and even. If your child’s mouth has any type of bumps, sores or discolored spots, schedule a visit with your dentist or hygienist as soon as possible.
A Healthy Mouth Includes a Proper Bite!
A healthy mouth is one where all teeth are growing in the correct place and direction! It’s important to be mindful of how your child’s teeth grow and fit together. If you notice any crowding, crookedness, displacement, or anything unusual, reach out to your dentist as soon as possible. You should also observe their biting, grinding, and clenching habits, as these could have an impact on their speech, breathing, hygiene, and more.
Before your child’s teeth start to grow, it’s important to wipe their gums often to remove any buildup. As your child’s teeth start to grow in, it’s important to start them on a daily routine of brushing twice a day and flossing. Children’s primary, or baby teeth, have less enamel on them which means they are more susceptible to damage and decay. Most children will have all their baby teeth by the age of three. Be on the lookout for cavities as with less enamel the chances of getting cavities increases and can happen more quickly than with adult teeth. Around the age of 6 or 7, your child will start to lose their primary teeth and their adult teeth will grow in. These adult teeth should be generally white in color, and as previously mentioned should not be crowding each other or impacting their bite.
A Healthy Mouth Should Not Smell!
One of the most common signs of an unhealthy mouth is smell. In general, the mouth should have a pleasant or neutral smell. When there is a bad smell, it is a sign of overgrown bacteria, infections, or other disorders. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is generally caused by not adequately brushing and flossing. Keeping up with a daily routine will help to mitigate this issue!
Schedule Your Child’s Pediatric Dentistry Services Today!
Our Pediatric Dentists are here to provide our specialized services and help to instill good oral hygiene habits within your children. Our goal is to help keep their teeth, gums, and mouths healthy as they age, and to make dental care fun! Contact us today to schedule an appointment at one of our three convenient locations in Schodack, Latham, or Delmar!