A healthy mouth leads to improved general health, as there there is a connection between oral health and your overall health. Everything is tied together, and any problems in your mouth can affect your overall wellness. Exercising, enjoying the outdoors, getting plenty of rest, and taking care of your oral health are a few ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Today there is a strong focus on eating food that improves your gut health and promotes good bacteria. The same idea should be applied to your mouth as there are many types of bacteria in your mouth, mostly harmless. Your job is to get to know the good oral bacteria and follow a few tips that will help you reduce the harmful bacteria.
Mouth Bacteria
According to the National Institute of Health, there are between 500 – 700 different types of bacteria that can live inside the human mouth. Most often, about 200- 300 are living within your mouth at one time. Not all bacteria are harmful, so make sure not to do anything that eliminates all of your bacteria. If you do that, then you will remove the good bacteria that keep the harmful bacteria in check. You want to keep the bacteria that create bad breath at bay.
Oral Health Tips To Maintain Overall Health
Five tips to follow that are easy to apply and worth your time:
Brush correctly
Correctly brushing takes about two minutes and gives you that fresh feeling. Proper brushing will help you avoid dental plaque build-up. This one may seem obvious but is perhaps an essential part of your daily oral care routine. When brushing your teeth, be sure to keep the brush at a 45-degree angle and use gentle circular motions instead of using back-and-forth motions. Proper brushing rids your teeth of most bacteria and doesn’t allow it to reach the rest of your body. To keep it simple can follow the following brushing routine recommended by Colgate:
- Start by cleaning the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, then the lower teeth
- Next, begin cleaning the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then the lower teeth
- Identify where there may be food stick to the chewing surfaces and clean
- Clean all chewing surfaces
- Brushing the tongue can help freshen your breath
Floss teeth effectively:
Another obvious yet important one, flossing rids your teeth of the bacteria that is left behind after brushing. A toothbrush cannot reach some areas of your mouth and flossing can help! By removing the bacteria that resides beneath the gum line, you give your gums and body the best chance of staying healthy.
Don’t smoke:
With all the advertisements about the harmful effects of tobacco use, this one should come as no surprise. Not only is tobacco harmful to your respiratory system, but is also the leading cause of oral cancer in the world. Put the cigarettes down to save your mouth and your body.
Limit sodas, coffee, and alcohol:
Despite these beverages containing phosphorous, a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body’s calcium stores. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Gum disease has been found to be connected to diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Schedule A Comprehensive Dental Examination
We proudly service patients from Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and other surrounding areas!
Encore Dental Address:
2663 Shaughnessy St.
Port Coquitlam, BC, V3C3G7
Call Us: 604-464-4131
View Larger Map
According to our Google reviews, approachability, personalized care, great customer service, implementing the latest technology and materials in dentistry set us apart.
