How Clean is Your Mouth?

You may spend hours every week cleaning your house, doing the vacuuming, washing your clothes, but have you ever stopped to think how clean your mouth is?

The mouth is home to billions of bacteria; in fact, the number of bacteria in the human mouth is similar to the number of people living on earth. Scientists have come across more than 700 different strains of bacteria in the human mouth.

How clean is your mouth?

Bacteria are a constant presence in the human mouth, but they increase in number when you eat and between brushing; if you don’t brush your teeth on a regular basis, bacteria will combine with food particles to form plaque, a sticky substance, which can cling to the enamel surfaces of the teeth and increase the risk of decay and gum disease. The longer you wait between cleanings, the more bacteria will be present in your mouth.

Sugary and starchy foods are bad news for your teeth, as bacteria feed on these foods and this causes them to produce harmful acids, which attack the enamel; if you do fancy something sweet, try to stick to eating at mealtimes so that your teeth are not under constant attack.

The best way to keep your mouth clean is to brush at least twice a day and to cover all areas of your mouth when you brush. There is a common myth surrounding brushing that the harder you brush, the better, but this is not true, as brushing too hard can damage the protective enamel surface of the teeth, which actually increases the risk of damage and decay, as bacteria can penetrate through the enamel.

Flossing is also important, as it tackles areas that can easily be missed when brushing; flossing removes food debris and bacteria from between the teeth and along the gum line.

Using mouthwash can also help to remove bacteria and rinse your mouth, leaving your breath clean and fresh.

Tips for teeth cleaning and preventing bacteria build-up

When you are brushing, take care to cover the corners and the gum line; there areas are prone to plaque and bacteria collection, as they can be hard to reach with a brush. Using a small brush head will make it easier to reach the corners of your mouth. Try to spend an equal amount of time on each quadrant of the mouth and brush every surface of the tooth.

In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, it is also essential to see your dentist in a regular basis; visiting a hygienist is also a very effective means for keeping your mouth clean and reducing your risk of gum disease and cavities.