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Inside
This Issue
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Graduation in the Time of COVID-19
Find Your Family’s Next Crafting Project Be Aware of This Common but Harmful Sleep Condition Good Morning Breakfast Kebabs How to Keep an Eye on Your Oral Health
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Know Your Mouth How to Thoroughly Check Your Oral Health
Tongue Much like the gums, the tongue should always be pink. It should also be covered with small nodules called papillae. Discoloration of the tongue, like white spots, could be a sign of infection or a side effect of diabetes and asthma medications. A red tongue could be a sign of a vitamin deficiency or an indication that you have a fever. Sores and bumps on your tongue — or on your gums and the insides of your cheeks — may need to be treated with medication if they don’t go away on their own. Breath Bad breath can be embarrassing, but it can also be an indicator of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Healthy breath should be naturally neutral, meaning there shouldn’t be much scent to it at all. Bacteria breed in the presence of food particles, and it’s these bacteria that cause stinky breath. Eating pungent foods may cause bad breath temporarily, but if it continues even after brushing or using mouthwash, this could be a sign of other issues. A thorough check of your or a family member’s oral health may require a few extra steps, but it’s well worth your time. No one knows your mouth better than you, but if you have an issue, then you should always tell your dentist about it, because no one knows oral hygiene better than them!
While you should never attempt any type of dental procedure or oral cleaning with professional tools at home, it is important to be aware of the overall health of your mouth. Whether you’re between visits to your dentist or haven’t scheduled an appointment in a while, look for the following signs to help you decide if it’s time for a trip to the dentist.
Teeth Strong teeth are the first sign of a healthy mouth. Determine whether or not yours are strong by checking for loose teeth, pain, sensitivity, or discoloration other than the yellowing that occurs with age. It doesn’t mean your teeth are unhealthy if they aren’t perfectly straight, but make sure their alignment isn’t causing issues with the way you bite, chew, or relax your jaw. Gums For the most part, healthy gums are always pink. They should be firm around each tooth and not tender, swollen, red, or white. Where the gums naturally sit on the tooth varies from person to person, but if you start to notice your gums receding more than normal, this could be a cause for concern. If your gums bleed while brushing or flossing, it could mean you’re not doing either often enough or are being too rough, or it may indicate other health issues.
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