toothache-200x300Believe it or not, there could be a lot of things in your mouth right now that you didn’t even realize. Taking care of your oral health is a matter of brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash, but even if you do those things on a regular basis, you could still have foreign contaminants in your mouth that you never knew existed.

1. Bacteria.

Yes, there are some types of bacteria that are good for you, but there are also a number of bacteria that can be harmful. If you have gum disease and have bacteria in your mouth, it could potentially cause serious health issues.

2. Germs.

The average person’s mouth is a veritable germ factory. Any time you sneeze, cough, talk to somebody, kiss another person, and more, you are spreading germs about. Your body’s immune system is likely strong enough to repel and fight those germs off, but every so often you may become ill as a result of being exposed to them.

3. Food particles.

If you just brush in the morning and before you go to bed, you’re not getting all of the food particles out of your mouth. That is one of the primary factors in halitosis, or bad breath.

4. Sores.

If you have cold sores, gum disease, or any other inflammation, they can be harboring bacteria and germs and creating some serious health issues. Cold sores don’t necessarily indicate poor oral hygiene, but when you have a sore in your mouth, it’s even more important to brush and floss regularly.

Taking care of your oral health helps to eliminate a significant portion of bacteria, germs, food particles, and other items that get trapped in your teeth and along your gums and it will lead to fresher breath, more confidence, and a better smile.