A healthy mouth is characterised by the appearance and condition of its various components, including the lips, gums, and teeth. While teeth colour naturally varies, the colour of the soft tissues like lips and gums is a key indicator of health.
Understanding Healthy Oral Tissues
The health of your mouth isn't just about having clean teeth; the surrounding tissues play a crucial role. Examining the colour and texture of your lips and gums can provide valuable insights into your oral well-being.
Key Indicators from References
According to oral health guidelines, the colour of healthy lips and gums is specifically noted:
- Lips: Healthy lips should be smooth, pink and moist.
- Gums and Tissues: Healthy gums and tissues should be pink, moist, smooth and free from bleeding and swelling.
- Teeth: Healthy teeth should be clean and free from food, plaque and decay. (Note: The reference focuses on the cleanliness and absence of decay for teeth, not a specific colour).
Based on this, the primary colours associated with a healthy mouth, as highlighted in the reference, are pink for the lips and gums.
What About Teeth Colour?
While the reference emphasizes the colour of lips and gums, it's important to note that the natural colour of healthy teeth can vary from person to person, ranging from light greyish-yellow to yellowish. The reference focuses on teeth being clean and free from decay, rather than a specific shade of white.
Here's a summary of the colour aspects mentioned in the reference:
| Oral Component | Colour for Health | Other Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Lips | Pink | Smooth, Moist |
| Gums & Tissues | Pink | Moist, Smooth, Free from bleeding/swelling |
| Teeth | (Not specified) | Clean, Free from food, plaque, decay |
Maintaining these healthy colours and conditions in your mouth is vital for overall oral health.
