When we think about oral health and what’s inside of our mouths, most of us probably just think of teeth. And while the obvious components of good oral hygiene (regular brushing, rinsing and flossing) are important to not only dental but over-all health, there are other key players inside of your mouth that help with everything from speech to digestion.
Besides teeth, your mouth is made up of several important components that play a key role in many aspects of your health. Let’s take a look at these components.
The Gums
Everyone knows what their gums are right? They’re the pink tissue that hold teeth in place and support them. The gums are a very important factor in good oral healthy. They should be a pale pinkish color and should have a firm consistency. When brushing your teeth, you should not see any evidence of bleeding on your toothbrush or in the sink, otherwise you may be suffering from gum disease. Gum disease can lead to several other conditions and can cause the loss of teeth if not properly addressed.
The Oral Mucosa
The oral mucosa is a special protective lining that covers all of the surfaces within your mouth (with the exception of the actual teeth). This membrane is vital to defending your mouth and body from germs. The oral mucosa is also covered with its own protective covering made up of a substance called keratin that is naturally produced in the body. Keratin protects the oral mucosa, and the oral mucosa protects the other structures inside your mouth.
The Tongue
The tongue is a muscle within the mouth. Covered by oral mucosa and taste buds, the tongue plays a vital role in food digestion. As you chew food, your tongue moves the food closer to the back of your throat in preparation to be swallowed. The tongue is also an important factor in how speech develops as babies learn to talk. The tongue and jaws work together to help ‘shape’ sounds as they come out of your mouth.
The Upper and Lower Jaw Bones
Your jaws are made up of several different bones. The upper jaw has two bones that attach to your skull, while the lower jawbone is a single separate bone. The lower jawbone is not attached to the skull thereby enabling it to move and up and during chewing and speaking.
The Salivary Glands
There are three sets of salivary glands within the mouth. Al of the glands create saliva. Saliva contains special enzymes that help break down food. Saliva also helps protect your mouth by rinsing away food particles and bacteria after you eat. It can also help to reduce the negative impact of acidic foods on your teeth.
The Frenulum Linguae
While this is a hard one to pronounce, the frenulum linguae actually helps your tongue do its job with eating and speaking. It is a flap of oral mucosa that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth.If the frenulum linguae is not properly formed, or becomes damaged, it can have a negative effect on many things, from how a baby breastfeeds, to how an adult chews food and speaks.
A properly formed frenulum linguae will help your tongue to its job properly so that you can properly chew and digest food, and allow maximum nutrition. As well, the important of being able to communicate verbally plays a huge role in everyone’s lives.
The Uvula
Have a look into your mouth. Do you see that little flap of tissue that hangs down at the back of your throat? That is called the uvula. It’s a little piece of tissue that’s made up of muscles fibers and connective glandular tissue. The role of the uvula is somewhat of a mystery, but in general, it helps to keep the mouth most, and has some bearing on speech.Like the other structures within the mouth, the uvula is covered by oral mucosa.
How to Keep Your Mouth Healthy
There are many ways to keep your mouth healthy. Being proactive about your oral health can help keep you safe from a variety of conditions and illnesses.
Good Dental Hygiene
It goes without saying that properly dental hygiene is your first line of defense in keeping your mouth healthy. This includes regular brushing, rinsing and flossing.As well, regular visits to the dentist, and twice-yearly dental cleanings will cut down on your risk of developing gum disease and decay, which can lead to other health issues.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Proper nutrition is important not just to your oral health but to your over-all health. Eat a diet that is rich in vitamins and nutrients, calcium, and lean meats. Green leafy vegetables, lean meat such as chicken and turkey, fruits, grains, and dairy products are your best bet. Avoid processed foods, super sugary foods, and soda pop.
Stop Using Tobacco
If you use tobacco in any form, it’s a good idea to quit. This includes cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars and pipes. The evidence is piling up on how bad tobacco is for your health. Do yourself and your mouth a favor and give up this nasty habit! Tobacco also contributes to yellow teeth.
Limit your Alcohol Intake
It’s fine to have a couple of drinks now and then, but if you drink more than two drinks each day, you increase your risk of causing damage or disease to the structures of your mouth. So keep it light, a glass or two of wine a day is fine, but avoid heavy drinking.
Regular Medical Checkups
Along with regular dental checkups, visit your doctor at least once a year for a checkup. The doctor can keep a record of any changes within your mouth and if necessary, work with your dentist to help address such issues.
Summary
As you’ve learned, there’s more to your mouth than just teeth! The mouth is a complex area of the body made up of a number of different structures. If you have any questions or concerns about your mouth or oral health, give us a call at Enhance Dental Centre – we’re happy to answer all of your questions!
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