Your mouth has so much too it. All of the different parts work together for a variety of functions, and you use it every single day. You need your mouth to speak, breathe, eat, and digest food. Ultimately, the mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body, so it’s important to take care of it. Continue reading to learn about the different parts of your smile and what they do to contribute to your overall health and wellbeing.
Lips and Cheeks
Your lips and cheeks are both made up of muscles that give you the ability to shape your facial expression. They also allow air into your mouth for breathing and help you communicate with others through speaking. Without your lips or cheeks, you would be unable to keep saliva in your mouth while chewing.
Tongue
The tongue is a very powerful muscle that allows you to chew, swallow, speak, and taste food. Your taste buds allow you to enjoy the foods that you are eating by detecting sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and savory flavors.
Teeth, Gums, and Alveolar Bone
Your teeth are covered in hard enamel and anchored by their root. The alveolar bone surrounds the root and holds your teeth in the mouth. The gum tissue holds your teeth in place and protect the roots from decay. The main function of your teeth is to tear and chew food so they can be digested more easily. They also help to give your face its shape.
Salivary Glands
You have six salivary glands that produce your saliva. Saliva is made up of mostly water, but it also contains substances that break down food to begin the digestive process. It also keeps your mouth moist so you can speak, chew, and swallow with ease. Saliva repeatedly rinses away bacteria from your teeth and gums to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
Thanks to your TMJ, you are able to open your mouth with ease. These joints are located on both sides of your head and work together with your jawbone, face muscles, and ligaments. This way, you can chew your food and speak without a problem.
Your oral cavity is a complex part of the body with lots of moving parts, so it’s important that you take excellent care of it. By maintaining an excellent oral hygiene routine and seeing your dentist for regular checkups, you can continue to show off a beautiful, healthy smile!
About the Author
Dr. Bruce E. Carter earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Florida College of Dentistry and is committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. He attended the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, where he completed the Cosmetic Dentistry Continuum Level II. Currently, he’s a proud Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and has completed over 1600 hours of advanced training. To learn more or to schedule an appointment at his office in Lawrenceville, visit his website or call (770) 995-7616.