Your mouth is made up of
more than just teeth, so good oral health goes beyond simply brushing and
flossing. In addition to your teeth, your mouth is made up of gums, oral
mucosa, the upper and lower jaw, the tongue, salivary glands, the uvula, and
the frenulum. All of these structures play an important role when it comes to
good dental health and are routinely examined when you receive
dental care.
The Oral Mucosa
When you open your mouth
and look in the mirror, everything that isn’t a tooth is covered by a
protective lining called the oral mucosa, which is a mucous membrane similar to
the mucous membranes that line your nostrils and inner ears.
The oral mucosa plays an
essential role in maintaining your oral health, as well as your overall health,
by defending your body from germs and other irritants that enter your mouth. A
tough substance called keratin, also found in your fingernails and hair, helps
make the oral mucosa resistant to injury.
The Gums
Your gums are the pinkish
tissue that surrounds and supports your teeth. Also covered by oral mucosa,
gums play a critical role in your oral health. Healthy gums are firm, cover the
entire root of the tooth, and do not bleed when brushed, poked, or prodded. Gum
disease can ultimately lead to tooth loss, so taking care of your gums by
flossing daily is just as essential to dental care as brushing your teeth.
The Upper and Lower Jaw
Your jaws give your face
its shape and your mouth the structure it needs for chewing and speech. Human
jaws are made up of several bones: The upper jaw contains two bones that are
fused to each other and to the rest of your skull, while the lower jawbone is
separate from the rest of the skull, enabling it to move up and down when you
speak and chew.
The Tongue
The tongue is a powerful
muscle covered in specialized mucosal tissue that includes your taste buds. The
tongue is not just important to your oral health — it's also considered an
integral part of the body's digestive system — it's responsible for moving food
to your teeth, and when chewed food is ready to be swallowed, the tongue moves
it to the back of the throat so it can proceed into the esophagus. In babies,
the tongue and the jaw work together to enable the infant to
breastfeed. Additionally, the tongue plays an essential role in the ability to
speak by shaping the sounds that come out of your mouth.
The Salivary Glands
You have three sets of
salivary glands in your mouth and neck: the parotid, submandibular, and
sublingual glands. These glands produce saliva, which contains special enzymes
that help break down food, making it easier for you to swallow. Saliva is
critical to good oral health, because it protects your teeth and gums by
rinsing away food particles and bacteria and by helping to counteract acidic
foods that can wear down the protective enamel on your teeth.
The Uvula
The uvula is the small flap
of tissue which hangs down at the back of your throat. The uvula is composed of
muscle fibers as well as connective and glandular tissues. Like other soft
tissue structures in the mouth, the uvula is covered by oral mucosa. The uvula
has long been a source of curiosity for scientists as all of its functions are
not yet fully understood. However, it seems to play some role in speech and in
keeping the mouth and throat moist.
The Frenulum Linguae
The frenulum is a flap of
oral mucosa that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This tissue
allows the tongue to move about as it does its job. If an infant is born with a
frenulum that is too short, or not elastic enough, he or she can have trouble
breastfeeding. A short frenulum can also affect speech.
The next time you’re brushing your teeth, spend a minute looking at the parts of
the mouth that lie farther inside the oral cavity. Knowing what these
structures do and what they look like can help you to maintain optimal oral
health.
Catering to the dental needs of kids requires a special touch. Pediatric dentists are specially trained to treat the oral health needs of children, from infancy through their teenage years. This involves in-depth knowledge about children's behavior, as well as their growth and development. Pediatric dental offices are also designed to make kids feel comfortable and relaxed – with plenty of toys, activities and a warm, inviting and fun décor.
If you've been told you need a dental filling, you're not alone: 92% of Americans have had at least one cavity. Dental fillings are the tried-and-true treatment for treating cavities – and they come in a variety of options to suit every need. Dental fillings can be made of silver amalgam, composite, porcelain and even gold. Amalgam fillings have been used by dentists for more than a century and are still the most common and cost-effective type of dental filling. But composite fillings, which are made of a tooth-colored plastic and glass composite, are quickly becoming the preferred dental filling due to their natural appearance and durability. The type of dental filling used is determined by a number of factors, including size and location of the cavity, as well as your budget.
Oral appliances are a front-line treatment for snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. This small plastic device fits in the mouth during sleep like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer. Oral appliances help prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat, keeping the airway open during sleep and promoting adequate air intake. Oral appliances may be used alone or in combination with other treatments for sleep-related breathing disorders, such as weight management, surgery or CPAP.