This is Your Mouth

by Rudolfo San Miguel

Your mouth is made of up of more than teeth and jaw bone. Good dental care isn’t just about protecting your teeth as much it is about comprehensive oral hygiene. Each portion of your mouth has a different function and design. By understanding the different portions of your mouth you can better appreciate how important its well-being is for you and your life.

The Oral Mucosa is the inner portion of your mouth, which protects you from what you put on it. Made of a protective lining called the “oral mucosa,” this inner surface of your mouth is important for your oral health along with your health in general. It consists of a tough membrane called keratin, which is also what both your fingernails and hair are made. It protects from disease, as it protects from injury.

The Gums are the pink tissue surrounding your teeth. Covering the entire roots of your teeth, the gums are important not only to your dental structure but also the health of the rest of your mouth. Gum disease may ultimately lead to both teeth decay and/or loss.

The Jaws (Upper and Lower) are the bones and structure surrounding the entrance to your mouth. They give your face its shape. They are essential for chewing and talking. Your upper jaw is attached to your skull, while the lower jawbone is separate and able to move vertically while you are chewing or speaking.

The Tongue is the organ in your mouth that you use to both taste and swallow food. Made of a powerful muscle, the tongue is covered with a special kind of mucosal tissue that harbors your taste buds. Aside from all the eating, tongues are important for speech.

The Salivary Glands are the three sets of glands located in your mouth and neck where your saliva is produced. They are called the “parotid,” “submandibular,” and “sublingual” glands. Your saliva helps protect your teeth and gums by rinsing food and bacteria. It also counteracts foods that are acidic, which can slowly wear away your teeth’s protective enamel.

The Uvula is the small flap of tissue that hangs from the back of your throat. Composed of muscle fibers and glandular tissue, the uvula is still a mystery to scientists. It does seem to play a role in both speech and maintaining moisture in your mouth and throat.

The Frenulum Linguae is the flap of mucosa connecting your tongue at the bottom of your mouth. It allows your tongue to move and assist in your ability to speak.

We may sometimes take our mouth for granted. Think of all the chewing, tasting, breathing, and swallowing you do. Through all these different elements to the structure of your mouth, these task are completed. Their health and well-being is as much part you as the rest of your body.