Your mouth is much more complex than you may initially think. All of the different parts work together for a variety of functions, and you use it all the time! You need your mouth to breathe, eat, speak, and digest your food. Ultimately, your oral cavity is the gateway to the rest of your body. Read on to learn about the different aspects of your mouth and how they work.
Lips & Cheeks
Your lips and cheeks are made up of muscles that give you the ability to shape your facial expressions. They also allow air into your mouth for breathing and help you to communicate with your peers through speech. Without your lips or cheeks, you would be unable to keep saliva in your mouth or contain food as you chew.
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 food that you eat by detecting sweet, salty, fitter, sour, and umami flavors.
Teeth, Gums, & 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 place. The gum tissue holds your teeth in place and protects the roots from decay. The main function of your teeth is to tear and chew good so it can be digested more easily. They also help to give your face 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 and begin the digestive process. It also keeps your mouth moist so you can speak, chew, and easily swallow. Saliva repeatedly rinses away bacteria from your own teeth and gums to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
Thanks to your TMJ, you can open your mouth with ease. These joints are located on both sides of your head and work together with your jawbone, facial muscles, and ligaments. This way, you can chew your food, speak, and otherwise open your mouth without issue.
Your oral cavity is a complex part of your body with many 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. Justin Garner earned his dental doctorate from the UMKC School of Dentistry in 2007. This was followed by completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the University of Michigan in 2008. Today, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association and Missouri Dental Association. For more information or to schedule an appointment at his office in Independence, visit his website or call (816) 306-1838.