Brushing and flossing your teeth is not enough to have a good oral health. Aside from your teeth, some structures inside your mouth should also be examined to know how good your dental health is.
The Oral Mucosa
- Oral Mucosa is a protective lining and a mucous membrane which is similar to the mucous membranes that line your nostrils and inner ears. The Oral Mucosa serves to defend the body from germs and other harmful foreign objects that gets inside our mouth.
The Gums
- Gums are pinkish tissue that serve to support the teeth in the mouth and is also covered by oral mucosa. A healthy gum is characterized by its firmness, covering the whole root of the teeth and doesn’t bleed after brushing or when poked. Maintaining a healthy gum means prevention from tooth loss. Thus, taking care of your gums by daily flossing is as good as brushing your teeth.
The Upper and Lower Jaw
- Basically the main function of jaws is to give shape and structure for the mouth that is necessary in speaking and chewing food. The upper jaw has two bones that are joined together and to the other parts of your skull. While the lower jawbone is separate from the rest of the skull in order to give free movements, like moving up and down when you speak and chew.
The Tongue
- The tongue is a strong muscle made up of mucosal tissue including your taste buds. The tongue is also an important part of the digestive system. It is responsible for the movement of food to your teeth, and when chewed food is ready to be swallowed, the tongue brings it to the back of the throat so it can enter the esophagus. In addition, the tongue also helps a person to speak by shaping the sounds coming out from your mouth.
The Salivary Gland
- The three sets of salivary glands in your mouth and neck are the submandibular parotid and sublingual glands. They produce saliva, containing special enzymes responsible in breaking down the food to make the food easier to swallow. Your saliva ashes away bacteria and food particles and helps to fight acidic foods that might damage the protective enamel of the teeth.