Have you ever been chewing your food and curious about how it travels to your stomach, or looking at your tongue in the mirror and wondering what all the little raised bumps on it are? The human body is complex and fascinating to learn about, and when you do, you’ll be able to better appreciate it for everything it does. From eating and speaking to smiling and triggering your brain to release serotonin—your mouth is pretty amazing! Read on to take a brief dive into your oral anatomy and how everything works.
Tongue
The tongue is an incredibly powerful muscular structure that’s comprised of numerous internal and external muscles, including the genioglossus, which is one of the largest ones that contributes to the shape of your tongue. It plays a primary role in one of the first steps of digestion, which is helping you chew and mixing the food with your saliva, which allows it to be easily swallowed and broken down into key nutrients your body needs to function. As promised above, the small bumps on your tongue are called papillae, which are responsible for detecting taste.
Lips and Cheeks
Your lips and cheeks are made up of incredibly strong muscles that allow you to make countless facial expressions, like smiling and frowning. They also allow you to make sounds and speak, and even kiss your sweetheart! One more uncommon fact about the lips and cheeks is that they help guide your teeth into their intended position as they erupt into your mouth as a child.
Temporomandibular Joints
The temporomandibular joints are a paired set of joints located on either side of your jaw. They’re also surrounded by a series of muscles and ligaments that help you open and close your mouth. Whenever these muscles and joints become filled with tension or overworked, it can lead to a series of consequences ranging from ringing in the ears and neck and back pain to chronic migraines.
Salivary Glands
You can guess that your salivary glands produce your saliva, which contains special enzymes that help start the process of breaking down complex carbohydrates (starches and sugars) into smaller, basic units that the cells in your body can then use for energy. Your saliva also helps lubricate the food you chew so it’s easier to swallow, as well as neutralize acidic waste from bacteria in your mouth, helping keep it from eroding your tooth enamel.
Teeth & Gums
The teeth and gums are most people’s pride and joy when it comes to their smile. The teeth are encapsulated by one of the hardest substances in the body, called enamel, to protect them from decay and damage, while the roots are firmly anchored within the jawbone and held in place by fibers in the gums.
The Importance of Good Oral Health
With a better, more in-depth understanding of how each of your oral anatomical structures functions and helps you do basic daily tasks like eating and speaking, it may inspire you to up your oral health game! You can do this by brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes, flossing at least once a day, and regularly rinsing with alcohol-free mouthwash. It’s also crucial to visit your dentist in State College every six months for routine checkups and cleanings.
With a good oral hygiene routine, you can get the most out of every aspect of your smile by catching harmful diseases like oral cancer and gum disease as early as possible, and preventing cavities from causing severe or permanent damage.
About the Author
Dr. Kevin Labosky is from Boalsburg, Pennsylvania and has been practicing dentistry in the area for over 25 years. He’s passionate about helping patients of all ages enjoy good oral health for a lifetime, and his top priority is to preserve the natural integrity of every smile in his care. If it has been longer than six months since your last checkup and cleaning at a dental office, visit Kevin P. Labosky, DMD’s website or call 814-237-7004.
