When it comes to oral care, you may think you only need to know about teeth. That should be enough to help with daily brushing and flossing, right? Even so, the truth is a bit more complicated; it’s actually better to learn about the other parts of your mouth as well. Doing so gives you a better picture of your smile and ensures you look after it properly. With that said, keep reading to learn about big parts of your mouth and their purposes.
Salivary Glands
To a certain extent, your mouth has the power to clean itself. This ability comes from your effective salivary glands.
The salivary glands are six small organs spread throughout your oral cavity. Per their name, their role is to produce saliva – a substance made of water, protein, and minerals that help digestion. This fluid processes food and washes away debris as it builds in your mouth, removing acids produced by cavity-causing bacteria.
Tongue
While you’re likely aware of your tongue, you may not know much about it. Now is a great time to change that fact and learn more.
In short, your tongue is a digestive organ that makes up much of your mouth. It helps you chew food, breathe, and speak as it positions itself against other parts of your oral cavity. At the same time, your tongue allows you to taste foods and drinks with its 10,000 taste buds – little bumps that detect flavors.
The Gums
The gums play a big role in oral health, even if they aren’t discussed as much as teeth. You’d do well to master the details about them.
Gums are tissues that surround a person’s teeth, keeping them stable and secure over time. They’re crucial because they help your smile remain strong and prevent major tooth loss. Given that fact, you should always protect these pink tissues from infections like gum disease. Otherwise, you’ll end up with missing teeth that lower your quality of life.
Temporomandibular Joints
Honestly, your mouth isn’t just made up of fleshy parts. It also has harder components like the temporomandibular joints.
Also known as TMJs, the temporomandibular joints are key pieces of your jaw. These joints allow you to open and close your mouth, move your lower jaw forward, and more. Most importantly, the TMJs assist you in talking, chewing, and swallowing.
Knowing more parts of your mouth will help you protect your smile. So, grasp the ones above and learn about others from your dental provider!
About the Practice
Washington Dental Associates is based in Bergenfield, NJ. Led by a highly experienced team of dentists, our practice is deeply committed to each patient’s smile. That means we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments to ensure your grin thrives! By providing comprehensive dental care, our team keeps your teeth and gums at their very best. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (201)-453-4863.