The Inner Structures Of The Mouth

While so much attention is given to your teeth, your mouth consists of so much more these dentals surface. Apart form your pearly whites, your mouth consist of other structures such as the soft tissues of the gums, the oral mucosa, the upper and the lower jaw, the tongue, salivary glands, the uvula, and the frenulum linguae.

The Gums

The gums consist of pink periodontal tissues that support your teeth. Much like your teeth, gums play an important role to your overall oral health. Healthy gums are characterized by firm periodontal tissues that cover entire root of your tooth.

The Oral Mucosa

The oral mucosa is everywhere inside your mouth. It literally covers everything that isn’t a tooth. Simply put, the oral mucosa is essentially a mucous membrane that is similar to the membranes that line your nostrils and inner ear.

Upper And Lower Jaw

Both the upper and the lower jaw are the very structures that define the shape of your face. The jaw is a mouth structure that is crucial in performing tasks such as chewing and speaking. The jaw is generally a collection of several bones.

The upper jaw is anatomically two bones that are fused together to the rest of the skull. The lower jaw, on the other hand, is a separate structure that enables your mouth to move up and down.

The Tongue

A powerful muscle that is covered with specialized mucosal tissues referred to as taste buds, the tongue does not only make the sense of taste possible. It is just as importantly responsible for moving food from your mouth into your esophagus, thereby prompting digestion.

Salivary Glands

People have three sets of salivary glands located in your mouth and neck. These salivary glands are referred to as the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. The salivary glands are responsible for manufacturing saliva, which contains enzymes that are essential in breaking down food.

The Uvula

A small tissue structure that hangs at the back of your throat, the uvula mostly consists muscle fibers, connective tissues, and glandular tissues. Like most mouth structures, the uvula is covered with the oral mucosa.

While still not fully understood in terms of its functions, experts believe that the uvula plays an essential role in speech and in keeping the mouth moist.

The Frenulum

The frenulum linguae is a strand of oral mucosa that anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth. It is essentially what allows for proper movement of the tongue.

Dentist In Brisbane

Visiting your dentist regularly ensures that both your teeth and gums are free from any unwanted dental anomalies. Malouf Dental houses a team of dental experts that provide the local Brisbane community and its surrounding community with a comprehensive range of top quality dental solutions.

Claim your FREE dental consultation by calling us at (07) 3390 6100. Or simply book an appointment online.